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[mickyblues]

Let me ask, I am on my 3rd day of the 20mg. I was feeling real good today and then got real bad. Does this happen?

[Burgy]

Yes, that's a very common reaction, and it happened to me, too. In the first few days or weeks of starting a medication or changing the dosage, the effects are sporadic. You'll have moments when you feel it kick in and you feel better, then it will give out for a while. This back-and-forth will eventually even out into a more consistent effect. For me, it took about 6 weeks for the effects to fully stabilize, but I felt significantly better each week before that happened. Lexapro is probably the fastest acting SSRI available, so it shouldn't be too long.

Hang in there!

[mickyblues]

Yes, that's a very common reaction, and it happened to me, too. In the first few days or weeks of starting a medication or changing the dosage, the effects are sporadic. You'll have moments when you feel it kick in and you feel better, then it will give out for a while. This back-and-forth will eventually even out into a more consistent effect. For me, it took about 6 weeks for the effects to fully stabilize, but I felt significantly better each week before that happened. Lexapro is probably the fastest acting SSRI available, so it shouldn't be too long.

Hang in there!

Yes, exactly, I felt like it was working then gave out mid day and now I feel bla. I think I get ahead of myself a little wanting to feel good to fast then my mind has a horrible thought to keep me in check or something, if that makes sense.
When I look back in the past when I got sick, I think I remember having a good day, then bad one, then two good days, then a bad one, etc.

[mickyblues]

Sometimes I think this is the wrong medication for me, but as you said this back and forth, makes sense. Sometimes I feel Im getting better and sometimes I feel Im making no progress. This is extremely frustrating!!! Kind of like taking a two steps ahead then one back.

[Burgy]

I understand your frustration. When you're suffering from depression or anxiety, every day feels like an eternity. But try to be patient with yourself, and with the medication. Do whatever it takes to comfort or distract yourself while the medication builds up in your system, and don't make any major decisions about your life, or your treatment, until you've been on your current dosage at least a month.

Recovery is often a "two steps forward, one step back" or even a "one step forward, two steps back" process for a while. It's not always a smooth upward curve. Think of the stock market on a fairly prosperous year. The overall effect is good, but along the way there are many ups and downs, and if you become fixated on every bump in the road, you'll never make it to your destination. Try to take a step back and know that the bigger picture will be positive.

[mickyblues]

I understand your frustration. When you're suffering from depression or anxiety, every day feels like an eternity. But try to be patient with yourself, and with the medication. Do whatever it takes to comfort or distract yourself while the medication builds up in your system, and don't make any major decisions about your life, or your treatment, until you've been on your current dosage at least a month.

Recovery is often a "two steps forward, one step back" or even a "one step forward, two steps back" process for a while. It's not always a smooth upward curve. Think of the stock market on a fairly prosperous year. The overall effect is good, but along the way there are many ups and downs, and if you become fixated on every bump in the road, you'll never make it to your destination. Try to take a step back and know that the bigger picture will be positive.

Wow, thank you so much for putting things into perspective for me. It's hard to see the bigger picture when wrapped in so much missery. Let me ask you from your experience, do you think 20mg of lexapro will suffice, especially after allowing it time to build up in my system? You see my worry is it will "poop out" after a couple of weeks and won't be enough.

[Burgy]

"Poop out" happens to some people after many months of treatment, at which time they may have to switch meds. But you're nowhere near that point, if ever. I do think 20 mg of Lexapro will suffice, but you won't know until a month's time. When I took 20 mg Lexapro, every anxious and depressive thought was completely snuffed out. That felt wonderful for a while, especially after being depressed and anxious for most of my life. But pretty soon I felt a little numb, so I halved the dosage. You may like 20 mg so much you'll stay on it indefinitely, or you may eventually taper it off to 15 or 10 mg after you're stabilized. But 20 mg is a good, strong, reasonable dose to start with, to tackle your anxiety and obsessive thoughts.

