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Original poster

Citalopram

15 replies

madcatladyforever · 06/12/2020 15:21

Started citalopram yesterday, I took it with a meal and then slept for 12 hours. I was shocked, I feel very groggy today.
I don't normally take any medication for my complex PTSD but recently the voices I hear have become a bit obtrusive - not during the day but always when I'm either falling asleep or waking up. It's not fun waking up to an imaginary voice shouting at you.
I've been knackered all day.
I hope this isn't going to last, I've got an exhausting week coming up in the NHS, home visits, clinics all over the county.
Anyone on this? I feel like someone has drugged me. I'm a high functioning CPTSD and I'm wondering if this is going to be worth it.

OP posts:
futuremum234 · 06/12/2020 20:19

I always felt 'off my face' if that makes sense on and off for about 2 weeks then it settles down. There will be other side effects like sweating but they settle down after a while too.I was advised to take it with my evening meal.

emma6776 · 06/12/2020 20:20

Hi, I started taking it about 3 weeks ago for anxiety. It hasn’t made me tired at all but does make me nauseous in the morning - nothing too bad though. I started on 10mg & think my GP will move me up to 20mg after 4 weeks. What dose are you on?

Plussizejumpsuit · 06/12/2020 20:22

I've been on citalopram for about 7 years. So it was a while ago when I started taking it. I felt a but digy but not terrible. What dose are you on? Your job sounds full on. Could you take a but of sick leave if you get bad side effects?

AllChange2020 · 06/12/2020 21:09

I took 40mg a day for anxiety a few years ago. It did nothing for me, may as well have been swallowing smarties. Funny how it affects (or doesn't have any affect in my case) everyone differently.
I'd give it a bit longer and if you still feel the same then speak to your GP about trying something else. It's not for everyone.

User258544 · 06/12/2020 21:38

I started on 10mg for a week to minimise side effects, after a week I started to feel tired, it lasted a few weeks then passed. Was meant to increase dose but did not need to.

Original poster
madcatladyforever · 07/12/2020 07:31

I'm on 10mgs, I feel alright this morning actually, I may just have been tired yesterday it was a long week. I'm trying to avoid the crashing lows I get without warning and then the anxiety.
I'd like to feel a bit more stable emotionally. I'm a good actor, everyone always thinks I'm upbeat but I could do without feeling good one day then crashing the next.
We've got 8 people off sick, I dare not take any time off, I'm just going to have to work through it.

OP posts:
Original poster
madcatladyforever · 09/12/2020 07:03

Well its been a few days and everything is fine. I slept foe 12 hours because I was brewing a cold which I now have. But no side effects from the drugs.

OP posts:
mellongoose · 09/12/2020 07:06

I took it for PTSD and then again a couple of years later when we lost our second daughter. Only a few months each time for me. It took the edge off so I could gather my own strength.

Good luck 🤞 Hope it helps x

emma6776 · 09/12/2020 20:14

That’s good matcatladyforever. I think I’m starting to feel less anxious now so I’m sure it’s working for me. I think my GP might want to move me up to 20mg soon as that seems to be the usual dose.

Original poster
madcatladyforever · 10/12/2020 13:07

I took it for PTSD and then again a couple of years later when we lost our second daughter. Only a few months each time for me. It took the edge off so I could gather my own strength.

That's terrible Mellongoose, I hope you are feeling a bit better after that tragedy if you ever can feel better Flowers

One week in and I feel really great. Almost no symptoms and my mood has already improved, I've stopped crying at the slightest thing and am feeling quite upbeat. Even people at work have noticed.

OP posts:
Original poster
madcatladyforever · 12/12/2020 14:02

Actually after a week I'm still dog tired all day and feel like I've had sand rubbed in my eyes.

OP posts:
Toofaroutallmylife · 14/12/2020 12:28

Hi @madcatladyforever I’m two weeks further on from you! I felt nauseous and weepy for the first 2 weeks, and got very tired in the evenings. Last week I felt better and thought I’d turned a corner, but had awful, awful anxiety last night (triggered by a work issue but I think my reaction was worse than it would be usually be, if you see what I mean).

I’m on 20 mg.

So no wise words, I’m afraid, but it’s nice to know I’m not alone!

HousebySea · 16/12/2020 06:38

Mellongoose I'm so sorry.

Backbee · 16/12/2020 06:41

I felt tired, nauseous and quite 'weird' for the first 2 weeks, but feel fantastic now, and no side effects. Hopefully they pass soon for you OP.

nearlynermal · 20/12/2020 08:53

Hope it's going well, madcatlady. I started on 10mg yesterday.

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