Hi
Can anyone tell me how long the side effects last for? I’ve just finished my first packet (28 days) and I still have problems waking during the night, very weird dreams, difficult getting up in the morning. My concentration is really bad, difficulty in staying focused when thinking. I really do not want to come off them as they do help in other ways, but can’t cope with the side effects. Not sure what the alternative is though!!
They will start to lesson within 8weeks or longer..
Fingers crossed as it’s driving me nuts!
Hi there, welcome. Just keep telling yourself it’s only side effects which will lessen and stop over time! As the frog builds up in your system you will feel better but for some the side effects are bad and last as Lois says 8 weeks or so you are half way there. What side effects are you suffering from??
Hi ya gilip
Waking up several times during the night, very strange dreams, lack of concentration, mind wonders everywhere, fog type feeling and dare I say it loss of sex drive (not always a bad thing though lol )
I also changed my HRT from the patches to the coil with the gel and I was put on cit just after, so probably bad timing. However, I have been suffering from poor sleep and anxiety for years and starting a new job actually made this a lot worst. That said though I didn’t have these issues when on HRT patches, but I just hated the patches as not only did they hurt they left welt type marks. I have considered it could be the HRT causing my symptoms, but actually I don’t think it is and it’s the tablets causing my symptoms. 😩😩
Casper,
I am also experiencing all of the same symptoms as you and I am certain they are side effects from the citalopram. I am definitely seeing benefits though and based on what everyone else has recommended on these forums decided it is worth pushing through as these side effects will ease over time. In the mean time a few things I have done to try and cope with some of the symptoms:
1. Try not to focus on the bad things you are feeling or the fact that you are not 100% better. i think we all have been guilty of saying I just want to be normal again or all the way better. My opinion is that puts way too much pressure on ourselves and when we don't feel that way we focus on the bad and miss a lot of positive. Instead I try to focus on any small improvements that are being made from day to day, a great way to do this is through journaling. I still journal about my negative feelings but try to keep those to a minimum and make myself find some positive from the day to focus my writing on.
2. One of the worst and most lingering side effects I've dealt with is the insomnia. I read a book called Say Good Night To Insomnia. It is a 6 week program that is supposed to help you evaluate your sleep pattern and learn to make adjustments to get better sleep. I am on week three now and some of the adjustments have not been the easiest to make but I am seeing improvement.
3. I have always practiced different types of guided meditations but have really started to focus on mindfulness meditation. With this type of meditation you are focusing on the current moment and learning to accept whatever it is you feeling at that moment without judgement.
4. Lastly, you have to remember to be kind, compassionate, and patient with yourself. These things take time to level out, one person might be recovered at 6 weeks another after 3 months, dont set a timeline for yourself or feel like you are failing based on someone else's timeline. Be proud that you are taking the steps to heal yourself!
Hi Casper!
Today I just started my 8th week on celexa “citalopram”. It’s was a horrible first 3-5weeks. I had just about every symptom but I stayed with it. With the help of 😍Mark,Lois, Ben, Katecogs, Matthew , Manny, forgive me 😱anyone I know I’m forgetting a few others. The symptoms do dissipate so so slowly. Now I look back at my journal I do see I’m so much better and my family and friends all say I’m coming back into the world. 👍🏼👍🏼 As I’m writing this I’m having anxiety but nothing like it was. You and even me are still at the beginning stages. I know that as we get older our 💤 habits change so I know this drug exacerbates the insomnia. I know 2 people that have no side effects. I must of got their share of them. You also got some. With no help from my Dr except for Xanax which is a life saver for me. It helps me to sleep a little better. I say this forum is unbelievable. I stumbled upon it as I was freaking my 3rd night on this drug. I’m sure I would have been off of it except for all the fabulous people on here. I just say give it a little more time and see if your symptoms subside. Do a journaland meditate. If you need info on meditation let me know. 🌞Please keep us posted of how you are progressing.
Will😎🌴 ps cut caffeine out😔😩😤😇
Definitely ax caffeine..iam so happy you're feeling better..🤗and to allthe newbies on here don't be afraid to use xanex or diazapam...that's why they are prescribed for those rough moments..
