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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:
Alicia44 · 22/02/2019 21:02

@badgerread I've been in pjs since 7.30pm haha!

badgerread · 22/02/2019 21:21

😀😀

Pollyhops · 22/02/2019 22:17

It’s reassuring to know I am not the only one going through this.

I know I have to keep going as the other option is not taking them and I can’t go back to that. I need to do this for me, so I can be the best mum and wife I can be.

Hoping everyone manages to have a good night.

Pollyhops · 22/02/2019 22:19

I must be improving as this is the latest I have gone to bed in weeks and I’ve not fallen asleep on the sofa😀

Pollyhops · 23/02/2019 12:52

How is everyone today?

I managed an hours walk in the forest with my dh and kids. I’m shattered now. Although it was tough going, I managed it.

No headache today, shaky and feel slightly hungover.

TheShiteRunner · 23/02/2019 13:13

I have stopped taking it after four days Sad I know I was meant to stick with it for a good fortnight but I was literally bedbound, not sleeping and wanting to throw up all the time. I've never felt so dazed and out of it, and as a single mum of 2, it got to the point where I didn't feel like I was well enough to look after them. So I'll go back to the doctor and ask what I should do. Feel a bit like I've let myself down.

Pollyhops · 23/02/2019 15:57

You’ve not let yourself down as the side effects can be unbearable. Perhaps they will recommend going down to 10mg for a few days.

Take care of yourself.

badgerread · 23/02/2019 17:40

I'm sorry you feel like that 😞
I'm only on 10mg and have felt ok today although I took it at 12pm and have felt a bit jittery again, although I haven't eaten much as it's suppressed my appetite slightly. I've taken it earlier today as I want to start taking it in the morning, so will take it 8am tomorrow then 730am Monday onwards...

KarBB · 24/02/2019 09:31

@TheShiteRunner poor you that sounds horrid. I definitely couldn't have looked after children when I got sick & started taking Citalopram. I could barely brush my hair or feed myself for about a month so I completely understand. Xx

TheShiteRunner · 24/02/2019 09:36

Thanks all about being so kind. I am functioning far better now I've stopped taking them- but I do find my thoughts are starting to dwell on unhappy things again.

Zest11 · 24/02/2019 14:14

Hello

With my experience of citalopram, I started on 20 and I got some insane vivid dreams early on. I think after about a month or so I started to feel better. After a few months I felt loads better and calm (there was the odd blip along the way). My advice is just to ride it out!

Alicia44 · 24/02/2019 14:40

I've been on mine almost 5 weeks. On the whole I am sure I'm getting much better. But I do have what I call the odd blip days. Is this normal at this stage?

badgerread · 24/02/2019 21:35

I took my tablet at 9am this morning and felt rubbish until about 2pm. Tired, not motivated and wired. Do most people take theirs in the morning? I'm worried about taking it in the morning tomorrow as I have work...

SpeedyBojangles · 24/02/2019 21:52

Started taking them again for PND and anxiety in late December (10mg). Headaches, spacey feeling and nausea for 10-14 days and once the side effects wear off the positive effects kick in and I feel loads better. You just have to stick with it and wade through the initial side effects to come out the other side

badgerread · 24/02/2019 21:55

@speedy do you take yours in the morning or evening?

SpeedyBojangles · 24/02/2019 21:58

I take them in the evening before bed. I have never taken them in the morning (because I'd forget) so can't compare but it seems to work for me. The spaced out feeling is unfortunately, a common side effect during the initial two weeks no matter when you take them. But it doesn't last.

Pollyhops · 25/02/2019 07:05

I have work today too! And it’s not the sort of job I can go to and take it easy! I will speak to my boss and explain the situation.

I always take mine first thing in the morning on the doctors advice and so far I have managed to sleep okay, not great but okay.

Saturday evening and Sunday morning I was very dizzy, but luckily that side effect has gone away. Just left with shaking and that hungover dazed feeling.

Good luck at work today @badgerread

Pollyhops · 27/02/2019 17:16

Well the last few days have been hit and miss. Monday at work wasn’t great, I felt shocking but managed to survive the day, came home and went straight to bed with a temperature. Yesterday I felt much better and hoped I had turned then corner, but today I feel shocking again. Internal shakes bad and out of sorts.

Alicia44 · 27/02/2019 17:24

@Pollyhops sorry to hear....how long have you been taking the citalopram and what dose? Sorry, I haven't looked back through original posts x

KarBB · 27/02/2019 17:51

@Pollyhops poor you - I seem to recall reading somewhere that flu can exacerbate anxiety symptoms and I know being physically unwell can really affect my mood. Do you think you might have caught something? Hope you manage to rest up for (at least) a few days.

NeverSayFreelance · 27/02/2019 17:58

Hello! I've been on Citalopram for a few years now (albeit with a few months break where I thought I was better but wasn't Confused). Ive never experienced any side effects except a sore head during the first couple of days taking them. Other than that I don't feel anything at all.

Pollyhops · 27/02/2019 19:39

Im on 20g and I’ve been taking them for a week.

Alicia44 · 28/02/2019 07:20

I think I may need to increase to 20mg. I've been doing so well on 10mg...5.5 weeks in and having a little blip. I hate blips. :-(

badgerread · 01/03/2019 07:28

@Alicia I think I'm in the same boat as you, I'm on day 11 but feel I may have to increase the dose, still feeling anxious at times and having trouble sleeping...

Sorry if TMI but my libido wasn't great before and now it's hit rock bottom! anyone else noticed this??

KarBB · 01/03/2019 11:45

@badgerread Yes re libido - it lasted several months for me but both times gradually returned to normal so not a kind term problem for me thankfully.