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Original poster

Citalopram - what's everyone's experience please

344 replies

QueenofClean · 03/04/2014 18:30

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

OP posts:
veronicasawyerheartsjd · 11/05/2014 20:50

Hi donki I don't know the answer either, may be worth just having a chat with your GP on tbe phone? Thanks for you though at a hard time.

I have been taking 20mg for a week now, feel a bit calmer, but still feeling stressed out and my mood is lower than before. I am finding it very hard to get much enthusiasm for anything and I feel very lonely and cut off from everyone around me apart from dc. Life feels a bit grey Sad . I hope it starts getting a bit easier soon.

EmpressOfJurisfiction · 14/05/2014 08:33

Hi Veronica

That sounds like where I was a couple of weeks ago. Sort of grey and numb and nothing feeling like it really mattered? My 40mg dose has properly kicked in now and I'm realising that I've got a life and I actually want to live it and enjoy it. I don't know if that helps.

Donki · 14/05/2014 15:10

It's that greyness that tells me I'm depressed and not just sad.

It took several weeks for mine to 'cut in' at 20mg - although the difficult situation has made me more depressed again. I am hoping that I will perk up once Mr.D has gone, although I am seeing the GP tomorrow.

veronicasawyerheartsjd · 14/05/2014 20:58

empress I am glad you are starting to feel better, and good luck at the GPs tomorrow donki.

The grey, flat feeling is a new thing, when I went to my GP 3 weeks ago I was so stressed and anxious but my mood was not that low; I was feeling wired and exhausted but still capable of feeling some positive emotions and some enthusiasm for life.

I had a review with my GP yesterday and she said I need to give it another month or so.Sad

QueenofClean1 · 16/05/2014 15:25

Donki hopefully things will settle and maybe an increase of dose is a good thing.

I'm feeling fab on 20mg. currently sunbathing in the hot climate of Majorca Grin The girls are being really good and my hubby is being brilliant and supportive. First family holiday that has gone well so far.. have one every year but has been stressful. here till next Friday been here since early Tuesday morning.

check in when we get home.

EmpressOfJurisfiction · 16/05/2014 17:30

That's great, Queen.

How was your appointment, Donki?

Thanks, Veronica. I'm well aware that it's still pretty fragile but it's still better. It does seem to take a while though. How are you?

Donki · 16/05/2014 17:35

Appointment with GP went well. I am staying on 20mg as she agrees that by the time an increased dose would work, the current particularly difficult circumstances will have abated somewhat (i.e. MrD will have left :( )

The constipation is an ongoing problem, that and dry mouth and hot flushes/sweats.

I am taking movicol to help things, well, move (sorry if TMI)

Veronica, I hope that you are doing a bit better. The greyness is horrid.

The sun sounds lovely Queen - although it is sunny and warm here today.

Jellybellymummyofsix · 16/05/2014 17:46

My GP prescribed me 20mg of citalopram this morning. Dd is 3 months old. I'm suffering extreme anxiety & I'm barely able to look after the dc anymore.

I'm breastfeeding. Anyone else prescribed this whilst bf?

Donki · 16/05/2014 20:42

I'm sorry I cam't help you there JellyBelly

I hope the Citalopram suits you - be prepared to take things easy and ask for help.

alittlebitmeh · 17/05/2014 07:53

Hi there. I hope you don't mind me butting into your thread. I wonder if I can ask some questions? I have taken 10mg Cit for the last 3 nights for anxiety. Yesterday I felt a bit more anxious and today I feel a little bit queasy. I definitely feel headachey. My questions are..

Do the side effects increase over a few days before they subside?

Did you get an increase in side effects when you upped the dose (I'm supposed to go to 20mg after a few days but I'm scared to).

Can 10mg be effective or am I kidding myself?

I had the pills in the cupboard for over a month before I was brave enough to take them. So hoping they work.

Donki · 17/05/2014 09:56

The side effects may increase a little, but should subside, it may take a few weeks for them all to go. The increased anxiety only lasted a few days for me.

