Citalopram

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Hi,

I've struggled with anxiety on and off pretty much all my life. I've been anxiety free for about 4 years but a few weeks ago it hit me like a tonne of bricks and I started having panic attacks. I made myself ill with it, couldn't leave the house, could barely eat or sleep, was throwing up. I phoned the Dr who prescribed me 20mg citalopram. I was on 10mg at the beginning of the year for low mood but I came off it very quickly as I felt I didn't need it. This anxiety is different and much worse so I am willing to do anything to get myself better. I'm a single parent to 2 kids aged 8 and 3 and having to rely on family and friends to care for my 3 year old which is making me feel so much worse. I just want to get a grip of it.

When I was at my worst I phoned NHS 24 in tears and they gave me some diazepam which did help but I know that's not a long term solution plus it made me drowsy for the first hour or so so not ideal with a 3 year old.

I then had a few days of feeling really good but it suddenly hit me on Sunday night and I was up most of the night and ended up having a panic attack and was sick. I've been on the 20mg citalopram for a week now and wondering if this is the side effects as I was told it could make anxiety worse initially and also make sleep difficult and make you feel sick. I also have a very dry mouth.

My question is for those who have been on the same, did you experience the same side effects, did they eventually pass and how long did it take for them to pass?

Thanks

Thought I would chime in here. I was on 30 Citalopram for around 2 years to help me get through a post relationship breakdown. I got into a new relationship in that time and the low libido was very frustrating, plus I felt I wasn't really 'myself' so I tapered off over 3 months. June and July were great. August, I started to wobble and by the end of the month I was having suicidal ideation so I went back on them and have been taking 30mg again for nearly 4 weeks. The jitters and jaw clenching takes about a week to subside after each dose increase but the loss of libido is total this time and I have to force myself to be intimate. I really hope it returns or it'll kill my current relationship. I'm back to feeling emotionally blunted. No depression, no fear, no tears, no joy. I can't be arsed getting out of bed except to go to work and I've given up all my creative pursuits.

Hopefully it'll level out. In all honesty, I wish I'd never gone on it in the first place as right now I feel it's a case of 'doomed if you do, doomed if you don't'!

@Dumbitdown I totally understand what you mean. I was put on 10mg at the beginning of the year as I was feeling very low due to the breakdown of my marriage and all the shit that had come with it. I then started seeing someone and straight away noticed it was really hard to achieve orgasm and almost like I had lost feeling down there, nothing felt sensitive so I came off it after only a month. This time round I'm on 20mg and need it more than ever. I'm no longer seeing that guy although we do very occasionally have a hook up 🤣 I think because I'm not seeing anyone I'm not as bothered but I did noticed after I slept with him the other day that it had happened again and it just didn't feel as good. I think when the time comes and I do start seeing someone properly it will effect things as I remember it being so frustrating the first time.

How is everyone getting on?

I've now finished the packet of 28 days. I'm so much better than I was. Still occasionally have mild anxiety but nothing compared to how it was. This time of year usually is hard for me (I absolutely hate the dark and cold weather and I've always struggled in the winter months with my mood). Overall feeling so much better and able to cope though. Will see how I go the next couple of weeks which will mark 6 weeks on citalopram.

Also feeling good. I am three weeks in now. I feel so much calmer and like I can handle whatever life throws at me. The libido effects are annoying but it’s more that I can’t climax than that I’m not interested in sex full stop so it’s not affecting my relationship negatively. I’m hoping it goes away anyway. All the other side effects seem to have died down although I am keeping an eye on calories as I don’t want to gain too much weight. When I was on fluoxetine I gained two stone which was horrible.
it does feel like a wonder drug in that it’s so good to be able to just live my life without crippling anxiety. I wish I’d tried this one sooner.

Citalopram is like the junk food of the med world

@Puncturedbicycle85 this is my exact problem with them too. I'm still interested in sex but either can't climax or I take forever! It's not so bad for me as I'm not in a relationship but I do have a guy I see from time to time so its frustrating alough he's very understanding about it.

How are you doing now?

I still feel okay but the past few days I have been feeling quite drowsy in the daytime and have been napping a lot, so I am switching to taking them at night for the first time today. Hoping that works better for me.
yeah, the sex stuff is annoying. I have noticed though that I don’t really necessarily feel like I need to orgasm whereas in the past I’ve felt frustrated if I don’t come. I feel really bad but a couple of times I have faked it as I don’t want my boyfriend feeling like he’s not satisfying me and nor do I want him to spend an hour or so trying when it’s not important to me anyway. Normally, I climax easily and he’s very loving and attentive so I figure I’m not excusing bad sex or anything, lol. I would prefer it if things returned to normal on that front though.

I got the drowsy effect as well but when I took it in the evenings I would awake after three or so hours and not be able to return to sleep. It's so individual though, isn't it - taking it in the evening may just do the trick for you!

I have to say, I'm feeling better this week. I'm aware I'm in the middle of my cycle which is always the best time but after a couple of months of near-on total apathy outside work, I've managed to do some cardio training and pick up an embroidery project that I'd left aside. I even had a mildly decent orgasm (yeay)!

I think we just need to hang on in there for a few more weeks.

Ah that’s annoying about waking in the night. I will see how it goes tonight but if it’s hard to sleep I will have to return to mornings and just force myself to power through.
Well done on the activities (and orgasm!) - sounds really positive and definitely a step in the right direction.

Ok, so I tried taking it at night last night. I did wake up about 3.30 but I do that when I take it in the morning too. I do feel less drowsy than I usually do which is a good thing so I will stick with this for a bit and see how it goes.

How so?

I've had a few days feeling back to great again. I am in the process of being diagnosed with ADHD so I see them once a week and also to discuss everything else going on. He told me even missing one dose can set you off balance slightly which I realised I did last week by mistake. He also said to take into consideration any triggers which I have had with my ex. And he said the first few months can be a bit like waves up and down. So that's all reassuring. In terms of being able to orgasm, I'm not in a relationship so it's not a great deal but I do have a 'friend with benefits' 🤣 and it can be frustrating. Hopefully it's something that will ware off!

I take my pill in the morning, one of the side effects I had was disturbed sleep!

Hope you're all getting on OK!

What happened with all you guys ? Did you all feel better in the end. Have been reading your thread as just started out on citalopram and wondered how your all doing now xx