Citalopram

[zombiepara]

Hi, so long story short I'm not coping well with many things at the moment, and have spoken to the GP today..

They offered to start me on sertraline, but after hearing horror stories I asked if there was anything else they could put me on - she offered citalopram.

Just looking to hear from anyone with experience taking citalopram, any side effects, how it has helped, etc?

I’ve been in it for nearly two years and it has been great for me.

I’ve been on it for 4 years - it is life changing . I am so much less irrational and irritatable. Everything is easier to cope with.
But I have put on weight, I have night sweats and it is difficult out to come off.

I've been on both. I had less side effects with sertraline but it wasn't as good at sorting my mental health as citalopram was. With the citalopram I had constant nausea the whole time I took it. You get used to the tiredness I think. The sexual side effects were awful for me, but I think I've been very unlucky in that respect.

The problem is that each antidepressant affects everyone differently so you really have to just give them a try and see which one/s work for you.

I’ve been on escitalopram and then citalopram for over 30 years. I’ve never had a problem with taking it but can’t come off it which is why I’m still on it even though I have no depressive symptoms. No matter how gradually I come off it - I’ve tried reducing the dose over a period of 2 years - once I stop it completely I end up with the most dreadful vertigo. I feel seasick, dizzy and wouldn’t dare drive. It was so bad that after a month or so I went back on. I’ve tried a few times and my GP thinks I’m one of the unlucky few who have this issue. His only recommendation was to take a low dose all the time. I have 10 mg a day.

Been on 20mg Citalopram for years and reduced the dose to 10mg a few months ago. Did try to come off it end of last year/early this year but really struggled so figured that 10mg a day wasn't going to do me any harm! Having a really stressful year so far so I'm glad I stayed on it. I've never had any side effects at all.

So first one taken today!

I will update sporadically here..

Thanks for all the comments and experiences - hopefully I fall on the positive outcomes if it all rather than the bad ones!

Been on it years. Used to be 20mg but now just have 10mg keeps me ticking over. Good luck OP.

I was on it for a while as they thought it would help as a trial for ADHD
it didnt really work for that but it made me feel brighter in myself. It did make me eat like a beast and gave me numb hands at night

Have been on it for 4 years. It eased the emotional pain I was feeling - nothing else helped. But recently I also noticed that I am feeling quite indifferent towards everything. So no bad feelings but also not engaging much with things. Have come off it for the past 2 weeks. Will see how it goes.

@MandalaYogaTapestry - I totally get you on that point. I have been on Citalopram 20mgs for 3 or 4 years and I am very grateful for it. My anxiety was crippling and I could barely breath from the moment I woke up in the morning.

But now I feel completely indifferent and distanced. I have no lows but I have no highs either. Just a bit of an existence (albeit very balanced) really. I have to weigh up no horrible anxiety but no feeling, it is a tricky choice.

I am aware I am very premenstrual at the moment too - and in full low mood now!

I've been on it for 5 years. Started on 20 mg now on 40
Its been good for me
I haven't had fog or a flat feeling either.

@zombiepara hi! How're you getting on with Citalopram? I've been prescribed it today and taking my first dose tomorrow morning. I am very nervous taking it as I've read mixed results and some alarming side effects. I'd be very interested in how you got along

Good luck @sunshinevalentine - I've taken it for years and praise it to the rooftops.

I found the withdrawal symptoms when late/missing a dose and when eventually coming off to be horrid. Constant feelings of electric shocks. I posted on here to ask for advice. Best advice: take your doses on time and taper off very gradually if you come off them. I am now completely off them and feel ok but the electric shocks would discourage me from going on them again.

@sunshinevalentine hello!

Best of luck taking it today! I've been meaning to come back and update this thread but been super busy with work.

So, I've been on citalopram 10mg for about 6 weeks now i think? The first 1-2 weeks were great. I've had no side effects really, felt more awake and with it those first two weeks than i have in a long time. Even combined with night shifts i was coping really well.

Spoke to the dr 3 weeks into taking them as advised - the effect had started to wear off and the dr said i could increase to 20mg but i thought i would continue on 10mg and see how it went for a bit longer.

This week I decided that I needed to up my dose - I spoke to a couple of friends who said it is normal to feel great to start and for that to lower - and it is normally a sign to increase the dose.
Spoke to the GP yesterday who said no problem, increased it to 20mg and asked my to call back in a month to see how I'm doing.

No side effects to note, and I haven't been exceptionally "on time" with my tablets due to shifts.. I take them between 7pm and midnight depending what time I finish work/get to bed.

I actually tolerate Sertraline far better than Citalopram.
Sertraline is a little less harsh when it comes to side effects, but they work equally as quickly.
Sertraline is good for anxiety and panic.

I’ve been taking a low dose of citalopram for several years...started with PND and anxiety. No side effects at all and it made the world of difference to my mental health. Recently came off it to take a medication for something else and that was fine too, though I restarted it with no side effects again. I know 3 other people who take it too with only positive effects.