Just started on Citalopram

[Nanabana]

Have read old threads about side affects and quite worrying, but will give it a go. Hope it kicks in soon

[Nanabana]

thanks Gingeme, hope it only gets better for you

[schmohawk]

The pins and needles never last too long IME. Shame the anxiety does! Gosh 4-6 weeks, surely we'll see some improvement before that??
Hope you get to catch a few rays today citalobrain!
I know I shouldn't, but I keep ruminating over how I got so anxious and depressed, where did I go wrong? I'm constantly trying to look for answers and understand it, but it's all a bit scary!

[gingeme]

Can I ask what dosage your on? I was started on 20mg and was told that's quite strong for first time use !

[schmohawk]

Ginge I'm on 20mg, I was given the impression that that was standard and it can then be adjusted up or down.

[Nanabana]

my pharmacist said that, but GP said around 2 weeks.. and most people on here say 1-2 weeks so hopefully pharmacist was just a bit off with his weeks!

I know what you mean Schmohawk, how did this happen. My anxiety is in reaction to things that happen around me and I dont seem to have the ability to shake things off. I worry about my DDs and pray that I can raise them in a way that they are strong enough to not have to go through all this.

[Nanabana]

GP has started me off on 20mg too

[gingeme]

hmmm ok.

[citalobrain]

Glad to hear you're doing better Nanbana :)

Gingeme I was started on 20 mg like others so it sounds like you're not alone!

Shmohawk I ask myself that too, all the time. I remember being painfully shy in my early teenage years and so much happier in my own company than with anyone else. I experienced proper depression in my early 20s, and have since tried to battle it with food, booze, ADs, exercise, you name it! I had a year of counselling in my 20s which was helpful, but didn't turn things around permanently.

I feel very similar to the poster on another thread running at the moment. Apathy and inertia sums me up. Just no joy at being alive (not suicidal though). I work myself into such a panic at socialising as I feel I've nothing to offer. I work at home so it's very easy to isolate myself. Thankfully I have a dog which gets me out, I have to take him out! Weirdly I generally have no trouble chatting to people in passing, it's proper friendships (even long-standing ones) that I'm struggling with at the moment.

For the past year, I have just checked out of my life and hidden myself away.

I do think I will always be prone to being depressed, it's been many years, but the pit I've sunk into now is far deeper and has gone on for too long without any relief.

Sorry for huge post ! I am getting chinks of light in my mood the past week, I hope that that is the citalopram beginning to work its magic :)

Hope you all have a peaceful and content weekend xx

[floramckitchen]

My 18yo dd was prescribed citalopram yesterday. She has taken one dose (20 mg) and suffered the worst side effects imaginable. Confusion, spaced out, inability to concentrate, dry mouth, weird mouth movements, sleepy etc etc. So bad she couldn't go to work today. I think its just making a bad situation much much worse. Whats the point of taking them if she cannot function? If she loses her job because of these bloody tablets surely that will make the depression worse??
Anyway just called OOH gp who has told her not to take a second dose at all. It is so hard to know how to support her??

I am so worried but at a loss about what to do now.

[citalobrain]

Hi floramckitchen

Your poor DD :(

I'm by no means an expert, but, if she's only taken one tablet, I'd be inclined to do as the OOH doc said and stop taking them. And in the meantime book another appointment with the GP who prescribed them. She can take a lower dose than 20 mg so the GP might suggest trying again at a lower dose.

What she has experienced do sound like common side effects, but obviously severe in your DD's case and obviously not workable if she had to miss work.

If she'd been on them more than 1 day I think there would be a risk in just stopping, but in my limited experience I think she should be okay to do so if she's only taken 1. And speak to her prescribing GP again as soon as she can about lowering the dose / possibly an alternative medication.

Unfortunately there is a starting period you have to wade through that involves side effects (usually a week or so), but they may be more manageable for her at a lower dose.

I hope she's okay soon x

[schmohawk]

How is everyone doing today? Flora I hope your DD is feeling a bit better. I had a pretty good day yesterday but Mr Anxiety is back today and I'm stuck in obsessional thinking patterns again. Wish I could just relax about things and be confident that everything will be ok! The CBT for Dummies book makes some good points about relying too much on emotional reasoning and that this needs to be balanced with facts and evidence. I just need to take that on board!

[MechanicalTheatre]

I am feeling rotten :( Sore head, NO appetite, short term memory completely gone, slept all day yday, shaky (couldn't even hold my phone to send a text)

Yesterday I ate 2 pancakes and a bowl of cereal and I choked those down. I'm sure the lack of food isn't doing me any good but I just can't face it. I've eaten an apple and four biscuits today, made two slices of toast but they're just sitting here staring at me.

[ledkr]

Well having twice taken Prozac with minimal side effects I won't be taking mine. I have been trying to stay positive and busy and have caught up on my sleep. I have help with my busy and most stressful days and have been to the gym. It's easier for me because I have a possible reason for my depression so I'm going to try and hold out till that is sorted.

[citalobrain]

Hi Ledkr, wishing you all the best, you sound like you've got a good handle on things :)

Shmohawk you reminded me I have CBT for Dummies sitting on my shelf! I read it once before and did some of the exercises and it was really helpful. I'm going to read it again. Hope the anxiety wears off for you. I'm tolerating it just, but only because I'm thinking this is a settling in phase and it will go soon!

Mechanical you sound like you've had an awful time :( Have you only started them recently? (Sorry if you've said and I missed that).

The nausea / loss of appetite was really strong for me in the first week but it did ease. My appetite is completely back now. I also had tremors in my hands, and weirdly the only time I still get them is reaching my hand out the bed in the morning to turn off my phone alarm!!