[mickyblues]

"Poop out" happens to some people after many months of treatment, at which time they may have to switch meds. But you're nowhere near that point, if ever. I do think 20 mg of Lexapro will suffice, but you won't know until a month's time. When I took 20 mg Lexapro, every anxious and depressive thought was completely snuffed out. That felt wonderful for a while, especially after being depressed and anxious for most of my life. But pretty soon I felt a little numb, so I halved the dosage. You may like 20 mg so much you'll stay on it indefinitely, or you may eventually taper it off to 15 or 10 mg after you're stabilized. But 20 mg is a good, strong, reasonable dose to start with, to tackle your anxiety and obsessive thoughts.

Thank you, let's see what happens. Again, I am 3 weeks in and just started the 20mg, so I guess I still have some time before feeling really good.

[mei]

Good for you. You're going to feel better very soon. Lexapro is one of the fastest-acting antidepressants available.

Keep us posted. I'd like to hear how the 20 mg works for you.

I will. Im just afraid, that I won't let myself get better. I mean I feel like it's so easy to have a bad thought and now this has become "my thing". This might not make sense to you but when I start feeling good during a part of the day I will remind myself that I have to have a thought to hurt myself. It's like an endless loop. I have been through this before and have gotten through this. However, I am afraid of myself.

hey micky- i wanted to add that i experience this very trap that you describe- where you remind yourself of your bad state. for me, it's as if i use it as a measurement- when i'm in some normal function of the day and i'm doing ok- i'll have this moment of self-conscious reflection and think: "is this better? am i improving?" and by engaging in that benign thought, i unfortunately conjure the darkness of my range of emotions of recent experience to compare my current state to, and thereby trigger that very state i am attempting to improve from. i recall a particular day when i noticed that my thoughts were just floating- bouncing casually (and logically- it wasn't nonsense or anything) from one recollection to some observation and then on to some idea and then- blah blah blah... and i thought "oh this is what normal was once like". it isn't a euphoria- none of us on this site are looking for that. it is the standard occupation/function/progression of our thought process/emotions.
for the most part, i'm in a place like yours. i'm at the relative begining of a prescription of a new drug to me (celexa 20 for 2 weeks- having just switched from prozac 30 for 5 weeks) and it's that point where you've put in what seems like enough time for tangible change to occur- but these chemicals don't work on our internal time schemes. they work on their own. that's why i notice i have to keep reviewing these old worn-out accounts of how long it took for drugs to work for other people- because i need to establish a frame of reference of time that is not constructed from my own expectations.
so here i am in suburban new york, waiting for some relief- measuring each day- and i am finding that my thoughts are getting more fluid. less libel to swirl into that horrific whirlpool of self-reflection/ negative-manifesting thoughts - that was happening incessantly. my conclusion (so far) is that this process is subtle and slow- but does happen. so hang in- suspend your expectations. put some kind of place-holder in that spot that wants to go on another strong drug- and for the moment: trust that 4-6 week approximation that everyone sites as the determining time frame. just as an aside- some researchers aren't sure if lexapro is faster acting- so don't compare your experience with everyone else who might seem more responsive.
anyhoo- good luck hanging in- change is the one certainty in life- but it take a huge over-view to notice it. think of the growing child effect: you don't notice a child growing from day to day, but if you don't see them for a couple of months, their growth is remarkably noticable.
mei

[kstours]

My! Busy thread today! I agree getting stable on a new med is a bit of a bumpy ride, but well worth it. I really like the "Poop-out happens" line, burgy. I might have to change my signature!

[mickyblues]

Good for you. You're going to feel better very soon. Lexapro is one of the fastest-acting antidepressants available.

Keep us posted. I'd like to hear how the 20 mg works for you.

