I went to the gp complaining of being permanently exhausted and having serious problems with my memory. I scored very low on the depression tests but he has prescribed citalopram. Im concerned that the main side effects seem to be exhaustion and memory problem Anyone any advice?
Citalopram doesnt help with memory. In fact mine was worse when I was on it. However it does slow you down giving you a chance to think. This in turn will allow you to relax more and then youll feel less washed out. This isnt the best time of year to feel upbeat if your prone to depression but better weather is ahead and once the tabs start working(Usually a couple of weeks) you'll begin to feel better. You may also get wierd headaches at first. I had mine at the back of my skull at the base near my neck. Worryinfg at first but they dissapear. Obviously if you do experience anything you feel uncomfortable with, go back to your GP and check the dosage is correct for you.
Oooh not sure. If I just had exhaustion and memory loss I wouldn't want to take Citralopram. People who take this medication are often at the end of their tether with depression and have battled with it for ages.
Depression is quite specific. Feeling life is hopeless, crying a lot, anxiety, scared, can't sleep, panic feelings, can't function or get out of bed ..... and much more.
This medication will give you some nasty side effects to start with which last a few weeks. It often makes all the depression symptoms worse before they start to get better.
I don't want to dissuade you from taking medication prescribed for you, but if you haven't got bad depression I'd go back and see you doctor again.
I'm sure other people will post here too with other suggestions too that will help.
I hope that helps xx
Katecogs I agree too with you. It sounds more like stress to me than depression. I'd go get amother opinion rather than go on CITALOPRAM which is quite a powerful drug and not one to be on if you dont need it. You may be better treated for stress rather than depression.
Good luck
I score low on the depression scale tests and have no anxiety or panics at all. My mood isnt low or any feeling of hopelessness; just chronic exhaustion all of the time. GP seems adamanant that its depression though 
exhaustion and memory loss are classic symptoms of stress too. Are you stressed?
Not particularly most of the time. I am just sooo tired and no energy. I also forget stuff like names and recipes that I have been making for years.
As Fitch says, this is a really powerful drug and I personally wouldn't take it for memory loss and exhaustion. It can make those problems worse. The side effects can be quite scary in the beginning too, and you'll experience anxiety and panic I expect though those are temporary side effects. Eventually these all wear off and the meds do make you calmer and able to cope more.
Being over tired can make your memory poor.
Can I suggest you get your parathyroid checked out (this is not thyroid, but are located behind it in the neck). Parathyroid regulates calcium in your body, and if one isn't functioning it can make you extremely tired, affect your memory, depressed feeling, give you aches and pains, kidney stones and other stuff. Check out Hyperparathyroidism - it's usually only picked up when something else has gone wrong. I had a kidney stone years ago (big ouch) and hosp found I had this and had one of my parathyroids removed. You have 4 of them and if one isn't working it can cause all sorts of problems. You can easily live with just 1 of them. Both men and women get it.
K xx
I must say, I agree, these drugs are a last resort. I was prescribed them for depression and grief and constant crying, smashing things up, not wanting to continue living after nursing my dad in awfull pain etc etc, unless you really cannot cope I would not use these drugs, side effects are awfull. I would try exercise and healthy eating, vitamins etc first. Good luck
i already take full multi vits and exercise as much as is possible. Exercise is limited due to joint problems and arthritis. I took the first one yesterday and have had some pretty strong leg spasms and cramps. I am dubious about taking it today or not but gp was quite insistant that they would help
Good luck then fingers crossed they help. I had awfull side effects and stopped after 4 days, but people do say stick with it. I found sleeping pills better as mine was nightmares and panic attacks at night, councelling and food and maybe a bit of alcahol😉 comfort eating is great medicine.
I havent taken them today as Ihad full panic attacks yesterday whilst in asda and feel so detached. I really dont like it. I nearly passed out this morning whilst shopping and have no motivation to do basic tasks like putting logs on the fire. I dont know if to try taking them at night or just stop and say they arent for me.
Well its now night and decision still isnt made. OH has gone to bed and we havent had time to discuss it. Big decision as I have a lot of work to do tomorrow and need to be able to concentrate and have good coordination for it
I took mine at night because for a few hours they work into your system and your asleep. I was fine doing it this way. Remember they do take a while to get into your system and in the meantime they will probably give you some strange sensations. Try and stick with it and take for a week and see how you get on.
I took it last night, just before bed. yes I slept but woke up @3 feelng very very down and with strange thoughts of self hramng. This is not something I have ever had before. Not as dizzy though this morning but still feeling very disconnected from my body and everyone.
This is very typical of the first few weeks on this medication. They're side effects. This is why I thought you don't need to be on this medication. Seriously, I don't think you need to go through all these nasty side effects just for exhaustion and memory loss. Coming off this medication is difficult too as you can't just stop taking it as you'll be very ill. You have to come off slowly or you get withdrawl symptoms. This is serious medication.
Did you have a panic attack since you took a tablet?
If you're not suffering with depression, anxiety, self harm, tearfulness etc etc then you don't need this medication. The self harm you felt this morning are side effects of the medication.
If you've taken only 1 or 2 tablets, I'd seriously not take any more and go see your doctor. You really don't want to be giving yourself added problems by taking this medication.
Please see my earlier post too about getting checked out for Hyperparathyroidism as you really have classic symptoms of this - not depression. Insist.
K xx
My thoughts exactly Kate, I dont like the self harming thoughts coming on so soon after only taking such a small amount of the drug. Go see your GP and dont take any further tabs until you have done so.
Yes I agree. Self harm is typical with depression, but to suddenly get them (when never had before) so soon after starting the meds isn't nice. This medication heightens depressive symptoms real bad at the beginning, so if you haven't got depression it isn't good to experience these unusual and scary side effects when there's no need to.
Doctors seem to prescribe SSRI's too easily - without discussing what to expect, and to people who don't really need them, making them suffer even more than they need to.
thanks guys. going to try and get an appointment tomorrow. There was no warning about the side effects just his assurance that they would help me have more energy. I cant carry on with thee feelings, and certainly cant up the dose on monday.
Yes the feelings are pretty awful - you don't need to be feeling like that for no reason. That's how depression actually feels, so I'd hate you to have to experience all that. Really hope you get an appointment tomorrow ..... be persistent with him and give him a slap from all of us lol.
Let us know how you get on 
K xx