Citalopram and Loss Of Appetite: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Rac...
• June 10, 2015

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I'm on my third day of Celexa! I have experienced a few side effects such as trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, tightened jaw and grinding my teeth, as well as loss of appetite and feeling as though I might be on cheap MDMA. I do feel as though it is helping with my anxiety because I already feel less stressed, and I feel happier than I felt before. I do feel a bit paranoid though, because I read many reviews of people gaining weight, so I'm trying to eat as healthy as possible."

• Lel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I had citalopram prescribed to me over a year ago for anxiety and stress and have left them in the packet since, as I was so scared about the side effects, etc. After getting to a really low point and reading some more reviews, I decided to take the plunge and start them. I started on 10 mg every morning for 4 days (half the pill), I then went up to 20 mg. I have been on these for 2 weeks now, and I have had no major side effects. For the first week, I couldn't really eat as I had no appetite, but that is slowly coming back. I no longer wake up dreading the day, I wake up feeling positive, and my moods have definitely improved. I feel more sociable and able to talk to people better than I would have done before. I am so, so grateful that I have finally taken the pills, they have improved my life the last 2 weeks during such a hard time, and I am hoping things only get better!"

• Rat...
• August 11, 2015

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "Coming up to the 1-year mark, been on 20 mg per day until this week, when I've increased to 30 mg. Until the last few weeks, my anxiety has been manageable, but now I feel it returning due to some personal issues at home. Compared to how I was this time last year, just before I started, I am ten times better, but I am by no means cured. I've increased my dosage with the doctor's guidance in order to continue managing my anxiety and depression. I find this medication great in most ways, but the side effects are not good. I had severe nausea for the first 3 weeks, night tremors, hot sweats, and no appetite. Within 4 weeks, these had all gone completely, but I've found that I suffer from terrible short-term memory, increased hair loss, and alcohol affects me much worse."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2018

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Celexa for almost two months now. I was wary about starting this medication because of the reviews. The initial side effects are rough. I couldn’t sleep, eat, or talk to anyone, really. I had very bad twitching and heightened anxiety. About two weeks after starting it, I finally noticed a difference. Two months later, (now) I am very happy and don’t have much anxiety. Keep in mind it has to get worse to get better (starting the medication)."

• Boo...
• May 9, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on this medication for around 3.5 weeks now, and the difference is amazing. Pros - My temper has calmed considerably, I don't feel foggy or anxious the whole time, I can sleep, and the most amazing thing is that the bulimia episodes have pretty much stopped altogether! Cons - I have pretty much no appetite to the extent that I remind myself to eat or I feel ill, a bit of dizziness, really tired the first couple of weeks, but now I feel like I have lots of energy, upset stomach a few times. It's only early days, but I'm actually laughing and feel human again! I'm hoping that these help me to resolve issues going forward."

• Bec...
• March 9, 2020

For Panic Disorder "2020, and my anxiety and panic are back with a vengeance! Think this was down to being told that I had high blood pressure at a fitness assessment. My anxiety has always been triggered by ill health, anything I can control about my body or health. So anyway, back to the docs I go, he’s put me back on Citalopram 20 mg. I’ve been taking one every morning, and I’m on day 7. My anxiety and panic seem high, I’m not sleeping great, and when I do, I wake up covered in sweat! My hands and feet feel constantly clammy. I have had very loose bowel movements, a loss of appetite, and a terrible dry mouth. And I have an awful feeling in my chest, like fuzzy and tingling, followed by heart flutters. After reading all the reviews on here, I am going to soldier on with the meds and give them another few weeks to work, as I know that the last time I took them, they worked wonders for me. Fingers crossed this all comes right."

• Ano...
• May 25, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "Started taking citalopram after experiencing chronic anxiety for months. The first time I was on it for a year and the doctor tapered me off, and I had no side effects and no anxiety for about 7 years. In 2018, stress caused anxiety, so I decided to go to my doctor to be put back on. Doc prescribed me citalopram 20 mg, which kicked in a few weeks after my first dose. I felt normal again. After almost 2 years, I decided I was well and thought I could come off them again like I did the first time. Boy, was I wrong. This time around, symptoms started kicking in a few weeks after my last pill. I experienced horrible symptoms: nausea, crying, nervousness, panic, no appetite, gagging, dry heaving, fatigue, intrusive thoughts. After 3 weeks, I went back to my doctor to be put back on the meds. It’s been 6 weeks, and I feel better. I’m able to eat now, less gagging, less intrusive thoughts. I feel the medication is slowly starting to work. I definitely feel a lot better than I did a month ago."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 18, 2012

