Are there anyone with positive experiences with citalopram? I'm due to start tonight!

[fairyclairy]

Hi,

After 12 years iv finally accepted the fact I need help from medication to help with my panic attacks and anxiety..
The doctor has prescribed me citalopram 10mg an I'm due to start in an hour after my tea!
I'm absolutely terrified beyond belief... I'm scared of the side effects and have read horror stories of this medication!
Has anyone had any positive experiences with it? Not many side effects etc??
I just need reassurance that 1) it's going to help an be worth it, and 2) that I can cope with the side effects.
Please reply, I have to start these tablets tonight or I'm never gona do it x

[mikewales]

Plenty of people have little or no side effects, or the effects are a lot better than having the anxiety, panic or depression. With me the side effects only really lasted 2 or 3 days, after which I felt much better. It is definitely worth taking them and giving it a go as they do help so many people.

[fairyclairy]

Thank you.
Iv just spent 20 minutes sat with the tablet in my hand plucking up the courage to take it.
I just have though an then burst out crying wanting it out of my body - I'm terrified itl make me really ill.
Can't do anything about it now though x

[Hayden5]

Hi! Is it Claire?

I've been on 10mg for about a month now and things aren't so bad!
First 3 tablets were nerve racking to take especially as the side effects were there.

From my experience, you will feel really tired for the first couple of days and then on day 3 you may have a headache and struggle with sleep for a while but it's bareable if you take some painkillers. Avoid Ibroprufen though.

First couple of weeks can be difficult, you have good days and bad but it will start to subside. My panic attacks before starting them were quite bad but now they're practically gone which I'm happy about! I think I've yet to benefit totally coz I'm still quite unhappy but my mood has improved fantastically!

Good luck and stick the first couple weeks out, I'm sure you will be fine

[paulst]

Hi Im on Citalopram, felt a bit rough in the first few days, but after that, little by little I started to feel better and now im really glad that I decided to take them. Dont expect to feel better overnight, It will take a while but you will get there.

[fairyclairy]

Thank you for your replies, I really appreciate them! x
I do feel very tired now which cud be the medication.. Hoping to get a good sleep tonight.
I'm just sat here waiting for things to happen which won't be helping!
I'm so scared but I have to do this for my future.. 12 years is a long time to go without medical help so I'm hoping this is the big change I need in my life to get back to who I was before all this.
It will be very strange not to feel my heart race from morning to night.. But in a good way
It's been the hardest decision iv ever had to make starting this medication so I'm hoping iv made the right decision and it won't let me down x x

[nicola1980]

Good luck ive been on them 6 weeks now and slowly improving! xx

[SH412]

Hiya!

Ive been on Citalopram 20mg for about 3 months. Prior to taking the medication I had started with panic attacks, massive anxiety ended up in A+E about 5 times for palps/sickness/panic attacks everything scared me, if anyone made a loud noise I would literally jump, couldnt work, couldnt socialise, shaking constantly, mind racing, body aching the full works!!

The first few weeks of Citalopram were not so good...the meds seemed to magnify every symptom and I couldnt even get out of bed for fear of collapsing. Slowly but surely my mood lifted, I started getting dressed and doing make up and 3 months down the line I am now back at work and feeling more and more like myself every day. I know this is down to Cit.

Last 2 weeks I have started having palpitations again but no real anxiety. Think I maybe need to go up a dosage very slightly. Find the right dosage for you and honestly it works wonders. I will happily take this wee tablet every day for the rest of my life if I can feel like me again !

Hth xxx

[fairyclairy]

Thank you x
I started mine last night.. I began feeling tired but didn't sleep well at all which could have been the medication. Iv also felt alittle woozy an keep getting strong adrenaline rushes which Im trying to control an not get into a panic attack.
I'm still anticipating the worst and dreading my second tablet tonight because itl mean more of the medication in my body which could increase the side effects but I will take it, I have to keep positive. X

[Benjo]

To be honest, I was probably as afraid as you about taking Cit. I'd never taken any kind of medication before and was scared about the side effects that could possibly happen. The Cit survival guide helped lift my spirits and gave me the confidence to take it.

I started on 5mg for a week to ease myself onto it and I've now been on 10mg for 4 days. The only side effects I've had is an increase somewhat in feeling anxious, headaches here and there and feeling tired.

The best thing to think while taking it is that it is going to make you feel SO much better, and it will!

Good luck!