Anyone NOT had any side effects on Citalopram?

Day 16 for me, Slept the best I have in last 2 weeks, The acupuncture I had yesterday for chest and back pain has helped. This morning don't feel as ropey but head is still foggy. Back of my head and neck are give me a dull ache.

It the damn throat infection that aggravating everything :0(

How is everyone else going ?

Good Morning everyone,

Joanne - I hope things get better as the day goes along.

Jimbo, - I'm pleased you have managed to get a good sleep.

After reading claire's message yesterday I thought I had better double check that it was OK for me to go up to 30mg of citalopram as last Thursday this is what the doctor suggested or to go onto mirtizapine, well I decided to not to take the mirtizapane so rang up to check that it was alright to increase the cit, as it happened my GP was the duty doctor yesterday so he knew what I was talking about and he said no I wasn't to increase the cit, I couldn't believe it because if I hadn't questioned about my age being 67 I would have just done what he said last week and that would have been to increase the cit, hope you're following this, anyway I have to stay on 20mg citalopram and take the propranalol as well when I feel I need to.

Hope you all have a good day.

Hi Friends,

I've never done this before and feel tentative about sharing, but I'm in need of some help. I've been on cit for 3 weeks now. 3 weeks on 10mg with awful side effects, then increased to 20mg last Tuesday. The side effects hit me about 3 days into the increase and have been awful. Increased anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia (taking zopiclone to help), shaky, nausea, and feeling like I've got a sore throat always. I have an 8 week old baby and a 2 year old boy. I went through someone similar with my first born, but this time it has been way worse. I'm wondering when I'll start to feel the positive effects of this drug. I literally go all day thinking, when will it start working? When will I stop feeling so crappy?

I'd love some insight.

Thank you all so much, in advance.

Amy

Hi Amy

I also have never done this before but when you feel this bad you just need reassurance that you're going to get better. I had post natal depression with my first born and a tiny bit with my second who's now 2. I am expexperiencing the same as you at the moment. I too was on 10m, increased to 20mg and now 11 days into 30mg. I have started to sleep a bit better the last couple of days but mornings are still so hard and with 2 children to take care of it's very difficult. I'm sure in a couple of weeks we should feel the benefits and be back to our old selves.

You are not alone although you think you are as I just thought no one would understand!! I too keep asking the question, when will I be better and what if I stay like this?? My thoughts are just so random and my health anxiety has increased and I'm worrying about everything.

As I understand it, when you increase this drug the side effects start again but it will get better. You've got through it before and you will again.

Jo

Xx

Thank you so much Jo, I really appreciate the fast response.

I'm just hoping that by next week this time, I'll be feeling back to my old self, or even just a bit better. I'll be sure to repost in a few days to let you know how I am. I always wonder after reading these posts how everyone is doing.

Thank you again, your words and positive reinforcement have lessened the worry.

Amy xx

P.S. Does anyone know why it takes so long for citalopram to work and why the side effects exist?

Hi, Amy,

Like you I was on 10mg for a while and then upped to 20mg 17 days ago. I had awful side effects at 10mg, but fewer at 20mg. But my anxiety, panic, nausea and depression actually got quite a lot worse for the first 2 weeks on 20mg. Now I'm enjoying my 4th day of feeling pretty good. I know I might drop again until the full effects kick in in a few weeks, but I feel much more optimistic.

Stick with them. You WILL feel better, even if it doesn't seem like it now!

Hi Jimbo,

Glad ur sleeping better you will get there, this is just the start,

Hi Amy and Jo

Welcome to this forum I have been on it since October and I felt just like you both do, exactly like you both do, it took me 4 weeks to start to feel better and then about 6 weeks I felt normal again, the reason it takes so long to kick in is that Cit retrains your brain to produce the right amount of serotonin and takes 4-6 weeks however everyone can vary as you will see if you reads back through this forum, it is awful to start with but remember what u felt like before u started Cit was it much worse ?? probably the same, so maybe just the anxiety we are still feeling while waiting on the Cit to start, so stick in you will get better and you will be so happy you persevered, I know I am, as couldn't have went on the way I was. stick with this forum as u will get lots of support from folk whom are at all stages of taking cit and going through the same stuff as yourselves. so stay strong.

Hi Jules, good to hear ur improving xx

Hey Chris how u doing? Hope you are getting your pain under control xx

Hi Beco how are you doing this week, ?? thinking of you the last few days xx keep in touch xx

Joanne give it time be kind to yourself you will get there.

