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

@Azandme

Thanks for the reply, I've had it all day throughout my body and head I figured it was the citalopram but wanted to see if anyone else experiences it.

I was on it for a couple of years due to the stress Of my mothers Parkinson's and dementia and have been off it a year. Have had moments when I think I should go back on it - low mood etc. once you've taken them it's quite hard not to go back on them. In my mind it's like they are a bit of padding between you and what's going on in your world. I will see how I go.

I used to get pins and needles in my head!

@CantFindTheBeat

That sounds awful how long did that last for? I went to asda early not my best idea I felt like I was floating / light headed complete sensory overload thought I was gonna pass out think it was a little too soon for that trip!

Day 9 now . Appetite is def better but don’t feel a positive change in anxiety yet although it probably same as pre tablets or maybe a little worse . So hoping this works . When do you think is right time to increase dose . I am on escitalopram so lower doses . I did 2.5 mg for 5 days then 9 at 5mg . Therapeutic dose is 10 . Have gp call at day 13 to check in . I think last time it was 4 weeks before I increased dose .

Hope you are feeling more like your (true) self soon OP

Morning all,

I made it on holiday but it's rough going sleeping has become a real problem I am so fearful of going to sleep and the anxiety wakes me all through the night burning sensations in my arms and chest!

I also had the strangest feeling this morning I woke up and wasn't sure if I was alive or not it's scared the life out of me and has stayed with me most of the morning it doesn't feel real very odd has anyone had this before? Is it a side effect of Citalopram?

Thanks all

@Sara1235 glad you made it on holiday . I had something similar when I went on citalopram in 2014 . I felt like I was not in my body and was watching myself or something . Was horrible . It only happened once and it was when I woke up too at 4am
Google depersonalisation as think it was like that .
I am on day 11 I think now and have times I ok but also times I worrying again. I have doctor on Tuesday which will nearly be 2 weeks on 5mg . I know I will need to increase probably but will maybe wait till 3-4 weeks . My side effects of queasy has gone really now and appetite better. Just wish I did not feel anxious still

Ellie

I'm having the worst day today got face pressure feel sick keep getting these weird head vibrations like a brain buzz keep happening intermittently daily and have been for weeks i nearly passed out in Asda had to come back to our cottage I feel like I am just ruin the holiday and have this deep fear something is very wrong and want to go hospital to get checked out or go home 🙁the anxiety is awful too. I don't want to take my tablet today not gonna lie!

@Elliejane

I am glad some of the side effects are wearing off for you and you have been able to eat. Hopefully the increase will start to take some of the anxiety away for you xx

I have always been fine on citalopram and had no side effects.

I once had something the GP put me on and said it had a mild sleeping effect - I had chest pains, I sweated for 6 hours on the bedroom and was hallucinating- so I went back on citalopram.

normally any side effects sort themselves out but if after 2 weeks they haven’t ask go change / one size does not fit all. Don’t be fobbed off - two weeks things shouldn’t be bad

@Sara1235 what day are you on ? Do you have dizapeam to help. Pretty sure the head is all anxiety too . How long are you away

I'm on it and the first couple of weeks my anxiety was so bad, I thought they weren't ever going to work for me. 9 months down the line though and they are life changing, I'm in such a better place with my anxiety. I'm on 20mg though, I did start on 10mg and noticed no change after a month so my gp upped the dose. Stick with it, you'll be thankful.

I'm on it and have been on and off for 15 years. It can make you very peculiar at first but worth persevering with. It gave me my life back. I'm on 40mg.

@Hopeandlove

Trying to get to see a doctor feels impossible atm I feel lucky we have the NHS but it really is under strain at the moment I am going to give then till next Friday and see what happens if its still like this i may have to bail out and try something else!

@MrsCharlieD

When the doctors upped them 20mg did you have side affects all over again?

@Auldspinster
Thank you for your message it's encouraging to know they do work for people just struggling with these side affects 😞

@Elliejane

I'm in day 10 now and we don't come back till next Saturday I haven't got Diazepam doctor wouldn't give me any 😕

Hi! I was on citalopram for 2 years and have recently switched to fluoxetine so as not to contraindicate a new medication. The first two weeks on citalopram were arguably the worst two weeks of my life- I was meant to take a fight on the first day and had to move it back to the third, which ended up not being much better. I felt sick constantly for about four days and I did have that initial spike in anxiety, but after the (absolutely rotten, totally hellish, never-doing-that-again-in-my-life) third day, the worst of the side effects started to wear away and I could feel the positive effects of the antidepressant. I was on it for 2 years with very little side effects after the first couple of weeks, and I would say it's worth sticking with for at least a month if not two to see how well it works for you. It ended up being the best choice I could have made for my mental health

@Sara1235 how are you?

@Elliejane

Thanks for checking in I managed a day out today been anxious intermittently through the day but it's been managable.

It's the night time I wake up through the night having panic attacks and feeling very disorientated then scared to go to sleep ive got this irrational fear that I'm not going to wake up. I worry that I put my heart and mind through so much stress one or the other is just going to cave in!!

How are you doing?

@channelislander

Thank you for your message it has been pretty horrendous I couldn't imagine having to take a flight it's been hard enough coming away in England a good distraction in some ways but really hard at the same time. I'm hoping it works because the alternative and coping with crippling anxiety daily and tension headache brain zaps isn't worth contemplating! Glad ur doing well every success story gives me some hope!

Just an update day 13 of Citalopram 10mg so last night I had 2 panic attacks about an hour into sleep but then managed to sleep through which was needed and I am very grateful for!

I woke up this morning with no intense anxiety feeling I wasn't sure if it was real I was almost waiting for it but it never came and for the first time in weeks I didn't have a headache I really did find myself waiting for something to come.

Today I've had a good day had a beach day and actually been able to laugh and play with my daughter and eat fish and chips! I've had a tension headache build but nothing I haven't been able to get over. I've maybe had two period's for a few moments of anxiety and that's mainly me scaring myself that's it's too good to be true and something bad was bound to happen which is silly really. Did anyone else feel like this on good days?

I only hope tomorrow is the same 😊today I smile at least and I'll take that!!

@Sara1235 Thats really good news and hopefully things will gradually improve . I have been less anxious also however this morning I tested positive for Covid for first time so really worrying again . Both over Covid and in middle of starting escitalopram.

@Sara1235 Great to hear you had a better day. Hope today is also positive.

@Elliejane Sorry to hear you have caught covid. Hopefully.your symptoms will be mild and you will make a quick recovery.

My anxiety symptoms have reduced a lot over the last few weeks, although I still have a way to go. I am feeling pretty low today.

Agree with others. Stick with it. Definitely take it at night, or perhaps with your evening meal. Taking any pills first thing on an empty stomach can cause nausea etc. I never found it gave me insomnia - but definitely crazier dreams.
Bloody love this drug. 100 times calmer!

Ah that’s a great update - hope you’re now over the worst of the side effects and you can start to enjoy life.

I’m a few months in and this is the first time I’ve been able to tolerate any ADs, as previous attempts have always ended with an allergic reaction, but the citalopram has been brilliant for me. I was so low that I honestly wouldn’t have cared if I’d died, except for knowing how upset my kids would be.

Just a few short months later and I’ve got future plans, I’m dating, I feel generally positive about life and I don’t have any side effects. It’s been brilliant and I urge anyone who’s struggling to persevere, or try and alternative but just don’t give up on being happier. Keep going with it and hopefully things will turn around.

@Snowshower

Sorry to hear your having a low day has anything in particular caused it?

I'm travelling home ironic that I was dreading going on holiday and now I don't want to go home! The week has been up and down but more up than down.