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Citalopram for anxiety

Posted , 3 users are following.

Guest
Guest

Hi all.

This is my third day on Citalopram and I am feeling quite odd!

I have been prescribed 20mg a day to deal with my anxiety and panic attacks...once the citalopram has got me to a place where I can even start to deal with the root cause of the anxiety I will be having some CBT too.

Anyway, I have taken 3 tablets so far. I have had a dull headache since the morning after the first tablet and my head feels a bit cloudy? I am not sure how else to explain it..I guess it feels a bit like having TV interference in my head!

The main side effect I have had is that my stomach has been very very upset since day one. I have also got very very bad nausea so haven't been able to eat properly - has anyone got any tips for dealing with this? Previously I haven't been eating properly as I have had that horrible feeling of dread in my stomach all the time, which has now been overtaken by me just feeling sick! I don't want to lose too much weight (although if I do I guess I can just eat more over Christmas!!) :D

I have been feeling dizzy as well, but I have no way of telling if that's a direct result of the Cit or if it's just because I haven't been eating properly. :?

Also, I was wondering what time of day other people take the tablets, I have been taking them in the evening and I have been more tired than normal the morning after taking them, I'm wondering if I start to take them in the morning instead, will I then just get tired in the evening instead? (which would be great as I have been missing out on sleep too)

I have read through this forum and there are some geat supportive people on here, and it has also reassured me I am doing the right thing, and just need to hang in there through the side effects! A number of years ago I was on Fluoxetine for depression and the side effects of Citalopram feel much more gentle so far.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • LindaP
    LindaP

    Posted

    Hang in there. As you've read there are lots of us in this together.

    The side effects and the times for taking the tabs vary from person to person. It is a case of trial and error.

    I found CBT helpful. Hope it helps you. If you haven't already google search 'Living Life to the Full' and 'anxiety no more'. I found these two websites very useful.

    I have been on Cit for 4 months and the anxiety is now very much in the background and I have my life back. I have a little way to go but things are so much better for me. Things will get better for you too.

    best wishes

    Linda

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    for me the first 7 days were very bad, after that it got better. stay with it
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    stay with it, the side effects in the head were the same for me, after 5 or 6 days they vanished, great reflief. if i had known how these would initially hit me i would have booked the week off work to stay in and get over the weird \"tv interference head\" effects

    my pupils were HUGE 1st 2 days...

    i take them 3 hours before bed, so then the 8 hours sleep sleeps off some side effect, but my GP told me once side effects stop, take them in the morning so get full effect of tablet, i have started taking them in the morning starting from today, no side effects at all, and i noticed i have been singing in the kitchen quite a bit doing chores... hmmm, not like me... seems like im feeling happy... hehe, will see how these go.

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    hi

    how long have you been on your tabs? i too take mine about 9pm it will be 4 weeks on monday. im just interested as to why your gp said take them in the morning. ive been told by some take in the morning and some say it doesnt matter as long its the same time everyday so im now confused ( as if i need to be more so!!LOL!!) can you message back here when you take them in the morning just to let me know if you feel any better

    thanks :D

  • mq7
    mq7

    Posted

    Dear Daydream, what ever you do - do not mix citalopram with penicillin. mq7
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    sort of reassuring but sort of scary. I'm on day 4 of cit, due to take the 4th tablet tonight. I was concerned by the sticker on the box that said it may impair driving reactions so checked with a pharmacist who recommended I take it in the evening so the worst side effects will be when I'm asleep. Am feeling very 'odd' and hope it's not going to get worse???
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    sort of reassuring but sort of scary. I'm on day 4 of cit, due to take the 4th tablet tonight. I was concerned by the sticker on the box that said it may impair driving reactions so checked with a pharmacist who recommended I take it in the evening so the worst side effects will be when I'm asleep. Am feeling very 'odd' and hope it's not going to get worse???
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