View Full Version : Starting Citalopram on Monday (23/3) - Info required!
Hereford Al
17-03-09, 21:20
Hi guys.
After deciding that Mirtazapine was as useful as a Chcolate Fireguard for controlling my anxiety, I became determined to request a change of medication after a really awful blowout (of epic proportions) anxiety just over a month ago - Some of you may have seen my insomniac fuelled thread about going back to work. After nearly 7 months of saying that Mirtazapine was not helping me, I FINALLY got listened to today by the top doc at the local Psychiatric hospital.
So after tapering off the Mirtazapine (I'm currently not taking any, but cut down from 30mg over the last 2 weeks) once it is out of my system in a few days I will be starting Citalopram 20mg. I have also been given a few days supply of 1mg Lorazapem (sp?) to get me over the initial increase in anxiety that I might get.
Couple of questions I have for others who used it:
1) When, in terms of days or weeks, did you feel that it was starting to make you feel calmer? Do you still have that lust for life, or have you become a lazy sod due to Citalopram?
2) Does it completely kill your anxiety (or that "fear" feeling) or still leave a bit there? I would prefer the second so that I don't stop fearing 18tonne trucks and stuff! Does it help with the physical symptoms of anxiety?
3) How long after you started taking it did the more problematic side effects go away? I expect to have long-term dry mouth and a bit of sweating as happened on Mirt, but do you get the initial nausea I have read about all the way through the treatment?
4) Is it best to take in the morning or evening, and do you take it with or without food?
5) If I feel that it is helping my anxiety enough to allow me to go back to the football again (although looking at Hereford United's results at the moment it is no great miss!) like I used to every weekend, will I be allowed to have a half time beer or a pint with some chips after the game? I don't drink much any more, but like a beer/cider or two on a Friday and Saturday night infront of a film or Match of the Day, but nothing excessive. Is alcohol a big no-no?
6) Will the 20mg get adjusted if it is "not quite there", and how long should I give it before talking about this stuff to my Doctor?
7) Are there any foods that I need to avoid, like with some medications?
8) Did Citalopram help you with hyperactive/obsessive thoughts running through your mind? I am sure I have a bit of OCD mixed in with all this Anxiety and Depression too, and do some really daft things (using the same colour pegs on an item of washing on the line, for example) that appear as low level OCD. Do you kind of lose the whole perfectionist thing?
9) Will it stop me from feeling stupidly nervous about everyday things, like being on crowded busses, in long shopping queues, etc? Did it stop you from having panic attacks? I don't want to be nervous, but I just am for some strange reason and I don't know why!
10) Sadly I am single at the moment, but if I met a nice young lady (or stray farm animal, I'm not bothered!), would I need to come off Citalopram if I wanted to have kids or anything down the line?
Sorry, I know there are more than a couple of questions there but I would be greatful from some info from experienced Citalopram users, and what doses they went through.
Thanks guys,
Al
PS - I'll start posting in the big thread once I have lost my Citalopram Viginity!
tryingtocope
17-03-09, 22:06
Good post, would like to know the answers to most of these too :)
Decided to take my first pill about 10 minutes ago (was going to do it in the morning) and starting to freak out a little bit :S
I thought it would be better to take it at night, so i wont (hopefully) be stressing about imaginary (again hopefully..) side effects all day tomorrow! I'll be able to send myself off to bed if i start stressing.
I'll let you know how i get on :) x
Good luck to you both! I'll be starting tomorrow myself. Fingers crossed, eek!
tryingtocope
17-03-09, 22:24
Good luck to you two x
started on citalopram yesterday, am very sleepy and a bit down but not sure whether its me or the meds . ps i am new to no more panic, i have been having anxiety / agoraphobic attacks for about a year and especially when confronted of challenged . It seems like taht occurs dailly. My paranoia is high and my doctor has me diagnosed as depressed and agoaraphobic . i have taken valium , and have tried other meds which i can't remember for my depression and anxiety, i hope Citalopram works better
Polar Bear
18-03-09, 09:04
Hi Al
I can't claim to be an experieced Citalopram user but thought my experiences so far may help. I've been taking this for almost 4 weeks now. Did 9 days on 10mg and then upped to 20mg which is what i'm on now.
For the first 5 days or so anxiety was worse (I was prescribed these or this) Reached a peak at the end of day 5. Other side effects not to bad some dizziness and stomach wasn't great for a day or to but seem to have got away ith this side of things better than some.
