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Experiences of Anti-Depressants
Former Member
:)Posts: 2,072 Boards Champion
Hi,
Got prescribed 10mg Citalopram today for anxiety. I'm going back in 2 weeks for a review.
To be honest, I was a bit reluctant at first but I want to give it a shot! I've never been on any medication like this before.
Hence why I'm making this thread as I'm interested to know other people's experiences of Citalopram or just anti-depressants in general. Also, any additional information would be much appreciated!
I've read a few articles on the site about it and I understand that everyone reacts differently.
Got prescribed 10mg Citalopram today for anxiety. I'm going back in 2 weeks for a review.
To be honest, I was a bit reluctant at first but I want to give it a shot! I've never been on any medication like this before.
Hence why I'm making this thread as I'm interested to know other people's experiences of Citalopram or just anti-depressants in general. Also, any additional information would be much appreciated!
I've read a few articles on the site about it and I understand that everyone reacts differently.
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Comments
There are loads of options and it's just about finding which one works for you. If you don't feel the citalopram is for you then that's fine, it could always be changed, do try and give it a good few weeks to really get in your system though if you want it to help. And seriously, if you decide you want to come off it, please don't do that by yourself because I remember one of my best friends doing that ages ago and he got SO much worse because he had just stopped. The side affects off it are worse than the ones on it I think - that's if you just suddenly stop it on your own of course. It can be done safely with your doctors input.
Thanks for your advice butterfly
Todays my first day on citalopram so ill just have to wait and see how it goes..... I'm just a bit nervous as I've never taken anti-depressants before!
Hello there Apandav,
It's great to see you have really got involved with TheSite.org community. I've been on the medication you're currently on, but personally found it not to really help me, or any anti-depressant for that matter. But sadly with Anti-Depressants it's not like an instant change in how your feelings, and can take an awful lot of time trying other medication that might be beneficial or may not be. However getting of anti-depressants suddenly can leave you feeling more dreadful, than do you good.
It's great to see you are trying alternative ways of recovering, many people who do take anti-depressants do however struggle to recover alone, and having therapy along side it can add a bit extra support, remember you're not alone in this. If you do start getting any negative side effects, despite them being written on the medication, it's always worth bringing it up in next apps with your GP or psychiatric.
Some people who do take anti-depressants, including Citalopram, may have intensified feeling of suicide, however, this does tend to stay like in the early stages of taking the medication, you should always aim to regularly take it, as the medication starts working though, the feelings should slowly decrease.
You've most likely already seen it, or read it on the medication leaflet. - But the NHS website has an information based source on Citalopram Hydrobromide that I really encourage you check out and read as and when you have the time - http://www.nhs.uk/medicine-guides/pages/MedicineOverview.aspx?condition=Anxiety&medicine=citalopram%20hydrobromide
However, do keep us updated on how you're getting on Apandav, were here for you *hug*
Best wishes
WhispersOfTheHeart
Thanks for the info, I will take it on board!
The pharmacist had a short chat with me about- how i need to take it daily, effect takes time etc.
I've actually already been getting therapy, but still felt I was struggling. Although, I know it takes time and effort for CBT to help, I've lost a lot of motivation and due to my moods + other things that's why I went to the GP.
I've got another appointment in two weeks to review it and my GP says I can phone the surgery before if need be.
Had a good read of the NHS link. I noticed that it may interact with "Non- Sterodial Anti Inflammatories" which I know (from school) includes Ibuprofen. I don't regularly use painkillers but I sometimes use Ibuprofen(or Paracetamol) for minor ailments such as headaches. Does anyone know anything about this?..... I guess I could always just ask the pharmacist/GP (its not like I need it just now though).
Thanks WhispersOfTheHeart
Very informative! Thanks Danny
It will take time, but keep going - and if Citalopram doesn't work for you, keep trying - there are other drugs out there.
I will take your advice on board, just need to wait and see how I will react to it!
It can take around 6 weeks for the anti-depressants to get into your system properly, so it could just be side-effects whilst your body gets used to your drugs.
Im very confused as to if it's helping or not- eg. Last night things were really bad but today, considering all the stress and worry from work I feel I've handled things better than I normally would. Like normally I get very worked up and although I worried a bit I didn't feel the "effects" of worrying, is that the medication working? I could say yes but I'm not sure as last night I was the complete opposite (don't even want to elabourate it was that bad).
What I'm saying is I don't know if it's just my ups and downs or not (as I normally would have).
It's really hard to explain.
I'm just weary that it's my appointment on Wednesday and I'm guessing I'll be asked if it's helping me. But I'm not sure. Is two weeks too early to say?
The pharmacist said to me it can take two weeks or longer to show an effect so what's the point in getting a review after only two weeks?
I'm not sure what to say..... I don't know!
I wouldn't worry too much about the appointment; your doctor won't be expecting you are completely cured etc but will want to just check how you're getting on.
Will see how it goes tomorrow and give an update!
I've been taking citalopram for about 3 months now, but 2 weeks ago I got my dosage upped from 20mg to 30mg.
I've been struggling to get to sleep and when I wake up really early, I can't get back to sleep. I know when I have a lot on my mind, it's hard to sleep, but this is different. It's like I'm too hyper to sleep- like I feel like I don't need sleep at night and want to stay up all night (when I say want, I do want to sleep but at the time I don't although I'm tierd- it's hard to explain). And for example, I woke up early this morning and I can't get back to sleep now. I feel very restless, and I feel my heart beating fast normally- like feeling hyper (but not in a nice way).
It might just be a coincidence that this has started after having my dose upped, but I just wondered if it could be a side effect?
I've noticed you posted this a few days ago. Are you still experiencing the sleep problems?
If you are, or if you have any worries or concerns about the medicine, it might be worth discussing it with your GP or pharmacist - they should be able to advise you on what you can do
Think my sleep issues have improved in the sense that I can get to sleep. But I'm now struggling with another issue, I keep waking up. I'll wake up like 2 hours after going to sleep, feeling like it's almost time to get up, then I realise it's not been that long after looking at the clock. I'm not sure if that's just because the part few days have been tough (due to a major change). I'm seeing my GP for a review next week, so I'll see how things go.