Citalopram

[MessyNDepressy]

Hi, I am starting to take Citalopram from today. My mental health is awful at the moment and realistically probably has been for a few years now. I can no longer keep up with life and have regular panic articles and suicidal thoughts (although no risk of following through, I’m sure of that). I’m scraping through life managing to do the bare minimum. I’m managing to get DS sorted, myself to work and DDog sorted by the skin of my teeth. Everything else is being neglected or ignored completely.

I’m currently sitting in my car waiting to watch DS’s football game and I genuinely think I might pass out or throw up from anxiety, it’s horrific. I can’t stop shaking, I’m sweating and my chest feels like someone is standing on it. Just kind of reinforces that I 100% have to take the help. It’s crazy how I can be sitting here looking so normal on the outside when I’m not even slightly. Really wish I could just go home and hide under my covers but I can’t do that to DS.

Can anyone else share their experience of Citalopram? I’m terrified of taking them because of possible side effects but I don’t think it can get much worse anyway. I was thinking of taking them before bed to hopefully avoid experiencing the worst of any side effects.

Also, has anyone ever found that Coca Cola has made their anxiety worse? Both Saturday and today I’ve had a can of coke and I think it’s made me feel 100% worse afterwards. I usually drink sugar free fizzy juice.

Any advice at all would be really appreciated right now, thanks in advance.

Hi,

I’m sorry you’re feeling like this, it’s so horrible isn’t it when your brain is stuck in anxiety mode?

I have spent years trying to avoid medication or feeling very low for a time and then starting to feel better OR taking meds for a time, feeling better then feeling even worse because I stop taking them. I now take citalopram 40mg daily and propranolol daily also. Propranolol helps me with the anxiety and starts working straight away, citalopram takes longer but works reasonably quickly for me, in around a week. I did feel very nauseous for that first week so took the tablets late at night. Keep pushing through that because it’s worth it.

Let us know how you get on,

Citalopram changed my life. It took a couple of weeks to help, and I was exhausted, on edge and having weird dreams while it settled. But then it was amazing. I didn't realise my lack of patience and sense of humour was linked to my depression, I went on it for Intrusive thoughts and basically brain fog because I couldn't make decisions any more and kept crying.

Hello, well done for posting and reaching out here.
I take 20mg of Citalopram each day and it’s been fantastic. I hope it works for you. It might feel a bit odd getting used to it but hopefully you’ll settle into it soon.
If it helps to hear this, I have taken it for periods of my life on and off and each time it has really helped and I’ve had no problem tapering off when I needed to (you have to do this gradually though). It’s a really helpful tool if you need it. Good luck! And yes caffeine is awful for anxiety - get rid!

I have been on citalopram over 8 years on max 40mg it has really helped me. Symptoms when first taking it threw up, very very tired.
My 18 year old daughter has been on 20mg for 9 weeks has really helped her too she feels more positive. She felt sick first 3 nights and was sick then that wore off then she was very tired that has worn off too

Thanks a lot for the replies. Makes me feel much better that it has helped you all in the end and that there are other people feeling this way.

Managed to get through DS’s game fine, chatted away to one of the other mums who is lovely. Back home now and anxiety is back ten fold thinking everyone hates me and that I’m an awful person. I hate my brain 🫠. I think I’ll try and update this thread regularly even if no one is replying, just as a way to get these thoughts out my head and maybe help someone else on the same journey.

Plan to take my first tablet around 10pm tonight. I’m working the rest of the week so really hoping any side effects aren’t too bad.

Hi,

Yes absolutely can share my experience.

I have been an anxious person my whole life, but things really came to a head during an incredibly stressful time in my life and a truly horrific employer. My GP prescribed 20mg Citalopram.

For the first few days I did feel a little bit unwell, similar to early pregnancy. But that cleared. I think I also felt more anxious for a couple of days.

However by day 9 I was doing something for work and I realised that my heart wasn’t pumping hard with stress and my brain wasn’t feeling as anxious as it normally would during that situation. I realised that it was working and have never looked back. It has totally changed my life for the better and I am so grateful I went on it. I’ve stopped biting my nails. My marriage is better. I’m a better mother. I can deal with everyday stress better. I don’t cry at the drop of a hat.

I really hope it works for you. If it doesn’t, try something else. Lots of options out there.

Hello. First, well done in taking the plunge to address how you are feeling. I have been taking citalopram since August and it has changed my life. I didn’t realise how torn up with anxiety I was until I had started it. I also had 6 sessions of taking therapy, which was useful but it was really the medication that was life changing for me.
I am on 20mg per day and always take it at bedtime. I only had side effects for about 10 days and they weren’t too bad; a bit headachy, tired and spaced out but the doctor really emphasised bearing with it, which I’m so pleased I did.
Best of luck!

Hello 👋

Thank you all so much for sharing and to @MessyNDepressy for asking the question.
How did you get on today after taking it?

