Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Original poster

Citalopram - Positive Stories Please

31 replies

mommathatwearspink · 05/11/2018 14:55

I’ve recently been prescribed Citalopram due to depression but I have avoided taking them due to constantly reading about the side affects and I’m terrified they will turn me crazy and I won’t be able to control my own thoughts. My depression is awful and affecting the whole family so I need to take them.
Please can I have your positive stories Smile

OP posts:
tickingthebox · 05/11/2018 14:59

they very definitely "flattened out" my emotions

So I stopped crying and feeling things anywhere nearly as intensely as I did before.

mine was more a temporary situation (6 months) so I phased them out again when I became aware I wasn't laughing at a comedy show - I found it funny but wasn't able to express it so cut down slowly.

MoonlightMedicine · 05/11/2018 15:02

They make me feel like me again. They have saved my life and the side effects have been mild for me. Don’t focus on the list of contraindications, they’ll make you anxious.

ParkheadParadise · 05/11/2018 15:11

I was prescribed them when my dd died. I was 7mths pregnant with dd2 at the time, so I didn't take them.
After she was born I did take them for the first 6mths. They helped me get through the day, I didn't have any side-affects and stopped taking them gradually after 6mths.

Original poster
mommathatwearspink · 05/11/2018 15:26

Thank you so much. Can you drink alcohol on them?

OP posts:
mintich · 05/11/2018 16:10

Made me feel like me again too!! I have now been off them for 4 years.(took then for about 2 years) I drank but only a glass of wine here and there.

MoonlightMedicine · 05/11/2018 16:16

I’m not really a drinker but yes, can have a drink or 2 no problems. I’ve been on them for nearly 2 years now.

Original poster
mommathatwearspink · 06/11/2018 10:26

Thanks all. Day 1 today... I took the tablet this morning and I’m feeling tired and spacey. Not sure if that’s the tablets though?

OP posts:
lenalove · 06/11/2018 10:33

I've been taking Citalopram for over 2 years now, and it has totally changed my life. Haven't really experienced any side effects so maybe I have been lucky, but I think even if I did it would take a lot to make me stop taking them. The spacey feeling should wear off after the first week or so from what I recall...

mollymcguire · 06/11/2018 10:35

My husband takes them, they saved his life, our marriage and most importantly our family, 10 years of hell with him before he was put on meds, now it's like a new relationship, a new family,

Original poster
mommathatwearspink · 06/11/2018 10:41

That really good to know. My depression has been really affecting my relationship and our family so i was willing to try anything. Going to stick to it and hopefully any side effects will wear off after a few weeks

OP posts:
MoonlightMedicine · 06/11/2018 16:28

The side effects only really affected me for the first few days.

ifancyagreencard · 06/11/2018 16:40

Won’t go into huge detail but another life changed by this medication. Three weeks after cashing in the prescription, I woke up feeling “normal” for the first time in what felt like years. My practical
challenges were still there but I could address them rationally and compartmentalise them so I could enjoy life. My only side effect was yawning! Good luck, I hope they help to ease you out of your depression. X

EmpressAdultHumanFemale · 06/11/2018 16:41

I was on the max dose (40mg) for a couple of years for severe depression. Combined with CBT, it quite literally saved my life & the only side-effect I had was heavy periods. While I was on it I got a job, got divorced & moved house twice. Maybe try taking it at bedtime?

I spent literally months coming off it & that did feel a bit odd, as if my brain had been wrapped in a blanket & now I was taking it off, but it didn't affect my day-to-day functioning at all.

If you really don't feel it's working for you after a couple of weeks though, do go back to your GP.

KrustyTheKat · 07/11/2018 09:37

I was taking citalopram 20mg for around 2 years and it helped me so much.
I have anxiety, depression, emetephobia (fear of vomiting) and agoraphobia.
I managed to get a job, get into a relationship after being single for 7 years and get on a plane while on these so they changed my life.

I came off them after seeing a psychiatrist who thought I had bi-polar and told me AD's are not good for people with this condition so come off them.

I came off really quickly with no real side effects although when I started I had side effects for around 1 week.

I've since been diagnosed with BPD (borderline personality disorder) and not bi-polar so I've just started on them again in the last few days to see if they help again.

I've started with drops so I can start on a small amount to minimise the side effects due to my fear of vomiting I have a hard time starting meds as side effects always seem to be nausea or vomiting.

MoonlightMedicine · 07/11/2018 16:33

Good luck Krusty

EarlyModernParent · 07/11/2018 16:48

What Moonlight said.
Drink only in moderation though.

KrustyTheKat · 07/11/2018 21:28

Thank you MoonlightMedicine
I'm day 3 of 6mg started to get a little upset stomach but nothing too bad so far.

mimibunz · 07/11/2018 21:30

Life changing here too. I wouldn’t be able to leave my house without them!

Auldspinster · 07/11/2018 21:34

Gave me my life back, good luck Flowers.

Original poster
mommathatwearspink · 07/11/2018 22:09

Thank you all, it’s so lovely to hear some positive stories! For those who got side effects, at what point did these start? I’m on day 2... I’ve felt a bit spacey at times but otherwise feeling ok so far (fingers crossed!)

OP posts:
MsNowtyBach · 07/11/2018 22:43

Citralopram has really taken the edge off my anxiety and loneliness, however in return the one side effect is tiredness. Once I have eaten lunch I am groggy and in need of a nap. I don't like doing this, but feel better having a rest than trying to push through. I take mine at night.

The benefits far outweigh this one side effect though.

tickingthebox · 09/11/2018 22:33

No side effects....

MoonlightMedicine · 10/11/2018 06:17

How’s it going OP?

GreenMeerkat · 10/11/2018 06:25

How are you getting on with them?

It depends on the dosage really. I had them for post natal depression and anxiety but I was only on 10mg which is the lowest dose. For the first two weeks I had really bad headaches but after that I was fine, and they really did work. I felt a lot calmer and clear headed. I also started driving on the motorway which I'd previously been too anxious to do! I was on them for around 3 years.

Have now been off them for 9 months as I got pregnant again and decided to wean myself off. No side effects coming off them and am now absolutely fine so I really think they did wonders for me.

I was reluctant to take them at first as I had a very bad experience with anti depressants as a teenager (Seroxat) and had a really bad reaction but citalopram worked really well.

Good luck OP xx

trevthecat · 10/11/2018 06:50

I am currently on citalopram, have been on and off for 8 years. They work great for me. I don't feel numb to feelings. They calm my anxiety, OCD and depression. My only problem is they make me tired