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How long does it take for the side effects of citalopram to subside?

Posted , 46 users are following.

Ferneyhough01
Ferneyhough01

Hi

I started on 10mg citalopram 10 days ago and have felt really rotten since. I suffer with migraines

And have had a migraine every day for the last 6 weeks. Following discussion with my neurologist we both felt that I was getting a little low, eg not looking forward to things, tiredness, not sleeping and getting very anxious at times.However since starting the citalopram I feel really down, no energy to do anything, no motivation, nausea and dizziness.... And also waking at 2-3am & unable to get back to sleep, constant headache

Is this Normal and will it settle, if so how much longer do I have to stick it out for?

Thanks in advance for any help

Fern

2 likes, 68 replies

68 Replies

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  • olivia_30489
    olivia_30489 Ferneyhough01

    Posted

    Hi everyone,

    I've been on citalopram 10mg for about 5 weeks now and I've only really started to get side effects now. I've got chest pains and my anxiety has started acting up again. I've felt drousy and tried since I started taking them but nothing else really. I do sweat a lot and get headaches and pins and needles. Will they stop soon?

    • guy18404
      guy18404 olivia_30489

      Posted

      I was on 10mg for 8 weeks, but had to stop after getting a bad side effect that I personally couldn't handle. I noticed after about 7 weeks, i started feeling really great. The drowsiness part never really went away, I think it takes a much longer time for that part to go away. I basically just felt super super stoned all day long but was stoked that the anxiety went away. First 7 weeks were hell for me. Anxiety was 10x worse than I had ever had it, woke up in panic mode and had to read to calm down, had body jolts, and basically felt like I was dying 24/7. You should speak to your doc and find out if you are at the right dose, but I wouldn't worry as you are still early on in the process and it can take a few months to several months before you really start to feel ahhhhh-mazing. 

    • victoria_88777
      victoria_88777 olivia_30489

      Posted

      Hi. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on this thread but do check the email notifications every now and then. 

      Without going into detail last year I had a massive anxiety crash. Initially put on 20mg cit and had extreme side effects, nausea, dihorea, increased anxiety, shakes, couldn’t eat to name a few!!! After 4 weeks upped dose to 30mg and bang all side effects again!! I looked everywhere for the magic wand to make it all go away. I did CBT, had accupunture, meditation, self help books everything. I search the web for a cure. 

      In honest truth whilst everything gave me tools to deal with the symptom the only true thing was TIME.  My impatience didn’t help me at all; 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 10 weeks...,,, why didn’t I feel better??? BUT without me realising every single day I battled through was a day in the right direction.  I was off work for 11 weeks and then started back part time (only 2hrs a day), increasing every couple of weeks for a good couple of months. 

      I suppose what I’m trying to say is....... keep at it, it will help. The side effects do subside, but there’s no specified time for it to take.  For some it will be a couple of weeks, for others a few months. My advice would be to not chop and change the dose, every time you do side effects will kick in. If your Dr recommends an increase do it gradually. 

      Keep going you will get through. I never thought I’d be back to normal, but for the past 6 months I’ve not looked back. I’m stronger than ever and more aware of my inner self. And YES I am still on citalopram 😁

    • olivia_30489
      olivia_30489 victoria_88777

      Posted

      yes thank you for answering. I was looking through google just to see if I could find any personal stories of people on this AT. Thanks for replying, really has put my mind at ease!
    • joel_64878
      joel_64878 olivia_30489

      Posted

      I started on 20mg right out of the gate and it really messed me up. No appetite, panic attacks, foggy brain, depression. I was so volatile I felt like a different person. I cut back to 10mg which cut the side effects in half which really helped me. I also started to take magnesium glycinate to help stabilize my nervous system which really seemed to help me weather the side effects! I would recommend the magnesium to anyone as it’s a natural supplement with no side effects that I know of.  I’ve been on Celexa for 1 month now and i am so much better than I was 2 weeks ago. It really is intense for the first few weeks and I almost threw in the towel. But I feel I am on the upswing ! I have such a new empathy for people with anxiety now since I have experienced it. So in that way I am happy because now I feel like I can talk to others who are suffering and be empathetic. There really is good that can be seen in all situations no matter how bad it feels. Hang in there  smile
  • joel_64878
    joel_64878 Ferneyhough01

