Citalopram
Posted , 8 users are following.
I have been on citalopram for about... nearly 3 years now I think, and through that time I seem to have gained a fair bit of weight. Before going on medication I was a size 10 and now I'm about a 14, sometimes dropping back to a 12 a bit. I get very self conscious and unhappy about my weight and appearance and while I don't want to be unhealthily thin but I would like to be back to the size I was. I eat pretty healthily and while it doesn't happen every week I do exercise quite a lot as well when I'm not too worn out from my problems with insomnia. Thing is I can't quite work out if it's possible that the weight gain is caused by my medication (citalopram) or losing control of looking after myself with depression. I've started to be more careful about my eating and exercise routines but it doesn't seem to have helped an awful lot which is what is making me think it might be the medication. In turn the weight gain makes my depression worse.
I haven't brought this up with my doctor. I worry that because I'm 21 and the jump in weight gain isn't as extreme as some people have it that I won't be taken seriously, as that seems to be the way with a lot the problems I go to the doctors about. Or that I'll be told I'm just not trying hard enough. I don't feel like I can talk to anyone else about it because they won't take it seriously either as weight concerns can be taken as just fishing for compliments but it's something that genuinely bothers me quite a lot.
I've posted this really because I'm curious as to what other people's experiences are? And if anyone has any advice on how to deal with this situation?
2 likes, 12 replies
daisymay
Posted
I can sympathise with you regarding weight gain. I have been taking Citalopram for some years now and I
have put on a lot of weight. I know my diet hasn't always been healthy so I'm not going to completely blame
the tablets. It might be worth going to the doctors and seeing if it is a side affect and maybe you could
switch to a different medication. I wish you all the best try not to worry.
caitylikescats
Posted
however i got a new doctor and on my first appointment with her, she straight away brought up that because of my age (19 at the time) she thought it was ridiculous that i had been put on citalopram as weight gain is an extremely common side affect and she was sure this wouldn't be good for my confidence at all.
anyway, long story short, she put me on fluoxetine (prozac). it was amazing, some days i almost forgot to eat and i started loosing the wait i had gained with the citalopram almost immediately. I strongly recommend you speak to your doctor about changing your medication, as at the end of the day its your life and if you suffer from deppression or anything similar then you should be on a medication that you are happy taking.
I hope this helps.
ps: for insomnia i've found that the occasional short term use of zopiclone helps a lot. but it is addictive so doctors may be a bit dismissive on the subject. but if it is a real problem and effecting your life then i see no reason for them not to prescribe it to help you.
LittleBirdxo
Posted
As for zopiclone I think I actually got prescribed that last week but I've had trouble getting it at the pharmacy! Been waiting for them to get it in since last Thursday. Good to know it's helpful though. I hope it does help because I feel like I've tried everything else.
gymbunny
Posted
I'm just hoping that I feel ok without the cit & that the weight comes off.
LittleBirdxo
Posted
I'm going to go back to the doctors though and back to try counselling again. I'm also hoping that I might feel a bit better once I've lost the weight that I've gained? I'm just also worried that it won't come off =[ but I'm hoping for the best at the moment.
I hope it works out okay for you, if you start to feel bad make sure you see someone straight away. I'm always really bad for dragging things out because I don't want to face up or I feel stupid going to someone about it but it doesn't help really and at the end of the day they'll have helped plenty of other people with the same problem in the past.
LittleBirdxo
Posted
I'm going to go back to the doctors though and back to try counselling again. I'm also hoping that I might feel a bit better once I've lost the weight that I've gained? I'm just also worried that it won't come off =[ but I'm hoping for the best at the moment.
I hope it works out okay for you, if you start to feel bad make sure you see someone straight away. I'm always really bad for dragging things out because I don't want to face up or I feel stupid going to someone about it but it doesn't help really and at the end of the day they'll have helped plenty of other people with the same problem in the past.
LittleBirdxo
Posted
I'm going to go back to the doctors though and back to try counselling again. I'm also hoping that I might feel a bit better once I've lost the weight that I've gained? I'm just also worried that it won't come off =[ but I'm hoping for the best at the moment.
I hope it works out okay for you, if you start to feel bad make sure you see someone straight away. I'm always really bad for dragging things out because I don't want to face up or I feel stupid going to someone about it but it doesn't help really and at the end of the day they'll have helped plenty of other people with the same problem in the past.
gymbunny
Posted
I have lost 5 lbs in the last week so thats a good thing at least.
I too always delay going to the drs, dont like admitting that I need help.
Hope you manage to get some counselling. Take care
LittleBirdxo
Posted
I haven't managed to weigh myself as I don't have scales at uni but I'm noticing a difference at least I think.
Hope you manage to sort out your medication, don't delay it too much! I've been putting it off again and it's making me worse.
You take care too =]
suzanne08512
Posted
tradders
Posted
ruth54844
Posted
I just wondered if anyone had experienced the sleep problems, and if it passed. It's my first time of ever using a forum so any help would be greatly appreciated thank you.