Hand hold starting citalopram…

None that I was aware of. I moved up to 10mg after a couple of months. I had two choices. Carry on as I was, or try something to make my life better. At the very outside, if it doesn't agree with you then stop taking it, however until you do take it, you won't know.

I had almost no side effects with citalopram, either starting or coming off. Maybe slight headache the first day or two. I did however have horrible symptoms with a few other types of anti-d's - but they stopped very quickly after I stopped taking them, so even if you do have bad side effects, you can soon stop if they are too bad and will feel okay again. Even just the minimum 10mg dose of citalopram made a huge difference to me. I'd definitely recommend it.

Often people say to push through the first few weeks if you get side effects, but that's personal - if you can't handle them there's nothing wrong with asking to try something else.

It really helped me. The only side effect was night sweats, but that was a minor nuisance compared to how much I was struggling before.

@elephantfeetbutdontcare how are you?

I took citalopram for over a decade, it really changed my life. Unfortunately my body developed a tolerance to it, even at the highest dose so had to change an find another one that worked, but a really positive experience for me. A few weeks of lost appetite and feeling just a bit funny when I started but nothing major side effect wise.

The main thing my GP said was not to come off it after 3 months when you feel better. She said that was it working, you then need a fairly long period of stability before coming off it.

It really helped me. Just took the edge off the anxiety so I could function. Absolutely no side effects at all that I noticed. I came off them after about 18 months. I think I was on 20mg mostly. Just reduced by missing days/taking less and was fine when I stopped.

Still occasionally get anxious but not debilitatingly so.

Another one who had zero side effects and has found it helped immensely.

Yes some people do have them but honestly most don’t in my experience.

I’ve started in citalopram at 10mg. The GP was clear that if I need 20mg then to take it. Im
wondering if I should but when I was on Sertraline, I slept badly and I’m worried in case that could happen. Does anyone have thoughts on this? For OP - I didn’t want to start either but it has helped me a lot so I’m glad now.

Yes ok. I was very worried about starting them. I but didnt have any side effects .My depression has lifted and everything seems clearer. Daily tasks arent a problem anymore... I just wish I taken the advice to start them earlier. I started on 10mg and now Im on 20mg.

Here too if you need to chat. I was scared too by 2months in now

Hello, I was prescribed citalopram a few days ago and really scared to take it. Happy to chat if you would like

@elephantfeetbutdontcare It's great.

I'm not on it now but took it for years. If I ever feel the need I'll be back on it.

You might get some strange side effects at first but they soon go. Just go with it. You'll soon feel much calmer.

Keep is posted.

Ive been on it for 16 years. It has changed my life completely and I have had not a single side effect. Took a little while to feel the difference but. Its a wonderful drug. Good luck, OP x

I’ve been on it for years 20mg- no side effects whatsoever.

It stops me from crying everyday, and thinking about not being here.

It’s a win for me.

I've been off and on it for about 20 years and it it great, I've restarted it at least 10 times and had dose put up and down and have never had any side effects at all. It's my absolute go to when I start to struggle (I'm autistic and have ADHD and cptsd), I've tried others which I did have side effects with but citalopram feels very gentle at 10mg.

I was on citalopram for 2 years, and I will be honest, I did temporarily experience some side effects.
BUT it was the relief from the constant head swirling, heart racing, ruminating, desociatiting panic attacks that were running my life, I couldn't sleep from anxiety, I couldn't enjoy my children or anything in my life. I was incapable of any emotion because I was so locked inside my head with anxiety.
For 2ish weeks I really struggled to sleep on citalopram but I started taking it around 8pm, and was on 20mg so a smaller dose your less likely to get side effects. You could also get a splitter and build yourself from 5mg.

The short term struggle is totally worth the long term gain, push through the first couple of weeks, talk to your DH for support, be kind to yourself and once you've done the first one just keep going.
I advise you do stick to the same time of day taking it though especially in the early days.

Citalopram was fantastic for me. Aside from depression, I had OCD that was rapidly worsening and at a point where I was struggling to function like a normal person. Within a fortnight of starting it it was like the vast majority of the intrusive OCD thoughts just… went away. It was the weirdest thing.

I had no side effects bar a reduced appetite for a few weeks. I also found it harder to cry (which was a good thing for me) like I watched a sad film that had my mum and sister in pieces but no tears from me, however I was still able to acknowledge that what I was watching was sad so it didn’t turn me into a robot, just took the edge off all of the horrible feelings.

I respectfully disagree.

When I started taking them I had raging post natal
anxiety and was questioning and worrying about everything - including obsessing over whether to start the medication. It was exactly that level of anxiety that I needed help for!

Im not saying no one has side effects. However, the vast majority of people have none or only very mild ones…and these tend to pass over a few weeks anyway.

These drugs are life changing - but only if you take them. The OP is in control - if they don’t get on with them, they can come off. But if they never try, they won’t ever know or give themselves the opportunity to feel so much better.

I take 40mg a day since post natal. A recent review I’m likely to be on it forever.

I’ve never had any side effects. I did with others.

sometimes I do forget to take it and feel a little dizzy the next day then remember.

im still anxious but so much better than where I was.

I certainly didn't have literally zero side effects. I lasted a few days on it before I had to stop.

Maybe if she has this much reservation, it's not the right decision for her.

I was on Citalopram for 2 years, came off a few weeks ago. It really, really helped me. Not sure I’ll be able to stay off them but I’m hopeful.

Anyway, get a pill cutter and start 5mg at a time. Increase after a week or 2 on each dose.

Good luck! Do it, you’ve nothing to lose!