citalopram /anti depressants- any experiences?

I was the same - I think it's quite normal to feel more anxious. I'm only on 10mg, but it definitely had an effect. I felt generally more anxious for a couple of weeks, had a full-on panic attack about a week in, and a horrible sensation in my head for a day or two - someone described it as 'brain-zaps' - kind of like your brain not keeping up with your eyes (sorry, really difficult to describe, but I was so glad someone told me to expect this as I wasn't scared when it happened) After two weeks I felt less anxious but still really down, and after a month I felt loads better.

I don't take that particular one, i'm on escitalopram, but it's the same kind of thing. In my experience, they always make you feel worse at first due to all of the side effects. I've been on and off mine for years and they still affect me badly. I would say give them about a month if you can. Feel free to PM if you want more info.

Thanks for replying. Im just really panicing because my h is going away for 2 weeks tomorrow and Ill have to cope with the children on my own and I dont think I can. Hopefully its just because of the anti-ds.

I was prescribed citalopram for anxiety and stress and have to be honest, I don't take them. I took them for the first few days and they blew the back of my head off - I was more nervous, more anxious and found that I could only think about things that bothered and upset me.

I took the decision that I couldn't take them, I only got through those days by reminding myself that things would feel better when they wore off!

I'm on these for pnd. Have just finished my second packet and while I don't cry all the time now I do still feel anxious and find it hard to get up, ready and out. I have appt with Dr on Tues, am wondering whether to change or if I expect too much?

If you start to get anxious, try this website

http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=11&page=30&order=desc

I took Citralopram for 2 years and while at first they made all my feelings a lot worse it soon settled down and the tablets made me feel 100% better.

I got the brain not keeping up with my eyes thing and also my anxiety was really heightened, please stick with it, you'll find if they're right for you it will all settle down. By the end of the first packet I was feeling loads better and 8 weeks in I was feeling almost normal! I was on 20mg.

...oh and don't be embarrassed about what you told the the doctor, i'm sure they've heard a lot worse over the years. She's there to help not judge.

I really hope you're feeling better soon.

I was on citalopram for post natal depression after I had my son 2 years ago. I was told by the GP that it can make anxiety worse to start with, it didn't really with me but it IS a known side effect.

After a few weeks I suddenly felt the fug lifting and realised that I was coping, I just didn't realise it before. And one day it suddenly dawned on me I couldn't remember the last time I cried - considering I used to cry virtually constantly this was quite amazing.

Side effects - I also had v vivid dreams (not nightmares, just so vivid and realistic that I'd start relaying what happened in them to people, and then halfway through realise "Oh God, that didn't happen, it was a dream!" ?), excessive sweating ? and also bad bruising - if I gave myself a slight knock I could end up with a huge hand sized bruise. The latter one is quite an uncommon side effect, apparently.

? hope you feel better soon.

Sory to hijack you're thread! I am only on 10mg I wonder if the dose isn't high enough?

Thanks for your reply, I am on 20mg. I will just stick with them then, Im seeing the dr again in 2 weeks.