Citalopram and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ful...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "This is day nine of taking 10 mg of citalopram for debilitating anxiety. I’m 59 and have lived with different levels of anxiety most of my life. Three years ago, my workplace became very toxic. I experienced shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and a feeling of despair. I finally left the job, but the symptoms became worse and turned into what I would describe as PTSD. I take citalopram in the evening, and within an hour, I feel a sense of calmness. I have no issues sleeping, but I wake up and immediately feel anxious. Hopefully, this will subside as the medication builds up in my system. I actually look forward to my next dose, knowing that for a little while I’ll have a break from the doom and gloom, if only until the next morning. Because of my positive experience so far, I really believe this may be the answer I’ve been praying for."

• amg...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 2, 2013

Citalopram for Depression "I have suffered from anxiety/depression since I was a teenager. I have tried various medications, but I have never stayed on anything too long because they always made me feel like a zombie or the side effects were worse than the symptoms. Celexa really gave me my life back. My racing thoughts and manic mood swings are long forgotten. I have never had any side effects while taking Celexa, but when I stop taking it (i.e. waiting for refill prescription), I crash pretty hard. I can't sleep, have HORRIBLE restless leg syndrome (which I use to swear was made up), and anxiety 10 fold. Other than that, it's amazing, and it completely gives me back my normal self."

• eil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2014

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I started Celexa a little over a week ago for Generalized Anxiety, thought to be associated with my Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Doctors are still reluctant to associate moods and stress affecting your stomach and bowels, but I am a firm believer (after living my whole life with anxiety and IBS) that there is a definite correlation. I am a 26-year-old female. I weigh 110 lbs. I was put on 10 mg and only took a half pill the first 6 days. Then I upped it to a whole pill. The initial 2 days, I had a migraine headache and insomnia at night and a restless/anxious feeling during the day. I would wake up in a panic with racing thoughts. Now it has gotten a bit better, but I don't think I've been on it long enough yet to experience definite anxiety help. Trying to stick with it!"

• Tha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2020

For Panic Disorder "You will get better. Before Christmas, I had a couple of panic attacks, which were horrible and scared me. Went to docs, was put on sertraline, which was a horrible, awful drug. Made me feel like I was cracking up and was so anxious about everything and not sleeping at all. Worst feeling I’ve had in my life, and I’m a 40-year-old male. So after a month, changed it to citalopram. Felt loads better, took 20 mg for a few months. Managed to go on holiday, got back, went up to 30 mg citalopram - game changer. Now feel great, citalopram has helped me so much get out of a scary place. Like I say, on the up now, been on holiday, new career. Enjoying life again. Thank you."

• Blo...
• October 8, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been taking citalopram 20 mg for just over 3 months now. I have GAD, and like many others, tried to battle through it for years only to end up an anxious mess all over again. I panicked getting buses, interacting socially, and had terrible debilitating fight or flight. I bit the bullet and went to my doctor in tears, feeling completely exhausted from it. I read these reviews the first week I took the 20 mg, and it helped with the highly increased anxiety and insomnia. Well, now 3 months later, I can get the bus without even thinking about it, I can laugh and interact without debilitating anxiety, and I haven’t had a panic attack in months. Night and day. My anxiety can still creep in, but it’s a 2 at the most instead of a 10, with much better thought processes. I’m looking forward to when this feeling feels normal. Give it months, not days or weeks, to work, as it’s still leveling out."

• Jho...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2019

For Panic Disorder "First of all, this medicine, citalopram, has been a life changer for me. My dose is 20mg for panic and anxiety disorder. The first week or so was awful! I had sweats, tremors, diarrhea, increased anxiety, and panic attacks (the irony). After about day 6, I started noticing a slight change in my mood, and my panic attacks were vanishing. I am now on day 10, and I feel amazing! I’ve not had a panic attack since day 6, and I am sleeping much better than I did before! Please, please, please do not look up all the side effects of this medicine. I did, and it made me suffer an extra three months than I should have, as I was too scared to start. I promise you will have a changed life on this medicine. All 3 of my siblings take this, and we all have had great success with it. Give it a try!"

