Citalopram for 4 days, side effects increasing

[goawayanxiety]

Hello everyone
I started having severe anxiety attacks two month ago, though I have suffered with anxiety my whole life. I have been on Citalopram for four days now and the side effects seems to be increasing. I am on a small dose, one quarter of a 20 mg tablet. I am suppose to go up to one half of a 20 mg tab today but am afraid to. I am jittery, have headaches, am groggy but panic when I try to sleep, have heat flashes through my upper body, my eyes feels strange...the list goes on. Some of these things I have felt before the Citalopram. I am also using .25 xanax to help control the anxiety. I could really use some encouragement. I want to keep going and get back to my normal, but the side effects are scary. I have two small kids to take care of and am afraid of the side effects getting even more in the way of taking care of them. Please, any stories to help me on my way would be greatly appreciated! Thanks you so much!

[jamer923]

Hi, yeh hang in there, citaplopram takes a few weeks to work and during this time can increase anxiety. if it helps, please check out my other post which lists many of my anxiety afflictions.

[goawayanxiety]

I asked about switching to klonopin, but am afraid to try to mix a new drug in when I am still getting used to the citalopram. I hate the feeling of general anxiety. I t just *****, but I am so glad to have found this site and hear others
are going through it (and surviving).

[JGF25]

Agreed, it does take a good 4 to 6 weeks.  The jitteryness is the worst, I agree.  I just tried to keep myself busy during that time.  It usually went away in the evening so I got a bit of a reprieve.  Is there someone who can come and help you with the kids while you are building the meds up in your system?  You are taking it in the morning right?  

Also you may want to ask the doctor about a longer acting benzo such as klonopin.  It lasts longer in the system than Xanax however it does take a bit longer to start working.  I also take 1 mg of klonopin at night to sleep otherwise I'd be up all night.  

Take care...

[carmen802]

you need to give the medicine time to work. Hang in there!!:) If you need a Xanax while adjusting to your Citalopram,then take it. That is why your doctor prescribed the Xanax.