Citalopram- the start of a journey

[jurf1704]

I’m on week 2 of a prescription for Citalopram 20mg

From what I understand, the beneficial effects should start to kick in around week 5 but for now the side effects I’m getting are:

• waking up at night (2/3/4am ish)

• constant background headache

• increased anxiety i.e. worse than before taking Cit

• a slight queasiness throughout the day

• a less positive outlook on life

Reading through various Citalopram post I see that these side effects are not uncommon.

Is there anyone else at a similar stage of the process of taking Citalopram who wanks to share the journey/support?

[mydogs]

Hi not on citalopram,I have been on Prozac for six weeks now and have all the same symptoms as you I feel worse now than before Dr said to carry on taking them things will get better but at the moment I feel terrible,I hope your meds kick in soon and you start to feel the benefit.

[jurf1704 in reply to mydogs]

Thanks for this. You would hope that after six weeks you’d start to see improvements. Hope you do soon.

[Sprinkle1]

I have never been on citalopram, but in my depressed episodes have been on many drugs, and yes the side affects can be awful, hopefully around week 6/8 they will go away and you will start to feel better. If that does not happen be sure and talk to your Dr. I recently changed to a new antidepressant (Cymbalta) and had to deal with the side affects, we upped the dose from 30 mg to 50 mg as they started to help me feel better. I am improving further, but I still have some side affects, dizzy & lightheaded, so I prepare myself for them after I take it in the am. as I do not want to fall, I am 77 live by myself, have no family or friends anymore as they have died. But I have a wonderful therapist who has helped me a Lot, and I am enjoying life again after a 3 year struggle. I wish you well, it will get better one way or another....I send you love and hugs...Sprinkle 1.....

[Gemma251]

Hi I started 20 mg of citropram 3 weeks ago but upped it to 30mg 6!days ago. I swopped from metrazapine 45mg as the weight gain was getting me down (I halved to 25mg and then stopped). However, I’m now having a lot of side effects which I am hoping will calm down soon. I’ve lost my appetite, felt nauseous and had Diarrhea for 8 days! My anxiety is sky high (I have health related anxiety so all these ‘side effects’ are making me think I’ve got some sort of cancer). I’m trying to ‘sit’ with the discomfort as my counsellor says I need to try and do a bit more, and using a little bit of diazapam from docTor. Anyone else experienced this? Thank you x

[jurf1704]

Hi Gemma241. I am a few months into using 20mg Citalopram now. All of the previously-described side effects have now gone. In general I feel like the medication has really done its job and I’m thinking now about how I come off.

[Gemma251]

So you would say a few months for the side effects to completely go and anxiety to be managed? X

[jurf1704]

For me personally, yes. The side effects went and I effectively “forgot” that I was taking it (I’d you see what I mean).

I feel that it did really help me manage my anxiety. However I have also taken steps to make sure I am doing everything I can to help the situation: regular exercise (Pilates) getting plenty of sleep, trying to take social opportunities. I am now at point where I am taking myself off the medication.

I am happy to answer any further questions that you have.