Citalopram and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 5)

• cwd...
• January 13, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started taking it about 5 months ago. My experience was great. Within 3 days, I felt calm and not as stressed out. I was sleeping through the night. It was wonderful. However, I am feeling the stress come back, and I am not sleeping as well. I am taking 20 mg, I may see if my doctor can raise the dose. But I love not feeling like my heart will pop out of my chest just thinking about going to work."

• Los...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Used citalopram a couple of years ago, and it worked wonders. Cannot honestly remember side effects but was in a bad way emotionally, so maybe didn't notice them. Just been put back on it, reaching the end of week 2, and side effects week 1 were horrendous. Tired, anxious, insomnia, nausea, shakes - you name it, I seemed to have it. Most of the side effects have now passed, still the occasional dry/funny taste in my mouth, and today I feel terrible. Anxious in the mornings, but feel it's a bit more manageable. Still got insomnia, waking every 2-3 hours, and increased urination, so hoping this wears off soon as time goes on."

• Tet...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 19, 2012

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "Been using Celexa for six months. Doctor switched me from Lexapro to Celexa, and glad he did. My anxiety and overall mood have changed dramatically. The only side effect I have is terrible insomnia, but very low anxiety. It is worth it."

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2010

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "Celexa, for me, helped with stress and anxiety, but I had to stop taking it due to the bad side effects such as insomnia in the early morning, feeling depressed, dry mouth, memory loss, vision issues, and loss of appetite. Zoloft was worse, though. I am going to use natural supplements and not these strong antidepressants."

• rop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2015

Citalopram for Depression "I have been on Celexa for about two months now, and the first two days I had insomnia really bad, but then it got better as time went on. My depression is somewhat balanced, but I do have continued anxiety and stress. I went to my doctor's today and had my weight checked, and in less than a month, I have gained 12 lbs; I was shocked! I was told it could be from the Celexa, so now I'm slowly weaning myself off of that as I try my new medication, Wellbutrin. All in all, Celexa is good, and if it weren't for the weight gain, I would have stayed on it. Everybody's body is different, and it just wasn't the right medication for me."

• bra...
• November 27, 2019

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "Before starting Celexa, I would get so anxious I couldn’t think straight ever and almost felt like I was high on drugs. I would panic almost every single day and was only eating a few hundred calories daily (all due to a breakup). Started on 10 mg and after that moved up to 20 mg. I had diarrhea and a bit of an upset stomach the first two weeks, but after that, it was gone. After a month, the difference in my anxiety was astonishing, so I stayed on 20 mg. After 2 months, I noticed I was still anxious about the breakup (constant thoughts were always in the background). Doctor upped my dosage to 40 mg. My anxiety stayed about the same, but my depression got much worse. Still having 24/7 background thoughts on the breakup, so I’m now on Zoloft and trying that. Celexa may not have worked 100% for me, but it made a huge difference from where I was a few months ago, so I’m thankful. I got pretty much zero side effects except for a bit of affected sleep. Would recommend as a good starter SSRI."

• ERr...
• April 6, 2012

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "Currently on week 2 of my experience with Celexa to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression. The first couple of days were absolutely terrible due to side effects (nausea, insomnia, headache, flu-like symptoms, and a huge increase in my depression). Don't know why I had such a severe reaction to the medication right off the bat since I've heard this is one of the more tolerant SSRIs in terms of side effects. But after a few days, my system normalized, and I'm already starting to feel like myself again. The doctor said it could take up to 4-6 weeks for it to fully be in effect, but I find myself sleeping through the night and waking up with a much more positive attitude and not on edge with anxiety like I had been in the past. So far, so good!"

• Ano...
• November 3, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I started taking this medicine when I was 24 years old for social anxiety. I hated meeting new people, felt intimidated easily, threw up on my first day of every new school semester, and my mind was always racing. I was constantly thinking of scenarios in my head to prepare myself for whatever may come next. Started on 10 mg, then 20 mg. The first night I experienced numbing in my left hand. In the following days, I was having a hard time falling asleep, yawning whether I was tired or not, and for the longest time, my jaw was always clenched. I also had a loss of appetite. Lost weight at first. Sex drive was terrible, and say bye to orgasms for a while. Now, after a year, I feel human and no side effects at all! I have much more confidence!"

