Citalopram

Treatment and medication
1

hi all,

I started citalopram about 3.5 weeks ago. I started feeling a bit better the first couple days and then got some bad side affects. these past couple weeks have been up and down with mood, fatigue, and low appetite. my appetite has improved a bit, but I feel a bit light-headed and my concentration is off. is this normal 3 weeks in? i get nervous and anxious at times too, but it usually subsides. anyone have the same experience?

2

i had all your symptoms plus more for around 7to 8 months .this Medication takes along time to work.take care.

3

of wow. this is my second time on it, first time it really helped me and I was able to get off for about 2.5 years. it’s harder on me now I think with all these side effects. any advice?

4

my advise is if your symptoms are coming and going and not really bothering you or making you feel uncomfortable .then i say is all within the norm of the cit.side effects.so isay yes keep going hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones with not long lasting side effects.

5

Hi William

Everything you say is absolutely normal, please try not to worry. Some of it is side effects and some is anxiety. The meds are rewiring your brain and for some of us, it takes a while. Others just sail straight through. Whatever you do, dont give up. I had ups and downs for 4/5 months but eventually everything went back to normal. Ive just had a blip, but its going now. Although its horrible, i see it now as me being very sensitive to horrible things happening and its just the way im made i guess! Stupid illness but will get better.

6

hi Debbie,
thanks for your response. it’s great to hear that what I’m going through is normal. i definitely feel like I’m not as down from when i started, its just my the side effects. I’m only 10mg rn, but might go up to 20mg after meeting with my doctor. the effects just make me feel uncomfortable, but it will pass in the coming weeks/days hopefully.

7

What mg are you on please

8

Has anyone had pins and needles on there face at all, week 6 on my chin everyday, driving me barmy ,

9

You’re welcome. Absolutely agree the side effects are damn uncomfortable and scary. See how you go on 10mg as it may just be enough. i was impatient and went from 10 to 20 and then 30! Looking back now, i should have just stuck it out as i feel i made matters worse with every increase, more side effects. Of course, we are all different so what works for one may not work for another. All i do know is that there was an awful lot of swearing coming from me at the time 

10

haven’t you been reading these post for the last so call year .i think iam the only lois on here .and for the last time iam on 10 milligrams .iam curious as to why you ask everyone what milligrams they are on?the milligrams are so different for everyone.the ten milligrams i take might not be good for you and so on.sorry i don’t mean to be rude.

11

haven’t you been reading these post for the last so call year .i think iam the only lois on here .and for the last time iam on 10 milligrams .iam curious as to why you ask everyone what milligrams they are on?the milligrams are so different for everyone.the ten milligrams i take might not be good for you and so on.sorry i don’t mean to be rude.

12

I was on Citalopram for quite a number of years and ended it about 4-5 months ago - big mistake. I think the first time I was on 20mg and it took me about a week to settle down having bad side effects. I’ve now started back on it but only on 10mg. This is now my third week but the first 2 weeks were horrendous more so than when I first went on them. Constant panic attacks, adrenaline rushes, unable to eat, sleep bad, hot flushes etc etc. Think you get the picture. For some strange reason the side effects were far worse than when I first started on it and never thought it would end but for the past few days I’m beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel - only hope its not a train coming :-). I can only reassure you (as others on here reassured me) William that it does get better. Its a shame that we have to go through even more hell to get the benefit from Citalopram. It really helped me last time. Stick at it mate…

13

thank you. i don’t have any crazy side effects. i just feel kinda out of it and spaced out in my head. working to gain my weight back in the next month hopefully. still not too hungry, but it’s improving.

14

that is lovely your not having the dreadful side effects . and dont worry the hunger will come back with a vengeance.

15

I felt it all for about 3 months. I could have written what Debbie has said. I was the same…I’ve been great since about month 4 onwards with a couple of blips. However, I did increase my dose at 9 weeks with minimal side effects and have never looked back.
I lost 1 stone 4 lbs in 6 weeks…it was the last of my baby weight that needed to go so I wasn’t complaining. I’ve gained 4 lbs in 2 weeks so my battle now is like Lois has said, my appetite is back with a vengeance :frowning: I’d take this problem a million times over though!!

16

absolutely .glad your feeling better moaney.

17

hi again,

i am now starting my 4th week on citalopram. the past couple days have been good. eating better and less stressed. today i felt more stressed and got some weird feelings through my body almost like my fight or flight system was starting. i calmed myself down. so tiring with how my body is fluctuating with mood and stress. this should stop in the next couple weeks right? trying to gain some weight, but i feel like my stress is just evening it out.