Just started, need reassurance plz. Don't scare me
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi
I've just started taking citalopram tonight and I'm just a bit worried about side affects. I know that working myself up isn't helping but I really don't want to feel worse. I'm only on the lowest dose (10) so I should be ok, shouldn't I? :?
0 likes, 14 replies
Guest
Posted
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
MarkHollywood Guest
Posted
Guest
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Regards,
Charlotte Yorke-Goldenblatt
Guest
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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.
Guest
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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
Guest
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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.
Stiltman
Posted
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.
Guest
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Guest
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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.
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kimoli
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bill_c
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