Just started, need reassurance plz. Don't scare me

Hi B

I know how easy it can be to get freaked out by all of the side effect and other negative posts on here. I did exactly the same when was about to start taking citalopram six weeks ago.

Just remember most people here are looking for the same thing you are: reassurance and advice from other people who have been through the same things. Negative experiences outnumber positive ones on this board because people come here for help, but that's not what it's like for everyone.

I read a lot of the posts here before taking my first pill, only to wish I didn't. I found when I took the pill I was looking for 'funny' feelings that might be side effects, taking little things I probably feel all the time and assuming it was due to the drug. That said, I only really noticed some early morning waking, which disappeared when I changd the time of my dose.

You're starting on a low dose and if you have side effects they tend to be worst at the beginning, so if you've been fine at that dosage, you don't have anything to worry about. If you have effects that aren't too bad, I'd stick with the dose and they should decrease over 2-4 weeks. If you really don't want to continue, cut down to half a dose a day for a while and then increase when you're used to it. Also, some effects can minimized by changing the time of your dose. If it makes you sleepy, take it at night. If it makes you wide awake, take it in the morning.

Basically, I can't guarantee that it won't effect you, but with your low dose it's pretty unlikely and there are strategies to help if it does.

All the best,

Ali

Damnit, only just got your name reference.

Regards,

Charlotte Yorke-Goldenblatt

I also was worried about the list of many varied and slightly weird side affects but after 4 months on 20mg the only thing I got was some fairly bad insomnia for about 10 days and after that nothing. I am aware I am one of the lucky ones as I know some people seem to get them quite badly. I was started off on 10mg for just over a week to check I had no side effects before moving up to the higher dose.

On thing it is important to remember is citalopram takes the edge off the problem rather than being a magical cure. You may still have days where you slump and panic that you have gone backwards. Just keep your head up and look forward. I found this forum an immeasurable help when that happened to realise it wasn't abnormal. If you do slide and don't feel like you have picked up after a few days then go back to your GP in case you need a higher dose.

Hope everything gets better for you soon.

Just to say I agree with Ems, I've been taking 10mg for about 2 weeks now and I'm feeling good, have decided to stick with 10 and see how things go.

Cit definately takes the edge off things so hang on in there. If it hadn't been for this forum, I would have still been sitting staring at the packet and feeling rubbish.

Good luck and remember, you're not alone

Lyn :-) x

Thanks for the help guys.

I wish I didn't read the leaflet or anything else as it made me really paniky! I couldn't sleep for the first four nights and was really scared! I feel alot more \"with it\" now and have been doing exercise to try and make me feel better. I woke up and my legs were shaking like mad today which made me a bit paniky? I still don't feel happy though, I would have taken them for 2 weeks on tuesday, should they have kicked in properly by now? I'm seeing my doc on monday.

That's the trouble with the information leaflets that come with medication. The companies are obliged to report anything that anyone has ever experienced.

The list is so long and so grim it's no wonder people get scared. But if you look at the leaflet that comes with a packet of Paracetomol it's full of dire possible side effects also yet most people pop these without giving it a second thought.

To try and answer your question about dosage, firstly, these drugs can sometimes take four to six weeks for you to feel the benefit so you have to give it a bit more time.

Secondly, 10mg is below what would normally be considered a theraputic dose (the dose level at which you start to feel benefit) for Citalopram. It's fine as an introduction to get your body used to the medication but in the majority of cases, 20mg would be considered the threshold theraputic dose with 60mg being the maximum that a GP would normally prescribe. You'd not go straight on to 60mg, you would need to gradully increase the dose if you and you doctor agree. Best advice is to discuss with your doctor on Monday and get his/her view. The \"shaky legs\" you describe can be a common side effect of Citalopram so you might want to factor that into your discussion.

Regards.

Hey, I'm in need of reassurance too. I also have been prescribed citalopram for anxiety and depression. The worst thing I could have done was read the leaflet!! I havnt started taking them yet, I was only given them yesterday and am now really stressed and anxious about taking the blimmin' things! I plan to take the first one tomorrow morning, or should i take it in the evenings? After reading the side affects, and seeing that things can possibly get worse, it makes me very cautious..... X

Hi, I`m on day 10 at 20mg and can say the first 10 days haven`t been very nice, but today I am feeling calmer and better in myself, although I feel a bit spaced out and still a bit anxious.

Yesterday I switched the dose from morning to evening and it`s a bit early to tell but at the moment I feel ok.

My side are a few days of real bad anxiety, No appetite whatsoever, weak / bad nausea / hand shaking / nervous and confused - no worse than how I was before I started.

Overall I feel they are helping and reccomend you give them a go, try not to dwell on the possible side effects, it will only make you more anxious which is the last thing you need.

Good luck. I hope it works out for you.

I have been staring at the box of citalopram for three days, I have been prescribed 10 mg. I have opened the packet and took out a pill, then put it back lots of times. I am a single parent with two children, the thought of getting any of the side effects are stopping me from taking them. I don't want my children seeing me any worse than I am already. But I don't want to stay in this dark place, I am crying, I cannot sleep, I rarely go out. I do not know what to do. I was hoping by reading other peoples experiences on cit, would reassure me. All it has done is scared me from taking them. Any advise I would be grateful for?

please please please start taking them i was the same and yes the side affects are not nice but neither is living a life full of anxiety and depression and when u do start to feel better its amazing my anxiety has not gone but im learning to live with it theres so many ways to help urself too lavender oil is good in the bath ,lavender incense sticks ,diet is a major one the healthy i eat the better i feel and stay off ur bed during the day and get out even when the weather is bad exercise uses up the negative thoughts and is replaced by a chemical that creates postive thoughts the list is endless in how ive helped myself but PATIENCE is the key if u give it time and help urself ul be well again before u know it x

Hi all ive been on these tabs for 2 years now maybe more not sure..they have changed my life.they really have helped and believe me i was a total mess!! i couldnt even go out so please whoever is having second thoughts about taking these dont,just give them a try as they really do work... im the most layed back person now and so chilled,yes i have bad days but hey dont eveyone.Good luck and remember one day at a time...kim :wink:

:shock: Blimey just noticed the year and ive been on them 3 years!! wow time flys..says it all give them a try :lol:

if i were you i would bin them like i did i was tired all time and was walking round like a zombie on them .better of talking to someone than taking this med.havent took them for a week and feel great again i was on them for 10 weeks worst thing i ever did was trying them . :roll: