I had dreadful panic attacks this week and my gp put me on citalopram 20. It will be my second day today and I am reading all about the side-effects, weight gain, lack of sleep, etc. I have been already insomniac for 4 months. Last night I tokk the tablet in the evening and managed to get some sleep, though I woke up at dawn due to anxiety and felt a bit spaced out. Today I have not been able to leave my bed let alone the house, and I have no desire to get any work done. I have crazy submission deadlines coming up and can't just sit at bed doing nothing. I used to work out three times a week but don't feel moving at all for some reason. Is this a side-effect of the citalopram or just the panic attack aftermath?
Hi fifi,
I was put on 20mg Citalopram a few months back and am now on 30mg. I have to say the first week was utter HELL, possibly the worst week of my life. I couldn't physically get out of bed, hardly slept and felt like a zombie... BUT I kept with it and it has been worth it! I felt much better and then had my dosage up and my depression and panic has lessened significantly. After a week I felt much better and then after two weeks was almot 'back to normal'. Stick with it
Hi Fifi, the first 5 days can be pretty rough on citalopram, but they do pass. I think day3/4 were the worst for me. I just felt very tense and had lots of panic attacks and anxiety, felt nauseous, really dizzy etc. I took the week off work and tbh I recommend doing the same if you can, or at least a couple of days. After that it's mostly plain sailing and you'll start to feel better. This is just your body adjusting to the changes that the medication can have, and at first it can overcompensate a bit which makes you feel a bit nuts! Hope you feel better, but what you are getting now is very normal so just get cozy and ride it out
Yep, unfortunately these are common side effects hun. I was the same, during the first 2 weeks my anxiety hit the roof, then it got a lot better. Without these tabs i am a wreck. Iv been on them now for 3-4 years and im on 40mg. Unfortunately increasing doses sets off the side effects all over again so i am currently wiaitng for 40mg to kick in. My side effects are better now though after a week. Some people these can last about 2 months. You just need to stick with it. xxx