Citalopram anti depressants side effects

[dmj]

Hi,

I've felt really rough for about a month now and my doctor has put it down to me being low so has prescribed Citalopram anti depressants, I've just picked them up today and looked at the side effects, these bother me somewhat particularly the common side effects suicide attempts, hallucinations, internal bleeding to name a few!! I have had Prozac about 8 years ago and as far as I can remember they worked ok but my doctor feels I should try Citalopram.

Has anyone had these tablets and if so what were your experiences because I am worried about taking them mainly because of the side effects as I suffer from a lot of these already, lethargy, tummy aches etc.... also I have gained loads of weight and again this is a side effect, If I gain any more weight it will just make me more depressed therefore its a vicious circle.

I want to sort this out because I can cannot continue feeling like this. its ruining my life.
thanks xx

[babybombo]

Hi dmj

My sister was on citalopram up until about a month ago. She was also worried about the side effects but once she started them she was fine apart from the odd headache. She didn't suffer from hallucinations or anything, and although she said they did make her feel a bit worse before she got better, she never felt suicidal.
As I said, she did feel worse before it got better so you should try them keeping this in mind.

Hope you feel better soon
x

[cazzz1975]

a lot of your symptoms that you have already could be down to reasons other than depression, I gained weight and became tired and down, turned out my thyroid was underactive and since taking replacement hormones I have lost the weight and feel chipper again.

its worth nagging for a blood test to rule out thyroid, vitamin deficiency ect...

[dmj]

thanks babybombo, I will give them a go cos I am making my husbands and kids life a misery as I am so irritable!!, Just dont want to turn into a quivering wreck! x

[dmj]

Hi Caz, I have had all the blood tests and they came back normal, I think the doctor has ran out of tests to do on me! x

[tillyfloss]

I was on these a while back for Post Natal depression and they worked a treat without any side affects at all for me - great tablets and non habit forming so no risk of getting hooked - just be sure not to cold turkey off them when you do end them - reduce the dose slowly - I am off them now and never got the depression back so all round I think they are fab!

[katieb73]

Alot of the side effects are listed so that the drug company cover themselves. they will work and you will feel better!!!! xx

[wizard69]

Hi dmj,
I posted the exact same question a few months back
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Q uestion424975.html
About the only side affect that I get is sweating for no apparent reason, apart from that they've done me good.
good luck

[VillageVicar]

Prozac is among the �first generation� of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRI�s. And whilst it has been beneficial to many, there are numerous alternatives available � some actually working much better. Citalopram is primarily used to treat the symptoms of depression but can also be prescribed for social anxiety disorders, panic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder. It�s also prescribed in Huntington's disease and for premenstrual dysphonic (vocal problems) disorder.

What�s interesting about Citalopram is that there�s noted an identifiable reduction in some of the more common side-effects that were associated with Prozac, such as trembling, headache, dizziness, and sleep disturbances.

I would encourage you to first try this second-generation prescription. Then, should you find that it�s not benefiting your needs, speak with your GP about alternatives.

I wish you good health

Fr Bill

[VillageVicar]

In addition to the obvious stimulants, such as caffeine products, etc., I would encourage you to also take a conscious effort to steer clear of anything containing Aspartame. Tragically, for our country, each company that distributes the products containing this known carcinogen, they quickly defend themselves by stating that they never exceed the maximum daily recommendations. The challenge is that from the first of our mornings, from brushing our teeth, then following through the day with taking vitamins, eating a packet of crisps, drinking any �low sugar� branded drink, to chewing a packet of gum, we are constantly exposed to this chemical compound. It is known to create hyperactivity in children, and considering the astonishing amounts some of us consume in a day, the side-effects are not being adequately monitored.

I wish you good health

Fr Bill

[andy-hughes]

katieb is quite right - the drugs company list every potential side effect apart from fire flood and famine, so that if any arise, they are covered against legal redress.

I have taken citalopram daily for the last ten years or so, and they suit me very well.

With any antidepressant, you will experience side-effects as they become absorbed in your system, so for a couple, maybe three weeks, you may have nausea, headaches, and some sleep disturbance, but these will all disappear as your body gets used to the new dosage.

The good news is, antidepressants are fare mor sophisticated these days than the chemical cosh drugs used years ago - and they can be prescribed to suit the needs of individual patients.

Once you are on a level, you will be fine, but asadvised, if they don't suit, then return to your GP.

[horselady]

I was on these for a while last year and they worked a treat. No side effects whatsoever.

[countrykid]

I have taken them for several years, with no side effects at all, and whilst they won't change the root cause of any issues or problems, they certainly have helped me to deal with things better. Good luck