I was prescribed 20mg Citalopram over a week ago. I had real misgivings over taking it, I have a long history of stress/anxiety/depression and felt that other meds I have tried in the past seem to have negative side effects without exception. I was lucky enough to find this forum and read through quite a few experiences shared by others and felt I had to share mine too. I took one pill on Tues night, I found it very difficult to sleep. Yesterday was horrendous, I was so out of it. I felt nothing, couldn't communicate properly and hallucinated white membranes coming out of the walls of my bedroom. I was also very restless, last night I couldn't sleep at all - my mind was racing and I experienced the worst panic I have ever felt. When I woke up earlier I was thankful to find I felt 'normal' again, if somewhat tired.
I don't want to disuade anyone from trying Citalopram, maybe I gave up too quickly. I just couldn't imagine feeling that way for any length of time. My doctor, (although very nice and easy to speak to) didn't explain the possible side effects to me or how I might feel in the beginning. I feel maybe the dosage is too high for me, I will see him as soon as I can but for now I have decided not to take any more pills. I would suggest anyone who experiences any bad side effects to see your doctor as soon as you can and maybe have someone you know be around if you need them. Good luck to everyone, hopefully you will find a treatment that works for you.
I've been taking citilopram for the last 3 days and today I've been really anxious all day, with virtually constant palpitations, and suffering what I now know to be a panic attack this morning. Completely freaked me out this morning when I felt like I was going to pass out, I felt numb all over and dizzy whenever I tried to do anything other than lie on the floor, I ended up getting an ambulance out because I was scared to even try to get to the doctor's office. When I did eventually see a doctor and questioned whether the drug might have been involved I was told that it was far too early for the drug to have had any effect on me, as it needs to 'build up' in the system, but after reading the comments on here I think he's wrong. will stick with them for a bit, but if this anxiety continues I'm going to stop taking them, I didn't start taking them to feel worse than I was before!
I'm so relieved that I'm not going mad, and although I feel very sorry for anyone going through these side effects, I'm also very glad that I'm not alone! :?
Dear BlueBelleDelle, I too had the most awful experience after taking just 1 20mg pill - you can read some of my story posted on here 7/1/11 headed STAY WELL AWAY FROM CITALOPRAM. It caused me to have a complete breakdown and to this day doctors tell me it couldn't possibly have been the affect of 1 tablet (although I will disagree with that until the day I die!). If it was that bad for you I'd say don't take it again. I persevered for 1 week but the damage had already been done. From just feeling 'down' when going to my GP originally I became a complete wreck, ending up in a psychiatric ward and being ill for 2 years, losing my hard earned responsible job in the process. He didn't explain about side effects and as I hadn't taken any antidepressants in my life before (I'm now 49) I was blissfully unaware. I was put on all kinds of medication for those 2 years by a psychiatrist - Lithium, Prozac, Abilify, Lorazepam, Diazepam, and more I can't even remember - but am proud to say I take nothing now. I even paid out hundreds of pounds having all sorts of tests done privately, including a brain scan, as I thought I was going mad (they wouldn't send me on the NHS and treated me like a hypocondriac). The strongest medication I will take now is paracetemol. In hindsight, all I needed was a couple of weeks off work to recharge my batteries. I've since changed by GP by the way. I sincerely hope you begin to feel better and would urge you to go down the no medication route. You WILL get better whatever happens but try to look more closely at what is causing your depression/anxiety - maybe some changes need to be made in your life. I wish you all the very best.
Hi,
@Inverscot - I'm sorry to hear you too have had a negative experience with Citalopram - if you have continued to take them I hope you haven't felt any worse and you are feeling better. If your negative effects have continued or worsened I'd encourage to contact your doctor again if you haven't done so already, I hope whatever you have chosen works for you.
@Lottie - Your experience was actually one of the first I read about on this site, I have to say I was so concerned. It's unbelievable the ammount of misrepresentation Citalopram is given to those who are prescribed it - I saw another doctor earlier this week and even he did not explain the side effects to me of his own accord, I had to ask about them. He recommended that I resume taking the medication and complete the course but I refuse to do so on account of the feelings one pill left me with. I am off work for another two weeks, and I am medication free of my own volition. It sounds as though you have done so well, I hope you continue to be well and free of medication and wish you the very best for the future.