After dose was upped felt side effects again for a couple of days but ok then.
Still don't feel 100% calm. My main systoms at the moment is the globus throat thing. Feel there's something there that I can't clear (having this now but distraction helps so trying to let this reply help me - so thanks for that!). As far as I understand it the tablets don't really kick in for 4-6 weeks so that's the length of time you probably need to wait to get full effect.
Don't know about the alcohol. I fancy a drink some evenings but have decided not to. Some do and say they feel worse / rough following day others do it anyway but I'm not taking the chance. I wanted to get over this before I consider drinking I think.
Don't know about the food but certainly haven't been told to avoid any food by the doctor. I take the tablets morning with or without food now but was taking food with them in early days to try to mitagate any side effects as again heard that this may help.
Only othe thing I can say is that it's not doing wonders for my love life. Don't want to "perform2 anywhere near as often as before the pills. There are lots of threads on hear to look at though as by all accounts it effects men in to opposite directions on this with regards to erections.
Hope this helps
Good luck to all. I also feel this site has really helped.
Mike
Polar Bear
18-03-09, 09:16
Actually, also meant to add that did fel tired in the few couple of weeks but starting to feel better now. Got some heavy eyes in the first couple of days as well.
I definitely feel citalopram has helped me so far. The more experienced seem to be saying there are ups and downs although again everyone is different. Definitely want to get some counselling as well though to change my thinking around. Just hoping the drugs really kick in soon and I feel really relaxed.
Mike
It's interesting to hear people's experiences of starting out on Citalopram. Sounds like there may be some bumpy patches for the first few weeks. I seem to have the constitution of a horse so I'm hoping to by-pass some physical side-effects ;)
I have my first night out in months planned for friday night, so will have one glass of wine, just a small measure, and will let you know what happens. I've asked my friend to keep an eye on me in case I go a bit wobbly!
Al said: Couple of questions I have for others who used it:
1) When, in terms of days or weeks, did you feel that it was starting to make you feel calmer? Do you still have that lust for life, or have you become a lazy sod due to Citalopram?
For me Al the reduction in anxiety is a gradual process but the general concensus is 4 - 6 weeks you will notice a difference. In the short term you will get a few blips, false starts and side effects as with all SSRi's, some people report an increase in anxiety in the first week or so but it dies away
2) Does it completely kill your anxiety (or that "fear" feeling) or still leave a bit there? I would prefer the second so that I don't stop fearing 18tonne trucks and stuff! Does it help with the physical symptoms of anxiety?
Yes it definitely has for me (I am in week 8 now) but there is still some residual 'chemical' feelings
3) How long after you started taking it did the more problematic side effects go away? I expect to have long-term dry mouth and a bit of sweating as happened on Mirt, but do you get the initial nausea I have read about all the way through the treatment?
Its different for different people - having been on something else you will recognise the symptoms & side effects and the side effects go through different phases which will mostly wear off after 4 - 6 weeks. The dry mouth, night sweats & nausea etc only lasted a few weeks for me but then they shifted slightly and become far more manageable
4) Is it best to take in the morning or evening, and do you take it with or without food?
Dependant on how you react to the med (people seem to either get very sleepy or quite 'up') some prefer the evening to sleep off the initial med effect, I prefer the morning or it will keep me awake. You will only really know when you start, I would suggest starting at mid-day and see how you feel
5) If I feel that it is helping my anxiety enough to allow me to go back to the football again (although looking at Hereford United's results at the moment it is no great miss!) like I used to every weekend, will I be allowed to have a half time beer or a pint with some chips after the game? I don't drink much any more, but like a beer/cider or two on a Friday and Saturday night infront of a film or Match of the Day, but nothing excessive. Is alcohol a big no-no?
Alcohol has a retardent effect and for some, it may well be ok to drink but it will diminish the effects of Citalopram and increase the effects of alcohol and you will definitely feel rubbish the next day (regardless of Hereford's performance). Ergo drinking may risk the anxiety making a reappearance...
6) Will the 20mg get adjusted if it is "not quite there", and how long should I give it before talking about this stuff to my Doctor?
I have gone back to GP every 3 - 4 weeks and don't be encouraged to 'up' the dose if you're not quite there, (seems GP's are quite partial to do that) -you really can't make a subjective decision until about 3 months in, and before that there may well be blips and side effects, be patient
7) Are there any foods that I need to avoid, like with some medications?