• HML...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "To Brian, I was debating whether to increase from 10 to 20 mg as well, but I did and had no side effects! Some believe that 10 mg is not a therapeutic dose and that 20 mg is more effective. Almost at 4 weeks on this medication (only about 2 weeks at my full dose). I’ve always considered myself a happy person, but just been dealing with a sudden onset of anxiety throughout the day. My mood improved very quickly, as did my energy. The anxiety has definitely improved, but I still get some when driving or at random times, but it is manageable. Hoping that more time on the meds will improve these situations. Side effects for the first two days were brain fog and a ‘heavy’ feeling in my head. After those two days, the only thing I experience still is some bowel issues (more prone to diarrhea) and a somewhat broken sleep."

• Rio...
• November 29, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started with GAD after I gave birth to my first child. I'd have panic attacks daily. I wouldn't sleep because as I dropped off and woke up gagging for air. This went on for a year without help. I then got to the point I couldn't leave the house and decided to get a doctor out. He started me on 10 mg citalopram. I was on these for a good 2 years. It helped with the sleeping and panic attacks, but I still felt useless and saw all the bad in life. The doctor upped my dose to 20 mg, and ever since I started on them 2 years ago, life has been brilliant. I enjoy life, I see the good in living. Don't wait to call the doctor, and don't just stick to a dose that's getting you by."

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2009

Citalopram for Depression "I have been taking the 20 mg Celexa for about 2 months now and just raised my dose to 40 mg. I really do feel so much better. I have the occasional mood swings, but other than that, I'm not depressed, and I haven't had any more panic attacks like I had previously before being placed on it. I would say it's doing the job. The only side effects would be trouble sleeping sometimes and constant sweating throughout the day, but it's been better lately."

• Mat...
• January 22, 2012

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "First day taking it, at 8 pm, the medication peaks at 4 hours, so at midnight I looked in the mirror and my pupils were dilated. I felt very jittery, I was unable to sleep, I felt a strange sensation creep up my body and to my head, hot flashes, it felt hot at 73 degrees. It wasn't all too bad, I did feel a bit joyful and playful after I slowly forgot about the other effects. The second day, same time, same effects, and I went to sleep. I woke up at 9 am on the dot. I again had a strange sensation overwhelm me, I had vomiting and had a panic attack. I called my doctor and was advised to stop taking the medication. I did not respond well to this medication."

• Anonymous
• July 27, 2011

Citalopram for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been taking Celexa, in total for about 5 weeks. My doctor started me at 10 mg for a week, then 20 mg for a week, then 40 mg. I have been taking 40 mg for about 2.5 weeks now. Celexa helped my depression, which was from the anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, after about a week. I am also taking Klonopin 0.5 mg at night to help me sleep. My doctor said it would take at least 3 weeks, maybe as long as 6 weeks on my 40 mg to control my severe anxiety and out-of-nowhere panic attacks. I made the mistake of taking myself off of my Klonopin this past Friday. I have gradually gotten worse since. I am seeing my doctor today, but I already know it's because I stopped taking my Klonopin too soon, and the Celexa hasn't reached its full potential yet."

• d88...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 1, 2017

For Depression "I've been taking citalopram for 6 years. I come off it when I occasionally go backpacking for a few months. The last time I did this, after about 5 weeks, I started to feel very depressed. I cut my travels short due to severe anxiety and an inability to connect. I felt so low and not in control of my dark thoughts. I cried often and felt very lost, had terrible insomnia also. I have had some traumatic experiences in life, and I've now started therapy for this, and I realize this is probably where my issues come from. However, citalopram allows me to function, my mood becomes more stable and my thoughts far more rational. Every time I come off it, I eventually become highly anxious and depressed and sucked into a hole. Started back on it today!"