Actually do be afraid to take valium, ativan or any benzo! Sure they work well for the very very short term, however, the reason they are so addictive is that they do work well but you need to keep increasing dosage to maintain that 'feel better feeling'. Many, many accidental addicts as a result of this. Anyone reccomending these meds is doing you a serious disservice. Physicians included. Be smart do your own research. There is a reason Benzo's are banned in many countries.
If you have and addictive personality perhaps...I certainly don't ..and iam Definitely not looking for that so called good feeling your referring to..I been taking xanex same dose .25 for 18momths .my mom has also been taking same dose for 20years...so the people your referring to are the ones that make it impossible for people that really neeed it...so your take on increasing dosages are only for drug addicts..which iam not...cause I don't feel what you are referring to!
Oh by the way the only countries that benzos are banned from completely ban from are third world countries ..not first class countries like the UK or USA.. every thing else as far as country doesn't exist...in my book...
Hi Casper,
I tried replying earlier but think it was blocked for putting book titles in my response so I'll try again.
I have experienced all of the same symptoms as you and am certain that they are side effects from the citalopram. I decided after reading about others experiences to stick it out and things have been gradually getting better and I am sure you will see the same. In the mean time here are a couple things that I've done that help and may help you.
1. The biggest thing I did was to stop focusing on all the negative feelings and to see the positive things that were happening. I think we are guilty of saying I just want to be normal or 100% recovered. This is too big of a goal and will not happen over night for most and ends making us focus in all things we are not able to do yet and makes us feel like we are failing. Instead I try to find improvements I've made no make how small or how bad I might feel each day. A good way to do this is journaling. I still write down my negatives but I also make myself write down anything positive I've done, then you can also look back through all of the improvement you have made on days when you are feeling like nothing good is happening.
2. For the insomnia I read a book that lays out a six week program in which you learn to assess your current sleep patterns and teaches you how to adjust to strengthen your sleep. I am on week three and some of the adjustments have been difficult but bub I am seeing improvement. If this interests you private message me and I can send you the title of bgg the book I read.
3. I have started a mindfulness meditation practice and a mindfulness based stress reduction program. Through these you are supposed to learn how to focus on the current moment and accept what you are experiencing without judgement or expectations from past experiences. Once again if bnb you are interested private message me and I can tell you the title of the book and program I am using.
4. Lastly and most importantly, remember that these medications react in each individual in their own time. Do not set a timeline for yourself based off of anyone else's, some people recover in 6 weeks other take 3 months. Just remember to be kind, compassionate, and patient with yourself and you will get through this!
I didn't read this last post of yours..is definitely the changes in your hormones patches trust me same thing happened to me..I also thought it was th celexa..once I sorted that out the hormanal anxiety disappeared...iam most certainly is the hrt
I’m only six days in on 20 mg of citalopram and I’m finding it hard. I’m terrified of the anxiety, I just want to get better and I really hope I will.x
Hi
That’s very true... but really hard.. I hate not being able to sleep 😩😩 Matthew28493
Madam, you are either misinformed or naive as it relates to potentially dangerous medications and world geography.
Please share safe and positive information on this site.
My geography as far as I'm concerned is my USA... everything else I stated is my experience...and all the information I shared on this site is positive and helpful..if your not on celexa ..go troll some where else.. Thailand Vietnam Philippines .all third world countries..there not ban in Europe or United States or the United kingdom..all meds come with there pros and cons..and I will continue to take my xanex when need to..same dose no higher dose like your stating ..your stating you need higher dose to feel good..that's a bunch of crap..I need only one dose with the same milligrams..
Good Luck!
Hi
I have cut down on caffeine and hoping that will help. It’s the weird dreams I have as it feels my head doesn’t rest. Plus then I can’t concentrate during the day. For me it’s deciding how long to give the tablets 🤔
I have been taking my tablet at night time so if there was any side effects I would be sleeping through them.But Im beginning to think feeling tired after a hour of taking the tablet maybe a side effect.I am asleep by 10pm.But awake again throughout the night,weird dreams,feeling hot after taken the tablet.
Lastnight I didnt take my tablet and slept well,So will try it in the day time now.