I will. Im just afraid, that I won't let myself get better. I mean I feel like it's so easy to have a bad thought and now this has become "my thing". This might not make sense to you but when I start feeling good during a part of the day I will remind myself that I have to have a thought to hurt myself. It's like an endless loop. I have been through this before and have gotten through this. However, I am afraid of myself.

hey micky- i wanted to add that i experience this very trap that you describe- where you remind yourself of your bad state. for me, it's as if i use it as a measurement- when i'm in some normal function of the day and i'm doing ok- i'll have this moment of self-conscious reflection and think: "is this better? am i improving?" and by engaging in that benign thought, i unfortunately conjure the darkness of my range of emotions of recent experience to compare my current state to, and thereby trigger that very state i am attempting to improve from. i recall a particular day when i noticed that my thoughts were just floating- bouncing casually (and logically- it wasn't nonsense or anything) from one recollection to some observation and then on to some idea and then- blah blah blah... and i thought "oh this is what normal was once like". it isn't a euphoria- none of us on this site are looking for that. it is the standard occupation/function/progression of our thought process/emotions.
for the most part, i'm in a place like yours. i'm at the relative begining of a prescription of a new drug to me (celexa 20 for 2 weeks- having just switched from prozac 30 for 5 weeks) and it's that point where you've put in what seems like enough time for tangible change to occur- but these chemicals don't work on our internal time schemes. they work on their own. that's why i notice i have to keep reviewing these old worn-out accounts of how long it took for drugs to work for other people- because i need to establish a frame of reference of time that is not constructed from my own expectations.
so here i am in suburban new york, waiting for some relief- measuring each day- and i am finding that my thoughts are getting more fluid. less libel to swirl into that horrific whirlpool of self-reflection/ negative-manifesting thoughts - that was happening incessantly. my conclusion (so far) is that this process is subtle and slow- but does happen. so hang in- suspend your expectations. put some kind of place-holder in that spot that wants to go on another strong drug- and for the moment: trust that 4-6 week approximation that everyone sites as the determining time frame. just as an aside- some researchers aren't sure if lexapro is faster acting- so don't compare your experience with everyone else who might seem more responsive.
anyhoo- good luck hanging in- change is the one certainty in life- but it take a huge over-view to notice it. think of the growing child effect: you don't notice a child growing from day to day, but if you don't see them for a couple of months, their growth is remarkably noticable.
mei

Wow, this is exactly what im going through! I couldn't have put it better. I do this s*** all day long and i am in my 3rd week of lexapro. Weird though, I think Im feeling better. I know I need to be patient, like my previous post, I recently started the 20mg and I do feel a change, however, still trapped.

[mickyblues]

What suburgatory said in a earlier post makes a lot of sense, in regards to flucuation in the medicine within the body. Throughout the day I am fighting my thoughts however, sometimes I feel like I have some clarity in my thoughts and don't feel a need to punish myself. The medicine must be slowely building up in the system and maybe this is the result of that.

[Burgy]

Lexapro is a very potent antidepressant and antianxiety drug. Before I first tried it, I was mentally crucifying myself every minute of every day. On 20 mg of Lexapro, all the chaos and insanity in my brain stopped. I think you'll be very pleased with the results. But you haven't even been on 20 mg of Lexapro for a week yet! Once you have been at your current dosage for one full month, you'll know what I'm talking about.

[mickyblues]

Lexapro is a very potent antidepressant and antianxiety drug. Before I first tried it, I was mentally crucifying myself every minute of every day. On 20 mg of Lexapro, all the chaos and insanity in my brain stopped. I think you'll be very pleased with the results. But you haven't even been on 20 mg of Lexapro for a week yet! Once you have been at your current dosage for one full month, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Again, very reassuring to hear suburgatory. Your right, I haven't even been on it for a week. How long on the 20mg before you felt normal again?

