Citalopram

[May1504]

Hey everyone! I’ve recently been prescribed 10mg of Citalopram and I’m really nervous about the side effects of taking these. If anyone could share their experience/tips with me that would be great

[Hidden]

Hello and welcome to a supportive community and to 2021!! I do not take this; I just wanted to say that all medicines have side effects and everyone reacts differently to them. The only way you'll know if it works for you is to start it. That said, I hope someone can help you out🙂

[May1504 in reply to Hidden]

Hey! Thank you so much for your advice, I am going to take them and see how I get on 😊

[Hidden in reply to May1504]

You're very welcome! Good luck👍

[Whiskers16]

I was on Citalopram for years with no side effects wish I’d never come off it but then like Minnie mouse said everyone is different. You will only know by giving it a go.

[May1504 in reply to Whiskers16]

Thanks for sharing, I am just going to give it a go!

[GreenLove65]

I was like you as well when it was first given to me and waited a week. But I will fight anyone who tries to take me off of it now. I have been on 20mg for 3 years. It was a godsend for me.

I did find taking it at night made me restless so I take it in the morning.

Unfortunately ow, I am going through something for the first time in 3 years- where it's not enough to calm my current anxiety/panic. Maybe I need a higher dose.

Just be aware it's a cumulative effect, so you don't see results right away, generally. Some people react more quickly than others. I needed Ativan as a stop-gap until it began to take effect.

[May1504 in reply to GreenLove65]

Thank you so much for sharing 👍🏻

[Blackhorse14]

Hi

I take citalopram I found that taking them before bed it better as they can sometimes make you feel sick for the first few days this soon wears off. The only other side effect I get is a dry mouth so find I need to drink a lot but other than that they do there job for me I am now on 40mg and don’t have any issues other than needing to drink plenty

Hope this helps

[May1504 in reply to Blackhorse14]

This really helps thank you!!

[astoryontheradio]

Hey 👋🏻. I’ve been on 20mg for about six months and it worked really well for me in reducing anxiety. The only side effect I got was a little bit of, sorry, constipation for a couple of weeks 💩. Go for it. I hope it works for you.

[May1504 in reply to astoryontheradio]

Thank you for sharing this, I’m glad they’re working for you

[Tjsmammy]

Hey! I took these a few years back and they were great and I suffered no side effects. I then tried them again last year and the side effects were so bad I had to change to a different type. Most have side effects but don’t give up immediately as they will help, and if it is too much for you don’t worry there are so many others out there you can try. I stressed far too much about it and I wish I hadn’t. Good luck 💋

[May1504 in reply to Tjsmammy]

Thank you! This has definitely helped me not to stress as much

[Amber456]

Personally, if I knew what I Know now about anti depressants, I wouldn't have touch them with a barge pole. Citalopram is very difficult to come off and you have to be careful. The side affects, if you get them, are far worse than the anxiety or depression it's self. Doctor's do not explain them properly and the risks you are taking. They do not read your notes if you want to change your dose. They are a crutch and not a cure. Personally I would have gone on a long walk in nature for an hour every day, tried meditation and listened to hypnotherapy cds. Gone to see a therapist.There are various complementary medication and therapy. You may have take the tablets for at least six weeks before they start working properly (which is the norm). You can't just stop taking them and then you may have to start all over again with a different drug to see if that works. Also given time I have read that the Brain can heal it's self with out drugs. I have been on them a long time and do wish I had never started. It has changed me. The last time I had my dose changed was over the Pandemic. He doubled my dose and so started my 6 weeks of pure hell. I realised when it went wrong that Doctor's don't have a clue about what they are doing and are scared to sort the mess they have caused out. It has to be your choice and it's fine to take them, It's also find to say no. Plenty of people do take their doctor's advice and plenty of people don't. I gave in to parent pressure and have lived with consequences ever since.

[May1504 in reply to Amber456]

Thank you! It is definitely so important to do your research before taking any medication. I have looked into herbal alternatives as I have learnt more about the side effects of SSRIs. Thank you for your comment it was very helpful

[MARYRD27]

Hi. Up until a year ago I took Citalopram for quite a few years and had absolutely no side effects. If you have never been on an antidepressant before, you may experience dry mouth, but just get some gum or throat lozenges. It goes away very quickly.

[May1504 in reply to MARYRD27]

Great thank you for the tips!

[MARYRD27 in reply to May1504]

I just read Amber456 comments. You do need to be careful if you choose to go off an anti-depressant. If you reduce them gradually, you should have no problem. At the time I went on anti-depressants in 1994, I had a 2 yr old with autism and a 4 yr old with ADD and ODD. There was no way I could take an hour walk in nature once a week, much less every day. They helped save my life. I realized later that I had low level depression all my life. Maybe anti-depressants would not have been necessary if I had been more aware sooner, or had a good therapist sooner, been born into a different family, etc.

I would never presume that another person's depression is the same as mine. We do what we think is best for ourselves and share our experiences, hoping that it will help others and provide more insight into one's own experience. The brain is the most complex organ in the body and each one is different. Because I have been on antidepressants for 26 years doesn't mean you will be on them forever. The husband of a friend of mine decided he didn't want to be married after 6 mos of marriage. My friend fell into a deep depression and went on antidepressants temporarily to help her get through that period of her life. With the help of therapy she went off of them and was fine. We do what we have to do. Do what is right for you.

[May1504 in reply to MARYRD27]

Thank you so much for sharing this... We are all different but it’s comforting to hear other people’s stories who have experienced a similar thing. I wish you all the best 😊

[Jeffery]

Hello, I have been taking citalopram 30 mg at bedtime for many years. I call them my happy pills. They keep my mood in check. I have many health challenges that could lead me to depair. I have had no side effects from this medication that I am aware of. Everyone is different so you will need to try them and see. Best wishes and Happy New Year.

[May1504 in reply to Jeffery]

Happy New Year to you to, thank you for sharing

[Amber456]

Glad to be of help x take care!

[Klew50]

Hi May1504. Hope you are well. I too have been prescribed 10mgs. So I am just wondering how you got on? Did you start them?

[BubbleC]

Hello! Did you take the citalopram? How was it?