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "This medication works for me. Have had generalized anxiety for many years, which I could just about deal with, but it was very draining. As others have said, this med takes a few weeks to start having a positive effect, and I had to take Valium with it for the initial two weeks to alleviate the side effects. The insomnia got worse before it got better. So I didn't make any judgments until after one month. The effects are positive. I have a sense of calmness and perspective. I sleep much better. I am enjoying life much more. The downside was increased hunger and a little weight gain with it. But the positive effects mean I can make time to exercise and deal with that."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2014

For Depression "I had a very positive experience with citalopram. It literally saved my life when I was in the worst emotional abyss in my life. Depression is the worst illness I have experienced in my life, and this particular medication worked wonders for me. It started working after about 2 weeks, and I stayed on it for roughly two months. I discontinued taking the medication after just 2 months because I did not want to become addicted to it, and living on medication for the rest of my life was a scary concept. The only main side effect I experienced was loss of sleep while I was taking the medication. I am doing fine for now, but if at any point I experience the symptoms coming back, I'll be happy to get back on this medication."

• 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."

• Nat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 2, 2018

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I've been taking the generic version, citalopram, for almost 10 years. I now take 10 mg. I was on 20 mg to start. The difference to not taking it is that people like me when I'm on it. I'm naturally introverted and skittish around people. I have to interact with the public on my job. I can hold myself together better and can even find joy talking to people-something that was foreign to me prior to taking citalopram. Side effects for me include insomnia, loss of sex drive, blocked thinking (just sort of blank inside), excessive smiling (as in, I can't stop even if something horrible happened that day and I don't want to smile. Feels like someone hijacked my face). Despite that, I wish I had found this drug much earlier in my life."

• fee...
• July 18, 2009

Citalopram for Depression "I have been taking citalopram 60 mg for about 3 years. At first, it was working great, I was smiling more and laughing from the bottom of my stomach instead of just my throat. Now, though, I feel like it has completely stopped working. I have mood swings, anxiety, fears, not sleeping, waking up before dawn, etc. I don't know if it's just me or if my medicine is telling me it needs a change. What else can I try? I need my life back, my children need me."

• Eri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2020

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I just started Celexa 20 mg for PMDD after being on Zoloft for two years. I must say Celexa is winning. I started my period, and it’s been the most peaceful week in a long time. I am experiencing dry mouth and insomnia, but anything is better than feeling like a crazy lady."

• 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."

• Kyl...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 22, 2016

Citalopram for Depression "I am 33 years old and have been depressed for as long as I can remember. This year I took the leap and accepted the fact that I need medications to continue living a functional life. I was prescribed 20 mg Celexa once a day. For the first two months, things were getting better, I did experience some insomnia, but that subsided after two weeks. I eventually plateaued and was given a new dose of 40 mg. Not sure how much it has helped, I constantly feel tired and lack motivation. I will looking at other meds when I see my doc next."

• 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."

• Bug...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 13, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "After toughing it out with anxiety for many years, I went to a Dr. He prescribed Paxil. I took it, and it increased my problems ten times. I never went back, so I've lived with anxiety with the help of Klonopin up until six months ago when I couldn't take the 3 am panic attacks anymore and the daytime paranoia, 'OMG, what if anything happens?' My new Dr. prescribed Celexa. I took 10 mg and couldn't sleep for three nights. I went back to the Dr. and he reduced the dosage to 2.5 mg. Within three nights, the panic attacks stopped, and I could sleep. I went back again, and we increased it to 5 mg. Three months later, increased it back to 10 mg. We will see where this all goes, but I do feel better and plan to stick with this Dr. and this medication."

• Mel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 14, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "After years of suffering from ever-worsening anxieties, I finally told my doctor, and she prescribed 20 mg of citalopram. I noticed within the first 20 minutes or so of taking it I got super drowsy and dizzy. I have vertigo, and it kind of felt like that, but with the added drowsiness. This lasted for about a week and then stopped. The drowsiness only came back after I drank alcohol, but even that side effect has since stopped. My family remarked how happy and like myself again I was after about 2 weeks, and that's when I realized it was helping. I did notice that I couldn't seem to shut up, I had an increase in energy, loss of appetite, excess sweating/sensitivity to heat, lost 25 lbs, had mood swings, and extra trouble sleeping. I still feel way better now, though!"