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Citalopram side effects?
Hi
Hope i'm not repeating anybody elses post but I couldnt find an answer to my question. My doctor has prescribed me Citalopran (20mg) and I took one the other night and about an hour later I started to feel sick, dizzy, spaced out and shakey, it was nothing like a panic attack iv ever had and I was just wondering if it was a panic attack because I was expecting to get side effects or whether they were genuine side effects? Im too scared to take anymore incase it happens again.
Thanks for any advice
Suzy xx
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Hi suzy!I have been on them 8weeks and have had a great night out tonight so stick with them if you want to feel half normal again hun!"
The side affects are horrible in the frist few weeks but they do get alot better.I only had one and had the same affects, and hit total heightened anxiety for at least aweek.Give them a chance they will take time to work.Maybe do what i did and cut back to 10mg for the frist month also!That is what is recomended if you look at the leaflet with out of course looking at the sideaffects,because that will make you ten times worse hun.
Make sure you eat well because i believe this helps and dont drink for a few weeks entil you have settled with the meds.I also took beta blockers the frist 3weeks with taking these to take the edge off.Please dont be scared of taking them they may help!!xxx
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Hi Suzy,
I am taking Citalopran too,maybe it would be a good idea to start with 10mg for a week and then up them to 20mg, i had side affects with 10mg, dizzy, feeling sick and my anxiety seemed alot worse, but after the first week it all seemed to settle down so i increased them to 20 mg, i have been on them for 5 weeks now and feeling alot better. Stick with them suzy its worth it in the end !!
Hope that helps,
Love Andrea
xxx
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Hi Suzy
I felt terrible for the first couple of weeks on these and that was with 10mg.
I have been on these meds for 7 months now and i am feeling like my old self again.
I agree with what Bong said about eating.
Stick with it and dont feel scared. I think most of felt like that when we first started them, and things will get better.
Take care
love mandie x
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Well i have upped them at long last!Will let you known how i feel in a few days.
I hate all this.xxxx
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Im on this med for second time
forgot how bad side effects were.
Doc put meon 20mg and i felt awful so i reduced to 10mg for first 2weeks and then increaced to 20mg.
Feel a lot better for that,hope you feel better soon.
Betty x
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Cheers sweet!I have upped it to 15mg,im cutting one 20mg in to four and taking one piece with my ten mg tablet.Just trying to up them very slowly so i dont notice anymore sideaffects.I hope i start to feel better once and for all by upping it.
Let me no how you get onxxxx
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
After some misfortunes, I was prescribed Citalopram. That proved to be an even bigger misfortune. I didn't know what hit me. From feeling fed up and depressed, I became suicidal with new unshakeable thoughts. My elbow joints were on fire; my bowels behaved like a brickworks with internal bleeding. I stuck it for nine months before flushing the stuff down the loo - which has never been the same since. I have never regained my appetite. So I resorted to the old dictum: "Pull yourself together". Anyone using this stuff should be very careful.
Newsman
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
My first time in a forum....gave up severe nicotine addiction, got depressed, prescribed citalopram, starting eight weeks ago on 10, in creased to 20, after 2 weeks, 10 days ago increased to 30. Since the start, Sleeping hours more than usual, (8/9 as opposed to 6), brain sluggish, stomach in constant tension, memory patchy. Am a lawyer, simply cannot live like this, am thinking of cold turkey...newsman, did you do that? What happened to you in the cold turkey? Don't mind some side effects, just need to get myself back...
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
I have been on Citalopram for about 16 days now, first few days were horrible, awful metallic taste in mouth, feeling dizzy, heart pounding and cold rush throughout my body.
Had a couple of good days last week, but this week feel the same as ever.
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
"Am a lawyer, simply cannot live like this, am thinking of cold turkey...newsman, did you do that? What happened to you in the cold turkey? Don't mind some side effects, just need to get myself back..."
I am a Journalist and a 30 year PR Consultant - both careers swilling in booze. What did I do? I JUST STOPPED. Do what your mother told you: Pull yourself together! Get out into the sunshine. I'm on your side.
newsman
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
not all meds suit everyone but pls dont go cold turkey.
u need to come off these drugs slowly with docs guidance pls
milly x
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
My husband was prescribed Citalopram last week after he cut his wrists (even he's not sure if it was a suicide attempt). I'm trying to understand him and the effects that the drugs are having but I'm finding it really, really hard. He's very 'random' is confused, repeats himself. I can cope with this but I can't cope with the way alcohol affects him. Even small amounts of alcohol effect him but I can't convince him that he shouldn't mix drink and drugs.
Does anyone have any advice they can give me on how to cope and what I can do to help?
