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 think I have been very lucky re side effects then. I take mine just before I go to sleep. My GP ( who is lovely) didn't suggest building the dose up from 5mg and I was really quite panicky about starting on 20mg after reading about it up thread. Silly really, getting into a state over something that's supposed to stop me getting into a state. I have a terrible hangover feeling this morning but I think that's because I was up until 3.30am seeing my son off on his school trip.

My gp didn't suggest building it up either, I'm just too anxious to start at 10mg so I did it myself! I feel much better now I know that the side effects aren't too bad so far and have increased my dose today.

I take mine at 8pm every night. I think that is why I haven't really had any side effects, as slept through any nausea etc.

When I first took mine 20mg it made me feel worse for a week or so, but they after that I slowly started to feel better and I had a very positive experience taking it.

I started to take citalopram a couple of months ago. I felt nauseous, hot and incredibly tired. I feel far able to cope with things now and i feel a lot more 'settled' and calmer inside. I dont get uptight or harassed the way i used to. I dont find i get the low feeling inside anymore either. The nausea has definelty faded. I dont feel as tired now. I do feel more hungry though [ not a great thing!!] I do get waves of heat but less so and the headaches are getting less. I havent ever felt spaced out i have to say. I am on 20mg but started with 10mg for one week.

Euphemia Have to say DH helped me with the orgasm thing alot a little this week

Donki How are you?

I think it's great . Have only been on it for 4 days and already more relaxed. 10mg. Was tired before and still drowsy now!

Superstar hopefully the drowsyness will disappear soon and you'll feel the full benefit.

I up my dose tonight to 20mg and will be staying on that dose as hopefully that is all I will need.

I've been on 20mg citalopram for a couple of months now. They do feel like they help take the edge off my anxiety and crying.

Initial side effects which have now worn off / become less were light headedness/dizziness and brain zaps (I've heard them called this?!) - not painful, more a dull numb feeling at the back of my head which lasts a minute or so.

The side effects I still have are: temperature/hot flushes/sweating (not constantly but annoying nonetheless), tiredness (so take in evening), light headedness (not constantly but if move a bit too quick I get that drunk-the room is spinning feeling). I've also lost my sexual mojo, I still enjoy sex but orgasms aren't the same - sorry if TMI!

Good to know it's helped your anxiety Suz.

I've just taken my first 20mg dose so fx no huge side effecs. What i have noticed however, is hot sweaty hands most of the time. It's rather annoying tbh so hopefully that will disappear over time.

Hope it helps, it really did help me, I was really stressed and anxious with a new role at work and also mum-in-law coming to the end of her fight with cancer. I'm generally a teary person but even a couple of weeks in it really helped me sit with her right at the end when she was slipping away and just talk and stroke her hand, something I know there's no way I could have done before them without completely breaking down.

They don't turn you into a unemotional robot (!) and I still feel degrees of stress and worry but nowhere near how I was before and have been able to get into work every day without a huge emotional struggle.

I have very clammy hands and feet, not pleasant but better than nausea. How is everyone else doing today? I hope you are all ok.

Hello!

I hope everyone had a good weekend.

I am still getting hot sweats and sleeping really badly. The nausea only hits occasionally now - I could set my watch with it earlier - 3 1/2 hours after taking Citalopram.

I don't know whether the tiredenass is just tge lack of sleep, or partly the ADs.

Good luck to everyone

Donki, what time of day do you tasks it?

hope the side effects settle soon.

I'm on my 2nd night of 20mg and feel okay no nausea or anything and hands not been that sweaty/clammy today.

Currently watching The Allotment Challenge on BBC2 will go to sleep when that's finished.

I am definitely a morning person.

Oh, I misunderstood. Breakfast.

See I was told by my gp to take at night as if any side effects happen they will occur overnight but I will be sleeping.

Being on these tabs have def made a difference in me already which is good. However, I've only been taking 20mg since Monday so have yet to get the full effects and tbh am looking forward to it.

Am currently using my shiney new Samsung S5 mobile and loving it so far, much better than my iphone 4s...think i've been converted from an apple fan to an android fan so these tabs are doing something lol.

Euph am loving it. Especially the screen size

I was told to take it at breakfast - especially as I am having trouble sleeping.

I love my Samsung Note 2.

I'm 10 days into taking the 40mg (told to take it at bedtime) and tired and woolly headed sounds about right. I'm waiting for the helpful bits to kick in.

Empress

I felt very woolly headed on 40mg (am now down to 10mg) so I think it must be a common reaction. I took mine in the morning though and used to fall asleep in the middle of the day and sleep at night.