Celexa, citalopram – a personal experience
Celexa, is the brand name of a drug called Citalopram Hydrobromide which is one of the most widely prescribed Selective Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) on the market. It is widely used to treat major depression, panic disorder, anxiety, and agoraphobia. You should remember that drugs are never a solution, just a crutch, and there are other non-drug approaches which can help in getting over anxiety.
I used this drug for some time, taking the standard dosage of 20mg a day. Occasionally larger doses are prescribed if 20mg are found to be insufficient, and often the elderly or inform are started on a lower dose of 10mg which is increased when tolerance has been established.
Side effects are what most people think about first when anti depressants are mentioned, there has been much made in the media about addiction and suicide. Celexa does have a good side effects profile, to you and me that means that the side effects are usually mild and short lived. And in terms of addiction the relative long half life of the drug (the amount of time it spends in your system) means that it is much easier to come off than drugs like Seroxat (Paroxetine Paxil, Seroxat, Deroxat). Side effects that I encountered included very short lived bouts of dizziness, lasting less than a few seconds, and a week long drop in libido. Within a week all side effects had effectively passed and I never had anything that made me want to stop taking the drug. I never really experienced nausea or a dry mouth, and my sleeping improved quickly. I would say that on the very first day of taking the drug I felt as weird as I have ever felt in my whole life. I felt a spacey depression that was most unusual and odd. I would describe it as absolute helplessness. It passed later that day when I applied some techniques that I had recently learnt. (more on that tomorrow)
Would I recommend Celexa?
Well, from a side effect standpoint I would have no qualms (although of course everyone one is different and some people can not tolerate Celexa).
The question is, does it work?
Well, I think that it stops the really dire lows and keeps you stable, but it is not a pep pill and it does not put you on cloud nine. Neither does it change your outlook on life or your major cognitions, so while it does make desensitization easier if for example you were agoraphobic, it won’t make problems disappear, or didn’t for me anyway. For that you do need to use therapy as well as drug treatment. Drugs are just symptomatic relief.
Please read the disclaimer.
Categorised as: citalopram, drugs, medication, ssri, treatment
hi thats a lovely write up on citalopram,
my experience was totally different and my doctor said i suffered such an adverse reaction to it-that he stopped it immediately+gave me some(thankgod) aome doses of diazepam over a few days cos i was completely hyped up,sweating and couldnt stop from walking around!!it was dreadful!!!after that i vowed never to go near the doctors again-as i was prescribed the drug for anxiety only-not depression-and to give someone something when they are already hyped up that will (apparently only temporarily) make them MORE hyped up-is just ridiculous!!!
it has been two years now since my last visit to the doctor+now if im feeling anxious i go swimming to burn off the extra energy
I started taking Sodium Valproate given to me by an epileptic freind and it immediately lifted me out of the deep depression I have been in for years (I was only not depressed and anxious when high on alcohol, ecstasy or cocaine) it gave me an energetic buzz with concentration and focus and relaxation. I have been using cannabis for a long time and living on no money and I felt completely hopeless, Valproate may be an answer to my obsessive smoking, despair, hatred and paranoia. I went to the doctor to get some prescribed but he insisted I take Citalopram instead (I was in no frame of mind to argue). I have taken my first pill today but I am worried that 1) it won’t be as effective as Valproate and I will become desperate to smoke cannabis again (I have no money and about one joint so I really don’t want to be in that frame of mind) and 2) that mixing Valproate and Citalopram will have strange and undesirable effects. I have to give it a chance but I wish the doctor had given me something I know works.
Im 18 years old and my doctor wants to put me on prozac for anxiety but through my research im starting to think this is not a good idea, and am now looking into citalopram.. any more experiences?
I would have to say it did work wonders for me. Two pieces of advice….i wish i had tapered onto it, not jumped in. I don’t know what your doctor would say about this, but i found the first day very unpleasant indeed.
Also, watch out for weight gain! I had Big problems! Good luck with it…it made me feel loads better! and helped a lot with anxiety!
I had severe depression 2 years ago, and without citalopram I don’t know what i would have done, it was a LIFE SAVER. yes the first week you feel a bit buzzy, and get rushes of energy, but you know what it is and it passes in a week or so. I quite liked It, iwent for power walks so fast with my ipod i lost a well needed 20 pounds sin 6 weeks and that made me feel better as well. before I took it i could nt get out of bed, The panic and depression took me to dark places I cannot describe, and it fills me with fear even trying. I never want to feel like that again, like you are dissolving into your mattress and cannot see hope or happiness ever again in your life. As a very jolly bubbly person, this was alarming! so, I cannot recommend the stuff enough and if i ever needed them again I would not hesitate. a few of my friends have taken them for bereavement etc and also think they are great as they dont make you feel too weird! coming off was terrifying, and you have to be in a goog place and be sure you are well. i waited a year and came off very slowly and was fine. hope this helps! sarahx
i am also on celexa… i started on 10 mg for a week then up to 20mg for about a month. after no real change my doc up me to 40mg. i started my adventure with celexa about 4 months ago and i am still having some side effects… nothing that would cause me to stop taking it however.. my two major issues with the drug is the low libido however i have found that if i skip the next day it is fully active and sometimes more active. the second issue is that i have very vivid dreams.. sometimes to the point where i can not tell if my dreams are reality… again these side effects are not that major to me so i continue to use celexa for my agoraphobia.. i dont know if skipping a dose is the correct thing to do for a low libido i only found it online, i did not ask my doctor what to do. however i think celexa is a good option for people dealing with ssri related illnesses
My doctor put me on citalopram today for anxiety, I have had it for 15+ years, I have also had a drink problem for a while and in the past other things and got my drink sorted out 7 days ago.
I asked her for something to kill my mind going around so fast and paranoia type stuff, the anxiety gets to the point I shake in crowded rooms and can't bear it and want to just walk out.
After I spent 4 days of hell not drinking she gve me some tablets for that first and said come back and I will give you something to stop your anxiety right away…
I went and she came out with some thing that would take from 4 weeks to 8 weeks to start working.
I pointed out that it was bad attacks and she said she was unwilling to give me the other one as it is addictive.
Well guess what so have ben so many other things in my life and my last target is beer and then nicotene.
Any way to cut it short I tryed ziban to smoke smoking a few years ago and it screwed my up that bad I drunk twice as much a day to try and kill the side effects or what ever it did to my head.
citalopram feels just as bad as that and you can add the feeling of it feels like your coming down off 4 or so E's aswell ((not the high though children)) and the first thing most folks do is go drink some beer to cure it.
I have spent three lots of three days in 14 years alcohol free, it will be many years now before I spend them 3 days free again of alcohol thnks to this screw up and no sub mis team either.
CITALOPRAM IS BAD don't take it!
49 year old Male here – I started citalopram a little over 2 weeks ago, 20mg/day. I felt nauseous off and on the first few days, but it was nothing debilitating. So far I'm very happy with the results. I'm not feeling the "lows" I did before, I don't have that gnawing feeling anymore when I deal with the issues in my life like I used to have. I was worried about a loss in libido, but that hasn't happened, maybe just the opposite. My sexual stamina has increased dramatically. It's amazing what hidden anxieties can do to a man's performance!
I give Celexa 5/5 stars.
Hi! 35 female here. I was prescibed Citalopram after the birth of my third child more as a precaution to keep post natal depression at bay, but also for anxiety issues. I should note also that I was breast-feeding and was extremely vocal about my concerns of drugs passing into breastmilk. I dealt with quite a few of the side effects in the initial few weeks of taking it such as a racing heart, felt extremely spaced out and dehydrated on the first few days, I felt my body and brain was taking a general dislike to the drug.
This really did only last for the first week, then fantastic. No side effects at all, only positive effects. I continued taking it for approximately 12 months then slowly came off them under my doctors advice. Unfortunately my anxiety has returned only 7 months off them so I have decided to go back on them. Three days into it and past the worst of that awful initial spacey feeling and I already am optimistic of my future.
i am 23 and suffered a breakdown about a month ago severe anxiety panic attaks leading to agraphobia but no apparent depression actually quite happy was put on buspirone never again then trazadone never again then two other types of pills that didnt work then became stable for three weeks on diazepam 2mg was refused another prescription for them yesterday incase of addiction and given citlorpram and had a horrible day on them nausea feeling of not being here increased anxiety shaking and now worried to continue use or if these side effects will pass advice from anyone in a similar situation would be appreciated.
I had a major breakdown about two months ago too, started slowly with increased anxiety, then full blown panic attacks, vomiting, not being able to sleep, afraid of almost everything, at times agoraphobic, racing thoughts etc. good times I can tell ya. Treatment started out with XanaX which helped the panic attacks but I had spikes inbetween doses that werent fun and STILL no sleep!!
After that I was just put on Klonopin for a week and a half 0.5mg twice a day and it helped lots against my anxiety. Though again, a little better but far from good sleep, and also I think it made me depressed.
Now my doc wants to put me on Citalopram…yeah I’m scared of the side effects and am gonna stick through with only taking Klonopin and Trazodone for sleeping at night (godsend, i finally sleep!)
Right now I’m so happy I finally found something for sleeping yay! I hope my life will get back on track….
I’ve struggled with depression, anxiety, and agoraphobia for most of my adult life. I’m 47. This past year it has gotten worse to the point where it has been extremely difficult for me to function at work. About 4 weeks ago my doctor started me on Citalopram, 20 mg. After 2 weeks, he upped it to 40 mg. At first I did experience some side effects such as nausea, upset stomach, insomnia, and an increase in depression for about 3 days. The side effects have tapered off and this week I have felt great. The doctor told me that it takes a while for this one to kick in…4 to 6 weeks sometimes 8. It was worth the wait. This past week I was able to function and interact with people and coworkers with no problem. Where I had been terrified to talk to anyone, this week I was able to talk and even joke around. At times I would realize that I wasn’t even thinking about being uncomfortable. It’s been amazing. If you can tolerate the side effects, give the citalopram a chance. It has done wonders for me and I plan to keep taking it for quite a while. I have hope again and hope that things will only get better from here. p.s. I am also going to counseling which has helped also.
I’d give the citalopram a 5/5 also. Best of luck to all of you who are trying to find the right one for you.
Anxiety and depression is a nightmare I am a 28 year old male I been fighting with panic attacks since I was 21
And was prescribe zoloft
At first it helped now im on celexa and im still struggling sometimes I just don’t know about these pills if they make u better or worst?
i have been taking citalopram for nearly a year now and as so many people have already stated, the first 2 days on them are the worst, i found the sick feeling and very dry mouth the worst, but in comparrison to my depression/panic disorder/agraphobia….. this was a breeze. i have been on so many different anti-depress’ that i have lost track of all their names. i can honestly say that citalopram has been the best,they have changed my quality of life….. but the negative is the weight gain…. as i have read from another cit user…. fat and happy……. skinny and sad…. i will stay on he bigger side as i could not be without them now. Any medication you take will have some side effects, and i think citaloprams side effects are worth it againt how my life was before. you have to judge for yourself but my tip to any new user is, dont give up with them 2 quick as they are worth sticking with. give them a chance, you wont refgret it. good luck!
I used to read these forums so much when i first started taking citalopram. I was so curious and nervous about it that i just had to find out as much as I could. When reading i was so grateful to all the people who were good enough to share their experiences, good or bad, that i promised myself i would post my experience. So here goes. I started on 20mg and at first had difficulty sleeping, locking jaw and slight nausea. It was weeks with no difference then after 5 weeks i could definately feel some difference but the doctor thought because i am quite a big guy i should double my dose. At this point i went back to the terrible depression and anxiety at the lowest point of my depression and started doubting even taking it. However after around 6 weeks later i can whole heartedly say it has been the best thing to happen to me. Lots of people have noticed a big difference in me and i have done some things i thought i would never do again. I know its not the same for everyone but the only advice i would give is stick with it for a good few weeks, and if you increase your dose don’t be surprised if it feels like you are starting again. Good Luck!
Your statement, “Neither does it change your outlook on life or your major cognitions, so while it does make desensitization easier if for example you were agoraphobic, it won’t make problems disappear, or didn’t for me anyway. For that you do need to use therapy as well as drug treatment. Drugs are just symptomatic relief.” is true. There is effective treatment.
It’s common for any anti-depression or anti-anxiety med to create some short term side effects. Most of them go away in time. I had some sexual dysfunction as well as it prolongs climax, in some males which may make some wives happier lol. They actually off label prescribe it for premature ejaculation. Seriously though it went away for me after a couple months. Drugs do help some people more than others, but they definitely helped me.
Prevent Panic Attacks
Hello, I logged onto this website looking for peoples experiences of citalopram as I have been on them for 4 days now and the nausea is horrible. Although my mind has already started to calm a bit, I am still not sleeping brilliantly, however, I dont expect to just yet. I was on fluoxetine till november of last year and felt well enough to come of them, but very quickly returned to how I was before. I am unsure as to why the doctor has put me on citalopram as I had such a good experience with fluoxetine, but am willing to give them a try, so will stick with it. fluoxetine gave me the calmest year of my life:) and I am hoping citalopram will do the same, I stayed away from alcohol whilst on fluoxetine and as alcohol is a depressant and makes your meds less effective I would advise anyone to do the same, have a night out where you are the sober one amongst your friends, its an eye opener
Anti depressants do work, the chemicals and hormones have got to be balanced right in your brain and for some of us it isnt. It does have a lot to do with negative experiences in life as well, because you are dealing with cr*p quite a lot, your brain resets to work at a constant level of dealing with bad things, its like a faulty thermostat, its really cold right now but the heating could be set to deal with summer all year round, therefore when things change, you dont. Anti depressants do work at resetting the chemicals… I truly believe that 
I’ve been on this pill for one whole day …I talked fast, felt weird and awkward, then was in a daze — and to top it off, woke up in the middle of the night with terrible night anxiety. Honestly, I felt crazy and like I was losing my mind. I felt like I even seemed weird to other people because I was so off center. I called my doctor today to see about another med…I mean seriously, I can’t even take this and go to work. Not sure if this would be better if I took it at night ??? We’ll see….
