Citalopram positive stories please

[MrsP2118]

I have been suffering with anxiety and panic for 10 weeks which has led to me feeling really low and not wanting to do anything. I was prescribed citalopram 10mg last month but was too scared to take them but it has gotten so bad again (it comes and goes in waves like every 2 weeks and lasts a good week and a half to two weeks when I’m having an episode)

I bit the bullet on Thursday and took my first tablet so due to take my 4th one tonight, general side effects so far have been mild headaches some slight nausea & a dry mouth. Will the side effects increase the further along I get? If anything today I have felt more calm moments than down and anxious moments - is it possible to be having a positive effect on me this quickly and will it make me feel like my normal outgoing self again soon?

I took it for about 10 months for PND, it really helped me move forward and on with my life, I dread to think where I'd be without it.

Gosh, DH was put on 40mg from the start !
It took a month before he saw the first signs that it was working, then every month up to six months there was an improvement.
It has been a lifesaver for him.
I hope it helps you as much as it has helped him 💐

I took it for about a year for pnd.
Took it at bed time so that side effects were while I was sleeping, same side effects as you, nausea, dry mouth etc.
Side effects only lasted about 3 or 4 weeks.
It worked really well for me.
Honestly helped me hugely when I needed it.
Now wouldn’t hesitate to take it again if needed.

I also had 10mgs op.

It’s been a godsend for me two years ago I had to have the dose upped to 40 and won’t be coming off it anytime soon, no way could I cope without, I have very black time usually when dh is getting me down again (long health story).

I started on 10mg for PTSD symptoms and it didn't really do anything until they upped it to 20mg. It's really helped me feel more "level" and I'm no longer on an emotional roller coaster or have days where my head is full of doom. The flashbacks are better too.

On the downside I think it's destroyed my sex drive but I'm also peri menopausal so cld be a combination of things.

I’m on 20mg. It has honestly saved my life.

I've been on 20mg for a good few years & have no side effects.

I’ve been on 20mg for 7 years now after PND. I think I will now stay on it, probably for good or at least until I retire (20 years time!!)

I feel like ‘me’ on it. I know it’d be great to live drug free but it’s the only thing I take and I’ve made peace with the fact that there’s something about me and my brain that means I feel better when on citalopram.

It might take a while to get through a few side effects - I remember dry mouth, upset stomach - but they should disappear.

Good luck with everything. There’s nothing to be scared of and there’s no shame in taking a prescribed medicine to keep you healthy.

I've been on it since the new year for PND and its honestly changed everything for me. I feel so much better, I have no depression at all anymore, I always feels positive and motivated, and I've stopped getting as anxious about social situations when I would have before. I started on 10mg for 4 days then went to 20mg and hardly had any side effects. I do find if I swap brands each month though that I get quite bad headaches so I spoke to my gp who only prescribes one brand to me. I wish I had taken it earlier, I didn't get prescribed it until my daughter was 18 months, but feel like my old self again now x

I don't know how old you are OP but if you're peri menopause age you may want to think about HRT instead/as well.

My anxiety went off the charts at this time.

I took citalopram for about a year but I put on loads of weight and it killed my libido stone dead.

It did help with the anxiety short term but knowing what I do now I wouldn't go down that road again.

Of course it works really well for some people, I'm not doubting that.

I was on 20mg for a couple of years during some health problems with my dd.
A bit fuzzy headed for a few days then fine. Same when I came off them.
They really steadied me when I felt I couldn't cope any longer.
I did have some quite unusual dreams when on them but they weren't unpleasant.

I’ve been in it twice a few years apart and both times it was fantastic. No the side effects don’t get worse as you go along, they will get better (mine went after a week). And yes you can start to feel better, pretty quickly.

I should add, I wouldn’t hesitate to go back in them in the future if I needed them, I’ve found them a brilliant help for anxiety.

