Third week on citalopram

Hey All... I have been living with depression for about two years now. Before that it was mild but the last two years have been the worst in terms of "dropping out." I have had anxiety, unemployment, exhaustion and low self esteem. Therapy has definitely helped but just wasn't enough. Started out with a low dose of citalopram (15mg) a couple of weeks ago. It has been up and down. One day felt like such a "teaser" because I felt so much better. But other than that I have dealt with tiredness, jitters, insomnia, apathy and dizziness. I just want the side effects to go away. I realize the wait can be up to six weeks to really see a change. I just want so much to feel better and get on with my life.

I can sympathize with everything you said, because it's pretty similar to my own story. I've been taking citalopram for about 3 months now, and its made a huge difference. Medication affects everyone differently. I had virtually no side effects with Citalopram, but when I took Wellbutrin last year I had them all: Insomnia, dizziness, racing heart.

See where the medication takes you. If it helps, great. If not, maybe another medication might be better for you. Don't give up though. I had every single symptom you described. Anxiety, unemployment, exhaustion, low self esteem. Long lasting depression that got a lot worse, for me, in the last three years. And yes, therapy is a big help. Keep doing that as long as you can. I take 60mg, by the way. A pretty high dose, but I also started at 15mg.

RedCylon -
Thanks so much for your reply. Sometimes it's hard to remember that other people have gone through (or are going through) the same situation. Just today I have decided to stop taking the citalopram. Maybe not the most responsible action, but my sleep has been pretty bad on it and I just need a good night's sleep. It seems to give me the jitters at night, even if I feel tired I also feel jumpy and can't sleep until 2am. I feel disappointed because I think I can feel it working during the day to cut out the low self esteem. Anyway - it's a process. Thinking of maybe asking the doc about trazodone (??)
RedCylon - what did you do while you were unemployed? Was there anything that helped you feel (somewhat) better?

Elana,
I've taken Celexa for several years now. I too has the side effect you did. Mine did go away around a month into it. Hang in there with meds. If they don't work go back and see if they can increase your dose or try something else. 15mg is a very low does (I take 80mg on top of 300mg wellbutrin.)

Another thing, well question really. Do have just depression or do have other disorders, major depression relaps, PTSD, BPD, bipolar. Sometimes you will be diagnosis with just depression but you may also have another disorder on top of it. I was diagnosised with depression, then Major depresson relaps, and finally I was diagnosed with BPD which has all the symptons of depression just more.

A good train pdoc would be able to help you with this. It make take several pdocs to find the right on. It did for me. Now with the right meds and right pdoc I am doing so much better. I hope this can happen for you.

You may just have depresion and need the right meds too. Get a good pdoc and T. They can help you.

Take care.

Hi tryingtobeme,
Thanks for your post. I guess my posts will take awhile because they are still being approved. I was diagnosed with moderate depression and anxiety. I know I should probably stay on the citalopram a few more weeks but I just can't do it. I feel too weird at night, and also stuggle with the days of feeling totally zonked out. I do know this is a useful med. A very close friend of mine has been helped by 80mg/day as well. I just can't make it through this period. I will be seeing the doc. tomorrow to ask her about other options. Meanwhile, I am glad I found this forum. It's nice to chat with others who have gone through - or are going through - the same kind of struggle.

What did I do when unemployed? Well unfortunately I still am, so I'm still doing it. I just try to keep busy. I read a lot, I started jogging again after not having done so for about 5 years, I half-heartedly look for a job (without much luck.) I think about what I plan to do when I go back to school in May. Just anything I can to occupy my time, even though I must admit I do get pretty bored some days.

Also, what time do you take the Celexa? I originally took it at night, but I found that I couldn't sleep, so now I take it in the morning. That might help if it makes you feel jittery. If not, just tell your doctor. It might just not be the right medication for you.

Give it some time and the side effects should calm down if not go away entirely... I have been taking this medicine for over three years now and I just love the way I feel on it - the only change I had to make as to take it night as it made me sleepy during the day.

I wish I could have waited it out. But it just made me too jumpy at night and I couldn't sleep. I stopped the citalopram and now I am going to try sertraline...

Citalopram is the only thing that keeps me away from suicide. It does make me kinda sleepy. But I guess it's better than trying to kill myself.

Hi,

I got up to 40mg I was supposed to get to 80mg, but after 4 weeks I was needing more and more sleep-12 hours of sleep at night was not enough, plus 2 or 3 hours during most days.

Under Pdoc directions I am reducing down until I get my energy back. (did not have much energy to begin with)

It has been 4 days at 30mg, and no changes. Early days but then it is almost a sure thing my Pdoc will try something else. We both agree 15 hours of sleep is not useful. Plus even when I am up I am shaky...

Elana05, hope your change to sertraline is just what you need.

SlatkalMala,

G1

Hi G1,

I can relate to feeling super sleepy on it. Except at night when I was supposed to sleep. Sigh. I gave up and went back to the herb St. John's Wort, which I take 3 X per day and have for a long time. It's not the strongest, but it does something for me as I found out when I went off it. I hope you find the right med and dose.

citalipram did absolutely nothing for me except give me the panda look!!!! i looked like i had not slept for a decade, that or i had lost a fight with a great boxer earlier in the week!!! not a good look for a head teacher! i stopped it a few years ago but my eyes never quite went back to normal, even now they still have a bit of a panda look to them!!!

Elana05-

I sleep through the night due to 75 mg of Quetiapine -seroquel, but the Celexa is troubling during the day.

I am starting to pay attention of med effects in a more timely fashion.
At first after 1 day I expected 'miracles' and then I went to waiting to long, now I will phone by Pdoc after a resonable time depending on sensation, so I can try other options instead of waiting for a month.

I also report anything big or small so she can decide what is important. Instead of asssuming it was nothing.
It is great when you have a doc that works with you.

take care,
G1

Elana05-
Did you call your PDOC on these syptoms your were having? Most people who start on Citalopram/Celexa have those side effects. I had them and my PDOC prescibed Lorazapam for the anxiety which helped with all the other side effects. It was a big help for me and the Citalopram works wonderful once your body gets use to it.
Also, you may want to try and take your meds at night if they make you sleepy during the day. You should talk with your PDOC before you cut cold turkey or do any switching around with your meds. They are there for you and they are educated on the meds (and not through the internet or forums).
Please take care of yourself!!!....
The meds have really helped me a lot and I feel like a new person.

(((Hugs)))