I've been prescribed Citalopram 20mg and have been taking it for 3 days now. I don't quite know how this works, but it's making me very anxious, gives me a dry mouth and fatigue. Is It to soon to see any changes? Should a give it a week or two?
20mg is about 4 times what I take. 5mg simply levels me off. My son takes 20mg, but the Dr. told us kids need more than adults. It could be you are taking too big of a dose? When I used to take 10mg a day, my hands would sweat and sexual function was inhibited 
But since I dropped to 5mg a few years ago, the side effects went away and now everything works great! 
.
I think you may want to tell your Doc what you are experiencing - he/she may want to tweak your dosage.
3 days is far to soon to see any results. What you are describing is side effects which I know is horrible, most people on this forum say about 4 weeks to see results. Did your doctor tell you about the side effects, mine didn't and I got more anxious which really worried me that is why I joined this forum and every body seems to suffer the same, I am worse in the mornings, keep going and stay positive which I know isn't easy. Keep posting to let us know how you are getting on, everyone is so supportive.
Ok. Maybe it's just early stages. The depression, I think, is just getting worse, so I was hoping the medication would have kicked in by now. I'm willing to wait a while to see if there's any result after two weeks or so.
If you want support come to "anyone not had side effects on Citalopram" thread. Seems to be where everyone has landed so don't let the name throw you. Lots of people at different stages and lots of advice and support.
:-D
Hi,
I went to the doctors today and she has prescribed me also 20mg of Citalopram....I have recently been suffering severe bouts of anxiety, this week I was panicking so much I had to phone in work sick, this has come about after my mother dying last year to whom I was very close and then had to move out of the .family home, I started getting anxious at work and then when I were out shopping etc, this has snowballed and got worse, the only thing that would calm me down were a few beers in the evening but thats not a good lifestyle, and the effect only lasts for the night!
I am very frightened of taking these tablets in case they make me feel worse....being anxious about the
side effects can make it worse! But reading the comments on here I am going to take them and try to persevere. I just hope so much that they make me the confident, popular, happy woman I was :-((
Hi Disco,
Please persevere you need to give it 6 weeks but you will be so happy you did, everyone suffered the same as you at the beginning however you were feeling this bad before Cit as well, so really it is your body adjusting to the Cit, as Diane says please join the forum anyone not had side effects on Citalopram as so many folk on there at different stages and all similar stories and side effects so join us over there, and read thru the posts to get a better picture.
For the dry mouth you should chew gum or mints to keep it moist, the fatigue will go too, it took me about 6 weeks but then it was the best feeling ever, the light just came back. deep breathing also helps when you are feeling anxious.
Lynnete keep up the good work and join us on the other forum also as lots more folk over there offering support and sharing their stories and tips, its good to know ur NOT alone.
Take care,
Anne
hi angipoos.
I felt exactly the same. Was a bit sceptical at first, but after reading these threads, am going to give it another go. I've only been on it for 3 days now and I've experienced a fewf negative side effects, but I think I'll give it a go a bit longer (the side effect isn't anything you can't handle).. I did some research on how Citalopram works, and apparently it restores the serotonin to normal levels in the brain. This will take some time.
Give it a go and keep us updated
D
Angi,
The pills can help. But they cannot totally fix emotions about a major loss. I suggest you find someone to talk to about the loss of your Mother. Between expressing your emotions and the positive impacts of the pills, I am sure you will come out of this OK. The future can bring good things, so be as positive as you can.
I am sorry about your Mom...
Thank You Disco...I will, Im so glad I came across this forum, its good to know that your not the only one going through it!
I will keep you updated.
Angi
HI Ron,
Thank you for replying....I also asked the doctor to refer me to councelling so I am also going to give that a go and see if it helps....I would try anything!
I actually agree with Ron
.I think you need counselling too Angi.
Bereavement is pretty intense. I'm not exactly going through that but I combine both medication with counselling. I think that's the quickest and most effective way of snapping out of this horrible burden.
D
come to this group ' Anyone NOT had any side effects on Citalopram?'
Docs., say a month, Disco, to kick in.
Angipoos, I. too. was very closed to my mother and we lived together so it was a huge loss when she died. That, coupled with and horrendous trauma, days after sent me on a downward spiral for years. Counselling never helped me, as it just brought back old memories.
I, too, took a drink to dull everything out but that was always followed by guilt, the next day so definitely not the answer. In my experience the only thing that helps is time and people to talk to who know you and will listen.
I hope you feel better soon. I understand how you feel. All I needed was cuddles but had no-one there.
Big cuddles and hugs Ms Mac, its never too late, hope ur well xx
Anne
Citalopram does cause tiredness and a dry mouth. Have you read the leaflet that came with them? All SSRI's take about 6-8 weeks to work fully.
I've been feeling down, picking up the pieces and being strong for everyone else for a very long time now. Unfortunately I've taken as much as I can take now and almost had a total melt down so today I went to the doctors. He prescribed me Citalopram, 20mg. I have no idea what to expect so any advice would be appreciated.
Hi,
You'll find lots of support on the thread called "anybody not had side effects on Citalopram". Don't let the name throw you, it just seems to be where everyone on cit has landed. As a a drug it can be a bit of a mixed bag. Some people are fine and others initially have a bit of a rough time but please don't let it put you off. You will see that there but there is lot of peer support.
:-D
Hi Diane, thank you for your message, it is encouraging though somewhat sad that there is so much support. I look forward to meeting and getting to know people in my situation.
:-)