Citalopram and Panic Attacks: What Users Say (Page 2)

• mic...
• April 23, 2012

For Panic Disorder "I have dealt with depression for many years. I was put on Celexa 2 months ago, and it's been amazing for me! The panic attacks went away in a matter of days, and I still have emotions, not walking around like a zombie. I feel and enjoy every moment! I highly recommend Celexa."

• SAM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2018

For Panic Disorder "This medication has changed my life. Honestly, I've suffered with panic disorder for years, and I've always had general anxiety too. At the start of the year, my panic attacks were happening several times a day, and I was very suicidal. My mum and nan are both on citalopram (Celexa) and recommended it to me. Not gonna lie, the first and second week was hard (started on 20 mg) as my anxiety was heightened, my panic attacks were worse, and I felt shattered all the time. But I'm now on week 4, and *touch wood*, I haven't had a panic attack in almost 2 weeks, I no longer feel anxious, and if I do start to feel anxious, I can quickly get myself out of it. Highly recommend for anyone that is a sufferer. This medication is my freedom."

• lin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 1, 2017

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I started taking this after increased anxiety/panic/depersonalization/derealization after starting a birth control pill (BeYaz). Celexa has helped my symptoms, but I stopped taking my birth control, and it has made a world of a difference in my mood. My anxiety and panic are almost gone. I've only been on Celexa for 1 month, and I stopped my birth control 2-3 weeks ago. Please check into your birth control. I've never had depression in my life, but after starting the birth control, I had constant crying spells, anxiety, panic, etc. Celexa is helping, but I think this was all caused by the birth control. Please be careful!"

• Sne...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 10, 2017

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was put on citalopram when I was 9 years old, and I am now 25. It was prescribed to me to help with panic attacks, OCD, and a phobia. According to my parents, the medication was effective within a week. I am not really sure if I have ever experienced side effects because of how young I was when I started. Citalopram greatly helps suppress panic attacks and intrusive thoughts for me. Instead of having panic attacks every day, now I only have them once every few months. Along with this medication, I also spent over a decade in therapy. Attempts to stop taking this medication caused anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and panic to interfere with my daily life. Citalopram works well for me, but results vary from person to person."

• 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."

• 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 :)"

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Have had anxiety my whole life. I’m 68. Mostly dealt with it by exercising 1 hour a day. I was prescribed lorazepam 0.5 mg on an as-needed basis, and this works great when I need it. I take, on average, only 4 pills a month. I just started Celexa 10 mg about 2 weeks ago. Side effects are feeling a bit groggy, getting tension headaches, had 2 slight panic attacks while driving. Starting to feel a little mellow. I’m hopeful I will see more change in the coming weeks. My main issue is social anxiety. I isolate myself frequently and have no interest in doing anything outside my daily routine. Hoping this helps, as my wife deserves better."

• JB1...
• September 5, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "The 1st time I got on citalopram, it was an answered prayer, life-changing, zero side effects, and I never felt better. I took it at bedtime and slept incredibly. Fast-forward some years, and a change in states-I got off of citalopram. WELL... I tried to go back on recently and it was awful. I only lasted 13 days on it. I had terrible side effects, and now panic attacks. I couldn't wait out the month because I literally was losing my mind :( I pray that if you try citalopram, you will have the best experience like I did my 1st go-around. Many blessings to you."

• Din...
• October 9, 2016

For Depression "As you get older, you take more knocks and psychological blows to your belief system, and at 33 (had depression all my life, didn't really care, lived with it long enough, and I felt it kept me grounded), I started to lose control of my thinking and my depression became overwhelming. Hopelessness and pointlessness in living became a 24-hour battle. I was suicidal, and anxiety and constant panic attacks were causing me to lose belief in any sort of future. My dad died because of depression and drug/alcohol misuse. The last thing I wanted was to take medication for it. But it was either go to the doctor or die. 8 months on 40mg a day, depression is under control, and without a doubt, I'm learning to live again, thanks to these."

• Lam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "I was put on 10 mg citalopram. I felt not too bad the first week, but as the tablet built up, I felt much worse. I felt so agitated. After nine days, I reduced to 5 mg. I started with extreme panic attacks, severe agitation, insomnia, diarrhea, sickness, and anxiety-almost suicidal. My doctor told me to reduce immediately to 2.5 mg, and after about a week, come off it. He gave me the odd 2 mg of diazepam for two weeks in case I could not cope with the effects. He told me that citalopram can sometimes have an adverse effect. I had given the drug five weeks, and I was getting worse by the day. Has anyone else suffered like I did."

• Bow...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "My daughter has been prescribed citalopram for anxiety and depression. She has been on it for 10 weeks. This medication has made her much worse. She has been through hell these last few weeks hoping it would eventually work. The panic attacks and social anxiety had multiplied tenfold. Be careful taking these, I’m shocked how these have affected her."

