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horrifying side effects from my first night taking Celexa (Citalopram) 10 my

Posted , 5 users are following.

emmy11698
emmy11698

I took 10 mg as prescribed and within an hour felt more calm as compared to crying and almost having a panic attack. I took it at around 9 pm. I thought that was a little strange that it had been working so fast..a couple hours later I go to sleep at around 11pm. Then, I wake up A couple hours later at 1:00 am because I hear my pill bottle fall off of my dresser and because I need to go to the restroom. The second I moved from my bed I started to black out.. My heart was pounding, my chest was tight, it literally felt like my heart was going to explode. I was terrified.. And I could barely stand up because of being so lightheaded But somehow I managed to make it into my parents room & I had just enough breath to say "I need to go to the hospital" and everything sounds so fuzzy and weird". All I remember after that is my dad helping me off of the ground and laying back down to go back to sleep in the living room. The rest of the night I had trouble staying asleep and I could not stop sweating.. But it was a cold type of sweat where I still wanted a blanket over me.

Morning comes around and I'm wide awake but feeling nauseous and faint. I could barely walk because of the lightheadedness and dizziness. I ended up getting some food in me and going to the bathroom which made the symptoms go away and also putting on a happy movie helped me feel better.

So in conclusion, I'm very scared to be taking any antidepressants especially after this. I'm going to keep trying vitamins, such as a strong fish oil and I'm going to keep doing cognitive behavioral therapy as welll and hope for the best.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Misssy2
    Misssy2 emmy11698

    Posted

    OMG..that is the oddest thing. I take this medicine...with no real side effects.

    It doesn't matter what anyone says...I know when a reaction occurs like that..I wouldn't take ANY more antidepressents either!

    It could NOT be related...but who knows. Glad your ok.

    Wow.

    • emmy11698
      emmy11698 Misssy2

      Posted

      Yes, I know! It's crazy how differently people react to different drugs. It was truly horrifying though but thank you I'm glad that's over that I'm okay now too.
  • Misssy2
    Misssy2 emmy11698

    Posted

    I know exactly what it feels like to have side effects....and WISH you never took it...

    Its a shame thou...try some of the natural herbs for depression...St. Johns Wart?  I haven't researched this drug...but an old friend used to take it and love it.

    Its still on the market....so it can't be bad right? Look it up.

    • emmy11698
      emmy11698 Misssy2

      Posted

      I know! I was getting desperate though because I felt like I have been doing everything I can to try to make it disappear but it seems to get worse at times. I have heard of St. John's Wart but never researched it either. I will go do that. thank you so much!
  • Misssy2
    Misssy2 emmy11698

    Posted

    smile....my friend was really depressed and she kept trying to convince me to take St. Johns....good luck
    • emmy11698
      emmy11698 Misssy2

      Posted

      I think for me though it's more of an anxiety leading to depression 😐 so I'm not sure if it would help anxiety as well?
    • Misssy2
      Misssy2 emmy11698

      Posted

      Kava Kava and Valarein Root are supplements known to ease ANXIETY.

       

  • katecogs
    katecogs emmy11698

    Posted

    That is a very strange effect you had and yes could be from the medication. If you continue with it, may I suggest you take a smaller dose to start with ie 5mg as it may be better easing up gradually.  Of course, do go see your doctor though as probably need to get checked out and ask about taking a smaller dose instead.

    I will add though, that this medicine is brilliant and really will help, but it will be a tough journey initially.  I was ill for 15 long years and nothing helped - as soon as I started SSRI's I recovered within 6 months.

    Remember too, these meds aren't a quick fix overnight and it will be months before you start feeling any benefit.  It takes a log of patience and perseverance, but the end result is worth it all.

    If however you decide you don't want to go down the antidepressant route may I suggest trying a natural SSRI called 5-HTP which needs to be taken with l-tyrosine.  Both can be bought from Holland & Barrett (if you're in the UK) and you need to take them both.  Read a book called 5-HTP The Natural Way to Overcome Depression, Obesity by Michael T Murray ........ it's a really interesting read.

    I took 5-HTP and l-tyrosine for a year with great success (though I did restart Citalopram due to stressful family illness - am now withdrawing ready to restart 5-HTP etc again).

    You must not take 5-HTP with Citalopram though - and you must also not take St Johns Wort with Citalopram either.

    Hope that helps.

    K xx

      

  • ab180
    ab180 emmy11698

    Posted

    Emmy I'd suggest you speak to your doctor. 

    I totally understand your fear of taking the antidepressants. I had a terrifying experience when I went on them - felt like my blood had turned to acid. Was horrible. 

    So so I went to my docs and said I couldn't do it. 

    I've got a really good doctor. He told me that the extreme reaction was an indication that the antidepressant would work for me. He gave me diazepam to take which really helped deal with the side effects. 

    It it took about 2 weeks to clear the worst of the side effects - then a couple more weeks before I started to feel better. But - it worked for me. 

    Sending the the very best wishes. 

  • stevo1975
    stevo1975 emmy11698

    Posted

    Hi emmy,

    Poor thing !! Been there and its brutal !! However the silver lining is it will get better promise these are normal side effects that can last short medium or longer I have been on Cita for close to 6 mths and still have some side effects however I feel good and positive no anxiety which is the most important part! hang in there is all I can say dig deep for that inner strength you have wink

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