[Burgy]

Lexapro was the first AD I ever tried, and I honestly felt better within minutes of the first dose. Lexapro has an immediately sedating effect, which is nice when you've been wound up and out of your mind for years! But the true antidepressant effects took a little longer. I felt a little better each day, until I reached a plateau in about a month, when the effects became consistent. I remember it was just before the Thanksgiving holiday, and the Lexapro had just enough time to fully kick in before I had to drive to my home town to see my parents and old friends for Thanksgiving dinner. Ugh! But I was totally fine, and all the old crap that used to drive me crazy was no big deal. I did notice, however, that I felt a bit detached, like my emotions registered mentally, but not viscerally. It was like saying, "Hmmm. This kind of thing means something to me." but not feeling it in my body. I liked it, quite frankly, but after some time I wanted a little more emotional range back, and that's why I halved the dose. So you can let the 20 mg do its thing for a while, and you might like it and stay there, or you might increase or decrease. We're all so unique, it's impossible to tell until you try. But I do know that you need to give your medication a chance to work at your current dosage. Generally, a full month is a good time frame for most people. I know you feel nuts right now, but you will feel much better very soon.

Edited by suburgatory, 04 August 2007 - 09:11 AM.

[adridela]

Hi All,
This is my first post so i'll try and keep it short. I was in with my psychiatrist the other day and he recommended that i start on Lexapro, i have been off all meds since january when i was discharged from hospital but haven't been feeling great last few months so i'm considering going back on them.
The thing that worries me about meds is the side effects, with Lexapro i've read alot that your tired and dozey on them. I'm afraid that i wouldn't be able to keep up in work?
Another thing i'm worried about is weight gain. Has anyone any experience on weight gain while on Lexapro?
All advice would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks,
Adri

[Burgy]

Hi adridela

Lexapro was the first AD I ever tried, and it worked very well on my depression and anxiety. Lexapro is one of the fastest acting ADs available, and one of the "cleanest" or most selective of the SSRIs, so the side effects are generally milder for most people. During the first couple of weeks, I did have some fatigue, especially for a few hours after taking the pill. I found that taking it at bedtime helped, because the groggy stage happened while I was unconscious anyway, so by the time morning came I was okay. You could also buy a pill splitter to divide the dose between morning and night. I also found that caffeine was a big help during those first few weeks. I've been on Celexa, which has the same effect on me as Lexapro, for 2 months now and the fatigue, as well as most of the other side effects, have passed. As far as weight gain, I've actually been able to lose a few pounds and get more fit on Celexa, because I'm not stress-eating as much, and I have more drive to exercise. Everyone reacts differently, so you'll never really know until you try.

Welcome to the Forum!

[adridela]

Great, thanks for your reply that helps alot,
Apologies only realised after posting qs that it was under wrong thread
Think this is a brilliant website, and a very helpful forum

adridela

Hi adridela

Lexapro was the first AD I ever tried, and it worked very well on my depression and anxiety. Lexapro is one of the fastest acting ADs available, and one of the "cleanest" or most selective of the SSRIs, so the side effects are generally milder for most people. During the first couple of weeks, I did have some fatigue, especially for a few hours after taking the pill. I found that taking it at bedtime helped, because the groggy stage happened while I was unconscious anyway, so by the time morning came I was okay. You could also buy a pill splitter to divide the dose between morning and night. I also found that caffeine was a big help during those first few weeks. I've been on Celexa, which has the same effect on me as Lexapro, for 2 months now and the fatigue, as well as most of the other side effects, have passed. As far as weight gain, I've actually been able to lose a few pounds and get more fit on Celexa, because I'm not stress-eating as much, and I have more drive to exercise. Everyone reacts differently, so you'll never really know until you try.

Welcome to the Forum!

[Kbear]

Hiya, I've just this morning been diagnosed with GAD and my Dr has prescribed 20mg of Citalopram a day. I took one this morning and for the past 2 hours have felt absolutely exhausted and a little queasy. I feel like I'm typing this through half asleep eyes. How long before the drug gets in my system and stops making me feel so sleepy? I can't feel like this all the time. As of tomorrow I'm going to start taking it about an hour before bed.

I was prescribed it as I always worry about things for no reason, was feeling nauseous all the time, tired, restless, anxious, nervous etc. Just hope I feel better soon especially as I turn 27 in 6 days. Won't be doing anything to celebrate at this rate

Taking it at night may help you to deal with the sleepiness, which is a common start-up side effect. For most people, these side effects pass after a few weeks.

