Citalopram, tried for a week, thinking of alternative due to sleepy side effects- any advise?

[JB7]

Hi,

I have been try citalopram for a week, thanks for all the advise from last time i posted, but am feeling very sleeping, run down and finding it difficult to get anything done on the citalopram.  I'm not sure if I need an AD that is more of an upper-type.  Or do you think the sleepy side effects goes after a while? Is there an alternative drug anyone can suggest?

I've only 5mg a day (but I seem to be very sensitive to drugs).  Obviously I was going to try to start taking 10mgs a day, but I can't face taking it any more, although there hasn't been any other strong side effects.

My history in case this helps with suggestions:
I have been suffering from insomnia and anxiety, as well as mild depression and a lack of motivation for a year and a half.  My insomnia was very bad, although I'm not working at the moment so this is not an issue.  I am someone who suffers from low energy even when I haven't got insomnia (although I think this is based on mood not physical), and have generally got a slow-paced temperament. Currently I have next to no motivation to get the stuff I need done in the day. I have suffered from several life changes, that have added to my depression & anxiety- moving house, splitting up with long term boy friend, a stressful job, and my parents long divorce and legal battle.  Although I have also suffered from bouts of depression since I was a child.  I suffer from anxiety in the sense of repetitive negative thoughts and worry, but no panic attacks or anything.

Any advice would be much appreciated. I don't want to take exeffor (I think it's called) because of the bad withdrawal and when I tried it, it also made me feel physically ill.  Thanks so much for any help again and sorry for this rather long message- I've also posted a similar message on the doctor advise forum.  

[venora]

Try taking it at night.I am on 20 mg and I take mine at night.also ite sleepiness does level out after a couple of weeks.Give it some time as you have only been on it a week.
Get regular rest. Eat healthy and go for light exercise like walking.If you have trouble falling asleep try some meditation to down load all the stuff you picked up during the day.and dont forget a good multivitamin.
  let me know how you are doing.
Love venora

[dyblue]

yes take it at night I can't take it in morning It works for me so side effect just content and don't obsess about stuff.  I will take it for life.

[thomj513]

Your experience is similar to mine.  I was put on 10mg at night for about two weeks with a planned increase to 20mg.  Became ssssooooooo tired and fatiuged on 10 mg after one week that I couldn't make it in to work and slept the whole day.  Called my Dr and was told to change to every other day at night.  Still couldn't handle that either so they took me off of it completely.  It's been 3 weeks since I was taken off of the med and am still experiencing withdrawal side effects.  You and I may be some of the people who are sensitive to SSRI meds.  The side effects you're experiencing are valid.  Contact your Dr to see if they can help you with another classification of AD med.  I have an appointment tomorrow with my Dr to go over the problems and see what will be prescribed at that time.  Hope it's not Lexapro since it's more of the same even though it's claimed to have less side effects.  ThomJ.