Start Citalopram - any tips to get through first weeks?

[Winksclub76]

Hi,
I've been in denial for few months but finally gone to doctor today with anxiety and depression (which I think is related to having my second child) and have been given Citalopram

I hear there are some 'not so nice side affects' in the first few weeks. I'm a bit worried but realise anything must be better than the way I feel right now.

Please can you share your experiences.....good and bad

[handsoffmecrownjules]

Hi Winksclub.
Firstly, congratulations on facing up to your depression and getting help. I was in a simiilar situation - in denial for months - until moving house with our (at the time) 8 month old twins proved to be the straw that broke the camel's back. I was originally diagnosed with 20mg Citalopram, I think, and had a horrible reaction to it for the first few days or so - perhaps a week or more - felt much blacker and worst and anxiety was awful. I stuck with it though and started to feel a bit easier although my original symptoms didn't seem to be relieved much. I still wasn't sleeping much either (waking up constantly with a panicky feeling). However, I didn't want to risk changing drugs and going through all the reactions again, so GP instead upped my dose to 40mg and added in another AD (Amitriptyline)to take at night to help with the sleeping. That combination eventually worked well and helped to get me back on an even keel. 8 months on I'm still on 40mg Citalopram and taking the Amitriptyline just every other night (or even less frequently sometimes), but looking to start reducing the Citalopram dosage within the next month or so (and gradually stop the Amitriptyline). I've also been seeing a counsellor every couple of weeks - to try to get to the bottom of it all.
Hope it all goes well for you and you start to feel better soon. x

[nipitinthebud]

Grrrr.....just wrote a long detailed reply and my 'puter said 'no' and didn't post it. Anyway.....in essence....

My experience has been wholly positive - a few minor physical side-effects (bruxism and sleepy for few months) but vastly outweighed by the positives - feeling happy, positive and hopeful for first time in years. Totally life-changing. Start to feel benefits within 24-48h as well. Was on 20mg, then up to 40mg - been on them for 2 years (bad side, I guess) - but have reduced to 20mg since Xmas with no ill effects. Good luck to you!

[squeezed]

Well done for taking the step. I didn't have any major problems apart from sweating more (yucky). They made a huge difference for me but don't be surprised if they move the dose around to get it right. The tablets have a cumulative effect so it's important to keep taking them regularly (difficult if you're depressed). Also the key is to keep in touch with your doctor and discuss any side effects.
Good luck.

[Winksclub76]

Thankyou so much everyone for your replies and sharing your experiences. So nice to hear your kind words and supporting advice. I do really want to try the tablets, to be honest the side effects pretty much some up my symptoms now.

It's just that I am going to spend the weekend with my mum for her 60th next weekend (26/27th), I thought I'd put off starting them till after that as I'm not sure how i'm going to be (don't want to ruin her birthday). At the moment I have some good and bad days and I'm going to try and be good company for her, but sounds like every day in the first couple of weeks is bad.

It also sounds like it's a bit trial and error with the dose, how did you manage with the side affects and looking after family (for those who have children) and trying to work. I've had to take a couple days off this week (got tablets yesterday) but have been trying to work through it (but being very teary and overwhelmed). Were you signed off when you started the tablets. It's so hard to know what to do, i''m just sat here looking at them.

[Gumby]

I honestly haven't had any side effects & they have changed my life too

I feel more confident, less panicky, more optistic good luck op

[nipitinthebud]

I felt exactly like you when I first had the pills. I was standing with the pack in my hand telling my mum maybe I should just wait for x and y to happen and then take them. She told me in no uncertain terms....just take one! So I did - and felt much better. I know you're not looking for a 'get out clause' - I wasn't either - but there's never a better time than now. You've reached the stage where you've gone to the Dr as you feel so bad - what if you feel bad for your Mum's bday without taking the pills? I know you have good days and bad days....but the bad days are like walking through treacle and sometimes you just can't shake them off or control when they strike. And I know I used to find the pressure of an event where there was an expectation of happiness felt quite stressful and lonely (even though it is a genuinely happy event).