I haven't found any - but if you lose your appetite I would recommend eating and drinking little and often even if you dont feel like it. Cit & an empty stomach is not a good combo
8) Did Citalopram help you with hyperactive/obsessive thoughts running through your mind? I am sure I have a bit of OCD mixed in with all this Anxiety and Depression too, and do some really daft things (using the same colour pegs on an item of washing on the line, for example) that appear as low level OCD. Do you kind of lose the whole perfectionist thing?
I can only say - probably, as everyones symptoms are slightly different. One of the last things to go for me is the mind chatter and altered thought patterns. What you find is they kind of taper off, like turning the volume down on the TV over the weeks
9) Will it stop me from feeling stupidly nervous about everyday things, like being on crowded busses, in long shopping queues, etc? Did it stop you from having panic attacks? I don't want to be nervous, but I just am for some strange reason and I don't know why!
It has for me. I am currently at work and ok
10) Sadly I am single at the moment, but if I met a nice young lady (or stray farm animal, I'm not bothered!), would I need to come off Citalopram if I wanted to have kids or anything down the line?
No. But you can't give blood. Some say they lose their libido on Citalopram but I can say with some degree of certainty, that I haven't! :yesyes:
Let us know how you get on and I hope this is of some help
Bob
Hi
I have been on Citalopram for a short while (starting on 5mg then 10mg and working my way to 20mg as advised by my doctor) and found there to be hardly any side effects for me, except yawning, and extreme tiredness. I can live with that though. The tablets do take the edge of my anxiety and for me makes previously unbearable situations, like crowded buses and shops, queues and all the other places that make me anxious, much more bearable. I found the positive effects took hold very quicky for me. I take it in the morning with food after breakfast, as I find my stomach doesnt get so upset when I take it with food. I dont drink alcohol anyway at all anymore, as it increases my anxiety the following day, but I think you would be ok to have a small amount of alcohol- maybe best person to ask is your gp and check what it states on the information sheet inside the tablets box. Sometimes I feel very floaty and a bit spaced out on these tablets, but I like the feeling. It makes a change from not being able to literally move almost due to overwhelming anxiety! I shouldnt think it would affect you when you try for children...again though I would ask your gp. I know things are different for women when taking meds and pregnant. I dont suffer with OCD so cant comment on that question - mind you I do that thing with the same colour washing pegs, and I check plug sockets are switched off over and over again, including the locked doors, at bedtime - is this OCD? !!! lol I am sure you will get a lot of help on this site from the others. Hope the tablets work well for you!
Hereford Al
18-03-09, 12:36
Hi guys. Thank you so much for the replies.
I'm actually looking forward to starting this - I am sure that any initial anxiety I get can be nowehere near as bad as I was on Mirtazapine a few weeks ago. In any case, I will cope because I have done so before.
I just want my life back so I can go to the football/gigs etc, go back to the job and work colleagues I love and really miss since being off sick, wake up on a day off work and think "Sod it, I'm gunna go to Birmingham/Manchester on the train and spend some cash on odd CD's and clothes" sort of thing like I used to do before all this started.
I will let you all know (in t'other thread) how I get on. I hope everyone else who is starting at the same time as me gets on OK too :-)
Hi
That is how I feel too - I just want to get back to how I used to be and do the things I used to do. Thats why for the first time in my life I am now taking anti depressant/anxiety tablets. I just want to be as I used to be. Not sure what happened to the old fun loving partying me :( Sometimes I feel like I live like a pensioner :( I want my old job back, my friends, my mad nights out getting drunk, dancing on tables, the office parties...the highlight of my life now is escorted food shopping lol and sometimes when I am very brave, what I call my 'mental health walks' where I go for a walk to improve how I feel when not feeling agoraphobic.
I hope you get back to how you were and that the tablets work for you. You sound positive and thats half the battle isnt it I think, towards getting better.
whitelight
18-03-09, 15:14
Hi,
Just adding my little contribution, I've been on Citalopram for 12 days, the first 6 days on 10mg and then 20mg from then. I was told to take it in the morning with breakfast (apparently there's some medical reason about absorbtion when taken with food which is a positive thing). At the moment I've got a constant "hum" of anxiety which rises and falls throughout the day.