• Jud...
• December 28, 2014

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I started Celexa in July and within a few weeks those closest to me remarked on the difference, how much happier and less angry I seemed. I felt less overwhelmed by stress and felt happier. The change had been subtle from my viewpoint, and it wasn't until after my doctor suggested a change in medicine that I realized how much it helped me. Within days, I noticed my irritability had returned and within a couple of weeks, I felt as if I weren't taking anything at all. I asked my doctor to return me to Celexa. Side effects I've noticed: initial nausea, jittery (especially with the addition of caffeine), vivid dreams, weight loss (15 pounds since July)."

• ron...
• January 26, 2015

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I had to start taking Celexa after my mom died 4 years ago, and I must say it worked for me. Well, my dad died last July, and my stress shot through the roof. My doctor added buspirone, and I took it until I felt better. Then I quit all my anxiety medicines altogether back in December thinking I got this. But I had a week-long anxiety attack that landed me in the ER. Don't stop taking your medicines just because you feel good. Now I have to start all over again, but I will be better now."

• tif...
• January 14, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have generalized anxiety, and I've been on this medication for about 3 months now. I saw a psychologist, then a therapist for 6 months during my senior year. (I'm a freshman in college right now.) I stopped seeing a therapist and tried to manage the anxiety on my own. However, it started getting worse the first semester of college. I would always leave the classroom because I felt really anxious. I would cry after class, and I decided I needed to do something about it. My doctor prescribed me citalopram 10 mg. I felt jittery and had a dry mouth the first week, but my anxiety lessened by a lot. I'm a lot happier now, and I'm so glad I decided to start taking citalopram. Hope it helps you too! :)"

• Hop...
• August 28, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Second time I have been on citalopram. A few years ago, I had depression due to relationship issues. I was living with someone with narcissistic personality disorder. Anyway, I finally got the courage to divorce her, but boy was I in for a shock. I ended up with anxiety and depression. However strong you are, you are only human. I started on 20mg and after 4 weeks things started to improve slightly. Then I went to 30mg. It's my fifth week now and improving more. Stick with it, initially, symptoms can get worse, but push through. You will get better. I can only say they saved me."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2015

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I (VERY reluctantly) began 10 mg of Celexa (for anxiety) for a week, then 20 mg for the next week, and now I've been on 30 mg for a few weeks now. I had anxiety about taking the anti-anxiety meds! Honestly, the first week was AWFUL. My anxiety was heightened, I couldn't sleep, had bad headaches, and felt like something was tickling my brain. By the second week, those side effects were gone. My anxiety was resulting in constant physical dizziness, floor 'bouncing' (feeling like you're on a boat/elevator when you're just walking around), racing thoughts, sleeping just to avoid it all, etc. My dizziness has mostly disappeared, and usually the floor feels like it should. PLEASE DON'T BE SCARED! It can be a lifesaver."

• Kay...
• April 25, 2015

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "For many years I had been trying to live with anxiety until it reached a point when I realized I needed help. I often felt stressed and anxious with simple activities like going to the store, and couldn't hold a job or stick with things. Celexa made me happy again, helped me look at life as a glass half full, not empty. Started on 20, noticed some improvement but not complete relief...increased to 40, and then feeling great decided I no longer needed medication. Tapering off, withdrawal symptoms included: dizziness, shakiness, nausea, etc...also, anxiety returned full force. I'm back on it, I gave it an 8 because as effective as it is, therapy is an important component to include with treatment. I'll probably stay on this for many years!"

• Anonymous
• August 24, 2015

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "Started having panic attacks last June when I had a medical issue with my eye. My doctor prescribed me Celexa. I held onto the prescription for over 6 months as I was terrified of relying on a pill to help me and was scared of side effects. Finally, I couldn't take the anxiety anymore and started on 10mg. First few weeks I COULD NOT SLEEP, and my anxiety was worse. Had to take sleeping pills. But eventually, it got better, and now I feel great! It's been 6 months, and I've never increased my dosage. I still get anxious once in a while, but that is fine with me because I don't want to 'not feel anything' like some pills do to you! I know it's not for everyone, but I am glad I finally tried it!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "A month ago, I started having really bad anxiety, to the point I would lie in bed all day feeling suicidal. I couldn't eat (I lost 1 stone in 2 weeks), I couldn't sleep without having a panic attack that woke me up every hour, and I was terrified this was going to be my life from now on. I was signed off work sick but had bills to pay, which added to the stress and anxiety I had. I had thoughts of ending my own life because I felt that hopeless and down and was worried I would never snap out of it. The worst symptom was derealization. After 3 awful weeks of adjusting to 20 mg citalopram, I'm feeling so much better already. Please stick with this medication, I feel like I've got my life back."

• Joe...
• August 11, 2017

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I suffered from extreme panic attacks, lack of concentration, constant worry, and restlessness, which led to a stint of sleep deprivation. I am currently two and a half weeks in and have gone through the gamut of side effects: increased anxiety, night sweats, tiredness, and loss of sexual desire. But I can gladly say that these side effects are already seemingly disappearing and I can focus again! It's amazing, my sense of humor isn't back yet as I am generally sarcastic, which I am struggling hard with right now, but ultimately I can feel the drug working. My girlfriend doesn't think I'm completely insane (which is nice), and I feel like I am on the better side of the Celexa now."

• Spa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 7, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Citalopram has saved my life. Eleven years ago, I was suffering from severe anxiety and depression. My doctor started me on a 10 mg dose of citalopram, which I must say, for the first week, I felt sick, headache, and more anxious. The doctor increased my dose to 20 mg and again later to 30 mg, and after 4-5 weeks from the first 10 mg tablet, I woke up one day feeling great. I could do everything I used to do. I wasn’t crying, I wasn’t anxious, and over a period of a few months, I was down to 20 mg. I stayed on it for ten years and eventually I got down to 10 mg every other day."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2024

For Anxiety and Stress "PLEASE GIVE IT TIME. I experienced severe stress that ultimately led to anxiety for about 10 weeks, but I was reluctant to take Citalopram as I thought I could fight the condition just by being positive, taking beta blockers, and having CBT counseling. But I got to the point where I stopped sleeping, and the anxiety started to cripple me, making it more difficult to get out of the house and socialize with people. Not to mention all the physical symptoms like shivering, sweating, awful cramps in my stomach, and heart pounding. Been on 10mg first week, then 20mg. I'm on my third week. The first 10 days, I had some side effects like trembling, chest pain, fever-like symptoms, and increased anxiety, but the worst was insomnia - I could barely sleep 3 hours a night. Now sleep improves every night, I feel less and less anxious and more and more like myself again. Still attend counseling, and this helps a lot. Please give it a time, and please GIVE YOURSELF A TIME too. Take it steady day by day, one step at a time."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2023

Citalopram for Depression "I wanted to leave a review for those struggling in the beginning days on Celexa/Citalopram. I had an A-fib episode in early January and was put on a beta blocker. Before this, I had no anxiety or depression, life was great. Soon after starting the beta blocker, I went into a depression and had much anxiety for no reason. I soon learned that beta blockers can cause both depression and anxiety. I weaned off the beta blocker with my cardiologist's permission but was still having the depression and anxiety. My primary care physician suggested Citalopram. The first 2 weeks were very difficult, to say the least. Fortunately, I was able to take those 2 weeks off of work because I could hardly get out of bed or off the couch. Increased anxiety and worsened depression, along with complete loss of appetite and insomnia. But I read a lot of the reviews, and everyone kept saying to give it time. I am now on day 30, and I feel like me again! Hoping those wanting to give up will give it time. It works!"

• pri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2014

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I started taking citalopram for 12 days. At first, they started me with 10 mg, but that didn't affect me at all, so I went back to the doctor, and they gave me 20 mg. I started to notice that my anxiety was getting worse, which was the main reason why I started taking the pill. I also had some stress, but I also noticed that the hours between 2 to 10 pm my anxiety goes away for some reason. Yesterday was the first night in 2 weeks where I slept the whole night without a nervous feeling, and today, which is day 12, my anxiety throughout the day hasn't really affected me. I actually woke up in the morning without the feeling of going to the hospital...hopefully every day gets better."

