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Original poster

Advice from people who have taken Citalopram

319 replies

Sara1235 · 21/08/2022 10:19

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

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Original poster
Sara1235 · 30/05/2023 09:06

@buddyb5

I might be overthinking this but I think it was that bloody calm app the more it told me to relieve the tension in my body i felt more tense and I was getting frustrated with myself. Not the apps fault of course.

Thankfully no work today, but I am going to get some exercise in a good long walk or cardio.

What are your plans today?

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buddyb5 · 30/05/2023 09:25

@Sara1235
I hate the calm app, no one wants to try breathing etc.. when they are in the midst of it all, the psychotherapist on the disordered app says it's best just to let it happen, remind yourself that it's just your bodies threat response & adrenaline running through your body, if you apply tools to get rid of it then you are telling your body that it is a problem that then feeds the anxiety, which ends up being a vicious cycle, just flow with it, it will eventually die down and then you've told the anxiety that there no threat, if that makes sense, not sure what I'm up to yet, feel so spaced out this morning, just flowing with it 🙄

stanleytheflamingo · 30/05/2023 09:26

I had similar when I started - very bad anxiety, nausea etc… I took it at night and tried to sleep through the side effects (which was hard due to insomnia but somehow seemed the best solution) After about a week and a half I transitioned to taking them in the morning. I’ve now been taking for about 3 months and it is truly life changing. I am so glad I stuck with it. I hope it works for you x

Original poster
Sara1235 · 30/05/2023 09:29

@buddyb5

That makes so much sense jeese honestly I think I get so desperate to try and get rid of it I try all sorts but your right!

Nothing wrong with having a chilled day and seeing how you feel later x

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Original poster
Sara1235 · 30/05/2023 09:30

@stanleytheflamingo

It's great to hear success stories I am really pleased your doing well now 😊

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buddyb5 · 30/05/2023 12:31

@Sara1235
I know it's awful feeling this way,my other half just said to me, don't forget our bodies will still be adjusting to the citalopram dose increase, that doesn't happen overnight and can take a good few months to level out and then still get ups and downs, it's a really long journey, have a lovely rest of the day x

MsMargoLeadbetter · 30/05/2023 22:20

I'm so interested to read this thread, my GP has just prescribed Citalopram for me as my anxiety (always low level) has recently got worse... I don't know anyone who takes it in real life so was looking for personal experiences!

I suppose my issue is that it's been prescribed because I'm overly anxious, worry too much, find it hard to relax etc - but will it actually help or should I be tackling the root causes such as trying to be more organised? DP & I argue about this often, he's very lazy laid back and doesn't see why I always have to be up and doing something... my point of view is that XYZ needs doing so someone has to do it, and he can never be bothered! I don't know if the Citalopram would help even my mood so it would be less of an issue or if I'd just care less that we're arguing about it...

Original poster
Sara1235 · 31/05/2023 08:00

@buddyb5

How was your day yesterday? How was your sleep?

That's a good point. I suppose I have been at the point of it's been 3 months so surly it should just be working now but it's not a long time when I think about it.

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Original poster
Sara1235 · 31/05/2023 08:20

@MsMargoLeadbetter

Hi, welcome to the thread.

My own experience with anxiety is two fold I have Health Anxiety which I have worked on in therapy but I also have general anxiety disorder worrying about different things often.

My experience with Citalopram is it does calm the anxiety down and the worrying it took a while and everything was more intense when I started it but as you will see from the thread it settled in time.

It calms the anxiety which helps you to focus on the route cause of why your anxious should that be a journey you want to go through via therapy.

What Citalopram isn't is a wonder drug. I think I thought I'd never get anxious again which is silly really as adrenalin is a natural bodily sensation.

I now need to work through not being scared of anxiety itself.

Let us know how your getting on it's really brave to share you experience.

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buddyb5 · 31/05/2023 08:49

@Sara1235

my day was pretty awful tbh, just felt so anxious, sleep was ok eventually, it's so difficult to just get on and flow with the feelings when all you want to do is a curl into a ball, how was your sleep? Are you feeling any better today? x

Original poster
Sara1235 · 31/05/2023 19:57

@buddyb5

Hey, sorry you had a sh!tty day. I wish I could say I've had good days but I've been a sorry state too 😏

I don't like saying it loud sometimes I feel like a drain on people and worry I bring you all down with me with my negativity.

I've managed to get for a walk today which is better than yesterday and the anxiety has eased. I'm working on the whole accepting it but it's intense isnt it?

How are you? I really hope today was better for you.

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kizziee · 31/05/2023 20:27

I'm sorry you have both had difficult days and that I haven't been able to join in the discussion properly. Things very difficult here and have started my own thread. Look after yourselves x

buddyb5 · 31/05/2023 20:38

@Sara1235

Hey! Ughhhh, we are really going through it aren't we, I've been feeling on edge all day, just started feeling ok a couple of hours ago, glad you were able to get out and tone down the anxiety a bit today, acceptance is the most toughest thing that anyone can do, I mean who wants to except something that makes us feel so dreadful but at the same time we are dealing with what the meds are throwing at us too, so we need to be kind to ourselves, I don't think we praise ourselves enough for the things we are already doing, its just so tiring because we aren't getting instant results and quite frankly I'm sick of feeling like a bag of nerves, keep believing in the meds, they are still doing their job and each day just flow with the anxiety no matter how tough, it will all level out eventually, we've already had better days so we know the meds are working, it's all just got to level out, also you can say it out loud as much as you like, you are not alone none of it is negative ( that's the anxiety talking) I'm glad we are here talking about it, it's a great comfort x

coffeetime1 · 31/05/2023 22:05

Hi, this thread has been a comforting and petrifying read! I've started on 20mg Citalopram today for depression and anxiety. I'm worried about the side effects. I am a single parent and it's half term so worried about how I'm going to get through the next few days whilst keeping my children entertained and happy. I know it will be better for me and the children in the long term, but these next couple of weeks are scary.