Anyway....as to practicalities. The tiredness I felt was very copeable. I didn't need to go to bed, just was a bit yawn-y and could've slept for a couple of hours if I had had a bed right next to me. It was like early days of pg for me. But tiredness mostly within first few hours of taking the pills (so could've taken at night to relieve that effect - but I wanted to feel full benefit - not sure of my logic on that, but thats what I did). The jaw clenching was annoying but not too bad. Didn't have any time off work (but I work from home mostly - so bit easier). I would've been emotionally to go into work - but my Dr would've signed me off if I felt I needed it. Sometimes its good to have a few days just for you anyway - relieve the pressure of worrying whether you'll be Ok with starting the pills.

And looking after the kids was probably easier as I felt I was on the path to feeling better and so was less stressy and irritable.

Does your Mum know about the Citalopram? And the dose changes only after a few months I found. 20mg is the standard (around here anyway) and then
40mg is the dose at which most adults require (according to my Dr, something about how quickly its used up).

Honestly....I would just do it. Then have a nice


Ooh....only other thing is you're not meant to drink alcohol with them. Just because alcohol competes with the same receptors as the citalopram to activate the 'feel good' brain chemical (why alcohol makes you feel happy!). So it defeats the purpose of taking the cit. I laid off alcohol completely for the first 4-6 months but do drink now (5 units a week? And lay off if my mood dips at all) Just mentioning cos of the bday bash - but I don't think that should put you off though!!!

[Winksclub76]

Thankyou so much 'nipitinthebud' for your reply. Reassuring that you've been through a similar experience and understand the situation i'm in. I thankyou for your open and honest response to how you coped.

I have taken the tablet and your right I need to get better rather than worry about my mum's birthday. I rang her and she told me that she love's me and I'm far more important and not to worry about the weekend. However she is not a fan of medication and is obsessed with alternative treatments and asked if I thought about other options. I said I was clear I wanted the Citalopram (doctor given 20 mg).

Thanks about the warning about alcohol but I'm not a big drinker and only have the occasional pear cider (which I can live without). My problem is that I'm more of a comfort eater.

Not sure if I'm imagining this but I'm just starting to get waves of foggyness , my dad here building Ikea drawers and I'm having him to repeat what he's saying. My eyes are struggling to read computer screen. Took it about hour and half ago. It's ok though, i'm not worried.

[nipitinthebud]

Well....I'm with your Mum about medications - I don't like taking something either. But I strongly feel its a chemical imbalance and it needs correcting. Other things can provide endorphins or serotonin or whatever it is (e.g. physical exercise, etc.) , but once your body is seriously imbalanced it may need a bit of extra help to redress the balance and remember what its supposed to do in the first place.

I did CBT as well (online course prescribed by NHS counsellor) for anxiety - which i thought would be pants, but was actually very helpful. Good for providing tools to help challenge negative thought patterns. I'll try and find the link if you're interested. Could be something you could discuss with your GP too.

As for alternative therapies....St Johns Wort etc. still a drug IMO - and has its own side effects but is less well regulated or clinically proven.

The foggyness - I had waves early on of feeling like I'd taken something. I actually quite liked it as I felt it was kinda a calming feeling. Didn't last for too long though. if you still feel hazy at school/nursery pick up then maybe get someone to drive with you - think I did that for a day or two, just so I was confident I was OK (which I was).

Glad your family is on board - think it makes it easier! Well done you!

[Winksclub76]

Just been to get 1year old from nursery, when I'm driving I don't seem to feel as foggy but my bottom jaw kept going rigid and felt like it was going to lock or start gurning! Like you say 'nipitinthebud' it certainly feels like your on something. I couldn't put my sons shoes on at nursery, the staff were just looking at me. I can see the funny side tho. Not sure I'll manage at work though (I work as a rehab assisistant with physio's and occupational therapists), think I'll ask for thur /fri off and I've got the weekend too , to get used to the tablets.

'nipitinthebud' and 'handsoffmecrownjules' you both sound like you benefitted from therapy/counselling. My GP said he'd look into talking therapy when I go next time. The CBT course you mention sounds good too.

