Emetophobia sufferer just been prescribed Citalopram, really scared to take it!!

[Daisycat22]

Hi
I have long standing mental health issues (depression/mood disorder, agoraphobia and anxiety). I have been prescribed AD's in the past but my sickness phobia has always prevented me from taking them (did get prescribed Duloxetine a few years ago, took one and was very sick/disorientated)

Anyway, I've really had enough of feeling down and anxious and needed to do something, been prescribed Citlopram and I'm determined to take it (only 10mg to start) anyone taken it and suffered with side effects?...I'm also on the waiting list for CBT

Im an emetophobe and take 10mg of citalopram for anxiety issues.

I too was scared to take it. I knew I needed to take it but on my terms, so I bought a pill cutter and started with a quarter of a pill for a week, then half, then three quarters etc. by doing it gradually I had no massive side effect. It may of been a case that I wouldnt have had any anyway but I could just not bring myself to swallow the whole pill!

Good luck - you will be just fine!

Thanks for your reply, that's a really good idea, I think that's the only way I'll be able to do it too!

Have you found it helpful yet?

I started off on 20mg and did have some nausea (just feeling sick though, no actual vomiting). Mostly I felt lethargic and a bit dizzy. It affects different people in different ways, my mum started on it recently and had no side effects whatsoever.

I think starting gradually is a great idea; after all doctors advise that you come off it very gradually so it stands to reason that you shouldn't start suddenly either!

For what it's worth I found it very helpful, it helped me to haul myself out of a very dark place indeed.

Good luck!

daisycat, it honestly changed my life. I was able to lead a normal life over the sicky winter months. Last year over winter I was pregnant and wasnt able to take it, this year Im 3 weeks in and gradually noticing the lift of the anxiety

I was in this position a few months ago. I started on 5mg and after a week upped to 10. I did get some side effects when first starting but perhaps ask your doctor or pharmacist for anti-emetic tablets (mine are over the counter ones). They helped me loads. I also took it in the evening so had eaten already. Good luck, I've done this twice and it's well worth sticking with it and I didn't vomit once!