Citalopram and Panic Attacks: What Users Say (Page 4)

• BPH...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been taking it for three weeks now. Started 10 mg and went to 20 mg, but that gave me insomnia. Wake up every morning at 2 a.m. and can't sleep. Now back to 10. Feel like I have more energy, but it has done very little for my anxiety. Still get those same cold feelings/panic attacks. Doc says I'm healthy and my testosterone is normal, but it doesn't feel normal as my libido was low even before the drug, and I have a very hard time gaining muscle/losing fat. My plan is to use it for two months, but if things don't improve, I will find a doctor who specializes in men's issues."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2021

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Celexa for 3 weeks now, and I can already feel a huge difference. I was having panic attacks while at work to where I would need to walk away and go into a bathroom to calm down. I would have meltdowns at home, getting home from work and having to deal with my two boys (3 years old & 10 years old), who were not listening and coming home to a messy house after working all day. Now I come home, and I am more at ease, calm, and not having any attacks. The first week and a half were a little rough with the side effects: tiredness, nausea, headaches, increased panic attacks, hot flash symptoms (sweating a lot), hungry (I am talking every 10 minutes, not feeling full hungry), and now on week 3, all of my symptoms have gone away. I am taking 10 mg Celexa, and I see my primary on 11/30 for a follow-up, so hopefully, by week 4-6, my anxiety will be gone as well."

• Me0...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2021

For Panic Disorder "All of a sudden, I started getting weird anxiety and panic attacks while driving. It was so bad that I really couldn’t ride with anyone. The doctor performed all kinds of tests and didn’t find anything. I went for an eye exam, and my vision was double as bad as the very first exam. The doctor prescribed me citalopram 10 mg. I’m kind of nervous to take them after I tried one the other day. I may try half of one at night. Has anyone had the anxiety panic attacks while driving? If so, would you let me know how it was!"

• Nor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 15, 2019

For Panic Disorder "This drug helped me a lot. My panic disorder came through mainly from my own abuse of substances, etc. Words can’t describe how bad they were - my head was totally gone! Give this drug a chance! I’m talking months, don’t expect it to happen overnight. Felt bad for the first month taking them, but whether that was the drug or, like I say, I was in a permanent state of panic anyway. Give it time. I still get odd blips, but persevere with it! Been on them 6 months and plan to try to come off them soon. Can’t imagine it’s going to be easy, but there you go!"

• A1A...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I first went on citalopram to deal with racing thoughts and low-level anxiety that is probably work/stress related. After three days of taking 10 mg, the effects were horrendous. My anxiety went through the roof, and I started to have panic attacks, my mind was going at a million miles per hour. I couldn’t sleep (though the doctor gave me sleeping pills after I called them back after two days, which took the edge off). I thought taking the tablet was the stupidest mistake I’d ever made. Fortunately, this started to calm down around day 5. I’m now on day 8, and the panic attacks have stopped. The anxiety is now noticeably less than before I took the first tablet, and given they take a few weeks to work properly, I’m quite looking forward to the results over the next few days."

• Dea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I had taken Lexapro a year ago with great results, weaned off, and was doing well for a while. Had some really stressful life events and tried to go back on Lexapro, just one dose, and I had the most horrendous panic attack I've ever had in my life that lasted for hours. Ended up in a psych ward and was put on Celexa. Then five days in and another horrendous panic attack that left my body moving without me... I mean, my eyes were rolling around in my head as I could not stop moving, rocking, walking, and had horrible thoughts, crying binges, and man, I thought my life was over. I was hospitalized again and put on IV fluids and Ativan, which really helped. I guess SSRIs just aren't for me anymore. This skinny woman lost 15 lbs total over this nonsense. Never ever again... I am opting for CBT therapy now."

• ste...
• December 2, 2015

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I was prescribed 20 mg Celexa and 0.5 mg of Xanax. First day I took both as directed, slept for an hour and a half, and once I woke, I had a panic attack for the next hour or so. The next day I took just the Celexa, slept for an hour and a half again. This time the panic attack was much worse, dizzy, felt like getting sick, came close to calling 911. It finally subsided and went to bed, only to lay there wide awake, felt out of it all day. Dr. said to stop taking it, prescribed Paxil since I've had success with it before."

