Citalopram help

[jaydensdaddy232]

Hi all please give me some advice, I am on day 7 of 10mg citalopram and I feel awful. I lay on the sofa with no energy and Bad nausea and headaches at the back then I start panicking that something else is wrong or just side effects? Thank you.

Laying my cards on the table, even with my anxiety I've never been someone that suffers with panic attacks. However I did have a couple which was the final push to go on Citalopram. I have had around three since I started but the reduction in side effects is really noticeable now. All the tight chest, hot flushes has gone. I'm starting to feel better but going to give it another couple of weeks as the doc told me to.

Strangely enough I can't remember my symptoms been that bad. Maybe I was the lucky one. But if I accidentally miss one, I get really bad head ache 😖.
I am on 30g have been up to 40 back to 30 and on 20 but am sticking with 30g as I can see the difference when I drop, I get realllllly anxious.
I think they stop some anxieties but I do sometimes get mini panic attacks, but not as bad I used too.
Good luck, stick with it and try take it easy lovely xx

I'm starting back on it after a 6 years without, due to a prolonged period of stress. I tolerated it well last time. I just had to come off stertaline after 9 days as I had a strong reaction to it (couldn't sleep or eat). Do talk to your gp about the side effects, they might give you something temporary until your body adjusts. Hand in there & good luck.

He has prescribed me with Lorazepam which help for a bit

Keep having panic attacks in the evening! Why???? Bloody brain.

10th 10mg citalopram tonight how much longer guys?

I take citalopram and the only thing that helped was a shit load of exercise on the side. I still occasionally wake up feeling nauseous but all the other side affects subsided. To be honest I was just glad I didn’t wasn’t crying 12hrs a day so anything was better.
I did have about two weeks of fatigue but that did go away.
I started running, I did the C25K and that was a massive help

When I first went into citalopram I felt sick, lost my appetite etc but after a week I felt normal. I think if your not used to anything like that then you get the size effects.

I have been advised to go from 10mg citalopram to 20mg today after 14 days on 10mg but I'm nervous. Thoughts please guys??

I take my mine last thing. I still get groggy around midday, but can usually push through.

I have found that the edges are less sharp and that I sleep much deeper and without dreams. The grogginess is an issue, but I accept it as better than feeling anxious and overwhelmed.

Really need some reassurance guys I feel this is not going away it's now day 14 I still get weird glitches throughout the day and I have to take 2 x 2mg diazepam to calm me down. My dr says this is all normal and will even out soon???

Sorry you feel this way. I had no side effects with it at all, but really feel for you.

If you’re not comfortable making the jump yet get yourself a pill splitter.

This is what I did. Go to 15 for a week and then 20. It’s such a small increase you shouldn’t notice a huge effect, and I prefer incremental increases because really I’m certain doctors have no idea how sensitive some people can be to anti-depressants at first!

Honestly though OP, stick it out if you can. Accept the wobbles, don’t fight against the way you feel. Tell yourself it’s okay to feel like this and you know it’s temporary. 20mg is considered the therapeutic dose, so you do want to get there. It can take a good few weeks for the side effects to stop, but they will!

I've just been started on 10mg - second day. Today I feel completely spaced a few hours after taking it - almost like I've had a few glasses of wine. Is this usual?

Its normal to feel a little spaced out when first taking Citalopram .
I find it’s best to take in the morning with Breakfast.

Thank you. How long did it last for you?

I'm 3 weeks in today and I still get anxiety attacks everyday and need to take Diazipam to help plus the nausea still won't go.

Perhaps try taking in the morning. I found that no matter how I felt getting up every time there was an advert on TV and doing something small like getting some clothes to wash or wiping the kitchen benches really helped.

My main concern is will the nausea go away soon as I have read it takes 6-8 weeks to properly kick in. My Dr has advised me too go up to 20mg per day from 10mg but the way I feel now I don't want too! Perhaps cut them in half and take 15mg per day?? 

Hey. I've been on these for a few years.

I think the problem is that you are anxious taking the tablets. I was too.. it wasn't side effects from the medication, it was anxiety from taking the tablets in the first place.

Try and chill out. Distraction is key .. and remember stress and anxiety can cause headaches and all the weird feelings.

Remember, panic attacks can't hurt you.. they are not an outside force happening to you - you are bringing the attacks on yourself (And therefore can be controlled). Your breathing and controlling the thought of disaster in your head. Have you tried CBT ?

Also there is a forum (and live chat room) that you may feel supported by called 'no more panic'. It's very supportive.

Thanks noboozeforme I will get on that live chat now as I'm getting worse I feel.

I take a citalopram 10mg then 10mg propranolol then I have to lay down go onto total melt down?? Is this right? Please help!

I really sympathise. A year ago I had a complete breakdown with non-stop anxiety, panic attacks & constant crying. It took a couple of months for the citalopram to really kick in but a year on I’m back to my ‘normal’ self, enjoying life & coping with mild anxiety by avoiding alcohol & caffeine & doing plenty of relaxation & exercise. If you’d told me I’d be here now when I was at my worst I wouldn’t have believed you - I honestly thought my life was over. Really hope it kicks in & starts working soon. X

Oh and forgot to say that for the first 2 weeks or so the citalopram made me feel worse but it really was worth it in the end.