Original poster
Sara1235 · 31/05/2023 22:12

@kizziee

Thank you. I hope you get through this without having to change your meds. Good luck!

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Original poster
Sara1235 · 31/05/2023 22:26

@buddyb5

I'm sorry you're having off days, too! I am relieved that you have had a few hours before sleep that it's settled and I really hope you have a settled night sleep!

Im not giving up no matter how hard this feels we are going to beat this by accepting it is part of us it's mad to think that it's our bodies way of trying to protect us yet it it feel like internal destructiveness!! Agree the meds are working, and we still have a way to go before they are fully working.

Urgghhh Honestly, do you know what I find so frustrating not feeling in control of how I am going to feel one day to the next! Waking up and just having to work it hour as I go it's so tiring.

Thank you for understanding the worries have certainly got the better of me today and I've battered myself internally feeling like a bad person and projecting my sh!t onto others etc.

Having you to talk to who is on a similar journey has helped me alot xx

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Original poster
Sara1235 · 31/05/2023 22:33

@coffeetime1

Firstly, without sounding patronising, I think you are really brave starting meds and reaching out!

I know reading this thread will seem daunting, but you will have your own experience and journey with Citalopram and it may not be as bad as some of ours when starting. I've known people to have only very mild side effects.

I know how scary it is when your going through such a hard time barely functional and have people who depend on you. I did find it kept me going and made me get up and have to cook etc which looking back was a good thing but exhausting.

Your stronger than you feel and think you have reserves you don't know you had until times like this. You will beat it. Keep talking and sharing if it helps you it certainly helped and helps me xx

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coffeetime1 · 01/06/2023 05:24

@Sara1235 thank you for your reply. It made me a bit emotional reading it last night, but definitely in a good way.

I took my first tablet last night. I didn't have a great night sleep and spent half the night feeling quite nauseous. I'm still feeling it this morning. Once I did go off I was woken by my car alarm going off so I'm not quite feeling with it yet. That could be the rude awakening and nothing else though. I knew that nausea was a very common side effect, but I did think it would take a few days before kicking in. The not sleeping could easily be just my head processing everything after the last couple of days and nothing to do with the tablet. I get nights like that.

As you say, a lot of people have mild symptoms starting it so I just have to wait and see. Hopefully keeping busy with looking after the children will help.

buddyb5 · 01/06/2023 06:44

@Sara1235

How are you this morning? I managed to sleep all night but woke with fear and dread, that is normal though, anxiety and cortisol aren't a good mix, I'm wondering if my time of the month had ramped things up over the past few days, as I've finished now and my body is feeling more relaxed, perhaps that's the same for you.. anyway apart from that, yes feeling out of control is the worst part, not knowing how you will be feeling each day or how much you can cope with, it's not natural to me but I find sticking to a routine that the previous me would have done helps, hope your day goes well x

Myknewname · 02/06/2023 02:11

I've been really silly, I ran out last week, totally forgot to get a new prescription, it clicked today why I'm having terrible dizziness and weird ear shushing noise. I put the prescription in, but I doubt it will be ready before the weekend. Damm!

MsMargoLeadbetter · 11/06/2023 00:08

@Sara1235 thank you so much for your kind reply, we went away for a few days and I've been struggling to find the time to come on MN! I haven't started taking the tablets yet as the NHS website had warnings about drowsiness and not driving for the first few days, and as it was half term I had to do loads more driving than usual...

I've had an appointment with my GP's mental health practitioner and the 'lifestyle consultant' (not sure what they do precisely!) will be contacting me too - have to hand it to my GP, they've been great, it's usually impossible to get an appointment.

The only thing I'm not sure about is whether taking the citalopram would affect my ability to get health insurance, or whether it might put the premium up - I'm keen to get some as I'd like the other benefits too (cheaper gym membership etc), my GP was supposed be investigating but I haven't heard back yet.

It's really helpful to read everyone's experience - thank you everyone for sharing!

buddyb5 · 15/06/2023 09:58

@Sara1235

How are you? X

Original poster
Sara1235 · 17/06/2023 08:30

@buddyb5

Hi sorry for taking so long to reply it's been a rough few weeks. But I am through the other side just about. How are you?

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Original poster
Sara1235 · 17/06/2023 08:32

@MsMargoLeadbetter

Hi, all sounds sensible 😊 how has the past week been for you?

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buddyb5 · 17/06/2023 08:49

@Sara1235
Lovely to hear from you and glad things are moving in the right direction for you, it's a long journey, I've been doing ok, learning to manage things day by day, it's accepting that this will be take time and to go easy on ourselves, which ironically isn't easy, I've just started week 10 and have been getting weird tingles in my legs and head, not sure whether it's the meds or the anxiety, any how it's not stopping me from getting on, how's your sleep now?