Hand hold starting citalopram…

[elephantfeetbutdontcare]

I really want to start the citalopram I have in the cupboard (10mg) but I’m so scared.

😬

It has changed my life beyond recognition, for the better. Please start. You’re in control. The alternative is not starting and staying feeling like you do.

10mg is a very small dose. You’ll be just fine fine x

Ive been on Citalopram for 2months...it has totally changed my life..Its the best Ive felt in a longtime My only regret is not taking Doctors advice to take it sooner. You can do this!!!!

I’ve been on it a long time and honestly believe it saved my life and now (at a low 10mg dose) it makes my life so much better. It allows me to be me. I smile every day when I take it!

Changed my life for the better after PNA and PND

I’m really scared of the side effects. You hear some absolute horrid stories. 😬
I keep bailing every day to take it.

I had zero. Literally zero.

its natural to feel worried and anxious…especially when you’re likely taking them because you’re anxious!

worst that can happen? You don’t get on with them and you can speak to your doctor about coming off them.

just try the first one. That’s it. I promise it’ll be fine. You have got them for a reason. Them sitting in the cupboard is not going to help you.

my young teenage DC takes another SSRI. They are (obviously) the most precious thing in the world to me. I was 100% supportive of them taking it because I know how amazingly life changing they are. Dc has got their life back.

Oh and one thing I found helpful years back when I started taking them and had the same worries as you was to confide in someone how worried I was about taking them (my DH in this case but could be another trusted person) and ask them to keep an eye on you the next 24 hours just in case ( though it wasn’t needed!). I took the first one on a day DH was at home for the day just in case.

I’ve taken citalopram for many years for a severe anxiety disorder and it totally changed my life. I honestly think if it wasn’t for citalopram I would have killed myself as I just couldn’t have taken any more of the panic attacks. I had a bit of nausea and some tiredness in the first few weeks of taking but no other side effects. I started on 20mgs a day and now take 40mgs a day.

I have taken Citalopram about 10 years. Like you I was worried, so I bought a tablet splitter and started on 5mg a day. It was a total game changer for me.

@Astra53Did you have any side effects? I’m thinking of doing this.
when did you up it to 10mg?
There is so much negativity out there around medications. I have done so much work on myself over the years but I feel I need a little extra help.

I was on Citalopram for 2 years, came off a few weeks ago. It really, really helped me. Not sure I’ll be able to stay off them but I’m hopeful.

Anyway, get a pill cutter and start 5mg at a time. Increase after a week or 2 on each dose.

Good luck! Do it, you’ve nothing to lose!

I certainly didn't have literally zero side effects. I lasted a few days on it before I had to stop.

Maybe if she has this much reservation, it's not the right decision for her.

@HotChocCreamAndMarshmallows thx… I do feel like maybe waiting until the weekend when I’m with hubby will be safer.
im taking for anxiety, ocd and generally very highly strung. Probably have ptsd.

I take 40mg a day since post natal. A recent review I’m likely to be on it forever.

I’ve never had any side effects. I did with others.

sometimes I do forget to take it and feel a little dizzy the next day then remember.

im still anxious but so much better than where I was.

I respectfully disagree.

When I started taking them I had raging post natal
anxiety and was questioning and worrying about everything - including obsessing over whether to start the medication. It was exactly that level of anxiety that I needed help for!

Im not saying no one has side effects. However, the vast majority of people have none or only very mild ones…and these tend to pass over a few weeks anyway.

These drugs are life changing - but only if you take them. The OP is in control - if they don’t get on with them, they can come off. But if they never try, they won’t ever know or give themselves the opportunity to feel so much better.

Citalopram was fantastic for me. Aside from depression, I had OCD that was rapidly worsening and at a point where I was struggling to function like a normal person. Within a fortnight of starting it it was like the vast majority of the intrusive OCD thoughts just… went away. It was the weirdest thing.

I had no side effects bar a reduced appetite for a few weeks. I also found it harder to cry (which was a good thing for me) like I watched a sad film that had my mum and sister in pieces but no tears from me, however I was still able to acknowledge that what I was watching was sad so it didn’t turn me into a robot, just took the edge off all of the horrible feelings.

I was on citalopram for 2 years, and I will be honest, I did temporarily experience some side effects.
BUT it was the relief from the constant head swirling, heart racing, ruminating, desociatiting panic attacks that were running my life, I couldn't sleep from anxiety, I couldn't enjoy my children or anything in my life. I was incapable of any emotion because I was so locked inside my head with anxiety.
For 2ish weeks I really struggled to sleep on citalopram but I started taking it around 8pm, and was on 20mg so a smaller dose your less likely to get side effects. You could also get a splitter and build yourself from 5mg.

The short term struggle is totally worth the long term gain, push through the first couple of weeks, talk to your DH for support, be kind to yourself and once you've done the first one just keep going.
I advise you do stick to the same time of day taking it though especially in the early days.

I've been off and on it for about 20 years and it it great, I've restarted it at least 10 times and had dose put up and down and have never had any side effects at all. It's my absolute go to when I start to struggle (I'm autistic and have ADHD and cptsd), I've tried others which I did have side effects with but citalopram feels very gentle at 10mg.

I’ve been on it for years 20mg- no side effects whatsoever.

It stops me from crying everyday, and thinking about not being here.

It’s a win for me.

Ive been on it for 16 years. It has changed my life completely and I have had not a single side effect. Took a little while to feel the difference but. Its a wonderful drug. Good luck, OP x

@elephantfeetbutdontcare It's great.

I'm not on it now but took it for years. If I ever feel the need I'll be back on it.

You might get some strange side effects at first but they soon go. Just go with it. You'll soon feel much calmer.

Keep is posted.

Hello, I was prescribed citalopram a few days ago and really scared to take it. Happy to chat if you would like

Here too if you need to chat. I was scared too by 2months in now

@Racheyroo1974 how are you feeling now 2 months in?

@LushLemonTart just wondering when you came off it how was that? Part of me is very scared about what it will be like if I have to come off it again one day…