• mis...
• August 6, 2011

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I was prescribed Celexa due to anxiety, stress, and depression. I initially went to the doctor for insomnia. Went through that for 7-10 weeks. Because I was not sleeping, I started getting panic attacks at night. The doctor prescribed Ativan for the anxiety and Ambien at night. The Ambien didn't work. So I found myself taking the Ativan only at night, which seemed to help a little bit. One night I experienced a horrific panic attack after taking the Ativan. I suddenly started crying and just started feeling miserable. I came to realize that I am deeply depressed and I need help. Long story short, went to the doctor, and after 10 days of being on Celexa, I truly feel better and I am averaging 6-7 hours of sleep whereas 11 days ago it was only 3-4 hours."

• Anonymous
• December 7, 2010

Citalopram for Panic Disorder "I was in a really bad spot with the constant anxiety and panic attacks. It was affecting every aspect of my life negatively. At first, I slept a lot, which wasn't necessarily bad since I hadn't been sleeping anyway. Sex was a little off, but at least I feel a lot better and don't feel like I could jump out of my skin 24 hours a day. I hate that I have to take something, but it's much better than the alternative!"

• Mks...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 25, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "Citalopram works exceptionally well long term, BUT please be aware of the side effects for the first month or two. After suffering crippling panic attacks due to stomach problems, I was prescribed 20 mg Citalopram daily. For the next 6 weeks, my anxiety and panic got far worse, which has been the worst experience of my life by far. Found myself at the doctor's surgery or a hospital every day trying to get some help, even begging to be admitted to a mental hospital. Finally, I was given some diazepam, this did help short term, which then allowed the Citalopram to kick in. After 3 to 4 months, I felt myself feeling better by the day. Doctors, though, do not tell you that when you start taking Citalopram, your symptoms magnify for a time, so be aware."

• 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!"

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 21, 2019

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "Had a pretty bad panic attack, and the MD suggested I take Zoloft. Stayed on that 5 days at 25 mg and felt insane, out-of-body-like, and had awful thoughts, which I never had in my life. Then the doctor started me on 10 mg of Celexa, and it made me go manic. Doctor suggested I drop the dose to 5 mg, stayed on that for three weeks, had suicidal thoughts, manic episodes, restlessness, and the constant feeling of wanting to move, and really bad insomnia. Doctor said I had akinesia. I'm off all medications now, this is going into my second week, and I feel much better. My suggestion, if you have panic attacks, ask for benzos first, also ask your MD if possible for a gene test. Then ask them to rule out bipolar or bipolar spectrum disorders. Some people cannot handle SSRIs."

• Tha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "So, I took citalopram 20 mg for 2 days for anxiety and stress. After that second day, I was so horribly bed-ridden with nausea, headaches, sleep deprivation, I couldn't even go to work because I genuinely felt like I was high and didn't even want to try getting behind the wheel, and my anxiety had tripled in strength and frequency. I was experiencing attacks I haven't felt since long before being able to handle it without medication. I would sleep for an hour maybe and wake up into a panic attack or just feeling that deep pit of anxiety in my stomach. After that second day, I haven't taken a pill and notified my doctor, but even after stopping the medication (going on day 3 now), I still feel all of the negative side effects as well as the increased anxiety. There was no way I could've stuck it out to the 4-6 week mark when the drug's full effect sets in. It is getting better, but so slowly. I know it affects everyone differently, but I would not recommend it to anyone unless they start on a lower dosage than 20 mg."

• Chi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 19, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I have taken this tablet for 3 months. It has changed my life. I have suffered a lot of trauma over the past 3 years, and I was at my wit's end. I had panic attacks, sleeplessness, and depression. I felt completely overwhelmed with life and was filled with fear and dread continually. I eventually gave in to medication. I experienced relief from my symptoms after 1 week, and my blood pressure went down. I was calmer, and my family and friends noticed the change in me very quickly. I had been on other antidepressants before but never had the effect that citalopram gave me. I am trying to reduce to 10mg to see how I cope. I never want to go back to the way I felt before, so I am prepared to go back up to 20mg if necessary. I sleep well, and I wake feeling very calm and relaxed. My OCD is not as bad, and I can now leave things unfinished without feeling anxiety."

• Jlf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "Was scared to start meds, and debated for a month. Was crying every day from anxiety, which was leading to depression. The first month was awful: tired, panic attacks, and feeling like I wouldn’t get better. I am now 6 months in and feel almost back to my old self."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Izy...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 31, 2021

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I’ve been on Celexa for a little over a year now, and I feel like the meds and I are in a really good groove at this point. Celexa has given me my life back. I struggle with crippling anxiety and panic attacks. I am now able to work, travel, and exist without the misery of anxiety. I have absolutely no regrets giving Celexa a go and have no plans to discontinue it any time soon."