Advice from people who have taken Citalopram

[Sara1235]

Hi everyone

I am now on day 3 of taking citalopram and I've started to think I've made a big mistake these side effects are horrible nausea, no appetite, stomach ache, burning sensation, intense anxiety, faster pulse, dizziness, just want to cry all the time.

Does anyone have any advice on how they got through the first week / 2 weeks? How long is it this intense for does each day get better?

Thank you

Hi I have been on citalopram before and just started escitalopram not long ago . See my post

I was exactly the same when I started the first time . In fact probably worse I nearly threw the whole box in the bin on day 3 but my gp persuaded me to keep going . I am not going to lie it was hard going . What dose did you start on ? Also if it’s really bad anxiety you can get diazepam to have just in case . I got ones but never took them but felt better knowing they were there as last resort .

This time so far I has nausea and increased anxiety and tiredness . Only on day 4 of 5mg but did 2.5 for first week . Escitalopram is half dose of citalopram though so expect you starting on 10mg ?

First time on ssri it took me 10-14 days to feel a bit better . Appetite came back and higher anxiety went but then I got worse again a week or so after so increased to 15 then 20 . I would say all in all it took 2 mths to feel full benefit . Sorry I know that seems ages away and you might’ve much faster .

i am also struggling just now with starting up and increased checking behaviours on health anxiety etc .

Happy to chat . Take a look at my posts

Ellie

If you aren't already, take it just before bed and sleep through the worst of the side effects.

That's what I did to get through it.

Eat little and often also . Side effects will go

@Azandme

I take it in the morning because I read it can cause insomnia.
@Elliejane
I've scared myself senseless reading about Serotonin Sydrome and convinced I've got that! I am on 10mg of Citalopram.
I will do the eat little and often.

That’s really rare . I have health anxiety and I did not think that . Maybe phone gp tomorrow to say you struggling . You could do 5mg for a week and half it or get diazepam to have in emergency .

@Elliejane
I know it is completely irrational thinking!

I have a call with the doctor tomorrow as my blood result have come back and they need to discuss them with me so that's not helping right now so I will mention the side effects I'm really sensitive to meds always have been. I am due to go away Saturday I can't be like this I've got 6 hours of driving to do!

I really feel for you I only worry about my own health so it must be really tough worrying about the children and family also! How's your day been today on your meds?

I have been on it a long long time. 20mg. I felt sick the first few days, couldn’t sleep and lost appetite. Then started to feel better after a week or so. I have been on 40mg when my mum died but that made me feel so emotionally numb it was too strong dosage. It helped my anxiety a lot, it’s also an anti depressant. If I do miss a few days (normally when I’ve been a bit lax with my prescription) I do have side effects, it’s been well worth it for me

Stick with it; life changing medication, honestly.

If you are on 10 mg it hardly affected my condition at all, 20mg had a much better effect

You should start on 10mg and increase if required, esp for anxiety. Starting on 20 for anxiety can exacerbate the issue, stick with it OP it’ll get better and 5he benefits out weigh your side effects at the moment.

Thank you I will stick with it!

@ChampagneCommunist

Thank you I will keep going with it!

@Hanstarlucky

Thank you for your message I started on 10mg because I'm really sensitive to medication the doctor said once the 10mg have settled we can see about moving up to 20mg if I need it. I've been suffering with Tension Headaches and migraines for months and they've made me really anxious and down I'm hoping relieving some of the anxiety will help calm the tension!

I found I felt much better after around two weeks, same dose as you. My GP advised to take it before bed though, and I think that worked well for me.

Yes, I take it last thing at night

@ClocksGoingBackwards @ChampagneCommunist

Maybe I'll switch to taking it in the evening tomorrow. I take it at 9am, I wake up with crippling anxiety which stays with me till around 1pm I get small relief for a couple of hours then it starts again the nausea doesn't let up at all but I do force food down to help my stomach.

Hi OP, I have been off and on citalopram for a number of years. I experienced many of the side effects you have described - the first time I did wonder what I was doing as definitely felt worse and more anxious than before I started them! However each time the side effects have settled, I think 1-2 weeks and I was over the worst. After around 3-4 weeks I noticed a gradual improvement in anxiety and long term they have honestly changed my life for the better. Stick with it, take one day at a time and remember that these effects will be short lived. Much better and easier times are just round the corner! 🙂

I've been on it for about 10 years.
I take it just before bed, with my pill.

I take 20mg as standard, with the odd 30mg period if things are super stressful.

It's been an amazing thing for me. I don't plan to ever stop taking it, to be honest.

@Glitterheart

Thank you very much that's encouraging to hear it feels all consuming and scary like you will never feel like yourself again it's quite a lonely place to be aswell so hearing so many positive outcomes really has helped today!

@EinsteinaGogo

Thank you for taking the time to message a reply it's given me hope this evening and I'll read back on these tomorrow and others days when it feels too much to take positives away that it will get better!

Very good luck, @Sara1235

I remember the constant whirring and worry of my brain, BC (before Citalopram!).

It's honestly a different world now.

💕💕💕

@EinsteinaGogo

Thank you today has been one of the worst days I have to say I just feel like something awful is about to happen then I googled and scared myself I really need to stop with the googling!

I've been getting panic attacks at night they wake me up and it's been on my mind all day 😔

Sorry to hear you’re having a hard time. The first two weeks are always difficult. Be kind to yourself. I found engrossing myself in a good book, rewatching my favourite programmes and setting myself small goals to accomplish each day helped to distract me from the anxiety. Some days will be worse than others but hang in there, things will get better.

Last time I re-started citalopram I began on about 1/3 tablet for a few days (so like 3-4 mg, then increased to 5, then about 8 before going up to the full 10 after two or three weeks. By that time I was feeling significantly better and I have found it a very helpful medicine.

I have also in the past had diazepam prescribed for the first week, to help me over the worst.

I found citalopram made me sleepy if anything so took it at bedtime, but it definitely affects different people differently.

Its horrible though, that first rush of irrational horror. I have had that before on another med. So tiring. I do sympathise.

10mg has always been enough for me - but again, I know some people need more.