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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:

Yoowho · 05/12/2018 07:50

Me. I was TERRIFIED to take it! But I can honestly say it’s cgsnged my life. I was initially given 10mg(wanted to give me 20mg but I was honest and said I wouldn’t take that high a dose). It was the side effects that scared me the most. So I broke the tablets in half and weaned myself onto them. Took 5mg for the first week then the full dose. It was the only way for me.
Do it. I promise you won’t regret it.
Wish I could hug the inventor of the stuff!
Good luck. Here to chat

Yoowho · 05/12/2018 07:50

Oh and take it before bed. That way, I sleep through any of the side effects. I felt a bit rubbish for the first week but nothing horrendous

Mrscaindingle · 05/12/2018 07:52

I take 20mg, second time around for me too, I felt better after 5 days of taking it. Any time I've taken it at night I've had a poor sleep so always take it in the morning.

Not sure why you're so reluctant to take it Op it sounds like you're feeling awful, if the side effects are intolerable you just stop taking them. For me it's enabled me to cope and as a single parent with a disabled mother I have a lot of people who need me to be able to function.

Original poster

user1473452378 · 05/12/2018 08:21

I know i feel such a failiure not being able to take the tablet. I sound so pathetic.

OP posts:

Original poster

user1473452378 · 05/12/2018 08:22

Thank you, youve put a slight smile on my face.
Are yous still on 10mg ?

OP posts:

Yoowho · 05/12/2018 08:28

Yes I’m still in 10mg. I can’t recommend it enough!
You’re not pathetic. I was exactly the same as you. Arguing with myself constantly over taking the damn tablet!! As another poster said, if you don’t like it, stop taking it. Honestly, start on 5... you won’t regret it xx

Original poster

user1473452378 · 05/12/2018 08:35

What were your side effects like on 5mg ? X

OP posts:

bullyingadvice2017 · 05/12/2018 10:17

Iv just got back from my prescription review. Been taking 10 for 18 months now. Felt a bit cloudy for the first week and then it really started to help. Iv made some major life changes that I don't think I'd have managed otherwise and feel like me again.

I could come off it now but I don't want to risk crashing and feeling shit again.

Get one taken, honestly it's worth a try. If your already feeling really shit then it can't make it any worse can it. And it's not immediate so get taking it then you will feel better quicker!

qumquat · 05/12/2018 15:12

I've never had any side effects and I take 40mg. I'm not sure how much good it does to be honest but it's not doing any harm.

ikltownofboothlehem · 17/12/2018 19:27

I've started having nocturnal panic attacks (ones in my sleep). Are they a side effect or someone new & shiny my frazzled brain has made up to torment me?

pisspawpatrol · 17/12/2018 19:32

I'm on 20mg escitalopram, which is a version of citalopram. It's been great for me, I have no side effects apart from unusually vivid dreams. The dreams are not unpleasant though.

The medication really helps me feel well, it's almost like it's created a buffer for me. I don't experience highest highs but neither do I experience lowest lows, it's all just sort of normal. I've been taking it for five years because of the type of anxiety I have.

Neverunderfed · 17/12/2018 19:35

I took it for years (was swapped to sertraline in pregnancy) and had no issues. I started on 10 and went to 20. I had an awfully dry mouth for the first week or two and that was it as far as side effects went.

They were a game changer for me . They gave me patience, pragmatism, calm...all the things I don't have naturally. I'm a much nicer person to be around when I am medicated 😂

Greenandcabbagelooking · 17/12/2018 20:57

I started the day you posted OP.

I have had so many side effects:
No appetite
No sex drive
Dry lips
Insomnia
Yawning and jaw spasm
Dizziness
Depression, so bad I have some time off work.
Headaches

However, I have had fewer panic attacks so I guess it’s doing something useful.

Kumali · 20/12/2018 06:30

Only side effect I had was increased appetite!

DarienGap · 20/12/2018 06:47

I've been on citalopram for a few years, 20mg which I take at night.
It's been a life saver for me. I have horrendous anxiety (health anxiety) and it allows me to function fairly normally.
Only side effect has been weight gain.

My gp told me it's the best drug for anxiety.

roisinagusniamh · 20/12/2018 09:31

I'm just increased my dose from 10 to 20 on GPS advice, having been on 10 mg for 13 days.
I had terrible side effects on 10 mg. lasting for about 7/8 days.
How likely is this to re occur on 20 mg ?

KarBB · 20/12/2018 11:04

Side effects less noticeable for me with dose changes. The initial hit was a shocker, but then I had hit such a low that it's hard to say what was side effect & what was a symptom.

justwantsunshine · 16/01/2019 17:03

Reading this thread has given me a lot of confidence!

I don’t know how many years I’ve been avoiding seeing a doctor, my issue is I am SO up and down. I’m having a good few days at the minute so I’m petrified to take these tablets.

Has anyone been in a similar position - does it help to wait until I’m having my down days to take them?

justwantsunshine · 16/01/2019 17:05

Also would like to thank you for posting this thread. I’ve made an account after reading this and think others in the same boat will help. X

Original poster

user1473452378 · 16/01/2019 18:56

Hi everyone, im glad this thread has helped so many of you. I still have not taken the tablets. I joined the gym and have been excercising, and ive seen the benefits of it. Im still
Having bad anxiety and still think i may eventually need to try the tablets. I have good and bad days at the moment.

OP posts:

KarBB · 16/01/2019 20:18

I'm not sure it matters when you start as can take up to 12 weeks to take full effect & know whether it is helpful. So generally I'd say the sooner you start the sooner you find out whether it's the right option for you. In an ideal world you'd be free of any major commitments or stressors when you start taking it but the reality is that they're normally the reason you need to take it in the first place. I would say that the second tone I started on it I had quite bad insomnia for several weeks (possibly a side effect or possibly a symptom) and would have struggled to cope with full time work - by then I was signed off sick for 3 weeks and was just about seeing the benefit when I went back part time to begin with.

KarBB · 16/01/2019 20:19

@user1473452378 well done for getting exercising - I find this helps me enormously (and is so good for you physically which is great too). The challenge is keeping it up when I start to feel a bit better mentally!

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