• Kee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Been on citalopram approx. 3 months. Dr. started me on 20 mg dose. I had every side effect for the first 4 weeks: headaches, nausea, tired, stomach cramps, and increased anxiety. Dr. eventually increased me to 30 and then 40 mg due to continued anxiety. Was sooooo tired every day. Constantly yawning when people were speaking to me. Now have cut down slowly to 10 mg and feel fantastic. My anxiety is gone and my social anxiety is greatly reduced. My advice is to start slowly and expect things to get worse before they get better. I highly recommend this drug, but keep reading the positive reviews to get you through the start."

• Boo...
• December 20, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "Began citalopram 10 mg 3 months ago. After the first 4 weeks, increased to 20 mg. Best decision I made. I had been experiencing intrusive negative thoughts causing high levels of anxiety, I was waking every night and unable to get back to sleep. The symptoms got worse, and I became suicidal. Some days I would be emotionally unstable for a few hours and then feel better later on. After months, I decided to go on citalopram. The first week, I was sleeping all through the day, concentration was limited, and I had no appetite. I didn't notice any improvement but continued. The dose was increased to 20 mg, and within a week, I noticed small changes. Gradually I began to feel like my normal self again. I'm happy, confident, and able to think clearly. I have gained a little weight, but if the medication is working, I don't care. I have had many other antidepressants over the years (last medicated 8 years ago), and none have worked as fast and been as effective. This medication has literally saved my life."

• Can...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 14, 2018

For Depression "Before I started this medication, I was in a deep hole, looking up with nowhere to go. No sleep. No motivation. No emotion. Like a walking shell. When it got so bad, I went to the doctor to help me, almost begging her. She prescribed me citalopram 20 mg. The side effects were uncomfortable, to say the least. Increased anxiety and lack of sleep. I also suffered from a spaced-out feeling and lack of appetite. This went on for a good 2-4 weeks. However, I was determined to see it through until the pills took effect (6 weeks). I'm glad I did. 9 months ago, I didn't see a way of getting clear of mental problems, but now I'm the opposite. I never thought I'd have my life back, but I'm smiling and laughing. This pill really is a miracle drug. I urge anyone to continue taking it, even if the side effects are horrendous. It will pass, and you'll be a different person. I'm so glad I'm on these. 100% recommend."

• Vic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 21, 2019

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I was prescribed Celexa to help me cope with the anxiety and stress caused by severe symptoms of PTLDS (Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome). The medication has greatly helped me cope with the symptoms. I still have these PTLDS symptoms... but with the Celexa, I suffer none of the anxiety the symptoms cause! I started on a 20 mg dose but quickly found that 10 mg provided the same benefit. I have long been prescribed Metoprolol to quell panic attacks and heart palpitations (with the added benefit of lowering my blood pressure), and I think the Celexa has been of great benefit to continuing my feelings of well-being."

• Cra...
• November 27, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was put on the meds for depression. I have tried several types and had major issues with them all. My doctor tried these as a last resort, and I never want to stop taking them! They are amazing. I have always been a serious worrier, and since being on these, it has all stopped. Like I literally don't care about anything. But not in a warped personality void type way. Just in a calm, what is the point of stressing type of way. I literally don't care, and it feels great. I started to feel well and considered coming off them, but last week the doctor messed up my prescription, and I didn't have any for 5 days, and I was awake all night worrying about anything and everything, and it was awful. I now have my new prescription and will never be without them again. I will certainly never come off them... ever. For anyone feeling worried about starting them after previous reactions or after reading the reviews, please don't worry and give them a go. I was the same, and I'm glad I took a chance."

• Ecn...
• December 28, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I took citalopram for 2.5 years (10 mg dose) until I stopped this November. Before citalopram, my life was in shambles. I was shaky, felt like I was always going to faint, dizzy, fast heart rate, depressed, and avoided public gatherings at all costs. The last 2.5 years have been fairly good despite family/school stress. It wasn’t until this October/November that I felt like I didn’t need citalopram anymore, and I gradually stopped. Near the middle of November, I experienced my first real panic attack (slurred speech, unable to type, lost feeling in my arm, unable to recall the names of my own pets), it was traumatizing. Went to the hospital and received a clean MRI. I decided to start citalopram again since I have 1.5 years left of college, and these last 9 days have been rough. I have depersonalization, anxiety, fear of dying, loss of appetite, you name it. I knew it helped these last few years, so I’m sticking it out in hopes of feeling normal again. I’m taking 10 mg again."