Hi all, I have been taking 10mg citalopram for almost 2 months now and I feel like I'm really starting to feel the benefits of it. People closest to me who know what I went through are really seeing a difference in me but annoyingly they are now starting to ask me when I'm going to stop taking the tablets and saying things like 'you don't want to rely on them forever!' I was just happy to not feel like the world was collapsing around me for a few weeks but now I'm wondering what if I DO have to rely on these drugs forever? The only side effects I have now are tiredness and some very annoying sexual side effects but both of these I can live with and the benefits currently outweigh the negatives for me. I'm happy to keep going im thinking for at least 6 months. I know it's probably a very personal thing but I guess my question is how long do people usually stay on it before trying to reduce and is it harder to come off the longer you have been taking it?! How do you know if you still need them or not?
Hi,
I have been taking 20mg for about five weeks now and I think I am starting to feel a change in my mood and reaction to negative situations. Anxiety is reducing and I feel less depressed. The reasons for my poor mentral state still exist but I managing to think about it more rationally.
Sex has been a problem for quite a while and this is a result of all the anxiety I have experienced. (I am a married guy by the way). I am hoping that this side will improve but am a bit concerned about the possible side effects in this area. without wanting to pry, can you allude to what these are for you? I w2ant to deal with any issue before it becomes another p;roblem in itself. thanks for being so open.
I avoided taking citalopram for as long as I possibly could, I just so didn't want to have to take medication or to rely on medication to feel 'normal' After months of living in a horrendous state I was eventually convinced by my husband and Doctor that I was ultimately missing out on life.
So I started taking citalopram......that was 6 years ago, citalopram gave me back the life I used to have before anxiety hit me. I did try 3 months ago to come off them, however for me I went straight back to how I was 6 years ago and it terrified me, that is not how I want to live.
I would think the longer you are on them the harder it is to come off them, but that might not be true. Ultimately though I've learnt to accept that 'so what' if I need to support, there's no shame in it, I rather be on citalopram forever than live in a state of constant anxiety and become detached from my husband and children. My doctor said to me 2 months ago that he would never advised someone with a heart condition not to take their heart pills, so why is this any different?
I've started CBT and I'm also attending an anxiety clinic, so maybe one day I'll come off them, but maybe not.
Side affects for me were that I put on weight and also it affected your sex drive, both of which my doctor has told me are possible affects....
Take one day at a time, and do what is best for you, good luck!
Hi Iain, no problem. I am female though so might be a bit different for you! Sexual side effects are apparently quite common but obviously not talked about quite so much - for me it is reduced sex drive and a complete inability to orgasm, which is not something I've ever had trouble with before. Havnt had one since the day I started citalopram 2 months ago. Luckily I have an understanding boyfriend and its not a huge problem at the moment but im not sure I will want to put up with it for years and years, so it is definitely part of the reason why I'm worried about long term use...
Thanks for being so open, that helps a lot. If its the same for men this will simply deal with one of the issues that got me in the state I am in now :-) May as well keep a light hearted spin on things. as long as it doesnt put a stop to all things sexual them lets be grateful for that. Long term - I think its a case of wait and see. I don't think there is anything sinister with using cit over a number of years. Good that your partner is with you on this. Chin up.
Hi Alice, thanks for this. I'm not ashamed and I'm just so happy ive finally found something that's genuinely helping. What your doctor said is so true and that's what I want to explain to people who have made these comments. But people just don't see it the same way they think it's some kind of sugar pill! It's very frustrating! But I know only I will know when I'm ready. Thanks again x
Talk to the GP first. I would NOT listen to well meaning friends. Trust that YOU feel better. It saved my life and minor side effects are irrelevant to me
Hi there, I've been on anti depressants for 9 months, 4 of which were cita. Side affects were weight gain and not a trace of an orgasm, still made sure my man was satisfied but I sure as hell wasn't ( I'm female) so for roughly 9 months of not having an orgasm was beyond getting on my nerves. Plus u r close to maybe having one and Bam gone! I was on 20 mg for the 4 months, went to 10 mg for 1 week then nothing, and OMG! Having sex is amazing, my reasons for being on it seem like they r different from everyone's, but my life is great!!( I'm going to call my man) Lol. I found ways to not have to take cita. Best of Luck!
Lol - thanks Beth, good to hear it's not just me 
but coming off them isn't really an option for me just yet. Good to know these things should return to normal once I do though!
I was on sertroline for a bit and it worked fine, but the sex thing was the same as cita. I went on Wellbutrin because Dr said sexual side effects weren't an issue. But I was only on it for 2 weeks due to side effects were really, really bad. Then onto cita which was fine except for wat a I stated earlier. U can maybe ask Dr about Wellbutrin and c wat he says? Just cause it's bad for one, might be great for the next! U have to do wat is right for u.
Hi
Usually just a reader here. I was diagnosed with sarcoids 3 years ago. This was also the beginning of my head problems. I have been on and of cit since then. I want downhill 2 months ago and went back on 20mg of cit. I have been lucky this time. A little sickness for a couple of days and yawning for cornwall. 2 months on I feel much better with a few minor hiccups. I have faced facts. I need help and cit is the answer. I no longer fear the fact that I may be on the for some time. On the sex thing. I am male and haven't finished for ages. Having said that, my partners having a great time😊
I dont understand on and off makes no sense
On and of. I thought I new better that the doc and came of when I thought I was better. I was wrong. I am staying on this time.
I've taken these for 15 years ..... you can stay on them for life if you need to. People take medication for epilepsy, diabetes, heart problems ... depression is no different. It's an illness, and if you need medication to help, then take it. Why do people remark on others taking medication? I've heard this so often ...... 'oh I wouldn't take meds, I'd deal with it myself' etc etc. Well I'd like to see you try I always say.
Dont listen to other people - you take the medication for as long as you need to. I reduced mine to the lowest possible dose I felt I could manage on and stayed like that for years. Eventually I came off the meds, but sadly restarted last year due to the stress of family illness.
If however you decide to stop them in the future, may I suggest the following:
When you're off Citalopram try a natural SSRI called 5-HTP which needs to be taken with l-tyrosine. Both can be bought from Holland & Barrett (if you're in the UK) and you need to take them both. Read a book called 5-HTP The Natural Way to Overcome Depression, Obesity by Michael T Murray ........ it's a really interesting read.
You need to be off SSRI's completely before starting 5-HTP as they mustn't be taken together.K x
Hi Melmo, To put this in perspective for you! You should stay on them for as long as you feel necessary and in line with what your doc says . Your friends and family will always think drugs/meds shouldn’t be long term however with this Serotonin uptakes they are gradual and take months to work I have heard the longer the intake the less chance of relapse? so I would think it’s better for you, family and friends the process is longer rather than shorter ! I wouldn’t feel rushed or guilty for taking them in excess of 6 months. My mother started taking citalopram in 1995 following a heart attack and she is still on them because her doc said she has a better quality of life ? so I guess don’t let your family dictate when and if you take meds. Take care keep smiling J
Great news you are living a good life Alice thats the most important ! there is no shame being medicated as far as I'm concerned I found CBT was very helpful so hope that works out you'll be fine take care !
Whatever woprks Terry buddy!! glad your doing well you have a great attitude too if you have to stay on them so be it thats how I am looking at it also I would prefer I didnt but if I find I fall back into the hole again after I come off then I will go back no second thought all the best !!
Hi... to anyone who was following this thread because they were interested in the mention of 'sexual side effects,' I just wanted to pop back on with the update that now on my 4th month on 10mg, the problems I mentioned above have started to improve massively. It was the last thing to go but it's finally started to settle down now and get back to normal. Don't know if this happens for everyone but I just wanted to give a bit of hope to anyone who was worried about this as I was scared I'd never quite be the same again!!
Hi Melmo, I'm glad things are on the up and up for you
So great to hear you are doing well Melmo. I am pushing through week six on 10mg, and so happy to hear that although it may take a while, it has done the trick for you. Keep posting, it really is so encouraging, and well done! Lee.