Hi I'm new to this site but been reading posts and what to share my experience... I'm 31 and have had anxiety and panic attacks for the last 5 years plus.. i got prescribed citalopram about a year ago but never took them... my honest thoughts were anti depressants are for losers, why do I need to take a tablet to make me feel normal? So i plodded on, then it got to the stage where my head was pounding all the time like someone had a grip around my brain.. felt dizzy constant dry mouth.. confusion... I thought I was dying and always thought I had something serious wrong with me... it got to the stage I was going to work but dreading it and then coming home and not even being socialble with my gf or child.. I stopped doing regular things with my friends and just wanted to be alone and close my eyes... it had turned into depression and it was getting to the stage where i didn't see the point of even living anymore I didn't want to feel this way and realistically prob wouldn't have the bottle to end it! I thought I'm going to go to the doctors for one last gonat how I can improve my life, I booked into see a different doctor as I thought it may help. As a grown 31 year old big lad I went in explained how I felt very emotionally, with absolutly no compassion the doctor replied "well I'm not a miracle worker I don't no what you expect me to do" I was shocked the attitude was not what I expected after a few other rude un thoughtful comments came my way I got up and left with nothing more than when I entered apart from the shock of what I just heard, to anyone with the nerve to do something to themselves I'm sure they would of walked out of there thinking that's it, no one can help even the doctor and carried on with there plans!! It however got me angry and I though I'm going to help myself and try these tablets, 4 weeks on now taking 10mg and I can honestly say I wish I had done it a year ago, I read the online comments and thought the side effects would be ■■■■ - I've not had any side effects? The tension headache was gone witching a few days and in general I feel like I'm engageing more with everyone, I've been out and just in general feel like I'm getting back to a normal life, I have the odd bad hour the odd bad day but they are the best thing I could of ever of took I've just got a prescription for 20mg as the doctor says they should give me the extra boost to get me fully back to me. Anyone who is thinking of taking but not sure take my advise don't think twice just take them and let your mind get back to normal so you can start to lead a normal life. Thanks for reading my story
Well done Daniel..take care
Daniel - glad to hear your journey of taking Citalopram has been mostly a positive experience for you!
Was it a regular doctor you were seeing? My doctor wasn't has harsh, but he pretty much gave me the same impression ["What do you expect me to do?"] . He's just a general doctor so all he has is scientific data which allows him to prescribe the medicine he thinks will work [he also said "all you can do is try [insert medicine name here] and see what happens" - which is mostly true considering you won't know how the med will do until you've taken it for awhile.
I think people are afraid to take the drug due to the side effects the 1st week or so. And then the more they research, they find out it can be very difficult to wean off the drug.
Warning though, they don't tell you that but when taking Citalopram your libido or sex drive will take a huge dive. Some people can't even get hard or have sex anymore while taking these, this seems like a very very common side effect with Citalopram and it's a real and serious issue. I took 20mg for a bout 4 or 5 weeks now and I can't have sex anymore it completely killed my libido and I'm getting off them. Of course your side effect might different but that's something to consider and something I wish the doctor would have told me.
Thanks for your reply the doctor who had the bad attitude with me was a doctor I had never seen before, I thought I'd try a different opinion from someone I hadn't seen - we all learn from our mistakes. I was afraid to take the tablets as if you red up online everyone says the side effects are horrific so I didn't want to take them but I've had no side effects worthy of a mention so far
Thanks for your reply Joel when you feel as bad as I felt and I'm sure others felt that is a side effect you can deal with for a bit as alternative is not coping with life
I'd rather not orgasm than to deal with suicide...just saying ..peace
Absolutely! If you and your GF can deal with that side effect then it's all good! Good luck to you!
Well done you for seeking help and starting the medicine.
Wow - bad doctor. I'm sorry you had that experience, and you're not the first one to have been spoken to in that manner either. For a person to have plucked up the courage and gone to seek help, which is something many people find extremely difficult to do, and then to have been spoken to like that is unbelievable. Yes - to some other person, the outcome could have been much worse, and that doctor would have had a lot to answer for...
Anyway - I'm glad you've found these meds are beginning to work. So many people have the same attitude you had at the beginning 'anti depressants are for weak people, losers etc etc' yet they are medicine just the same as medicine that is tailored for people with diabetes, heart problems etc etc .... and they don't try and cope with their condition without help, so neither should anyone with depression / anxiety. Its a condition just the same as any other.
Depression / anxiety affects your physical body as well as your mental state too, and often people who try and cope just find themselves embroiled in it - which is then harder to come out of.
When anxiety / depression hits, it'll bring the strongest person in the world to their knees.
Its great getting back on your feet isn't it.
ps ...... and find a different doctor 
K x
Hi. I'm glad you are doing well. I'm 3 weeks into 20mg on citalopram and it's hard at the moment. Anxiety and depression is worse but I know this is normal. I'm good your road to recovery continues xx
Hi did you start in 20mg or have you gone up from 10? I guess we all have different reactions but there has to be light at the end of the tunnel.... surely ... stick at it and I'm sure it will work out for you
Hi. I started on 20 mg. Seems to be a daily battle at the moment. I don't think I will ever get better
I used to think exactly the same thought I'd never get better, thought I was going to die... it will get better let the tablets work and don't think about them and things should start looking up... you need the support of people close to you
Thanks. People's advice and support in here us so helpful. To know that people went through what I'm going through but came out the other side gives me hope. Less anxious today. I really want to go my dose but know I need to give the meds at least 4 weeks to work. Xx
Hi Daniel been reading your posts and so much I suffer with my self I have panic attacks and anxiety every day which I used to cope with. now I fee llike I'm going mad ; I have palpatations hot sweats headaches crying and when I'm on feet I'm physically ready bed.i have these tablets which I'm so frightened to take but I no I have to do something l. Regards Claire. X
Hello Daniel, I am so happy these have helped you and you have not experienced any side effects, I also didnt suffer these when first taking them, just goes to show how differently we can all be affected by these. That doctors reaction is shocking., unfortunately that can happen., I wish you continued strength all the best to you.
I've had these prescribed today after battling panic attacks and having no sleep because of them. I've taken one today and actually had a nap for the first time in around 72 hours. I waited for the fear that kept me awake to strike and it never came, such a relief. I know they take a few weeks but I feel better already, the edges are softening and I feel more chilled out.
Hi Claire,
Did you manage to start taking these I also have been given them my doctor has only given 5mg because I am petrified of taking them. I have 2 children and my partner is self employed so I spend a lot of time on my own. I have now lost all my friends after getting anxiety. I'm unable to work and rarely leave the house and if I do its not very far. I feel really restless all the time and also suffer with IBS which is mainly my anxiety trigger. I really want to start taking them but just petrified xx
Hi there, yes I did take them give them a try its worth it all I suffered with was abit of nausea and a warm sensation on my chest wasn't in pain.
I was petrified to take them but they are helping me as today is the best day I had in a month.
Well said! You are so so so fortunate that you escaped the side effects. I’m glad you are doing well. I’m on them 18 weeks at 10 mg and doing good. I had crazy side effects.
Will😎