Citalopram side effects

[starNT]

Hi all!
I've been taking 10mg of Citalopram for the last 10 days and have been bogged down with unpleasant side effects. I'm experiencing feeling heavy, slow, tired, out of sorts, and anxiety tension in my chest area. It's like having a hangover but without a sore head or nausea. Is this a normal for such a low dose?
Has anyone else experienced the same or similar side effects?

I posted my experience of taking 10mg of Citalopram back in 2021 and although I had experienced side effects then, it didn't feel like how I feel now. The side effects were different as well.
The reason why I'm back on Citalopram after stopping in 2022, after 6 months of taking them, is because I ended up trying Sertraline. However, I didn't feel that they were as effective as Citalopram.

I felt bloody awful for 2-3 weeks after starting Citalopram, but then the side effects diminished and I felt like I was starting to feel benefits instead. It was very tempting to stop them though, I felt dreadful. It did help a bit to take them at bedtime if I recall correctly.

Thanks for your reply.
Have you experienced similar symptoms?
What type of food, drink or vitamins do you recommend taking along with Citalopram, of any?
I take my dosage in the morning before work.**

I've been on citalopram for almost 5 weeks. Did 4 weeks at 10mg and had mostly increased anxiety but did feel really weird for a week. But the increased anxiety and low mood was really hard. Since I started taking 20mg for a week I've felt better - which is weird. I expected more side effects but so far going up a dose seems to have helped a bit. It's still early days so I'm still getting anxiety but doesn't seem quite as bad. I'm hoping in another 4 weeks I'll feel more normal.
I'm not sure a suggestion to increase a dose is a good one because everyone is different.
But I'm sure that there will be more ups and downs and I'm not suddenly better!
I'm not sure my response is that helpful! Except to say I think a low dose can affect you and getting some propanalol to help with the physical symptoms while your body adapts might be a good idea? It will help with the physical symptoms you described.
Citalopram support person right here for you!

Just read that back and I said 'im not sure' quite a lot!

Thanks for your reply.
I’ve actually tried propranolol in the past, before taking antidepressants. I didn’t react well after taking 40mg. The reason that I take antidepressants, is because recently I started having panic attacks. Thankfully, antidepressants do quell them, but trying to find the most bearable kind, in terms of long term side effects, seems to be a bit of a quest.

My GP advised me to take it before bed so hopefully I’d sleep through most of the side effects. It worked for me so it might be worth trying for you.