Many thanks
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
i have been sufferingfrom palpatations for 5 years and i am really suffering from panic and anxiety so doc wants me to go on citalopram i am really scared cause i noticed side effects could be palpatations which i already have do u think it safe enough to take please help
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
:) Hi, im new to this forum and it has been really interesting to read peoples comments on citalopra. I myself started on citalopram six weeks ago. I was suffering from anxiety and generally feeling really, really low.
At first, after reading the side effects, I was really frightened to start my medication, but im now so glad I did. Yes, I did experience side effects, ie cold and hot rushes through body, difficulty in sleeping, loss of appetite and brief periods of lower than normal moods, however I am now back to feeling my normal self and wow what a difference that makes.
I myself also suffer from palpitations, but please take it from me these tablets did not make them any worse, in fact because i am now feeling calmer and happier I do not notice them as much, by the way I am on 10mgs.
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
Hi,
About 9 weeks ago I was suffering what my Doc. called multiple symptom anxiety, I had dizzyness,nausea,palpitations,racing heart,panic attacks, severe anxiety ,scared me just looking out the window and the tension in my stomach and muscles was unbearable like every nerve in my body was on edge.
My Doc prescribed Citalopram but being scared of the side effects people were talking about on here I DIDN'T start taking them, I also talked it over with my therapist ( had 6 sessions of CTB ) and he said I wasn't showing any signs of Depression.
That was 9 weeks ago and today without taking the meds I feel almost back to my old self just get a little bit of early morning tension but I can cope with that.
Best wishes
Decca.
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
decca, Well done in helping yourself withot the help of medication that takes a very strong person. You should be proud of yourself.
Nickypicky
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
Thanks nickyp,
It feels good to have "me" back again,well for the majority of the time anyway.
The point I was making is - if I'd started the Citalopram I would be saying that 8 weeks on it's really worked for me but in actual fact I've got better anyway without it.
I don't think I'm special or strong just made myself face my fears and gradually one by one come to terms with it and re-acustomed myself to how I was before the "alien" took over. just kept saying " I did it before and I can do it again now"
Best wishes
Decca.
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
:) Decca I know exactly what you mean about trying to sort yourself out withoout the use of medication. I myself have suffered from panic and anxiety on and off for years and always manage without medication. However on this particular occasion I just knew in my heart of heart that i would not be able to beat this on my own and so with a lot of thought and doubts, i decided to seek help from the doctor. It may be the case that i would of felt better by this time without the use of citalopram, but deep down in my case i know that they have helped. Nice to discuss this subject though, it makes you realise that your not alone.
NICKY:)
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
Yea I agree - everyone should go with their gut feeling regarding meds and it's really helpful to talk to other sufferers about things,that's why this site is so fantastic.
Decca.
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
I must admit that reading all the posts, past and present about this drug it makes me wonder why the docs pescribe it in the first place. I mean there are, or used to be drugs around for anxiety that worked well without the awful 'run-up' period, and they certainly didnt give people such severe reactions when first taking them. Ok i know no drug is ideal, but since they all have some withdrawal problems when coming off them, surely some of the others would be better? im thinking of diazepam, lorazepam (ativan) etc...all older drugs but they didnt make people so ill in this way.
Any thoughts on this decca? how long has citolopram been around? it seems to be the only drug the docs pescribe nowadays...but i could be wrong (have been known to be :D )
Cathy xxx
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
Hi Cath.
Prozac came out circa 1970 but was prescribed mainly for Depression and was replaced by Citalopram circa 1989 strangly about the same time as Professor Heather Ashton published her first paper on Benzo addiction and tollerance,(the full paper came out circa 2001).
Professor Ashton's hypothesis made doctors wary of prescribing Benzo's and SSRI's, especially Citalopram, became a popular replacement not only for depression but for all manor ailments as they were supposedly "well tolerated".
Ever since the Ashton manual came out there seems to be a lot of shouting about the use of Benzo's but very little seems to have been mentioned about the 2004 report linking SSRI's to juvenile suicide except for a "black box warning " on the packet insert.
Benzo's especially Diazepam have been shown to be the best quick acting anxiolitic drug but does come with the possible risk of addiction for some individuals in long term use and must be handled with care.
I think SSRI's are invaluable in the treatment of severe depression but for anxiety and panic disorders I prefer a well managed quick fix such as Diazepam.
Best wishes
Decca.
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
Thanks for the info decca...fantastic knowledge of this, where were you when we needed you at the MIND org in the 80's? and dont say too spaced out to be of any use!
Take care you too xxx
Sorry to sabotage your posts Suzy but what this man knows about these drugs is amazing.
Best wishes
Cath xxxx :)
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
:blush:
1980's I think that was my 19th nervous breakdown, lol.
Oh no that '66 wasn't it ( Stones)
I wish I was there Cath.
