started Citalopram yesterday morning, when should side effects, if any, show?

[anniebear]

Took them first thing in the morning

Have had a slight headache, but often have them anyway!!!

[onepieceoflollipop]

Hi anniebear. Hope you are soon feeling better. I have had depression (but not recently) and am also a CPN (Community Psychiatric Nurse). I think there may be a Citalopram support thread somewhere on here (or there used to be) - someone else may know?

Are you on 10 or 20 mg? Ime, most people only get very mild side effects. Some don't get any side effects at all. Often this will be a very slight headache or possibly some nausea. These are generally quite short- lived side effects lasting for a week at the most.

May be worth trying to take them after eating (even just half a slice of toast if you can face it). Obviously as with any medication very occasionally some people get more serious reactions but this is rare.

[allgonebellyup]

hi, i had quite strong side effects for a while; the main two were not being able to sleep at all, and loss of appetite (and weight).
i also got tingly hands and feet, and slight nausea, but this wasnt too bad!

[anniebear]

thanks

have been on the support thread but has been quiet

Trying not to build my hopes up that this is it...side effects is a slight headache (But Im hoping it is lol)

I was so worried about the side effects I almost didnt take them

Although I was hoping for a bit of weight loss

How long did it take till you sure any positive effect?

Thanks

[expatinscotland]

you may not get any!

i'm on Prozac and haven't had any - touch wood, even after 3 weeks.

hope you feel better soon.

[anniebear]

wonderin if the head ache is to do with it as Its different to what Ive had before

But it is mild, havent had to take pain killers

but, could just be that I had a lie in this morning lol

thanks for your replies

[expatinscotland]

i got headaches for about a week, BUT i was just getting over a sinus infection and the weather was perfect sinus headache weather.

[anniebear]

what made me chuckle was, a lot of the side effects were the same as the reasons you are on them in the first place!!!!!

[cathshuck]

hi i only got side effects when I went from 10 to 20mg, felt sick, exhausted headaches, now back on 10 and they have gone again.

[anniebear]

Im on 20mg

am always shattered anyway so prob wouldnt notice that bit!

[AutumnMists]

I felt sick for 3 days but fine now, except am exhausted - have slept about 16 hours solid for the last few days!

Other than that nothing so far

Good luck

[lucyellensmum]

Hi annie and autumn. Glad to see you are taking the meds without too much problem. Im not supposed to be here am i? I am going to be strict with myself during the week though - honest

[onepieceoflollipop]

annie you may find that within 7-10 days you start to notice tiny improvements - e.g. you might start to get appetite back a little bit (if that was a problem) or not wake up quite so early (if that applied to you). Your headache could also be more noticeable because you are naturally quite alert to signs of side effects (as indeed I would be too).

It will take around 2-3 weeks before you get any significant improvements, so bear with it...Hope you are soon feeling better.

[coby]

Love the way you are looking out for the side effects so much think this is why they get so many reported - probably half of the reports are nothing to do with the tablets and just conincidence or part of the problem being treated (hence why the side effects are so similar to what they are trying to treat!). I have to say I did exactly the same so I'm not taking the mickey, just pointing it out

My side effects started at 24 hours, felt sick got worse every day for three days then it suddenly went. Also was more tired than before - that lasted for 14 days or so then got better.

Citalopram is the the least likey SSRI to give side effects apparently. I started on Sertraline and that was too much for me (although I think if I had stuck it out for another day or so I would have been OK.

Citalopram worked well for me, gradual improvement so not sure when it started to work but I suddenly realised my DDs were happier. I wondered why, then suddenly realised I hadn't shouted at them for ages as I had my patience back - that was worth every side effect in the world

good luck

[onepieceoflollipop]

• we seem to end up on similar threads, very randomly. Dog names, cotton nappies and now depression to name a few!

[coby]

this is very true - we obviously have similar tastes (if that is the right term ). What did she call the dog in the end???

Aha...just read you are a CPN - I'm probably stalking you subconciously...prob in need of your services

[itsahardknocklife]

Hi anniebear. I started 20mg on Thursday. Felt very odd yesterday and Friday - almost like being drunk. Queasy. Had a horrid headache off and on and been tired. But today it seems to have eased off a little bit later on.

[havenotgotaclue]

anniebear

I have been prescribed the same but along with somnething else to counteract the initial sideeffects - whatever they may be!! They have been sitting here since Friday - I can't bring myself to take them. I really don;t want to be on these for 6 months - and then find that I can't face life without them! My Doc gave me an ultimatum after saying that I was clinically depressed - the tablets or hospital! Hope to God she was just threatening the latter otherwise I might cry - for a change!!!

[anniebear]

I am still feeling ok! Just headaches but mild ones

I am terrible for reading up on stuff, so knew every side effect possible lol

havenotgotaclue, I had the prescription in my bag for a few days! and even cried when I had took the first tablet on saturday morning! But the last 2 mornings I have been fine. I was so worried about the side effects but I have been ok

It sounds like you would be better off taking them. Hope you do and I hope they work for you

[coby]

Still OK?

[kkgirl]

Hi Anniebear

Following this thread with interest. I have been stalling from taking the tablets, but after a tearful explosion yesterday morning, DH made an appointment for me got the tablets, and we both agreed I would start them this morning. I wanted to cry just after I took the first one this morning, but I quite happily take my throyxine every morning without question, its so daft, depression is as valid as every other medical problem, no one should feel like they have failed or feel bad about taking them. I do because I don't have any problems, have DH, three lovely if argumentative kids, loving Mum and Dad, but I just put it down to being a woman of a certain age.

Anyway have started on them now, accept that I will be on them for six months at least, and that I must stop being hard on myself, and take each day at a time.

I had to laugh at GP, she asked me about a sick note and when I said mine runs until next week, seemed to think I would be going back to work, have as much chance of climbing Everest I should think!!!!! I'm not going back until I am on an even keel and stable on the tabs

Take care.

Kay

[anniebear]

fine thanks!

I am just so relived there were no side effects!

Hope you get on ok kkgirl

[coby]

well thats good news then.

Well done for taking the plunge kkgirl - hope the tablets work well for you. You are absolutely right - depression is as valid as every other medical problem. Good luck

[riles]

Started taking citalopram 3 nights ago. Have to say I feel totally zonked. Thinking of not taking them tonight as I feel totally awful - like my head's in cotton wool, feeling nauseous, and tense in my jawline. Anyone else had these symptoms and how long will they last...

[anniebear]

I was fortunate and only had a few headaches for about 5 days

From what others have said, maybe a week? Carry on with them , hopefully it will be worth it for you

[tigermaniac79]

um..i have been taking citalopram 20mg for 5 days now..i have got dry mouth,insomnia,jumping limbs and sweaty palms but nothing serious and they have been easing since day 3..the best thing to do is not look at the side effects part of instructions..it only makes you paranoid (which is part of depression)i have taken it so i have a break from my thoughts and that i will would be able to feel again..my depression made me feel numb and useless..hope these pills help!