Hi there, it is so great to read other ppls experiences of not only this medication, but the journey we are experiencing. It can be a lonely, crazy journey, but great when you find others who understand. I have some fairly major anxiety probs, and have had depression on and off for ten years. Up until 4 weeks ago I had never taken meds, was prescribed prozac at 18 years old, but hated it so stopped after two days. Recently I couldn’t take my increasing anxiety anymore, and my best friend told me that she noticed every year I have one more major fear and one more avoidance. (Driving over 50 km is the latest weird one….)so anyway, started taking Citalopram 3 weeks ago, and have really noticed a decrease in anxiety, haven’t had a full blown panic attack (been a year since I went a day without one) and am sleeping better. Still get anxiety “rushes” but seem to be able to get a grip before they get out of control. Side effects – mainly just nausea/digestion and maybe a little tired but its hard to tell, because that could be from day to day life too…anyway, I wish whoever is reading this the best of luck, give the meds a try. This is coming from someone who had anxiety about having anxiety, too anxious to try meds…a total mess! Good luck, there are obviously lots of us out here struggling with depression/anxiety, you are not alone xx
Well I am new this whole thing it started about two weeks ago I woke up and couldn’t shake this worry feeling it was sooooo bad that when I went to pick up my husband he had to drive home because I was so shaky and crying, then the next day I was taking a shower and lost it again I felt so unsettled I have never felt like that before in my life! So my husband came home and I went to the doctor I explained to her what I was feeling and how bad it was, she has me on Citalopram 20mg once a day I take it in the morning cuss I can’t sleep at night if I take them in the evening. I had the side effects first it was dry mouth, then it was fatigue,then it was the I can’t sleep, and then I threw up it was bad but I kept telling my self that it would get better, so far this is my journey I have been on it for two weeks I have noticed a slight difference so far but I know it is a process and determined to stay with it. I have never been a person who takes medication for anything so this is quite a change. I hope the with persistance comes the freedom of the anxiety cuss lord knows I need it. these forums are so nice cuss it makes me feel like I am not alone in this so thank you so much for writing your experiences you truly are brave!
today was my 2nd day on citalopram, but 1st day back 2 work (had yesterday off). I have some sort of anxiety disorder, i dont no if its social anxiety or general anxiety or what??? but anyway…. it was HORRIBLE….. from when i left my front door up untill about half 5 minutes of being in work my heart was pounding and raceing like crazy, i was shakey, i couldnt bare it so i had a propronolol in my make-up bag (a beta-blocker) left over from when i was on them, just to compose myself, and where i work is very small so where ever i go i bump in2 sum1 and they start talking away 2 me and i just want them to go away so i can get myself together! I felt quite tierd all day aswell and a little dizzy but no major side effects appart from the very bad adrenaline rushes, i dont no if i can stick with citalopram because it just doubles my usual anxiety.
Becky, In my experience the first few days on citalopram were pretty weird….then felt normal and then better…so probably worth giving it some time to see if its for you!
good luck and let us know how you get on!
I’ve been taking Celexa for almost a month now (for GAD) – and my anxiety has increased a bit this week – is this a side effect as my body gets use to the drug (20 mg)? I feel hyped up during the day -
I am on my 3rd day of citalopram and only real side effect I’ve had is terrible stomach aches at night. It’s almost like a burning sensation.. I know it can take a couple weeks for side effects to subside, but this is keeping me up ALL night! Any suggestions? Tums don’t even help!
I have now been taking citalopram for 3 weeks today. I was on 10mg for the first 2 weeks and then my dose was upped to 20mg for the last week. I have been prescibed this medication for social anxiety. I have high hopes for this medicine but it hasn’t started working at all yet. The side effects i’ve been experiencing are insomnia, jaw clenching and inorgasmia (although my libido strangely has gone sky high?!), though they seem to be subsiding a bit now. I will keep taking them – apparently they can take anywhere up to 8 weeks to start working. If not, I will probably up my dose to 40mg. Fingers crossed….
