Citalopram - really need support

[katie2812]

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?

@Imcatmum

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.

This is true. I always thought this as I always think I have a belly ache. The only thing I feel controls is is taking iron tablets but I'm hoping I'll be ok

@katie2812
I’ve just started citalopram today 10mg as it’s been years and I just can’t seem to sort my anxiety and depression out. I’ve tried CBT and counselling but get horrific PMT and I’m irrational and moody and just horrible to be around! I have health anxiety and worry about allergic reactions but I decided to bite the bullet and took my first 10mg one a few hours ago!

Be brave and give it a go, you can stop if you really can’t stand the side effects but might be lucky and not have any! Sending love x

I feel like that was me writing that @Katesboy8 it was that relatable!! Hope you will feel better soon
First night was ok, I took it yesterday night before bed incase I was tired or drowsy. Woke up fine but I'll let you know how I get on and keep this thread updated.

I did have to bite the bullet as I couldn't handle myself anymore. I think I will increase to 20 after a few weeks like this thread has done because Dr did say 10mg is just to get use to it in my system. I will continue to take my propanol as well because I read they are good together but I don't intend on staying on it just till my citalopram kicks in.

@katie2812

I feel like that was me writing that *@Katesboy8* it was that relatable!! Hope you will feel better soon First night was ok, I took it yesterday night before bed incase I was tired or drowsy. Woke up fine but I'll let you know how I get on and keep this thread updated.

I did have to bite the bullet as I couldn't handle myself anymore. I think I will increase to 20 after a few weeks like this thread has done because Dr did say 10mg is just to get use to it in my system. I will continue to take my propanol as well because I read they are good together but I don't intend on staying on it just till my citalopram kicks in.

How are you doing so far? I’ve had rubbish headaches and it’s worsened my palpitations. I work in cardiology so luckily I can talk to a colleague about the palpitations at work. I hope it’s just an initial reaction that will gradually improve!

I was on 40mg for three years. It suppressed every emotion until it built up and I would have a breakdown. I was detached from everyone and everything and couldn’t cry even if I wanted too. I also couldn’t sleep while taking them. The dr will give you 10mg to start with so see how you go.

Hope it works out for you.

I've been on Citalopram for 20 years on and off, at doses of 10 - 40mg depending on what has been going on in my life.

Never had any issues. Currently on 20mg and hoping to get back to 10mg which is sub therapeutic apparently but just enough to take the edge of the MH aspect of having a completely knackered thyroid!

@Katesboy8 I'm doing ok to be honest. I feel sick in mornings and it makes me hallucinate at night but not like badz just I thought I saw a spider crawling. But I also hallucinate when I take co-codamol too so I'm use go it. I also have had slight headaches

I have been taking propanol with it too which is a beta blocker which stops physical symptoms such as palpatations of anxiety and I think it has helped and I've read other threads where both have been taken together

I'm hoping I gradually improve too keep me posted

@Hidehi4 aww I'm sorry to hear that. Yesterday when I felt overwhelmed I kind of felt numb to it as well but not sure.

@MintyCedric thank you me too I'm hoping it takes the edge off too alongside therapy. I was advised to increase to 20mg after a few weeks but going to see how I get on

I did 3 1/2 weeks on 10mg I think I noticed some differences after 2 ish weeks I think but then the anxiety (I suffer most in the mornings waking up In panic) then upped to 20mg on the 13th of this month and the difference is amazing, they say 20mg is more of a therapeutic dose. I’d be happy to up it again if I needed too.
My side effects were very mild I’d say, nausea, dry mouth/funny taste in my mouth & just feeling a bit groggy but nothing I couldn’t handle.
When I moved up to 20mg I was worried I’d experience more intense side effects but I didn’t, it was just the same as starting the 10mg and definitely didn’t last as long.

So after a week of taking it and being fearful of side effects, I haven't had many. I have had nausea for first few days and it does knock me out so I take it before bed. I did have a little bit of an upset stomach but nothing major. Although I'm starting to feel a bit down so I'm gonna increase to 20 mg after this week and hope I feel better. I'm tempted to do it today as I'm off work all week.

Thanks to everyone for your support and advice. I'll keep you posted for when I increase to 20mg.

