Hi I've been on citalopram for just over 3 weeks now and had terrible side effects, nausea and increased anxiety being the worst. Now I'd say the constant nausea is linked to my anxiety rather than the citalopram. However, my anxiety is terrible as soon as I become conscious in a morning. It's constant not like a wave of panic, then it goes to my tummy and I feel awfully sick,, usually end up wretching. By late afternoon and the evening I do start to feel better, but getting to that point is so hard. The dr says it can take a number of weeks for the citalopram to start working and says cbt is the best thing for anxiety, problem being it takes weeks for a referral.
I've lost loads of weight cause I can't eat and I'm just so fed up. Surely I should be starting to feel some benifits soon?
Hi, Hang in there, you need to hit that 4-6 week mark for everything to settle down, I know its tough. You need to eat this is most important, even if it's shakes and toast, I can't stress how important food and water is.
Hi jo thanks. I'm doing meditation, reading self help books, seen a private counsellor and today I'm going for acupuncture ! Just wish I didn't feel so nauseous all the time
I feel your pain Victoria. I also had a really hard time getting on citalopram. All you report is very familiar.
Hang in there. It really should get better soon. I found I gradually started to feel better in the day earlier and earlier and at least when you do feel better you get a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel.
In the meantime you could ask your dr for some diazepam. I took a very low dose (2mg) for a very short term till the meds kicked in and that really helped me.
Citalopram can take 6-8 weeks to work and for the side effects to wear off, some of them are not nice but once they have worn off the tablets do work, so my best advice would be to keep taking them.
I am experiencing the same as you Victoria, not panic attacks but constant gut wrenching anxiety but the nausea is just a bit in the background now.
I take my citalopram about 8-9pm but then I keep waking up from anywhere between 1-2am and then every hour. This makes the anxiety worse cause I'm over tired and also cause I'm laid there not being able to sleep - any ideas anyone? Gp has given me zopiclone but they don't seem to make a difference
Yeah I've had a lot of stressful events this year which has now caused an anxiety problem which I didn't have before!
Can I ask what dose you are on and whether splitting it has reduced your anxiety levels? I am finding the anxiety really tough to deal with, makes me want to quit but I'm 16 days in now so will keep going.
Also how often did you take the diazepam and what time of day was your stress at its worst?
Hi Victoria, There can be a paradox reaction when first taking the citalopram I had quite bad anxiety when increasing the dosage however it will level and you wont get the side effects or as bad. Hang in there trust me if it doesnt get better after another month see your doc maybe you need a higher dosage? take care !
It is an awful experience going on to citlopram. The doctors advice to me was "you will get worse before you get better". Then there will be "more good days than bad". I too had real problems with appetitie and eating. I had to force myself to eat. It is best if there can be someone at home with you in the first month, to make you some simple food, like soup, smoothies etc. and also for the company. It's lonely being ill and on your own. However, I did make a full recovery from the anxiety and depression and I am now on a slow (year long) withdrawal using the citlopram drops, reducing by just 1mg every 2 weeks.
I am on citalopram 20mg in morning and 20mg lunch time..i have no side effects exept waking up at either 1:00 or 3.00 or 5:00 i am very hyper during the day but battel to sleep throug!! The doc gave gave gave me adco zolpidem 15mg at night and even with this i was up at 5.00 am today...im on citalopram 40 mg for 3 months already...just wonder how long other users are on them aswell if they have these problems aswell?
Just hang on there..is this your first anti's and what is your dosage?? Im on 20mg in morning and 20mg at lunch but battel to sleep through even with sleeping pills.. Going for my 4th month on citalopram..however ive been on triptelene for a month before citalopram..helps you sleep great but gives drie mouth!! Allways good for second opinion from a different docter hey...my doc even gave me the wrong meds one time and made me tottally different person...within a week he corrected it and im in love now with citalopram...
Good luck...yes it does take time for pills to kick in but so much less time for a second opinion if its your first meds!!!
I hope you don't mind me gatecrashing your post but I need some advice please.
My doctor has prescribed me with 8mg oral drops and I'm terrified to take it as a lot of reviews are really bad. I took Prozac back in March for about a week then had to stop as I felt horrendous. Nauseous, upset stomach, no appetite at all, weak, just generally s**t! I was off work for 2 weeks and I can't afford to be off again unwell, especially when I'm away on holiday next Friday for 2 weeks. Has anyone NOT had any side effects or found that they were bearable?
Hi clo I can't really offer you much advice on this as my side effects have been extreme sorry. There are people who don't seem to get too many side effects though. It's different for everyone.
I too was due to go on holiday on the 11th sept, but unfortunately I've had to cancel.
Are u on citalopram for anxiety? If so it does take a while for any affect to be felt, which I'm finding 3 and a half weeks in!
Take care, someone will be along with some more advice I'm sure