Citalopram - what's everyone's experience please

[QueenofClean]

I've been started on citalopram for anxiety issues. Took my first dose last night 5mg a night for the first week increasing to 10mg next week.

What is everyone's experience of it and the side effects and how long they have lasted?

Thanks
QoC

I do sympathise with those going through a depressed spouse but I'd give anything to be putting up with him! :) Unfortunately he lost all feelings and left us when he got depressed.

Yes, Citalopram is not the best choice for him, but he is so terrified of going back to where he was that he won't discuss it.

He does have one of the worst cases of depression I have heard about. I think it has pushed him to the point of being suicidal for a long period of time and to be out of that phase is enough right now for him. I can sympathise with that.

I'm sorry your parents went through this.

Thank you - they're well on the other side of it now though.

Minion
MrD is leaving me and the YD because he has withdrawn from us (and his friends) and lost his love for us through depression. Only difference is that he is self medicating with an affair - so he thinks he is "in love" again as it is allowing him to feel once more.

It hurts. He moves out in 2 1/2 weeks.

I'm so sorry Donki

minion, donki, for you. Depression can wreak such havoc. I feel "lucky" I am taking Citalopram for anxiety only, but I let the anxiety and stress go on long enough unchecked when I had my last attack 14 years ago for the depression to creep in.

After a relatively side-effect free day yesterday I thought I had got over the worst of it, but a blinding headache has started today. I am dreading doubling my dose to 20mg on Saturday.

Thanks Veronica, sorry to hear those side effects are so unpleasant :( It must be particularly difficult to cope with when you already have anxiety.

Thank you Veronica, Minion

I am still struggling with hunger. The words "increased appetite" in the list of possible side effects gave me no idea of the constant ravenous hunger. Even when I have just eaten. It will be amiracle if I don't end up spherical!

donki I feel hungry a lot, but also find I feel full again very quickly, so am struggling to eat a meal, and then feel ravenous 15 minutes later!

I was meant to increase my dose from 10mg to 20mg today but chickened out. I need to do it tomorrow really, my side effects have calmed down loads today and yesterday - from people's experiences, will they be as bad as starting on the 10mg when I increase dosage? I am meant to be taking the kids on daytrips the next couple of days to quite crowded places and am worried I might have to let them down and stay at home if I feel as bad as I did earlier in the week.

You could buy a pill cutter and go up to 15 mg for a few days first - you might not get the side effects then. When you're OK with 15 mg, then go up to 20? That's what I plan to do.

That's what I did. It made the nauses manageable.

Donki, I want to snack a lot of the time so I've stocked up with fruit - would that work for you?

I've just started my first period since I went up to 40mg and it's about three times as heavy as usual.

2nd day on 20mg and no side effects apart from hunger . Mind you, I have been forced into a period of bedrest as I have done my back in .

I am trying veggies... anything sweet, even fruit sends me into ravening mode.

I have turned into a picking eater! So always make sure plenty of fruit in the house.

Packed the girls suitcases yesterday...just mine to go...DH can pack his own.

Girls are in bed for night hopefully so sitting down with DH watching the snooker final. Mark Selby to win as he has played well all tournament.

Also took the girls to the 100 acre woods today to do some Pooh Bear and Tigger hunting. They loved it and we took a picnic. weather was lovely and I wasn't stressed or anxious about things happening or going wrong so tablets are Def working

Sounds great, Queen! Veronica, I hope your back recovers soon. Donki, carrot / celery sticks and hummus sort of thing?

Yes - but without the hummus, or I just eat the whole pot. I have a tendency to comfort eat at the best of times. Which this isn't.
The combination is deadly.

Hi ladies, can i join in?

I started on these in Nov on 20mg and I got them doubled about 6 weeks ago to 40mg and still feel really crappy. Anyone else on a high dose? Im going to go back to my GP and either up them more or try something else x

Welcome, Cherry.
I went up to 40mg about 3 weeks ago. Feeling a bit calmer but that's it really.

I don't even feel calmer. If I miss any at all I instantly go really bad again. Crying, panickey etc :-(

It is normal to feel much worse if you miss a dose. It is one of the difficulties when you stop taking them - you may need to ramp the dose down really slowly.

This means it is very important to take them regularly.

I honestly would talk to your GP, Cherry.

I would have a chat with your GP Cherry. Maybe it means changing medication. Hopefully you can feel better soon.

I don't know whether to ask the GP to up my dose from 20mg. I am very depressed again - but it is definitely situational as MrD is moving out in just over a week. Maybe I just need to ride out this pit of misery.

I don't know, Donki. I would go see your GP though.

After about 4 weeks on 40mg, I don't feel suicidal any more. I'm starting to feel ready to take control again - slowly - and rebuild my life into what I want it to be.