KA

My doctor told me to take mine at night as well but my sis-n-law also takes it and she takes hers in the morning but she also needs daily naps. I think I'm going to change mine to night and see if it helps. I'm going on 4 weeks now but some of the time was a taper from 200mg zoloft to 10mg lexapro. I'm terribly moody and don't have any desire to leave my house or take a shower. I'm hoping sooo much to start feeling better better because I have 4 kids and it effects us all.

[kstours]

My doctor told me to take mine at night as well but my sis-n-law also takes it and she takes hers in the morning but she also needs daily naps. I think I'm going to change mine to night and see if it helps. I'm going on 4 weeks now but some of the time was a taper from 200mg zoloft to 10mg lexapro. I'm terribly moody and don't have any desire to leave my house or take a shower. I'm hoping sooo much to start feeling better better because I have 4 kids and it effects us all.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you, Kbear. At 4 weeks it still is a little early to judge. I know it's frustrating to have to try different meds to find what works, but the good news is there are many different types out there. Lexapro has helped many people--I hope it works for you, too!

[mickyblues]

Well it's 6 weeks today Ive been on Lexapro. 3 weeks at 20mgs, and I am just starting to feel better, not 100% but I feel like im getting better and I can come out of this. It's weird 1 week ago I was not so good.

[kstours]

So glad to hear that, micky! Yes, once the meds start to kick in it can feel pretty miraculous. Hope the positive trend continues!

[bailey]

Has anyone had to augment Lexapro? I've been on it for 8 weeks total - but only a week and a half at 20 (and two weeks on 15 before that). It didn't really kick in until I started taking 15 - so it's only been about 4 weeks of improvement. I'm having a partial response, but not total. My doc is suggesting augmentation with lithium ior T3. Anyone else had to do this?

[Ronnie]

I'm on 20mg Lexapro and I Augment it with 300mg Wellbutrin XL. Combo seems to work great.

[theguy]

ABout he heating up, yes I feel hot tonight LOL funny I laugh because I am no really that happy right now. I am on day 10 at 20mg celexa so I have not felt too much yet. I feel numb and not too motivated. I do remember when i was on it back in 2001 that it took me 8 weeks at the 40mg dosage. I feel everyone's desire for this stuff to work quicker .... if only. One day at a time is all we can do.

[epfan74]

Hello,

I also suffer from SAD. I have been taking 10 MG of Lexapro for 5 weeks now along with some Xanax as needed. I still have anxiety, etc. I initially felt so bad it is hard to tell if the medicine is helping or not. Do you think 10 MG could still work or should I ask for a higher dose when I see my doctor next Friday?

I remember when I took Efexxor, I initially took 37.5 MG then 75 MG. The initial dose did nothing but after ramping up the fog "lifted", it was incredible. Sadly, it pooped up after just 8 months and even when I stopped taking it, I had no withdrawl side effects.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ron

[daisychain]

Hi Ron,

I started off with 5 mg citilapram for a few days then 10 mg for a few weeks but after an initial improvement I had to go on 20mg.

Some days are good, some bad. I would certainly ask the gp for his opinion when you go next.

I think they tend to start off with a lower dose to see how you respond.

Let us know how you get on,

love Daisychain.

[marigoldgrrl]

I've been taking escitalopram for nearly four weeks now, and although I feel better than I did, I tried to go back to work this week, and the anxiety of the whole thing (the anticipation of going to work, driving there, walking into the office) made me really ill again. I thought the medication had started working and that I was getting better, but this proved me wrong. Will the meds continue to make me feel better as the weeks go on? at what point do you decide they are not working? I'm so desperate to get my life back and be able to work again...

