Citalopram and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Cns...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I started citalopram 4 days ago and have had terrible diarrhea and stomach pains, along with feeling dizzy. By the looks of the reviews, this is very common? I’m hoping this drug helps as I've never taken antidepressants before, as always opted for the natural/therapy route for the last 17 years. I've suffered since I was 16, now 33. But I think this year has tipped me off my edge with losing my dad in May 2020, and then stressed from work, and then all this COVID virus just made me ten times worse to a point I got gastritis and can’t even sit in the car for 5 minutes without tensing up and feeling awful with pains and panicking and reaching for a diazepam. I really hope this tablet works as it is awful how bad I've got in the last few months with my anxieties."

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2018

For Panic Disorder "I started on Citalopram after suffering with anxiety, panic disorder, and agoraphobia for many years. I tried the natural route, but nothing worked long term. My panic attacks were awful. They came on without warning and made me VERY physically ill. My doctor put me on a low dose of Citalopram (Celexa). My initial symptoms that I can remember were dizziness, mild stomach upset, mild nausea, numbness in hands and feet, slight insomnia, increased anxiety, headaches, and severe lack of appetite. I was only consuming about 500 calories per day for 2 weeks, but then week 2 hit and I upped my dosage to 10 mg. My appetite came back for the first time in over a year, I sleep amazingly, I’m no longer anxious. If I feel an attack coming on, it quickly subsides (I haven’t had one since switching to 10 mg a month ago). I have energy, I’m not depressed, and I have the urge to go out and do things all the time! I no longer am afraid to go places in fear of having a panic attack!"

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2019

For Panic Disorder "After developing a pretty severe anxiety/panic disorder after a bad panic attack, my GP recommended I try citalopram + therapy to get back on track. I had tried buspirone, CBD, and regular CBT with mixed results. The first 2-3 weeks of citalopram were awful. Anxiety attacks were way worse, sweating from hands, insomnia, lost 15 lbs, had to stay home from work. Around the middle of week 3, I started to notice a slight improvement during certain times of the day. By week 4, I had gone from slightly agoraphobic to being able to get through an airport and onto a plane. I do feel a little bit zombie-like sometimes and still get bouts of dizziness, but overall, after 4 weeks, I feel like I went from a 0 to about an 8. Hopefully, it continues to improve-just stick with it for at least 3-5 weeks."

• Con...
• August 6, 2016

Citalopram for Depression "Just got prescribed 10 milligrams. Thank God I decided to cut it in half just to see how I reacted to it, took it at night. Felt the effects in about a half hour, didn't sleep too well, felt weird. Got in the morning to let the dog out and almost hit the floor, very dizzy. I do feel more relaxed today, and somewhat better. I was told most people don't even know they are taking it, starts to work in about 4 weeks. Not me, must be very sensitive to it. I think I will try 5 milligrams again tonight and see how it goes. I will keep you all informed."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2012

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I used to take Celexa when I was very young, and just started it back up today. I know generally it takes 2-4 weeks to see any real results, but let me just say even after only 1 day I can already feel a slight difference. I feel a lot more mellowed out. It may be the placebo effect (me thinking I feel better because I know I took something), but I do feel a bit more calm than usual. I did experience some drowsiness and a little bit of dizziness, but it didn't exceed any more worse than that, and it didn't last long. I would definitely recommend this medicine to someone suffering anxiety and depression."

• Joh...
• November 22, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I'm 23 years old and completely normal. I suffer from anxiety, which started making me feel very down in the dumps (depressed). I started on 10 mg 2 months ago and now feel great, a lot more calm and back to my outgoing self. I suffered from some of the side effects for the first month, such as insomnia and dizziness, and my symptoms did worsen at first, but stick with it, it does calm down in the end."

• MCg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "I took 10 mg for 10 days and then 20 mg per day. It was working well, only a few side effects in the first 10 days, like being tired and dizzy. I am able to sleep well and my heart is not giving me a hard time with palpitations or chest pain. I found that after I take the medication in the morning, it is better to sleep or to lay down. At night, it is easy to go to sleep. Sunlight is a good addition to the medication to help me get better (vitamin D). I found that drinking a lot of water and walking are helping me too. The medication started to help me from the first day. Good luck!"

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 5, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have anxiety, and I am on my 5th day of taking citalopram, and for the first time in about 3 years, I don't feel dizzy. My stomach cramps are gone, I feel a sense of calm, and the lump in throat sensation has decreased. I have had diarrhea and disrupted sleep, but feeling good at the moment. I expect I will have bad days too, but the big difference is the sharp stomach pains that I used to get."

• ROX...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2021

For Panic Disorder "I have been taking citalopram for over a month now. I didn't have any major side effects compared to what I did on sertraline. All I had was sweaty feet and loss of appetite, but this has helped me so much. I'm getting out, going to work without panicking, going into shops by myself. I feel so much better. Before, I was sleeping a lot, dizzy all the time, chest pains, etc. That's all gone now."

• Nik...
• December 17, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Citalopram is a rough start-up, and though informed of side effects, wasn’t ready. I am on 20’s and take them around 10:30 pm. Days 1 and 2, I was unable to do more than lay around, sweating, feeling heart palpitations, and the most tired I’ve ever been. Shaky from pressure changes, a little dizzy, and some gas. Slept around 12 hours. Very little to no hunger and a very dry mouth: soup, ramen, popsicles, and ice cream. Days 3 and 4 was the first time I felt a lift of side effects, though only shortly. Still a little dizzy, gassy, and the hands and feet were really tingling. Yawning almost constantly. Slept 14 sweaty hours each day. Very little to no hunger, same diet. Constipation set in. Day 5, 45 minutes after taking the pill, felt great for 5 hours and got hungry. Woke up after 8 hours and felt okay. 3 hours of feeling a little weird and a successful BM, my brain turned back on all the way and hunger came back again. Balance much better. Yawning still and cautiously using energy."

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "After suffering from generalized anxiety disorder, I took Celexa. I had horrible side effects: didn’t want to leave bed, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pains, feeling like I’m losing control, anxiety attacks daily, dizziness, no energy, no appetite (lost 15 lbs). The most concerning side effect was that this medication made me depressed. Mind you, I’ve never had depression in my whole life, and the purpose of me taking this drug was to combat my anxiety. I’ve been taking it for 2 months, and my psychiatrist said it’s reached its “full potential.” I gave this a 3/10 because at the 7-week mark, I had a couple average days. Average days really aren’t enough, though, to live a meaningful and happy life. A lot of doctors say that at the two-month mark, you’ll feel better, and that’s not always true. Things got worse for me on these meds. Wishing everyone who reads this all the love in the world and just know that things WILL get better, whether Celexa or another pill helps!"

• Swe...
• October 15, 2011

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I had a very unpleasant experience living in a small town in America (not my style). I moved, started a new relationship, a different career path, and I started having symptoms of social anxiety disorder (paralysis and shaking while eating at professional events, racing heart and frozen expressions around authority figures, dizziness and various perception problems, brain zaps on occasion). In short, I felt like I was mentally disintegrating. My PCP was out of town for 2 weeks, but I felt so scared about my health and job that I went to Urgent Care to get an SSRI. They prescribed me Celexa. I now take 40 mg, and after 6 months, I almost feel back to normal. Also, the Celexa started working very quickly, within days. After 1 month - much better."

• Sco...
• July 5, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "Only five days in. So still feeling the initial side effects. Dizzy, headache, nauseous. But changed from morning to nighttime last night and must say feel somewhat better for it. I've read all of these reviews and find most of them positive. So I'm hopeful after a few weeks I'll start to feel a bit like my old self again. Been suffering for 7 years and decided that enough was enough."

• Min...
• April 18, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "I'm 19 years old. I've suffered from depression, stress, bulimia, and anxiety for several years. My background is Chinese, therefore, my parents are very judgmental (not all Chinese parents are), but they don't really believe in this kind of illness, and they will lose face if any of their friends knew what was wrong with me. One day I couldn't bear it, so I went to the doc. She gave me citalopram 10 mg. This is my second day. I've experienced dizziness and diarrhea, but apart from that, I feel like I've been more happy and positive."

• Luc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I’m 19 and started taking this medication 10 weeks ago now. I started off on 10 mg, and the first few days were horrible. I felt heavy-headed and dizzy, everything seemed slow. I would wake up through the night a few times and find it hard to fall back asleep. I had horrible, weird, reoccurring dreams. I had a high heart rate, and my hands were constantly shaking. My mouth was dry, and I had no energy through the day. In just over a week, I felt these side effects calm down a bit, and then after another week, I felt like nothing was happening, and then I got put on 20 mg. Some of those side effects came back. I also started urinating really frequently and woke up one day with over 20 bruises on my legs, which really scared me. It’s been 10 weeks now and no side effects. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been-no panic attacks, which previously took over my life, no negative thoughts, no worries. My life is finally amazing. Please be patient."

• Eri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 22, 2023

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I took 20 mg and felt nothing, so the doctor increased the dosage to 40 mg. I experienced brain fog and dizziness. All this time, I thought it was just me. I was just losing my mind, and my productivity was gone. More is not better!"

• Old...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 6, 2015

Citalopram for Depression "I had severe depression when we moved from a house I loved in the country to a smaller house I hated by the river in a little suburb that I'd always detested. Celexa works. Most definitely, but it works too well. After being on it for 11 years, I became emotionless. I had no feelings either way. It also helped me to put on 50 pounds. At 61, I decided to stop it. I weaned myself off by cutting the pills in half, then in quarters, then none. The side effects are the worst of any medication I've ever experienced... dizziness, SEVERE depression, SEVERE happiness, experiences in my head that I can only describe as 'zits' that were instantaneous moments of dizziness or a feeling of a bug 'zipping' by your head, fatigue, jitters."

• Bun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I was at my worst about 6 weeks ago when I walked in to see my doctor with anxiety attacks. I had aching arms, a rapid heartbeat, and blood pressure of 163/120, convinced I was having a heart attack. My doctor prescribed citalopram, which I started that day. During the first couple of weeks, I had major panic attacks, lost weight because I didn’t fancy food, and felt so low. Thank goodness for these tablets. They take about 5 weeks to kick in, and I am now back to my old self. Even the dizzy spells I’d been having for the last 2 years have gone. Stick with them, and you will feel well again soon."

• lou...
• November 15, 2015

For Depression "I started on citalopram 3 days ago. Day 1 was the worst! 3 hours after taking the pill, I was sick a few times and felt dizzy and tired. I went to work that night feeling drained, and every time I blinked, I thought I was going to fall asleep! Day 2 I was skeptical at whether I wanted to take it again. But I did. I was absolutely fine, just felt a little tired and nauseous. Day 3 I started grinding my teeth hard without realizing, and my heart beat kept going fast, but it was okay because my mind was blank. I didn't feel anything. I wasn't hurting, I wasn't sad, I wasn't angry, and things that normally anger me just didn't bother me. I could go out into the world with the humans and didn't feel paranoid or embarrassed."

• SMa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2019

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I took this Celexa about 15 years ago for depression and stayed on it for about 3 years. At first, it made me a little sleepy, but that went away after a couple of weeks. The only side effect was it made it very difficult to ejaculate. I stopped taking it because I started to feel too chilled out/apathetic. I cut my dosage down to half for about a week and quit. No side effects at all. Now I'm 49 and started taking it again for stress/anxiety. The first two days started with 5 mg, then I upped it to 10 mg. By about the 6th day, I was feeling mild nausea and some dizziness. The 7th/8th day was terrible-hot flashes, anxiety, nausea-I had to take Xanax and Zofran. Then, by the 10th day, I felt a change-almost like a light switched. I'm thinking, ok, this is working now! I still feel a little nausea, but my mood has improved. I'm also feeling the difficulty with ejaculation. I'm not sure if the side effects are due to my age now or what, but I was surprised since I didn't have them in the past."

• CR1...
• February 15, 2016

For Depression "I have been on citalopram for a number of years (since 2011?). I have had nothing but positive things to say when I am on the medication. I was diagnosed with depression in the spring of 2009, and tried a few different antidepressants. Each one had some scary effects. I was placed on citalopram after the third antidepressant didn't work, and it has been good. I still have anxiety attacks on occasion, but overall am stable and healthy and learning other coping skills for my anxiety and depression. Missing doses, though, leads to increased anxiety (duh!), nausea, dizziness, racing heart, trouble sleeping, irritability, and some disorientation. Overall, I am thankful for citalopram."

• Anonymous
• March 16, 2009

Citalopram for Depression "Took Celexa first after I lost my job in early 2008. It worked great until I was laid off in the wake of the financial crisis in November 2008. After the first of the year, I noticed that the effects were less and less. My problems are depression (mild), stress, lack of motivation (depression, I guess), and erratic mood swings. I already had the dosage increased when I was laid off in November to 40 mg. Went to the doctor the other day because of it not working anymore. He changed and put me on Cymbalta. So, I have to say that in that first year, Celexa worked wonderfully. The only side effect I had was the dip in sexual drive. Other than that, there were no side effects at all. But missing a dose caused headaches and dizziness."

• bon...
• November 13, 2011

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I have taken several medicines for depression and anxiety in the past. None have worked and would cause me to have terrible insomnia at night. Celexa has been great. At first, I experienced dizziness and was very sleepy. I also had nausea and GI upset. After a week, the side effects went away. I feel more relaxed and do not worry about things that used to stress me out. I sleep great at night. I take 10 mg at night. I am so glad I tried this medicine."

• Anonymous
• October 1, 2012

Citalopram for Depression "Gave this a try after the culmination of several things. Another round of double depression hit me in the spring, and I decided to go with Dr.'s advice and try this. This is month 7, and I have stopped it because of the following: severe headaches, claustrophobia, dizziness, stomach upset, heart pounding, severe insomnia, feeling like I wanted to scream but can't get it out. It has essentially numbed my emotions, and it's not a good thing. I go back in a few days to get something different."

• can...
• August 25, 2011

Citalopram for Panic Disorder "20 mg citalopram caused me to have severe anxiety attacks, feel like I cannot relax ever, cannot sleep, I feel dizzy all the time and nauseous, and it's given me horrible digestive problems. I have taken Zoloft and Paxil with good results for years, but started having sexual dysfunction and was switched to citalopram. It stopped my crying spells, but I feel like my depression is still there. I just cannot let out my feelings due to this medicine. The only positive is that I can just barely manage to function sexually. I am really surprised to see all these good reviews on here as to how it made others less anxious and more positive and social and even drowsy, as it has had the total opposite effect on me."