I normally get the "peaks" of anxiety when I start ruminating over my fears (noise from neighbours at night for example), although it is also impacting on my job a bit because it involves a degree of confrontation, and whereas in the past I might have been a little nervous beforehand the anxiety takes a bit of a stronger hold.
Like you I was on Lorazepam to help me through the initial adjustment period (I still find it really strange that a medication like Citalopram which you take to help your anxiety actually can increase it for the first few weeks!). Loraz. was ok but I found didn't last very long (apparently it has quite a short half life) so I've been switched over to 5mg Diazepam (valium) three times a day which has a much longer effect but unfortunately doesn't reduce the anxiety as much as the Lorazepam - so it's a bit of a Hobsons choice!
This is a good thread, I'd like to see more people like Bob47 give the answers, as reading his replies did provide some reassurance to me.
I guess like many people starting out on this medication, I'm hoping that the positive effects will start to kick in, but as always my negative anxiety driven mind is thinking "it won't work for you". Only time will tell.
Edit : Forgot to mention that like you I was on Mitrazapine (45mg) but the Doctor decided that 90% of what I was going through was anxiety based, hence the switch to Citalopram.
tryingtocope
18-03-09, 20:49
Had my first one last night, my eyes are SO heavy, and had a wierd stomach, but that's it so far. Definatly bearable up to now...
Had a glass of wine last night too, and have been fine (mind it was just one) If i'm feeling brave enough i might go out on saturday and have a couple :)
Hi guys,
I'm on Day 14 of 10mg.
Day 1 to 10 were great, had a positive attitude and it seemed to take away the constant negative thoughts. I was however more `spaced-out/anxious' the past 2 or 3 days. Very tired most of the time, but that doesn't stop me playing football twice a week as it's the only thing I look forward to.
Told by the doctor to make an appointment for 28 days after first taking the first 10mg - will discuss uping to 20mg when I see the doc.
The summary is that the side effects are not anywhere near as bad as listed on the med sheet, so if you're apprehensive - don't be, I needed some time off from the dark thoughts before I could get the CBT working properly.
Hope you all find a little positivity to help you get where you're going :)
Hi, I'll try answer your questions.:yesyes:
1) When, in terms of days or weeks, did you feel that it was starting to make you feel calmer? Do you still have that lust for life, or have you become a lazy sod due to Citalopram?
I started to feel calmer and less anxious about 10 days into treatment (I started on 20mg) and yes I do have lust for life. Not a lazy sod, just much more relaxed. Was a ball of nerves before. :ohmy:
2) Does it completely kill your anxiety (or that "fear" feeling) or still leave a bit there? I would prefer the second so that I don't stop fearing 18tonne trucks and stuff! Does it help with the physical symptoms of anxiety?
I have noticed that it does not completely kill my anxiety, just helps me deal with it better and not worry so much. Yes it does help with the physical symptoms alot. Though I panicked at an interview last week, sweaty palms and heart racing but it only lasted a minute or two. That is normal.:)
3) How long after you started taking it did the more problematic side effects go away? I expect to have long-term dry mouth and a bit of sweating as happened on Mirt, but do you get the initial nausea I have read about all the way through the treatment?
This is my second time on it. The first time I was so anxious constantly and afraid of taking anything that the side effects lasted 2 weeks. The worst thing was heightened anxiety and low mood for 4 days and insomnia for a week. Then they wore off. The second time I went on it, which was 10 weeks ago my side effects only lasted 2 days and I started feeling alot better. My advice to anyone starting it would be to just ride it out, and trust that it will make you better soon. I know its scary but its well worth it. No nausea only for 1st day maybe. Oh yeah and excessive yawning to start with! for a week or so.:noangel:
4) Is it best to take in the morning or evening, and do you take it with or without food?
When you begin it first I would advise you to take it in the morning with food. And as I got used to it, I dont have to take it with food all the time. :D
5) If I feel that it is helping my anxiety enough to allow me to go back to the football again (although looking at Hereford United's results at the moment it is no great miss!) like I used to every weekend, will I be allowed to have a half time beer or a pint with some chips after the game? I don't drink much any more, but like a beer/cider or two on a Friday and Saturday night infront of a film or Match of the Day, but nothing excessive. Is alcohol a big no-no?
Alcohol depresses the central nervous system so in my opinion it is a huge no-no for me. Alcohol is the reason I went back on the meds. I have always suffered the worst hangovers. I came off the tablets last november after 8 months and was doing great until I completely over indulged at christmas and new years and drank far too much and got so sick with a hangover that I never came out of! It lasted a week and I could feel the anxious depressive symptoms back in full swing so went back to the doctor and asked her to put me back on my tabs. She told me I should never ever drink as it is a huge cause of anxiety the morning after! Anyway I have completely given up alcohol and am glad. But everyone is different and I know that one or two is fine. I had one or two every week or so when I was on them last year and it didnt effect me that much. But any more and I went into pure panic. If you want to drink its up to you but alcohol and SSRI's do not mix well.:shrug:
6) Will the 20mg get adjusted if it is "not quite there", and how long should I give it before talking about this stuff to my Doctor?
Maybe, I had to increase to 30mg after 3 months when it wasnt quite there. And im not sure it is quite there for me at the moment. I will probably need to up it to 30mg as that suited me great last time. At the moment I am still having some mild anxiety, so I will give it the full 3 months to see if I up it or not. Its still a low dose anyway.:winks:
7) Are there any foods that I need to avoid, like with some medications?
I dont know about what foods to avoid, I certainly havent avoided any. Oh and while we are on the subject you may notice a decrease in appitite the first week or so but that will pass.:huh:
8) Did Citalopram help you with hyperactive/obsessive thoughts running through your mind? I am sure I have a bit of OCD mixed in with all this Anxiety and Depression too, and do some really daft things (using the same colour pegs on an item of washing on the line, for example) that appear as low level OCD. Do you kind of lose the whole perfectionist thing?
No I have always been a perfectionist with or without tablets, thats not OCD. OCD is only when it starts to have a major impact on your life. Obsessive thoughts - I go through phases of them on or off tabs, I wouldnt worry too much about that it is just anxiety and will probably reduce significantly when you begin your citalopram.:D
9) Will it stop me from feeling stupidly nervous about everyday things, like being on crowded busses, in long shopping queues, etc? Did it stop you from having panic attacks? I don't want to be nervous, but I just am for some strange reason and I don't know why!
I was nervous for everything and anything! I woke up nervous! Its just pure anxiety. I am not half as nervous now, I couldnt go into tesco at one stage, now I may get a teeny bit nervous, but I can cope way better, and it just dissappears.:scared15:
10) Sadly I am single at the moment, but if I met a nice young lady (or stray farm animal, I'm not bothered!), would I need to come off Citalopram if I wanted to have kids or anything down the line?
I cannot imagine how you being on citalopram would affect a foetus in the womb. Its whatever the mother is using that is taken into consideration by the doctor. Although you should double check this.:unsure:
Sorry, I know there are more than a couple of questions there but I would be greatful from some info from experienced Citalopram users, and what doses they went through.
March 2008 10mg for 10days, 20mg for 10weeks, 30mg for 14weeks. Then from 30mg-20mg for 1 month October and 20mg-10mg for 3 weeks November and then 0.
January 2009 20mg at present:yahoo:
Thanks guys,
Al
PS - I'll start posting in the big thread once I have lost my Citalopram Viginity!
lucylocket
19-03-09, 10:08
hi asha, i think you have answered these questions really well, i have a question for you ......Would missing one dose make you feel like you were back where you started? i feel anxious and generally rubbish after missing a dose last friday......lucy x
Hiya, I have been on Citalopram for almost 4 years. It is the 6th anti depressant i have taken and i am agoraphobic with depression and anxiety. I was given citalopram after not having much success with other meds as citalopram is supposed to have something in it to help with anxiety as well so im going to answer your questions as best i can for how citalopram have affected me in the past 4 years.
1) When, in terms of days or weeks, did you feel that it was starting to make you feel calmer? Do you still have that lust for life, or have you become a lazy sod due to Citalopram?
For me it was about 2 weeks into treatment at 20mg a day that i started noticing positive feelings from Citalopram. It sort of made me feel a bit like "my old self" again which is what i wanted from an anti-depressant. It didnt make me unusually hyper or like a zombie, it was as though i could feel the depression lifting and my moods beginning to ease.
2) Does it completely kill your anxiety (or that "fear" feeling) or still leave a bit there? I would prefer the second so that I don't stop fearing 18tonne trucks and stuff! Does it help with the physical symptoms of anxiety?
