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Original poster

Citalopram : About to start taking it - Experiences please?

89 replies

livingbythesea · 26/07/2007 11:35

Hi. I'm 41 and have today been prescribed 10mg Citalpram. Haven't taken this anti-d before and would very much appreciate anyone's experiences. Have previously found it hard to go on and come off anti-d's due to heightened symptoms. Does it help to build up the dose gradually by halving the pills, or taking every other day?

OP posts:
ClareBos · 03/08/2007 14:04

Well after 3 days on 20mg I can report the side effects of dehydration and waking up with nausea at 3am. Nothing that a snackette couldn't cure, but if it continues I'll have to rethink.

Original poster
livingbythesea · 04/08/2007 11:19

clarebos, i'd really try and stick at it if i were you - the symptoms you're experiencing are very common and will decrease as time goes on. i've found that a week or two should make all the difference, but of course only you know exactly how you feel and how much you can cope with. all i can say is that i'm sure it'll be worth it in the end. good luck.

OP posts:
CharleeWeasley · 04/08/2007 11:23

I have been soooooooooo tired and feeling sick but not actually vomitting but i do feel alot better mentally so i would stick with it for those who are rethinking.

My G.P said side effect usually wear off after the fist few weeks.

frazz · 04/08/2007 23:21

If the nausea is really bad, it could be worth asking the Dr for escitalopram (Cipralex) for a few weeks which is a lot more expensive but I found it didn't give me the nausea. I then went back on to citalopram after a bit, and I was fine. I work in the NHS and decided to go back to the cheaper drug after a bit - we don't want our tax bills to go even higher after all!!

lucyellensmum · 07/08/2007 14:29

Can i join in this thread please?

I have just started citilopram today, prescribed at 20mg for anxiety (big time) and depression.

I've only taken the one tablet and apart from feeling a little bit sick earlier and my leg which wont keep still, but then it does that when im agitated, i seem ok. I feel happy enough, although i don't seem to be able to form a mental image of the future, good or bad. That is worrying me a little bit as i am a big one for visualising and fantasising, although lately all bad. Someone mentioned a lack of appetite (i'll take that one please) but that seems ok just now . So really, im bracing myself for a bit of a come down - i'm prone to night time panic attacks so not looking forward to that. Will stick to taking in the morning, i was going to change to nighttime but i wont. I did have an awful dream the other night (before taking the pills mind)that had me waking up in a blind panic, for some reason i thought that DD had a curtain around her cot that would electrocute her if she touched it and i woke up screaming for DP to turn the light on so i could get her out of her cot. Poor DD, woke her up and she ended up in our bed for the rest of the night.

Ok, im waffling, but it is good to know im not alone

ellasmum1 · 07/08/2007 19:04

Hi all- welcome Lucyellensmum! I am a big daydreamer and haven't had any problems imagining lots of lovely things since starting citalopram.
My head was very spacey and v hard to concentrate for first few days though. I have nearly been taking 20mg daily for 2 weeks now. Still managing to eat healthily, appetite fine but just not wanting to binge on junk in the evenings like I use to.
No headaches/nausea now but do get quite restless when sitting still- end up jiggling my legs or wanting to tap my fingers. Not sure if this is just because I have far more energy and not sure what to do with it!

The excessive yawning has gone now too.
I take mine in the morning and do find I'm waking up more at night and can't seem to lie in much- before taking I wanted to sleep all night and day (and pretty much could)so this is strange for me.

lucyellensmum · 07/08/2007 23:39

i definately know where you are coming from re the leg shaking, my leg just wouldnt keep still today. I did feel a bit agitated but the desolation didnt seem to accompany it. Maybe today was going to be a better day anyway and i guess the meds havent kicked in yet as the side effects havent really started. I did seem to have some excess energy, danced with DD for half an hour without stopping, even worked up a sweat, bless her, i think she thought i'd gone mad. Do seem to be a bit detached though. Time will tell, but i think i have made the right decision, i hope.

ellasmum1 · 08/08/2007 22:26

Lucyellens mum- just realised I had posted on your other thread too! Really hope you start to feel better quickly, its so awful to feel crap, and mums are the most important person in a family! For me the depressive thoughts lifted within a few days. The feeling detached bit went for me after about 4-5 days. Let us know how you are getting on!

vizbizz · 09/08/2007 07:35

Hi I just thought I'd join this thread if that's ok. I have been on 20mg citalopram for about 5 weeks now (never used any before this).

At first I felt really tired and woolly headed, but it settled in about a week or so. For a few weeks I felt a bit nauseous after eating and felt like I overate at every meal despite actually eating less. My appetite is still low, but I don't feel nauseous anymore. I have lost quite a bit of weight. For the first 2 weeks I felt like I constantly had my mouth dusted with flour! All gritty. not nice.

Otherwise no side effects. I am feeling SOOO much better and that didn't take long to start working. My mood is much more positive and the bond with my son is normal and no longer frustrated and angry. My brain if functioning better, I don't feel so confused all the time.

