Citalopram and Loss Of Appetite: What Users Say (Page 3)

• UKa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2019

For Depression "Put on citalopram for a variety of reasons, including depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. A week after being on it, I had to call in sick for three days for having bad panic attacks, really dark thoughts, and a constant impending sense of doom. I've been sent home for falling asleep and being drowsy. My appetite and weight gain have only made me feel worse about myself. My nightmares are so vivid that I have to check my phone to see what really happened and what was a dream every night. My worst has been an extremely vivid nightmare about self-harm that I woke up from and had to check my body for immediately. Memory loss is really bad, and when I do drink, I have been blacking out a lot. Low libido. Lots of intrusive thoughts. Panic attacks have only increased. My doctor is a nightmare to get hold of, but once I can, I plan on stopping."

• Anonymous
• January 7, 2010

Citalopram for Depression "I have been taking Celexa for almost 3 years. It helps generally with my mild depression. I take 10 mg, and when I stop, I feel low again, and when I take more than 10 mg, I start to feel emotionally flat. It does not have sexual side effects for me when many other depression drugs do. It helps a bit with obsessive thoughts and social anxiety. Also, I don't feel intellectually fuzzy with it like I have on other drugs. I am looking for another antidepressant, however, because I don't feel very alive. Also, it upsets my stomach and depresses my appetite, and I am already underweight. It's been okay for me but not great. Prozac was the best for my mood and obsessive thoughts, but I became anorgasmic, which was so hard to deal with!"

• Dmc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2021

Citalopram for Depression "I first started Celexa when I was 17 and continued to use it until I was nearly 20. I was able to get to 40 mg and had no issues with sex drive. I was able to cope with a sexual trauma, attend community college, and even helped me get my first job. And I was still able to enjoy alcohol as well. The only reason my GP changed my meds to 20 mg Lexapro is he claimed it was “more effective.” Well, why fix something that isn’t broken? I was on Lexapro 20 mg until recently, it “pooped out” due to the increase in anxiety from COVID, work, and suicidal thoughts returning. I am now on day 4 of Celexa and still have anxiety and loss of appetite. Then again, the first week can be the most difficult when starting an antidepressant. I’m on 10 mg and gradually decreasing the Trintellix. Hopefully, I see improvement by Tuesday when I increase to 20 mg Celexa. It may be more effective this time since I have a toolbox of coping skills I didn’t have 7 years ago (yoga, hiking, meditation, therapy)."

• Anonymous
• November 28, 2011

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I just finished my first week on Celexa. I have experienced mild headaches, strange dreams, yawning, loss of appetite, very sleepy all day. Nothing extreme, and I expect as my body gets used to this medication, I will not have so many side effects. I'm taking Celexa for anxiety and panic attacks."

• Coo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2023

For Anxiety and Stress "Ended up going through an experience that put me into a constant stage of anxiety and panic - I couldn’t stop it. This continued for one week. I’ve experienced this before after the birth of both of my children - debilitating panic and anxiety to the point any task seems too difficult. Nonstop trembling, sick to the stomach, no appetite, hot flushes, and was a shell of a human barely getting through each minute. The doctor I saw prescribed me 20 mg of citalopram, and by day five I felt like I was a human again. Day six and seven and I feel like I am nearly back to myself. I actually cannot believe how well this medication has worked for me. I did feel extremely tired for the first four days, but that was it. I was not medicated at all for the last three years, however, when my life hit crisis point again, I am so thankful for 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!"

• Eri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2015

For Depression "When I first started this medicine, I was dizzy, couldn't eat, shaking, nervous, sick, and much more. But after 2 weeks, that all went away. I love this medicine, I no longer suffer from depression or anxiety attacks. The one thing I don't like about this medicine is the irregular heartbeat. I don't like that at all. But other than that, this medicine is a miracle."

• Anonymous
• August 26, 2011

Citalopram for Depression "I started Celexa about 5 weeks ago for depression. My depression was pretty serious. I had also just been through the death of a family friend. Also, I have insomnia. I started on the 20 mg, one per day, and immediately felt side effects. Feeling super jittery, major energy, mind racing, uncomfortable in my own skin, rapid heartbeat, and loss of appetite. It made me VERY uncomfortable and unsocial. I called my doctor to tell him how I was feeling, and he told me to do 10 mg for 2 weeks and then bump up to 20 mg. The 10 mg was much more tolerable, and I noticed I did start to feel much better and more social and can sleep better at night. I stayed with 10 mg because 20 mg is too strong for me. I feel great now! The side effects have gone away."

