Doctor has prescribed Citalopram - Scared to take it?!

[Ellis81]

Hi,

I dunno if anyone else has been prescribed - Citalopram to help anxiety and panic attacks, but i've seen/read what side affects there are and it scares me! i've been signed off work for a week, and I feel bit better already just by having time to de-stress and be with my 2yr old and go to the park etc, although I am still kinda on edge... I know I should take these but eventhing I read doesn't sound good im scared of the side effects - and pretty sure i'll have a panic attack soon as Ive taken one! may sound stupid but dunno what to do - give it go or what, it says it can make you feel worse so im thinking whats the point in this! didnt really wanna go down the medication route anyway.. :-( anyone got any positives on this...???

[Miss Kitty]

The list of side effects is always a "worse case scenario". Chances are you won't have any of the more extreme side effects and if you do the doctor can just prescribe you an alternative. I didn't get on with Citalopram personally (although I'm the only person I know who's said that. I've known loads of people take it quite happily) but my doctor just prescribed me something else. Antidepressants can be a bit hit and miss and you'll probably need more than a week off. :hugs:

[shoegal]

Hi. I have also just been prescribed the same drug and I'm also too scared to take it. I have been told my panic attacks will get worse before they get better and since I live on my own I really don't know how I'd cope. :wacko:

[Ellis81]

Thanks Miss Kitty...I know I should try and think sensibly as im sure all medicines have many scary sideeffects and not everyone gets them but thats my panicking kicking in again thinking im gonna keel over if I take one! ...yeah i think I will need longer off work anyway, to be honest work makes me feel worse at moment, when I hjad my panic attack I went outside then got 'told off' for leaving the building by my manager who has no clue of what they are! i explained I'd have to go outside if it happened, I think they think they can sit me down and reason with me but that will make me worse..:scared15: Shoegal...I totally understand and thats what I've been warned of that it will make me worse! hello we want to get better not worse! ..it must be hard on your own - I feel the same when left while hubby at work, but you have to keep telling yourself that you'll be ok and that nothing will happend to us by having a panic attack, we come out the other end ok time after time - just try remember that..thing is what are we going to do now take them or not! oh why have to be so hard hey..:huh: im soo sure il make myself panic by taking even one..

[shoegal]

It's not so much that I'm scared of having a panic attack but I'm having trouble leaving the house at the moment and have been using little techniques to help me cope. If my panic attacks get worse I'm scared that I won't be able to walk my dog on my own or that I will feel too ill to eat properly. I have been told I may lose weight when I start on the meds and I've already lost over 1 stone due to the anxiety (not good in my case)!

[pinkstar34]

hiya...i took my 1st citalopram 20mg today...because i was having anxiety for the last past few days and i just couldnt cope with all the bad thoughts in my head and it was like ongoing wouldnt leave me alone....just fed up feeling so down and just want to be happy again badly...so went dr this morning she gave me this....took it about 12...am feeling really horrible...got headaches and been to toilet eughhhhhh...but i gunna try my hardest to take them everyday as dr say in 6 weeks it will be alot different....i really hope u all can support me with it....feeling scared as im on my own and gotta pick girls up at 3 from skol bit worried if im gunna look zombie....xxx

[shoegal]

Oh poor you hun. I was told to take mine in the evening with food. What were you told?

[Miss Kitty]

Although I also take antidepressants (in my case Mirtazepine) I'm also prescribed Pregabalin (Lyrica) for anxiety. I've found them to be really helpful as I can't take beta blockers due to being asthmatic. My heart's with you girls...I was you back in 1991. Take care of yourselves xxx

[shoegal]

What is Pregabalin?

[pinkstar34]

im feeling worse now getting really scared my throat feels so tight is it normal as took citalopram for 1st time today (20mg) really shitting myself here gosh its like im on death row feeling upset now

[shoegal]

Did your Dr tell you to start on 20mg? I was told to start on 10mg for the first week and then to increase the dose. I know people take far higher doses though so maybe it's just me? By the way I'm sure you will be fine. It's your anxiety playing tricks on you at the moment as the side effects don't start until day 3 I believe.

[happycamper]

Hi all,

Just want to say I felt the same way as you after being prescribed citalopram last June. Was scared to take them and worried about the side effects. In an ideal world you'd never need them of course, however the benefits of the cit have greatly outweighed the horrendous anxiety that I'd been having for the previous 3 or 4 years.

After the side effects settled down, about a month or so after starting to take them I started to really feel better. Yes there are side effects, but I guess if your anxiety/panic has started to affect your life, assessing the benefits of the cit is well worth a try...it's really helped me anyway.

Just in a quandary about when a good time is to start coming off them now...:shrug:

Hoping things get better for you all. X

[shoegal]

Does anybody know if these are any good for agoraphobia? My Dr said my panic attacks won't stop and I'm not depressed at all so I'm not sure what the point is for me? I do have GAD as well but that has mostly been caused by me being agoraphobic and scared to go out!

[oldtime]

Hi, sorry to hear that you are suffering. It sounds like you are having anxiety about taking the tablets rather than the tablets having any side effects. The tight throat is very common when you are feeling scared. The only side effects you are likely to get on the first dose is nausea.

[Ellis81]

Pinkstar...you'll be fine im sure, I agree with shoegal this is exactly what Im worried about - and I do believe that your feelings are due to your own anxiety/worry, its like if we believe we are getting side effects the likelyhood is we will! as it is first tab I'd bear with it...although there is me too scared to take mine so Im not really clued up - but there are people on here that have and can relate to your symtoms..I hope you feel better later let me know how it goes. Thx all for commenting on here its helping me realise im not alone - I was put on 20mg to start straight off, and doc advised in morn to take em - so hopefully I'll be strong enought to start tomorrow??! I have to go back to docs fri - so really need to do something - Im scared of coming over funny and having my 2 yr old son here..Im still convinced I dont totally need them as im not depressed either..we got trust the docs right?

[happycamper]

Just a little tip, it may be worth considering taking only 10mg for the first few days or so to reduce any side effects and try and taking them with food in your stomach as it can reduce any nauseas feeling. x

[honeyp1e]

Hi. I have also just been prescribed the same drug and I'm also too scared to take it. I have been told my panic attacks will get worse before they get better and since I live on my own I really don't know how I'd cope. :wacko:

i also have these and was PETRIFIED to take them and still am everyday they do make your anxiety worse the first few weeks some people they don't make worse but for me they do but am only on 10mg and need them highered up but am to scared to as i feel like crap as it is i don't wanna feel worse but i no once they are in your system they are great tablets as i have been on them before its just the first few weeks if i could just sleep the first few weeks until they are in my system that would be great :)
i was advised to take my the first few weeks just as i was getting into bed so when any side effects were happening i was asleep and that's what i have always done and they were great xx

[scottishcantona]

5 hours into 10mg of citalopram, have used them twice before and seroxat, side effects yes, alive yes so 5 more hours towards my goal of stopping my loop of panic disorder, social anxiety and Gad, and after seeing 12 different doctors over 12 years have now got a dr who will refer me for cbt. Thinking of you and be strong and if you want msg me and i will support you x

[heather-x]

hi there, im just coming of my citalopram today. ive been on them for 5 months now and they have worked wonders however my panic attacks are back and i feel the tablet makes me worse. i would advise to take 10mg for the benifts i got and take them for a short period, i want to come of meds all together as they dont actually help problems they're just quick fixes. but all the best to you and you'll be fine after 3 weeks xx

[rachelgaskin]

They are good for pannic attacs but not deppresion and they made me gain a stone in 6 months felt hungry all the time also tierd n no energy, but they say everyones diffrent on them so just see how they go for you and btw I started on 10mg then stayd onb 20mg and had no side affects when I started them xx

[Ellis81]

Thanks - I think ill try half a tablet see how I go...ease myself in - still worried but like you say i've got support which helps from you guys, I jsut dont want to make myself anxious after taking them and worry about which will make me worse! :hugs:

[scottishcantona]

keep telling yourself you are in control and it is your body and if you get side effects they are limited in what they can do and you WILL come through this and begin to take control of your life and relegate this disorder to the bin where it belongs, be strong, be brave and keep talking to people.

[Ellis81]

Thanks SC - you have wise words I will remember that! I know that if I believe myself to think im having side effects I probably will...so im going to just take it and not think about it! I'll let you know how im getting on..first step today then I guess :)

[scottishcantona]

second day in for me ellis, so far so good, a few side effects that are bearable if i maintain my focus and dont start panicking there's something wrong with me. Let me know hoe you are doing and anything i can do, just holler and let me know.

[heavenly]

Hi there, I know its scary believe me, I do. I am almost 5 months in and it has been a rollercoaster but overall, the Cit is really helping me. I am on 25mg as 20mg wasn't really doing the trick. Weird how just 5mg can make a difference! Depression hasn't reared its ugly head since the new year, and the anxiety, well that still lurks, some weeks are better than others but I am coping with it better and it doesn't last as long. Hang on in there. There is a Citalopram board on here, if you want any tips, or support or anything. xx

http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=49

[Linzi77]

Hi,

I dunno if anyone else has been prescribed - Citalopram to help anxiety and panic attacks, but i've seen/read what side affects there are and it scares me! i've been signed off work for a week, and I feel bit better already just by having time to de-stress and be with my 2yr old and go to the park etc, although I am still kinda on edge... I know I should take these but eventhing I read doesn't sound good im scared of the side effects - and pretty sure i'll have a panic attack soon as Ive taken one! may sound stupid but dunno what to do - give it go or what, it says it can make you feel worse so im thinking whats the point in this! didnt really wanna go down the medication route anyway.. :-( anyone got any positives on this...???

Hi Ellie

I too was new to Citalopram and was taking them for 14 days 20mg, I have now been off them for 6 days nd I have felt hgorrendous from start to finish. I think my problem was that I was stressed out rather than depressed and didn't really need to take them. I didn't have anxiety beforte taking them and do now, the side effects, if you expoerience any as everyone is different can start from the forst one or can take up to two weeks to get them. I got headaches, tightening of my jaw, dizzyness, nausea, anxiety, panic attacks and whats known as 'blips' which i have found out on this forum. The is a Citalopram Survival Guide that I have found useful, on here, have a read of that and weigh up all the pro's and con's for you. You will need more time off work for sure, especially if you start taking them as the doc tells you, they take about 4- 6 weeks to take effect and if you do as I have done and stopped them suddenly( cold turkey) that also makes you feel horrendous so if you are not in it for the long haul then my opinion would be don't take them.

[Ellis81]

Thanks for that - i'll probably check the Citalopram Survival Guide out see what it tells me! Im like you I don't think I need them - dont get me wrong Im not exactly 'happy' all the time but im sure Im not that depressed to need them - especially long term...I;ve never been in this situation before.

S/Cantona...your braver than me - I have to be honest I bottled it today, even cut the tablet in half to make it 10MG and still haven't brought myself to take it! Im glad your ok though day two and all that so good for you!..do your side effects stop you from doing most things???

I just havent got the willpower to even put it in my mouth and swallow it im absolutely PETRIFIED! but ive been good being off work this week, I took my son to a soft play group and have been doing things at home - I instantly feel better than I did anyway - hence I feel I can do this on my own - I just hope im not in some kind of denial! Im at docs Fri morn - I know ill have to be honest with her...not sure how that will go but im awaiting referral for CBT - so Im up for that. Jsut to add on this...I banged my head over 6 wks ago - on concrete had loads of checks all docs say im ok but healing - but ive never had an xray or scan - I believe this is the main cause of my anxiety at the mo as i still get a lot of pain and feel tearing sensations on back of my head so im convinced its more! the Dr knows about this...so i will bring up again on Fri - hopefully shel give me xray referral - as this would be one ease of my mind to know that im 100% ok - although she seems to think this will fuel my anxiety and make me worse! like Ill still not be satisfied and want an CT scan or mri - i.e. keep convincing myself im ill! decisions decisions all the time - life should be easier than this surely..:shrug:

[scottishcantona]

side effects dont stop me doing anything, when i feel a touch rough i take a seat, and tell myself its only side effects and within a couple of minutes they pass and then i just get on with whatever i was doing. I'm not braver than you Ellis i'm just in a slightly different place to you, Ellis you did'nt bottle anything, you made a choice and choice is a good thing, maybe tommorow you will feel the same, maybe you will feel different, either which way you have all my love, respect and hugs for posting and I'm always here if you want to chat x

[Yorkmackem]

I've taken Citalopram for some months now and whilst they haven't worked out for me in the long term (I've now been diagnosed as bipolar, rather than unipolar) they've been good in terms of alleviating the downers. Initial side effects for me included dry mouth, upset stomach and a general "whacked out" feeling for a few days which is entirely normal.

If it gets too much in terms of anxiety you could try asking for some form of beta blocker on a short term basis to counter the panic as you wait for the Citalopram to fully kick in. Worked for me. :)

[Ellis81]

Hiya, me again! not sure what im feeling today...slightly anxious but not much - still not sure I need the pills...thanks for the advise guys, its all very helpful and putting my mind at ease at how I want things to go.
I checked out the Citalopram Survival Guide in here...I think its convinced me that unless your in for the long term dont take them! it seems they will take a while to actually do me any good..and by that time Im going to have to had to put up with all the side effect whilst trying to go to work n everything..I dunno how anyone does it! I dont even think the dr gave it to me as a long term thing - Ive only got months supply and she only prescribed that to help my anxiety not really for depression - although feeling panicking and anxious all the time does kinda leave you feeling depressed I suppose as you dont wanna live like that! I have felt tons better this weel without stress of work - maybe that my problem and I just cant see what staring me straight in the face - maybe a few life changes are needed. hope u are all doing well - keep me posted..

[heavenly]

it seems they will take a while to actually do me any good..and by that time Im going to have to had to put up with all the side effect whilst trying to go to work n everything..I dunno how anyone does it! I dont even think the dr gave it to me as a long term thing - Ive only got months supply and she only prescribed that to help my anxiety not really for depression - although feeling panicking and anxious all the time does kinda leave you feeling depressed I suppose as you dont wanna live like that! I have felt tons better this weel without stress of work - maybe that my problem and I just cant see what staring me straight in the face - maybe a few life changes are needed. hope u are all doing well - keep me posted..

I won't lie, I didn't take any time off work when I started on Cit and some days were tough but I knew they would help me in the long run. I have had anxiety for 7 months and depression also kicked in, the depression, for me, was a combination of feeling really down about the anxiety, not being fulfilled in my job and my mum passing away, I go to counselling as well as obviously just taking meds isn't really the answer, you need to get to the root of why you are feeling anxious/depressed. Counselling and the Cit seems to be really helping me and I am looking at doing a teaching assistant course online and also volunteering in a primary school, having these goals is keeping me positive and focussed. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. :hugs:

[bexy1970]

hiya,please persevere on these meds!!! yep headaches and tummy probs bad for a few days,just take with a biccy or something in the morn,these meds have given me my life back!!! i too was scared to take them but im sooooo glad i did..inbox me if you eva want too, good luck hunni x

[scottishcantona]

Hi again, you must do what you feel is right Ellis, im on day 3 and doing ok so far, have had rougher side effects in the past, i used to be a specialist social worker working with kids and before that a manager in a mental health challenging behaviour unit. I choose to give up this career and retrain, at the minute i dont work, young kids at home and when it all boils down to it you have to do whats best for you. The doctors will only give you a months supply at a time hun, you need to phone up for a new prescription just before you run out if you decide to take them.

[blueangel]

I'm on citalopram at the moment as well, and have taken it twice before. After the initial nausea and agitation, I have to say I don't react badly to it at all, so maybe I'm just lucky in that way (or I'm a fairly tough old bird :)). It does take a little while to work, but from my own experience, it's worth persevering with as I now feel a whole lot better than I did before I started taking it, as at the time I was feeling really ill and was not coping well at all. Maybe sometimes we have to admit we need a bit of help - it's not a big deal in the end.

[Ellis81]