Everyone with sore throats and feelings like there is a lump down there, I had that too was in agony and couldnt swallow, but as soon as Cit kicked in there was nothing there, no soreness and certainly no lump, just woke up feeling normal one morning, it was strange, there really was nothing wrong with me except my mind tricking me. due to the anxiety.

Anyway stay strong we will get there together all,

Anne

Hi Anne and everyone

Hope everyone is doing ok.

I'm having a few down days. Had counselling this morning but found it hard to focus and answer questions.

I still feel very spaced out on the tablets. My biggest concern is the side effect of the seroquel. It causes constipation and abdominal swelling. So I seem to have a swollen belly. I'm also taking a high fibre diet to ease the constipation.

I'm still having difficulty in excepting what has happened to me ( with regards to the neighbour). It's on my mind continuously. I feel a bit more withdrawn from people again.

It's amazing how many are on this forum all going through the same thing. Stay strong everyone. Talk soon.

Beco

Hi Beco,

Good to hear form you, but not so good ur having a few bad days.

Maybe visit the doc again, are u southern Ireland?, as I know the doc charges for every visit there, but if u can keep going to the doc and make sure they know how u feel, so u can get help, it will be hard to forget the Neighbour thing, it may get easier but its been for so long now it will be harder to completly forget it, but I feel you will become more confident and it wont bother you as much, and you can just live without many thoughts of her, it will take more time as we all know, make sure ur eating enough to soak up the seroquel. has the doc given u anything for the constipation, as you need something as its very painful, drink lots of orange juice, or prune juice, anything that helps.

Stay strong and make sure you are kind to yourself and take care of yourself, you will get there, you are one of the strongest folk on here, keep in touch, xx

Big hugs and comfort xx

Anne

Moring all,

So far so good this morning, just a bit of sickness so far. It me and my little lad today as wife is at work and my daughters are at school.

Need to start functioning again as I have to get myself a new job.

Jimbo

Hi all

Slept last night very well and have managed to eat dinners the last couple of days. Also my thoughts are becoming more quiet (if that makes sense?) does this mean I could be on the way to being my old self again? I still really struggle in mornings. Physical side of anxitey has gone but mentally still anxious.

Thanks for your support.

Jo xx

Hi Joanne - I'm so happy for you! I really do think a good nights sleep makes the WORLD of difference. I too had a better night which makes getting up with an 8 week old much easier. I think the side effects are starting to lessen here as well. I know exactly what you mean about your mind being a bit clearer as mine seems to be less "busy" as well.

I think it might take me a while to get over the fear of fear. Basically the fear that I'll go backwards instead of forwards at this point. Does that sound strange? I guess it's the fear of anxiety. Knowing where you've been and being afraid to go back.

Jimbo - so glad you've had a pretty good day so far. It's so encouraging!

Jules - I appreciate the encouragement. Getting a message on here really does make me feel much better. What a great forum.

Where does everyone live? Just out of curiosity - I saw Ireland? I live in Canada, Ontario about 1 hour West of the big bad Toronto! Hee hee.

Have a great day everyone and keep up the positive work.

Amy

Evening everyone,

Really thought that I was beginning to see a tiny improvement but started feeling bad again! Been on cit for 8 weeks increased my dose to 30mg 12 days ago!! I'm just so desperate to feel better. I'm just so worried that this is the best I'm going to feel??

Has anyone got any advice on how to help myself along or do I just ride it out?

Xx

Hi Joanne

Do not despair! At 12 days into the increased dose you haven't yet seen the benefits of it. Look at the first part of today as being a promise that you will reach that point and beyond. Several of us have been there and felt very down when it appeared we had gone backwards. But Cit is like that - it's a bit of a bumpy ride for a while but you get glimpses of how good you will be - so stay strong.

I saw a lad the other day in the wind trying to fly his kite. He tried a few times and it went up a little way and then crashed down again. Each time, however, he was more successful, and finally he was up and away. Cit seems to be like that at first and then you reach the promised land!

Good luck to everyone else - looks like there is promise with everyone. Keep at it, Beco and Jimbo!

Amy, I live on the south coast of England, a long way from you and being buffeted by strong winds and a lot of rain. 50 miles from where I live there are bad floods with a lot of countryside under water.

Hope you are keeping OK, Anne. I'm having a better pain day today following a better night's sleep. Will see doc next week.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Chris