Citalopram 10mg. Be brutally honest.

[Tea1Sugar]

I've been putting it off for months but anxiety is controlling my life. The thought of the drugs itself petrify me and the list of side effects make me feel ill. Be honest, how is it?

I'm going back next week but I don't want anymore antidepressants. I'm starting cbt, bought self help guides, I'm taking vitamins and have started running. I'm anxious/nervous but I'm not depressed. Spoke to my health visitor who said people often react to ADs when their brains simply don't need them; if you're not deficient in serotonin but then chuck a load in, your body can't cope. So I'm going for a more healthy lifestyle

Hello,
I know this is an old thread but wanted to share some feedback and good news if others are starting out on Citalopram.
I've recently just gone back on Citalopram after a 3 month break following 10 years on it. I did 4 days at 10 and then have done 2 weeks on 20mg. On 10 I felt worse, though I'm not sure if that was the drug or just waiting for it to kick in. Main side effects were increased anxiety to the point where I literally broke down crying at the GP reception and was wailling for help...by the time I went up to 20 this has subsided, though that could be as I also got signed off work for a few weeks following GP incident), dry mouth, a few days of insomnia, nausea (quite mild) and a bit of acid reflux (might just be my IBS playing up) and now mainly tiredness. All worth it though for making the panic attacks and constant crying stop. Now I 'just' have mild anxiety and low mood and am going back to work slowly and seeing a therapist. When I started taking Citalopram 10 years ago I remmeber the main side effect being unpleasant but not debilitating diarrhea, but again it was worth it for the respite from chronic acute anxiety. I've had a bit of a blip today so decided to sign up here and try and share some positive news. Overall, I agree with the posts that Citalopram changed my life for the better and although it didn't 'fix' everything instantly it made it all a bit more bearable and started my road to recovery, where I felt I could 'live' and not just 'survive'. I went on to finish my degree, do a PhD, meet a nice guy, get a decent job, get married and buy a flat... I really hope it does the same again this time.. I wish I'd never come off it (ps. for those worried about coming off, I did it very slowly with the help of a CBT therapist and I didn't have much in the way of withdrawal effects at the time - just the bloomin' relapse!). Good luck!

Changed my life when I started 10 years ago (for the better). Came off earlier this year and relapsed pretty quickly. Back on it and still waiting to be fully better but within 2 weeks the panic attacks and constant crying had stopped and now I 'just' feel mildly anxious, a bit weepy and tired. But this is a huge improvement from where I was and I'm hoping to keep improving. I've been reading posts about this obsessively over the last few weeks and it seems that people respond in different ways but for me it's been a lifesaver in the past and the side effects (tummy upsets, bit of insomnia for a few days but this passed, and dry mouth, loss of libido) are all worth it to feel more like a human being again. And I would say about 80% of the time I was taking it before I felt 'normal'. The thing I keep telling myself is that Citalopram is the most commonly prescribed AD for a reason - it works well for a lot of people. But if it doesnt' work for you after the time period your GP suggests then there will be other things you can try. Good luck!

An absolute nightmare, for me.

Was on it a total of 6 weeks. I've never felt so anxious and depressed as I was on that medicine. The adrenaline running through my body and the hallucinating through the night almost drove me to suicide.

Never ever again!

Changed my life. Took about a fortnight to kick in, I took it just before bed as it made me quite woozy at first. Had vivid dreams (not bad ones) and slept well which helped my mental health massively. It helped me function and rebuild myself up again. When I picked the tablets up from the pharmacy I was very anxious about taking them. Read all the side effects several times before I took them and thought I can't do this. Definitely needed to overcome that mental hurdle to take the first one.

I gradually went up to 80mg but became very angry and it made me gain weight. Every person reacts differently! Give it a try and if it doesn't work for you then there are other alternatives

Also, if you are suffering with anxiety and having lots of symptoms such as palpitations, then it might be better to go on a beta blocker such as propranolol. It was really good for me and helped me deal with the symptoms while I did therapy.

Deux, I can't believe they didn't warn you not to drive!

Op o had anxiety overflow the first few days, then after about five days I realised I was going to get better. It was fucking awesome after living with anxiety for so long. In two weeks I felt like the real me again.

I'd start on 5mg if I were to start again. I tend to react strongly to everything though.

I'm not on citalapram anymore (was about 10 years ago) but use the remaining tablets as an occasional one-off mood booster and seem to work - even if psychosomatic!

Does anyone still comment on this thread? I started them today the 10mg and I feel so on edge, almost feel stoned but on a paranoid kind of level. I was able to leave the house and have people round till I started these I return to work Monday and only started them today (Saturday) will they have settled by then?

I lost my appetite, lost weight, couldn't sleep, couldn't focus. I take amitriptyline for sleep now and that has helped a lot.

I would happily loss weight and less eating would be a plus because I have been eating none stop... I'm on of these people that read side affects and then have all of them (anxiety). Generally feeling on edge hoping it's just my mind having a hissy like normal

Checking back a year after my previous post & can only say that they completely changed my life. I am back to my ‘normal’ self and able to enjoy life again. It look a while to work though (several months) and in all it probably took me 5 or 6 months before I felt i’d got vs I to where I’d been before my breakdown. It’s horrific to begin with but with hard work & patience there is a good chance you will be better before you know it! Sending love to anyone struggling right now! Xxxx

If affects everyone differently. I hated it. I was tearful, anxious, had hallucinations and nightmares. Other people are fine and it really helps them.

my dr taken me off citalopram tablets and changed to oral solution because i think i got lactose intolerant has anyone else on liquid citalopram

10mg is nothing. I doubt you'll have any side effects. I'm on 40mg and I don't have any side effects (or indeed any positive effects either at the moment!!)

Thread is 4 years old?!

Hiya I've just found this thread and am hoping some people still look at it. I've got terrible anxiety, always worried, on edge, feeling like I'm sick, lump in throat, palpitations, racing heart etc etc. Ended up in hospital on Sunday with a panic attack, which I was convinced was a heart attack and I was dying soooooo long story short I've been prescribed 10mg citalopram. BUT I'm on 47.5mg metoprolol (beta blocker) and I'm terrified about using the two together. Doctor seems to think it will be fine but of course I'm thinking the worst. Havent taken my citalopram yet as a result but my anxiety is getting harder to live with. Feeling anxious and want to cry even as I type this. My anxiety is making me think all sorts of physical things are wrong with me. I'm tired and I want to feel normal again does anyone take metoprolol and citalopram together?

Hi Angie, how are you getting on now? I've recently been started on citalopram (10mg) also and yes alot of people take both antidepressants and beta blockers together so don't worry!

I'm looking to see if anyone can help me. I'm on day 10 for anxiety and panic disorder I had a bad first week heightened anxiety and dry mouth and dizziness. It went away on day 8 but today I'm getting a really sore head and dizzy again when i stand up from sitting and like a tingling in my head is this normal? Xx

Not that bad. It takes a good couple of months to see any positive effects but it isnt awful. I couldn't stay on it because I hallucinated on it but it wasnt bad, just a bit disconcerting. I told a customer I'd be with him in a moment. He wasnt there, no one was. I had very vivid dreams too, again nothing bad just very real.

I had depression and suicidal thoughts for decades. Decided to see the GP who put me on Citalopram. On the max dose of 40mg a day but wow...a wonder drug for me. So active and happy since taking them. Brilliant medication once they settled in

I feel a difference since taking them much calmer it's still early days I guess.