citalopram for my anxiety

[bear28]

Putting a fresh thread up as the ones about this are from quite a few years ago.

I have been prescribed citalopram from the doctors and pick it up tomorrow. What should I expect with this medication?

I have looked online but I would be interested to know personal experiences.

I am going on a low dose which is meant to help with my anxiety. This is the only option of medication for me as I tried Porpranolol for my migraines and had severe side effects.

Also if anyone has any advise about being on this medication I would really appreciate it.

Hi, you could be me talking. I also went onto Propanolol for migraines and I couldn't stand the side effects, so I stopped taking it.

And today I was prescribed 10mg Citalopram for my anxiety! I took one straight away and so far I feel nothing. I took it about 8 hours ago. The doctor said that I might feel a bit of nausea, but so far nothing.

So I'm watching this thread with interest.

Hi there, I took it for about 3 years for anxiety and have just come off it. It worked wonders for me and helped so much.

When I first took it, I did feel a bit spaced out for a couple of days but that was it. Within about 10 days I felt so much calmer and happier. Good luck

Oh yes I also felt slightly nauseous for a couple of days but I just had something like dry crackers and crisps handy and ate small amounts frequently, and that helped.

Hi guys thanks for the replies. I don't know what is up with me but I react to all medications so fingers crossed I get on fine with these. I can handle a few queezy days. Will keep you updated on how I get on with them.

Hi OP. I am almost reluctant to post as everyone has been so positive. I couldn't stay on citalopram. I had horrible side effects and one night I couldn't stay still or even keep my eyes closed to try and sleep. I am however only one person and I know people on double the dosage I was on who have taken the medication for months and been fine, even told me of the massive benefits of taking it. Everyone is different and you won't know until you take it. Hope it all works out for you.

i was on citalopram for nearly 10 years. It saved my life. So i think its pretty brilliant.

BUT it often has side effects that fortunately for most people are fairly mild. They tend to happen in the first few weeks and generally the positive effects can take a few weeks to work so it can feel quite rubbish for a week or two. Some people will react badly but that doesn't mean ADs can't help you, just that sometimes it takes a while to find the right one.

It is very individual. I had the mother of all panic attacks when i first started but generally felt better so persevered. The panic attacks stopped pretty quickly and i was able to "rideit out" as they happened in the evenings.

Giveit a go, but be aware that they can reduce your risk aversion so keep an eye on that for a few weeks. I don't drive but thete was no way i would be safe to drive in the first week.

I'm on escatilopram (I think it's the same thing) it's completely changed my life for the better. I've only had one side effect (bedroom related, pm me if you want to know). Absolutely well worth it.

Ive just started citalopram (10mg) for the 2nd time 3 days ago. I have to say the first time round it changed my life. I suffer with anxiety stemming from emetophobia.

First time I halved the dose to start and then built up after a week or so but this time I haven't and Im really feeling the side effects. Last night I had 2 panic attacks the likes of which ive never felt before and today Im a bit jittery and also had (tmi) an upset tummy. I will however keep going as I know in a few weeks I will feel so much better and able to do so much more.

My advice is start low and build up. It is well worth it. Keep us updated!

Wel I've picked up my tablets and even though the doctor told me she was going to prescribe me citalopram she has prescribed me stertraline. Not sure why so going to call the doctors on Monday. Could be because of my reactions from medications in the past but not sure what to think about it. Deep joy! Has anyone any experience with this medication?

Hi, I'm just starting my sertraline tonight. Shitting it tbh. Ive tried on two seperate occasions but gave up both after only one day each (about 2months apart!) After worrying about side effects

Iv started getting physical symptoms from my anxiety pretty badly so i figured the side effects will be worth it to just get back to some sense of "normal" again. Fingers crossed for you and me too Try to stick with it, ive read that if you take it at night you sleep through alot of the symptoms so maybe worth thinking about for you too?

Good luck

Yeah I've also read that in the beginning you feel tired but the longer you are on it the more awake you become at night after taking it so many people switch to taking in the morning after a month. Will see how we get on. Fingers crossed it goes well for you this time round. I am the same I completely freaked myself out with the side effects. Convinced myself I would get the worst of the worst. We can do this!

I'm 5 days in to my Citalopram experience (for anxiety and panic attacks that started 10 days ago)...20mg now after 3 days at 10mg...today I feel really nauseous and shaky, spaced out etc joined Mumsnet today after seeing some posts about anxiety, it's really helping knowing that it's not just me!! I've heard it takes a couple of weeks for the side effects to ease off, is that accurate?

I've had 3 days Citalopram 10mg and I don't feel any different. No side effects so far. Roll on tomorrow!

Ive been taking my stertraline since friday. Was up until 4am today, even though I took the tablet at 6 and usually go to be around 9pm (I'm a sucker for an early night). I just couldn't settle, i was fidgety, restless and wide awake! I've heard insomnia is related to taking this pill so I've changed to taking it in the morning and hopefully i will get a settled nights sleep! we will see!

I am a new member and not even a Mum, though I have much loved nieces/nephews and godchildren. But I was googling and saw this post, and thought I would refresh it, too. I have recently been prescribed this, after seeing a nurse for a whole 2 minutes, and frankly I can't see the point of it. When I'm in a dark place, I don't want to wait 2 weeks (at least) suffering side-effects. I would sooner take some Nurofen Plus (if the pharmacist doesn't give me the third degree!) and make things a big vaguer and more bearable within minutes!

