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Original poster

Citalopram - newby!

66 replies

justwantsunshine · 19/02/2019 10:42

Hi,

I’ve not long been on here but have always read the threads and found them really helpful and comforting.

I’ve been prescribed 20mg Citalopram after I hit my lowest point in December, but have only yesterday been brave enough to take them! Because I was so nervous about taking them - I took half of a tablet yesterday and felt very very spaced out and out of it. Today, half of a tablet and feel nothing really, maybe slightly out of it but overall quite normal.

I’ve read a lot about awful side effects almost immediately. Am I not feeling these because I’m taking 10mg when prescribed 20mg? Has anyone else done this?

I know everyone’s different, just looking for other people’s experiences and a bit of comfort Smile

Thanks all, hope to hear from you soon x

OP posts:
TheShiteRunner · 19/02/2019 13:03

Hello! I was just about to start a thread like this- I started today too! I am feeling a bit weird, but no idea if this is the placebo effect. I took it just three hours ago and feel a bit jittery and edgy (I was absolutely exhausted before.) Don't feel tearful though.
Am also on 20mg.

thesnapandfartisinfallible · 19/02/2019 15:21

Don't arse about with half doses. It only means that when you go back they'll be asking you if they're working and you won't know because you've only been taking half of what you're supposed to. It's like taking 1 paracetamol. Pointless.

Always take after food. Always. Otherwise you feel all spaced out and queasy.

Do not be alarmed by vivid dreams or the odd migraine like aura. It does that.

Most side effects wear off within a fortnight. If you can't tolerate them after that, ask your GP for something else. SSRIs are very trial and error. If one doesn't suit you, chances are another one will.

KarBB · 19/02/2019 16:20

Hello! The first time I took Citalopram I had mild side effects (spaced out & some digestive issues) but felt very fast relief - within a few days. Started on 10 & then went up to 20 & then 30 over several months. Not side effects that I remember from change of dose.
Second time round it was harder & took at least a month before I started to notice improvement & side effects were less pleasant (insomnia, worse anxiety ...). However the incessant panic attacks stopped fairly quickly as did the near constant crying... but the severe feeling of anxiety & despair stuck around for longer. There are lots & lots of threads on this subject which are worth looking up. Hope it works for you both & sending positive vibes for a quick recovery!

TheShiteRunner · 20/02/2019 08:13

Hey sunshine How are you feeling? I had a restless night, waking up thinking I heard knocking at the door (I hadn't). I'm told citalopram gives you vivid dreams and insomnia, but since yesterday was day one, I'm thinking it was the placebo effect.
Hope you're getting on well xx

EmpressAdultHumanFemale · 20/02/2019 08:30

I started on 20mg but rapidly went up to 40 & stayed on that for a year or so. As the pp said, you really need to take the whole dose so you know if it’s working. It took a couple of weeks for it to kick in for me, but then as well as saving my life it got me through a divorce, getting a new job & two house moves.

I always took it just before bed & the only side-effects I noticed were heavy periods (bit disappointed not to get the vivid dreams!).

If it doesn’t feel right for you once you’ve tried it properly, do tell your GP so you can try something else.

TheShiteRunner · 20/02/2019 14:34

I've had a few spells of nausea today. Feeling like I was just about to throw up.

Pollyhops · 20/02/2019 17:32

I’ve started today as well.

It said take in the morning with breakfast, but I didn’t get prescribed them till 11 so I took it then.

Felt really panicky this afternoon together with shaking, headache and feeling slightly nauseous.

I hope the side effects don’t last long. I’ve been on them a few times before and when they work, they work well, but it’s been so long since I’ve been on them that I can’t remember.

PepsiLola · 20/02/2019 17:41

I had to come off this at Christmas time cause my hair fell out so badly. Since coming off the hair loss has stopped and I have patches of regrowth.

Just a warning if you start noticing it, don't ignore it and think it's something else

gherkinpickle · 20/02/2019 17:46

The side effects will wear off after a couple of weeks.
Bear in mind it takes 4-6 weeks to feel the full benefit.

I hope it works well for you. Best thing is to give it a proper go for a while.

TheShiteRunner · 21/02/2019 09:21

Aaaargh another sleepless night. I have never had trouble sleeping before and I do love my sleep, usually getting nine hours a night. I know I need to stick at this but it is hard...