Thanks blueangel - its good to hear that not everyone is effected badly by this tablet - u never know I may be the same as you (i would hope)! well I went back to docs today...she has signed me off work again for another week, I really need bit of time to de-stress so this will help me, feel kinda quilty - but then Im like well this is first time in my life ive been in this place i.e this particular 'state of mind' as ive been at my job 8 yrs-and never been signed of before why not! the doctor has been good with the tablets - she knows ive not took em but said she will bear with me on this..and leave it to me to what I decide, but she tried to explain it clearer to me that im not them to mask the problem and do nothing about it (as I fear this is what im doing) but to help me get through the situation/erase negative thoughts at present with CBT once referral comes through, she said think of it like this - if you had a bad back back problem and was havin physio etc to put it right which could take weeks - you take painkillers also to help the pain go away whilst this is ongoing to make you feel better...she said this is what citalopram will do, help to feel better while I get help to get to route of problem - so when you look at like this it kinda makes sense I guess??! I actually had a CT scan today finally (6wks after cracking my head on concrete!) but now I have to wait for the call with results...should of had them by half 4 today but nothing yet - so I can once again feel the anxiety building up! however doc did warn me of this..she said if it shows anything serious the hospital will call me before she gets results - well you should of seen me just now the phone rang (not hospital) and I jumped out my skin and starting shaking before I answered...was petrified! its ma how this anxiety makes you believe the worst all the time I hate it - but at present no news good news...will see how I feel in morning and whether its the day for me to start the Citalopram :shrug:

[ugot1newmail]

Hi, this is my fist post here but the subject compelled me to sign up. I was in exactly the same place as you a couple of years ago. I started taking the pills because I really had no other choice, my life was falling apart. The doctor told me that they would take a couple of weeks before I felt any change and he was pretty much right. However all the changes after week two were pretty negative. I could not stop yawning for the love of god, it was really bad, my jaw was hurting I was yawning so much. Then I found that I was grinding my teeth a lot. In my head I felt so numb, I felt like I could wach a disaster unfold before my eyes and not even blink. I have to say it was very strange. However, after about week 4 things started to change for the better. For the first time in years I was able to really laugh. After spending far to long hating people I was able to smile at compleate strangers walking down the street. Suddenly I was seeing the good in things. I was able to reconnect with people and engage on a human level. These little white pills put the spring back in my step and really helped turn my life around.

Think of it like putting TCP on a cut, it will sting like hell at first and then will come the sweet sensation of improvement. Everyone is different but i'd say ride out the first few weeks and get ready for a pretty odd time, but the moment will come when you feel so much better. For me it was like sunshine after years of rain, I can't even describe how good it felt to feel like that.

I'm now off the pills and living a pretty normal life again. I've learned to live without them but I needed them to get to this step.

Hope this helps you or someone else reading this.

[StephdeMeth]

The only reason they put the panic attacks on the sheets is so that if they happen, the have a leg to stand on - most of them are ridiculously uncommon.
I have been on Citalopram 20mg now for about 3 years, it has changed my life around. Seriously. I can now live my life normally again, with only very few occassional panic attacks. Once you've got over the initial scare, it's so worth it, I promise!

[Amanda0305]

Hi,

I dunno if anyone else has been prescribed - Citalopram to help anxiety and panic attacks, but i've seen/read what side affects there are and it scares me! i've been signed off work for a week, and I feel bit better already just by having time to de-stress and be with my 2yr old and go to the park etc, although I am still kinda on edge... I know I should take these but eventhing I read doesn't sound good im scared of the side effects - and pretty sure i'll have a panic attack soon as Ive taken one! may sound stupid but dunno what to do - give it go or what, it says it can make you feel worse so im thinking whats the point in this! didnt really wanna go down the medication route anyway.. :-( anyone got any positives on this...???

Hi, when I first started taking citalopram, for the first 2 weeks it heightened my panic attacks, it was awful and I was really scared but I carried on and it was well worth it. However, 10 years down the line I am still on them, but after changing surgeries because I moved house, after consultation, my new doctor reduced them to 10mg 4 weeks ago. I felt ready for it and thought it would not be a problem, but after 3 weeks I got all the bad feelings back again, I have now been put back onto 20mg a day and will be referred for councelling or something that is supposed to help whilst reducing my medication at the same time. My previous doctor was happy to keep prescribing me this drug with no real follow up, so what I am saying is that this drug is brilliant to prevent your panic attacks as long as you have the good follow up and after care that is needed. Good luck.

[Hellokitty1977]

Ive taken Cit in the past and had no side effects at all, but this time ive had a fuzzy head and i was sick. I'm just gearing myself up to take my second one now...i take it in the day as i don't have anyone at home, kids at school, hubby at work ect so i can just lay up and deal with the effects of it. I have a fear of vomiting as i have it in my head that if i start, i won't stop so yesterday really freaked me out and i swore i would not take another pill. But i have to get through the bad to get to the good so i'm going to take it and deal with whatever comes :(