Now if I can just eat normally again, maybe I can put back on a bit of weight and fit in my clothes again! Too much of a good thing can be bad, as they say.

vizbizz · 09/08/2007 07:50

Oh! I forgot to say I have lots of weird dreams since I have been on it. Anyone else like this?

CharleeWeasley · 09/08/2007 08:03

Im on week 4 now and am still suffering the side effects, headaches, nausea, tiredness but i do feel 100% better in myself not depressed or angry at all which makes the side effects worth it!

vizbizz · 09/08/2007 09:55

CW I agree totally

grouchyoscar · 09/08/2007 10:11

Been on it a few months now and it has worked for me. I know it has because there is part of me that wants to come off it (which isn't a good idea) The little tablet tastes foul so have it with lots of watger

grouchyoscar · 09/08/2007 10:13

Or water if you can get hold of it

BTW I had no noticable side affects, just felt better, less screwed up and angry and perscuted than I did before

SixKindsOfCrisis · 09/08/2007 10:27

Vizbizz: I've always found on ADs that if I forget a dose for one or two days I have the most extraordinarily vivid and elaborate dreams. I love these dreams.

SixKindsOfCrisis · 09/08/2007 10:30

Sorry, could I just add something a bit more helpful to OP. I have used this AD. I found the side effects were not a problem, and that the drug was helpful. Coming off is not a problem at all providing you follow the doc's instructions about tapering down gradually.

pirategirl · 09/08/2007 10:33

Wilkie, can i ask why you changed from prozac to citalopram?

vizbizz · 09/08/2007 11:26

sixkindsofcrisis: I wish it was only when I forgot - it's just about every night! I have always had vivid dreams but these are just very strange - and yes, rather elaborate now that I think on it.

lucyellensmum · 09/08/2007 14:32

still feeling better in myself, but really horrible panic attack last night, day two - so was not keen to take my tab today. Nothing untoward so far, just that rushy too much coffee feeling. Still some negative thoughts but i have an appointment for counselling so thats good

SixKindsofCrisis · 10/08/2007 10:29

Lucyellensmum, hope you don't mind me chipping in. Just wanted to say that it will be at least a couple of weeks before you get the benefit of the tabs, so hang on in there. I also wanted to say don't worry too much about side effects. I'm guessing that since you are anxious about health in general you might be quite anxious about side effects. When I took citalopram the only bad thing I noticed was an occasional very slight queasy dizziness. Citalopram has never been implicated in any dodgy side effects. The changes it makes to your state of mind will probably be relatively slight, putting you in a better frame of mind to make use of the counselling.

lucyellensmum · 13/08/2007 16:14

just to update - been on the pills for a week now and the side effects seem to be wearing off. I did have a horrid panic attack day three, but feel a lot stronger in myself at the moment.

lollipops1 · 14/08/2007 17:02

hi all,iv been taking citilopram for 5 days 10mg,my panic attacks got so severe my gp advised me to halve it so iv been on 5mg for another 8 days, i feel not to bad defore i take it, then an hour or so later feel panicky and tired, i also had a very tense almost angry feeling for a while, thankfully that has almost gone,im terrified of upping my dose back to 10mg incase i feel bad again,doc says itl be 3 wks before side effects go, i actually feel worse than i did before taking them,even on 5mg,can anyone help? lollipos.x

moulimoo · 15/08/2007 13:56

Hi there, have been reading your posts and just wanted to join in. I am on day two of 20mg citalopram. Feel a bit wooly in the head, nauseous and thirsty. And been waking up thirsty in the night. Just wondering two things at the moment:

  1. How will i know if they are working, I mean i don't feel really depressed all the time - so how should i feel when they kick in?
  2. I am terrified of becoming too dependent on them, how easy is it to stop taking them when the time is right? (with GP help, would never just stop)

Thanks, btw, they were diagnosed for anxiety and depression, which I have had for a few months, recently tipped over the edge by discovering my DH affair. Going to Relate soon, so want to be in a good place with the citalopram by then.

lucyellensmum · 15/08/2007 14:39

mouli, welcome to the happy place

Seriously though, i have all the same concerns you do. I have been on 20mg for just over a week and i have to say my side effects have been minimal. HAve felt a bit rushy and had a terrible panic attack day 2. Other than that have been fine, the rushy feeling is going though. Bit constipated though, yeah yeah TMI

It is good that you havent let your depression fester, i did, and can't remember what it is like to be "normal". Even my DP has said, bloody hell, you must have been like this for a long time. It tends to creep up i guess.

I have found that things are a little easier to cope with this week, but like you, i dont feel depressed all the time. I'm sorry to hear about DH affair and i hope it sorts itself out for you both and you can move on. FWIW, i really admire you for persevering, that is a brave step and if you need a little help along the way, grab it with both hands.

lucyellensmum · 15/08/2007 14:43

lolli - i am sorry that you have not had a good experience, it might be worth asking your GP if it is worth trying a different drug? There are other SSRIs on the market, i dont know anymore than that though. I think 5mg is a low dose to be having panic attacks but i guess everyone reacts differently. If you still feel like shit, go and nag your doctor, it is his/her job after all.