PND - questions on Citalopram

[Leela31]

I have been diagnosed with PND and have just taken my first Citalopram. I have been warned regarding the side affects for the first few days but do they start within hours of taking the tablet because I suddenly feel pretty 'drugged'. Also, in reality, how long do these side affects last and how soon can I expect to feel better.

How do I cope with a young baby during the 'spaced out' phase?

What dose are you on?

Some people complain of feeling tired so are advised to take it before bedtime.
I however was told to take it in the morning

You should after about 4 weeks notice a difference. Some side affects may not pass, in which case go back to see your gp.

I started on 20mg and after the first 4 weeks, started to feel really good but then was vomiting and feeling really sick.
I also started to get travel sickness which I have never had in my life.

Anyway I went back to my gp who took it down to 10mg and its fine now.

20mg. I am really concerned about these side affects. How do you get through those first few days?

Why dont you try and contact your gp again and ask about taking them at night instead?

Its hard for me as I didnt feel spaced out when I took them.
The only side affect I did have from the start was yawning. The rest was later.

Hi Leela,

When I first took citalopram (20mg) i felt very spacey as well. The feelings frightened me so much that I didn't take another tablet for a week. I found it much easier to take before going to bed...it did make me feel very nauseous at first but because i was asleep the spaced out feeling wasn't there.

Do persevere though, you will start to feel so much better. I honestly started to feel better within days although some people take a bit longer than this.

I am in the process of coming off citalopram now but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it - it's a fantastic ad.

hello i am on citalopram 20mg, have been for 4 months as i have pnd and panic attacks. i first took them in the morning and i felt so so spaced out tired and occasionally sick. i tried to pursue on them for a while but it got quite bad. my gp told me to take them before going to bed and now i dont feel very tired at all in the day not anymore than i would normally its a lot better. it took me a good three weeks before i felt good the tablets do take a while to get into your system but its worth the wait as i never want to feel like i did ever again. its scary! x

Things are definitely going downhill. All I want to do is sleep and I can barely look after my children. The days are stretching in front of me.not sure how to cope till ads kick in.