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Mental health

Anyone on citalopram ? How are you finding it ?

51 replies

Lonelybunny · 29/04/2013 12:34

I've been prescribed 10mg every other day to start with , not sure if this is going to help me tbh :( I've been trying to look it up and it all points to horrid side effects including weight gain plurgh ! I've been on prozac in the past and was ok on this but GP is being vigilant as I'm breastfeeding

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reastie · 29/04/2013 12:38

Hi, I'm on citalopram and also bfing (although only one feed a day with a toddler). I'm finding it great (and I never thought I'd say that about a MH drug - I've been on prozac and seroxat in the past). It took a couple of months to make any real difference for me and I very gradually increased the dose when I started to decrease the chance of side effects when starting on it. The main negative to being on it now 7 months in is my sex drive is minimal. The first 2 or 3 weeks on it I actually lost my appetite completely (which is very unlike me!) so lost half a stone that way, and since then (I'm losing weight in any case) I've lost maybe a stone more, so it won't make you gain weight. I felt odd initially - tired/dizzy/weird/out of sorts but I knew it was because of the drug. I really hope it helps you.

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Lonelybunny · 29/04/2013 12:56

Hello reastie that sounds positive :) thank you . My sex life is non existant at the moment anyway so no change there for me Blush I'm glad it's working for you. Do you take at night or daytime ? I haven't picked up my prescription yet , I'm guessing they may up my dose after a couple of weeks.

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piratecat · 29/04/2013 13:00

hi there, i am glad you have posted this thread, asi have been googling it also.
I have just changed from Prozac to Citalopram, as i have had a breakdown a coule of weeks ago.

I found prozac brilliant for many years, but gp wanted me to give this a go to help with the stress/anxiety bit of what's happening at the moment.

I have only been on it about 5 days, and my gp said it should work by then, but i have read it takes longer?? As it's in the same group as the prozac I was on maybe it will be just carrying on a certain level, is what she meant. Rather than something starting from scratch.

I haven't felt any side effects, and neither did I with prozac. hth sort of!

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reastie · 29/04/2013 13:04

I'm not sure exactly what my dose is Blush as I have it in drop form as I can't swallow tablets. My GP told me to do a half dose for a couple of weeks and then bring it up to full but I did it slower than that as I was anxious about the side effects. I take mine last thing at night, after DDs evening bf. My logic being that it's less likely to be in the breast milk that way as she only feeds once in the evening. I wasn't told either way which was better as to when to take it. I was told a couple of intersting things from a psychiatrist I paid privately to see when I was in a bad place with my anxiety. She said often anxiety sufferers need to take more than the dose for depression for it to make a real difference (although not all GPs realise this and often just give the standard depression dose for anxiety which won't help as fully as it can) and that it takes longer to work for anxiety than depression. She told me a good 2 months before you get the full good effects on anxiety. I think I'm on a relatively low dose for anxiety but my GP asks to see me every few weeks/months to check and see if we need to tweak it.

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Lonelybunny · 29/04/2013 13:07

Great thanks for the info :) and hope you feel better soon piratecat

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LEMisdisappointed · 29/04/2013 15:41

Hi there lonelybunny - i was on your other thread and im so pleased you went to see your doctor :) I am on citalopram 20mg after starting on 10mg. 10mg is a really low dose so don't worry too much about side effects, they always have a long and scary list - but so does anything if you read them. What you can reasonably expect is to feel a bit sicky and lightheaded to start and that you wont really see an improvement at first so it can be difficult to persevere but please do, I still have my off days (today being one of them :( ) but you will feel better soon i promise xx

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Lonelybunny · 29/04/2013 16:59

Thanks ladies , still a bit wary of taking it but if I pluck up the courage tonight I may do .....

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piratecat · 29/04/2013 17:07

Lonelybunny, I was wondering when to take them too, but i used to take my other ones in the morning so have carried on doing that.

I'm not sure it matters with these when we take them. I know there is another antidepressant not this one, that aids sleep so that has to be taken before bed.
I have been feeling a little nauseous on and off the past few days, but it could be anxiety.

thanks for your well wishes. I hope you start to feel better soon. Come back here and let us know how you are doing.

