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Mental health

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Original poster

Anyone taken citalopram?

35 replies

Confused123123 · 02/09/2014 11:39

Just been diagnosed (again) with moderate - severe depression.
It seems to rear it's head At difficult points in my life.

I've never taken ADs as always been too afraid so sort of muddled through with counselling and various other coping methods. Anyway - I've realised this is probably not sustainable and have been prescribed 20mg of citalopram daily. I've read a load of horror stories about Side effects on various US sites and just wondered if anyone had had any experience of this drug. I am going back to my GP today to talk about why he prescribed these ones but in the meantime wondered if anyone had any thoughts?

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 02/09/2014 11:44

Hello! I have been in the Citalopram journey for a year or two and now off them altogether. The first couple of weeks were not great, the side effects were quite hard, BUT I kept with it and in a few weeks I was feeling so much better. they really really helped.

I started on 20mg which from what I have read is a bit unusual, it's usually 10mg building up to 20mg.

I was told to take it in the morning, to prevent it messing with sleep patterns.

Original poster

Confused123123 · 02/09/2014 11:49

Thanks sparkling. So pleased they helped you.
I have a early tough few weeks ahead and any side effects will not be welcome so thinking to push through on my own and then start them. Feel like such a failure for not being able to deal with things without drugs. (Although ironically have admired friends who have got help for any MHissues.)

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 02/09/2014 11:55

Ask your GP about maybe starting on a lower dose? My side effects were quite varied, but nobody know what you might experience until you start.

I felt like a failure too for a bit, but not when they were working and I was feeling better. I was just relieved.

QueenofClean1 · 02/09/2014 11:58

Hiya, I've been on Citalopram for about 4-5 months and I was started on 5mg for the first week, 10mg for the 2nd week, 20mg for about a month and been on 30mg since. I have been much better since taking them and because I gradually increased the dose I didn't really notice any side effects. hope they work well for you.

temporaryusername · 02/09/2014 11:59

I was on this for a while. It did help initially, and possibly for some time. In the end I needed a change but I'd been on it for years so it is understandable.

I didn't have any bad side effects from it, in fact didn't have any noticeable side effects at all, except for times when you are initially raising or later lowering the dose. I remember dizziness for a few weeks when I first went on it. Not enough to cause problems, and it passed. When I lowered the dose to come off it I had some night sweats for a few nights.

Nonsense re. failure etc. In the nicest possible way, nonsense .

LapsedTwentysomething · 02/09/2014 16:29

I am just about to start. Haven't picked up the prescription yet, so typically what side effects are we talking? I have taken action as I must keep working.

Sparklingbrook · 02/09/2014 16:34

These were my side effects-

Clenchy aching jaw
Constant yawning
Boiling hot especially in the mornings
Vivid dreams. Not nightmares-just very real.
Constipation (was told it would most likely be the other IYKWIM)

After the first few weeks, just left with the dreams and constipation.

CaulkheadUpNorth · 02/09/2014 16:37

I'm on 40mg and have been for a year. I'm colder since being on it, but that's it.

I wouldn't be able to say if how low I felt at the start was a side effect or was the depression.

If I miss a couple of days I can tell and that shows me what I difference they make.

Theladyinpurple · 02/09/2014 18:46

I've been on 20mg Citalopram for nearly 2 years now and it helped.

I had vivid dreams to start with too (had actually forgotten about that!) and I feel kind of detached a lot of the time.

Good luck.

WhatWouldBlairWaldorfDo · 02/09/2014 18:54

I've been on citalopram for 18months now. I dont have any side effects now, but for the first few weeks i did feel a bit 'wrong'. I had bonkers dreams that were so real i would wake up exhausted, but they only lasted about a month.

Once i told my closest group of friends that i was on the ADs, 2 of them also said that they were on them too! They are fine day to day now, very mild side effects if any.

I will say it took me a while to feel better in myself, maybe about 2-3 months? I just realised one day 'oh god...i've been ok for days!' I can honestly say ADs saved my life. Yes i have the odd down day, but i can be rational and know it will pass, so i just have a bath and an early night and then im generally ok the the next day. Nothing like how i used to be.

WhatWouldBlairWaldorfDo · 02/09/2014 18:57

Just to add, i also felt the failure thing too. I felt ashamed that i couldnt just 'be happy' and that i needed ADs, i was honestly terrified of starting them. Partly because i also have anxiety and i didnt want things in my body etc. but now i realise that i havent failed at all, i've taken control and helped myself.