Thanks for all your support x

[HappyPills]

Hi Winks. Wanted to say hi and hope you dont mind me jumping in on your thread. I also saw my GP on Tuesday after not feeling great for the last 6 months but things getting really rough in the last couple of weeks. I suffered with a horrible bout of depression about 10 years and have been trying to fight it but finally got to the point where I realised I needed some help to get through. Anyway GP has prescribed 10mg of citralopram, I asked for the lowest dose as very worried about side effects as 10 years ago I remember the first few weeks being really horrible. (more anxious, tearful and dizzy). Haven't started taking them yet as DP has had eye surgery and don't want both of us out of action but thinking about starting on Saturday.

How you feeling today?

[Winksclub76]

Hi happypills, nice to have someone else join in and share their experiences. Sorry but just a short reply at mo as on my iPhone and I can't quite focus properly (kinda that feeling when your very tired and trying to read).

Pleased to report I don't feel too bad today, didn't have sleepness night or nightmares like I was expecting. I've got that foggy feeling and sat on my couch feeling uninspired to do house work but relatively happy (like spacey hangover). Only had the tablet hour and half ago. I have got a very stiff neck but I've had constant headache and stiff neck for past 2 weeks.

I'm not at work and my children are at grandma's. Which I think helps, being able to what I feel like (or not feel like as the case may be). It's not as bad as I thought it would be. I can't seem to concentrate or finish tasks but I'm not too bothered at the moment as happy I have freedom to just chill. The jaw thing is just starting to kick in slightly, and I have a flutter in my chest but it's not unpleasant.

That's all I can write for now :) Let me know how you get on x

[nipitinthebud]

Hope you're doing OK winks!

[SpottedGurnard]

My main side effect was nausea. I went to the pharmasist and was recommended domperidone. It really helped!

[SpottedGurnard]

Ooh and whever I took my tablet I would feel sleepy. Then at night I couldn't sleep. My heart would be racing. I started taking it at night which helped.

[HappyPills]

It's really good to read about other peoples experiences. I got the prescription and started taking 10mg on Saturday. Thankfully so far I've been able to sleep although DP has said I've started grinding my teeth again. Been feeling sleepy in the daytime and a little bit drugged about an hour after taking them.

I saw a different GP again yesterday and have a prescription for 10mg for another 4 weeks. I'm now a bit worried that as the dose is so low it might not have any effect?

How you getting on Winks?

[Winksclub76]

Hi
Sorry it's been so long, I've novv been on my tablets (20mg) for 3 vveeks. I feel alot better, at first I thought it strange I didn't feel any emotions, it vvas good that I stopped crying all the time but I didn't feel good/happy about anything either, just flat. I've started to feel happier about things novv and started to mixing vvith others more and been enjoying playing vvith my children.

The spaceyness/vague feeling doesn't effect me any more but I do still get stiffness in my javv and my heart races occasionally (but not all the time like vvhen I first started). I've not been sleeping but that's not don to tablets, both my children had chicken pox, cough coulds and temperatures for past 4 vveeks!

I'm back to vvork tue, I've had a sick note and leave (4 vveeks) vvhich has done me a vvorld of good.

Hope your doing ok too. Apoligies for vveird spellings my 'vv' key does not ork and I have to use v x 2.

[jaydensdaddy232]

Hi I have been on 10mg for 3 weeks then my dr upped me to 20mg for 4 weeks now and I keep crying headaches nauseous and heart rate speeds up will this go away soon??? Please somebody give me some hope. Thanks in advance.

[ExperiencedDad]

Hi all. I am new to this site so introduction I will place somewhere else. Basically, I have just started 20mg citalopram yesterday after visiting my GP due to feeling really down. The first day shortly after taking the first tablet, I slept most of the day on and off and felt ill. Today, after the next tablet, was not as bad but still sleepy. Im generally tired anyway so maybe it just made it worse. Mood wise was down this morning but not too bad. My ex-girlfriend also takes the same dose and she said that you will feel bad and moody to start with. GREAT!
But I will keep an update as the days go by!
Hopefully, it will help. GP mentioned that it is not a quick remedy and takes about a week to start working. Fingers crossed.
I have read that this medication has fewer side effects in general over other types, therefore, it is commonly prescribed. So let's see how it goes.