I was on it for about a year, weaned off between November and January just gone. It really helped, and the side effects shouldn’t last more than a couple of weeks while your body gets used to it. If you find after a couple of months that you’re not getting on with it you can ask to try something else.
Well done for overcoming the anxiety enough to start taking them, that’s a really good step forward!

I have been on it since last September/October time and it has done me the world of good. For the first time in 20 years, I feel like me. I was very apprehensive about taking them but I'm so glad I did. I'm on 20mg and I wouldn't say I have any noticeable side effects now.

I'm on 40mg for last 10 years and honestly,it was the only thing that helped me with depression and crippling anxiety.It literally saved my life and completely change me.
I never noticed any side effects but I have hypothyroidism so they were probably muddled together.

Thank you everyone it’s so nice to hear positive stories, I had looked elsewhere and some people suffered badly and their side effects seemed to get worse as the days went on so I was worrying that the more I took it the more side effects I would get.

I will add I am pregnant with my 3rd and after long chats with the midwife and doctor they recommended I go on the citalopram another reason why I was so reluctant. It was very sudden for me and I can’t explain why I’m having it or why it’s happening, I guess hormones are cruel!!!!

I really hope it works for me I just feel normal again no more Crippling anxiety so I can be relaxed when the new baby arrives.

This is reassuring thank you! I have much more calm feelings today that anxious and low!

I’m on 40mg and have been for about three years.

It saved my life.

@MrsP2118

Thank you everyone it’s so nice to hear positive stories, I had looked elsewhere and some people suffered badly and their side effects seemed to get worse as the days went on so I was worrying that the more I took it the more side effects I would get.

I will add I am pregnant with my 3rd and after long chats with the midwife and doctor they recommended I go on the citalopram another reason why I was so reluctant. It was very sudden for me and I can’t explain why I’m having it or why it’s happening, I guess hormones are cruel!!!!

I really hope it works for me I just feel normal again no more Crippling anxiety so I can be relaxed when the new baby arrives.

Congratulations,I'm glad you have mentioned your pregnancy as I was on the same boat,also with 3rd baby. I remember that shortly before falling pregnant with No3 (started Citalopram almost 3 years before),I had awful year (job loss,bereavment) and thought that it doesn't work anymore.Was prescribed Venlafaxin but stopped when found out I'm pregnant .Wasn't planning a baby as was told I have secondary infertility so big surprise.My anxiety was awful,I was so scared about this pregnancy,was thinking about worst possible outcome every trimester,learn that Venlafaxin could cause serious heart defects in fetus (had a scan with fetal cardiologist and all was fine).Every day was agony and I think that's why I developed high blood pressure/had borderline pre-eclampsia,all self-induced .Had terrible OCD after DS was born,did not want anyone around him,kept shouting at everyone at home and visitors to constantly wash their hands,was shaking with fear that our pets will pass something onto him.When he was about 3 months old I had one of the worst panic attacks in my life,it was so so scary. I did go back to Citalopram ASAP and had some counseling,beating myself for not continuing with it before.But it did help enormously. I fell pregnant again almost 3 years later (on coil) but did continue the medication (I think it was slightly reduced) and it was a completely different story.I also took it while breastfeeding (for ages) with no side effects to both children,it just helped us to make the most of the relatively happy time of motherhood.It even gave me enough confidence and strength to finally leave my abusive husband. Good luck OP,it's such a difficult time when we have to make those choices but it honestly saved my life.

My anxiety is at its worst in the morning like I dread and fear the day ahead (for absolutely no reason) it has stopped me enjoying normal life activities that I would usually love and look forward too.
Will it help with that?

@MrsP2118

My anxiety is at its worst in the morning like I dread and fear the day ahead (for absolutely no reason) it has stopped me enjoying normal life activities that I would usually love and look forward too. Will it help with that?

Yes!

Thank you so much!

Started on 10 and moved up to 20. Was fab, would recommend to anyone. Got headaches for a week and vivid dreams for a few weeks. It kicked in after 3 weeks and wore off a bit after a couple of months but the higher dose works.