Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress User Reviews (Page 2)

• Kbh
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 13, 2014

Celexa (citalopram) "Was put on 10mg for intense panic attacks, and later moved up to 20mg. This stuff has worked wonderfully! I feel like I'm finally the way I should be - you know how you see other people who are completely relaxed and at peace, and you wonder, "why can't I be like that? Why do I have all this anxiety for no reason?" Well, all of that is gone! It's amazing! I would recommend Celexa to anyone. The only downside is I experienced A LOT of side effects the first month I was on it - increased anxiety, jaw-clenching, headaches, insomnia. But, if you bear down and get yourself through the first month, it's worth it. I finally have my life back!"

• INdigo
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 29, 2020

Celexa (citalopram) "So, I was first on Celexa from 2001 till 2016 I felt it wasn't working so my dr prescribed Venlafaxine/Effexor XR. I ended up in the emergency room with a heart rate of 185bpm. Anyway.....I should have just stuck with Celexa. I am back on it after trying Prozac which made me nauseous for a year and gave me more anxiety. Celexa works for me. It takes away my anxiety. Its safe for me and I'll never go off of it or try another again. These past two years have been so bad. Getting off of Effexor brought me to my knees."

• amdam
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2014

Celexa (citalopram) "Im a 20 year old female, been on Celexa for about 4 days now. I was pretty skeptical reading all the reviews and some negative ones really scared me, but I decided to take it anyway. So far I am liking the medicine. Little side effects such as a mild headache that seems to come about 5 min. after I take the pill, drowsiness (which is why I take it at night) and a tiny but of nausea. Nothing to major like I thought. Oh! and also no panic attacks, which is one of the main reasons I started taking this. Celexa has given me a sort of "calm, relaxed" feel. But I also feel more uplifted. I'm not sure the right word. I'm not energetic but I feel energized, which is great. I would recommend trying this if you suffer from frequent panic and worry."

• Mag...
• June 10, 2017

Celexa (citalopram) "Please try!!!!! I was like you reading these reviews scared to death to start taking this drug. I am so glad I did. The first 2 weeks I felt Iike I was pregnant. Nauseous and sleepy. After that I just gradually started feeling better. Anxiety has gone and life is on the up and up. I should have taken this 20 years ago. All the worries sort of just fade away. Good luck and please give it a shot!"

• MattXY
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 14, 2021

"I tapered off citalopram completely about four weeks ago after taking it for two years. I noticed my anxiety was getting worse so I bit the bullet and started taking my 20 MG tablets again four days ago. It’s been a living nightmare since I started taking the med again. Extreme anxiety (worst I’ve ever had), panic attacks, night sweats, paranoia, nausea, etc. etc. I could use a little encouragement. Maybe somebody has had a similar experience to mine and would be willing to share. I’m going to stick it out but this is been very hard."

• Bill
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 23, 2014

Celexa (citalopram) "Started Celexa 10mg beginning of January for stress and anxiety. Went to 20mg in February. This medicine is truly great. I never really had all the side effects. I can truly say I feel 100 percent normal now. No more anxiety or panic attacks. I feel like a normal person again. Probably be on them forever but if I feel great then who cares. "

• Sue
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2024

"Hey all, I thought I would leave a review since reading helped me hugely. So first of all, I started taking 10mg of citalopram for a week, then increased to 20mg. I'm 6 weeks in now, and let me tell you, my life has changed. Before taking them, I was so bad with anxiety and depression. I literally could not walk a 10-minute walk on my own. Some days, I would be so bad that I actually wanted to die. I wasn't suicidal, just not wanting to wake up. I felt horrible each morning; getting up, I would have that sick feeling in my stomach. When I had to go out, I would get so dizzy and start sweating. It got to the point where I didn't leave my house for days. I never slept; I just felt like I was just existing. I hated myself, couldn't even enjoy going to the park with my kids. So finally, I gave in, went to the doctor, and started medication. The first two weeks were absolutely horrendous - anxiety non-stop, nausea, headaches. By the third week, the side effects went away. It was like a switch went off in me. I felt calm, sleeping right through the nights, no attacks. In 4 weeks, I have been going on walks alone. Don't give up."

