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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

5315 Replies

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  • louise26018
    louise26018 M68

    Posted

    Hi inthewoods 

    I have exactly the same thing before a period and during. Hot sweats in the mornings and tearful!! i have just totally blamed it on that time of the month because its happened the last few months to me and i get angry. But for the rest of the month cit has really calmed me down xx shame it cant do wonders for that time of the month too xx

  • louise1974
    louise1974 M68

    Posted

    Just out of curiousity and nothing to do with Citalopram.  Does anyone else after having an anxious or panicky day find they feel like their blood sugar drops and they really need food?  Like light headed and faint?  Just curious cos this seems to happen to me often.
  • louise26018
    louise26018 M68

    Posted

    Hi Louise1974

    I have felt like that a few times more when i first started taking cit, it has eased now, but when i feel anxious i tend to do light headed and woozy sad  xx

    Hi to everyone!! hope u have all had a good weekend xx

  • MollyMonday
    MollyMonday M68

    Posted

    Oh, boy. So today is day 11 on Cit (day 4 on 20mg) and I just woke up with some crazy head "whooshes" or pressure. It came in waves of 2-3 and has seemed to stopped after about 20 mins. It's the same sort of sensation I get when yawning/stretching/bending down. Anybody else have this as a symptom? Is it related?

    Also, is there a way to search this site within a certain topic and not just across all of the boards? 

    Thanks!

    Molly.M

    • louise1974
      louise1974 MollyMonday

      Posted

      Hi Molly

      We are at exactly the same stage. 10 day here and 3 of 20mg. I havent had the head wooshes but sounds lije adrenaline surges. Im suffering with really bad increased anxiety and panic though. It aint fun!!

      Louise x

    • MollyMonday
      MollyMonday louise1974

      Posted

      Sorry to hear that your having increased anxiety. Mine hasn't increased but I am still getting the normal couple of times daily bouts of panicky feelings. The 4-7-8 breathing exercise is getting me through it pretty well. My work is being very understanding about giving me moments to bring it under control. Have you had any luck with this?

      I'm not sure the sensation is an adrenaline surge, or if it is it's something I've had for a long time, albeit not to this extreme. I've always experienced the sensation with yawining and stretching just never on it's own, or for an extended amount of time. There isn't really any sense of panic with it (other than the, "Oh god, what's my brain doing to me now?" variety. Lol) I'll def. mention to my Dr.

    • louise1974
      louise1974 MollyMonday

      Posted

      Hi Molly

      Sorry for the late reply. How you going on?

      Was first day back at work for me after 2 weeks annual leave. Suffered with anxiety all day, sweaty palms and a few panicky moments but did my job and stayed all day. Like you my colleagues are understanding and encourage me to go for a walk or whatever if they see Im struggling. We are very lucky to have that kind of support in the workplace.

      Day 13. It can only get better!!

      Louise xx

    • MollyMonday
      MollyMonday louise1974

      Posted

      Hi Louise,

      Day 13 already? Wow! When I hear the sides that you are having I feel relatively lucky! My anxiety hasn't increased too much since I started the pills but it was already pretty high. Have you been practicing breathing exercises when they come? I've found that those are really helping me get past the anxious moments. Now if I could do something about the nausea! I general feel really bad 1-2 hours after I take the pill and then a couple of more bouts through the evening.

      I've also been waking up periodically but I've never been good friends with sleep so that's not too bad. And the dreams are pretty wild! It's kind of like watching a bunch of short films throughout the night smile

      Hope your sides taper off soon!

      Molly

  • michael67817
    michael67817 M68

    Posted

    Hi everyone:

    I'm in the states and I've been following your thread. I have been on Citalopram with Bupropion (generic Wellbutrin) before and stopped taking the meds after about four months because I was concerned I was feeling too happy. But after about three months all the racing morning negative thoughts and morning anxiety began to come back. I recently decided to begin the regimen again. I remembered my doctor transitioned me up to a full dose and so I started 17 days ago with 20mg of Citalopram and 150mg of Bupropion. I was immediately overwhelmed with horrible anxiety and even worse racing negative thoughts that later in the day once I was showered and exercised and up and moving made no sense whatsoever. After seven days of climbing the walls, I increased the dose to 40mg of Citalopram and 300mg of Bupropion hoping to get back to the effective dose. The horrible anxiety has been replaced with only severe and somewhat nonsensical anxiety, fear of the future, etc. Also have loss of appetite, no ambition, loneliness, feel hopeless much of the time. Before beginning, I at least had SOME good days. I do remember the first times I had begun this regimen the doctor telling me to stick with it and endure the initial side effects. I also remember one morning waking up and thinking "Oh! So this is what happy and normal feels like!" I just don't remember how long it took to get to that point. I feel terribly anxious at the moment and I want to believe that it will subside. Any guidance would be appreciated.

  • dougied85
    dougied85 M68

    Posted

    Hi everyone, been a while since I've posted on here and have noticed things have been quieter of late, hoping everyone is doing better.

    Been on 30mg for a couple of months now and in general it's doing the job - no side effects to speak of really, and most of the time I feel pretty good.  But I am still having the odd rough day, today being one of them - although I was OK when I got up & about this morning, I've slowly gone downhill as the day has progressed and all I really want to do now is curl up in bed and hide away.  Am struggling to control the tears as well, and just can't face doing any work or anything else I really should be doing.

    I actually told my parents last night what's been going on for the past 6 months - well, my wife did on my behalf, and I thought I'd feel better for it but really don't.  If anything I actually feel worse for telling them, worried about what they now think of me and feeling like more of a failure than I already do.  Compared to what other people go through and why other people find themselves struggling with this crippling depression, I don't have any right to feel the way I do - I'm just pathetic to be honest.

    And now as I sit here I can feel myself getting panicky and shaky, dizzy and light-headed - just what I need, a panic attack to make the day perfect.

    I am also worried about the fact I have to go out with friends this week - I haven't done that for ages, and I'm worried what might happen if I have a few drinks based on my last experience, but don't want to have to say to anyone that I'm not drinking and explain why so will have to just go with it and hope I'm ok.

    Sorry to be posting so negatively, just don't have anyone to talk to today and so naturally came here to get things off my chest.

    Take are all.

    D. x

    • anne2953
      anne2953 dougied85

      Posted

      Dougie your parents will support you no matter what, and they will be glad u told them so they can support you in future, so dont down yourself this is an illness just like gallstones or high blood pressure you wouldnt be embarrased if you told them u had that would u so why be embarrassed about this when u didnt do it to yourself its an illness like all other illnesses, I told everyone that would listen LOL I didnt care what they thought, just wanted them to know how I was feeling and I got loads of support and it came out loads of other folk I know were suffering with it too, but had never said, its nothing to be ashamed of, you would be shocked at how many of your friends and colleagues have suffered this and are on some sort of SSR too,

      Take care, you have come this far stay strong,

      Anne 

  • tamsin13
    tamsin13 M68

    Posted

    Hi all 

    Just thought I would post a positive note! I am on day 14 - day 6 of 10mg and I feel better! The dide effects have reduced significantly - finally have my appetite back and had a glass of wine last night! My mood is better and the health anxiety is better - my nights are pretty bad with lots of free floating anxiety and waking up bit I'm hoping that will settle down - worth it for the other changes. Long may it last! Am going to stick with 10mgs for a while - both psychologist and psychiatrist thinks that's a good idea and we will reevaluate in a month or so. Apparently quite a lot of people do fine on 10. Anyway really glad I just suffered the side effects - as everyone says it is really worth it once the improvements start. Louise hope it all kicks in for you soon! 

  • louise26018
    louise26018 M68

    Posted

    Hi Jro

    Just read your post from yesterday and felt i needed to respond,

    and to everyone else whos in the first 3 weeks of cit!! confused

    The first few weeks were hell for me, i seemed way worse than i did before i started taking cit!! i was so close to giving up. I had no motivation,energy off my food felt sick, very panicky its was absolutely awful and i did actually think i would never feel better!! really scary.

    Then after about 3 weeks it started to ease i would have a good couple of hours in a day the rest bad, and then it became i had a good afternnoon and evening, then i would have a day the next one bad then 2 good days etc etc i kept a log of my days and now i look back and think WOW iv come on so much better!! only afew bad hours a weeks at the most!! obviously when im due on PMS doesnt dissapear unfortunately stiil have that sad

    But i have loads more energy now and feel im getting there xx

    Keep it up its worth it!!

    Hi to everyone Anne,Chris,Beco, inthewoods,paul and everyone else xx

    Hope your all well?? xxx

    • JRo
      JRo louise26018

      Posted

      Thank you Louise26018.  how long have  you been on it now, how.much, and.how do you feeel?
  • louise26018
    louise26018 M68

    Posted

    Hi JRo

    I have been taking 10mg since 1st March this year for anxiety which lead to depression, my anxiety took over my life i couldnt face people or go shopping. i thought i was going crazy, its not the first time iv suffered from it to be honest but this tome was the worst so i went to the docs and he put me on CIT.

    IT TOOK THREE WEEKS OF HELL BEFORE IT STARTED TO KICK IN BUT ITS SO WORTH IT!! XX

    At the time all i did was read all these posts and it kept me positve knowing i wasnt the only one xx after three weeks the anxiety and panic and the general ill feeling started to ease thankfully then bit by bit i got better, i still have the odd time where i feel low and anxious but nothing compare to how i was, i was a complete wreck xx

    So four month down the line im back to by nearly normal self, at one point i did want to up my dose but im quite steady at the min so will see how it goes, i tend to struggle more in the winter months so will have to see how i am then xx but at the min i feel ok xx

    Went to docs yesterday for new prescription and he seems happy with my progress xx

    • JRo
      JRo louise26018

      Posted

      Thank you - that seems very encouraging and I will stick with it. As I said, I went on it because I was depressed, anxious and lethargic, so it is hard to tell the difference. I don't expect a miracle overnight. I am glad I am not alone in this and look forward to feeling "normal" once again. I am normally a very happy person and I feel as if I am walking around in a dark cloud - before I even started the meds...I just want to be in sunshine again!

       

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