[hedgehog]

I've been taking escitalopram for nearly four weeks now, and although I feel better than I did, I tried to go back to work this week, and the anxiety of the whole thing (the anticipation of going to work, driving there, walking into the office) made me really ill again. I thought the medication had started working and that I was getting better, but this proved me wrong. Will the meds continue to make me feel better as the weeks go on? at what point do you decide they are not working? I'm so desperate to get my life back and be able to work again...

Hi Marigoldgrrl,

Four weeks is a very short time, for meds , the effect is culmulative , they will make you feel better and better as time goes on , are you having any therapy treatment at the moment , meds and therapy is a good effective combination .

Hugs hedge

[marigoldgrrl]

I've been taking escitalopram for nearly four weeks now, and although I feel better than I did, I tried to go back to work this week, and the anxiety of the whole thing (the anticipation of going to work, driving there, walking into the office) made me really ill again. I thought the medication had started working and that I was getting better, but this proved me wrong. Will the meds continue to make me feel better as the weeks go on? at what point do you decide they are not working? I'm so desperate to get my life back and be able to work again...

Hi Marigoldgrrl,

Four weeks is a very short time, for meds , the effect is culmulative , they will make you feel better and better as time goes on , are you having any therapy treatment at the moment , meds and therapy is a good effective combination .

Hugs hedge

Hi Hedge,
Well I am having Cognative Behavioural Theraphy, but have only had two sessions so far, I'm sure they are going to help, but they only last 50minutes, it just never seems long enough! I'm also thinking about having some hypnotherapy. I don't know if anyone else has found that useful? x

[kstours]

I've been taking escitalopram for nearly four weeks now, and although I feel better than I did, I tried to go back to work this week, and the anxiety of the whole thing (the anticipation of going to work, driving there, walking into the office) made me really ill again. I thought the medication had started working and that I was getting better, but this proved me wrong. Will the meds continue to make me feel better as the weeks go on? at what point do you decide they are not working? I'm so desperate to get my life back and be able to work again...

Hi Marigoldgrrl,

Four weeks is a very short time, for meds , the effect is culmulative , they will make you feel better and better as time goes on , are you having any therapy treatment at the moment , meds and therapy is a good effective combination .

Hugs hedge

Hi Hedge,
Well I am having Cognative Behavioural Theraphy, but have only had two sessions so far, I'm sure they are going to help, but they only last 50minutes, it just never seems long enough! I'm also thinking about having some hypnotherapy. I don't know if anyone else has found that useful? x

Hi, marigold. I haven't tried hypnotherapy, although I've thought about it. There are a couple other forums here you might look at for advice on that. One is here: One Step at a Time

The other is here: Posting, Asking and Sharing

[murk]

Hmm. I took Lexapro Thurs, Fri, and Sat evening. (It's Monday morning.) 10mg the first day, 5 the next two. Someone mentioned that Lexapro has an immediate sedating effect, and I guess that's what I experienced (and am STILL!! experiencing) but I was quite happy and proud of myself BEFORE taking the drug and was only taking it because my brain tends to throw up all kinds of strange special effects that my psychologist thinks is related to anxiety. Well, it worked completely and immediately--I had some effects the first night (I knew I would normally be trembling from the stress of taking it and anticipating the effects, but instead I got what I call half-tremors, which I've never experienced before--I FELT the shaking but my muscles didn't actually move) and complete effects the next day, which is why I halved the dose--the psychiatrist told me the effects build up over five days, and I didn't want that.

I lost a lot of vividness to my thoughts. They weren't so loud or intrusive, and I couldn't remember things as, well, vividly. I lost the detail, couldn't "replay" sounds or pictures, which I normally can. However, I could SEE and HEAR better--"in real time," I call it, a name I thought up to explain that I normally CAN'T process things as well. On the other hand, most times it seemed like I could keep track of things better, like my working memory had improved--I could read faster, and when my eyes skipped to another part of the page, I wouldn't have to read that again when I got back to it linearly because I could fill in the meaning. I just don't know if the meaning was as clear to me. The same with my thoughts--if I want to start talking or typing, I can express myself with a lot of words, but otherwise I'll just be BLANK. When narrating to myself on Friday (day after the 10mg) I couldn't actually mentally vocalize my train of thought--it was like I couldn't think on two levels at a time and so the knowledge of WHAT the thought was was good enough for me to keep thinking without actually phrasing it and "listening" to it in my head.

