Due to start citroplam today - positive stories needed x

[Painintheass22]

Hi everyone

Due to start citroplam today and I’m nervous. Been prescribed different AD’s over the years, take for a couple of weeks then stop. Due to googling and scaring myself. But I literally can’t go on the way I’m going on. I need help.

please tell me ur positive citroplam stories please.

big hugs to you all x

Anyone?

I can't offer any experience as I've never got on with anti depressants either, but I can wish you luck. You've taken the first step which is to ask for help.

Took it for anxiety years ago 20mg I think. Then went onto 10mg once I started to feel better. Used relaxation techniques also. I found it great without any side effects. I would definitely use it again if I ever needed to

I've been on it for years and it's done wonders for me! I was prescribed it for anxiety and it pretty much keeps it under control (other than in particularly stressful situations). I think I might have had a touch of the old loose stool for the first day or two, but other than that, no adverse effects such as loss of libido or anything.

The only thing I will say is - make sure you don't go cold turkey! I once messed up, forgot to pick up my script and ended up with no supply for a couple of days and I kept going really light-headed and as if I was about to fall asleep. It stopped as soon as I restarted with the citalopram, though.

Why do you stop with your ADs after a couple of weeks? Is it because you feel they don't agree with you?

Citalopram was literally a lifesaver for me when I took it. You have to ride the first couple/few weeks of weird symptoms (although I must admit, I never really had these badly) - these are usually increases in anxiety (seems counter productive I know), stomach complaints and restlessness, sometimes fatigue, but providing you are starting at a small dose and building up, you should be OK.

They are prescribed day in, day out to probable millions of people, and whilst some people don't get on with SSRI's (the type of antidepressant Citalopram is) the vast majority do and end up really reaping the benefits.

Wishing you the best

@FetchezLaVache no because I constantly google about them and scare myself as I focus too much on the bad stories then stop thinking ‘I can do this myself, I don’t need them’

I do. I need something. If they don’t work I will try another. So glad they worked for u. Was it anxiety u just have? I think it’s anxiety I have and serious ocd. Serious rocd.

I had to stop these after 17 days, I developed horrendous tinnitus as a result. It took 4 years for the tinnitus to stop. Head also felt like fireworks. Please be careful they can come with serious side effects.

I’ve been taking Citalopram for 13 years and it’s changed my life. I had terrible anxiety and some days agoraphobia, and felt like I was dying. My gp was lovely and prescribed Citalopram and I’ve had no issues at all.

@PollyDarton1 thank u for ur reply. What time of the day did u find it best to take it? Did u start of with 10mg? Was it anxiety u took it for? I have anxiety and intrusive thoughts sometimes. Drained is an understatement

@Strawberriesaregreat so nice hearing how many people found it beneficial. Glad it helped u. I’m excited/so nervous about starting it. I hope it helps. I need to think positive

@HoneyFlowers oh dear I’m so sorry to hear that. From the general take on AD’s, some agree with people and some don’t. Suppose it’s trail and error. Did u switch to a different one?

@Painintheass22 in that case, why don't you keep this thread going so that we can hold your hand? Give them a try - they might not suit you, but as you can see there are plenty of us it has really, really helped.

I don't want to frighten you as I know you're after positive stories, but after the tinnitus hell which made me suicidal, I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

I chose not to take anything afterwards.
I wish you luck x

I’ve needed it twice in my life and both times I t really helped me. It’s a little bit difficult on the first week or two but you have to persevere. Coupling it with therapy is best.

Don’t listen to the scaremongering and remember, some posters here clearly get a kick out of terrifying vulnerable OPs. This is a modern antidepressant which comes with much lower risks, and if it doesn’t work for you there are alternative drugs.

Also, don’t google this kind of stuff if you have health anxiety. It’s not the best way to get information about your own health and it will worsen things. Talk to your GP/therapist instead.

@FetchezLaVache Thank you. I will do just that. I’ve literally just taken my first tablet. Anything is better than feeling the way I do. My partner and children suffer the most and now I’ve realised it’s OCD I ‘think’ I have too it all kinda makes sense. My ROCD is shocking. I’ve done another thread on it if anyone is interested. My poor partner. Constant accusations of cheating and all sorted. My poor children seeing an unstable mother trying her best.

I took it for two years, came off and then needed it again last year and have been on it ever since. I’m diagnosed with GAD and it really has helped tremendously, I’m able to rationalize things far more and am far less anxious.

I take 10mg just before I go to bed as it makes me feel sleepy, which is great if you’re going to bed! I felt nauseous for the first 10 days or so, but it goes away, so just keep taking it.

My main advice is NOT to stop after a couple of weeks as AD’s need to build up in your system. I started to feel much better after three weeks and it’s worked well ever since. Good luck. 💐

@Painintheass22 I've just posted on another thread about this - I've taken 5 doses now and I felt very slightly nauseous for the first 3 days and am still a bit spacey. The thing I'm finding hard is that I'm up and down but it's been better changing to a morning dose as I think it then kicks in during the early afternoon which is when I tend to spiral down. Its affecting my sleep (I wake early) but I hope this will settle.

I was nervous but it's not as bad physically as I feared - it's worse mentally but it's hard to say if that's the pill or just how I am.

@stillherenow Yes, you need to find the right time to take it for you, we’re all different. Keep going with it though, as I said, it took three weeks for me to feel better, but it was worth it longterm. 💐

I took it for stress and depression and was very happy with it, no real side effects.
I know other people including my sister and a friend who have also been happy with it. The friend described feeling dread on waking before starting it but imperceptively found that after a few weeks their mindset had changed. Good luck and persevere.

Thanks everyone for sharing ur stories. Took my first one at half 2 and by half 4 I could barely keep my eyes open. Could it take effect this quick? Either that or it’s my body relaxing finally after being so hyped up about taking it.

I am glad I did. The positive stories outweigh the odd bad one. I will absolutely persevere this time. I owe it to my lovely partner and kids

Does anyone know if I can take folic acid while on this??

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Yes, you should be able to. But that suggests to me you might be TTC? From what I've read just now, it should be fine.
I've gone back on after stopping for a few years as I'm going through a very stressful time just now. I find it helpful (a 20 mg dose is what works for me).
I don't think the sleepiness is related, other than your brain knowing that maybe you can relax a bit IYSWIM.
I felt a bit squashed down emotionally for the first two weeks, and then started to feel more and more back to my normal, just without the anxiety, so I'd suggest you give it at least 2 - 4 weeks and then re-assess.

@vipersnest1 hey, no not trying to TTC. Definitely not. Lol. My folic acid was just low and doctor put me on tablets. Tiredness came today also after 2nd tablet. Definitely not working yet as I’m still overthinking everything until I put myself into the worse form
ever. Not a pleasant person to be around. I know they will take days/weeks to kick in. Glad they worked well for you. So much good feedback from them.

Hi OP, no unpleasant effects so far then? I don't count sleeping as unpleasant btw - I bloody love a nap!