• T23...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2015

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I started getting anxiety attacks, and my doctor started me off on 10 mg of Celexa. The first few days, I noticed I had more anxiety, and it made me really sleepy and groggy. After a few more days, I noticed it made me not want to get out of bed and lost almost all appetite. I was forcing myself to eat and ended up losing 9 lbs in 10 days. By day 10, I couldn't take it anymore, I knew something wasn't right, and Celexa was making it worse and making me feel worse. I went to my doctor, and she told me to stop right away, that the side effects shouldn't have lasted that long or made me feel depressed. It didn't work for me."

• lit...
• September 1, 2011

Citalopram for Depression "I have been dealing with clinical depression since I was in kindergarten (I'm 41 now). Have been on and off many different antidepressants over the years (mostly off because of the side effects and some making me feel worse). Therapy never helped. Have been on Celexa 20 mg for the last month - month 1/2, and it's working very well. I have actually lost 11 lbs being on it because of loss of appetite. The only side effects I don't like are increased headaches and decreased libido. I do still feel sad and alone at times, but not as bad as I used to. I am using Xanax a lot less too."

• Han...
• January 19, 2021

For Depression "Was on Effexor for 3 years. Worked really well for me. Had a heart attack, so Dr. took me off. Didn’t take an antidepressant for 2 years. So very depressed and anxious. I tried a few that didn’t work. Dr. had me try citalopram 10 mg. Have been on them for 4 weeks. At first, side effects almost made me stop taking them. Nauseous, stomach ache, loss of appetite, and very agitated. Side effects are gone now, and I feel it has helped so much with my anxiety and depression. Just try to stick with it and get through side effects. I haven’t felt this good in years. I feel happy and want to enjoy life again."

• Lov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I am on Day 3 of 20 mg citalopram after a period of extreme anxiety and stress. This is the worst day so far. Exhausted. Headache. Diarrhea. Nauseous. No appetite. Shaking body. No concentration. Just feel awful. I read from other reviewers that this will pass and to stick with this drug, but I am having difficulty believing that it will. My doctor did say it would get worse before it got any better."

• Ana...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I experienced severe bouts of depression when my girlfriend broke up with me, when I got cheated out of hard-earned money, and when my work life sucked. I used to curse myself every day, inflict wounds on myself, severe migraine, loss of appetite and sleep, etc. After being referred to a psychiatrist, I was put on 20 mg citalopram and Lonzep. I was able to get myself back to normal bit by bit, started to lead a normal life, dropped things that troubled my mind. One bad thing, though, I cannot be off meds, if so, I get those attacks again."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "The first few days on the medication, I was sweaty, more agitated, and slept a lot. I lost six pounds within the first week, was nauseous, and had no appetite. I had a lot of doubt and thought to myself it would go away. I stayed away from most everyone because I felt my mood swings. Today marks the second week. I switched to the nighttime until this past weekend because it made me sleep like a rock (I have really bad insomnia). I just started taking it during the day, and it makes me slightly drowsy, but nothing I can't push through. I just think that maybe I am less stressed now and more relaxed. So, not drowsy... just calm, hopefully. Not sure. I've always been a hard worker and told I don't relax (runs in my genes). I am getting more done."

• Gir...
• January 15, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "Had to come off Citalopram. Psychologically, it helped and took away the feeling of being overwhelmed. However, the side effects were not getting any better. Sore, tingling back of head, jaw pain when chewing, rapid heartbeat, sweaty hands, headaches, no appetite.... It is a no from me."

• Dil...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 19, 2024

For Panic Disorder "I started citalopram when I was 14 on 10 mg for anxiety and low mood. I never had side effects. I woke up the next day automatically feeling better. I’m now 19. Since then, I developed panic disorder, emetophobia, agoraphobia. Four weeks ago, I tried sertraline and came off citalopram (worst decision I ever made). I was on them for three days and stopped. I started back on 10 mg of citalopram, the side effects were awful: no appetite whatsoever. I started drinking replacement shakes, depression (I wouldn’t even move out of bed). I kept on going for three weeks, nothing changed. I ended up getting a sick note for work, and doctors upped me to 20 mg. I started at 15 mg and then eventually went up to 20 mg. Things have definitely changed. I can eat again, but only a certain amount before I fall back into a panic attack. Mornings are terrible, and my main symptom of panic is feeling nauseous, which is my phobia, of course, but every day gets easier. Fingers crossed."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2020

