Second full day of taking Citalopram and went to work

Posted , 3 users are following.

So, I am prescribed 20mg of Citalopram daily. My doctor told me to take it at night to avoid side effects...even though it keeps me up at night (my sleeping habits weren't that good anyways). But he also prescribed 0.5mg of Xanax as needed for sleep or other symptoms. Anyways, I am a sous chef at a restaurant so I was dreading going back to work after starting this SSRI.

Today, after my second night of Citalopram, I woke up with a nervous feeling all over my body. I told my girlfriend that it felt like butterflies in your stomach, but all over my body. I wasn't really freaking out, just a little irritated because I knew I couldn't miss work on a weekend. I got up, moved around and it went away. I went to work feeling "okay", just mildly tired and a little spaced out. Overall, day two wasn't too bad! I just got home from work and took my third pill. What's bothering me is that it's giving me "hyper" energy sometimes...now I've done adderall as young person, never any hard drugs like coke, but I really don't like the feeling. It's not that my heart races, but I just feel jittery. That's another reason I took caffeine out of my diet because it would make me feel weird.

Just giving everyone an update for anyone else who's just starting!

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    I have been on it for almost 3 weeks and I only started to get the jittery spaced out feeling in the last few days. I am also having headaches. A friend of mine experienced similar side effects but told me to keep with it as they settle down and it's the effect of the drug getting into your system and your body readjusting. My psychiatrist told me to take it first thing on a morning and so far I am sleeping ok at night. I have been prescribed it for severe anxiety and told it can take upto 4 to 6 weeks before any benefit can be seen. Hang in there and try not to worry, which I know is easier said than done as it's overthinking/stressing which got me into a real mess in the first place.

    • Posted

      It's almost weird how the side effects differ from person to person. I heard that, usually, after a week, the side effects calm down; but it still takes almost a month for the benefits to kick in...

  • Posted

    i think it's normal side effect

    every thing will back to normal after few weeks

    u will start get benefits maybe in week 6 and gradualy

    u will be fine and as before or maybe batter

    it's take me 12 weeks to be normal and happy again

    it worth it

    be patient

    and take the scans medication to help u pass this stage

    • Posted

      Yes, I'm trying to stay strong. It's hard at work sometimes, mainly with the weird/tired feeling...especially when we're busy (I'm a cook). The side effects so far aren't terrible, just a little annoying! I wish it didn't take a month or more for the benefits to kick in!

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