• Anonymous
• October 27, 2009

Celexa (citalopram) "Eight months ago, I had a severe anxiety attack after cutting myself badly while cooking. One second I was fine, the next my heart was racing, dizzy, felt like running, felt I was losing control. After an hour I somewhat calmed down, but after thinking about the anxiety, I got nervous and another came on, and from that point on, for the next week, from the moment I woke up, until the moment I fell asleep (never more than 3 hours a night), I was having total anxiety attacks. Finally I called a psych, who told me to go to a clinic, and they gave me Xanax, which helped to bring down the anxiety, but it recurred after few hours. Finally they put me on Celexa and after 2 weeks, symptoms disappeared. It has kept me normal, no side effects. Good medicine."

• Icoul...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 23, 2013

Celexa (citalopram) "Celexa has been a life-saver for me. Ever since I was a child, I've had bad anxiety and depression, and I would have attacks where I would completely break down emotionally over something so silly, like a lost T.V remote. I would talk to my mother about my anxiety, and she said it was something I just needed to get over. Finally at age 23, I've confronted this problem medically, and Celexa has changed my life entirely. I don't experience the depression I used to, my anxiety has decreased incredibly, and my attacks have almost disappeared. I don't feel a hovering weight on my shoulders anymore like I'm constantly letting people down, I'm just living my life like I'm supposed to."

• Zigzag
• April 13, 2017

Celexa (citalopram) "I went on Celexa after three years of getting more and more depressed and my anxiety beginning to make it difficult to be at social events or function from day to day. I gave in to Celexa after hitting a low that I cannot explain. I couldn't get out of bed and I determined my life was worthless. I started on 10mg. The first two weeks were bizarre. Headaches, nausea and diarrhea. The anxiety seemed worse. But after 3-4 weeks it's like an ugly cloud lifted and I feel like I have my life back. I upped it to 20mg and I'm staying at 20mg. I never worry about anything - which seems nuts. How can I not worry? I'm unemployed, single, no kids, (I'm 48) yet I feel like everything is okay, and I can move forward on achieving my goals."

• Anonymous
• February 18, 2009

Celexa (citalopram) "I have been taking Celexa 20mg for about 3 months for social anxiety disorder and it's worked great so far. I am much more talkative and social around people. I don't get shaky and don't dread meeting new people anymore. Someone at my last party asked me if I was high at a party when I hadn't been drinking or anything. He said usually I am sitting in the corner being anti-social. I had a touch of nausea when I changed from 10-20 mg, but other than that I do sleep deeper and I think I have less nervous energy than I used to. I was also yawning uncontrollably for the first month, but I am much more happier."

• Jenna...
• April 9, 2014

Celexa (citalopram) "This is seriously a miracle medicine! Ever since I went on this, it kicked in within a couple of weeks and after 3 weeks or so, my anxiety has been completely GONE, no more problems at all! I was having problems swallowing food and just swallowing my own saliva in general because of generalized anxiety disorder, every single day, it was hell, but this medicine seriously pulled me out of a dark hole and I've been on it since. Thank you Celexa! I'm so much happier on it."

• Anonymous
• March 5, 2016

Celexa (citalopram) "I have been on Celexa for almost 2 years & has completely changed my life for the better. I take 40mg once a day. I suffer from severe anxiety, & mild depression. Celexa is my happy pill. My savior. It's the best pill I have ever been on. I am anxiety & depression free all from Celexa. Never once had one side effect. I am full of energy all the time and am happy beyond happy. It took about a good 2 months for the medication to start doing its job. WELL WORTH THE WAIT. I thank my doctor all the time for introducing me to the wonder drug CELEXA. Give it some time to kick in & you'll thank me later. Lol good luck to all."