I am agoraphobic and my anxiety and panic attacks come about when i have to travel out of my local area (my safety zone). I have found that Citalopram really just took the edge off things for me, i still need behavioural therapies and diazepam if i am going into a situation that will make me particularly prone to panic. For my other anxieties such as my constant worrying about things yes Citalopram has helped a lot, i do feel generally calmer in everyday life with them but when it comes to situations that will induce a horrible panic attack they havent taken them away unfortunately.
3) How long after you started taking it did the more problematic side effects go away? I expect to have long-term dry mouth and a bit of sweating as happened on Mirt, but do you get the initial nausea I have read about all the way through the treatment?
When i first started citalopram i started on 20mg a day, they made me feel a bit shaky and generally a bit weird, with the dry mouth and nausea as well. I had some strange thoughts in those 1st few days and found that distracting myself as much as possible, walking, listening to music, reading, anything that didnt allow me to sit and scrutinise every symptom really helped. I would say for me the side effects wore off within 4 or 5 days definitely no more than a week.
4) Is it best to take in the morning or evening, and do you take it with or without food?
Im not sure if there is a best way to take them but i have always taken mine at night just after my dinner. I find they make me feel a little drowsy a couple of hours after taking them so i go to bed and usually sleep well on them. They dont have the sedative effects of other anti depressants like trazodone which really do make you very tired, not for me anyway but i find taking them around 7 or 8pm works for me and i wake up not feeling too bad in the mornings.
5) If I feel that it is helping my anxiety enough to allow me to go back to the football again (although looking at Hereford United's results at the moment it is no great miss!) like I used to every weekend, will I be allowed to have a half time beer or a pint with some chips after the game? I don't drink much any more, but like a beer/cider or two on a Friday and Saturday night infront of a film or Match of the Day, but nothing excessive. Is alcohol a big no-no?
Im not much of a drinker but i havent found any bad effects from having a bottle of magners or glass of wine with Citalopram although i would probably avoid it for the first couple of weeks until you see how they are affecting you. If anything i think they would just make you a bit drowsy but i would check with your GP.
6) Will the 20mg get adjusted if it is "not quite there", and how long should I give it before talking about this stuff to my Doctor?
I started on 20mg for the 1st month, didnt feel they were helping quite enough so on month 2 i went up to 30mg and on month 3 increased to 40mg. The maximum recommended dose is 60mg a day but i found 20 wasnt quite enough and 40 didnt help any more than 30 so for the majority of the 4 years ive been on them 30mg has been my normal and most effective dose.
7) Are there any foods that I need to avoid, like with some medications?
Not to my knowledge.
8) Did Citalopram help you with hyperactive/obsessive thoughts running through your mind? I am sure I have a bit of OCD mixed in with all this Anxiety and Depression too, and do some really daft things (using the same colour pegs on an item of washing on the line, for example) that appear as low level OCD. Do you kind of lose the whole perfectionist thing?
I didnt really have any hyperactive thoughts when i started citalopram, i was pretty depressed and everything was kind of sluggish. I did have racing thoughts a lot a couple of years before hand and found trazodone helpful for slowing me down. But then again i had been on sertraline before the trazodone which i think gave me the racing thoughts in the 1st place so i really dont know!
9) Will it stop me from feeling stupidly nervous about everyday things, like being on crowded busses, in long shopping queues, etc? Did it stop you from having panic attacks? I don't want to be nervous, but I just am for some strange reason and I don't know why!
It didnt take a way my panic attacks but it took the edge off my anxieties enough to make me feel a little more confident about facing situations that i knew would increase my anxiety. I do think that talking therapies have to be combined with anti depressants to get the best benefits from them as it really helps to learn some coping mechanisms for when anxiety strikes.
10) Sadly I am single at the moment, but if I met a nice young lady (or stray farm animal, I'm not bothered!), would I need to come off Citalopram if I wanted to have kids or anything down the line?
As far as im aware Citalopram is only a concern if a woman is taking them and is trying to become pregnant. There is evidence of birth defects and they are a drug which should only be taken in pregnany if they benefits outweigh the risks. I became pregnant 18 months into my citalopram treatment and with my GP decided to reduce the dose over a couple of weeks and stop them. I stayed off them until 6 months into the pregnancy when i sadly lost my little boy and then went back on them again almost immediately as my head was all over the place. To answer your question im pretty sure its only the pregnant woman who takes citalopram that would be a cause for concern.
