How long does it take for the side effects of citalopram to subside?

Mental health
21

Hi Julie

How are you getting on? First time on this site for me too... I started taking Citalopram 4 days ago and I feel so rough. Was prescribed it for anxiety and depression. Broke up with my long term partner on first day of taking it too so hardly pleasant. Been a total mess and im sure its making things worse. Constant crying and anxiety, cant leave the house, no sleep, not eaten anything other than a shake in 4 days. Awful. How are you getting on? Any improvements?

Sarah

22

Hey Sarah, I just wanted to say that the first two weeks or so are tough, but gradually you will find improvement. The most important thing is that you are not on your own. Believe me, life will smile you soon! -César

23

Hi Cesar. Thanks for speedy reply. I am so on my own, this is the problem. Literally locked away in a darkened room watching boxsets! This is so horrible...they make me feel so upset. I just wish i could sleep but im finding it impossible. Great to know u guys r there and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel... Thanks you Cesar. 

Sarah

24

Yes, we are all here. Can you go for a walk at least?

25

Yeah I think im going to watch another episode of this show then try to get some sleep then try a cycle maybe. Thanks Cesar... even just this little chat has helped.. crazy huh. . Where are we all btw? is this an American thread? or UK? Im in London

26

Great! Look, the weather day is very nice today. When I was ill, I was incapable of taking buses, trains or the tube. So each day, I went on little walks to a nearby park. That helped me a lot. Also, sometimes I just wanted to cry in those walks and I just let it go. Just remember, it will not last forever!!!!!!!!

27

Thanks Cesar and I hope not as its the most awful awful thing. I had postnatal depression after I had my kids and that was 16 years ago... I never thought I would slip backwards again. Thank you for your support

28

Yeah, it sucks, but one day it will become just a memory. Have an amazing day and enjoy sunny London today!!!

29

30

HI CESAR

I AM NEW TO THIS FORUM. I HAD QUIT SMOKING BEGINNING OF APRIL. WENT INTO SEVERE DEPRESSION. WAS FIRST PUT ON WELBUTRIN TAKEN OFF NINE DAYS LATER. WAS HORRIBLE. PUT ON CELXIA. ALMOST THREE WEEKS. NOW ON HALF TEN MG PILL,THE NAUSEA IS AWFUL AS WELL AS MUSCLE PAIN AND SOME JOINT SWELLING. WILL THAT GO AWAY. I HEARD LEXAPRO IS BETTER?

31

Hey All,

  I am new to this group. Struggling with some "dark thoughts" al my life. Made up for this by working hard. Then cancer, surviving, divorce of the worst kind. Seems work is the best therapie. But no purpose in life. Having many "dark thoughts" even when moments are the happiest. Tries Wellbrutin - was going cary stopped after 3 days 6 months ago. Now loss of appetitie loosig weight. Now cancer doc said to try Citalopram. Am on half a tablet for next 7 days, then full. So far makes my tinitus worse, I am incredible tired, itching and frequent urination. And that is day 2. Life has been rough. I think I can manage because I have dicipline but I need to know that it works. Does any one know if this stuff works? Maybe I am hopeing for a "high" (I know bad wording" but is there something at the end that makes the day something to look forward too? Thanks all! Hopefully it works and can manage the side effects.

 

32

Hi,

I am new to the group. I started taking Citalopram 2 1/2 weeks ago because I was experiencing severe anxiety attacks that lasted hours. I took 10mg for the first 2 weeks and increased to the 20mg that my GP prescribed.

My mood has gotten much better, but the anxiety feels like it still lurks. My appetite had decreased and I've lost almost 15 pounds. My hands and feet sweat, I feel fatigued, and I have the same insomnia that started before I began taking the pills.

The odd thing is that the side effects will just stop and be done for the day. I want to stick with Citalopram for at least 6 weeks. I just need to hear that others have gone through similar size effects and are glad they didn't give up. Please send some positive feedback.

33

Hi I started citalopram 12 days ago for severe anxiety. I felt like adrenaline was continually pumping round my body. It does seem to be calming except first thing in the morning, but I feel nauseous and sick all the time. I was hoping this would subside a bit by now

34

i have the same problem,in the mornings is hard i get abit bad and have to get out of it,but as the day gets on i seem to get better,im on 40mg of citrapram what are u on?