I’ve never written on one of these before! I’ve struggled wih depression a few times and (thought I) managed to sort myself out properly about 12 months ago, cant remember what i was taking but came off them and was fine for a few months. The past 4/5 months have been hell! i dont feel depressed but the anxiety and panic has been getting unbearable. I was determined not to go back on medication, i tried to take the ‘mind over matter’ approach…last week I realised i wasnt getting anywhere, i was getting worse as the days went on…work is the hardest time – trying to avoid a conversation with anyone, even stupid things like walking past someone who looks at you…panic attacks trying to do a tesco shop…nightmare. So today i went to the doctors and they put me on citalopram 10mg, I think she’ll up my dose when i go back in 2 weeks. Its a real help reading other peoples comments an what they’re going through because you really feel alone when going through a sh*tty time, you feel like you’re the only person feeling like it. WIsh me luck, i am desperate for these pills to work! i just want to get back to feeling myself and doing ‘normal’ things like meeting up with a friend for coffee without being in complete fear about whats going to happen me, i dont want to panic, it just springs up out of nowhere. Everyone keep posting and we can help each other out. Good Luck everyone!
Been on Citalopram for five weeks now. Week 3/4 I was so very sick, then two days later came the watery runs. Still stuck by the meds. Now I’m just a bit nauseous all the time, and get a burning feeling in my upper abdomen. Still waiting for the time when I feel better. Only on 10mg.
Decided to take to drug when I realised I was making myself unemployable because of my anxiety.
Thank you for sharing all of your personal experiences – it’s helped me.
My stress has been brought on by my working environment. I have been on citalpram for 2 weeks today.I’ve been off work for 4 weeks.
I can’t say that I have noticed a big difference yet, but it is reassuring to know I need to give it more time. My daughter has said she has seen a difference in me ‘at least I have stopped crying’. I have been able to talk to colleages from work recently so that must be a step in the right direction.
I have noticed the dry mouth, jaw clenching and upset stomach (today) I am also feeling a bit spaced out but nothing too bad, does this take a while to stop?
However I do think I am not myself, yesterday I filled my diesel car up with petrol! An expensive mistake, but I have to say I didn’t panic or cry, although I was concerned, I took it in my stride, luckily my daughter was with me, so I think it was a combination of the medication and my daughter’s support. So did the medication make me distracted and then also give me some confidence not to lose my head?
I have suffered from major depression for around 12 years now. Last summer and fall it became so bad that I knew I could not continue on like that, my life was miserable and the smallest things freaked me out and made me hide in my room. I finally sought help and was prescribed citalopram, and I can easily say that it was the best thing that has ever happened to me. A couple of days after I started taking it I did have a major depressive episode, but I didn’t attribute that to the drug but just to what happened every once in a while. Other than that I experienced no negative symptoms. At two weeks I felt WONDERFUL, the best I have EVER felt in my life. I finally felt able to talk to people, to do what I want, that life was worth living. I was more confident and assertive and not crippled by anxiety. I started taking the drug last November and am still taking it with good results. I have been having trouble sleeping and with being tired throughout the day due to the drug, so my doctor prescribed trazodone, which has worked well in conjunction with citalopram.
I was prescribed 10mg Citalophram today. I’m 22 years old and have always been against taking medication for psychological problems, thinking that if I can get over it myself without the help of meds, it’ll be the greatest thing and it’ll be everlasting. After months of headaches and a lack of any happiness with hanging out with other people and fear about everything that others seemed to have fun with.. like, walking into a room and struttin’ my stuff, or making a silly noise around the fire (everyone will be looking at me and I concentrate on people looking at me rather than what I’m doing and then look like an idiot), I realized that i might need some help. So, I’m sitting here with my first pill on top of my computer about to take it. Some of the stories here are so enlightening and I found myself smiling at most of them,… which makes me believe that we are all going through the same thing (but so different at the same time).
I really hope this helps. Good luck to everyone who reads this.
I have a son who will be 21 and he has experienced all of the the same symptoms as the one’s I just read. It breaks my heart to see him like this. After many visits to Doctors and hospitals and changing doctors,we found one who prescribed Citalophram 20 mg. The first night he took it he woke up early that morning and felt dry mouth,and all of the other syptoms, It scared me and him, I thought I would have to take him to the hospital. Within an hour or so he became relaxed. He called the Doctor and he told him to cut the pill in half. Well he and I are both nervous about what is going to happen but after reading everyones stories I truly believe I will get my son back,the one who enjoyed life to the fullest…I pray for all of you that your lifes go back to the way they were. I hope the pill helped you Erin my son took his first the 20th. tonight we try again. My thoughts r with you.
I have never posted on a site before but I have been reading all of your comments and I figured it cannot hurt to share my experiences. I am female, 27 yrs old. Been suffering from depression / anxiety for probably a few years but really only noticed the depression recently when I quit smoking (just over 2 months ago).
I was first put on Wellbutrin but I couldn’t sleep on it (even if I took it in the morning and even with a sleeping pill). I also had terrible headaches. I was very dizzy and nauseous for the first few days I was on it, although that did eventually subside (around the 1 week to 10 day mark).
