Citalopram: Any success or encouraging stories please?

Question

I've been on citalopram now for approx 14 weeks in total. was on 10mg first six and half weeks, then 20mg next 6 wks, now been on 30 for a nearly a week. I'm getting a bit frustrated and demoralized wiating for the good results to kick in. been feeling wierd since starting the 30. the best I can say for them so far is at best they are smoothing out slightly the worst of my depressed and anxiety feelings but not nearly as much as I had hoped. I still get these feelings, just possibly not quite so bad.

also the worst side effect is I am sleeping ten to 12 hours a day! and when I am awake I am tired and fuzzy brained most of the time. Is this normal? will it pass? because this side effect makes it almost not worth any beneficial effects I might be getting from it! Also digestive problems and diarohea is quite bad, but tolerable.

Is this particular drug not for me? or will it work its magic if I have patience and give it a bit longer? Also it has only been less than week but I am wondering if the 30mg is poss a step up too far for me. I been feeling like the back of my neck is tight ,my jaw is clenching and my fists want to, ie tense and bit speedy and panicky, maybe this is just my body adjusting to the new dose? I wish I would get some sign that things will really start to improve soon!

Any advice, particularly any encouraging or success stories, I would much apreciate!

Thank you

In anticipation

Love

John

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

ah, someone who also has doubts to the effectiveness of a "calming" medication. I was told.. that the medication (DRUG as I found it to be) .. didn't find its effectiveness until after several weeks .. I had similar symptoms or BAD SIDE EFFECTS.. and I was more alert to citaloprams disadvantages than I was to the real world.. sound familiar?

No doubting the meds will work for SOME... but not all.

I was a total @rse to the people close to me and at the end of the day, even they washed their hands y' know...

it was suggested I was imagining it all, it was suggested that I should give it time .. when all the while I KNEW things were getting worse and no way was I as bad as that before I took the damn things.

In the end I just stopped taking them .. cold turkey.. the sensible way is to Tell your GP you're not happy with them and ask for an alternate prescription DRUG ... he should accept your request and offer you something else .. or he may decide to wean you off the tabs gradually reducing the dose.

Either way, you may get down hearted to say the least .. but the choice is yours.

After deciding to stop the drugs that were turning me into a shell that was asleep while my mind was STILL overactive .. I realised that the best thing to do was to stop moping about, take stock of my problems and deal with them one at a time.. no-one else was around to help and all my so-called friends thought I was just a whinging git.. honestly. Nowt like kicking you while your down eh. But its times like those when you know who you can trust and who's just along for the ride... friends can help.. but only if they are aware of similar problems themselves..... even then, some of them seem to think that they are the only ones who can get depressed ... I know where you're at .. feel free to message me if you want someone to listen. Thats what we're here for .. but the safest bet .. is get down to the docs and DEMAND he looks at your situ more sympathetically... word to the wise.... look up online any meds he offers you ... the side effects are not just listed for the fun of it... as you've found out, its a stark reality.

Play safe my friend.

Answer 2

citalopram never worked for me i'm now on fluoxetine & works a treat

Source(s):

depressed 25 yrs

Answer 3

same here, never worked for me, just awful side effects, i went on to fluoxetine which worked better. go back to your gp, he can prescribe something else, they just like to try the cheapest first!

Answer 4

hi John

i would love to offer encouragement about being on citalopram but it did absolutely nothing for me. if anything it actually made me feel worse. if you have been on it for 14 weeks then you would be seeing some effects by now if it was working correctly. i would suggest going to your doctors as they may want to try you on something different.

it took me 4 different anti depressants to find one that worked for me so just hang in there and have patience and you will eventually find one that helps.

best of luck xx

Source(s):

experience

Answer 5

I used citalopram after I got terrible side effects from fluoxetine, and I have to say that yes, it worked for me the first time I took it. It made me calm and I was able to pick myself back up.

However, the next time I took it the side effects were terrible, I was clenching my jawcontinuouslyy, i shook so much I could not write, I was exhausted and yawned alot and felt entirely detached. However, this wore off after 8 weeks, and in the long run I feel it was worth it.

If however the side effects are worth the next time (im bipolar) then I will looking for a different medication.

The most effective anti-depressants are the ones used in conjunction with counselling (personal opinion from experience)

Source(s):

life

Answer 6

Hi, I'm on 40mg of Citalopram a day. When I first started taking it, I was a zombie. I slept alot and when I was awake I was in a world of my own. This lasted for a few weeks and then I was OK. It is the best anti depressent that has worked for me. However, you have been on Citalopram for quite a while and still having problems, it could be because of the dosage increase, which is most likely and should pass quite quickly. I know this may sound daft when you're having side effects, but try and stick with the higher dose for 4 - 6 weeks and you should be getting the beneficial effects without the fatigue or other problems. Citalopram is a better anti depressent to be on as it doesn't have as bad side effects in the long term. If you get no further benefit after 4 - 6 weeks, you should go back to your gp. I wish you all the best and try to stick with it, things should be starting to get better soon. Just a note that may help, since I started Citalopram, I have had no need to be admitted to a psych unit. It really helps me.

Source(s):

Personal experience.