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Mental health

Citalopram.

8 replies

bigbadmouse1 · 21/08/2014 20:06

Hi. I've been taking the ad for three days and have spent most of that time in bed, feeling crap with headaches, grinding teeth, complete despondency. I feel worse than I did off them. Do you think I can just stop taking them?

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Sparklingbrook · 21/08/2014 20:08

Hi bigbad, you are experiencing the side effects, some people do feel worse before they feel a lot better. if you can grit your teeth and get through this bit things should improve. It's very early days.

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Catmint · 21/08/2014 20:10

Sparkling's right, it takes a little while for them to kick in. The side effects should subside soon. Hang in there, it gets better!

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LEMmingaround · 21/08/2014 20:12

It will get better, do go to your GP if you continue to feel bad. You wont get withdrawal if you stop now, but you wont get the benefit, which can take up to two weeks to manifest. Hopefully side effects will go off before that.

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itsmecathy · 21/08/2014 20:24

I felt drunk when I started taking it. Like you describe I also experienced the headaches and grinding teeth, I definitely felt 'drugged up'. I had a toddler to look after, so weaned myself on to them by taking half a tablet for a week then moving up to the full tablet. This really helped me adjust. About a week after starting the full tablet I woke up one day and felt like a brand new brighter version of my former self- fab stuff .
Give it a couple of weeks and if you're still feeling rough go back to your GP, they may adjust the dose or try and alternative.
Keep smiling x

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idlevice · 21/08/2014 20:52

What dose have you started with? It can be as little as 10mg for 1-2weeks moving up in 10mg doses up to 40mg if necessary (used to be 60mg & still can). 20mg is regarded as the minimal therapeutic dose. Sometimes the time of day you take the tablet can be varied to see if that has any effect on side effects. Drink more water to help with any headaches, avoid alcohol until things feel settled down & keep in touch with your doctor if you are still concerned about the side effects.

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MakeMeJumpIntoTheAir · 21/08/2014 21:02

I started on 10mg taking them at night, but to be honest I was in such a mess that I barely noticed any side effects. I was prescribed them for anxiety and panic attacks following the discovery of my ex's affair and the fact that the last 10 years had been a complete lie. I persevered but the panic attacks and palpitations were not lessening so the doc put me up to 20mg. I've been on them for about 10 months now and am only now feeling a bit better - but maybe time has helped me heal too (nearly a year since dday). It won't hurt for you to go along to the doctor just to discuss the reaction you are having. It may be the time of day you are taking them - I now take mine in the morning. I still have bad days though, they don't cure you, just take the edge off things.

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KissMyFatArse · 21/08/2014 21:05

I tried them but came out in a horrible rash like chicken pox and was taken off onto Prozac which were fine and no side effects. X