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

sorry so many people have had a crap day

I was also told to take it in the morning -I never have time first thing (or the memory skills...) I compromise on taking it in morning break time so 10.30ish. works for me.

yay. had a week of reasonable sleep... but looks like my old mate insomnia is back

Mechanical that sounds stressful! Hope you're all okay there.

Reenie are you feeling better today?

Hello to everyone else

Shrek insomnia is the pits isn't it? For the first time in so long I'm actually sleeping really well now, without the aid of booze and nitol (apart from the sweating!). I was prepared for my sleeping to be generally worse on the pills, so I've been so happy to find out it's got better. You're a bit behind me so it may well get better too?

I have a radio on just loud enough so I can hear it without straining (talk radio) and I listen to it to stop my head from whirring with unhelpful thoughts. Also, I let myself change positions a couple of times, but then make myself stay where I am, and I'm sure that also helps me to drop off.

When I remember the last radio segment I heard, I can work out it takes me about 15 mins tops to drop off. Pre the pills, I'd still be awake tossing and turning gone 3 am. It's a bloody revelation

Hope some of this may help x

oops, meant to say I take mine around 9pm each night, and it doesn't seem to be interfering with a good night's sleep.

Hi everyone, MT hope you're having a better day - doesn't sound like the easiest place to be!
Reenie hope you're having a better day today.
Mrs Shrek hope you got some sleep.
Just wondered when people started to feel the benefits of their ADs? I've been on Fluoxetine for 3 weeks now and I'd say over the last seven days I've been worse than before. I have another docs appt next Wed so am thinking if no improvement by then, I'll need to ask to switch. Which is rather depressing as that'll be Jan and Feb as total write-offs.... any ideas? thanks all x

So glad I've found this thread. I've started on 20mg citalopram a week ago and the side effects have been horrendous. I didn't feel this bad before I started the meds. Today has been the worst day and I've been back to docs who've reduced my dosage to 10mg for a couple of weeks. Has been useful to see all your positive posts and encouraging to know the effects don't last forever! Can't wait to get back to work and being normal again. Don't like feeling like a zombie and groggy all the time. The anxiety has heightened which I understand is very common so hoping the diazepam knocks me out tonight so I can have a full nights sleep ( not used to having insomnia ). Thanks for letting me join your discussion and keep the positive posts coming.

Can I gatecrash too?

I've been on 20mg since Tuesday

I feel really spaced out and tired. I just want to sleep. I've no appetite and my mouth feels funny, I have a swollen tongue which is sore as it's rubbing on my teeth

I agree with Maggie, sometimes I get tingles like coming up on ecstasy

I have a 15 mo so I'm not sure if I should carry on with it as I can't be like this looking after him and he's not well atm.

I can't get across to DH how out of it I feel. DS has gone to my mums and since he left 5 hours ago I have just lain on the sofa in the dark in slience staring at nothing.

Hi catgirl. It's really crap that beginning bit. I nearly jacked it in, but somehow kept going. Just keep in mind the end result, however hard that seems. x

Hey Sparkling :)

Thanks for that. I'll keep going and I'm back at the doctors on Thursday so I'll take to her and just try to stay focused on getting back to normal

It is hard though catgirl, and I think you have had to have gone through it to understand. I don't think DH could grasp it at all, but he certainly reaped the benefits when it kicked in and I became calmer, and more relaxed about things.

It takes the rough edges off and enables you to get on with stuff.

Hi looiloo and catgirl good to hear from you and you've come the right place. Hang in there, everyone says its worth it, but I know the side effects are tough - this is a good place to get support. Take care x

DP just been prescribed citalopram and first dose today. Has anyone not had horrendous side effects? He already has dry mouth. I'm worried he will get all spaced out and not care about anything :( don't know how to help him ATM :(

Everyone is different Lino. I didn't feel spaced out, just couldn't focus on anything, concentration level of zero.
Really he just has to get through the first couple of weeks. Just be there for him, keep communicating. x

Thank you sparkling, sometimes he communicates and sometimes just shuts off completely :( that's the worst part, although sometimes he also gets really angry at me over nothing. I realise this sounds selfish, going on about how bad I feel when he feels worse, but in RL I can't really talk to anyone about this.

You don't sound selfish Lino, you are trying to understand it all. Has he been prescribed the Citalopram for depression?

Yes, for depression. First time prescribed. Depression much worse over the last couple of months. Has behaved in ways totally and utterly unlike him. I've known him for 8years and he has never been depressed before this year. They think its because of unemployment and struggling to find work rather than something that therapy could help with. I never thought this would happen to him, I've always been mildly depressed/anxious but have never sought medical advice on it, mostly because I'm afraid to confront it. Open the can of worms. This may sound pathetic/stupid but I'm so worried about how they will affect him, will he still be like himself/ the same person I love?

Lino once they start to work you should notice the difference. They don't change your personality, they enable you to deal with things that you couldn't before.

Hi Colouring :)

Sparkling - glad to hear they worked for you and hope you are getting better

Thank you, I guess it's just a wait and see thing. Encouraging to read this thread and so lovely that 'random strangers on the Internet' can be so kind and supportive.

Thanks catgirl they definitely work for me.

Lino there is always someone around on here if you are having a worry.

That's good to know, very glad and encouraged that they work for you sparkling

Hi Linoleic my OH was very depressed for a lot of last year, finally diagnosed with severe depression in Sept and put on Sertraline. he is now really well I found last year a very hard, and at times, frightening time, so I guess I'd say to try and be kind to yourself. Last year (his illness, my redundancy, my DS starting school) all seems to have caught up with me this Jan and I'm now on Fluoxetine. Anyhow just wanted to let you know you're not on your own with this and hope your Cital kicks in soon x

oops linoleic re-read and realised its yr OH not you on cital - sorry - brain fog here, but anyhow def need to look after you too x

Hi! can I join? I started on citalopram (20mg) 10 days ago..

First 5 days, I felt sick - not all the time - just the odd wave of nausea, then I would sneeze and feel Ok. Jaw stiffness, and yawning - still ongoing, but less. Feeling tired - very much so, but wearing off now. Feeling spaced out - yes' for a week, then it just started to happen at peak times, and now thats largely worn off.

Emotionally I'm feeling better already, the weight has lifted, the anxiety got worse for a few days after starting it, but now am sleeping better, and the anxiety has started to lift...

Hi pix. Sounds like you are doing really well.