Effects of Citalopram
Dear Sir or Madam,
after much back and forth, I received the diagnosis of depression from my general practitioner. This came after I opened up to him. There have been several triggers in the past that I am aware of. We have now tried to manage my dark thoughts, sleeplessness, and hopelessness through medication. A place for psychotherapy has been found, starting in early May.
I was prescribed Fluoxetine 10 mg by my general practitioner. I experienced severe heart palpitations at 10 mg and insomnia when taken in the evening. Improvement occurred when I took 5 mg in the morning. When increasing the dosage to 10 mg in the morning, I experienced heart palpitations again, a feeling of pressure in my throat, tightness, and I was constantly cold. After taking it for 2 or 3 days, I experienced a brief period of severe mental impairment and felt very unwell.
However, I quickly noticed a mood-lifting effect while taking Fluoxetine.
After consulting with my general practitioner again, he prescribed a different medication. Since no one should suffer and my heart rate was significantly elevated.
He prescribed Citalopram:
Take 10 mg in the morning.
The first 1-2 days only nausea and dizziness, and waking up at night, unable to fall back asleep. From day 3, I experienced fatigue, inner restlessness, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, trembling, and the psychological factors intensified. Yesterday was day 5 and it was the worst. It started in the evening, with extreme feelings of anxiety and tightness. The nausea was so severe that I had to vomit.
There has been no positive change in mood, it somehow worsens and I am occasionally very irritable, aggressive, or sad and overwhelmed. Feeling very dizzy, especially in the first few hours after taking the medication, I do not feel capable of driving.
Yesterday I contacted my general practitioner again by phone, and he wants to refer me to a neurologist. Appointment in three weeks!!
Now the question arises, should I continue taking Citalopram? Stop taking it? Reduce the dosage and take only 5 mg? Or should I try another medication? If so, which one?
This morning I did not take Citalopram.
My general practitioner leaned towards prescribing Fluoxetine, as I am severely overweight and have bulimia. I am currently "still" symptom-free. Additionally, I have Hashimoto's and take 100 mg of L-Thyroxine. Just for your information.
Thank you very much.
