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side effects of citalopram

Posted , 5 users are following.

Belle70568
Belle70568

So a few weeks ago i was put on 20 mg of citroplam for depression and anxiety but since then my anxiety has hit a new high. I have now been taking them for the last 2 and half weeks and was wondering when do the side effects start to ease and when should i notice some improvement? It hasnt done anything for my low mood and i feel my anxiety has gone through the roof since starting them, this week has been particulalry bad and i have barely left my house. I have a doctors appointment coming up and will discuss with him but in the mean time I was wondering if this was normal? ive never taken anything before and used other techniques to help, should i be expecting to see some effects yet? could it be possible that they dont agree with me?

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • jmcg2014
    jmcg2014 Belle70568

    Posted

    i was on citalopram very brielfy years ago, they made me feel terrible and since ive never touched medication, i stick to therapy which works better for me.  Its very possible they dont agree with youx, sadly one of the main side effects of medication is that the side effects outweigh any benefits
    • Belle70568
      Belle70568 jmcg2014

      Posted

      im gonna speak to my doctor about it, i was very reluctant to start taking anything and is waiting for CBT at the moment, but been waiting for over 4 months now!
    • jmcg2014
      jmcg2014 Belle70568

      Posted

      sadly yes the nhs is hopeless when it comes to mental health, i was 7 months waiting to see a psychiatrist which has just started
  • rj73132
    rj73132 Belle70568

    Posted

    Hi Belle,

    I'm taking sertraline which is another SSRI and has similar side effects in that you will feel worse initially. But having made it past 3 weeks, I'm starting to feel the benefits and the anxiety is getting less and less.

    Try to hang in there and discuss with your GP whether you should give this another couple of weeks or consider changing to another drug. The heightened anxiety can be horrible, so I know how you feel.

    I hope your CBT comes through soon, I've started and finding it very useful. If it looks like it will still be a while, perhaps try a self-help book that you could work through with a friend, just to get you started?

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure Belle70568

    Posted

    Everyone reacts to medications differently. Usually after a few weeks the medication becomes blood levels are involved .mthis is what helps the anxiety .

    ask your doc what should be the time frame to know if this medication is for you or to try another medication ar ask about talk therapy. Relaxing techniques. Exercise to push thru the anxiety helps some people .

    Sorry your suffering thru this. In time you can find what's good for getting thru the anxiety and feel better. 

  • DebzH007
    DebzH007 Belle70568

    Posted

    Hi Belle

    I once tried citalopram and it did me no good, even after the 3 week mark. I believe it and Sertraline are within a similar bracket, it also made me feel a new low.

    Click here to view image

    Everyone reacts differently to medication, it might take some time but you will find one! Give it another week or so and if you still feel bad, I would try another one. If you have never tried Fluoxetine I would recommend it, it really did wonders for my anxiety. It just takes that horrible edge off it, so you can feel somewhat normal!

    Good luck!!

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