Tried Citalopram several times unsucessfully

Everyone gets these side effects unfortunately, and yes, they definitely stop after a while.  This medicine, like all other SSRI's take a long time to get into your body - they work very slowly.  The side effects can last a few weeks and often people notice a change in their mood around 3-4 months.  I know that seems a long time, but a lot of people have had this illness years, so a few months isn't really that long.  For me, I was completely better at 6 months- and that was after 15 years of being very ill.

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The side effects aren't very nice, but I found it was either that or live with deep depression.  I'm glad I persevered.

You need lots of patience on the medicine and there's lots of support on this site for you whilst you begin your journey.

K x

Yes these are common side effects of citalopram. However, personally I didn't have so many of these side effects in such a short space of time like yourself. This may be a personal thing or depending on what dosage your GP has started you on, as I satrted on 10mg and gradually have increased. I found I had a few side effects particularly tiredness which left me in such deep sleeps I would be unable to be woken when I had fallen asleep in lectures. I started taking the tablets on a night a few hours before bedtime which allowed me time to sleep through the worst of the symptoms if that helps. It does take at least 4 weeks before you will (hopefully) feel the beneficial effects of citalopram.

I think most people get this in the first few weeks.... I know that when I started taking this stuff, i didnt even get out of bed most days...but for me, the effects do drop off after a few weeks.. I stuggled when my dose went up to 20mg... I dont know if it was imagination but when I started taking the single 20mg tablet, the side effects returned....2x 10mg tablets seemed better....Really dont know why... I am going back to 1x10mg from today but as I said, the side effects get better if you carry on taking them...Try taking it at the same time every day....may be mid-late afternoon felt better to me...

I remember the insomnia for a week or so....that was terrible.  It was like I was "in my head" quite intensely.  It was almost like a claustrophobic and suffocating sensation.  It subsided relatively quickly.

I recall the nausea, yawning, jaw-clenching, and tiredness also.  All of these went away and the medication worked wonders for me.

Sexual issues is the worst side effect.  The other side effect is the numbness and inability to cry...even when I really want to.  Sometimes a good cry feels so right!

but, without the Celexa my emotions are exceedingly raw.  I mean, really, really raw.  I think you should try to get through this initial phase if you can......move your dose up gradually and that will help the side effects...also, remember that more is not necessarily better.

Find out what the least amount of the medication is that you need to be effective.

 

I think you'll start to realise that "Welcome to the club!" from one of us wouldn't go a miss.

I am 4 months in (up to 40mg, but not everyone needs to go this high) and starting to really feel the benefit. I reckon I may have reached the summit!

You are at the right place to get the right advice.

Regards,

David