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Anyone NOT had any side effects on Citalopram?

Posted , 526 users are following.

M68
M68

Hi there,

After much deliberation, talking to just about anyone I could find and generally scouring the internet for information, I have decided to go with the Docs advice and take Citalopram, starting today. And then I found this site....

Has anyone NOT had any side effects on this? It is making me feel very worried about taking it. Am I just going to have to sit tight and presume the worst? Are there people who take it and dont feel nauseous and tired or even worse to begin with?

I would really appreciate any comments.

Thanks

M

38 likes, 5315 replies

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  • Paul4823
    Paul4823 M68

    Posted

    Hi all

    It seems very quiet on here these days unless I'm missing something :0)

    It's 3 months for me now. First 5 weeks 20 mg and the rest of the time 30mg. 

    Good news is no really low depressive mood for 5 weeks :0). Still not right though feel tense quite often and angry inside but now very diluted. I'm a sensitive person who is too nice and I can't do angry very well and I've had a lot of stuff to be angry about. 

    I need the opposite of anger management :0)

    I hope the board being quiet is everyone is doing well

    Mike

    • Inthewoods4
      Inthewoods4 Paul4823

      Posted

      Hi Paul,

      It sounds like you're doing really well. I've been on cit for nearly 6 months now - starting at 10 and gradually increasing to 30. I feel like I'm 90% back to myself now, but like you I still have angry days, and sometimes I have to talk myself out of having a dip. It's like the feeling of being on the edge of a cliff, looking down but not falling. But I think everyone, whether they have depression/anxiety or not, has days like that, we just notice them more xx

    • richard8835
      richard8835 Paul4823

      Posted

      Hi Mike ... good to hear you're getting on well. I've taken a severe dip recently, all the old anxiety and depressive feelings are back again, plus the shakes. I'm to be honest unsure if I need to increase my dose (I'm still on 10mg) but it made me feel so bad when starting that I'm somewhat nervous of it.

      Hope all the "old hands" are doing well,

      take care all,

      Rick

    • Inthewoods4
      Inthewoods4 richard8835

      Posted

      Hi Rick,

      Sorry to hear you're feeling low. 10 is a really low dose, I have to say that I only really turned a corner on 30. Don't be afraid of them. My CBT man said that a lot of the side-effects are in the mind due to us expecting them. Maybe speak to your GP about going up? X

    • richard8835
      richard8835 Inthewoods4

      Posted

      thanks smile ... yup, my GP wants me to increase so I'll do as she says and see how it goes, hopefully it won't be too bad!
    • Paul4823
      Paul4823 richard8835

      Posted

      Hi Richard and in the woods

      Thanks both for your replies. 

      Richard. Agree with itw 10 is very low. I started on 20 and went to 30 after 5 weeks. Maybe the dose isn't right for you yet. Talk to your doctor. 

      Itw - thanks for your support. It's good to hear from someone further on who has gradually improved which shows I can still gradually improve too.

      Bit of a setback this week - teenage daughter in meltdown who is being pretty horrible to me. Still don't mind setbacks when there is good reason. 

      Good luck all

      Mike

  • Adeplume
    Adeplume M68

    Posted

    Well....How fascinating! I have just waded through the whole thread although I must admit to having skipped a page here and there. It is the first time I have found this site having taken Citalopram for over 7 years, maybe 8. After 38 yrs of being a helicopter pilot I had a stroke due to arrhythmia. Knee jerk reaction went onto Statins...dreadful side effects mainly turning me into a foul tempered, foul mouthed, bitter oik who even shocked himself with his nastiness. Stopped Statins (spawn of the Devil! IMHO) Moods improved but not by much so I self diagnosed depression, much more likely,as I learn from you all, to be anxiety, in that I had just lost my career, and was put on Citalopram by the doc.

    Started on 10mg and suffered slight side effects for a couple of weeks feeling wound up and edgy. Apparently they made a difference, so much so that my long suffering wife noticed when I ran out and stopped taking them for a month and told me in that sort of way that women have that perhaps I ought to start taking them again immediately. Other people CAN tell whether or not we are taking them.Listen to people around you, I didn't think they were making any difference but under the threat of two broken legs I started again!

    When I moved to France about 6 years ago I got the Doc to double the dose to 20mg a day and I take them in the morning. I have been taking stuff for arrhythmia, you know blood thinners, heart stuff so I haven't actually been looking at Citalopram for any side effects especially since it doesn't feel that they are doing much, except I am now only mildly irritable as opposed to unspeakably short tempered. Mr Grumpy the wife calls me but that IS a plus point, at least she's talking to me. But I digress.

    When I read all your posts I was absolutely amazed to recognise a huge number of side effects that I had been putting down to other things. Considering that I take about 13 or 14 supplements a day most of which are meant to give me more energy (more? who am I kidding? ) Some energy! I am shattered! I sleep until 0930 or later every morning AND have a snooze during the day. It helps to be retired when taking Citalopram obviously, so that you can squeeze in all the sleep necessary. The dogs love it, but then they are lurchers, born to do nothing for long periods! They help if I wake up in the night, I just stroke a dog until I go back to sleep.

    Dry mouth, yes, I get that at night but due to Sleep Apnoea I wear a pressure mask on my nose to stop me snoring so I thought it was that. Peeing? I pee for France. Hot at night? Goodness yes I leak like a proverbial wossname. I retch every morning as soon as a toothbrush goes anywhere near my tongue.

    These are all  long term side effects but as has often been said one can get used to anything in time.

    IN TIME. That's important, wait for the short term side effects to go away THEN compare how you feel with the symptoms and feelings that put you on Citalopram in the first place.

    REMEMBER nothing goes in straight lines.Your path to feeling better will not be a direct one. Even people who aren't ill have bad days.

    NOTHING happens in this life without a reason

    Huge sympathy to all of you who feel ill, Huge respect to everyone who overcomes awful discomfort and Enormous thanks to all of you who have put so much time in to support the frightened souls who are visiting this site. I have been humbled and moved to read it all.

    Thanks M68 for starting it so long ago

    • anne2953
      anne2953 Adeplume

      Posted

      Good to have your input Adeplum, it helps everyone to see other folks experiences, 

      Hey Mick I do think the new postings have put folk off, but there are also lots of folk feeling good and not needing to come on as much as usual, so that is great but if anyone needs support dont hesitate to come on here, we are all the same and have the same experiences but one ending ---- it does get better so much better xx

      Beco I hope your doing well and improving daily, think of you most days xx

      Anne smile

    • Beco75
      Beco75 anne2953

      Posted

      Hi Anne.  

      Hope you're keeping well.  I often come on to the forum to see have you posted.  I've had a tough few weeks.  I'm off seroquel now.  I'm still on cipramil 50mg.  I had a kidney infection about 2 weeks ago, which took a lot out of me.  I was quite sick and needed a weeks antibiotics.   I still don't feel fully well.  I ended up not doing the mini marathon in Monday as I just didn't feel up to it.  

      I had my latest round of abuse/bullying from my neighbour last week.  First down at the school yard, followed an hour later by a text.   I was so upset and shaking.  It has really set me back.  She followed it up today wanting to know did I "receive her text".   I'm at my wits end with her.   I'm not sure what I can do. I haven't responded to her texts or comments.   Myself and my husband are trying to come up with a suitable option.  Life isn't worth living like this.  

      Hope everyone one else is doing well. 

      Take care 

      beco x

    • laura85157
      laura85157 anne2953

      Posted

      Hi Anne & Everyone

      Not posted for a few weeks as ended up in a psychiatric unit everday for the last two weeks due to coming off Cit and starting Trazodone - Please avoid Traz if you can, It made my anxiety worse and i started to hallucinate and hear things, pretty scary. I hope everyone is coping well and continuing to improve. I had to spend the two weeks here med free and it was tough, however last wednesday i was put on Fluoextine (Prozac) and boy what a difference. I want to do things again, Sleeping has improved (apart from the strange dreams) and things are so much clearer for me and im only 6 days in. I spent 4 years on citalopram upto 2012 and maybe my body just couldn't take it this time round, doesn't mean to say it won't work for anyone else and i still wish everyone the best in there recoveries.  I really didnt think in February things would get any better but it really has with the right medication and dosage. Anxiety and panic is a horrible thing that has plagued me for years but finally things are getting better. If anyone wants a chat I will still login to this forum as i got so much support in the early days i would like to give something back to everyone now things are more 'normal' for me.

      Take care all - and dont be beaten!! it DOES get better.

      Laura xxx

       

    • anne2953
      anne2953 Beco75

      Posted

      Hi Beco, so glad ur off the seroquel now, you will be happy about that, the kidney infection must have been awful as I know it can effect you in many awful ways as well as been painful, there is always next year for the mini marathon x As for her next door, I was hoping she would just fade away, you need to Contact your councils anti social behaviour team or take action through environmental health, you are doing right by not responding to her, remember she is the one with the problem not you, however its effecting you more than her, so rise above her, keep a diary, and report her. Most of all do it with your hubby involved so he knows everyting, I hope you come up with a solution to bring back your happiness, xxxx

      Anne smile

      Hi Laura

      I was given Trazodone but didnt take it at the beginning, I am so glad  your improving now with the prozac, its great ur offering support as still so many folk just starting out like we all were at one stage, good to get support I know I probably wouldnt have made it without the support on  here, 

      Hey Louise, (26018)

      Great to hear your doing well and having lots of good days (normal days lol) I have just upped to 40mg last week as my doctor said its what I should be on for 6 months, so I did up it and it will be a week tomorrow but no side effects at all, however I was good on 20mg so will see what happens, just do what the doctor tells me these days ,,,, so keep in touch we will support each other thru this xx

      Anne smile

  • louise26018
    louise26018 M68

    Posted

    Hi All

    Its been really quiet on hear lately x glad to hear off you Anne, Laura, Beco

    Hi to the new people who have posted too xx

    Laura - so glad to hear your feeling better xx it sounds like you have had a rough journey its good to hear how you have come through xx

    Anne how have you been doing on cit lately xx

    I have had a good few weeks i seem to be more stable now having lots more good weeks than bad x but i think the light nights help xx

    Hope eveyone else is doing well please keep posting we all still need to support each other xx

    Take care

    Louise xx

  • Adeplume
    Adeplume M68

    Posted

    Hi all,

    In my last post I forgot to say that I also get the teeth clenching and I put on over 10 Kilos ie one and a half stone when I doubled my dose. However, that I suppose isn't surprising as,having looked at the box last night I realise that I must have started on 20 mg and doubled the dose to 40 mg on which I remain fat,dumb and happy.

    I attach an interesting piece from Daily Health Alert:

    Alzheimer's breakthrough? Or just Big Pharma up to its old tricks

    Dear Reader,

    There's no denying that the huge increase in the number of people with Alzheimer's disease has already reached epidemic proportions, as ageing Western populations fall prey to this devastating disease.

    And, as the number of elderly people in China, India and South East Asia increases, the number of cases is expected to treble over the next 20 years.

    The World Health Organisation is predicting that there will soon be one new case of Alzheimer's and dementia diagnosed EVERY FOUR SECONDS.

    Attempts by Big Pharma to produce effective drugs to halt the progress of Alzheimer's and dementia have met with several high profile failures in recent years, prompting one leading doctor to declare that taking a simple B vitamin was more effective for preventing and slowing the progression of dementia than any of the so-called blockbuster dementia drugs.

    Read my full report about this and about scientifically proven preventions for dementia and Alzheimer's here...

    But, Big Pharma are persistent to say the least, so it came as no surprise to see new research from the Washington University School of Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania which has shown that a commonly prescribed antidepressant — citalopram — may be able to halt brain plaque.

    Whilst any news of an effective treatment should be welcomed, the cynic in me can't help thinking it's Big Pharma up to its old tricks again.

    Getting drugs that have been licensed for treating one condition approved as treatments for another has been the modus operandi of the drugs industry over the last 20 years. It opens up new markets for existing drugs and allows drug makers to extend the patents on drugs whose patents are about to expire.

    In this latest research, scientists first tested citalopram on older mice and discovered that, over a 28-day period, the antidepressant halted the growth of existing plaques and reduced the formation of new plaques by 78 per cent.

    In a second experiment, the researchers gave a single dose of citalopram to 23 people, aged 18 to 50, who were not cognitively impaired or depressed. Samples of spinal fluid taken from the participants over the next 24 hours showed a 37 per cent drop in the production of amyloid beta, the primary ingredient in plaques.

    Whilst the citalopram research shows promise for more effective treatment of Alzheimer's, the scientists involved are commendably realistic.

    John Cirrito, PhD, assistant professor of neurology at Washington University and senior author of the study, said: 'Antidepressants appear to be significantly reducing amyloid beta production, and that's exciting.

    'But while antidepressants are generally well tolerated, they have risks and side effects. There is still much more work to do.'

    And that's when I start hearing alarm bells ringing...

    Firstly, antidepressant drugs come with a huge list of side effects, including confusion, depression and general dementia-like symptoms.

    Secondly, the research has been conducted on mice and healthy, younger people... so any benefits for elderly dementia sufferers and potential side effects are unlikely to manifest themselves fully.

    And thirdly, I just can't get over the feeling that it's just Big Pharma taking care of business.

    But worth watching though eh? It could make all those side effects well worth putting up with!

    Get well soon,

  • louise1974
    louise1974 M68

    Posted

    Hi all

    Im new to this forum. Currently on my 5th day of Cit 10mg and am not having a good time at all. My maon issue is my anxiety levels being through the roof. Really hard trying to calm down and just a general underlying agitation. My therapist wants me to up to 20mg at the weekend so that I see the benefits quicker. Im aware from reading this thread that these symptoms seem to be the norm but Im finding it hard to reason with myself. Encouraging words would be appreciated!!!

    • Adeplume
      Adeplume louise1974

      Posted

      Your reasoning Louise could be considered at a low ebb. Your therapist,an expert in these matters, has seen many of us in similar situations. I would say IMHO that you should follow the expert's advice.

      Agitation is a good word for what I felt when I started Cit at 20 mgs. I have since doubled the dose and while I am never going to be totally my old self again I am at least liveable with!! Short term symptoms will give way to long term, more acceptable in my view, symptoms. Stick with the short term ones please, I believe, when you look back, you won't regret it.

      Encouraging words, Encouraging words, Encouraging words.

      There, I hope you appreciate that!!!! Keep your sense of humour above all things! xx

    • carman
      carman louise1974

      Posted

      Go buy kava tea if you can find it in your area. It works great for anxiety! trust me I used it to help getting off xanax, anxiety during that was unbearable
    • Adeplume
      Adeplume carman

      Posted

      Just in passing,

      In 2002 the EU imposed a ban on imports of kava-based pharmaceutical products.[31] The sale of kava plant is regulated in Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands.[32] Some Pacific Island States who had been benefiting from the export of kava to the pharmaceutical companies have attempted to overturn the EU ban on kava-based pharmaceutical products by invoking international trade agreements at the WTO: Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu argued that the ban was imposed with insufficient evidence.[33] The pressure prompted Germany to reconsider the evidence base for banning kava-based pharmaceutical products.[34]

      Poland is the only EU country with an "outright ban on kava" and where the mere possession of kava is prohibited and may result in a prison sentence.[31]

      In the United Kingdom it is a criminal offence to sell, supply or import any medicinal product containing kava.[35]

      In 2002 Health Canada issued an order prohibiting the sale of any product containing kava,[36] however the restrictions on kava were lifted in 2012.[37]

      In Australia, the supply of kava is regulated through the National Code of Kava Management. The importation and licensing of kava is prohibited in Western Australia.[18][38] In the Northern Territory, the police say that "the sale and, in majority of circumstances, possession of kava [...] is illegal".[39] The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration has recommended no more than 250 mg of kavalactones be taken in a 24 hour period.[40]

      Legislation has been proposed to require that kava products be derived only from noble cultivars, which may be less toxic.[41][42] Other acts have been passed based on the assumption that aqueous solutions are less harmful.[23][42] Exclusion of certain aerial parts of the plant are also often required by law or convention, which contain less pipermethystine and other toxic compounds.[42]

       

    • carman
      carman Adeplume

      Posted

      Your right adeplume, I forgot about that. I'm in th US though its hard to find here they still can sell it. Large doses of kava have shown to be dangerous but the small amounts in tea and not drinking it const
    • carman
      carman Adeplume

      Posted

      Constantly its harmless. I would suggest passion flower and valerian root teas then. I drink those also for anxiety, though not as potent still helpful
    • Adeplume
      Adeplume carman

      Posted

      Sorry Carman, I wasn't trying to be a smart ar*e, I was interested so I looked it up on Wikipedia and found that it might be in short supply in Europe!
    • carman
      carman Adeplume

      Posted

      No worries, I didn't take it that way. I just read about that too a few months ago. When you buy kava it warns you of its dangers on the box, but its not as dangerous as xanax! Stay far away from that stuff yuck, probably the worst time of my life coming off that nasty drug. I take citalopram too I just upped dose to 20mg and it gives me episodes of anxiety so it helps me to drink the sleepyness teas because they don't make me sleepy. They just help calm me down.
    • Adeplume
      Adeplume carman

