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Citalopram Side Effects

Posted , 3 users are following.

maxmax78
maxmax78

I was prescribed 20mg of citalopram by my doctor yesterday for depression. I read about some of the side effects but still decied to go ahead with the treatment, i have previously been on andtidepressant medication but i took paroxatine. That was about 5 years ago though.

As soon as i got home from the doctors about 6:45pm i decied to start taking the medication. 2 hours later and i was already starting to experience some of the side effects.

First i started to feel slightly hyperactive, i felt i had to do something, i couldnt keep still, so i ended up spring cleaning my whole kitchen. Then the slight nausea started which didnt seem too bad, i could cope with it. I also lost my appetite, i didnt manage to finish my dinner. My vision was funny too, i found it a little difficult to focus properly, my head felt weird, as though i were stoned or something. I kept locking my jaw which caused jaw ache, and i found it hard to get off to sleep.

This morning i still feel a bit weird, my vision isnt as bad but i still feel as though im squinting to try and focus. I dont feel as nauseous, but my stomach does still feel a bit off.

I am thinking of dropping ym dosage to 10mg for about 2 weeks just so my body can get used to it, then take the dosage back up to 20mg.

Because of the insomnia and some of the side effects i have decided to take it when i go to bed, hopefully i will be asleep when it starts to take effect so i won't feel so bad because i will be asleep.

I am a student and a single mother so i don't really want to take it at a time when it can prevent me from working or caring for my children.

Anyway i thought i would write any side effects on here if and when i get them so i may be back to add more later, fingers crossed i won't.

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • maxmax78
    maxmax78

    Posted

    I have just come back from doing a little bit of shopping and i now feel horrible. I kept getting bout of paranoia. Because my head doesnt feel right, i dont feel myself, i feel like i might be acting strange so i worry about what other people are thinking about me.

    My concentration is terrible too, i couldnt concentrate on my driving and felt as though i was doing things wrong, but this could all have been down to the paranoia.

    My stomach is still churning and i still have no appetite but i am forsing myself to eat something.

    I feel really out of it, im supposed to ahve college this afternoon but im not sure if im going to go, i will see how i feel.

  • maxmax78
    maxmax78

    Posted

    Well, ive had an up and down day. 1 minute i feel hyperactive, the next i feel like sitting on my back side doing nothing. My head has been in what feels like another dimension. I had to go to college but i experienced short term memory loss. I forgotten how to the things i had been taight only half hour before :? .

    I will have to explain to my tutors that i am on medication and ask them to bear with me for a few weeks whilst my body adjusts. Luckily though, it is the last academic week for us because of the christmas holiday, we don't go back until 5th of Jan, so hopefully i should be adjusted by then.

    The effects of the Citalopram started to wear off throughout the day, the lack of appetite is still there and i still feel slightly spaced out, but i feel a lot clearer headed now which is a welcomed relief.

    I am going to take only 10mg tonight, i shall take it just before i go to sleep so i can get a head start with sleeping. I know as soon as the pill starts to enter my system i will be up and hyperactive again and unable to sleep. Fingers crossed.

  • maxmax78
    maxmax78

    Posted

    I feel fantastic now :D less than 1 week into it and im feeling on top of the world. The side effects are going and my mood is always chirpy :D . I feel sooooo much like my old self, ive missed this part of me and it feels great to be back.

    My kids are seeing the benefits too. I didn't realise how much my depression was effecting them until i heard them say \"im happy cus mommy is happy again today\" i almost cried because i was so wrapped up in my dark hole that i didn't see how badly my children were suffering.

    I now see the positive in things, i look forward to things now instead of worrying about them, even the stressful and worrying situations don't get to me as much now.

    I love this drug, it has given me my life back :D

    The only thing i don't like about it is the mad rush i get when i first take the pill. I get a feeling of being high for about half hour, but it wears off. I did decide to take only half in the morning and half in the evening to lessen the side effects and it seems to work. I did start off by taking it at night so that i was asleep when the side effects started but i found myself waking up for no reason. I found it easy to get back to sleep, but i hate broken sleep, i always wake feeling more tired. Now i take half in the morning and half in the evening i find i get tired at the right time and get off to sleep in good time, without waking.

    My advice to others is to keep at it, sometimes it takes longer than others and some may not be suitable for this drug but try and have faith because there is one out there that will work.

    Good luck!! :D

  • dendo
    dendo

    Posted

    thanks for sharing this ,and will take advice of half pills as I experience a rush and nausea too lovely you have your self back xx
  • Smurflbws
    Smurflbws

    Posted

    I had a similar experience but usually take my meds before I go to bed.
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