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citalopram is making me feel weird. is this normal?

Posted , 4 users are following.

nicole53976
nicole53976

I'm not from the uk but figured you guys could give me some advice about if these side effects are normal. I've taken citalopram in the past but started taking it again a week ago. I started on 10mg at bedtime for 4 days and upped my dose to 20mg 2 nights ago as I was advised to by my doctor. After starting on the 10mg the side effects went away after the first night and first night of taking 20mg i felt fine but last night was terrible. I was laying down trying to fall asleep and all of the sudden my heart started racing, I couldn't breathe, and I felt this awful burning sensation throughout my entire body. I also felt like i was going to vomit but I could barely get up to walk to the bathroom. I'm not sure if this is normal or maybe if taking 20mg is too much for me. I feel horrible today and i just want this feeling to go away. Please help

2 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • lorraine52317
    lorraine52317 nicole53976

    Posted

    Hi Nicole

    do you know why your doctor increased your dose so quickly? Your body will need time to adjust to the medication and do its balancing act in your brain. The sensation of feeling you are going to vomit is very common along with various other side effects. Some people experience no side effects whilst others get a wide range of side effects. On a good note they will diminish in intensity and disappear in a couple of weeks. Therefore you are six days in so side effects wont be a problem too much longer. If the side effects persist after a couple of weeks please let your gp know.

    wishing you a speedy recovery

    god bless xx

    • nicole53976
      nicole53976 lorraine52317

      Posted

      I'm not exactly sure. She advised me to take 10mg for 3-4 days then up it to 20mg. I was on 20mg of citalopram at the beginning of this year and I did not have any of these side effects. The only way i feel somewhat better is to sit outside but it's only 20 degrees so thats not very ideal. I'm assuming that i have been having these same side effects as i did last night since I started taking a week ago but I've been asleep before the medicine has time to kick in.
    • lorraine52317
      lorraine52317 nicole53976

      Posted

      Hi nicole

      I really feel for you having this illness twice this year. I got every side effect when i first started these meds. I managed to get some diazepam from my doctor to help calm me down whilst settling in to citalopram. It really helped me.

      try and rest as much as you can and make sure you drink plenty of water. It would really benefit you to get some high strengh omega 3 whilst your unwell. My consultant recommended it.

      If your appetite is affected try and get protein shakes.

      wishing you well xx

  • carol87925
    carol87925 nicole53976

    Posted

    Nicole I started exactly like u. First at 10 then few days later 20mg. Feeling weird is a great way to describe how I felt also. It does go away. Been on cit 1 yr now feeling great. I still do wake up kinda shaky but it goes away when I'm up for awhile. You'll feel better with time.
    • nicole53976
      nicole53976 carol87925

      Posted

      I'm hoping this feeling passes soon. I'm too scared to take another dose of 20mg tonight. I need to be able to function properly because I have 2 small children to take care of and feeling like this is not going to work for me. I did call my gp to see what she says but I'm still waiting on a call back
  • carol87925
    carol87925 nicole53976

    Posted

    Nicole, yeah you need to maybe do something else. I dont think there would have been anyway i could have taken care of anyone in the beginning. I was just out of it felt to creeped out all the time. All I know is suddenly all the weird feelings just went away. It was about 6 weeks in I think.

    ps Im not in the UK either live in Washington State, but this site really helped me in the beginning always good advise & i didn't feel all alone getting thru the side effects.

    I hope you can find something to help you.

  • Marf
    Marf nicole53976

    Posted

    If I were you, I would take 10mg tonight and go to the docs in the morning xxx that way your not making it worse by not taking it at all or not taking too much xxx I think you're prob having side effects from both taking it in the first place and again upping the dose xx much love xx
    • nicole53976
      nicole53976 Marf

      Posted

      I couldn't get in touch with my doctor today but I'm hoping she calls back tomorrow morning. I think I'm going to go back down to 10mg. I shouldn't have any adverse effects from doing this right? I've only been taking the 20mg for 2 nights so I don't think it would have that much effect by going back down. I'm just scared because last night really freaked me out.
    • Marf
      Marf nicole53976

      Posted

      If it was me I would take 10 tonight and speak to the doc in the morning xx I think 20 is too much at the sec but as I said I'm no doctor!! But it seems to make sense xxx
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