Citalopram for Depression "In 2003, I started on (brand name) Celexa 5 mg a day for anxiety and depression. Within a week, I started to feel almost a magical feeling of well-being and a nice calmness within myself. The world looking brighter and so much better. For once in my life, I felt that the hole in my soul was healing. No more anxiousness and crying most of the time, and no more waves of horrible emotional pain. I gradually worked up to 10 mg a day, and now I am on 20 mg a day. I did have a headache, nausea, and loss of appetite. They went away. I gained weight but was feeling so much better. I tried generic Celexa for almost 1 month, and I felt irritable-like a dark cloud descended upon me. It is not the same as the brand."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 5, 2018

For Panic Disorder "I have been on citalopram 10 mg for nearly 2 weeks for anxiety and panic, and the first week the side effects were pretty bad. Nausea, lack of appetite and weight loss, drowsiness, general lethargy, and lack of motivation to do anything, not wanting to go out were my main side effects. However, after exactly a week, these subsided, and I am feeling much better in myself, and my appetite has returned, and I am putting the weight back on, and anxiety has certainly decreased. The other day at work, I experienced a panic attack which was worse than I have ever had before: tingling in the hands and feet, severe sweating, feeling like I was going to pass out, and a heart rate of 140 bpm. However, after a few minutes and deep breaths, I returned to normal and haven't experienced this since. Does anyone have similar experiences to this with starting citalopram and the panic attack? Any advice would be greatly appreciated :)"

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Started citalopram Teva 2 weeks ago for depression and anxiety. Had very little side effects. Had been feeling so anxious and sad with terrible palpitations for about a month beforehand. Minor side effects for first week. Lost appetite. Tiredness, yawning, and not having much sleep. After 10 days, I could feel such a difference. Mood lifted, appetite much improved, palpitations stopped. Now, 2 weeks later, I feel so good I'm even sleeping much better. Doctor said I should continue it for six months, and I definitely will."

• tha...
• July 21, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "This medication has saved my life! I have always been a Type A person, a worrywart. However, as I approached my 40s, I started having major anxiety attacks that left me feeling like I was going crazy. I was scared to death that I would never find relief and was terrified about taking pills, so I chose to go the natural route with herbs, meditation, exercise, and diet. Those things helped, but my anxiety was still out of control, so I finally went to see a psych who prescribed Citalopram. The first 6 weeks were HELL with major increased anxiety, insomnia, loss of appetite. My doc prescribed Ativan to help while the Citalopram started working, but I was afraid to take them (stupid!). After 6 weeks (30 mg), life was wonderful. I'll never go off."

• Bad...
• May 19, 2011

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I was having stress issues dealing with family and work issues. I was prescribed Celexa 20 mg, and about an hour after the 3rd dose, I began to have severe anxiety attacks. My heart was pounding, and I had to run outside, feeling claustrophobic and severely depressed. I was told to stop the drug immediately, but it still took 72 hours for the side effects to go away. I had anxiety attacks several times a day, loss of appetite, and depression during that time. I realize this was a rare reaction, but my message is to be prepared when you take something like this."

• Mat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2019

For Depression "Warning - citalopram takes time to work! I started on citalopram again after coming off Effexor, which was horrendous. The first month of taking this it was hard. My anxiety went through the roof, I lost my appetite completely for a week, had bad spells of really dark thoughts, and the dreaded zombie feeling, which is horrible because you don’t even feel like you are alive, you are just existing. But after the initial settling-in period, I could see improvements, normality started to creep back into my life. Things do settle down if you persist with this drug, though, I was continually doubting the process, but deep down I knew it was helping me get through the worst depression and anxiety of my life! So now I am on 40 mg of citalopram and some CBD oil a day, and things are improving... slowly, but it all takes time. Stick with it!"

