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Nervous starting Citalopram....

Posted , 10 users are following.

mia20808
mia20808

Helo, my name is Mia I'm 25 years old, suffering from depression/Anxiety on daily basis. today I have been prescribed Citalopram to help me.

problem is - I am too anxious to even start taking it! I have scared myself reading stories online. I am very sensitive to SSRI's.. I also have a phobia of being/feeling sick and wonder if anyone has any tips to avoid this! I've been prescribed 5mg (yes very low dose) but so scared! Thank you x

0 likes, 21 replies

21 Replies

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  • louise1974
    louise1974 mia20808

    Posted

    Hi mia

    5mg is a really low dose and I would expect your doctor wants to just start you on this to avoid any massive side effects.  I personally didn't experience any nausea starting on 10mg or going up to 20mg.  Maybe take it at night so you sleep through any nausea side effect you may or may not have.  Please don't read everything too much because of course the people writing are the ones that DID experiernce side effects, many do not.  All I can tell you is that I was a damn mess before starting on Citalopram with anxiety and depression, all day every day and now I feel fabulous 6 months later.

    • mia20808
      mia20808 louise1974

      Posted

      Thanks Louise for the reassurance! Im pleased you didn't suffer any side effects & your feeling fab! That's very true- you only hear the worst cases hey! Will try it tonight. Thanks again xx
    • louise1974
      louise1974 mia20808

      Posted

      I started on 10mg and the side effect I did get was increased anxietiy for a week, I won't lie to you it's a very common side effect, one that most people get.  But if you can hang in there I promise you it will improve.  It's a really sh*tty side effect and kind of ironic that you're taking a tablet to make you feel better but it makes you worse in the short term.  Don't question it, don't think it's making you worse because it's a short term thing.  Be brave and step up a dose when your doctor thinks the time is right.  20mg seems to be a standard dose to work.  My doctor wanted me on 10mg for a month but after a week I felt I wanted to get the crappy side effects over with quick so I upped to 20mg myself which she was fine about.  I take mine at night because i just found for me it's more effective 
  • anne2953
    anne2953 mia20808

    Posted

    Mia, take it, as you wont get better without it, I was the same as you terrified and suffering awfully, all that is behind me now, but it takes time, its not overnight, but nothing will be worse than its already been. You will be grandx

    Anne smile

    • mia20808
      mia20808 anne2953

      Posted

      Thank you very much for replying Anne! Ah sorry you suffered too! Glad to hear it's all behind you now. I took the tablet 15 minutes ago! So will now try to sleep!smile thank you for your advice. Xxx
  • joanne40211
    joanne40211 mia20808

    Posted

    Please don't worry about taking Citalopram, it works realy well. I have taken it for some time and can't remember any side effects. The benefits are enormous.

     

    • mia20808
      mia20808 joanne40211

      Posted

      Thank you Joanne! It's so nice to hear positive expierences, really pleased it worked for you. Xxx
  • Becca2015
    Becca2015 mia20808

    Posted

    Hi Mia

    I started on 10mg almost 2 weeks ago then up to 20mg after a week. I haven't felt sick at all since starting them so I hope that's reassuring for you! Although I've had some awful days in the past 2 weeks (I always do unfortunately) I am starting to see the positives in life and feel slightly 'normal' again. I'm so glad I started taking citalopram!

    All the best

    Rebecca

    • mia20808
      mia20808 Becca2015

      Posted

      Hi Rebecca, yes you have reassured me completely! It's great to hear your on the road to recovery & feeling better already! Hope you don't have too many down days, you poor thing. Thank you for replying. Have a lovely weekend xxx

       

  • katecogs
    katecogs mia20808

    Posted

    Hi Mia

    Yes definitely take it ..... the end results are so worth it.  SSRI's cured me of many years of depression, and I've been well ever since :-)

    Try not to worry about taking the medicine.  Yes it can be difficult, I don't want to hide that, but not everyone gets side effects, and if we do, we don't all get the same ones.  Anxiety does seem to get worse before it gets better on this med, but people here can support you with any questions etc.  You're starting on a low dose, which is good to ease onto it.

    If you do feel a little nauseous however, one remedy to help alleviate it is to drink ginger ale, which I was advised to drink last year on a cruise when we hit rough seas.  Within 15 minutes my hubby and I felt well again !!

    Citalopram takes months to work, so don't expect immediate results.  The road is often up and down too, but it's so worth it in the end.  Just persevere through it all.

    You'll be fine.  Keep in touch here.

    K xx

    • mia20808
      mia20808 katecogs

      Posted

      Thank you very much for your reply, it's great hearing positive expierences! I'm so glad you've recovered from depression, sometimes it's hard to imagine being cured!

      will try the ginger ale- sounds like a great idea & glad it helped you on the cruise! 

      Your right, It will take time,luckily the 1st step of trying the tablet is over, which was my biggest panick! Without this forum I doubt I would of plucked up the courage to even try the tablet... So I thank you very much! Will keep updated on here, have a lovely weekend xxxx

  • Rachel2468
    Rachel2468 mia20808

    Posted

    Hi Mia, hope your first dose went well!

    I'm 26 and just took my first dose last night too - 10mg. I was so scared it too me ages to work up the courage as I'm really sensitive to meds too and terrified of the side effects! It's nice to know someone's starting at the same time and hope you're feeling ok so far smile xx

    • mia20808
      mia20808 Rachel2468

      Posted

      Hi Rachel, arrrr bless you! Know exactly how you feel!  Well done for taking it though! smile 1st step to getting better! Your very brave trying the 10mg & really hope your feeling ok so far!? 

      So far I'm fine thank you! I think my anxiety plays tricks on me...feeling more anxious & light headed! But can handle that ok lol. 

      Yes it is nice to know that other people are in the same situation and expierencing the same things. Please keep me updated on how you progress I'd love to know, hopefully soon I can be as brave as you & try 10mg! smile xxxxx

    • Rachel2468
      Rachel2468 mia20808

      Posted

      I was tempted to start on 5 but didn't have a way to cut the pill in half, it's so tiny!

      Glad you're feeling ok, I'm feeling the same as you actually, bit more anxious (think that's because I've just started the pills though and I'm monitoring everything) and feeling spacey which is odd! Excited for the good effects to kick in though smile

      I'm sure you'll be able to move up to 10mg in no time! Has your doctor given you a time frame? Think I'm on the 10mg for at least a month to see how things go..

      Xxx

    • mia20808
      mia20808 Rachel2468

      Posted

      The pill is very small yes! Was difficult breaking a 10mg in half!

      Ah bless you, it's so easy to monitor every slight symptom when anxious! ...I've kept busy this morning by doing ironing! (That won't help with depression haha). We will get there! Like you, I'm very excited to be feeling better! We need to make the most of being in our 20's!! smile

      My GP isn't the most helpful Dr I've had -Sadly! rolleyes but am grateful. I'm due for a checkup in 3 weeks! Maybe I will then be increased! How about you?!

      Big hugs xxx

    • Rachel2468
      Rachel2468 mia20808

      Posted

      Hi Mia, how are you finding everything? Work is hard, I'm so dopey! Hopefully it's all worth it though... Got my check up next tuesday xxx
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