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Original poster

Citalopram - really need support

63 replies

katie2812 · 18/07/2021 08:06

Hi all,

I need help. I've been suffering with my mental health recently and panicking ocd etc.

I'm really down to the point where my.messy room which I had no motivation to clean really upset my OCD. I read citalopram is good for OCD anxiety and depression. I've tried everything. I've been in therapy for two months, joined gym, tried to do headspace but nothing is working. I'm so tearful all the time. I'm not sure why either.

The doctor started me on propanol as I kept having huge panic attacks but she strongly advised anti depressants but I did not want them.

Two weeks after this, I'm feeling like I need themz even my family are getting worried but I'm soooo frightened of the side effects. I'm scared of having diarrhoea at work, I'm scared of being tired or having a low sex drive and upsetting my partner, even though he's the most supportive person and I'm petrified of it making me worse.

Can anyone give advice please, even positive experiences of citalopram?

OP posts:
imaginethemdragons · 18/07/2021 08:15

I took it for about 12 months.
I took it at bedtime so the majority of the initial side effects were while I slept. (Never ever had diarrhoea though )
Side effects were for about 10 days, mild though.

Bit dizzy…but was in bed dropping off, appetite off (I’m huge though so no problem there).
Took about 3 weeks to kick in and I never looked back.
It felt so good to feel like myself again, functioning as a normal every day stable human being.
Weaned off at around 12 months as I felt like the citalopram had just got me out of a black hole and I felt well and strong enough to go it on my own.

Never needed them again but wouldn’t hesitate going back on them now I know what to look out for in my head.

OP you have to do whatever gets you through and a couple of weeks of feeling “off” is worth the long term benefits.
Good luck.

Teaandcrumpets95 · 18/07/2021 08:38

My husband takes it and has taken it long term. Doctor put him on a low dose at first which didn't help at all but then they put him on a higher does which benefits him a lot better.

In terms of side effects- the first few weeks (on the right dose) he was quite tired and a bit foggy. But that went away. He never has diarrhoea or anything and it's definitely not affected his sex drive. Occasionally he may struggle to 'finish' but I don't know if that's related or not.

I do want to say op there is no shame in taking medication for mental health. My Dh fought against it for a long time, would take medication for a few months then have years off it as he 'didn't need it'. Things would always get worse again and it was devastating to watch. Once he realised he needed the support from the meds and he stays on them we are both much much happier. And honestly very few people know he even takes them. Tbh more people than you realise will take something to help.

Also it may be temporary for you and if so great- just be sure to communicate with your doctor and if you have a close friend or family member to talk about it with that'll massively help- I say that as my husband struggled to tell when things were a bit 'off' internally and needed outside voices.
If they try you on it and the side effects affect you a lot or it doesn't work out for you they can try something else or try a different dosage- try not to worry (easier said than done I know) once they get you on the right path it'll get easier xxx

Bagelsandbrie · 18/07/2021 08:43

My husband takes 30mg long term and it’s literally changed his life. He says he will never stop taking them. Before taking them he was having multiple panic attacks daily and crying all the time and was unable to work for over a year. He has now been in the same job for over 5 years and is very happy / stable. He says it’s purely down to the medication. He had some initial tiredness when he started when but otherwise no side effects at all.

Bagelsandbrie · 18/07/2021 08:44

Should add I’ve also taken it myself at 60mg for post natal depression for a year and it really helped me.

Didiusfalco · 18/07/2021 08:47

My husband takes it and it is an absolute life changer for him. He says he feels like it gave him his life back.

DinosaurDiana · 18/07/2021 08:50

DH is on 30mg and he is on it for life.
When he started on it he said it made him tired, but I think it made him relax and he was finally able to sleep properly. The tiredness he mentioned did not last long.
It did affect his erection though, but he wasn’t prepared to take the viagra offered to solve the problem.
There were no other side effects.
It took a month before we saw the tablets working - so start them ASAP - and he got better every month, and I’d say they were fully working by 6 months.
My DH investigated antidepressants and it was Citalopram that he chose.
Good luck, there’s a better life waiting for you 💐

Barton10 · 18/07/2021 08:53

I am on 40mg and have taken them for years. They have been amazing for me. No side effects at all and have changed my life for the better.

Imcatmum · 18/07/2021 08:55

Start the meds OP. You don't have to feel like this and clearly need some help with feeling better. It's just a medication like any other. Some people get side effects. Some people none. Some people get side effects that are wayyyyyy better than the illness being treated so happy to put up with them. You need to try it.

The problem is that you are now so unwell your illness is telling you not to take them and you're seeing the medication as the enemy. I did the same thing. Scared of side effects. Scared that it was a sign that I'd failed myself to control my anxiety. Scared that I'd never come off them.

I felt so so well withing 6 weeks. It was a gift.

Gooseysgirl · 18/07/2021 09:00

I've been taking citalopram for five years for PMS - it's great! I take 20mg and that works for me. At one point I increased to 30mg for a few months due to some emotional stress I was experiencing at the time and it made a huge difference. Definitely worth a try! I've also taken previously taken Prozac for depression which is fantastic too. Prozac took me about three weeks to get used to, lost appetite and felt a bit jittery but eventually settled.

Shelddd · 18/07/2021 09:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
katie2812 · 18/07/2021 10:13

Hi all, thank you for all you advice. I think I will start them but unsure of whether to ask for 10mg or 20mg. I am just so frightened. I want to lie to work and say that someone had got covid so have to isolate for ten days. I can't take anymore time off as I took two weeks off back in may because I was so down and felt better after it but even worse now. If I take time.off I will get kicked off my course but isolating doesn't count.

I agree with you all that I need them but I'm just so scared. I think I will call doctor tomorrow and go on them. I'll keep you all updated

OP posts:
DinosaurDiana · 18/07/2021 12:02

My DH didn’t want to admit to needing them, didn’t want to admit to having MH problems. The GP told him that approximately 1:3 people in our village are on them.
Believe me that they saved his life.
He started on 40mg as he needed it, couldn’t work, swallow or function.

LaMadrilena · 18/07/2021 12:56

I was initially out on 20mg and had some unpleasant side effects. The next Dr I saw was surprised at the dose as it needs to be introduced gradually. Reduced to 10, then went gradually back up to 20mg, and that was much better.

As regards sex, I found it impossible to orgasm at first, although the desire was unchanged. But with patience and practice, it came back. And the orgasms were the best I've ever had. Seriously.

There were other mild side effects such as a very slight ringing in the ears (barely bothered me). I never had diarrhoea.

As other posters have said, you get to the point where you need something. Don't worry about trying, that's what the pills are there for. If they don't work, you can try something else, and it doesn't have to be forever.

MoonlightMedicine · 18/07/2021 13:00

I've been on them for five years. No diarrhoea or tummy problems at all, just a bit groggy got the first few days. If you feel you need them, take them Thanks

Original poster
katie2812 · 18/07/2021 15:21

My partner is so supportive and we have a good sex life but recently I've been so down and crying most nights it's reduced but we always said sex was important and reading online that people have had a reduced sex drive on AD makes me nervous because I'm already on edge about letting him down even though he's great. I'm glad to hear people's experiences on here have been good. Like you say don't know till you try.

The diarrhoea I read on older threads and I have such bad toilet anxiety but im hoping it will be ok.

I know I need them but just so scared. But gonna call doctor tomorrow Xx

OP posts:
DinosaurDiana · 18/07/2021 17:12

Feeling better will help your sex life.
Don’t be scared 💐

TheWashingMachine · 18/07/2021 17:16

I've been on it for eight years, I have had very few ill effects apart from when I once forgot to renew my prescription and could not get to the pharmacy.

Thewholeshackshimmy · 18/07/2021 21:46

I’m the same as you op. I’ve had a box of 10mg Citalopram sitting in my drawer since Dec last year. I’ve been too scared to take them as I have IBS and so fearful of them making it worse ans giving me awful diarrhoea. I too have toilet anxiety.
I’m the same as you too, keep thinking I need to take the time off work to get over any side effects and was also contemplating saying I’ve been pinged which makes me feel like I’m being so dishonest but I’m in a bad place right now and working and having potential side effects would be just awful.

FenceSplinters · 18/07/2021 21:53

I was on Citalopram for many years. It was ok. I’m not on Mirtazapine, which is working well for me.

Imcatmum · 18/07/2021 22:22

The only IBS and diarrhoea I suffered from was when I was unmedicated and anxious. Awful diarrhoea. No rhyme or reason. But it was GAD. If sometimes wondered if some people IBS is actually anxiety.

Sonata13 · 18/07/2021 22:38

They have definitely helped me to reduce the importance of worries and irritations instead of catastrophizing all the time!
My humour has come back and I see the funny side of things much more often and easily. My worse side effect was waking up early for the first few weeks but now that has settled down. No stomach problems at all. My anxiety levels had fallen considerably. I am more chatty and sociable. Please get them a try and it all settle s down after the first 3 weeks.

TheUnquestionedAnswer · 18/07/2021 22:43

I've just gone back on them - was on for about 3 years, and now need them again. I feel fine, no side effects at all as yet. I'm taking them in the morning.

MistySkiesAfterRain · 18/07/2021 23:52

I started on 10mg for a week, the idea was to ease myself into it and avoid a spike in side effects. I took it at night which avoided most of the stomach issues. I was going to increase to 20mg but I stayed at 10mg as I felt I could manage.

Tired for 4-6 weeks , this does pass. Jaw clenching, slightly more headaches, but nothing worse for me.

LoveFall · 19/07/2021 00:17

I was on 10 for about a year but last spring I was really struggling with the pandemic and a cancer scare. My doctor upped it to 20 and it helped. I was having a lot of trouble motivating myself to do anything. Now I have been teaching myself watercolour painting and really enjoying it.

I don't notice any side effects.

Original poster
katie2812 · 19/07/2021 06:20

@Thewholeshackshimmy

I’m the same as you op. I’ve had a box of 10mg Citalopram sitting in my drawer since Dec last year. I’ve been too scared to take them as I have IBS and so fearful of them making it worse ans giving me awful diarrhoea. I too have toilet anxiety. I’m the same as you too, keep thinking I need to take the time off work to get over any side effects and was also contemplating saying I’ve been pinged which makes me feel like I’m being so dishonest but I’m in a bad place right now and working and having potential side effects would be just awful.
I completely sympathise. But the advice on this thread has made me feel better and I'm gonna push myself. Toilet anxiety is the worst isn't is?! I work in the NHS and just watched the news who said NHS staff are exempt from isolating so my plan won't work now.

Maybe we should take our first one together tonight and see how we both get on? I'm tired of living like this and making my loved ones worried

OP posts: