Anyone NOT had any side effects on Citalopram?

Oh dear, sounds like you're feeling really quite poorly at the moment. It really is such a cruel illness. I'm glad you have a supportive husband and family, it's just such an awful symptom feeling so detached from them. Are you having any times that you're able to feel okay?

Xx

Hi,

To all of you that are still having a rough ride on the citalopram I PROMISE it will get better.

3 weeks ago I couldn't even listen to a christmas tune or even think about feeling happy on christmas day.

But here I am on christmas eve feeling so much better. I know I'm not cured from my worries and anxiety but the cit has made a huge difference.

All of you stay with the meds. Take care of yourselves through the christmas period. What you are going through now will get better.

Love to you all x

Hi Emma, Thanks that is good to hear, how long has it taken for you to start to feel better? I went back on 10mg from 5 on 21st November then up to 20 the Monday before last and still feel awful, the worst bit is the tightness in my throat, chest and stomach, it starts when I wake in the night and is still there now. Have a good Christmas x

Hi I would say probably day 19 of the increase all side effects stopped my mood gets better and better each day. It was the feeling sick that I couldn't cope with and I still struggle with my appetite some days now. I initially lost 18lbs in weight and have stayed the same weight ever since. I have completely changed my diet though as part of my recovery process which is why the weight has stayed off.

I still occassionally suffer with my acid reflux but it has become obvious that it is stress related.

I think everyone suffers different side effects but they wont last for much longer than 3-4 weeks generally.

Happy christmas x

Dear All

Just want to encourage everyone, particularly those still in the early days. It will get better and the side effects will gradually fade away. At times you may feel that you are too poorly and the cit will not help, but that's because your mind is affected. Do not worry!

Hi Anne - glad to hear you've made it to Ireland safely, and that so far all is well, trust it will keep that way. I'm riding the RA pain, NHS have given me a nice Christmas present by putting off my Rheum appointment from Feb 4th to 13th! So I am considering private treatment.

Take care everyone and have a good Christmas.

Chris

Hi all.

My husband rang me for his work today to say my gp had rang him as he quiet concerned for me. He told him to keep an eye on me over the christmas and try avoid large gatherings which isn't going to be possible on Christmas Day or st Stephens day.

I feel I'm getting no benefits from the tablets. I had 6-7 weeks of 20mg and 30mg for the last 8 days. I feel so sad. I can't get any enjoyment into my life. I've 2 gorgeous kids here waiting for Santa - and I just want to hid.

Hope everyone has a peaceful christmas.

Beco

Thanks Emma , I am now only on day 9 of the increase to 20mg, I have made an appointment to see my GP on the 9th January so I am hoping by then things will have got better.

Hi Beco, I feel so sad for you, I hope the 30mg will kick in soon and you will be feeling a lot better, I hope you get through Christmas OK xx

Hi Beco, you look after yourself. Don't worry about your kids or their Christmas, in the long run a happy healthy mum will be far more important to them than you fretting over what kind of Christmas they have and making yourself feel worse. I'm sure as you have a supportive husband he'll make sure they enjoy themselves. If you can't make it to any gatherings don't worry about that either. So far I haven't made it to anything I've had planned for Christmas. I'm disappointed but also relieved that I haven't had to push myself to do anything I wasn't up to. People who care about you will understand that you're not well, the same as they would if you'd caught flu and couldn't make it to their 'do'.

Take care of yourself. Any horrid nasty thoughts or worries you're having are the symptoms of the illness, they're not real or you.

Hope you get some rest over the next few days!

Xxx

Also, don't fret over the 6-7 weeks on 20mg, I've had several years on a lower dose under my belt and I'm still having problems with the increase in dose, I'm on day 12 and only just starting to see any meaningful improvement and I've still got a way to go until I'm fully 'me' again

Xx

Just wanted to wish you all a peaceful and calm christmas! Xxx

Thank you Mrs VN, same to you xxxxx

Hey Emma,

It's great to hear you're feeling the benefit now and enjoying Christmas. I agree it does make a big difference to your mood and helps you regain your energy and confidence, although it will lessen anxiety it's not a magic cure and personality transplant, as you say..you still have work to do, but this med gets you there a lot easier and quicker.

I went from hardly going out and not speaking to anyone, to flying to Gibraltar (my first flight anywhere) a week ago, staying in a hotel full of people, and socialising with them. OK it was difficult at times, but such is life eh. We just have to try and we improve... I gained a lot from the experience and would do it again.

People have to hang in there who are finding it difficult and feeling there's no light at the end of the tunnel..it will come!

My tip for those struggling with side effects or needing 20mg is to increment SLOWLY if possible, in 2.5mg increments. It makes the side effects much more mangeable, but the trade-off is it will take a lot longer for you to reach the optimal dose (2-3 months rather than 4-6 weeks) and full benefit.

Also, don't be afraid to ask your Dr for something to help with anxiety if you're really struggling and over the counter stuff (like Kalms etc) aren't helping. If you have severe anxiety and an understanding Dr, you might get a benzo for a week or two, even 2mg diazepam will take the anxiety away during those intense weeks.

Thanks Morphix, that's amazing that you managed to fly out to Gibraltar! I seem to be over the worst of the side effects but my mood is still very up and down and my sleep pattern isn't great. I had two really good days and thought 'great, I'm getting better' but I seem to have dipped a little in the last few days. I think that's quite common though and I'm no where near as bad as I was at the start. I'm on day 15 of an increase to 40mg.

How's everyone else doing? Hope you're all seeing some progress and that Christmas was okay for you all?

Beco, how did you get on? I've been thinking of you as I know you've been really struggling. Hope you managed to get some rest over Christmas.

Xxx