    Posted

    I started on 20mg right out of the gate and it really messed me up. No appetite, panic attacks, foggy brain, depression. I was so volatile I felt like a different person. I cut back to 10mg which cut the side effects in half which really helped me. I also started to take magnesium glycinate to help stabilize my nervous system which really seemed to help!! I would recommend the magnesium to anyone as it’s a natural supplement with no side effects that I know of.  I’ve been on Celexa for 1 month now and i am so much better than I was 2 weeks ago. It really is intense for the first few weeks and I almost threw in the towel. But I feel I am on the upswing ! I have such a new empathy for people with anxiety now since I have experienced it. So in that way I am happy because now I feel like I can talk to others who are suffering and be empathetic. There really is good that can be seen in all situations no matter how bad it feels. Hang in there all of you smile
  • joel_64878
    joel_64878 Ferneyhough01

    Posted

    I started on 20mg right out of the gate and it really messed me up. No appetite, panic attacks, foggy brain, depression. I was so volatile I felt like a different person. I cut back to 10mg which cut the side effects in half which really helped me. I also started to take magnesium glycinate to help stabilize my nervous system which really seemed to help!! I would recommend the magnesium to anyone as it’s a natural supplement with no side effects that I know of.  I’ve been on Celexa for 1 month now and i am so much better than I was 2 weeks ago. It really is intense for the first few weeks and I almost threw in the towel. But I feel I am on the upswing ! I have such a new empathy for people with anxiety now since I have experienced it. So in that way I am happy because now I feel like I can talk to others who are suffering and be empathetic. There really is good that can be seen in all situations no matter how bad it feels. Hang in there all of you smile
  • AdamLonardo
    AdamLonardo Ferneyhough01

    Posted

    Ok so I am coming here cause I need some help. I will start a discussion as well but I start here. I have taken Celexa for about 7 years. Only 10mg of it from start to finish. I never had any side effects or any issues. It worked for me right off the start till I stopped in October 2017 . I had some bad withdrawals but got threw it. For the past 4 weeks I have been getting some bad panic attacks almost every night. The hole I am going to die stuff and then boom ... bad panic attack. I started back with Celexa cause I new it worked great the first time. But wow let me tell you it's been so hard getting back on it. It's only 10 mg but i am just out of it . Tremers, dizziness, stomach pains, chills, fear of dieing, cant sleep, and more. I take zanex for when needed when I get the panic attacks. Having one currently while writing this. At least it's keeping me calmer by typing here. Anyome have some incite to help me.

    • guy18404
      guy18404 AdamLonardo

      Posted

      Hey Adam,

      Have you tried CBT Therapy? I too, was put on Celexa and had the symptoms you describe. I only made it 7 weeks before I said ef this horrible drug. I did CBT and I'm anxiety free now. Hope you feel better, I know what you are going through and it is the scariest thing ever.

       

  • monica35929
    monica35929 Ferneyhough01

    Posted

    I started 20mg Citalopram 6 days ago and had horrible side effects the first night I took it. My doctor said I should take it at night since I have gastro issues, and he suspected that it would make those worse. I was able to sleep 2-3 hours before waking up to a horrible migraine, tremors, insomnia, chest pain, and heart palpitations due to anxiety.

    The second night (and every night since), I've taken 10mg melatonin and 400mg ibuprofen along with my 20mg Citalopram. I've been able to sleep all night with little to no side effects until it starts to wear off later in the evening. I feel energized and focused throughout the day.

    Hope this helps!

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