Every time I increased the dose (I went up 5mg at a time), side effects came back - but were much more manageable/tolerable than when I tried to go straight on to 20mg.

I had about 4 weeks of being ravenous when I first got took 20mg (once the nausea subsided)

Everyone talks about 'increased appetite' - that really didn't convey the intensity of my hunger, nor the fact that I was still hungry after a big meal.

Fortunately that has subsided sonewhat now...

And it really is helping me.

alittlebitmeh · 17/05/2014 12:25

Hi Donki. Thanks for your reply. Much appreciated. I have woken up so hungry the last 2 days. I've only just lost some weight so really hoping that doesn't go back on. I think it's that weird feeling of am I nauseous or am I hungry. Will stick with it as I really want to get back to normal. My skin feels itchy today. I think that may also be a side effect. I'm trying to watch the process with interest rather than dread.

OneWaySystemBlues · 19/05/2014 15:38

I've been on this for 5 weeks now, for anxiety - 10mg. My doc last week said that 10mg is for anxiety and 20mg is for depression. But I'm not sure I can feel any difference yet. Is it true about the dose for anxiety? I'm sure I've read elsewhere that 20mg is the lowest therapeutic dose. I'm going back on Thursday to ask if I can increase to 20mg as there's not much point taking it if I'm not feeling any different.

I've also notice that I'm feeling more dizzy when I stand up. I've always had low-ish blood pressure and often feel dizzy when I stand up, but it seems to have got worse recently. Can that be a side effect of Citalopram?

Donki · 19/05/2014 16:21

My GP mentioned 10 - 20 mg for anxiety.

20mg + for depression.

I don't know about the dizziness.

alittlebitmeh · 19/05/2014 18:25

Dizziness is listed as a common side effect. Drop in blood pressure when standing or sitting down (I think they mean stand up/sitting down quickly) is listed on there as well although I would've thought by 5 weeks you should be over the worst of the side effects mind you I've only been on 10mg for 5 days so what do I know Grin

QueenofClean1 · 25/05/2014 14:49

Hiya Ladies,

Donki How you doing?

I had a fab holiday but there were times that my stress and anxiety got the better of me, so need to make an appointment about increasing the dose to 30mg.

Has anyone had increased appetite since being on these as I am constantly hungry. It's not a bad thing as I needed to put weight on. I think I restricted myself before as a control issue.

QueenofClean1 · 25/05/2014 14:50

Hiya Ladies,

Donki How you doing?

I had a fab holiday but there were times that my stress and anxiety got the better of me, so need to make an appointment about increasing the dose to 30mg.

Has anyone had increased appetite since being on these as I am constantly hungry. It's not a bad thing as I needed to put weight on. I think I restricted myself before as a control issue.

Donki · 26/05/2014 06:55

I am much hungrier. I do NOT want to eat more - I a prone to comfort eating at the best of times....
Reallly struggling not to put on more weight with the Citalopram. (I am a bit overweight anyway)

QueenofClean1 · 26/05/2014 20:22

Donki I am trying not to snack or if I do I eat plenty of fruit.

EmpressOfJurisfiction · 26/05/2014 20:36

I'm snacking more,Donki, but I'm trying to make it mostly fruit as well.

QueenofClean1 · 01/06/2014 12:01

Hiya all. I'm a few days into 30mg and still waiting for it to properly take effect but do feel calmer in certain situationsSmile

EmpressOfJurisfiction · 03/06/2014 08:09

Hi Queen. Glad it's starting to help. The 40mg took about a month with me but once it worked, it really worked.

Donki · 03/06/2014 19:08

Hi everyone!

I ate a pound and a half of cherries this afternoon Blush

I'm glad 30mg is starting to work QoC

I hope everyone else is doing well.

I am starting to explore the options for a phased return to work. I am doing much better - except when I see MrD which is sadly unavoidable because of the YoungDonki.

QueenofClean1 · 10/06/2014 06:33

DD2 is having her tonsils & adenoids removed today. Wish me luck x

EmpressOfJurisfiction · 10/06/2014 08:24

Good luck, Queen.