3 Months on Citalopram 10mg

Treatment and medication
1

Hello everyone, I've recently joined and wanted to share my experience of being on Citalopram, 10mg.

I started taking this medication on saturday 21st March, 2015; after a period of six months of being indernile and constantly backwards and forwards to my GP, of which were all different and seen on an emergency appointment as I always had to fit it around my work.

I had numerous blood tests, which all came back clear, but I still kept on suffering from occasional panic attacks. These first commenced in October 2014. My GP first prescribed Propranolol, 10mg and advised to 'take one', when I felt 'panicky'. This has all stemmed from my mothers sudden death back on July 2013.

I was on and off Propranolol until March 2015, until I had a major panic attack at work and collapsed. My heart rate was high, pins and needles from hyperventilating. On hignsight, I suppose this had been building up gradually as people use to comment on my facial complexion, 'oh, you look pale'. To which, I still get people commenting now. I'am 24 years of age, no other past medical history, I don't drink or smoke and consider myself to be healthy.

After this event, I returned back to my GP and came off the propranolol and on to Citalopram; to which I'm taking 10mg, once daily.

Well, as most of you will agree; the side effects are terrible from day one, feeling nauseous, light headed, increased aniexty and panic attacks. I contacted the '111' service and I later saw an urgent care centre doctor as it was the weekend, who stated it maybe a reaction to the drug but to carry on taking it as i had not long commenced the drug.

Well, here I'm today, panic attack free but occasionally suffering slight aniexty.

I have remained in work since being on 10mg of Citalopram and battles through the side effects. However, last week, I ended up passing out, again. All blood tests were conducted and my potassium levels were slightly low, but all eventually came back clear after a more indeph lab test. I have since been advised by the hospital doctor to 'consider' coming off the Citalopram and try a differing antidepressant.

This is somthing I'am due to see my GP about this week but unsure whether the dose I'am currently taking is either too low and needs increasing or, as one of the hospital doctors suggested, I need to try a different sort of SSRI?

Any suggestions and peoples stories welcomed

Regards, Joe.

2

Hi Joseph, I'm really sorry to hear what you have been through. I suffer from anxiety, but never passed out. I just get the usual dizziness, headache, racing heart, problems swallowing ect. I thought I was going to pass out before, but never did.

I take citalopram. Was on 10mg for a couple of months. My GP said it was a low dose so I've been on 20mg for a week. Unfortunately the side effects start again which I have struggled with.

I have asked my GP for an alternative, but apparently citalopram are the best ones for anxiety. They are also very hard to come off. Maybe try putting your dose up first and see how you go.

3

Hi Amy, thank you for your message and thoughts. It's nice to speak to someone and see comments and threads that people have created on here as I have been suffering with this now for the past ten months. Totally unexpected.

That is terrible with what you are experiencing, and I can relate to those symptoms you have just described. I seem to have good and not so good days. My job is a little stressful and to compensate with this I eat healthy, don't drink alcohol and get out as much as I can.

Are you the same?

That is interesting from what you have described, maybe my dose is too low and needs increasing. However, it's the nasty side effects that I'm not so keen on. I've been given time off work since Thursday and on rest days now so going to visit my GP and see what he suggests.

Yes, I think mine is defiantly aniexty and stress related. I mean, I don't feel depressed, well, this whole situation does bring your mood down as is expected but I keep fighting and think positively and try to live a balance lifestyle to combat this.

How are you getting on?

Joe smile

4

Hi Joseph1990, I have been on the med for about 6 months. I increased to 20mg after a month. The dry mouthis gone but I still have trouble sleeping. I think you should  stick with this med, just increase the dossage. The side effects get better. Take the med at night and eat healthy. My doctoer said the Citalopram has the least side effects. Plus it takes time to get in your system. If you keep changing you will never know if this one will get better. Give it time.

Best of luck, Lori82

5

CITA isnt an answer to every emotional problem in life. I still get dizzy at times esp if I stand up quickly but it simply saved my life. If you expect miracles you are almost certainly setting yourself up for failure. Consider the total result before making decisions to change and of course talk it over with your GP. Emphasize the positive

6

Hi Jo,

I'm 25, married with a 3 year old. My job isn't stressful I only work part time and I enjoy it to a certain degree! It makes me concentrate and forget things for a while.