      Posted

      Calm is good. I've heard of some really nasty things on this thread. Perhaps I'm wrong to trust, completely, the professionals as they are the ones who prescribe the nasty stuff as well as Citalopram.
    • carman
      carman Adeplume

      Posted

      Yeah I don't trust doctors anymore. They pretty give me whatever I ask for instead of trying to figure out what I really need.I only started cit because my mom recommended it
    • louise1974
      louise1974 carman

      Posted

      Spent 12 years on and off Seroxat with my last GP which has well publicised side effects when coming off. Took me 2 years, a liquid form of the med and one hell of a lot of willpower. Probably one of the reasons why I have my knickers in a twist going onto this.
    • Adeplume
      Adeplume carman

      Posted

      Bummer, as a chronic self diagnoser I decided what my problem was and luckily ended up IMHO on the right thing. I also leant on the French Doc to double the dose and am glad that I am on the dose I'm on. While I have only just found this thread I don't share a lot of people's desire to diminish or get off a medication that seems to be working. I liken it to the recent adverts for Sensodyne Sensitive toothpaste where people complain to their dentist that the sensitivity has returned because they had felt so good that they stopped using it!

      This thread is a real eye opener though all 115 pages of it. I have found that :

      a) Anxiety seems to be more often the reason for being on Citalopram as opposed to clinical depression.

      b) There are a heck of a lot of people who are worse off than I am and  for whom I have the sincerest sympathy.

      c) It does have some long term side effects that I had not attributed to the Citalopram but are liveable with.

      and d) the supportive nature of a site like this is fulfilling a huge need which is not being filled by the professionals.

      When are they going to make Anne a saint?

    • carman
      carman Adeplume

      Posted

      Well most ppl will except anxiety problems and not depression. unfortunately anxiety creates depression its impossible to be happy when your worrying about everything. its fortunate that there are drugs such as citalopram though there are side effects its a much better drug than a lot of ppl turn to to feel better. Such  as alcohol, crystal meth, or even heroin/opiates the side effects of those are much worse t
    • Adeplume
      Adeplume louise1974

      Posted

      Hey! Really sorry to hear about yer Knickers! This stuff I stopped with no effects except that according to my wife who is, of course, on the receiving end i returned to being a complete a...hole. So I started again and now she actually talks to me. No really! Quite often in fact and while not back to my old self I am often quite civil!!! This one med makes me very happy that I am not on and have not been on all these nasty sounding ones that I have heard about on this site. My Doc, way back about 8 years assured me that it was not addictive which made up my mind in the first place and I even gave it up that once to prove it. I am an ex-helicopter pilot and don't take drugs too quickly or too trustingly (is that a word?) I believe you are in better territory with Citalopram, could be a good reason for changing your GP once in a while!

       

    • laura85157
      laura85157 louise1974

      Posted

      Louise 

      Bare with it. Your only on day 5 and the first 2-4 weeks are the worst in my experience side effect wise. You may even notice small improvements before the 6-8 week marker. Citalopram worked well for me before it's a shame they didn't work for me this time but as you can see from other people they do help and you will be back to normal. Don't put a time limit on yourself and take one day at a time. I wanted mine to work overnight and learnt the hard way things do take time. Always here if your struggling and want a chat xx

    • louise1974
      louise1974 Adeplume

      Posted

      Oh aye I changed my GP this time around when I knew a trip was coming up!  Plus the counsellor I am seeing wrote to her advising her to prescribe these tablets.  
    • louise1974
      louise1974 laura85157

      Posted

      Thanks Laura.  I think I know logically I'm on the right track it's just that 2-4 weeks of side effects seems an awfully long time when I feel this bad!
    • laura85157
      laura85157 louise1974

      Posted

      Hun just grin and bare it. It's awful but think of the long term. No nerves. Calm. Happy. Limited anxiety If any. 10mg is a low dose and I found after 6 weeks on 10 I was very flat and the jum
    • laura85157
      laura85157 louise1974

      Posted

      Jump to 20 made my mood better.  It's finding the right dose and time and patience. It will come good in the end for you. That I can promise. One day at a time. X. X 
    • Adeplume
      Adeplume louise1974

      Posted

      BUT how did you feel before they were prescribed and for how long?

       2-4 weeks maybe even 6 will pale into insignificance when you are feeling better. Don't concentrate on the possible side effects, concentrate on the potential benefits. Please, for us who have been there.

    • Adeplume
      Adeplume louise1974

      Posted

      listen to the professionals they are there to help.

       

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