Good luck to you x

Tallypet · 02/09/2014 18:59

I'm on it now - been on for 8 weeks or so.
My initial side effects were

bad and vivid dreams - probably down to the fact of dealing and talking about my issues
diarrhea - still get this now and then
yawning - still get this
feeling hot - as above
headaches
nausea I now take my tablets before bed to stop the nausea, headaches and bad dreams.

Initially, like in the first two to three days, I had this amazing feeling of euphoria but I think it's because, after 3 decades of not dealing with the traumatic event that still haunts me, it just felt good to talk to someone and deal with something that needed to be solved.

I was like you regarding AD's, felt I'd become a neutral 'zombie' but just the opposite. I feel ready to tackle my issues and have almost returned to my old self. It feels great to laugh again and not be so uppity and anxious. I'm also on a waiting list for psychologist and this is my healing process towards 'fixing my head'.

Unfortunately, I've developed a terrible rash and itching but this is one of the rarer side effects. I think I'll have to switch to another brand as it's incredibly visible and embarrassing.

Sorry for epic post

Good luck x

Clarabum · 02/09/2014 19:22

I started on 20 mg and at my worst was up at 50mg. My doctor then had to reduce it due to prescription guidelines. I was on it for around 3ish years then I reduced gradually and came off it about 2 years ago.
I founds I was a bit jittery initially and had a lot of yawns but it wore off after a few weeks.

It really helped me tremendously. I wish I had gone on them years ago instead of suffering depression.

Athyrium · 02/09/2014 19:27

Been on it years, no side effects when starting, or when subsequently upping dosage, and am currently coming off it symptom free too. Def been by far the easiest AD for me in terms of side effects. We are all different tho. It was great for a long time. It does seem to have stopped working so well after 5 years tho, so now looking to try something else.

Original poster

Confused123123 · 02/09/2014 20:36

Wow how great to hear a more measured view! Thank you

OP posts:

Original poster

Confused123123 · 05/09/2014 13:40

Started this morning and very soon had massive dizzy spell. Walked home from park with ds and put cartoons on. Then fell asleep for 90mins. Feel dreadful. Really guilty, I've never done that. Having said that he thought it was great. Now full of headache an rooted to the sofa. :(

OP posts:

ballofworry · 05/09/2014 14:05

really hope you feel better soon confused123123 x
i have some to try but like you anxious about side effects , iv been given 10mg to start but considering halfing the tablet starting with 5mg then go up ...
any ideas if better to take at night ? or morning ? anyone ?

Original poster

Confused123123 · 05/09/2014 14:27

I was given 20mg and told that I should take the dose prescribed because that was what I needed. Out again at the park and feeling a bit better with some fresh air.
Doctor told me to take any time of day but with food.
Just want to feel like me again

OP posts:

MrsMinton · 05/09/2014 14:33

I started on 10mg and felt dizzy for about five days. It does pass. I got a headache too but found if I drank lots of water it helped.

I've been on them three weeks now and have no side effects left and feel calmer and more able to think. I hope you start to feel the better effects soon.

MrsMinton · 05/09/2014 14:34

I take mine in the morning but I know some take them at night. I think you need to see what suits ballofworry. I was terrified of taking them but it has really helped(I have anxiety and depression.)

123rd · 05/09/2014 14:35

I started on 20 mg a day. Was told to take them in the morning. this was about 18 months ago now. My symptoms were yawning , very real dreams. I did have the weird clenching jaw thing for a while too. But this all went But the longest lasting side effect is the lack of libido and I love sex
But I do feel so much better on them. And when I think back to how shit I was for quite a while before hand I feel guilty that I didn't go on them before. Please try and stick with them. I promise you the first two weeks are the worst but then it gets easier. Maybe think about taking them at a different time of day ??

ballofworry · 05/09/2014 15:59

i am going to see GP monday will discuss with her then as think my prescription has expired ...

got to try something anxiety so bad ..

good to hear once over the side effects to start with you all feel better ...

hope you feel better soon confused123123 x

Original poster

Confused123123 · 09/09/2014 07:05

Just an update - so far Going well and although I have some side effects they are worth it for feeling calmer and more like myself.

OP posts:

Fairylea · 09/09/2014 07:10

Hi bit late to this but I was on it for 2 years back in 2003 when I had extremely severe pnd with my dd (now aged 11). I was on 60mg a day - I don't think they'd even prescribe that now. I really do think it saved my life. It was the only thing that worked for me and lifted me out of my very dark hole. Yes there were a few side effects but nothing compared to the depression itself.

I gradually came off them as my pnd reduced as dd got older and I haven't taken anything or had a relapse for all that time - and I have a 2 year old son now too and no issues.

I think it's great stuff.

Hope you feel better soon x

ballofworry · 09/09/2014 17:23

glad there starting to work 123123,

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