I must admit I'm not a very health eater although I'm not very overweight. I do smoke, but don't drink.

I cannot see an improvement of going up to 20mg yet, but it's only been a week. I've felt a bit down so I'm not sure if it's a side effect. To be honest the side effects aren't as bad as when u first start. I'm just tired, really tired!!

Like you I'm not overly depressed just fed up of feeling ill and not being like I used to.

Let us know what you decide to do! smile

7

Hello and thank you for your message; yes you are right, and I'am considering all options available to me, hence my democratic approach on here taking all your views and stories into account smile

How are you getting on?

Joe.

8

hi joseph. i went on citralopram in november 14, 20mg then 30mg then 40mg in a space of 3 mths didnt work for me went onto venlafaxine75mg then 150mg and 2 weeks ago dr uped it to 225mg, your doctor will know whats best for you i think from my own experience a higher dose of cit, or something different would be a great help to you, good luck and persevere  best wishes jayne x

9

Hi Jayne, just out of interest when you say it didn't work how did you know and was it the doctors decision to swap meds? I've been on citalopram for nearly 2 years and if anything my anxiety has got worse! My GP won't let me try anything else and just says you would be worse without it!

10

Hello Jayne, thank you for your kind words, and sharing your experience.

Sounds like you've been through an even tougher time than me. How are you getting on now?

Yes, I hope to remain on Citalopram, it has helped me a lot and realise that I have to help myself too. I try to see the positive, I mean, so many people go through life without this and it has given me a great insight and appreciation of life. And like other people have said, I want to give it a chance and not keep trying alternative medication at this stage.

Best regards to you, Joe x

11

Give it ar least and keep an open mind. Its not the "answer" to life but it can be a great help. It simply saved my life. 2mg for four months

12

Three weeks

13

thankyou joe unfortunately my doctor has referred me to a phyciatrist, had 20 weeks of cbt but due to nhs protocol it had to end my therapist said i still had a way to go thats why dr icreased meds to 225mg, dont give up joe wish you luck please post back and let us know what your doctor decides, keep your chin up best wishes jayne :-) x

14

hi amy, i didnt feel any different on cit than what i did hen i started them crying sweating panic attacks etc etc, my doctor  was the one who decided to make the change in medication, been on 3 doses of ventafalaxine at current on 225mg only 2 weeks so early days but sleeping probs back and severe emotional outburst been refered to phyciatrist as doctor thinks i may have other probs, i was on cit 2 years ago for 18mths weaned of them then due to bulling at work had to go bk on them that was a 4 mth break. talk to your doctor and see if an increase would be beneficial to you coz as you may no the body gets used to meds and when that happens they have no effect. ventalafaxine is a slow release so works all day not just for a few hours after youve taken it. good luck let us know how you get on take care best wishes jayne:-) x

15

Thanks Jayne, I'm really sorry to hear what you are going through. It's awful, I'm seeing a counsellor but it's not really working she thinks I need more in depth therapy. The thing is I've had a pretty good life nothing bad has happened to me so I don't get it x

16

hi amy ive had a few ups and downs in my life we all lose our parents at some point but i lost my daughter 27 years ago never got over it you never do, but im blessed with 4 wonderful sons, i was refered to a councelor in dec, had 20 weeks with her then it had to end as nhs say 20 weeks is all you can have she said the my scores gad etc. had not even halved she wrote nto my doctor and they both decided to refer me to a phyciatrist. hope you get on with the councelling if you feel its not working ask to be refered for more in depth therapy. wishing you all the best let us know what happens take care jayne:-) x

17

Oh I'm sorry Jayne it must be very hard for you. I shouldn't be moaning at all x

18

Anti depressants are an art not a science because everyones so different. Takes work and patience

19

dont say that, if your ill its good to talk, we all have different reason, s may i ask WHY you are on citaratopram i dont think you are moaning at all you are just looking for answers ,like me keep your chin up take care best wishes jayne:-) x

20

It all started when I felt like I had a lump in my throat it was horrible like I was choking. I was told it could be caused by anxiety, which I never thought I had. Since then everything has spiralled out of control. It's like being told you have anxiety makes it worse. I convince myself I have things wrong with me all the time and it's making me depressed. I spend so much time at the doctors. I have kind of accepted I'm going to be like this forever and depend on antidepressants! X