The effects on my vision made me really want to become an oil painter, but then I looked that up and realized I probably wouldn't be as happy going to art school and afterwards as I would be if I, um, didn't.

Anyway, it worked in surprising ways and "solved" my problems immediately but I think it also cost something. Actually, the topic of this thread is kind of funny because I didn't feel bad in the first place, but some type of "anxiety" tended to rule my actions. Now it doesn't, I'm freed from it, blahblahblah, but I don't want to take it regularly, and why should I when I get the effects I'm (sometimes) looking for immediately?

This thread does make me kind of curious as to how my responses would change if I took it long term, but... I had no bad physical side effects, no increase in irritability, and I was MORE motivated the first day after taking it than later, when its deadening effects started to kick in more.

Eh, I guess I got off-topic, but that's yet another of the unexpected effects--I feel way more casual about saying/writing whatever I want wherever, but I'm less driven to say something with a point. (Normally the moment-by-moment inspiration drives me off course.)

[kstours]

Hmm. I took Lexapro Thurs, Fri, and Sat evening. (It's Monday morning.) 10mg the first day, 5 the next two. Someone mentioned that Lexapro has an immediate sedating effect, and I guess that's what I experienced (and am STILL!! experiencing) but I was quite happy and proud of myself BEFORE taking the drug and was only taking it because my brain tends to throw up all kinds of strange special effects that my psychologist thinks is related to anxiety. Well, it worked completely and immediately--I had some effects the first night (I knew I would normally be trembling from the stress of taking it and anticipating the effects, but instead I got what I call half-tremors, which I've never experienced before--I FELT the shaking but my muscles didn't actually move) and complete effects the next day, which is why I halved the dose--the psychiatrist told me the effects build up over five days, and I didn't want that.

I lost a lot of vividness to my thoughts. They weren't so loud or intrusive, and I couldn't remember things as, well, vividly. I lost the detail, couldn't "replay" sounds or pictures, which I normally can. However, I could SEE and HEAR better--"in real time," I call it, a name I thought up to explain that I normally CAN'T process things as well. On the other hand, most times it seemed like I could keep track of things better, like my working memory had improved--I could read faster, and when my eyes skipped to another part of the page, I wouldn't have to read that again when I got back to it linearly because I could fill in the meaning. I just don't know if the meaning was as clear to me. The same with my thoughts--if I want to start talking or typing, I can express myself with a lot of words, but otherwise I'll just be BLANK. When narrating to myself on Friday (day after the 10mg) I couldn't actually mentally vocalize my train of thought--it was like I couldn't think on two levels at a time and so the knowledge of WHAT the thought was was good enough for me to keep thinking without actually phrasing it and "listening" to it in my head.

The effects on my vision made me really want to become an oil painter, but then I looked that up and realized I probably wouldn't be as happy going to art school and afterwards as I would be if I, um, didn't.

Anyway, it worked in surprising ways and "solved" my problems immediately but I think it also cost something. Actually, the topic of this thread is kind of funny because I didn't feel bad in the first place, but some type of "anxiety" tended to rule my actions. Now it doesn't, I'm freed from it, blahblahblah, but I don't want to take it regularly, and why should I when I get the effects I'm (sometimes) looking for immediately?

This thread does make me kind of curious as to how my responses would change if I took it long term, but... I had no bad physical side effects, no increase in irritability, and I was MORE motivated the first day after taking it than later, when its deadening effects started to kick in more.

Eh, I guess I got off-topic, but that's yet another of the unexpected effects--I feel way more casual about saying/writing whatever I want wherever, but I'm less driven to say something with a point. (Normally the moment-by-moment inspiration drives me off course.)

