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Mental health

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Original poster

Clitalopram

42 replies

Sarah2023 · 13/09/2017 19:38

Hello everyone, I have just started taking citopram for depression and anxiety and I was wondering if there is anyone else that takes it that maybe would like to chat about there journey on them, like side effects and things. I can't really talk to my family about it which is making me feel even more seperated from everything.

OP posts:

Orangebird69 · 13/09/2017 19:41

I'm not on it now but was on 40mg a day for a year. I didn't really suffer many side effects to be honest. It took a few weeks of tinkering with the dosage and for an effect to take place but it really did help.

Original poster

Sarah2023 · 13/09/2017 19:48

I have been put on 20mg to start with, it's hard with my anxiety to tell wheather it that or any side effects of the citalopram I'm getting a really bad dry mouth which is really bothering me.

OP posts:

elfycat · 13/09/2017 19:50

I started last week for anxiety and depression. First time I've taken medication for it, though I have had symptoms before.

Felt good for the first three days, but yesterday and today have been miserable. I'm beyond tired and slept half the day. Funny lights/movements in my sight and a migraine-like headache (not as painful though). I feel 'flat', but overall I'm happy that the anger I was feeling all of the time (anxiety response) has just gone. It was getting in the way of doing things with DDs (6 and 8yo) all summer as I couldn't go out for fear literally of getting angry/frustrated.

I need to make a decision about my job, as that's a big source of anxiety. I've only been doing it since Easter, but I'm the second person in the role since this time last year. DH and I have worked out that financially I can return to SAHP/ part time MA student. I just want to make that kind of decision with a clear head, as it's not necessarily going to be easy to get another job.

Comps83 · 13/09/2017 20:10

Took my first one today 20mg

Patchouli666 · 13/09/2017 20:15

Taking them at night is best till your body adjusts. Prevents any nausea and also helps you to sleep. I'm just tapering off them now, have been on them for four years. No side effects. Just taper slowly when you come off them and all will be ok.

tissuesosoft · 13/09/2017 20:22

I've been on 20mg for nearly a year now. Going through withdrawal at the moment, forgot to order a repeat prescription in time.
Elfy completely understand the light movements, its driving me mad but I know it'll go instantly once I have my prescription.

I take mine at night which helps me sleep and I don't get the zombie feeling during the day

Original poster

Sarah2023 · 13/09/2017 20:23

I have been put on 20mg to start with this is my second day and I have never had antidepressants before.

I have had terrible dry mouth that is making me feel nauseous, and it's hard to tell if i have had any thing else since I am at my worst with the anxiety and depression, not sleeping I can eat, the restlessness.

Has anyone else feel very angry for a while after taking them?

OP posts:

FrogsLegs31 · 13/09/2017 20:25

I started on it at the end of July (had been on sertraline) and feel pretty amazing I have to say! I started propranolol at the same time though.

I had nausea for a few days on citalopram but had had really bad dry mouth for three weeks when starting sertraline

Original poster

Sarah2023 · 13/09/2017 20:27

FrogsLegs31 any tips on dealing with the dry mouth?

OP posts:

FrogsLegs31 · 13/09/2017 20:42

I'm afraid the only thing that helped me with it was knowing it would go once my body was used to the new drugs! I would sip water frequently as it seemed a bit less obvious then and it helped with the nausea/gaggy-ness. It was around a week for me, hope you feel better soon!!! X

Comps83 · 14/09/2017 07:30

I wouldn't know if they made me feel angry as I'm always angry . A lot of the side effects are stuff I already suffer from

Comps83 · 14/09/2017 08:37

My head hurts, my hearts pounding, I feel awful and I think I'm getting dry mouth
Still not sure these are down to side effects

tissuesosoft · 14/09/2017 13:30

Do you take them at night Comps? Really helps minimising the side effects

Comps83 · 14/09/2017 13:38

No I was told to take them in the morning and they'd be more effective. I also get my worse symptoms mid morning - early afternoon

INeedToEat · 14/09/2017 13:45

I've been on them for 7 years but went up from 20mg to 30mg a couple of days ago due to hightened anxiety around a medical issue.

Got to say I've never had any side effects, never feel zombie like or had trouble sleeping - and I take mine first thing in the morning.

I do remember being very scared of taking them initially - and 'making up' symptons in my head for the firat few days.

girlandboy · 14/09/2017 14:00

I've been on 10mg for about 7 months for anxiety and stress. I've had no side effects at all, though I realise I have a small dose so maybe that's something to do with it? I feel LOADS better, far more able to cope with stressful situations, and considering DH has recently been diagnosed with cancer I definitely feel able to cope better. Minor things that would have stressed me out before now don't have that effect. I don't feel numb, just a bit indifferent or meh!

girlandboy · 14/09/2017 14:00

Oh, and I take them in the mornings with breakfast.

Force12 · 14/09/2017 14:34

I started 3 weeks ago. Felt spaced out for a week, now starting to get the good effects of them ( I think!)

Comps83 · 15/09/2017 06:23

Well still no definite side effects for me. I slept right through tonight too. Though I did have a dream where I sat and had a long civilised conversation with my ex.
He dropped me about 5 yr ago after a silly argument by simply ignoring me til I went away and it really messed me up.
Coincidence I'm sure.

Original poster

Sarah2023 · 15/09/2017 08:21

Comps83, that's great you don't seam to be having any side effects. I had really bad nauseous yesterday but in struggle to eat which is not helping. how are you feeling emotional? X

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Comps83 · 15/09/2017 08:26

Not sure I'm feeling much better emotionally . My issue is I've felt like this all my life . I've always known I wasn't right but managed to work without taking a single day off for MH issues until now.
So think I'll ignore my sick note and go back to work on Monday

EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans · 15/09/2017 08:26

I was on Citalopram for a couple of years, mainly at 40mg, & took them just before bed.

The only symptom I really had was heavy periods. Although when I came off (very, very slowly) I realised that I felt more exposed, as if I'd had a blanket wrapped round my brain & now it was off.

I got through ending a relationship, getting a job & two house moves on it though, so it didn't affect my functioning.

Original poster

Sarah2023 · 15/09/2017 09:04

Comps83 I'm like you I have always felt like this but had so far managed to function up until recently. Which is why I went to see my doctor.

I'm self employed so unfortunately I can't take time off without loosening much needed money, but I'm finding in a way working is helping me keep going.

OP posts:

Patchouli666 · 15/09/2017 12:08

Take them at night for a few weeks then you can switch to taking them in the morning and you won't get any of the side effects you are currently experiencing. The dry mouth, nausea etc are all linked to the ssri's so don't worry.

Patchouli666 · 15/09/2017 12:14

And citalopram has a half life of about 35 hours meaning half of the dose taken is still in your bloodstream 35 hours later. Taking them at night or in the morning will have no difference at all re effectiveness.
I do take mine in the morning but for the first two months I took them at night on the advice of my GP who said to do it like that and then switch to morning when I felt the symptoms of tiredness etc had gone. And when I switched, no probs at all.
( very first week actually I did take them in the morning and felt awful, so I spoke to my go and that's when he said about taking at night etc)

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