Citalopram...side effects...foggy...spacey...drugged up

Hi Brandy,

I have been on cit for just under 6 weeks - had a lot of side effects to begin with - they all go away over time - don't have any now.  It usually takes 6 to 8 weeks to get the full effect of cit.  People usually start to feel some positive effects once they get to their full dose and the meds start levelling off in their systems.  Some people have very few side effects and feel better more quickly.  You just have to go day by day for a while and not be too hard on yourself - you will feel great eventually.  I was a real mess when I started - constant high anxiety and panic attacks - very little anxiety now and no panic attacks.  Hang in there Brandy - you'll be glad you did

Hi Brandy,

You can email me anytime - though I am in Canada and we are in different time zones.  Anyway, you have done the right thing starting your meds.  It isn't easy to get through the first bit, but you will be amazed at how much better you will feel once the meds kick in and level off.  You probably don't remember what "normal" and "calm" and "relaxed" feel like, but you will.  Usually, you get a few moments of less anxiety and then you get a few more and then a few more - eventually, you have more moments of calm than anxiety and finally, the anxiety won't bother you anymore.  It's important to keep doing things in the first few weeks - take a short walk, take a bath, talk on the phone, do some relaxation exercises, see a therapist etc.  Every little thing you do, no matter how small, will help you heal.  Write down what you do in a day and you will see that you are doing more than you think.  It will get better and better.  Just be patient and don't expect too much of yourself at first.  Just do what you can do.  Walking is probalby what helped me most - the motion of walking makes it harder to panic.  Let me know how you are doing.  You'll be fine

Hi Brandy I am on my 11th day of Citalopram 20mg and can say things are starting to ease a bit now. I couldn't eat, but now eating small amounts. At first my anxiety and panic attacks were high, its as lessened to a more managable degree. I would say persevere with the meds as they take a while to stabilise in your system. I find this site supportive has people know what your going through

and are very understanding. I have no real friends and feel trapped in my flat most days, but did manage a walk yesterday which helped. If you have a park nearby maybe you could just go and sit there for a short while its a start and will boast your mood. I wish you the best and hope that you will find this site helpful. I hope this helps.

 

Hi Brandi I agree with Linda it does take 6 to 8 weeks for them to really work getting to sleep was the hardest for me as I normally have no problem sleeping! If you feel you could cope on 5mg try it for a bit I ve just come off 10 mg just seeing how I go for now!!!!! Good luck if you want to chat I'm here 😊 take care x

I am on day 6 and I have noticed quite a difference in my attitude toward others, there are still those i find impatient. Unfortunately they are the closest to me. I guess that's how it should work though, Because before I couldn't stand being in the same room with these few. So let a few days pass and notice the positive changes that come with what I call my "magic little pill".  hope this helps, keep responding. this forum has made me feel a lot of needed support.

Hi it will be a good few weeks until the side effects chill out and you should start to feel better. Just take time. Don't worry your not alone so many people feel the same way. Take care

Hi Brandy. I had to start the same way as you at quarter of a tablet. Sounds like nothing to some people but I'm really medicine sensitive. I gradually moved up to 5 mg and the side effects weren't quite as bad as before ,then 7.5, now finally on full tablet for the last 2 weeks. I am totally side effect free now and just trying to be patient waiting for the cit to help with my anxiety which effects every part of life. Arghhh! I was on this before (10mg) for about 6 years and it really worked for me and gave me a normal life. I only stopped taking them out of stupidity thinking I didn't need them anymore and my panic went through the roof. At least I know now that they do work for me once in my system and am sure they will for you too. Supposedly being really sensitive at the start is a good sign that they will work and you won't need a high dose. Good luck and keep having hope. It WILL GET BETTER.  Julie.