Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Original poster

Citralopam

73 replies

Dementedswan · 25/03/2021 19:13

What to expect?

I was on sertraline but it didn't agree with me, no change in mental health but a whole host of side effects. The doc has suggested I try these. Due to take my first one on Saturday.

I've been prescribed ad's for clinical depression, anxiety and OCD thinking. Starting dose of 10mg to see if I can tolerate it, reviewed in three weeks to up dose depending on side effects.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dementedswan · 26/03/2021 20:44

Why would your GP want you to stop taking it if its helping you?

OP posts:
BakewellGin1 · 26/03/2021 20:51

I take 20mg citroplam at moment... I take it at tea time as it makes me tired by about 9ish... I'm only on week 3 though.

It's definately helped my low mood and anxiety and I have a sense of calm. Previously I'm always up a height.

To be honest I think I may drop to 10mg at review if my tiredness doesn't ease off.

Original poster
Dementedswan · 27/03/2021 08:48

First tablet down the hatch... I started reading the huge list of side effects until Dh took them off me. Probably just as well Shock

OP posts:
DoTheNextRightThing · 27/03/2021 08:51

I've never had any side effects on Citalopram. Massive headache the first few days you take it but then it's fine. I'm on 40mg at the moment, barely notice I'm taking it. Although I'm sure I'd notice if I stopped lol.

DoTheNextRightThing · 27/03/2021 08:52

Well I had a headache anyway - everyone is different of course!

Imagineit · 27/03/2021 09:07

Good luck @Dementedswan for today. I'm a bit anxious this morning. Trying to breathe steady. I've eaten though which is good as my last week on sertraline I didn't eat hardly at all. Praying this is the medication that turns things around for me. I find citalopram makes me feel tired but I had a really restless night again, hoping this calms soon

Imagineit · 27/03/2021 09:08

Can anyone say when they started to feel better? Praying I'll feel a lift after a couple of weeks, I've been feeling so rubbish for so long

Original poster
Dementedswan · 27/03/2021 09:16

@Imagineit I'm sorry to hear that, take it easy today Flowers

OP posts:
ImaHogg · 27/03/2021 14:07

I have had a box of Citalopram sitting on my kitchen table since December but am too scared to take it. I pick up the box every day, open it, look at the pills then have a panic and put them back down again 🙄
I have awful anxiety, health anxiety in particular and am petrified they will exacerbate my already awful IBS symptoms, make me vomit or give me awful headaches (my niece died from a brain tumour so headaches always set off my health anxiety).
I so very badly want to ease my daily anxiety, low mood and IBS with the help of Citalopram but not sure how I’ll ever get over the fear of them. I’ve got 10mg and wondered if I cut them in half for the first week or so I could very gently ease my way into it? Cant ask my gp because the next available telephone appointment is in 3 weeks!

GrowThroughWhatYouGoThrough · 27/03/2021 14:18

I've been taking it for about 5/6 years I take before bed as it makes me sleepy and foggy if I take in the morning. Good luck with it it's massively improved my mental health

Imagineit · 27/03/2021 17:23

Hey everyone. Today has been hard, I've been extra emotional and anxious. Had my third tablet today. I was kind of expecting this and using the Dare app this afternoon to try to ride out the anxiety rather than fight it has really helped. I feel exhausted! I took my tablet a little earlier today as I thought it might be distrusting my sleep but I'm ready for bed already!

Original poster
Dementedswan · 27/03/2021 17:41

Sorry to hear you've had a bad day. What time did you take your tablet?

OP posts:
Imagineit · 27/03/2021 18:06

I took it at midday, whereas before I was taking it around 4pm

Original poster
Dementedswan · 27/03/2021 18:13

Why don't you tuck your yourself up in bed and have a rest. I have Blush I'm just chilling with my pad and phone. If you fall asleep then at least you are getting some rest. Sounds like you've had a tough day Flowers

OP posts:
Imagineit · 27/03/2021 20:38

Good idea @Dementedswan today has been pretty awful I can't wait to sleep. I've just PM'd you by the way

Feelingsad222 · 28/03/2021 09:29

Hi there, I’ve also started Citalopram. GP prescribed it two weeks ago but yesterday was my first 10mg dose. I’ve been too scared to take it. Took it at breakfast time, felt a bit weird and then really tired. Had a lie down and a dose and then got up and felt great. Managed to sleep well last night but then I always do. About to take a second but feel terribly anxious again.

I did try sertraline a couple of years ago and had an awful reaction to it, felt really sick, had jaw ache and anxiety was through the roof.
So far so good, but I can’t help questioning all the time whether I need it. My mood varies through the month, I get very low around my period. I do get anxious about certain things and I also get paranoid, I keep thinking my friends don’t like me.

I guess I do need it. X

Imagineit · 28/03/2021 11:32

Hey everyone. I had a rough night feeling anxious. This morning I woke with anxiety again and my friend suggested 10mg propanolol which has really taken the edge off. The doctor gave it to me ages ago for anxiety but I never properly tried it.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 28/03/2021 11:39

I am Mrs Side effects, nothing agrees with me but I have to take medication as I have complex PTSD and I have hallucinations if I don't take it.
I tried everything but as soon as I took citalopram I knew it was the one for me. I almost instantly felt better and am now quite happy on 20mgs.
The only side effect I get is a lot of flatulence but I can live with that. My cat isn't that impressed haha.
I also take it first thing in the morning. If you take it at night you won't sleep.

Feelingsad222 · 29/03/2021 09:11

I’m feeling anxious and worn out today. Not sure how I’ll function at work if I take it again today. So so tired but sleeping fine. I keep talking myself out of taking it.

Original poster
Dementedswan · 29/03/2021 09:22

Day 3 for me. Yesterday was a bad day. Kept having panic attacks. But Saturday was eventful, being evacuated from our homes didn't help!

Hope everyone is OK.

OP posts:
Imagineit · 29/03/2021 11:04

Hi everyone, a little better again today. Day 5 at 20mg. I woke with no anxiety today which is a first in ages.

Sorry to everyone struggling. My day 3 was vile but it's got progressively better since.

Feelingsad222 · 29/03/2021 11:04

Day 3 for me too. I’ve just taken the third dose. I have an event at work on Wednesday, if I feel worse still I’ll have to not take it tomorrow and start again on Thursday.

Imagineit · 30/03/2021 17:27

How’s everyone getting on? I’ve been feeling better and better the last few days. Day 6 for me.

Original poster
Dementedswan · 30/03/2021 17:36

Day 4, I feel so tired and weak. No other side effects so far. I managed half an hour outside talking to neighbour over the fence. Back in bed now wiped out .

OP posts:
Feelingsad222 · 30/03/2021 19:25

I’ve missed it today (should be day 4) I have a day at work tomorrow and an hours drive and it completely wipes me out for a few hours. Tomorrow I’m going to try taking it at tea time, to see if that helps with the tiredness.

I started taking it for low mood and a bit of anxiety but wow, my anxiety is now through the roof.