Newbie to Citalopram

[winegal]

Hi everyone. Does anyone have any experience with it?

Basically, the last 6 months I haven't felt myself at all; feeling weepy, being short with people, constant nightmares and just a general feeling of dread. I've gone from a really sociable positive person to someone who to be honest I don't like at all. The penny finally dropped after a nasty panic attack that I needed help with anxiety. My dr was lovely and prescribed me 10mg of citalopram.

Now I'm scared to take it!

Hi @winegal,

Just noticed your thread and wanted to say hi as I’ve also recently been prescribed 10mg citalopram. I started it a week ago - I’ve had some tummy upset and wake up in the night with sort of hot flashes and my head feels a bit woozy but none of these effects are very strong so I’m managing. I don’t feel a reduction of symptoms yet but it’s still early days! How are you getting on?

@ewanthenondreamsheep hi!

I've had 4 doses so far. No reduction in anxiety as such yet, still feel a bit lacking in motivation etc. I have noticed being really thirsty and gross tmi but feeling a bit sweaty and hot and bothered!! Nice to speak to someone at the same point as me!

Are you taking yours at night?

I started off taking them at night but I’m now slowly moving the time earlier as I found I was waking with hot flashes in the early hours so I’m hoping taking it earlier might prevent this!

I’m also not feeling a reduction in anxiety and I’m still flat and unmotivated but I’m hoping this will improve soon! I’m still on 10mg and hoping not to have to increase but I’ve read 20mg is the more normal dose.

I just want my brain to slow down and stop over analysing everything! It’s exhaustkng!

I know exactly what you mean. Every tiny conversation however tiny and unimportant is running through my mind all the time. 'Why did I say that', 'they must think I'm stupid' etc etc!!!

Hoping to notice a difference soon. I felt really nauseous for the first couple of days but that seems to have subsided now.

It's so funny how they affect everyone differently, I've never slept better. The nightmares and the waking up remembering stupid things seems to have faded a bit.

for you OP.

I found it took about 3 weeks to make a difference to my anxiety.

I never had hot flashes but I had to take mine at bed time as I felt really nauseous after taking it first. I could take it earlier now as I no longer get that side effect but it’s just part of my bed time routine nowadays.

I’m really struggling today, woke up with racing heart and struggling to get going. I’m almost two weeks on 10mg and just desperate for them to kick in, I hate feeling like this

@ewanthenondreamsheep I'm so sorry to hear that. The racing heart is the absolute worst. Are you working today? I find a relaxing warm bath and drinking a couple of pints of very cold water calm palpitations down a little bit for me.

Handhold

Thanks @winegal. I started to feel better once I got going with my day - I’m on maternity leave so not at work. I just have phases of the day feeling more anxious than others and I’m so hopeful that citalopram helps even this out!

How are you getting on with the citalopram? I hope you’re starting to feel the positive effects!

Not really! And had a couple of nights of broken sleep now. Serves me right for enjoying my sleep on it!

How are you feeling today?

I think we just need to be patient and proud of ourselves for asking for help

Popping on to say persevere with the tablets if you can. I've been taking them for 6 months now and the side effects completely disappeared after a few weeks, and I started to feel better after a month or so. Being honest, I'm now on 30mg daily as 10 wasn't enough for me, so bear in mind that you may have to increase your dose before you really start to feel functional again. The side effects reappear if you increase your dose, I managed this by getting a cheap pill cutter and cutting the tablets up, so I was only increasing by 2.5mg every couple of days until I was up to the full dose. Probably not recommended but I found the side effects were more bearable then. But overall it does get better, I promise !

I’m feeling ok today! I had quite a good sleep - I think I’m best to take the tablet at about 6pm to lessen the night wakening!

I’m finding my thoughts are slightly calmer but I’m reluctant to believe anything yet until I achieve some consistency!

I’ll see the doctor in a few weeks and if I’m not feeling consistent benefits then I assume that’s when they may suggest 20mg.

From what I’ve read it’s all a bit up and down for the first 4-6 weeks so we’ll probably each have ups and downs but I have everything crossed that we get there eventually!

Thank you @belindablinks for sharing your experience, that reassurance is really very kind of you

Hi @winegal,

Just popping on to see how you are and if you managed a better sleep? I didn’t wake at all last night which was great although slightly higher anxiety than yesterday which is annoying but on the whole I think I’m feeling some benefits.

It doesn’t help being on maternity leave as I just find I have too much time to check in with my feelings whereas at work I’d be too busy to think about it!

Hi I am taking this too , just over a week now 10mg for two weeks then up to 20mg. I've found it helped with some symptoms ( not all ) almost immediately . My sleep is bad though at the moment very bad - I take in the morning and am wondering about moving to evening ? Do I just do this - ie don't take tomorrow morning just move to later in the day ? thanks

Hi @thorn01

I would maybe just move tablet to lunchtime one day, then tea time the next and on to bedtim the day after? Or I’m sure just swapping straightaway to nighttime won’t do any harm as 10mg is a low dose.

I’m still on 10mg and have definitely felt an improvement but will likely go to 20mg when I see the gp next

I've been on citalopram for several years now for anxiety and depression. Its awesome stuff but it does take a week or two to get into your system. Once you start to feel that even keel it gives you, things become easier.
I still struggle to sleep, but thats just me. My doctor did say if citalopram doesnt work for me, there are other anti-d's that can be taken at different times of the day till you find out what works for you.
Good luck with it, I still get occasional panic attacks but not as bad as I used to be.