KarBB · 21/02/2019 10:46

@TheShiteRunner I had the same thing - it was horrid and you have my sympathy. I got prescribed some sleeping pills (just 3 days dose) but they didn't work & then GP tried another type but things started to improve before I took them. My only advice is not to fight it and just to accept that you won't sleep well for a while... get some podcasts lined up to listen to, (cheerful) books to read etc..

TheShiteRunner · 21/02/2019 10:56

Thanks KarBB - I don't know if it's the sleeplessness or the drug that's making me feel a bit dazed and weird this morning. Probably a combination!

Original poster
justwantsunshine · 21/02/2019 12:01

Oh I’m sorry you’re having it hard TheShiteRunner! Keep at it though, we can get through it!

I’m now Day 4 but bear in mind that I’ve had 3 days of 10mg and it’s not really doing a lot to be honest, just feel a bit numb.
I’ve taken my first full 20mg and I feel very floaty, out of it, yet very focused?!

Also thanks everyone from your comments, upped it after reading them all.

OP posts:
Original poster
justwantsunshine · 21/02/2019 12:02

@TheShiteRunner

OP posts:
RolaColaAllTheWay · 21/02/2019 12:13

I tried them for a week, I felt awful. Very very numb, out of it, hard to focus etc. On GP's advice I stopped and swapped to Sertraline. The initial first few weeks were hard, but gradually I started to feel better. I went up to 100mg, but for last couple of years been on 50mg, I now am a bit sloppy with taking them, I sometimes forget :-(, but no side effects though. I'm currently on 25mg/50mg alternating days.
Stick with it, it will take some time to adjust, but eventually they will work, and if they don't try switching.

badgerread · 21/02/2019 12:23

I'm on Day 3 and was just about to post something!

I have taken various types over the years and remember feeling like this but can't remember how long it lasts! I am on 10mg. I had been taking HRT since 1st December but it was causing me terrible anxiety and low mood plus I am still getting regular periods so not in the menopuase yet...

I have the slightly wired feeling, not sleeping that well and slight teeth clenching. When does it end??

Pollyhops · 21/02/2019 15:51

I’m on day two. Feel like I’m hungover. Slept from 6pm to 8pm and then 10 pm to 4 am. Feel sleepy and a little disoriented. Didn’t want to take the pill this morning as I knew it’ll make me feel worse. I cried but I took it.

Original poster
justwantsunshine · 22/02/2019 03:47

@TheShiteRunner I feel your pain. It’s almost 4am and I’ve been awake for hours with the worst headache I think I’ve ever had. Struggling a lot. Hope you’re ok. X

OP posts:
TheShiteRunner · 22/02/2019 09:06

Oh no justwantsunshine I hope you got some sleep in the end and that your head feels better. I had a slightly better night last night- slept 11-3 ish and then was drifting. Nausea is worse today though, and the weird jaw thing...

Original poster
justwantsunshine · 22/02/2019 15:20

@badgerread & @pollyhops how are you both feeling today? Any better?

@TheShiteRunner I came to work as I thought it’d make me better, struggled and regretted it but an hour or two after taking the tablet it went off massively?! Feeling any less nauseated? X

OP posts:
badgerread · 22/02/2019 15:47

Hello! I felt odd this morning but have improved throughout the day. I've only had to work yesterday and today as I had a few days for half term which I'm glad about. I'm hoping things will be ok by Monday.

I'm taking them at around 6pm so I don't get the side effects during the day but I'm not sure whether this is best or not? I may change to morning in a couple of weeks as my sleep is quite disturbed...

Alicia44 · 22/02/2019 16:24

I took mine at night at first but the doctor told me I should take in the morning. My sleep was terrible at first (when taking at night). It's much better now

Pollyhops · 22/02/2019 17:55

Feeling a little better today, side effects slightly less.

Still feeling slightly disoriented and feel like my whole body is vibrating. My hands, arms and legs feel weak. Headache has gone (thankfully)

I’m hoping I am well enough for work on Monday.

I take my pill in the morning and so far I’ve slept okay.

Alicia44 · 22/02/2019 20:06

Stick at it @Pollyhops !!! The benefits far outweigh the bad...and they do ease off! I have been told there's still room for improvement for me...I can't wait!

badgerread · 22/02/2019 20:09

I'm in bed and it's 8pm!