I started Celexa (10mg) two days ago. On the upside, I have been sleeping better although I am also combining it with a sleeping pill at night. On the downside, I am feeling pretty anxious. The comments I’ve read here have led me to believe that, that’s normal and should subside. I hope you’re right. I’m also hoping that because I’m experiencing some other side effects (teeth grinding / clenched jaw, fatigue, general feeling of being drugged) that the positive effects will start to show up sooner rather than later.
Like all of you I am anxious for things to get better. It is very hard for me to get out of bed in the morning, let alone study for exams (I am a student) or be a good girlfriend, sister, daughter or friend. I often just want to curl up in a ball, hoping that the world will just forget about me until I am feeling better. I am hopeful though. I wish someone had a crystal ball and could tell me when to expect the positive effects. Thank you for your positive comments. They keep my hope alive.
I am a 25 year old female who started taking 20 mgs fluoxetine for depression 4 years ago. It ws great except 2 years ago i started getting panic attacks – these occurred at anytime although i do admit they were most severe when i had been having a few drinks the night before. The first one i ever had was bad but the second one i ended up going to hospital – . I couldnt’t sit still, constantly pacing, really deep feeling of dread/depression, sweats etc – i really felt like i couldn’t go on. I just wanted to be sedated so i didn’t feel any of it. Since then the doc has prescribed me with lorazepam (like a valium) which is just peace of mind having them there. I don’t take them often as i know they can be addictive but like knowing that they are there to take if i need them. Over the last 6 months however i have been contantly anxious so my doc put me up to 40mgs of fluox – was especially bad at morning or later at night, severely depressed to the point i am either highly emotional or felt like i was a zombie and couldn’t feel anything. It helped me a little but i still felt pretty much the same so have been trying everything to help myself – better diet, variety of exercises including running and swimming and vitamin b. And most recently acupuncture – am going to my 3rd session this week. I believe all of this helped me feel better but i have also changed anti-depressants to citalopram – am on my 3rd day and so far so good. Felt a bit happy/spacey the first day but i had taken on an empty stomach (bad move!) so came right, yesterday was great – felt better than i have in ages but today had pacey heart and feeling a bit on edge/anxious about nothing. Is this a normal reaction with my body just getting used to it? I would love to be drug free and really admire those of you that have come off them but it is not an option for me at the moment. It is a goal though!
cheers to everyone who published how they felt on anti-depressants etc on here (or anywhere else) it has really helped me in my darkest moments the last few months to realise i need to hand in there – that it can get better.
I’m a 25 year old male who has suffered from lack of confidence since for about 10 years now. Since then I’ve had spells of depression and anxiety which have got worse over time. Recently it’s stopped me functioning at work, I’ve been unable to talk and interact with people in order to complete my job effectively.
I went to the doctors 3 days ago, told them about how I was feeling and about some significant events in my early/mid teens which I believed to be the route cause of my insecurities, anxiety and depression. The doctor prescribed me Citalopram (20mg p/day).
I took my first dose that evening, and within hours felt some side effects (restlessness, dizziness, headache and tiredness), although nothing too severe although unpleasant. I found sleeping very difficult and must have seen every hour.
Yesterday and today the side effects have continued, and become stronger and more apparent, especially the dizziness and drowsiness.
I’ve had some pretty dark thoughts over the last few months but am hoping that this will aid me towards a more positive attitude towards life, and allow me to achieve the things i want to achieve.
After reading some of your posts, I am waiting for the week to pass to feel some benefits from taking this medicine, but am confident that it will work for me. good luck to all of you out there who’ve read this and the other posts, and to those who wrote other posts.
Thanks to everyone sure sharing their experiences. I have been on celexa for about a year for depression and anxiety (I am 37 year old woman). It has helped me tremendously. Wow. I used to have a very short fuse, esp with my family. I was also starting to become paralyzed with depression. I am calmer, better able to focus. . . it’s been great. BUT: I now have no libido, have gained weight (normal weight is 110-115 lbs now I am at 115-125) and am sometimes lethargic in the middle of the day. I exercise plenty and eat well. I hate getting so tired, even when I have had a decent night of sleep. I want to taper off, but am worried about withdrawal. I also don’t want to go back to being so depressed, anxious and angry.
I started Celexa today for mild depression and axiety, I feel less depressed (although I know it can take days or weeks to kick in)but am experiencing a foggy feeling or state of mind, is this a normal side effect?
This is quite a common one I believe. It does pass but if it is severe or bothering you why not speak to the doctor or pharmacist again….good luck and hope the celexa startes working for you soon!
