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Posted 9/4/2013 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys
Last night I had one of my worst panic attacks to date that I had the ambulance service out and later the dr came round to prescribe me medicine.
I felt like I was out of control and couldn't calm my breathing down, my breathing had taken its toll for the worse and I was hyperventilating.
I have recently changed from sertraline 100mg to citralopram 40mg. I was on citralopram before I was on sertraline but felt it stopped working for me.
Now I don't know seeming as my dr said the same thing if its my tablets. I would like someone to help and tel, me if they have had the same or similar experience as myself. It's so disheartening, and really tragic that I have to go through this. I know I'm not the only one, but always hearing other people opinion is good. So please if you have had this experience and think that it could be my medication let me know x
Posted 9/4/2013 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mazmaz and welcome,
I’m so sorry you fell the way you feel. Medication is different for everyone. No two people have the same reactions and side effects. I’ve been on Citalopram for one week; my side effects are dry mouth and some dizziness. You should talk to your doctor again, ask him if he can give you a different medicine or maybe decrease your dose and slowly bring you up again?
Don’t forget to breathe...slowly 
Give your meds a chance, side effects are supposed to decrease with time, and then you would feel the benefits. My thoughts and prayers are with you. If you don’t feel good again, there is someone here always ready to support you.
I hope you feel better, and God bless.
E.
Posted 9/4/2013 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mazmaz and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of your bad night!:( I am sure that this is temporary jump in your anxiety due to your med change.

How far along are you in your switch? As I am sure you know, it can be anywhere from 6-12 weeks for SSRI type meds to build up and level off in your system.

Until then, can you up your coping mechanisms to help get you through? Practice your breathing/PMR and meditation everyday consistently to bring overall stress levels down, thus lowering your chances of having more panic issues?

If you need some new or fresh ideas, have a look in our Resources here. You'll find them on our main page, 1sp post. There are video links that teach the exercises, as well as informative articles, book recommendations and more.;)

Keep posting with us as well. We understand, care and are listening.

Scaredy Cat
Posted 9/4/2013 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Maz,

Sorry about your bad night, iv'e had an Ambulance out to me too with a severe panic attack it's awful, i know.

Citralopram was the last tablets I ever took, they worked o.k for a while but do make your mouth so dry.
In the end, I totally gave up with tablets as I tried so many different types i was almost rattling in the end! But everyone is different.
Just as you feel an attack about to take hold, just before you start climbing the walls [as I did] if you can just try laying down, shut your eyes with your hands palm down on your chest, this was a last resort for me after so many tablets and bad attacks. Try it.

Take care and best of luck.
Posted 9/5/2013 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
Well celexa has been a life saver for me but I would think switching back&forth
like that has alot to do with the problem you are having, starting new meds rather if you took before are not when out your system it take a min to get back into your system. And thats with the risk of anxiety starting all over meds need
time to work,but if you feel like you have gave it time to work and it's not look to your doctor for advice for you may need a change best of luck to you.
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