Citralopram side effects

Treatment and medication
1

This is day 5 on citralopram and I feel so drugged I can't function. This is making me feel very low. What should I do?

2

Hi Susan

Unfortunately this is how citalopram works. You will experience an unpleasant couple of weeks and then the side effects will start to dissappear. I would suggest not to fight it and try to rest as much as you can. Even though you may not be able to concentrate..try focusing on a TV programme. Don't panic with these awful side effects. ..promise they will lessen and disappear. Just go easy on yourself and try and make yourself as comfortable as possible xx

Blessings to you

Lorraine x

3

Hi Susan what mg are you on and have you got anxiety? I've been on 10mg for nearly 4 weeks and I felt so spaced out and out of it for about 3 weeks + other side effects but please bear with it.. It does get so much better I'm not 100% yet but it's certainly a hell of a lot better than I was.. Your not on your own honest I nearly stopped taking mine n giving up lots of times..it's been a hairy ride to say the least but persevere it's worth it.. Just imagine the tablet has to get into your system b4 you feel the benefits between 2-4 weeks, my dr said even up to 6 weeks but it gradually gets better after 2weeks.. I've been suffering severe anxiety so Dr put me on a lower dose 10mg citalopram to start so the side effects aren't as bad and this has helped.. whether he puts me up yet I don't know until Saturday.. If I was you and you can't cope with the side effects start lower and gradually go up.

Take care n persevere hunni xxx

4

Hi Susan

Just try and go with it, the 1st few weeks of taking cita is crap I had a lot of side effects, including tiredness, spaced out, loss of appetite, disturbing thoughts, bad dreams but I'm on Day 18 and they are definitely starting to pass, mornings are awful for me but my lunchtime I'm a little brighter, long way to go but I'm taking it hour by hour.

5

Hi Susan,

Please stick with it, I related my story to Nicola45014 earlier today, why not check it out. It does relate to all of us.

In the meantime "Welcome to The Club".

It may feel never ending, but we are here to make it feel less lonely!

Keep posting, Keep reading and keep with it.

Regards,

David

6

Hi Susan, same thing happens to me. I feel drugged and then I wake up in the morning and I'm in full panic mode. (That's what I call it) maybe try taking half in the morning and half in the afternoon? Best of luck! I hope you feel better!

7

I would like to thank you all for your kind replies. I have been feeling so low, scared and confused. Your words give me hope that I can get through this. Your wise words have made me realise this is a process to becoming as well as I can be. Thank you. Kind regards Susan xx

8

Thank you so much Lorraine. Your kind wise words have made me feel so much better. Yes I shall be kind to myself while my body is getting used to this and realise it will pass. Great advice.

Blessings to you too. xx

9

Thank you Sparkly, yes that pretty much describes how I'm feeling right now and mornings are the worse although I do feel "strange" all day. It's awful but your advice is very wise. One step at a time. Thank you xx

10

Thank you David. I read your post and replied too. Yes it really helps to know there are others here who are understanding and so supportive. I so needed that.

I will keep with it and when I need to I shall re read my lovely replies to remind myself I'm not alone.

Regards, Susan x

11

Thank you Katelin that's exactly how I'm feeling. I am sorry you feel so bad too. I hope it improves for you and you feel better soon too.

Kind regards, Susan xx

12

Low scared and confused pretty much sums it up its bloody horrible!! Try take your mind off it by keeping yourself as busy as possible when you obviously feel up to it n try not to dwell on the side effects too much xxx

13

Thank you Chrissie that's great advice. I am overwhelmed by how kind people have been on here today. I shall take your advice and try not to dwell on it too much. Take care. Sue xxx

14

Hi Chrissie, I'm not sure if my reply got through to you earlier but I wanted to thank you for your message. I hope your anxiety settles soon. I am on a low dose too and your comments have helped me to realise I should stick with it. Thank you , Susan xx

15

Hello,

I have been taking citalopram for a year now and last boxing day was my last panic attack! I don't want to sound patronising to you but honestly it does work eventually, I think this is a miracle drug but it does take a long time, it was 7 weeks until I started to feel better, it has been a long road to recovery but citalopram really does work, unfortunately you feel worse before better but just keep talking to people until you feel better, you will come out the other side. my GP told me that citalopram balances chemicals in the brain like scales but it takes a while to level out. Good luck and rest well. x

16

Thank you so much for your reply hails. You are not patronising. Your message is very helpful. It gives me hope and encouragement that I should stick with it and that it will work in time. I will be patient and seek out help on here when it feels too much. Thank you, Susan x

17

Hello Susan! This medication will do this. When you get an opportunity call your doctor and let them know what is going on. The more cit you take the more you will feel this way. Its better in some cases because you do not feel the negative feelings (depression and its symptoms). Good luck and take your time your body will adjust and you will be able to get things done only at a slower pace than you did before.

18

Be very careful with Citrolapram Susan... It does work initially to elevate your mood.. but it also numbs your emotions completely. I have been on 20mg for over 10 years and its notoriously hard to withdraw from. Just don't stay on it too long and withdraw very very gradually.

19

Thank you for replying Michelle. To be honest I feel so sick and drugged today that I don't think I can continue. I will speak to my doctor.

Kind regards Susan xx

20

Thank you Nicola. I think I shall go back to my GP. I am only taking 5mg (my GP knows this) in the hope to go up to 10mg later this week but the side effects are so bad I don't think I can do it!

Sorry to be so negative. I try to be positive but sometimes it's hard.

Kind regards Susan xx