Hello, I went for the very first time to get Psychiatric help because I am a 210lbs overweight person who has social disorder (because I don’t have friends and I don’t go out like I should be) First at all because I’ve no extra money to spend, not even to go to see a movie, 2. I am a single mom who lost her job almost 10 months ago and is been doing rentals in Real Estate to survive, if I do 2 rentals a month is a lot, not enough to even pay my rent, buy luckily I just found a job in a cellular company (customer service) in the call center, but my dr. just prescribed me Citalopram 20mg and I am scared to death to start taking it, I don’t take any kind of prescribed drugs of any kind, the worse one has been advil for headaches, and my dr. told me that I will take this medication only for 6 months and it will help to increase my self steem, to reduce my anxiaty of eaten and make me feel better, but so far I’ve been reading that you gain weight? so what’s the point of me taking this pill if instead of help me to get me motivated me in loosing weight I will gain more? I am so scare now in reading the posts. Should I take it? I am 37 year old woman, and I want to feel like a normal girl, feel good, look pretty, always looking good, but what about if Citalopram helps me a bit, and then is going to destroy me and put me at the end in a worse situation I am now?
Hi!
I’m sorry but I am not really quallified to answer the questions you raise, but I think the weight gain issue is very important so I would suggest you try to get some further adice from doc/psyc/pharmacist on whether this is the right drug for you. I believe a similar drug, escitalopram, does not cause weight gain, but I could be wrong! Giid luck and elt us know how you get on!
I am a 35 year old female, 2 awesome little girls, a wonderful husband, and a perfect life! Except, I have anxiety. I took Paxil 7 years ago before I got married and it was great! I felt nothing! I could analyze any situation without the emotions of anger or frustration. It was a really neat process for me, problem was, I didn’t get very happy either (but usually I am a very happy, hyper person). So I went off of it 2 months later and tried to diet, exercise, pray, talk it out etc…. but it just didn’t work. I HAVE ANXIETY! It is a real disease! It has nothing to do with how good of a person you are, how strong you are, or how much you believe in God! It is a real chemical imbalance in my body and I have finally come to terms with that. I do not think I experience depression but I am sometimes wound tighter than a drum, so I went on Celexa. I have been on it for 6 months now and it is awesome! I have gained 20 pounds which is NOT good, but I do not have anxiety anymore which feels really good. I am so tired at around 2 p.m. it interferes with my life but I have had to ak myself what is more important….btw, when I was on it for the first week I did not feel better at all! The doctor told me to go from 10 mg to 20 mg but that gave me anxiety so I only took a 10 mg pill and cut another one in half and took it. I did that for 2 days and experienced the worst anxiety of my life….extreme sweating, racing pulse, hard to breathe, tightness in my chest, acid burning through my veins. I called my doctor and he told me he would have to refer me to a psychiatrist to get an rx for a higher dosage. That straightened me right up and I took the 20 mg and have been doing good ever since. It will get better, I promise…In the meantime, take deep breaths and try to relax, if you can’t sleep then don’t lay in bed awake for 3 hours, that makes anxiety worse! Go watch T.V. and fall asleep when you just can’t stay up anymore. You can do it! Once you are out of the “woods” you’ll never want to go back!
Hi,
Just wanted to say thank you to everybody for your posts. I’m sitting here reading them in the worst state I have ever been in my whole life. I’m a 29 year old girl – I have suffered with depression my whole life but only spent small periods on medication and have generally been able to control my moods with exercise etc. However about a month ago I had my first panic attack which was the most frightening experience ever and since then they have been getting more frequent and debilitating. I am now on my 2nd day of sickness from work after recently getting a promotion and I’m terrified about the future.
I went to the Dr’s yesterday for the first time in 6 years and he prescribed me 2mg Diazepam and 20mg Citalopram. So far 2 days in I’ve had nausea and have actually been sick, feel like I don’t want to eat anything – which is a cycle because some of the sick feeling must be hunger. I can’t concentrate on anything like watch TV or read – I just stare into space or sleep. The tightness in my chest and pounding heart has not lessened and neither has the ‘pins and needles’ feeling in my hands and feet.
I’m terrified that I’m going to spiral even further out of control and not be able to leave my house etc but many of your posts have given me some hope as well as made me shed many tears.
My thoughts are with all of you. Thank you x
I am going through EXACTLY what Bev describes above – I’ve been on it for like 5-6 days and this is awful right now (the “bad stuff” for me started at like Day 4). High anxiety, nausea, felt like I had the stomach flu yesterday, no appetite whatsoever, feeling like something is crawling over my skin (aka pins and needles). Even the twice a day Xanax doesn’t cut it at some times. I find myself just sitting on my couch, rocking back and forth, trying to get through this. I just keep reading that it’s rough at first but to try and get yourself through it as it pays off in the end – I sure hope so!
