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possible side effects...help

Posted , 6 users are following.

vikki93740
vikki93740

I started taking citalopram nearly 4 weeks ago & have noticed a change already. However the side effects are starting to get worse.

I started with the disturbed sleep, lack of appetite & gurgling tummy followed by diahorrea - I lost half a stone in 2 weeks.

I'm now having my 2nd bout of dizziness feeling sick pressure in my head etc. Energy levels completely gone & tummy feels very acidy. My Dr advised to stop taking the pills for a week to see if they are the cause but I was genuinely feeling better with them so don't want to take a step back & end up feeling rubbish again.

Are these common side effects or could it be unrelated? Has anyone else had this?

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • lorraine52317
    lorraine52317 vikki93740

    Posted

    Hi vikki

    Yes I had all the side effects you mention. I lost rapid weight due to zero appetite. I also had hot sweats, trembling hands, no energy or motivation not to mention the dizziness and retching! I also felt like my brain was in a vice!! These symptoms did dissappear after a few weeks but then my dose was increased and some of the side effects came back for a couple of weeks. I also had a lot of stomach problems which added to the mix of awful side effects. I envy those who say the didn't have any side effects! We must be similar in respect of getting them all!

    Don't think it's a good idea to take a weeks break as you will then have to start all over again. What dose are you on?

    Your side effects should dissappear soon but if they don't you may need to get your meds/dosage reviewed by your doc.

    Wishing you better

    Lorraine x

  • ilhabela
    ilhabela vikki93740

    Posted

    I also had all that you mentioned. No apetite, stayed in bed all day. Diarrhea became something daily. They all get better though. As Lorraine said, I would hang in there and persevere. It is worth it.
  • vikki93740
    vikki93740

    Posted

    Thank you. I went from 10mg to 20mg a couple of weeks ago. Funny enough I had the dizziness bad a few days after upping the dose.

    I really did feel better with the anxiety & to be honest this sort of thing would usually set me off but I'm relitively calm about it (the other half is threatening to take me to hospital as I haven't got out of bed for 2 days).

    I have a 2yr old so can't stay in bed forever feeling this rough so waiting for a call from a different doctor to get another opinion.

    It's only been a year since this started so finally got some meds,start to feel better then back to square one again ... Anxiety sucks!

  • katecogs
    katecogs vikki93740

    Posted

    Yes it's the side effects and they can come and go.  When I started these eons ago I seemed to have a different side effect each week.  They will ease off in time.

    One thing not to do though which your doctor suggested, is to stop them for a week and see how you feel.  You cannot just dip in and out of these like other meds, and stopping them abruptly will make you very ill.  That's a stupid thing for your doctor to suggest.  If ever you need to stop these, they have to be tapered off very, very slowly over months to avoid withdrawal effects.

    Just keep going - you'll get there xxx

    • katecogs
      katecogs

      Posted

      Forgot to add that every time you up your dose, you will get side effects again.
    • vikki93740
      vikki93740 katecogs

      Posted

      The doctor said that the side effects shouldn't really be affecting me like this now. When I had the 1st bout of dizziness I was told by another doctor that it was doubtful to be these meds. Just seems funny that I've been ill since taking them. I put it down to meds straight away. The pressure in my head is not like a headache,I wouldn't say it hurts just a very odd feeling. I just feel completely out of it, the dizziness is like the whole room moves on front of me & the keyboard on this phone is wiggly rather than straight. I can't sleep so just lying in bed with eyes closed hoping it goes. Been waiting 4hrs for the Dr to call....nightmare!
    • katecogs
      katecogs vikki93740

      Posted

      I can assure you your first bout of dizziness was indeed the meds - I've taken these for 18 years and remember it well.  If I've missed a dose, then I feel dizzy and nauseous.  I imagine your current dizziness could be connected too, but yes worth checking it out.  Sometimes these meds can cause tinnitus (ringing in the ear), but even if you haven't got that it could well be an ear problem and something as simple as wax in the ear - yes that can cause dizziness.

      This could also account for the pressure in the head, but it could be the meds too as I've had a heavy, pressured head before.

      Sadly many doctors don't know the half of what goes on with these meds as they've never taken them.  

      Anyway, if it's the meds causing this, it will get better. Mahesh are tough meds to take.

      If it's your ears then the  doctor will sort it out for you.

      Hope it eases soon xx

    • katecogs
      katecogs

      Posted

      Typos .... sorry.  Updated the ipad and the keyboard wants to do its own thing now.

      Mahesh (though I like that word) should have said 'These meds'

      😄 xx

  • stevo1975
    stevo1975 vikki93740

    Posted

    Hey Vikki,

    They sound like side effects to me I had the dizziness presure on head no energy etc etc personally I think you should keep it going as they take a while to get thru the system no stress too much its normal smile

  • vikki93740
    vikki93740

    Posted

    Seen the Dr (again) after feeling like death in the waiting room. Some form of vertigo type thing (obviously) now taking anti dizziness tablets. Advised to take it easy (with a toddler) & see Dr again on Thursday. Still not to take citalopram for a week just in case it's them. Personally I don't want to stop them but also don't want to feel this rubbish. If I feel better on Thursday I might get the Dr to put me back on them & see how I go.

    Thanks for all the messages, helps to know I'm not the only one.

    • katecogs
      katecogs vikki93740

      Posted

      Glad you found what it is.

      Seriously though, if you stop these meds dead after taking them for 4 weeks you'll get more than dizziness.  You may very well get more dizziness, nausea, confusion, sweating, a strange head, brain zaps....... and other weird stuff

      But ..... entirely up to you and your doctor.

      Take though pleass.

      K x

    • katecogs
      katecogs

      Posted

      Take 'care' that was meant to say xx
  • Sparkly40
    Sparkly40 vikki93740

    Posted

    Hi Vikki  I also had all of those a side effects. Shooting pains in my head, dizziness, racing thoughts, all side effects of the tablets but I definitely wouldn't stop them, I have a 5 year old and now a 16 weeks old and when I stopped taking them abruptly when I had my daughter it was not nice at all, of course you will follow your doctors,advice but just be prepared for more side effects 

    does anyone get awful,dreams as a side effect too??

  • vikki93740
    vikki93740

    Posted

    I am feeling abit better today - a 2 hour sleep has helped the pressure in my head to go so hopefully on the mend. Seeing my go tomorrow & hoping I can go back on citalpram & as it's only been a few days hopefully I won't have too many more side effects
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