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Mental health

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Original poster

Anyone on Citalopram?

47 replies

user1473452378 · 01/12/2018 18:43

Hi all, im new to the forum and really suffering with anxiety and panic attacks.
I was prescribed Citalopram a month ago but have not taken it due to being very nervous.

Is there anyone on it? Id like to know any experiences people have had on it ?

Thanks in advance :-)

OP posts:

KarBB · 03/12/2018 10:08

I'm on it. Second time round. Absolute life saver. There are lots of historic threads on this topic which might be worth looking up. Sending sympathy ...,

Original poster

user1473452378 · 03/12/2018 11:12

Hello what dose did you start with ?

OP posts:

Rainatnight · 03/12/2018 11:14

I'm on it and have found it very helpful indeed. Definitely some problems adjusting at the beginning - it's quite common to get a temporary worsening of your anxiety, annoyingly, but if you can just bear in mind that it's the drug rather than it really being your anxiety, you'll get through it fine.

I started on 20mg.

What are your concerns?

immypops · 03/12/2018 11:21

I tried it , really didn't agree with me . I had to take mine at night as it made me vomit if I took it in the morning x

PerfectlyGoodAtBeingBad · 03/12/2018 11:22

I'm on it. Day 7 now and started at 10mg. No side effects so far.

nicslackey · 03/12/2018 11:39

Smooths out the rough edges and makes me feel more like the real me iyswim! Been taking it for years as have half my office apparently!!

milienhaus · 03/12/2018 11:44

I’m on it (10mg) - felt a bit wired for a week when I started it and since then no symptoms. It’s great - keeps me feeling like myself and not having anxious meltdowns at work!

KarBB · 03/12/2018 11:44

Started on 10, gradually built up to 40, first time round & 30 this time.
Second time the side effects were quite bad to begin with but I was dreadfully unwell anyway so was hard to tell what was side effect & what was anxiety. First time the main side effect was sleepiness & feeling a bit spaced out which was quite pleasant compared to 24/7 panic + insomnia

ReturnofSaturn · 03/12/2018 11:50

I'm on it, 40mg....As well as mirtazapine and quiteapine.

Great for me, never had any side effects either.

PineappleTart · 03/12/2018 12:08

I was on 10mg for a while but 20mg is much better for me at present. I was worried I'd feel wooly but instead it felt like I was just me again, I'd almost forgotten what it was like. It doesn't stop the anxiety for me but it makes it much more manageable

Original poster

user1473452378 · 03/12/2018 12:46

Hi ive been given 10mg
Thanks for all your replies
Im just really nervous into taking it
Im worried of any possible side effects i may get from it but i really feel i need to try it as im not managing my anxiety very well.
Sorry if i dont make sense

OP posts:

Sillybillypoopoomummy · 03/12/2018 12:54

I'm on it. It can be a bit stimulating when you take it to start with, so I wouldn't take it at night until your body is used to it. I would also take it after food for the same reasons. However I have no side effects and it keeps me functioning. 10mg is a low dose so if you do experience any side effects they should be very minimal.
good luck

Original poster

user1473452378 · 03/12/2018 13:02

How long does it take to feel better on it ?

OP posts:

Rainatnight · 03/12/2018 13:25

I'd say a few weeks. Personally, it's been worth it for me, but it's a personal choice.

10mg is very low, though. I did start off on that once but found I needed 20g to feel any benefit.

Rainatnight · 03/12/2018 13:26

20MG not 20g, sorry!!

PineappleTart · 03/12/2018 17:45

I found even starting on 10mg I felt effects pretty quickly although everyone is different. Even if you try for a couple of months and it doesn't work you can vary doses and then try other medications. Be kind to yourself, anxiety is exhausting

Original poster

user1473452378 · 03/12/2018 18:21

Thank you for your reassuring replies xx

OP posts:

KarBB · 03/12/2018 21:40

First time I felt relief within a week, second tome it took a couple of months to really kick in and was a tough old slog but worth it in the end as I now feel back to my 'normal' self whereas before I was falling to pieces.
Do you have people around to support you & a sympathetic GP? They should be there to reassure you if you need help.

BinJuice · 03/12/2018 21:51

I just started on it today on 10mg. Time will tell. Hope you’re ok op.

thereallifesaffy · 04/12/2018 22:36

Last year started on 20mg and instantly felt better. Constant fight or flight feeling disappeared. Reduced sensibly last Xmas and was fine. But in January took a dive so went back into 10mg. Life saver. No question. If I had to remain on it for life that would be fine

blondeemily · 04/12/2018 22:45

I used to take Citalopram and it brought me back to my old self. I was on 10mg. The first week I felt quite nauseous, but after that was fine. One fun side effect I had was very vivid and often exciting dreams! I had to come off it as my IBS got really bad (unrelated to the Citalopram) and I was prescribed Amitriptyline which apparently you can't take with it. I'm on Sertraline instead now and it really doesn't do the same for me My advice is to at least give it a try. As others have said, it's a very low dose. Try not to get hung up on the side effects either as you may end up talking yourself into experiencing them!

tissuesosoft · 04/12/2018 22:47

I’ve been on 20mg for 2 years (PND) and am going to start weaning off it soon. I take it at night so it helps me sleep

feliciabirthgiver · 04/12/2018 22:51

The first two weeks took a bit of adjustment, just ride that out, my 20mg really helped my anxiety within the first month of taking it. I really recommend you giving it a shot, even if only to feel
Like your doing something to break the cycle you are in - you can stop anytime you want. Good luck!

Original poster

user1473452378 · 05/12/2018 07:38

Im so nervous, i keep looking at the tablets. I really want to try but am petrified of any side effects. Plus my anxiety is through the rough at the moment. I dont know if i can cope.

OP posts:

ikltownofboothlehem · 05/12/2018 07:41

I take 20mg a day but take it in the mornings. Still having terrible insomnia (3-4 hours a night) - should I maybe try switching to late evening / night? It doesn't seem to make me sleepy at all during the day.

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