Hope that helps a bit :)
Emma :hugs:
hi asha, i think you have answered these questions really well, i have a question for you ......Would missing one dose make you feel like you were back where you started? i feel anxious and generally rubbish after missing a dose last friday......lucy x
Lucy i have missed doses here and there and yes i do notice i feel different but i tend to take them as soon as i remember and feel ok again quite quickly. If you took one as soon as you remembered i cant see it making you feel rubbish for too long :)
1) When, in terms of days or weeks, did you feel that it was starting to make you feel calmer? Do you still have that lust for life, or have you become a lazy sod due to Citalopram?
Week 2 going onto week 3, have MUCH more lust for life, def not lazy, am itching to get out and do stuff all the time!
2) Does it completely kill your anxiety (or that "fear" feeling) or still leave a bit there? I would prefer the second so that I don't stop fearing 18tonne trucks and stuff! Does it help with the physical symptoms of anxiety?
Feeling of fear is gone (hoorah!), get the occasional 'what if...' but it quickly goes and hardly atall I havent had 1 panic attack since started and can breath again! I am sleeping well, not 1 nightmare since started or panic that I wont wake up
3) How long after you started taking it did the more problematic side effects go away? I expect to have long-term dry mouth and a bit of sweating as happened on Mirt, but do you get the initial nausea I have read about all the way through the treatment?
I havent had any nausea atall, my side effects in the first week were: Spaced out, Really tired by 7pm, Stomach cramps, constant feeling of heightened anxiety, breast pain, constipation and indigestion. They stopped after 1st week but still have dry mouth every day (small price to pay)
4) Is it best to take in the morning or evening, and do you take it with or without food?
I was taking mine in the morning but didnt like being spaced out at work so switched to dinner time at about 6pm just after food..I could probably switch back to mornings now as I dont get the symptoms anymore but it works well for me.
5) If I feel that it is helping my anxiety enough to allow me to go back to the football again (although looking at Hereford United's results at the moment it is no great miss!) like I used to every weekend, will I be allowed to have a half time beer or a pint with some chips after the game? I don't drink much any more, but like a beer/cider or two on a Friday and Saturday night infront of a film or Match of the Day, but nothing excessive. Is alcohol a big no-no?
I havent attempted alcohol yet, heard some bad stories, am happy to leave it out rather than let it mix with the meds.
6) Will the 20mg get adjusted if it is "not quite there", and how long should I give it before talking about this stuff to my Doctor?
I did 10mg for 1st week, 20mg 2nd week and 30mg on week 3, I feel happy with this dose, felt wasnt quite there with the others, see how you get on...theres no harm in increasing or decreasing when you discuss with your gp
7) Are there any foods that I need to avoid, like with some medications?
I havent found i need to avoid any foods, in fact in the first week my appetite was really suppressed, just didnt feel hungry atall, but am fine now. You may find in the early days you get indigestion/heartburn
8) Did Citalopram help you with hyperactive/obsessive thoughts running through your mind? I am sure I have a bit of OCD mixed in with all this Anxiety and Depression too, and do some really daft things (using the same colour pegs on an item of washing on the line, for example) that appear as low level OCD. Do you kind of lose the whole perfectionist thing?
Cant comment, I still clean the house a lot but dont consider it to be OCD
9) Will it stop me from feeling stupidly nervous about everyday things, like being on crowded busses, in long shopping queues, etc? Did it stop you from having panic attacks? I don't want to be nervous, but I just am for some strange reason and I don't know why!
Ooooh yes it will, thats one of the best parts of it...i was getting nervous even just going into work and am now back to my normal self chatting to people etc, even strangers!!lol
10) Sadly I am single at the moment, but if I met a nice young lady (or stray farm animal, I'm not bothered!), would I need to come off Citalopram if I wanted to have kids or anything down the line?
Can't comment as am female, never heard it affecting having kids but have heard some guys have had problems in that dept with doing 'the deed'
Best of luck, its worked wonders with me, but give it time and be patient...All good things come to those that wait!!:yahoo:
x
Sorry lucylocket havent been on in a while, probably far too late to say but I never missed a dose on citalopram soI wouldnt know what it feels like but if you had any symptoms Im sure they would go after a day or two x
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