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2016

Citalopram for Depression "I have been on Celexa for about a week and a half, ever since I had noticed a loss of appetite and felt zombie-like. But, as for how I used to feel without the medication at first, I feel more calm and less anxious. As for the constant panic attacks that I was having, Celexa helped ease them a lot. Yes, I feel tired all the time and unable to sleep well. Luckily, I am taking Restoril along with it. I am able to sleep my good eight hours before waking up to go to college every morning. I am considering talking with my doctor to see if he can at least lower the dosage a bit to 10mg. I am currently taking 20mg. That way, the side effects won't take their toll on me."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Feeling discouraged with my experience with citalopram, round 2. I have been prescribed citalopram in the past, and it worked wonders for my anxiety; I was on it for 2 years and felt that I had a good handle, so I decided to wean off last year. Recently, my anxiety started to take over my life, and I went back to 20 mg. I have been taking 20 mg for over 3 months now, and I kept telling myself it will get worse before it gets better. But my anxiety has skyrocketed since starting medication, and I have all of the negative side effects (increased fatigue, diarrhea, disassociation, loss of appetite, increased anxiety, panic attacks, heart palpitations). I have decided that it is not worth going through these side effects, as it has tremendously interfered with my quality of life. I have decided to wean off the medication and take a more holistic approach to my recovery. My heart goes out to everyone who is on this journey; it is tough, but cherish the growth, and it will guide you to healing!"

• New...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2019

For Depression "I’m on the second week of treatment, and I’ve had every side effect: increased nervousness, headaches, loss of appetite, nausea, strange thoughts. This is the third drug, as I am struggling to find the right drug that agrees with me. Will these side effects ever subside?"

• kri...
• November 3, 2013

Citalopram for Depression "Been taking it for 4 days, I feel less sad but so thirsty and can't eat or sleep... not giving up yet because I haven't cried much and before I cried every day. And then was bitchy... that's been okay.... we will see, I will update at a later time...."

• cbu...
• January 11, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started this medication for depression, panic attacks, and social anxiety disorder. I felt the benefits on day 2 of starting it, and now (10 days later) I think it has been a miracle for me! I feel genuinely happy, and things that used to cause me strong anxiety are rolling off my shoulder like they're nothing. I don't feel like it has changed who I am, but simply made me a better version of myself. I would give this Rx 10 stars, but I do experience some mild side effects occasionally: nausea, headache, pupil dilation, drowsiness, loss of appetite, teeth grinding. Also, I am on 20 mg but feel like it wears off in the afternoon. I am going to talk to the doctor about increasing the dosage."

• inf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I could barely sit in restaurants, I was constantly on edge, feeling unsafe everywhere, obsessed with checking my pulse. I was in and out of derealization, feeling constantly floaty in a horrible way. Week 1-6 of citalopram-anxiety got worse, hot flushes, or one part of my body was burning hot. Appetite was completely gone, and the nausea was quite bad. By the end of week 3, the physical symptoms started to pass, and anxiety lifted. From week 3-6, my mood was all over the place, I went from feeling normal to suicidal to desperately depressed, and depression wasn't what I was being treated for. So beware of extreme mood changes because that is scary. But now, week 8, and I feel 80% back to normal. I know it's desperate, but stick it out and it will be great!"

• 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."

• ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 9, 2019

For Depression "I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety, and I was given Zoloft and Cipralex (escitalopram) as my first two medications, which were pretty bad for me and did not work. I then was put on Celexa (citalopram). This is the best medication for severe depression I've been put on - it works extremely well, my life turned around drastically!! The only thing I found personally was it decreases appetite significantly. I lost around 40 pounds (I’m not complaining, but if you don’t want to lose weight, keep an eye on this if you begin taking it). It also has a shorter half-life, so withdrawal symptoms are extreme, I found, when I decided to stop taking it after 6 months. I stopped without a doctor, and I had terrible migraines and became very angry, the smallest things would set me off when I’m normally a chill person, or I would randomly start crying, so obviously talk to your doctor before stopping the medication. I was put on Prozac, which I didn’t like, and now I am back on Celexa, and I don't know why I ever stopped - it’s honestly the best in my opinion."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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!"

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "I am 49, looking back I have been struggling with anxiety for a number of years, but always managed to hide it. I have a responsible job and work a lot of overtime. I went to my doctor with high blood pressure, palpitations, and frequent chest pain, and once I was brave enough to open up, I was diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression. I have been on citalopram for six days. I'm sleeping better but still waking up with crushing anxiety, loss of appetite, and frequent diarrhea. All this said, I'm hoping from what I have read on here that the medication will work in the next few weeks and remain optimistic."