Scared to take citalopram

[firsttimemumchar]

I’ve always had anxiety but had it somewhat controlled. After a traumatic birth and other life stresses it’s just getting worse. I also have a real fear of being sick.

my GP prescribed me 10mg of citalopram. I’ve had them a few days but I’m terrified to take them because of side effects. I don’t want to be stuck in my own head any longer though. Most nights I worry what if I’m going to be sick with a bug. Especially now my daughter is in nursery.

would love a bit of reassurance and any experiences people have of this.

I am currently taking the same dose of Citalopram OP. I am also taking it for anxiety which I can usually control. I have had a series of events which have sent my anxiety out of control (major surgery plus awkward family arrangements). I started taking it early December and it is working very well. The gp said you have to take it for a few months. I am happy to. I am early 70's. Anxiety has been a lifelong problem for me. I hope you find it works for you. I have no side effects and can drive.

I take double that and have done for years, its simply replacing something your body is not currently creating enough of.

Taking 30mg currently, and it's a life saver. I can feel my spark re-emerging.

The first few days were a bit odd - but it's been a life changer for me 🎈

Oh it’s great stuff, I should have been on it years ago. I’ve struggled with anxiety, intrusive thoughts, insomnia and depression since I had my first child 12 years ago. I got significantly worse last year and finally asked the dr. I’m on 20mg and I’m so much better. No side effects although possibly a bit hungrier

Worst one for me. It made me wake up through the night boiling, heart racing worse than it ever has, felt like I wasn't really there. I was terrified.

Has anyone experienced sexual dysfunction on it?

10 mg here. It was good for me as well.

I have taken 10 and 20 of it, was off and on for about 8 years, don’t take it now because I don’t need it.
The first time I went on it I didn’t have any noticeable side effects but that was because my anxiety was so bad on its own so I was already Nauseous and not sleeping.
3 or 4 times I’ve taken after that I’ve always had side affects the worst being gurning/ stiff jaw type feeling and nausea, but it does work to lower anxiety.

I've taken citalopram 30mg for about 8 years now for anxiety & depression. The first month was rough, symptoms often get worse before you stabilise and the side effects can be tough. I'm already an insomniac but it got worse and I was grinding my teeth/clenching my jaw and didn't really eat much of anything for a couple of weeks. I was abit shaky and sweaty too.

HOWEVER, my life is so so much better for taking them. It had got to the stage where I couldn't leave the house without having a panic attack, so I just didn't go out. I was desperately suicidal and my depression had been made even worse by having my daughter. I was basically existing in a bubble of self loathing trying to pluck up the courage to kill myself. My low point came when I disassociated for god knows how long and came around to my husband holding me as I sat in the middle of the garden, in the snow, in a t-shirt and knickers. I'd left DD who was about 6 months old at the time, asleep in the moses basket.

So for me, I'd never go back. My Dr has suggested coming off them a couple of times over the years but I've always fought it. I'm actually scared to be without them now!

If you really struggle with the side effects, there's always other meds you can try. Propranolol can be helpful to take as and when you can feel your anxiety becoming overwhelming.

I hope this helps a little OP ! Good luck and don't worry, you won't feel like this forever.

I take it and the only side effect to start with was a dry mouth and lower appetite. That's really nothing compared to the 'side effects' of anxiety and depression I've experienced.

A great side benefit is that my digestion is so much better on it. I get far fewer painful stomach aches which makes life so much easier.

Well, after being injured permanently by an off label antipsychotic prescribed for severe insomnia and anxiety after a head injury and post concussion syndrome a decade ago, I have a somewhat biased view of psychotropic drugs...I now have a neurological involuntary movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia that is a bit like Tourette's and Parkinson's disease combined 😳 😢

Having said that, I took Citalopram to help for a bit (after the onset of my movement disorder funnily enough) and it did help. Initially it was awful, but settled down.

All medication has always had side effects and of course, you are affected by these uniquely to you - hence why I was harmed by one type of medication, that might not affect someone else in a similar way.

I'm not anti medication per se, just biased lol 😆 But for some people, they would be beneficial and it's a case of deciding if the benefits outweigh the side effects.

I've been taking 20mg since October, it has made my anxiety much more manageable and the only side effect I have is I grit my teeth in my sleep. Anxiety is worse than side effects.

I was on 20mg citalopram for years, just moved to escitalopram as its supposed to target long term depression better.

The first month or so of citalopram I was jittery. Restless legs, a bit fizzy and fast mind. But I was in work and no one at work noticed anything different except that I always had a bouncy leg! Those side effects stopped and there was no long term side effects for me.

I took citalopram about 15 years ago. I was on 40mg. The GP (rather msiogynistically) referred to 10mg as 'the old lady dose'. Basically, it's a very low dose.

I felt slightly increased anxiety for a couple of weeks - pacing and wringing hands at 3am. BUT! it was the most effective AD I have ever taken. It took the anxiety/depression away without dulling my emotions generally (like Prozac did). I still felt the full range of happy, sad, excited, bored, angry etc but within (I imagine) more normal parameters. I was able to function and was no longer crippled by anxiety that prevented me from doing pretty much anything.

10mg is a really low dose so if you get any side effects you can titrate off it quickly. Dd on 30mg - has been in citalopram for about 3 years now. It is trial and error with SSRIs, but if it doesn’t suit there are plenty more to try.

Thanks everyone. I’m fed up of feeling this way :( had another bad night convinced I’m getting a sickness bug and feeling sick and heart hammering. Yet I’m scared to take these tablets. I feel so irrational I know.

Have you tried CBD drops?

Its ok to feel worried about new meds, especially as you have health anxiety. I always find that the Mind website is brilliant for clearly explaining medications, what they do and potential side effects.

I took the tablet two hours ago and the last half hour felt really really sick and had diarrhea :(

I'm on 40mg and have been for 22 years! Honestly it is a life saver. 10mg is a starter dose you might not even get any side effects, but if you do then just push through.

Did you just get on with your day though or have you sat around, listening closely to your body and so are noticing every little change?

If you have health anxiety, it's likely you are worrying more and looking for signs of side effects. Don't forget that an unsettled stomach is a symptom of anxiety.

Yes just sat around at home all day :(

I felt horrendous on it for the first two weeks, really dizzy and sick all the time. Then on the dot of two weeks it kicked in and felt amazing.

This is partly why when Dh was prescribed new medication I looked up the side effects because I knew he would worry about them and if an upset stomach was listed he would immediately think this was caused by the meds and not the worry about taking the meds. Not your medication but just any prescription meds.

I think keeping your mind busy might help you stop focusing on possible side effects and remember the meds are there to help you. You might not experience any one of them, it might be pure coincidence that you are not feeling great.