Decca
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
I was given citalopram for depression and was presribed 40mg. Ive never taken any medications before but was assured this dose would be fine. I took 1 tablet in the morning at 7.30am and by 9am I was not well!! I felt progressively stranger until I began shaking, I passed out with mild convulsions and breathing irregularities, came to after about 10 minutes, felt very spaced out still then another wave came over me and my head felt like it was going to explode. I passed out again and came to projectile vomiting. I felt incredibly "mashed" all morning but luckily my partner had been there to look after me. Incredibly the doctor didnt seem to bothered, even suggested it was a co-incidence and did i want to try again the next day!!!! He has now prescribed me fluoxetine 20mg but i am too scared to try them at the moment as I really thought I was gonna die. Has anyone else been given 40mg as a starting dose????
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
flojo,
Wow that was a bad reaction, were you taking any other meds, even over the conter ones that might have interacted with the Citalopram,St Johns wort for example ?.
I don't know what your history is but 10mg is the normal starting dose for a week then increased after that, people that have bad side effects can usually "jump off" in the first week but into the 2nd week should seek medical advice before discontinuing.
Has your Doc. suggested therapy at all ?
( This was advice given to me by my Doctor at my last clinic)
Best wishes
Decca.
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
40mg as a starting dose .... NO way could i have tolerated that. :ohmy:
I was in a state after taking 10 mg!!! ..... sick, sitting listless staring at the walls, spaced out, slurring my words and feeling generally drunk but not happy drunk .... i was also told to try another one the next day!!! .... NO thank you!! :ohmy:
My Psych actually said that because this happened it's a marker that a drug can actually be beneficial for you!!! :unsure:
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
Hi
I am on 10mg Citalopram and it's my 12th day on it.. yes i felt crap for a few days but its passed now.. I am getting spasms but its setteling now.
All mediacation takes a while to settle.. having side affects fo a week or more is nothing compared to living with severe anxiety for years!! I have had severe anxiety and agoarphobia since the age of 13, and never been on medication properly before, you hea good and bad storys about all medication its diffrent for everyone.. but if we dont try it we wont know if its going to work, and if you do get bad side effects from some medication just try and relax and chill as they normally pass in a week or so!! If we keep reading all the side effects on the packets and googling them all time it's just going to add anxiety and even more symptoms!! plus I really think if there is any posts about people wanting help about side effect etc.. I think if you can relate well just say that!! but I dont think listing all how you felt really helps the person who needs advice in the first place as its just going to make them feel alot wose.. like I said
is diffrent for everyone so if one person gets some side effects doesent mean you will be the same!!!
The more positive you are about anything in life helps you through the bad
Kate xx
please note!! remember that anyone who posts are trying to get people to try and reduce there anxiety about taking the medication.. so help as much as possible please xx
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
Hi
I have been on Citalopram for nearly 4 weeks I'm having good and bad days but feel I still have side effects from the Citalopram especially tummy upset. Has anyone else taken this long for it to settle I'm on 10mgs.
Thanks for any help.
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
Kate, I think its just giving an honest opinion of the drug, and its natural to give both sides. I had a bad reaction to propranolol and had to change meds, but many other ppl have been fine on it. But if a member asks for ppl to give their experience of it you're gonna get both sides. Citalopram has been ok for you...well done, but what if it hadnt been? I understand what you mean about not making ppl nervous about taking meds, but you cant give just the nice bits. If ppl dont want to know both sides they shouldnt ask.
Best wishes
Cathy xxx :)
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
:D I was started on citalopram nearly six weeks ago. I was very worried about taking these meds, as like most people I automatically referred to the side effects and was scared witless. However i decided to take the plunge, and boy was I glad I did, I now feel much more positive and happy. I was started on 10mg, and that suited me, i think 40mg is way to high to start someone on, poor thing!, my brother in law was on 40mg but only after the dose was upped gradually so his body had time to adapt. If you can handle the side effects for the first couple of weeks, and keep saying to yourself, "its only my body adjusting", then you will feel the benefits, good luck :) .
Nicky.
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pink-daisey
Hi
I am on 10mg Citalopram and it's my 12th day on it.. yes i felt crap for a few days but its passed now.. I am getting spasms but its setteling now.
All mediacation takes a while to settle.. having side affects fo a week or more is nothing compared to living with severe anxiety for years!! I have had severe anxiety and agoarphobia since the age of 13, and never been on medication properly before, you hea good and bad storys about all medication its diffrent for everyone.. but if we dont try it we wont know if its going to work, and if you do get bad side effects from some medication just try and relax and chill as they normally pass in a week or so!! If we keep reading all the side effects on the packets and googling them all time it's just going to add anxiety and even more symptoms!! plus I really think if there is any posts about people wanting help about side effect etc.. I think if you can relate well just say that!! but I dont think listing all how you felt really helps the person who needs advice in the first place as its just going to make them feel alot wose.. like I said
is diffrent for everyone so if one person gets some side effects doesent mean you will be the same!!!
