To feel nervous to start Citalopram?

[Blueskyformiles]

Been prescribed it by my GP this morning after putting off going to the GP for about 12 years!

I’ve heard some horror stories re the initial side effects. I’m also a bit confused as I thought side effects like increased anxiety for the first couple of weeks were normal, but he said if I get any side effects like that after a few days, it’s not normal and to come off it? He said I may have an upset stomach in the first couple of weeks and that’s normal, but that feeling an increase in anxiety etc shouldn’t happen.

My anxiety is so bad at the moment anyway but I’m just so scared to take the first pill. I’m worried how it’s going to affect my work, taking time off in the next couple of weeks isn’t really feasible. I do only work part time though which may help? I also worry about looking after my child who is 18 months and at the tantruming over everything phase.

Does anyone have any positive Citalopram stories?

It helped me greatly and the side effects weren’t bad at all.

Transformed my friend's experience of OCD. Literally life saving.

I felt low level nausea at first but nothing too bad. My anxiety was making me sick anyway! It transformed my life so was definitely worth it

I'm on day five of it...the first two days I felt so sick, running to the loo etc, but I found taking it straight after breakfast helped, along with ginger tea/ginger beer and snacking through the day rather than big meals.

I went to work (on my feet, customer facing) the first day I took it, which in hindsight wasn't the best idea considering how rough I felt, but the day was manageable and I was glad for the distraction. If I'd thought about it, I'd have taken 2 days off or asked to be signed off, cooked some dinners in advance and stocked up on ginger drinks and my favourite snacks to get through it.

Things have eased up today but still feeling tired in the afternoon from it, so I've been giving in and having a nap! I've read other threads where ppl have taken it before bed if it makes them tired.

I was warned it would make my anxiety worse around day 4-7 and to ring if I was struggling, but if anything today I feel less anxious, but that might change over the next few days. I'm hoping someone else comes on with some advice with this.

Well done for reaching out to the doctor for help x

I have been taking it for nearly 3 years, it has really helped and no bad side affects.
Just see how you go and ring the GP if you are worried about anything. Be kind to yourself and I hope the medication helps.

I’m thinking about going back on it after 10 year break. I found taking half a dose for the first couple of days helped, it wasn’t such a shock to the system. I was able to carry on as normal for two weeks until it fully kicked in, and was so glad I did. Some people get on better taking it first thing, some prefer before bed.

It worked very very well for me. I felt a little tired for a couple of weeks and I always took it after breakfast so no real nausea. My anxiety/depression didn’t get worse to begin with and I actually started to notice a small difference after 2 weeks… so much so that I decided to stay on the initial low dose of 10mg. I continued to take it for around 8 months and then came off with no real issues.
I have to say, it suited me so well. My main side effect was increased confidence! So much so that I have to talk myself going back on it when I’m going through a period of stress because it was so helpful and effective. Good luck OP! I am sure you will be fine!

I did exactly the same as you, only with Sertraline. I put it off for YEARS. My depression/anxiety weren't debilitating, and I could function, but absolutely not at an optimal level, so eventually contacted the GP. I did it during covid when I knew it'd all be done via email - as going to the GP brought me anxiety in itself. So in that way, covid was good for me.

I was terrified of taking the first pill. But I took it, and about 2 months later I felt a world of difference.

Honestly, you owe it to yourself. You deserve to be happy. Give yourself the best possible chance!

Thank you all so much for the replies!

I can’t tell you how badly I want this medication to work. Yes I function everyday but the anxiety since having my baby 18 months ago has gone through the roof, horrible, intrusive thoughts everyday and they’re not getting any better.

Social anxiety is at an all time high, I analyse every single interaction with friends for days after we’ve met up, I’m convinced no one likes me/ everyone hates me.

People just all seem to irritate and annoy me nowadays too, it’s like everyone irritates me. I’m so snappy and down and irritable all the time and I feel so sorry for my husband who has to live with me.

I’m terrified about it making me put on weight as I wouldn’t cope well with that at all. I’ve pretty much been the exact same weight my whole adult life and I would really struggle if I suddenly put on 3-4 stone or something.

Always worried about the potential inability to orgasm and decreased libido as my libido isn’t great to begin with!

But I acknowledge now that living like this isn’t good and I do have to try something.

My dr wants me to start CBT therapy too in a month’s time, alongside the meds so hoping between the both of them, they’ll have a positive impact on my life.

I put off taking ADs for years until about 5 years ago when I was suicidal. I started taking Citalopram and it changed my life. I'm so glad I did, only wish I'd done it sooner.

From memory, the first few days I took it I felt very spaced out and kept bursting into tears, but once that was over (lasted about a week I think) it was great.

No side effects at all for me. It helped me enormously through a breakdown some years ago, and is helping me now, since family life threatened to overwhelm me last year.
I find it seems to clarify what I need to do to get through stressful situations: taking away any guilt I might have otherwise felt in the process, so it definitely helps me!

I didn’t put on any weight with it OP. I could also drink alcohol as normal with no issues.

I definitely agree that having therapy at the same time would be helpful for you! And I can resonate with a lot of what you are saying about social anxiety as well. Go for it, start taking them after you’ve eaten a meal and I think you’ll find it enormously helpful!

Citalopram has been a lifesaver for me. I didn't get any of the side affects you have mentioned, no increase in anxiety etc. I know a lot of other people on it too and haven't heard any of them complain. Certainly no mention of weight gain.

I was also very nervous about taking it and put it off, but it has done me the world of good. I wish I had started sooner. Go for it OP!

I only had a fuzzy head when starting and later coming off Citalopram.

I needed them because of the stress in my life caused by family members health and behaviour - they really grounded me.

The situation around me didn't change but I felt much more able to cope and confident that I wouldn't have some kind of breakdown.

A couple of years later everything had settled to a more manageable situation and I reduced them gradually.

OP - for me it was literally life changing. No side effects just gave me so much clarity and relaxed my mind

Yes I took it after my first child was born. No horrible initial side effects and the only one that was longer term was that it made me quite sweaty. But that was a minor thing compared to how much better it made me feel mentally.