Had lunch out with my amazing mum today. She's keeping me talking about how I'm feeling. She has no experience at all of depression but bless her she's trying so hard to understand and help. I love her to bits.

GPs tomorrow. I'll be asking specifically about the anxiety / feelings of panic about nothing in particular and will see what she says. I'll let you guys know too in case it helps.

Take care x

[MechanicalTheatre]

citalobrain just started on Sertraline on Thursday. Was feeling A-OK on Friday (even went out to a club) then just spent the whole weekend collapsed in bed. Got a ton of stuff to do, but I just can't.

Also grinding my teeth like nobody's business. And can't face anyone.

Nausea has kind of gone though and just had a bacon sandwich.

[schmohawk]

Mechanical I totally know what you mean about forcing food down, there's no joy in eating at those times. What about something really easy to swallow- soup, rice pudding, custard, ice cream? I get the shakes too and it makes me feel like even more of a nervous wreck- hope it passes soon for us all.
Citalobrain your Mum sounds fab, it really does help to express feelings out loud. I've started telling a few more people what's been going on, it's good to get it out in the open although I feel I need to somehow explain why I'm anxious/ depressed, which I don't completely understand myself yet. Feeling a lot more myself this evening so am planning to return to work tomorrow, at least for part of the day. Hope I'm not being too optimistic....
Good luck with tomorrow everyone!

[MechanicalTheatre]

schmohawk I'm also cursed with a milk allergy so most of that kind of lovely lovely food is off-limits. Makes me weep. But right now, even water isn't appealing. Weird.

[50shadesofvomit]

I'm another one who's just started Citalopram. Doctor prescribed 10mg for a week then 20mg for 3 weeks before I have to go back to see her. I've been told to expect to feel worse for a couple of weeks then better after 4.

I've been taking it in the evening and going to sleep as it helps me feel drowsy. The dreams are a weird side effect.

[citalobrain]

Hi 50shades, stepping up the dosage gradually will probably help to minimise the side effects? Hope it goes okay. I haven't had any weird dreams so far!

Schmohawk hope work went well today :)

Mechnical is the appetite and general bleugh-ness any better? I'm a notorious teeth grinder even without ADs and dentist 2 weeks ago told me I needed to have some enamel repaired where I'd been grinding! I hate the idea of those mouth guards though - I'm sure I'd never sleep.

I definitely feel a bit brighter :) Not all the time, and still have these extreme anxiety moments, but every now and then I feel like I've popped my head up from underwater.

I mentioned the anxiety to my GP today, and she has prescribed me propranolol to take alongside the citalopram. It's non addictive and it apparently helps with extreme anxiety (which she said is due to the 'settling in' stage of the AD). I should take 1 x 10 mg tablet 3 times a day as necessary for anxiety. Temporarily as I get used to the ADs.

I'm hoping I won't need it, I'm not generally a happy pill popper, but it's reassuring to know it's there and it will help if I need it.

Hope everyone is doing okay. This is the first day of week 4 and I'm hoping for good things for us all this week!

[citalobrain]

Hmm, just read some threads about propranolol and many have said their anxiety has been made worse. It's a beta blocker? Mostly seems to be used for migraines and palpatations.

From what I can see, it deals with the physical manifestations of the anxiety, which I don't have much of a problem with - it's all going on in my head!

I think I will keep it in reserve and hopefully ride through the anxiety spells without it :/

[ledkr]

Hi all. Was tempted to start today as felt really bad since last night. I realised its anxiety about going to work which is stupid as I love my job, I think it's just being out of the comfort of my house and being with people. Once I was there I was fine.
Still hoping to hold out until I see consultant next Tuesday.
I'm so surprised at the side effects I had none from Prozac apart from tiredness first few weeks
Hope it's getting easier for you all.

[schmohawk]

Ah mechanical the milk allergy must be difficult. Hope you've managed to enjoy eating a bit more today.
Hi 50shades, I take mine in the evening too- haven't experienced any crazy dreams yet though...
citalobrain Glad you are feeling a bit brighter. I think I am too, but just when I think I've turned a corner I'm not so sure. I wonder if the beta blockers would suit me well as I definitely have the physical manifestations of anxiety, as well as in my head! I will ask about it at my next appointment too.
ledkr sorry if you've said before but why did you change from Prozac to Citalopram? Interested to know why people are prescribed different ADs.

[ledkr]

Was in Prozac for a year about two yrs ago for pnd or pmt never knew which. The dr who prescribed citalopram said they are better!!
I might try St. John's wort. Feel a bit crap again this am, so unpredictable.

[pudding25]

Hi, I've just been prescribed 20 mg of citalopram for anxiety. Am worried now after hearing about the side effects how I am going to cope at work. I am a teacher which is the main cause of my anxiety!!
Also, I am a terrible sleeper as it is. Would it be better to take them in the morning (although now worried about feeling ill all day at work) or before bed (but now worried about sleeping less!).
I think am now feeling more anxious than I did before I got the prescription!
Does anyone have any advice please?

[MechanicalTheatre]

pudding Could you wait til the holidays? When is the next mid-term? I understand you'd still have planning/marking but at least you could do it in bed. I am now on day 5, and feeling up to studying (this is Sertraline, not Citalopram).

schmohawk milk allergy is a dreadful bore because creamy, milky stuff is what I love. I have to give in to it quite often so end up with a sore head, blocked nose, sore throat...but it's worth it! I try to avoid as much as possible.

Feeling much less grim today. Still a bit zonked, but less anxious and planning to go out for a little walk just for some fresh air and then study in the evening.