• Jilly...
• December 20, 2014

Celexa (citalopram) "Day 4 of Celexa & WOW my negative thoughts, constant worry & irritation have almost vanished! I'm taking 10mg a day and am amazed at how quickly I feel this medicine working. I have had some bad headaches, dizziness & a little nausea but that's about it & totally worth it for the difference I'm feeling. I feel like life is worth living again. Thank you Celexa!"

• Mat
• March 9, 2020

"I spent 6 months deciding whether or not to start taking medication. I had a range of concerns (especially as the forum tell a wide range of experiences). I am happy that I have started taking Citalopram and although it has only been 3-4 weeks I have noticed an on-going change. At first I had bouts of feeling VERY tired (lasted an hour plus) and then felt confused and hazy. Still able to function but a little removed. I did find that my anxiety was raised from time to time, but things have leveled off and I find that I feel the same without the same amount of stress/anxiety. I feel more like my younger self. I still care about things, but can be more relaxed. I used to be a little compulsive/anxious and now have a more balanced perspective. I don't feel as stressed or upset about things that would (and shouldn't) stress/upset me. I would recommend Citalopram and would suggest that if you start taking it that you need to prepare for sticking with it for at least 4 weeks."

• Quiet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2016

Celexa (citalopram) "I rarely post online reviews, but I recognize that most people only post reviews when they don't like something, so I wanted to sort of offset that here. I'm in my mid-twenties and female. I've suffered with severe anxiety and depression for several years due to trauma. Enter Celexa. To be fair, I went to therapy for several months before deciding to go on medication (and was feeling a bit better), but I still experienced severe anxiety that the therapy wasn't helping. I started feeling better after the first week on Celexa, and things have only improved from there. I've been taking it for around three months and my anxiety/depression is almost completely gone. I've had no sexual side effects whatsoever, no weight gain, no issues."

• Kelly...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2013

Celexa (citalopram) "Celexa has given me my life back! I suffered from severe anxiety and depression to the point where I would just lay in bed for days. I didn't want to go anywhere, and cancelled plans with friends all the time just to stay home and sleep. It took about a month to work and now I feel great! I am back to my old self - I love going out, seeing friends, exercising, reading, everything I used to do and I'm happier than ever! My only side effects were the first 2 weeks - anxiety was worse, insomnia, no appetite. That's gone now and I have no complaints. If I take it in the morning, I sleep well. If I take it at night, I can't sleep. You just have to learn what's best for you!"

• Ruth
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2024

"I've just finished six weeks of 10mg citalopram and a further six weeks of 20mg citalopram. Please hang on until the end. I had the most dreadful side effects: dry mouth, feelings of an electric shock, tiredness, the need to stay in bed, yawning, constipation, diarrhea, pains in my stomach or side just under the ribs. I would stare at food but couldn't eat it. The list goes on. I was lucky to have my husband help me because it totally stopped me from functioning. I had to try different things to keep going. Deep breathing exercises were essential. Opening the bedroom window and standing in the cold for as long as possible were some strategies. Some of these symptoms may have been due to anxiety or stress that made me unwell. However, I found looking up reviews every time I was scared or needed reassurance very helpful. Now, I sleep through the night and feel 'normal'. Please keep going. Good luck."

• Synch...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 31, 2014

Celexa (citalopram) "I'm a 40 year old male that has taken Celexa for about 10 years now for aniexty. I take 40mg once a day. It works well to manage my anxiety. With the higher dose I take it can cause nausea for me if taken on an empty stomach. I also get sleepy for an hour or two after taking it so I take it at bed time. The only issue I've had is forgetting to take or running out of this medication. The withdrawl is pretty bad after about 4 days of not taking causing anxiety, dizziness, brain fog, "brain zaps", insomnia and flu like symptoms. Celexa has worked very well for me and would recommend it for treating anxiety. Just don't suddenly stop taking it. You have to slowly ween off."

• Calippo
• August 28, 2019

"This year my lifelong anxiety worsened, with panic attacks & a constant sickness & dread. I avoided the tablets for quite some time (relying upon propranolol & diazepam). After needing to take an extended spell off work, my dr asked me to try citalopram. I'm now on my 5th week and it's been WONDERFUL. The only side effects I had were in the first 3 weeks, I was getting really tired late afternoon. Online it'll tell you it can take 6 weeks to work, but I felt my anxiety ease after 3 days. Now on week 5 I'm feeling so much better, everything seems far more manageable & my resilience & ability to cope with stress is a lot better. I will probably never be cured fully, but this is honestly the best I've felt for years. All I would say if you're reading this & feeling as bad & hopeless as I was 5 weeks ago is: hang on, it does get better & the anxiety will lift eventually. I'll happily be on it forever if it means never feeling the way I did. Good luck everyone, this too shall pass x"

• gourm...
• April 11, 2014

Celexa (citalopram) "I'm a 16 year old female. I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety disorder, anorexia and bulimia about 2 years ago. I attempted suicide 3 times and I really thought there was no hope. Zoloft did nothing for me. It was awful. But then along came Celexa and its awesome. I no longer wake up and feel like I'm drowning and my lungs are going to explode. I can get up out of bed and not hate everything. I can go about my day without worrying about every little thing. I no longer get panic attacks. It's awesome. I have lost weight too. I totally recommend Celexa, best things I've ever tried. "

• yogini
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 10, 2015

Celexa (citalopram) "Starting Celexa was one of the best decisions I've made in my entire life. I had lost myself in a world of anger, darkness, fear, anxiety, panic attacks, and hypochondria. I was not myself. In fact, I didn't even recognize myself anymore. The first month of Celexa (10mg) was hell, to be honest. Side effects included upset stomach, nausea, numbness, weakness, brain "zaps", hot flashes, night sweats, panic attacks, anxiety, inability to sleep, the feeling of extreme heat within my body (difficult to explain), and strange awareness of limbs. After a month, I woke up one day" and was myself again. It felt like a weight had been lifted. I was free, happy, courageous, calm, and peaceful. I am about to meet the 1year mark - the serenity remains."

• Julz
• July 4, 2013

Celexa (citalopram) "Just started Celexa, and already I noticed the more feeling of calm, and calm is not something I think I've ever been, I get angered easy, upset, cry, feel overwhelmed, hopeless, feel better off dead, mood always up and down because of how many losses I have had in my life, feeling like a failure, you name it, I really hope this helps me long term. I've noticed a difference already and am optimistic."

• Female
• August 29, 2011

Celexa (citalopram) "I used to be extremely uptight and I am now very laid back, it feels like a dream. If I dig or look for my anxious thoughts, they are gone. I suffered from uncontrollable panic and crying, also extreme nervousness. I can now see things in my life more clearer. I was extremely uptight for the last 5 years and now I am more laid back, I'm sad because I wish I had done this sooner. Lost the love of my life because of my horrible depression and I feel like if I had been on this sooner, I wouldn't have pushed him away with my panicky behavior which I thought was just my personality! We don't choose depression/anxiety, it is a disease. I thought it was "me" for years! Feel a bit guilty about not going on it sooner. I am 23/Female."

• otter
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2019

"Anyone thinking of trying this drug for anxiety, I would urge you to give it a go. I was very apprehensive about taking antidepressants, but after struggling with peri-menopausal night sweats and horrendous intrusive anxious thoughts, I had to do something. I'm so glad I did. My anxious thoughts have completely stopped and the night sweats have become very occasional and far less intense after about 10 weeks. At first I experienced most side effects, but I'd urge anyone to stick with it and start on a low dose (I'm on 10mg). I had horrible insomnia for a few nights and a 'woolly' headache for a week and a very dry mouth. However, all these side effects have disappeared and the benefits massively outweigh the few days I had no sleep! My concentration levels are so improved, I'm no longer irritable, no sweats and most important of all, no horrible anxious thoughts which were affecting my work, my marriage and my ability just to enjoy life. P.S no problems with sexual climax either!"