Citalopram - side effects so soon?

[FV45]

Took my first one 3hrs ago. 20mg
I have headache, dry mouth, shaky/dizzy, sick.
Surely it's too soon for side effects, isn't it?

[Nearlyhadenough]

MisterT373 - that sounds really awful, but similar to the stories I have read - about a month to settle? Seems such a long time when you are in a living hell and the medication to help you makes you feel worse. I really hope it settles soon for you.

I've just taken tablet number 4 (2 hours ago) and I know it's time for bed - to sleep through the worst bits! Today was not too bad - I think it helped that I was working so able to take my mind off feeling yuk. I was yawning all the time though.

[MisterT373]

I'm just starting my third week on 20mg. Sleep is a bit better but still waking at 5'30. Feel like I'm overheating on the inside and freezing on the outside. Get some serious shakes first thing in the morning. No improvement of my mental state which has probably taken a nose dive since I started taking them. Off to see GP next Monday and really freaked they might decide to change the meds and put me on something else. To be honest I'm not sure I've got it in me to cope with a whole new set of side effects.

[Nearlyhadenough]

How are you all doing?

I was really glad to find this thread as I took my first tablet yesterday before bed. Woke up after a very strange night's sleep (colourful dreams and sort of half-sleep really) to feeling very odd today!

I have a headache that feels like it's the start of a migraine and I feel sick so don't want to eat anything.

Thought it couldn't possibly be the medication after just one day!

[Purplebluebird]

I took citalopram for a long time, and had the same side effects as you. Most did pass - only the dry mouth stayed. I developed a habit of always having a bottle of water with me, and with time I forgot about it and it was just a built in habit :) It will get better, promise.

[MisterT373]

I started 20mg Citalopram on Saturday night as an aid to dealing with depression post a break up. I take it last thing at night and so far I had nausea and dizziness pretty quickly after taking it, appetite hasn't been great anyway so cant really comment, waking up after about 4 or 5 hours sleep ,cold sweats and shakes.

Doctor said to give it a month and then come back and see how I am getting on. I was on escitalopram 5 years ago but GP wouldn't prescribe it due to cost implications.

[user1473348504]

The side effects I had were headaches and loss of appetite. I was having trouble sleeping at first, but after taking them and hanging in there for about 4-6 months, I feel so much better! I had to get my dose upped to 20MG, and that makes me feel so much better. I feel tired a lot, but my anxiety is so much better. I hope you all find something that works.

[nuttymango]

Wide awake here too, I've had about two hours sleep :(
I hope that the review goes well.

[Sirenetta]

I had a VERY difficult first week on this stuff (nausea, befuddled, strange feeling in general) but at the week mark it lifted and it really did work to bring me out of a depression. After 4 months I phased off the drug with no problems.

[FV45]

Wide awake!
Sleep not really any better.
Still feeling sick at times and have vomitted a few times. I think my anxiety levels have increased, due to my situation so it's probably that rather than the ADs.
Back to GP this morning for review.

[nuttymango]

I tried sertraline but it didnt suit me and I went in to a different one.
Having awful anxiety tonight :(

[MilesHuntsWig]

Good luck. I had similar experience to Wolfiefan. Took me a couple of weeks to get used to them and then they really helped.

Some of what you're describing sound like anxiety/depression symptoms rather than side effects though so hopefully will decrease.

I'm surprised you're on citalopram as opposed to sertraline though if you have bad anxiety as the latter is supposed to deal with anxiety symptoms more.

[FV45]

I've been feeling quite faint recently.
I do have quite low BP anyway and it's not that uncommon to feel like I've stood up too quickly, but it's been happening more often lately.

I'm not eating well. Haven't weighed myself recently to see whether I've lost more weight, but I suppose it might be that.

[imcrackingup]

I agree the nausea should ease in a week or so - it is like morning sickness (which I had all day -just maybe worse in the morning)
Actually realised I eat when I feel sick (with my stomach acid problems eating does relieve symptoms, one of which can be nausea) - so probably my constant need to eat wasn't hunger it would be feeling sick.
And on citalopram I feel even sicker after eating.
So I am now trying to be more aware why I think I need to eat and eat less...
I'm the opposite - I really can't afford to put on any more weight...I had a top weight (overweight but not obese) that if I went over I'd make an effort to get it down. I was hovering around that top weight last Christmas and now I'm a stone over that now - which I've put on in the last few months . And worrying about never being able to shift it won't help my mood...
Depression is a bastard...

[FV45]

Gosh, that's a long time to wait. I guess you can always go back to see GP if the side effects don't improve.

I can't afford to lose any more weight (BMI 18.5) so I'm glad my appetite has returned somewhat.

[nuttymango]

I've switched from a different one so I don't have a review until the end of next month, that'll just be a phone call I expect.

[FV45]

Well, he asked me at my 2 week review.

[nuttymango]

I haven't mentioned it to mine. I'm hoping to see a positive change soon, I've got so much going on right now that it's overwhelming.

[FV45]

Ditto the morning sickness. My (male) GP didn't get it!

[nuttymango]

thanks, I hope so. It's like morning sickness but all day! On the plus side, I've lost weight as I'm not eating because of it.
I hope you start feeling the positive effects soon.

[FV45]

Hang in there. It should ease. It took me about 10 days for the sickness to go. Am ok now, though not really feeling positive effects yet.

[nuttymango]

I just saw this thread, I've just gone from 10 to 20 and feel so sick :(

[worstofbothworlds]

I've had to take my tablet this morning (traveling for work, forgot last night). I'm also pretty tired so I'm just hoping I can still concentrate on the meeting.

[seoulsurvivor]

Not sure why people are saying it's unlikely, every time I've taken medication, it's afftected me almost immediately.

[LittleHouseOnTheShelf]

If only it were that easy! I need to get rid of some major stresses but they aren't going to go away except with time.
Good luck getting rid of stbx.

[FV45]

Thanks. I was in a bit of a state beforehand, but it was fine. He was fine. I am not fine, but we know that. I feel like we're getting to know each other a bit better now, which is good (our fabulous GP husband and wife team retired a couple of years ago and I haven't had reason to see a GP till now).

Just need to stick with them and get rid of stbx.