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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:
Donki · 08/04/2014 20:54

Fingers crossed for you QoC

Poppiesway · 08/04/2014 21:40

V1ioletsky.. Do you mean me?
If so.. I am better in that in not crying all the time and snapping at the dc and anyone really. I sat in my drs and just cried when I had to go in and get help..
The sleep thing comes in waves.. I'll sleep lots then I'll have weeks if insomnia then weeks of sleep again.
I'm not due a review for a few months again..

Original poster
QueenofClean · 09/04/2014 10:12

morning, feeling okay so far.

hope everyone else is alright?

OP posts:
Original poster
QueenofClean · 09/04/2014 20:18

Evening, so no bad side effects today. Taken my next dose so hope tomorrow no side effects then.

Night y'all!

OP posts:
Donki · 09/04/2014 23:52

Gkad you are doing ok Queen.

I am getting a couple of hours of feeling really weird late morning at the moment.

Original poster
QueenofClean · 10/04/2014 12:44

Hay Donki, how are you feeling today?

OP posts:
Donki · 10/04/2014 22:05

I'm still having a lot of trouble with insomnia. I really hope it settles down - 4 hours a night is just not enough.

Still getting nauseous and feeling a bit odd mid morning. But bearable

How are you doing?

Original poster
QueenofClean · 11/04/2014 10:14

Donki Hope those feelings subside soon and you start to feel the good effects of the meds.

I'm feeling okay, so far no bad side effects just a little tiredness but that's normal for me due to having fibromyalgia.

OP posts:
LewScroose · 11/04/2014 12:21

I had PND after fourth DC and struggled on for months convincing myself I was ok (I have a lot of history with depression) and eventually went to the GP. He prescribed 30mg of Citalopram and I've never wanted to sleep so much. I couldn't make it though the day without a 2 hour sleep. It did cure the anxiety but the side effects were so bad I knew I couldn't continue. I'm not taking a max strength St John's Wort tablet (think horse tranquilliser size!) and the effects have just been amazing. It was a last ditch thing for me, I wasn't expecting them to work but it's like I am a different person. I know not everything works for all but this has truly revolutionised my life. And yes, I am aware it could just be a placebo effect but I'm happy to live with that!

LewScroose · 11/04/2014 12:21

*now

Donki · 11/04/2014 15:39

St John's wort is not placebo effect. It is well documented and researched (mostly in Germany). It is at least as good as SSRIs for mild to moderate depression, and has many fewer side effects for most people.

There is some evidence that it is also gas good for severe depression, but thus is much less well established.

I can't be bothered to look up the references again.

Why aren't I taking it? I was, but I don't think the dose was large enough. However going to my GP for help seemed to require that (for the moment) I try a solution she is comfortable with.

Donki · 11/04/2014 15:40

Queen
I'm glad you seem to be doing ok.

Look after yourself.

Original poster
QueenofClean · 11/04/2014 19:20

Donki feel free to offload if that helps too.

tonight DD1 is at her BFF's for a sleepover DD2 is fast asleep so early night for me as I'm out to a friends hen do tomorrow night.

OP posts:
Donki · 11/04/2014 20:04

The YoungDonki has Aspergers and is struggling with school.

I am trying to cope with 0.6 of a job PLUS 0.5 of a M.Ed (when the reaon that I work part-time is that the YD needs me. But I have to do the course for work)

MrD is having an affair and moving out/ leaving us. Apparently he "still loves me and doesn't want to hurt me" but is "in love" with a much younger colleague and can't bear to lose what he has with her....

Donki · 11/04/2014 20:04

So I have ended up signed off work with depression.

Original poster
QueenofClean · 11/04/2014 20:14

Donki not surprised you have been signed off. I can understand you on the Aspergers front. I have it and so do both my DD's although DD2 in diagnosed yet as she is only 2.

I had to stop working as it made me ill. To much stress and anxiety mixed in with a bad 18months where DD1 Aspergers was getting out of control :( I have fibromyalgia & OCD both been diagnosed by medical professionals.

Re your H. It's hard I know but try and focus on yourself and your DC and I promise it will all be okay.

OP posts:
Donki · 11/04/2014 20:16

I probably have AS too - the GP is planning to refer me to adult diagnostic services.

Original poster
QueenofClean · 11/04/2014 20:20

How old is YD? When did YD get a diagnosis? Do you get support for YD & yourself dealing with Aspergers?

OP posts:
Donki · 11/04/2014 21:04

YD is 11 and in year6.
He was disgnosed last June, but school have only just got the Specialist autism resource teachers in to start working with him - and he only gets 6 sessions. It is making a huge difference, but whether it is enough for him to cope with transition to secondary I don't know.

We get some support from CAMHS - but only really trying to support me and MrD to help reduce background anxiety. The YD hates school (hypermobility makes writing v. slow and difficult), and he has been having suicidal meltdowns as a result for about 11 months. He has also started to school refuse when his anxiety levels are high (much more sensible than trying to kill himself)

alizeeod · 13/04/2014 17:53

I've been on 20 mg since 2009 (with a one year break where I got very unwell) and its helped considerably with anxiety and depression. The side effects that bother me most are constant sleepiness (I go to bed early and nap inthe day whenever I can) and anorgasmia. Good luck

Hooleywhipper · 13/04/2014 18:01

I started 4 years ago on 20mg,upto 40 now. Although I am going through person centered counselling & doing very well.( good,last ditch attempt after 14 years of suffering) I will not be giving up citralopram anytime soon, think this has what I did wrong in the past. Jaw clenching & weight gain are my side effects.

Donki · 14/04/2014 07:23

?Waves at OP?
Are you ok Queen?

drummersma · 14/04/2014 10:16

My DD has been on Citalopram for 7 months now - unable to attend school at all since last September due to severe panic attacks. CAMHS promised talking therapy last year but it still hasn't materialised, so she is still not at school. I gave up work last year as she couldn't bear to be at home alone. Citalopram has helped her deal with the outside world again - but she still can't cope with school...

QueenofClean1 · 14/04/2014 10:34

Hey Donki How you doing? I understand the trials & tribulations of having an aspie child with Hypermobility. Both my DD's have got that. feel free to PM me and i'll be happy to help with some ideas and tricks that I have learnt over the last couple of years :)

I've had to namechange (sort of) due to the password reset thing.

I'm doing okay, will up my dose to 15mg tomorrow tho.

LindyHemming · 14/04/2014 11:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.