Trust me, the queasy nausea does go away. Take care and good luck!

I’ve been on my 20mg for 2 weeks now so far so good! It’s such a relief not waking up with morning anxiety!!!

@MrsP2118 did you start straight on 20mg? I know they say it doesn't work straight away but I haven't cried only once since starting and I was crying for hours before
Thank you @Sonata13

@katie2812 no I did 3 1/2 weeks on 10mg, I noticed some differences after the first 2 weeks or a little less I think but then after a week of respite the anxiety crept back so I went on to 20mg and having been 2 weeks now it’s working great so almost 6 weeks on the meds altogether.
You know for some I bet it does start working sooner than you’d think! I’m just hoping my anxiety doesn’t come back again in about a week as mine seems to follow a pattern!

This thread is really helpful - I'm about to start it for severe PMS (I'm perimenopausal and having ten days a month now of awful mood swings). Plan is to take it for 2 months and then consider taking it for ten days a month. Thanks for sharing all your stories. I was reluctant to take it because I'm not depressed (I had PND so I know the difference!) but GP said it can be really effective for severe PMS so fingers crossed.

I've been on 20mg on and off for 21 years. No side effects

@HereticFanjo wow how weird. So this month is my first month and I always have horrible PMS. This month I have had NONE. I didn't even know I was coming on my period. So I'm sure it will work.

I have been on 20mg for a few years now and had no noticeable side effects. Good luck OP

This thread is great. I started on Propranolol a couple of months ago for awful anxiety and I’m suffering AWFUL PMT, to the point I feel like I might hurt someone with my rage. I’m also really flat and not myself.
I called the doctors this morning to start me on Citalopram (discussed as next step if the Propranolol didn’t work)
Im also worried about taking it but this thread has reassured me.

I am concerned about the possible loss of libido / loss of ability to orgasm. Was anyone unaffected by this?

I've been on 20mg for 18 months or so to help with PTSD symptoms but am trying to wean myself off by only taking one every other day. They definitely helped me but killed what little sex drive I had stone dead and made me feel a little too "numb" and I'd like to see how I do without for a while.

@hereticfanjo @Invisablewoman

When I first started two days in I noticed the same numb feeling and It got me worked up, however when I tried again a few days later i managed to orgasm and someone here or on another thread said the orgasm was more intense and I agree. The time after I struggled but time after that I managed to. But its not so bad because the more I thought into it the more I panicked over it. I decided to relax and take my time and it was better. It's worth it because I was crying most nights anyway now I barely cry at all or get worked up. I'm still a little anxious but I'm working on it. I'm a million times better 2 weeks in. They do say it takes 6 weeks but I felt better in the first like completely different.

@HeReWeGoAgAiN1112 I am on 40mg of prananol and 10mg of citrolapam and it's helped a lot with physical symptoms of anxiety but I started citrolapam after realising my mood did not change at all and I was still getting upset. The propananol stopped me physically feeling anxious e.g. heart racing breathing fast and the citrolapam has helped with my mood. I think both together also limited my reaction to starting citrolapam and limited side effects.

The doctor has prescribed sertraline for me and I’m on day 3. Feel really ropey and sick and my anxiety has shot up (which I was pre warned about) I’m trying to hold off the propranolol but may take some

Im on 20mg escitalopram which is the equivalent of 40mg citalopram. I'd not be alive without it. Im on it for life.

My sex drive has disappeared but that is due to mirena bastard coil.

Escitalopram has fewer side effects but is more expensive than citalopram it works better for OCD and anxiety too. I was on citalopram for many years though and it worked well for me also.

I have decided not to take it yet. Bastard period is arriving and the fug of evil has lifted for another 15 days. If I feel it kicking in I may try the 10 days before next period.

Another fan here. I started on 10mg and have moved up to 20mg. Prescribed for PTSD, anxiety and dreadful PMT.

It took a while to get used to it (nausea and tiredness) but once stable on the 20mg it has literally changed my life.

I resisted for a while (I thought it would make me feel not myself - it didn;t occur to me that I wasn't myself anyway, and once the side effects wore off I've felt more like myself than I have for years - even people that don't really know me have commented how well I look).

f anyone tries to take it off me now I'll fight them to the death