35

Hi Gary I'm on 20mg. I think the sickness is starting to subside a bit but today my anxiety has been bad. I just want to feel normal again and eat something would be good. I haven't eaten for nearly 2 week only managing the odd meal replacement shake. I'm putting today down to just a bad day and hope tomorrow is better

36

Hi folks.

I'm Fergus and I'm 37. I've started citrolapram today for 2nd time. Took at 11-12 years ago. When I took it before for first time it was amazing. I was high and excited, sadly that was a 1 off but never had side effects after that.

I naively took 2 20mg tablets this morning out of desperation because I was feeling so low and feel terrible. Fell asleep about 7.30-8pm and woke at 10pm. Sitting in bed listening to my kids sleeping and all can think about is wishing I could end this pain. My wife and I separated in June. We were so in love but it's deteriorated last few years of 9 years together. We have a not Daniel who is 2 and a girl who is nearly 5.

I had been doing so well and thought I'd turned a corner until I found out my wife was dating again.

Now I feel guilty, depressed and suicidal. Reading your posts about how long side effects last, I'm struggling to believe I can cope. I know there's no quick fix and have to be strong but I'm tired.

Has anyone carried on with the AD's and managed after side effects wore off. Please tell me they're worth it. I know I sound pathetic but I'm really on a knife edge.

Thanks

37

Hi Fergus,

I was looking through the threads and registered so I could reply. I just wanted to say you're not alone and there are loads of people who say citalopram works and that it's changed their lives!

It seems from reading the posts that the worst of the side effects last for 2-3 weeks.

Did your doctor recommend starting on 20mg?

Is there anyone close you can talk to?

I started taking it 4 nights ago and I've been awake since 2am (it's now 4am) and that's been every night.

I'm trying not to fight against it too much. I'm listening to an audio book which is good. It feels more restful than TV.

Generally distraction is really helpful.

I really hope you're ok sweetheart. Keep going, you're going to get out of this

38

Thank you Cesar.

Today will be my 5 day with Ci, like you, first day I felt calm and good, second day I cry for 2 hours and continue all afternoon and night, 3 day was good, yesterday was not so good, but today, I don't like it, chest pressure, and upset stomach, had some hot flashes, o small attacks, I'm still wondering if I should continue with the medication today, but after your history, I'll go ahead and take the pill, I have some hopes.

Thank you.

39

Hi,

My GP started me on 20 mg. I took it for half a week, and felt so tired, yawning all day, getting 10-12 hours of sleep wasn't enough. I cut it down to 10mg for the rest of the week, and couldn't take it any more so I stopped, and then slept 12 hours, got up and drank some coffee, and went back to bed for 2 hours. Now I'm up but can't get motivated to get off the couch. My mood was so much worse after starting this med, no motivation, more depressed, no energy to do the basic things, tired, exhausted, don't want to be around anyone, not caring about anything. At least I'm not on the verge of tears all the time, but the trade off is not worth it.  I can't afford to feel this way, I have to be cheerful at work, and need lots of energy to train new people. I am not going to take any more of these pills. It's not worth it.  I don't know of a better alternative.  I have been off all antidepressants for about 7 years. Before that I was on Wellbutrin 150 XL for about 5+ years, and liked it except it gave me tinnitis and shaky hands. I've also tried and didn't like Lexapro, Pristiq, Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft (Liked it but gave me TMJ), and liked Serzone, but they pulled it from the market. I also used Celexa years ago and I don't remember it making me feel this bad. I can't afford to drag around and sleep for 3 weeks waiting for possible, not guaranteed good effects to kick in. What AD's work????  

40

Hi there 😊

I started on 20mg Citalopram 5 days ago and I have been feeling horrible. Last night I took just 10mg and today I feel extremely nauseous but when I was on the full 20mg I felt wired, extremely drowsy, huge pupils, I just didn't feel like myself at all and have been off work. I want to keep going on it but I'm worried about feeling like this for the foreseeable future - I don't however feel the anxiety but I think im too tired to feel anything. I don't have trouble sleeping, however when I wake up I feel like I haven't slept at all. Fingers crossed this doesn't last for too much longer