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I want to hear your positive results with citalopram

Posted , 3 users are following.

Fifi-B
Fifi-B

Hi there,

RN here who is experiencing stress from work along with generalized anxiety. Tried sertraline a while back and experienced every horrid side effect for a full 8 weeks. I'm at the point where my usual stress reliever, running, is not helping me anymore, and I find my anxiety is becoming too much as it is a daily occurrence. A family member of mine strongly recommends citalopram as they absolutely love it! so I figure maybe it might also work for me! I'm nervously and hesitantly considering a low dose to start. Maybe like 5mg. Before I start though I would love to hear some success stories to help ease my reservations/nerves. I'm very sensitive to drugs and I'm also a big scaredy cat! help!

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • denise1306
    denise1306 Fifi-B

    Edited

    Hi, I also work in the NHS and have suffered with anxiety due to long shifts and the pandemic. I was also put on Sertraline and had the most horrendous side effects for 6 weeks, lost 20lb had no appetite, heighten anxiety and felt dreadful!! My GP put me on Citalopram 10mg to start with and I had very few side effects, mainly a week of headaches, which then eased. I then went to 15mg for 2 weeks with no side effects, now on 20mg still no side effects and I'm feeling more like myself after 2 weeks. Please give them a try, I've heard good reports about them and I'm starting to feel the benefits now. Ask to start on a low dose to minimise the side effects. Hope this helps D x

    • Fifi-B
      Fifi-B denise1306

      Edited

      Thank you for your response! really goes to show that trying something new may not be as bad at the last SSRI experience! Im happy to hear you are feeling more like yourself!

  • katecogs
    katecogs Fifi-B

    Posted

    Citalopram has worked for me twice before and I didn’t get horrendous side effects (some people do though as can't tolerate it). Also I hear Escitalopram produces few side effects.

    5mg is a good starting point and then increase it by 5mg every couple of weeks until the desired dose is reached. If you’re still on Sertraline your GP might do a tapered swap from one to the other.

    You may have a bumpy road ahead (setbacks are common with recovery) but sticking with the meds is worth it. It can take many months before you feel the benefit - but persevere.

    Stress causes anxiety as the adrenaline keeps your body on a constant high and it needs to rest, though I know your job is highly stressful, but do try taking time for you too.

    But Citalopram is good.

    K x

    ps thank you for all you do as an RN ❤️

    • Fifi-B
      Fifi-B katecogs

      Posted

      Hey Katecogs I was last on sertraline 2 years ago. so luckily all I would need to do in regards to citalopram is "taper" up . thanks for sharing some tips on how to work my way up dose wise. and yes! I agree Im constantly andrenalized while at work. its hard times. thanks for the kind words 😃

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