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.

No, sadly cup of tea. My GP said to take them in the morning, definitely not at night as they would disrupt my sleep pattern. I take them as soon as I wake up so 6.30am.
It's not surprising with the night feeds that you are exhausted.

Hi *allnew., another one for the sweaty clique.

All this sweating must be an aid to weight loss serotonin.

sparkling do we get a quiche now?

allnew hello give it a couple more weeks, the early crapness soon goes.

Been on citalopram for a couple of months, started on a low dose but 20mg suits me at the moment - no massive stressors to face just now - but well aware I might need to go up a dose at some point.

Oh yes Serotonin. Everyone will be clamouring to join the 'sweaty bunch' that have movie-like dreams.

What we need to do is record the dreams and swap vivid stories!

We could collate and publish them, and then buy wine tea and biscuits for the sweaty quiche meet ups

Is it supposed to help your sleep?

I was opposite I used to take mine in the morning but could not stop sleeping through the day, I went back to gp who said to change and take at night, I don't have any dreams though.

Last night's was very vivid but I can't remember what happened.

dotty I don't think so, unfortunately, although if you are more relaxed because you take it that may help.

Not yet too much going on to relax.

Also my side affects were quite bad with the teeth grinding and jaw clenching another reason I was told to take at night so by morning hopefully they would ware off.

Dotty maybe some sleeping tablets could help short term?

Thats the last thing I need MorningCoffee with my moods, used the last one last night after only having about an hour and a half saturday night. Luckily there was only one left.

dotty maybe go back to your GP an mention the sleeping issues? I would. I know I used to sleep badly but things have improved immensely now, and a short-term solution of sleeping tablets might get you back into a routine.

She knows why I don't sleep.

In all seriousness if the citalopram doesn't seem to be holding you up you need to either up the dose or change meds, you don't sound very happy at the moment x

Hi; I have been on these for 3 years. I would say the only long term side effect is jaw clenching/teeth grinding, ironically worse in times of stress too. I was on them mostly for anxiety in relation to wrrying about my health and fear of dying young. They have took the edge off the anxiety, but the issues are still there. Lately I have started to feel depressed again though so while they worked for 2.5 years, maybe I am getting immune to them? Have just got myself on the waiting list for counselling anyhow.

Its going to take more than meds TBH I'm not half as bad as I was 3 months ago lots of personal stuff reared their ugly head. She mentioned increasing them this month when I saw her before christmas I never wanted to go on them she gave me no choice.

Have you discussed this with her then? Maybe you need some CBT too? Or counselling? I didn't want to be medicated either, but it really made a difference in helping me cope on a day to day basis. You aren't alone though x

Hi sunflower, You are right, my counsellor says the Citalporam doesn't take away the cause of the anxiety but 'it takes the rough edges off' enabling you to deal with it better. Did you ever have the sweat or vivid dreams?

Sparkling, no, I don't get side effects any more. For me it's very much like taking a vitamin tablet, I just don't think about it much. I notice it a lot if I miss a few days though--dizzyness, tightening chest, general anxiety, tired, snappy. So I try not to miss!

Can I join? Started taking 10mg before Xmas and the sleepy side effects seem to have gone. Have very vivid dreams but taking them at about 6pm.
Not sweaty but having hot flushes
They've taken the edge off how I was feeling, I don't seem to stay cross at the dc's for long ( which I was doing) and seem to be more able to walk away from my 10yr old arguing.

Hi Dolly and welcome. I know all about the ten yr old arguing stuff.

There may be hope for the sweatiness to stop then Yank?

Morning all. I have done my 3 mile (extremely sweaty) walk. Feeling great now so going to make the most of it and get stuff done. Only supermarket and bank and housework etc-nothing exciting.

Hope you are all okay this morning.

I was up at 3.30 house all done DS's SW coming for acuppa and chat shortly.

I am feeling ok today, although lack of sleep, am up showered, dressed, dd to school & been to shops, also go a stew in the slow cooker, so must be a good day.