Hi, Murk. So you took the pills for 3 days and then stopped? It's really not a good idea to change your med doses without talking to your doctor first, and if you were only taking 5 mg the last 2 days I wonder how much of what you describe could really be attributed to the meds, as that's a very low dose. It's possible that your anticipation of med effects might be contributing to the feelings you're experiencing. These meds can NOT be taken sporadically and expect them to work for you, as would something immediate-acting like a benzo class drug (Xanax, etc.). They do take time to build up in your system and have a real effect on your depression and anxiety. Are you taking any other medications or alcohol simultaneously with your Lex? That might also explain some of your experiences. Anyway, please do see your doctor and don't just stop the meds thinking you can take one when you have a bad day. They just don't work that way.

[Laddy1975]

Today is my first day taking the 40mg, and I feel kind of weird. Like foggy...like when you're dreaming. Feel slow and sluggish, mentally. Hopefully, I don't feel like this tomorrow. I have an important business orientation. Has anyone had this side affect?

Yes... I just started taking 20mg yesterday and I feel the same. Out of sorts... kind of like when you wake up in the middle of the night and aren't quite sure where you are. It should pass... good luck!

[psychocandy]

After 9 days on 20Mg, I've been on 40Mg for about 13 days now...

I thought I was feeling better last week, but have hit a bit of a bad patch at the mo. Wish me luck !!!!

[Appleguy]

On day 21 on Cilatopram.

First week was chronic. Day one, two and three were tiredness and confusion then after that it made very anxious about nothing in particular.
Halfway through week two I had a day where I felt 100% ME again. I couldn't tell you how much I'd missed me, I was actually excited about life again.

Then it faded and I went back into feeling humdrum low again and apathetic about everything.
I noticed something though, it wasn't crippling me the way it used to. That is to say I didn't feel like I was drowning in sorrow. I still felt low but I didn't feel like panicking

Now, the end of week three...

Definitely feeling a change, it's kind of odd the way it feels. When you feel normal and the depression is creeping in it's like this alien presence changing you, now the tablets are starting to work I feel the same but vice versa depression feels normal and now I have this alien happiness creeping in.

I'm not hundred percent by a long shot but I've now had three days in a row with only one or two small patches of anxiety. When I'm relaxed and not exposed to any stress I almost feel good.

It's funny though, I feel the happy-go-lucky me is finally fighting back.

I hope that the tablets will have an even better effect the longer I stay on them as althoguh I feel less depressed my anxiety is still there a little and when I have these good days I feel like one small nudge could tip me into anxiety.

Edited by Appleguy, 18 September 2008 - 10:20 AM.

[Laddy1975]

That is great news! I too have had 100% positive results with Citalopram. I am on Day 8 and already feel a million times better. I too had a rough go with the side-effects, but they are short lived. I do notice a lingering "odd" feeling at the end of the day (I take my meds in the morning). So much better! Good luck to everyone on Citalopram or Celexa!

[BubblyBlue]

I am on day 28 of citalopram 20mg, and feel like rubbish and have done all month :( should I hold on longer, increase my dosage or try another one?

[Silver_wlf]

I'm on day 22 and I feel really good. I started with the usual - foggy, tired, yawning, nauseous and dizzy. That all cleared out by day 4 and then by the 2nd week I started to feel like myself. I noticed that I'm able to divert my anxiousness much more easily now - and the depression is definitely gone. I still feel things - but I'm not bogged down in my sadness and apathy anymore. I'm not irrational in my thinking, or if I get irrational I can recognize it before it becomes destructive.

Another positive - I also didn't have any PMS this month - which totally startled me.

I was really reluctant to take medication - but I'm really glad now that I made the choice I did.

[safetyfast]

I feel some better I suppose, but my anxiety, while not quite as intense as before is with me more often. I've been on 3weeks and 5 days. Yesterday, my doc upped by Citalopram dose from 20 to 40 since the anxiety is not dissipating. I hope he knows what he's doing.