Citalopram

[mynameisdifferent]

Wondered if anyone else takes this? I started with first one today - took it about 1pm and quite quickly felt really sick and dizzy and 'strange'. Is this something that can reduce after a couple of weeks? I don't mind putting up with this for a little while if it will go and then I'll feel better but I couldn't cope with this for a long time.

Am on phone so short message but it is normal to feel fuzzy for the first few days. It will settle down.

I am on day four and have had fleeting headaches,jiffy tummy ,dry mouth and tiredness. Nothing too drastic. Just waiting to feel better really. When does it take effect? Why are you on ADs myname?

Well I suppose PND, my DD is 4 mths but i've had quite a lot of trouble at work (was due to go back when she was 6 wks, had to go back part time as she was v unsettled with what turned out to be silent reflux) work problems led to problems at home etc. My stomach feels really horrible and I have been a bit sick as well this morning even though I haven't yet plucked up courage to take todays! I'm thinking of trying to take 1/2 tablet to get my body used to tolerating it as yesterday felt so spaced out and disconnected I was starting to think people at work would notice I was acting strangely!
What about you Aisling, what has caused you to take AD's?

I have just started citalopram after a 4 month break off ads. Have now been taking them for a week - and am still fuzzy and outrageously tired. I do remember this from before though - last time I started ads I effectively slept for about 10 days before I started to feel better.

The timing has been bad for me, though, as I have loads of essays to write and am just feeling completely overwhelmed and shattered. And now the children are home from school too - which is obviously lovely, but isn't helping me get myself together....

I discovered my husbands affair(s) almost 2 years ago (have been on the Relationship thread) . We've vowed to work at it, etc., but lately I've become depressed and anxious and went to my GP, who prescribed a 10 mg dose 9to so up to 20 mg. in the second week).
My side effects are less obvious today but may get worse when I increase the dose?
First time being on ADs, always scared to cos my mother was on Valium!

I've been on citalopram for over three years. I remember the first three weeks as being very dodgy. I felt almost drunk I didn't dare drive. It did pass though.

Citalopram can give you all the side effects mentioned above. It is useful to take it with food, either breakfast or dinner. If the side effects are too bad, half your tablet, take that for a week, then go back to prescribed dose. Sometimes 20mg (usually the starting dose) is hard to tolerate - so try 10mg, then double up to normal.

It takes at least two weeks to kick in - usually a month to work effectively. The side effects usually subside after a couple of weeks.

Aisling sorry to hear of your difficulties :( but glad you're trying to sort them and hope it all works out for you. Interesting that you are starting on 10mg to rise to 20mg - and also Saffysmum notes to do the same. I haven't braved my one for today yet as I still feel so dodgy, I have been sick 3 times now and just feel so awful. I will wait until this horrible feeling passes (hopefully tomorrow) and then start on half dose and increase it if that goes ok.

Thanks everyone for info. given. xxx

I wonder why it had such a strong effect on you myname. Why not phone your GP?
Good luck with it. Thank you for your kind words and congratulations on the birth of your DD.

Perhaps try half a dose with food Myname? If you are still sick, then talk to GP, some people simply can't tolerate it; but that doesn't mean that there isn't another AD out there that would be ok for you. Being sick is horrible and miserable, on top of feeling low. And from a practical point of view (with my MH Nurse hat on) it won't get in your system to work anyway if you're being sick. 10mg isn't really effective for many people - the usual starting dose is 20mg. However, if you can start at 10mg and keep it down you could then increase upto 20mg. We have patients on 80mgs! So even 20mg isn't that big a dose. But don't try too much longer, talk to GP early next week about a different drug, or alternatively, ask him for an anti sickness prescription? There are tablets that can combat side effects. See what GP says. Good luck.

I felt so awful the first couple of weeks on citalopram it was a struggle to keep going with it. But I persevered because I knew I had to get to a better place than the one I was in. I'm glad I did; I'm 8 months on now and I feel fine on them. The side effects won't last long, but the first couple of weeks can be tough. Good luck.

Hi thanks all. The sickness was awful but what was worse was the spaced out zombie feeling I had - I felt really out of control and as though I looked odd to everyone at work. I also felt as though I couldn't concentrate and it was a real effort to do anything - like I had become really slow and as though I didn't know things I should do in order to do my work. At the time I didn't know if it may be because my DS has had a really bad head cold and I was coming down with that as well? I haven't taken it again today as had real bad headache from 4pm yesterday and have only just managed to get rid of it - I think it's dehydration from being sick. I don't know why it's afected me so bad, the only other med's I take are for my hypothyroidism and I took those in the morning about 6.30 am as usual.

Hi mynameisdifferent

I tried to take citalopram recently and i felt like i had rocks in my brain i just couldn't think at all! I don't know if that is similar to what you are experiencing? I went back to the doctor and he has given me Prozac which seems to be working with very few side effects. i hope this helps.....

Hi-I am a veteran citalopram taker-just started it for the third time today for post natal anxiety. My DS2 is 9 months. First took it for severe panic disorder in 2004 after my Dad died, then took it in 2008 when DS1 was 4 months as developed very bad post natal illness after a terrible birth and him having suspected meningitis at 10 days and now starting it again.

Feeling so sad and upset to be taking it AGAIN. Thought I had done really well this time as my baby is 9 months but if I'm honest I have not felt right since x mas. Boughts of very low mood and anxious pretty much most of the time. The anxiety has peaked with this months period and I just thought...that's it, I have to get better now, no more messing about.

You do feel ill on and off the first feew weeks, especially if you suffer from anxiety as it can make it worse. I alway start on 10mg (which I have done today). I feel anxious and fuzzy headed but my anxiety ws making me feel that way anyway. Just trying to stay calm and go with it day by day as i know I will feel better in a bit.

It's a hard road so if anyone has words of encouragement or advice I would be grateful!!!!!!

I see it like pregnancy-each time it is hard at the beginning but eases off and you feel better (I do anyway!!)

Goo luck xx