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Jamatmum · 29/04/2013 17:14

Hi. I am on 10mg citalopram for anxiety. It took me 3 months looking at the packet before I plucked up the courage to take them. Two of my friends also on them and they started on 20 mg with no side effects. I take mine in the morning. First week side effects excessive yawning. Hot sweats and bit light headed. I noticed an improvement in my anxiety after 3 weeks. Been on them 5 months. I have gained a little bit of weight 6 pounds. I really am not happy being on ads but this one is the least addictive. Good luck and don't be scared. Otherwise you will imagine you have side effects when really it is just the nature of the illness xx

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Lonelybunny · 30/04/2013 13:42

I took it last night and I was fine , nothing at all , feel a bit like I have a lump in my throat lol . But I actually feel calmer today and bit more normal , I actually gone out today ! I really looking forward to getting back to myself :)

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knitknack · 01/05/2013 17:34

I love it! I'm on week four now and it's given me my life back :). No issues with appetite, feeling excited about life again, looking forward to the future etc. it's wonderful to feel nearly 'normal' again. Look after yourself x

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drinkyourmilk · 01/05/2013 18:41

I've been taking it for nearly 3 years. I had20 mg daily but in the process of coming off them.
It has been a god send. Took about 3 months to kick in. I did have a huge problem sleeping for the first few months,and I have no sex drive but other than that its been fine.
Good luck x

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TheOriginalNutcracker · 01/05/2013 18:46

I have been on it for about 2 years, maybe longer. I started off on 30mg but I'm now on 20mg, and feel quite happy to stay this way for a while. Certains gp's at my practice though do try nd get my off them everytime i go.

When i started them i did have some side effects, mainly yawning, a juddering jaw and restless legs, but they soon cleared up. I have also put on weight, but I don't think it is just down to the citalopram.

I take mine at night btw.

I would say you need to give them a couple of months before you will really notice if they are working for you or not.

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Lonelybunny · 02/05/2013 09:44

I'm thinking of taking them daytime now as I was wide awake all night ! And no fun with 3 kids :(

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piratecat · 02/05/2013 12:16

hi i take mine in the mornings and i was fully awake last night. I HATE that, it's so bloody exasperating just lying there bored of being awake isn't it.

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Lonelybunny · 02/05/2013 18:36

Has anyone gained weight on these? Seems there is a big issue with people gaining on them on some health boards ? That's now giving me anxiety again :(

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LEMisdisappointed · 02/05/2013 18:44

I did, but i also had a mirena coil at around the same time - I do tend to crave food shit more this time, i just have to be aware of it and try and control what i eat - but id rather be fat than anxious to be honest. I think people also loose weight, i have two friends who took it with no weight change at all.

How are you feeling?

When the anxiety lifts maybe you can do some exercise? That will be positive for your mood to - i need to do more, definately

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ReadyToPop77 · 02/05/2013 18:48

I was on citalapram for 5yrs & never gained weight at all. I came off them in sept just before I found out I was pg & didn't have one side effect either! It was the best thing I did to take those tabbies (even tho I was terrified of side effects & getting addicted) and wouldn't hesitate to take them again if needed.

HTH Smile

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NoGoodAtHousework · 02/05/2013 18:48

Citalopram helped me. Only downside is it flared my eczema up. Have just come off it on a controlled dose down and can tell I'm not taking it anymore. It's funny, the good it does you don't really notice until its gone

It helped me get in a better place and enjoy sex more which had got rid of the physical issues I'd been having. I was on 20mg though

Good luck and be patient it can take 6 weeks to really kick in.

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Lonelybunny · 02/05/2013 19:49

I'm not really getting any side effects apart from feeling tired and not blooming sleeping and I've only had 3 . So not bad at all here. I agree with the weight versus depression/anxiety but I'm rather weight conscious as it is as I'm not small and really would get pretty upset if I got much bigger ....

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RipleyIsMyHero · 02/05/2013 20:42

I've been on 30 mgs since last September. The side effects I had were aching jaw from clenching too much. Excessive yawning and little sex drive. They took a few months to kick in too. I've also put on weight but i'm not sure if that's me being greedy or the tablets. They have helped to an extent and although I would still class myself as depressed, I no longer have such powerful negative thoughts. I still feel I have some way to go but hopefully i'm on the right track Smile

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Lonelybunny · 03/05/2013 07:16

I don't know if I can carry on with these. I haven't slept properly now for nearly 4 nights. My baby has also been having trouble getting to sleep (breastfed) I think it's having an effect on her. These are really not helping when I have children to look after :(

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Reastie · 03/05/2013 07:47

lonely please try to keep going on them if you can. It got worse before it got better for me. It was worth it in the end. It's made so much difference to me. Before Christmas I was signed off work and could barely leave the house because of anxiety related issues, I'm now so much better. Citalopram has really helped me.

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Lonelybunny · 03/05/2013 08:07

It's horrible , I'm yelling at the kids one minute then crying the next I'm exhausted its too much , my family keep pestering me I've got 4 kids to get to school 1 of which isbt mine I've really had enough I've got no energy Im screaming at the baby to shut up this really is terrible

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2anddone · 03/05/2013 23:05

I was prescribed these, took my first one today threw up an hour later and currently feel like a tennis ball is stuck in my throat should I take one tomorrow? ((hugs)) lonelybunny x

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