I am so thankful to all of the people who took the time to leave their comments. Started taking Celexa 3 years ago due to nervous breakdown,it was hard in the beginning but it did get better. Went off of it 1 year ago only for MAJOR anxiety to SLAM me. Today is day one of starting the celexa again, hope all goes well. Good Luck to all, lets keep fighting the fight!
Hi Its my 2nd day on 20 mg Cipram (Citalopram) I am 30 yrs old male going through depression after my divorce. I am feeling a bit better than yesterday, I took it yesterday around 6 pm and was all speedy and rushy by 9pm and didnt feel sleepy, however I slept at around 11pm and woke up at 6:30am, I slept well and waking up and getting out of bed was not as tough as the morning before, I usually wake up at 7:30 so I tried to nap for another hour and had shallow REM sleep. I was in office all day today and was actually smiling and cracked a few jokes that is unlike of me, I had an OK day today, I was not paranoid, just a bit racey, clenching my jaws a bit and feeling restless in legs and arms, I hope this will go away. I really hope to get some positive benefits from citalopram.
thanks everyone for the posts. I took my first dose last night. Lately I’ve been extremely depressed and anxious due to finding out that my lung cancer may be back and non curable, so I am beyond depressed. I woke up nauseated and spent an hour in the bathroom (sorry if TMI). Hardly slept. Stomach really hurts and I feel worse if that is even possible. How is everyone hanging in there til these effects wear off? I already feel like I don’t want to do this and that I was better off without adding this drug to the mix. I am in therapy, too, which truly is keeping me alive at this point. thanks again, good luck to everyone. Judy
I was first prescribed citalopram 3 years ago when i was 19 for anxiety which lead to agorophobia, i cannot recommend it enough! First thing i would always recommend with people starting to take this though is that for the first 2 weeks at least, take it at night before bed, because they can make you really drowsy and you dont want to waste your day feeling like you’re going to fall over and go to sleep! First few days, feel abit detached and dozy, but definitely calmer. One thing i noticed was that i literally couldnt cry, physically impossible. Which felt a bit weird as i had been in tears every day for the past month or so before taking them, but a nice relief. But things definitely do gradually just start to feel better and better and things dont seem so scary anymore! They are a bit of a nightmare to stop taking though. I came off them 2 years ago and temporarily dipped back to exactly how i was before, but managed to deal with it without having to go back on meds. Now 2 years later, i’ve started taking them again for the same reasons as before. A bit gutting to be going back to where i was 3 years ago, but after a week of taking citalopram, already feeling much better. Was first prescribed sertraline this time round by my doctor and i personally found it a bit of a nightmare, made me a complete zombie to the point where it was difficult to talk, stopped taking that after 4 days and went on to citalopram and feel the best i have done in ages! i fully recommend citalopram to anyone dealing with anxiety/panic attacks =)
Hi,I am very nervous about taking this drug and wonder what I should do. I have taken some other SSRI’s before and have had the worst experiences. The main thing I am worried is the gittery feeling for the first couple of days. Also impotence is a big issue for me. What is to be expected for the first couple of weeks?
Hi, My wife started taking Citalopram about a year ago when she had a high stressed job. I thought that it was doing her good and that she was making progress. She said to be that it was ok to drink on them which I found strange. It turns out she shouldn’t. When she does its like shes done cocaine or something she is very different and she has changed so much. We were once in a pub and I had spent my money and we went to the bar to get a drink she could not find her card after we got the drinks and got chucked out. Very embarasssing and I said we should call it a night. On the way home she said she wanted to stay out I tried to stop her as she was quite a state but she ran off. This is when I should have told her mum and everyone close and tried to get her off them. Unfortunately I didnt as she said she would come off slowly. She also left her old job and had a great new one so there was no longer a need for them. She has since said that she thinks she will never come off them. In August of last year we got married and I thought that everything was ok. She has since betrayed me and lied constatntly and doesn’t seem to care and is void of emotion about it we are now currently separating after less than a year of marriage although we have been together for over 9 years. I have no doubt that Citalopram has changed my wife completly and she is not the same person she once was. My advice to anyone about to take them is to think carefully and explore all natural routes before taking them. If you are a partner and are worried please just help them in anyway you can and be supportive and just look for any bad signs and act on them. I wish I had.
i am 26 years old and ave been suffering with panick attacks since i was 16 i have tried all different types of tables then i got put the paroxitine an they seem to ave helped me but wen i had my baby who is now 2 months old i have been gettin them really bad from the moment i wake up till i go asleep trembling nausea finding itt hard to breath but the worst of all im always thinkin im going to die or im goin crazy i started escitalopram 2 days ago and i feel worse but as i have read threw the forum this is normal at first its just ggod to no im not alone xx