I am starting citalopram tomorrow.
First recommended sertraline by the GP last November but declined it as I was concerned about feeling dozy and fuzzy.
I've been experiencing very extreme PMS mood swings which are no doubt linked to the inability to conceive for the last 14 months.

I spoke to a private Gynaecologist last week who recommended citalopram and I've decided to go for it on the basis I can't be any less focused than I am right now! I think I've cried every day for the last six weeks!

Please do keep us updated @MessyNDepressy

Hi OP
I too didn't want to take meds but I hit rock bottom and had symptoms like yours, couldn't breathe, felt like an elephant was on my chest, it was awful. I didn't get out of bed for a week. Finally got put onto citalopram and it's been a life changer.
settling into the meds was tough, so be kind to yourself and don't be afraid to call in sick if you can't manage going out. Just know that the settling in period will calm down and it's been a life changer for me. I'm much less anxious, much much less angry and moody and less worried all.the.time.
best of luck to you

Another success story here. I am like a new person since taking this. As PP said I experienced a couple of weeks of mild morning sickness type queasiness but was ok if I ate regularly and no issues since at all. Also yes coke did make me more anxious too. Good luck and hoping you feel better soon!

It was brilliant. My best ever AD, and I’m annoyed they changed the maximum dosage so I had to come off it. Citalopram was me at my happiest and healthiest MH wise, I’d love to be like that again.

I hope things get better for you op

How are you doing today OP? These side effects sound very familiar to me! They passed in a couple of weeks and I then felt so much better and able to get my brain in gear to do the thing I needed to do to feel better (lovely vicious cycle isn't it)

I could never tolerate Citalopram so I am on Escitalopram instead (very similar). I wish I’d tried it years before. I can’t believe what I went through. Panic attacks are terrible and my heart goes out to anyone who suffers.
It has been a God-send to me, and I think you’re doing the right thing by trying it. I hope it helps you as much as it helps me.

Citalopram really helped me. My partner had an affair and I was honestly traumatised and on the floor for months. I went to the doctor and she suggested it. Im so anti medication but at the time i wanted to die. I started on 10mg, went conpletely numb and went onto 20mg and i was able to get up, shower, sleep and eat again. My only suggestion is to take it in the morning. I took it at night for a few months and woke up 3/4 times a night, really horrible restless sleep but the mornings were no issue. Had some night sweats but no other side effects.

Yep another positive story here. Changed my life.
How are you OP?

Thanks everyone for sharing, it’s great to hear that it has helped others and I’m not the only one feeling like this.

I started taking 10mg on Tuesday evening. It’s been a bit rough if I’m being honest, I’ve taken a few days off work to adjust. I’ve had a really sore head, nausea, sore throat and generally just felt really unwell plus a bit dissociated. I’m also usually a very cold person but I’m a bit hot and sweaty just now. I’m not sure if I’ve just been unlucky and picked something up or if these are side effects from the meds. I spent most of Weds - Fri in bed but felt a bit better last night and even more so today.

I think I might try moving to taking my tablet in the morning instead of bed time as I’m getting quite bad insomnia. I’ve been exhausted in the evening but I seem to waken up after taking it at 10pm and then toss and turn till 1 am 🫠. I do manage a 5-6 hour stretch after that though so I’m not sure what to do.

I think I feel a little better mentally but it’s hard to say with feeling poorly physically. Determined to stick it out though.

Another success story here. It’s changed my life. Took about 6 weeks of 20mg. I’m much calmer and kinder now. I don’t sweat the small stuff or go into a rage over nothing. I still get anxious under pressure but I’m so much better. Keep going xx

I am taking it for anxiety. On a low dose at the moment and found it helped really quickly. No side effects at all on 10mg dose.

@MessyNDepressy
Sorry to hear you've been feeling guff 🥲
Did you try taking it in the morning? Did it feel much better?

I've been having restless sleep since starting on Friday which is a pain because I was actually sleeping fine before. Today is the first day I've felt physically yucky with a bit of a thick head and nausea.

Can you have alcohol with citalopram?

Yes x

Any further updates?

@fitnessmummy sorry I’ve just noticed your reply. Unfortunately I’m not really in much of a better place yet. My dose has been increased from 10mg to 20mg and now to 30mg. I seem to feel better for a short period of time after the increase before ending up worse than I was before. For example, after moving to 30mg I had a good 5 days of feeling much better and more like my old self. On day 6 I didn’t feel great and put it down to tiredness but by day 7 I was back to full blown depression, suicidal thoughts etc. I’m not sure whether to stick it out or ask to move to something else.

Hi MessyNDepressy, I know it’s been a few months since anyone posted but just wondering how you got on? I’m currently day 7 of citalopram and I feel worse. Waking up with nausea and panic, dizzy, tiredness, suicidal thoughts. Just wondering if anyone’s side affects improved at all?

@Emz0614
Hello
I'm so sorry to see that you are feeling worse and having bad thoughts. I think you need to tell your GP about this, especially before we get into the weekend.

Citalopram is working well for me but I didn't suffer like many people do when I started taking it.