Citalopram 40mg Long term side effects?

[Sparklingbrook]

Started on 20mg in July 2011, 30mg in September moved to 40mg in November.

Had lots of side effects when I first started but I seem to have retained a few-

Constipation
Clenched jaw at night
Feeling very hot for about 2 hours after waking
Vivid, bizarre dreams (not nightmares-just odd)

Anyone else? or is it just me? I must say the benefits far outweigh any of them.

Sparkling the main ones are upset stomach, feeling sick, dizziness and dry mouth. These are the ones most people get apparently.

After just one tablet I have been feeling sick all day, I am hoping it will go away quite soon after getting used to them.

Load Citalopram was supposed to be upset stomach but I got constipation. i remember feeling nauseous and having zero appetite for a while when I started.

The lack of appetite sounds good, at the moment I'm surrounded by chocolate and in bed watching Downton Abbey as I feel pretty rubbish!

But I haven't had a duvet day in a while so I'm hoping it's acceptable

The lack of appetite was great losing weight wise BUT it was replaced 2 months later with continual raging hunger, .

When I first started Citalopram there were days when I just didn't want to get out of bed. At all.

I have been lucky today because I've been able to give in to my laziness but I can't in the week.

I'm so glad to hear the meds and counselling have changed your life, it's been a long time coming for me but I am now determined to put my last behind me.

I didn't think it was possible Load. I hope it works for you, even if it gets a bit worse before it gets better like I experienced.

That's what I keep hearing that it gets better counseller at rape crisis centre is great though as is my GP.

Dotty I glad you have a good GP, that is half the battle, I have only just managed to find a GP who takes me seriously. He saw me for half an hour on Friday and we came up with an action plan.

It was such a relief knowing things are going in the right direction.

I've had her for 17 years really feel comfortable with her always have.

I'm on 40mg too mainly for anxiety, I don't think it is helping at all.

Side effects wise I am just constantly shattered needing to nap in the afternoon and still feeling tired. I don't know if this is the citalopram or in my anxiety induced state I think I may have CFS or ME as I ache all over as well.

I swapped from Citalopram to Sertraline just recently (after two years on the former) and really didn't notice any side effects from either. It was just that the citalopram didn't seem to be working as well for me any more.

The only side effect I had with Sertraline was a ridiculously high libido for a few weeks when starting. weird, eh?

Load, do you take your tablets with food or milk? Or could you take it just before bed? That might help the upset stomach. Another possibility is that you are just nervous about taking the tablets, IYSWIM?

I'm such an old hand at anti-depressants, I'll pop anything without a care as long as I don't have to be that weepy, depressed, paranoid creature I become without them.

Yank do you get any side effects any more?

Yank I was told to take them in the morning with food.

As the day has gone on I'm a lot better. Most of it is just nerves I think, but knowing that eventually they work is a comfort.

You have phrased it exactly how I feel at the moment *weepy, depressed, paranoid creature' so I can't wait not to feel that way.

Morning Spanky. Is it hot or is it just me?

I'm on 20mg and it really has changed my life, although the sweatiness and vivid dreams are pretty exhausting!!

I turned a real corner over Christmas and am now back at work and feeling way more able to cope - the sweatiness is worth it to not be constantly anxious about everything!!

Lol Sparklingbrook, I was so hot this morning. I decided to go for a run as I was really sad then anxious about Nikki on Restoration Man dying. She was five years younger than me. Life seems so unfair, especially when you think of some of the odious creatures on Jeremy Kyle. Anyway, I had sweated so much even my hoody cardigan was soaked! YUCK! Back to normal now, freezing cold....My dh is pleased as he likes the summer duvet on all year!

Hi Serotonin, come and join the sweaty but happy club.

spanky I hoovered the stairs, and was dripping.

Hoovering, always gets me hot under the collar!

Hot under the boobs here.

Sadly mine aren't big enough!

I'm on 40mg of citalopram and I have really vivd dreams. Often they can be quite scary too, like when I thought I was in a new Terminator film!! Last night I woke dh up a few times by shouting about various things that were irritating me in my dream!

I'd never considered it could be a side effect of Citalopram.

Thank you

I watched that Restoration Man. I cried. She had the same name as me... Made me question some things in my life.

I find cooking and exercising helps, but anything done first thing leaves me a dripping red-faced loon

I've accidently (honestly) punched dh in my sleep. I was wrapped up in a sheet being buried alive! As I wrenched myself free I actually did it and punched him. He was really cross and had hurt feelings. I felt bad, but as Nessa (Gavin and Stacey says) What can you do?

cupofteaMy GP warned me about the vivid dreams-she actually said not scary- just very real and vivid. I've had some great ones but can't remember them now.
She also told me about the sweating. I walked into her office and she said 'are you nice and sweaty?'

I didn't watch Restoration Man, but sounds very

I nearly cried at the end too, as that house was so beautiful and she never got to see it. Also he hadn't slept there. It made me panic about dying while my dss are small. But also it made me more determined to stay well and not hold back from doing the things I want to. I have an urge to decorate cakes!