Citolapram

[Hopeful99]

Hi anyone,
I need some reassurance! I've been put on citolapram for severe anxiety and am on day 9 but don't feel any better really. I started with the anxiety about 6 months ago and it finally got to me when I broke down at work, that's when I realised that I needed to get help. I was having panic attacks and couldn't breathe, it felt like I had a lump,in my chest and throat and someone was pressing down on my chest. I've been off work now for nearly two weeks and haven't left the house until today which I found very scary ! I'm not sleeping and feel so tired even though I'm doing nothing ! Please can anyone tell me if this is normal ? And when will I start to feel bit better? I actually feel anxious nearly all the time.

How did you come off them womma? I have had one failed try so far.

Hello OP, I am on day 7 Citalopram, this is my 2 nd time with it, have previously had Fluoxetine etc.

I must admit I feel both better and worse. Worse because I feel sweaty, nauseated and woolly headed from the tablets. But better because I know I am doing the right thing for me to control my anxiety.

The first time I took them I had gone up to 40, I can't remember why. Then I came off them cold turkey cos I got pregnant with DD. that was fairly difficult.

Anyway, good luck to all of us going on/ long term user/ coming off Citalopram.

I suffered with the sweaty thing to start with Feline it was July as well.

Slowly sparkling! I think that generally I was feeling much improved and it was a combination of forgetting to take them sometimes and trying to take one tablet every two days over about six weeks. I would have gone back to them if I felt I needed to.

I didn't talk to my GP about it, so I certainly felt much stronger. I came off them in June and got pregnant in July, so even if this is just a break while I have a baby, I'm happy with that.

On day one of citalopram so reading this with interest, so far bit of an upset stomacha and feel a bit sick , bit fuzzy headed and dizzy when I stand but its manageable with it being the weekend, I am guessing the side effects will increase the first few days though before getting better?

Really good to read that you are feeling a little better though OP.

Hi battery, yes it all gets worse before it gets much much better.

Thanks yes suspected it would, am feeling ok now I have come upstairs to lie down but definitely not myself, I feel a bit like I have been ill and not eaten for a few days, dry mouth, bit faint etc.

YY that sounds about right. I also felt v hot, and had achey jaw. Then I couldn't stop yawning. All short lived though.

Thanks, fingers crossed I am the same and its short lived.

So glad to hear you are feeling better Hopeful! That's great news. Good luck to everyone else just starting - after the first two/three weeks I got on fine with Citalopram.

Thanks Sparklingbrook ! Good luck with reducing your tablets let me know how it goes. How are you feeling about doing that ? I daren't even think about that time yet, but I'm sure that time will come. Thinking of you. Stay positive . Sending a hug, well done x

Thank you Hopeful. I am really scared. Citalopram has worked so well for me and the thought of not taking it is daunting.

I did try last year but without the GP's help and I got all excited and drastically reduced far too quickly.

So hopefully if I am still feeling good in February I can carry on reducing.

I have been taking Citalopram for 5 weeks now. First 2 weeks 10mg, then up to 20mg. I started taking it 2 days after my H left me and the DCs. I really didn't notice any side effects but realise that's because of how I was feeling physically anyway.

I am definitely feeling more "balanced". Someone upthread said it takes the rough edges off. I agree with that. Good luck.

YY Alchemist makes you able to deal with stuff rather then avoiding it. I have become quite a brave driver as a nice side effect. Town Centres and one way systems-no problem.

Aw Sparklingbrook, take it slowly and do as your GP advises. I know you want to come off them but it's not the end if the world if you do need them is it? I'd rather take a little tablet and feel like I'm feeling now than I did two weeks ago! I know what you mean about being scared, I was scared to take them! But with support from friends/family and your GP I'm sure you will b ok! Good luck, I'm thinking of you, take care and let me know how you get on!
Xx

I'm so sorry for how you are feeling. I used to have anxiety and still get bouts of it from time to time (along with depression, which both run in our family, or at least the females anyway).

As I am sure posters above have mentioned it can take 2-3 weeks for any improvement to be noticed. I'd say though by around 2 months if you haven't noticed a significant improvement, I'd go back to your doctor and look at alternatives.

If you think it's really not working don't just take yourself off the medication, as more than likely you will feel 100% worse. If you get bad side effects or you don't want to be on it anymore as it's not working, seek out the advice of your GP or a psychiatrist.

I hope you are feeling better soon. Panic attacks and feeling that impending doom for no reason is a horrible, horrible way to feel.

Good luck Sparkling, go at your own pace.

Hello

I've just been prescribed Citalopram for the first time, 20mg. The doctor warned me about nausea and drowsiness and advised taking them at bedtime but it sounds from this thread like trying different times to see what works is a better idea?

Sorry about that Miaow but I'm glad to hear it takes the edge off.

I'm a bit nervous about starting, having read about the side effects, but it sounds like you just have to push through the first 2 weeks?

Yes. I'm on week four and the worst of the side effects reduced after the first week. I still have problems sleeping, feeling tired and fuddled after taking the AD (I take them first thing), also still got dry mouth and mild headache but it's improving. No more nausea but no appetite or interest in food either. On the plus side, I can feel my mood improving, like a flickering light bulb rather than constant at the mo. Although still some bad days - to be expected, I think.

Ps I would take them at the time the doctor recommends for the first few weeks then review, so that you get the right amount of time between doses and so you can tell the difference between short term and longer term side effects.

Look up 'citalopram survival guide' on No More Panic. I found it helpful tho it is a bit overwhelming.

That's really helpful, thanks Awkward. I'll have a look at that link.

Hi all, I am at the end of week three and had been feeling loads better but suddenly feeling sick and exhausted a few hours after taking my citalopram . Not sure what to do? Also feeling anxious again but think I have pmt and time of year doesn't help.

I wonder if I should change to taking it before bed but am worried about insomnia. Currently take it about nine Ish, if I take it earlier I get bad anxiety at night.