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citalopram Side Effects - Help!

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ATKINS38
ATKINS38

My mum is 64 and started taking citalopram six weeks ago for panic attacks and depression. Her side effects have been horrendous. She has had severe sickness, dizzyness, confusion, very bad headaches/migraine, personality changes, slurred speech, memory loss, paranoia and her legs have been collapsing beneath her. Her bizarre behaviour has included putting tissues instead of bread under the grill and taking her skirt off instead of her shoes. Unfortunately, in the past six weeks she has seen six different doctors. The last doctor to see her (a week ago) took her straight off the tablets (she had been taking 20mg). The side effects have not worn off, in fact they appear to be getting worse and she has been in bed for over a week refusing to see anyone. I am finding it extremely disturbing to watch my mum go through this. She is terrified about what is happening to her. Can anyone else relate to this?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    i was on citalopram and had several awful side effects including confusion dizziness extreme fidgiting especially in my legs and also swelling ankles.i went o doctors who changed me to sertraline which although has a few side effects at first like feeling queasy ( this stops if you eat properly before taking them) I hav found these to be the best anti depressants i have tried and i have tried an awful lot! hopw your mother feels better soon.
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hello

    Im really sorry to here your mum is having a very difficult time with this drug. I went on it feb 07 and was on it for four weeks due to post trumatic stress symptoms. I come off not knowing that you need to be weened off over period of time which infact caused me more problems yes the sickness, diarrea, very painful headachs feeling like i was living in the dark, feeling shut off like a zombi. very wired world to live in. i feared every day as i did before starting the tablets. I always try to use natrual remadies as i hate medication not knowing how i will react to taking any for the upset stomach i have hot milk with sugar and a banana if the dont work try pepermint oil caps sules from holland and barrats. I went on this same tablet 4 weeks ago and some same side effects and more my head blocked off my parts of my body my sence of smell taste, emotions to a degree felt like i was in another world loss of memory, anioux, back and forth to doctors as well just a constant pain with non stop side effects but doctor still quiet happy for me to be on them. I hand does alterd four times till i finnaly came off last sunday still having some symptons but fazing out since i stoped taking it i have constant ringing in my head and ears now having to go to ENT for hearing check and doc also sugested physiatrist i said no but am taking him up on it to see if that will help.so many side effects and your pour mum going threw it also mood swings is also one drinking lots of water. I was on ten mg but still it has caused me untold problems. hope not anymore. back to the doctors maybe to come off tabs for your mum to hopefully recover like am trying to do i have 3 small children its been so destressing to try and just stop being stressed.

    good luck xx

  • positive
    positive

    Posted

    Probably she got the withdrawal symptoms due to abrupt discontinuation of the antidepressant.
  • DiT
    DiT

    Posted

    Hi,

    I have been taking Citalopram (20mg) since December 2006, hoping that I would come off them by Dec 2007. During a GP check up a month ago,I indicated how much better I was feeling, more positive and generally on top of things, I wanted to come off the medication. My GP suggested I reduce the dose to 10mg and take daily for 2 weeks, then alternate days for another 2 weeks, and every 3rd day for the next 2 weeks.

    I was fine for the first 2 weeks. Then I started to feel awful, unable to fully describe how I felt other than scared. Headaches were horrendous, sleeping between 10-12 hours often with intense/vivid nightmares, and feeling like I had not slept at all. I am also suffering terrible nausea, sweating, also flu-like symptoms. My moods are all over the place, and hubby has told me how my personality has changed - I have become quiet and introvert.

    I have spoken to my surgery (could not get appt for 3 wks!)asked for a telephone consultation with GP. He has advised to go back to taking 10 mg per day - leave for another 14 days before starting to come off them again.

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  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    sorry to hear about your problems,i can relate to them i am on 40mg of citalopram along with 40mg of proprananol.

    i was on 20mg but my panic attacks were getting out of control and i was/am becoming paranoid and finding it hard to leave the house,when i do go out(has to be with the dogs or friend)i feel that everyone is looking at me and they know there is something wrong with me,i sweat and go red in the face and have to hum to try and cope with my breathing.

    i can go with no sleep or a couple of hours of sleep for days and weeks and then i have to force myself to get out of bed at other times.

    i keep telling my doctor i feel like i have 2 personalities and i find it difficult to explain what is going on in my head.

    i find it hard to concentrate and live on sandwiches and crisps as i cant concentrate to make a meal without setting the place on fire.

    i feel that no one can help me and no one cares to try.

    times i feel normal, but times when i know i am not ..lots of other things but don't want to babble on.

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