The more positive you are about anything in life helps you through the bad
Kate xx
please note!! remember that anyone who posts are trying to get people to try and reduce there anxiety about taking the medication.. so help as much as possible please xx
Hi again
Having side effects from medication for me IS worse than living with severe anxiety/agoraphobia !!!!
I am happy that Citralopram seems to be working for you and i wish you continued success ...... in a perfect world it would work for everyone with an anxiety problem but life isn't like that so decisions have to be made and that's where Forums like this one come into their own as people can share their experiences both GOOD and BAD and others can make an informed decisions whether to use medication or not!
Pink
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
decca
flojo,
Wow that was a bad reaction, were you taking any other meds, even over the conter ones that might have interacted with the Citalopram,St Johns wort for example ?.
I don't know what your history is but 10mg is the normal starting dose for a week then increased after that, people that have bad side effects can usually "jump off" in the first week but into the 2nd week should seek medical advice before discontinuing.
Has your Doc. suggested therapy at all ?
Best wishes
Decca.
I hadnt taken any other meds, dont even usually take painkillers unless i have a severe migraine and havent taken any herbal remedies either so taking any tablet is a big deal for me and this has done nothing to convince me that it os good!! The doc i saw was not my usual one , he was just qualified or still training i think so i now feel that he was at fault for giving me such a big dose.
I dont want to scare anyone off taking their medication at all, just interested to see if anyone else had reacted like me or had such a strong starting dose.
Thanks for everyones comments so far
xxx
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
flojo
I hadnt taken any other meds, dont even usually take painkillers unless i have a severe migraine and havent taken any herbal remedies either so taking any tablet is a big deal for me and this has done nothing to convince me that it os good!! The doc i saw was not my usual one , he was just qualified or still training i think so i now feel that he was at fault for giving me such a big dose.
I dont want to scare anyone off taking their medication at all, just interested to see if anyone else had reacted like me or had such a strong starting dose.
Thanks for everyones comments so far
xxx
Im on waiting list for pyschotherapy but will take 3mths + im told!!
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
I've been prescribed citalopram, which I started taking 10 day ago. On Sunday I upped the dose to 20mg, as instructed. Boy do I feel bad! This morning I almost fainted and I feel incredibly sick and tired and feel like I can't breathe, much worse than the first few days at 10mg.
I ahve to see my doc next week - do you think I should lower the dose to 10mg again until I see her?
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
I think you should ring your surgery and get an appointment asap. Not because I think you are at risk or because I think that the citalopram are not working (in fact what you describe is fairly normal for someone going up to 20mg for the first time), but because you are clearly worried about it and its not helping your general health. You shouldn't have to wait a week to find out what to do, nor rely on advice from (albeit well-meaning) lay people. You are ill, you are having problems, and you need help, that is what they are there for.
If you can't or don't want to do that, then at least be reassured that it happened to me (just as you described) during one of my many upgrades. I got through it, it was hell but I got through it, and if you can hang on a few more days I am sure you will to. But it might help you much more to hear your GP say those words.
DD
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
Hiya I have been on citalopram for over 2 years, and because im going through a bad patch my Dr has just increased them to 40mg. I tried to come off them a year ago thinking im fine but soon started taking them again. any reduction should definitely be discussed with the Doc. take care
Stevie
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
Unfortunately, my GP (the one who I actually want to see because she is so helpful) is on holiday until next week.
I just took one tablet last night (10mg) and although I haven't felt wonderful today, I haven't felt as bad as I did yesterday.
To be honest, tablets always seem to affect me so maybe I just need the 10mg - I have two small children, so I don't want to be fainting and leaving them to try to pick me up off the floor!
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
Hi, I'm new here, but worried about citalopram.
I was prescribed last week and after worrying about taking them I started yesterday.
I'm on 20mg, today has been terrible, I can't stop shaking, it feels like I have the tremmors inside and out, and now I feel nausious as well and my tummy is not happy and I've had a headache all day and I'm tired but not sleepy.
I don't like it, I said to my Dr that I don't like taking med, I was put on seroxat years ago and came off them when the side effects were worse than what they were meant to be treating, in fact the drugs seemed to make me upset!
Has anyone else had this? Does it pass? Should I come off them?
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Re: Citalopram side effects?
i have suffered from clinical depression for years, and was on prozac for 3 years but unfortunately it had stopped working, the doctor has now put me on citalopram and i too have had the headaches, the shakes, feeling woozy, tired, lethargic etc so it is somewhat refreshing to hear that if i stick with it, these side effects should go away. Some of the posts from people who have said they managed to "pull themselves together" are lucky, not all of us are in such a fortunate position and it's hard to explain to people why depression and anxiety is an illness not just a state of mind. I tried everything but drugs for 4 years after i was diagnosed, and gradually got so bad that I had driven everyone away and was living in a dump because I couldn't be bothered to clean the house or clean my self!