First day on Citalopram.

[*GiRL_21*]

Well it's my first day on citalopram.

I took it as soon as I got the medicine, which was at 3:00 pm.

I got sooooooo sleepy.

I fell asleep at around 12 am, I had difficulties falling asleep.

Have been waking up every two hours.

I can't sleep, but I am tired.

I am also worried about the side effects I read online.

I really am afraid of medicines. But I need to go through with this because so start school soon, I am taking this for my panic disorder and hypochondria.

My anxiety is extremely high right now.
If I sleep, I wake up in a panic.

I'm so scared and paranoid.


I don't want to get a heart attack on this medicine .

[Bella44]

It's my first day on citalopram too.  I took it about 2 hours ago and haven't noticed any extra sleepiness but I guess it takes a while for things like that to kick in.  I kinda wonder if I would even notice it as I've been feeling tired and low on energy anyway.  My anxiety isn't any greater than before but the Dr told me to expect a spike in anxiety on the third day of taking it (which will be monday for me.)  I've also been given lorazepam to help with that too.
I've read about the side effects online too but I think those are the uncommon ones so I'm not too bothered about those (yet!)
I don't like meds either but my anxiety and depression have got to the point where going it alone just isn't working for me anymore so I'm seeing this as a step in the right direction.  I've also got my first appointment with a therapist next week too.  Are you seeing a therapist or counsellor - I've heard thats the best way these things, but that remains to be seen in my case!
I was told that a course of nine months on citalopram was recommended - were you told the same thing?  It seems an awful long time to me....
Anyway, I hope all goes well for you, and I'd be very interested to know your experiences!   

[mstromgren]

Hi girls! I started on Citalopram about 7 weeks ago. I also felt drowzy at first and my anxiety definitely spiked around day 3-4. I had so much trouble sleeping and began taking it in the morning. This help me immediately get more sleep at night. I still take it in the morning and I have no trouble with drowziness. I was prescribed 20mg but i had to start really slow (5mg for a few weeks, 10 for a few weeks, and then 20). This helped with the side effects but I still felt really terrible for a few weeks. I wanted to give up a lot. I even called my psych a few times and he urged me to give it one more week (each time I called). I am so glad I stuck through the side effects because I am starting to feel so much better. I went to this site a lot and looked for others experiences when i was struggling. The first two weeks were definitely the hardest. I remember having a hard time believing it was going to get better but it definitely did! In my experience, it was worth the wait. Give yourself a break these next few weeks. Treat yourself well and let me know if you have any questions.

-M

[lpd_302]

I am on day 10. Anxiety was higher about days 3-6, guessing on that. It seems that the side effects seem to be getting a bit better. Starting to sleep a little better also. I am on 10mg. I still have feel a bit anxious a lot of the time but it seems more controllable than it did. I hope it works in the long run and we can all talk about how well we feel in a few weeks!

Shane

[Bella44]

I'm on day 3 and my anxiety was horrific earlier, the worst I've had for a long time.  I've also felt incredibly nauseous most of the day   
But I'm feeling a bit better now and hoping things won't be quite as bad tomorrow

[Irishmanwrites]

Very best Bella.

You're brave to take this course to better mental health.

We wish you well.

Keep us posted how you fare.