Hi debbiebee, I'd see your gp for a proper chat and review. There are other things you can have for a quick fix (propanalol saved me many times). The citalopram is def one for the long game. I last took it 6 years ago but am starting back on it after a prolonged period of stress and over-work. It worked well for me last time and I hope it will again.

Hi Gotthearse

Thank you for getting back to me. I admit I am a doctor-dodger - only went along for this as I presumed it wouldn't include physical examination. Don't get me wrong, I'm not remotely prudish, though my body isn't a lovely thing, just that family medical history freaks me out. I don't even go to smear tests, breast scans, etc. But what is ironic is that I have a friend who gets given pills with 3 times as much codeine in them as the OTC ones for his sciatica, and the doc doles them out like sweeties. Again, thanks for getting back!

Does anyone know if you can combine citalopram with HRT?
I was thinking a 10mg does would be enough as I am anxious (during the night , preventing sleep)due to a situation beryond my control.

Around 4-weeks ago I was prescribed Citalopram (20mg). I am currently on long-term sick at work (2-months so far) due to mental health issues. Too much work, no support over several years etc. I am mid 50s and have never taken medication of any kind so this is a huge deal. I had my occupational health meeting (consultant physiatrist) who diagnosed depression and anxiety with several more months off work. He advised to take the Citalopram in-line with what my GP said.

I have tried alternatives such as exercise (I now cycle 10 to 15 miles each morning), fresh air, keeping busy and the most important one so far which has been learning and practising mindfulness. I am drawn a blank on socialising as I do not feel I have the capability at present.

I believe I can get better but in all honesty each time work contacts me I go to pieces so I am a long way from where I want to be.

My major concern about taking it is that I become addicted and I can't get of them. Also, it seems that people start on a low dose (20mg for me) and then it becomes 40mg then you are given something else because it no longer works. Finally your are chasing the meds around to find out the best one whilst your life just becomes numb.

Have I got this wrong?

I desperately need to now your experiences because as I type I am looking at an unopened box with the health professionals telling me to take them.

Thank you very much for listening (oops just started crying)

Sorry that you're crying Mog.
I didn't become addicted to Citalopram (first went on the meds in Jan 2014 and weaned off them by the following Easter) I started on 10mg, went up to 20 and back down to 10mg again to wean off.
I greatly benefited from them too.
It's a different scenario for me now as I am taking HRT too. But I have been reassured by my GP that it's fine to combine the two.
Hope this helps.

Thank very much rosin, yes I seem to burst into tears for so many reasons at the moment, even your reply has set me off (kindness seems to).

I am so scared of taking the first one to the point I am now completely paranoid about it.

thank you again

Sorry should have said that the psychiatrist recommendation was 18-months minimum. I thought a few weeks but he thought that was humorous (that did not help me).

It is different for all, my experience has been positive. I found a level in my life that made everything bearable, I went up to 20mg but came back down to 10mg which has kept me steady and able to deal with life.

Iknew I wasn't right when I was crying all the time. It sounds like things are at a point in your life where you feel things are too much. I would recommend taking them, I cannot explain to you the difference they have made to my life. They aren't easy to come off, but continuing how I was wasn't viable either. Crying all the time, feeling anxious and over emotional about everything was not feasible. Anti- depressants have given me a ledge to sit back on, get my coping mechanisms in place, have loads of counselling and I now feel in a much better place.

Hi CW,

I hope you don't mind me asking but how long have you been on them and how long did it take you to get over any initial effects?

You said it is difficult to come off them, does that mean you tried and if so what happened?

sorry for the questions but I am flip flopping around hour-to-hour. I have read lots of other threads now and it really isn't clear. I am going to try the headspace app to see if that helps. I am trying my best to practice mindfulness but honestly its very tough.

I think sometimes you spend your life for everyone else (especially DC even if they are grown up) and never seem to find time for yourself. I keep telling myself to take time but there is always something else to do. I appreciate that is on me and not other people but if you have spent you life in doing mode its hard to get into being mode.

thank you and I am pleased that you have found the right balance and you are in a better place now (Well Done!)

Thank you. I have been on them for two years, and I started on avery low dose. The effects lasted a couple of weeks but it wasn't unmanageable, I just felt slightly spaced out and a bit nauseous.

I hadn't realised I was suffering with anxiety until I took these and it helped, I could think, I stopped crying, I was able to deal with things one by one and I wasn't thinking the worst of every situation. I went up to 10mg when I felt teary all the time again a few months later, and then later went up to 20mg when I felt worse again.

I decided to reduce my dose bit by bit, and I got down to 10mg, but I noticed that I felt overwhelmed at points, teary again etc when I reduced it a bit too much one week.

I have now faced a few different situations that used to make me feel awful (even on the antidepressants) but counselling has really helped me to get to the root of some of those issues, and haing faced those situations again I am now able to deal with them differently. I feel stronger in myself and feel that now after two years it might be the time to come off them completely, bit by bit, to see if my underlying issues have been resolved.

They helped me cope, when i felt unable to, when I was crying all the time and feeling generally worthless.

I make time to go for walks, I force myself to cook good food even if I don't feel like it, and if I need to sleep, I sleep. You are doing all the right things for yourself by the sounds of it, can you change your work? Do you feel it is something that you would usually be able to deal with?