For Depression "Started taking citalopram 2 weeks ago, and I am having loads of side effects. Loss of appetite, even bigger than when I wasn't taking anything, insomnia, severe itching, headaches, and this last night, vivid dreams where I woke up crying and trying to fight something, like I was sleepwalking. Hope these side effects eventually subside."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "I was prescribed citalopram (20 mg) for anxiety. When I first started taking it, there were some side effects: excessive yawning, drowsiness, increased anxiety, nausea, decreased appetite. However, it's been a little over a week now, and these have pretty much subsided, aside from still being a bit drowsy. As far as its effectiveness, I wouldn't say that my anxiety is completely cured, but overall, I've felt like I've been in a better mood and state of mind, happier. And I do feel that my anxiety has gotten better, although definitely not 100 percent. I'm going to give it a bit longer, as they say the medicine could take a few weeks to fully work. Overall, though, I'd say I'm happy with it so far."

• Anonymous
• June 9, 2012

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I started taking Celexa to help with anxiety and panic attacks. It helped with the panic attacks and made me feel numb as far as emotions. I had to change because I would have to take a nap every day that sometimes would last 2-3 hours. I also began sleeping very late in the day, which is unusual for me. The pill would cause me to have annoying headaches. Also, the first few weeks on it, my appetite was suppressed."

• Its...
• September 14, 2011

Citalopram for Depression "I just started taking Celexa 1 week ago. I've been a depressed, sad, sorry person for over 15 years. For some unexplained reason, I was always so low. I began hitting myself around the age of 7 and would give myself nosebleeds. I'm now 28, and my self-inflictions are numerous places on my body, and my flesh will hang off my muscle. In the 4 times I have been taken to the E.R., not one doctor or hospital therapist has said or done anything to help me understand why. Finally, 1 week ago in the E.R., the physician put me on 20 mg Celexa. I felt really weird the first day. I have a loss of appetite, minor headache. NO ANXIETY. Still feel low, but I'm set an appointment for therapy. WONDERFUL FEELING! The world is different and not so ugly. I am tired though."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2022

For Hot Flashes "This is my first time taking an antidepressant and was prescribed citalopram for hot flashes. I have been taking 20 mg for a month now, and it has worked 95% reducing my hot flashes. Also, I had every side effect: nausea, headache, loss of appetite, and tremors, but after 2 weeks, the side effects disappeared, now I have no side effects. I highly recommend this medication, but it takes 4 to 8 weeks to really work effectively. Give it time!"

• Aub...
• August 20, 2017

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "Okay, I have been on Celexa for about a week now. I'm currently working 6 days a week, 9-10 hour shifts, so I'm exhausted as it is. And I feel like I can't sleep, and for the past two days, I haven't been wanting to eat at all. Is this normal for this medicine? I'm on 20 mg once a day?"

• Tor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2016

For Depression "I just turned 17, and my GP prescribed me 10 mg of citalopram. I have not been taking it for long, only a week; however, I am seeing the benefits (and side effects) already. I feel less depressed, and my need for self-harming as well as suicidal thoughts have decreased substantially in the week. My appetite, however, has disappeared, and the feeling for food often doesn't happen (I don't feel hunger pangs). I suggest bringing snacks like nuts around to fill you up (a handful fills me up on this medication). I also have some trouble sleeping at night, but once I fall asleep, I found I stay asleep. Overall, I find the drug has helped me; however, it has been a little bit of a hassle figuring out graduation plans (with drinking...)"

• Con...
• December 11, 2015

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I was prescribed this drug a few years ago for mild depression. The first time I had no real side effects except nausea for a few days. I was on it for 6 months. About a month ago, I went to the Dr. for my PMS symptoms, and he decided to try it again. This time I had no appetite for 2 weeks. I felt sick every time I ate. Very tired and not wanting to do anything. I also still have diarrhea every morning. I'm becoming dehydrated. Other than that, I feel great, except now I have zero sex drive. My husband is suffering because of this. Even if I try and get into it, I can't orgasm. It's hard to decide if the good outweighs the bad. I'm probably going to switch meds."

• Hop...
• July 19, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on citalopram (generic of Celexa) for just under two months now. At first, my anxiety was worse, which my doc said was to be expected. After about 4 weeks, I started to notice a slight difference. The only side effects I have noticed are that I am fatigued and loss of appetite. It is a huge struggle for me to eat. I make myself so I don't starve and mess up my metabolism, but it's a chore. Other than that, I really like the rx and would recommend it. I have tried Zoloft and Prozac-of the three, I like citalopram most."