• Kco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "I started taking citalopram as I've been suffering from severe anxiety for years, and I'd had enough. Was put on 10 mg, and the first 2 weeks, I had every side effect. Then I got 2 days where I felt OK. Then, on the 25th day, I woke up in the middle of the night having the worst panic attack I've ever had, it lasted for two days straight. No eating. No sitting. Just pacing. Once I stopped it after 2 or 3 days, it calmed, but my mood went so dark, like never before. I never suffered from bad depression before I started this drug. It was terrifying. It is now the end of November, I started on the 1st of September and stopped on the 25th of September. And I'm still getting withdrawal, especially depression. I'm hoping to get back to the way I was, which wasn't great, but 100 times better than depression. I didn't think it could do this to you, it seriously affected my brain. I'm just holding on to hope that it'll eventually go away. It is so bad I'd rather take my anxiety over the horrific effects it was giving me. Won't ever try again!"

• Anonymous
• August 18, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "I started having anxiety in April 2012, and after trying Lexapro, which started giving me panic attacks (side effect), I stopped taking that and started Celexa (generic brand) 33 days ago. The first 2 weeks, I had horrible nausea. I was very, very sleepy and dizzy occasionally, with my anxiety worse than ever. After more than 3 weeks, I have had none of those symptoms besides being more tired than I should be. My anxiety is also GONE! Haven't had any panic attacks. The only downfall now is horrible headaches. I'm going to stick with this because it seems to be working and headed in the right direction."

• Msm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 4, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I started on Citalopram in January 2017 after having panic attacks, anxiety, and delayed grief. I was scared of the side effects, so I only took half of a 20 mg pill. I didn't notice any side effects really, but I felt so much better. About 5 weeks later, I felt almost normal. I stayed on 10 mg for 2 years, never increasing it, and decided I would try to wean off it. I was only off the drug for at most 6 weeks when my anxiety and panic came back really bad. I was also very emotional and felt like I had attachment anxiety. Back on Citalopram 20 mg for a few weeks, then down to 10 mg for 2 and a half years. Tried to come off again and, lo and behold, panic and anxiety after about 6 weeks off. This is now, and I've been back on 10 mg for 4 weeks, and I'm still getting anxious, but no panic as yet. Think I might need a higher dose. Only long-term effects are sometimes I don't feel much, hard to get that excited about anything, and it affects my libido, but it's better than the god-awful panic."

• Gil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I started on Cipromil 20 mgs 14 days ago for anxiety and depression. The side effects have been shocking: nausea, increased anxiety and panic attacks, feeling tired but unable to sleep, no appetite, weight loss, and fear that it won’t work for me! I read that some feel better from day one, I only wish that could have been me."

• JBa...
• October 30, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I'm on week 1 of this 10 mg Celexa, and I haven't felt anything yet. I had a meeting today, and I was extremely nervous and felt like I was going to have a panic attack an hour before it started. I drank a lot of coffee and got dehydrated, so I had to pair it with an equivalent amount of water in order to feel ready to go. Overall, the meeting went well. I think it did help overall. The conversation went smoother than usual. :) It usually takes 1 to 6 weeks for this to fully kick in. Hang in there!"

• Roz...
• November 19, 2016

For Depression "Have never shared before. Am out of work because of bullying. Having horrible panic attacks. Honestly thought I was dying. Full sweat. Thought I was going to collapse. Heart palpitations. Been so down lately. Coming on the 4th week of citalopram 20. Haven't kicked in. Think my doctor is sick of me coming back saying the tablets are not working. Finding all this so horrible. I went away this year to Mexico. 2 flights solo and 3 nights alone. Now can't even get on a bus. Just want to know that it gets better as I am really struggling. Can anyone advise me."

• Lat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I am new to this world of taking an antidepressant, specifically Citalopram. I was prescribed 10 mg. I started with 5 mg for 4 days to see how I would respond per psych NP's orders. I am small in stature and under 100 lbs. I had a succession of traumatic and stressful major life events occur all in a matter of 6 months. The result has led me to have debilitating anxiety and panic attacks. I know I have lived with undiagnosed mild depression and OCD tendencies and anxiety for fear of being labeled, but these last months broke me. I take Ativan 0.5 to 1 mg as needed only for sleep. I am going on 2 weeks of Citalopram at 10 mg and am noticing small improvements. Does anyone have any experiences similar to mine? Suggestions or input appreciated."

• Lev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "Originally I was given citalopram for low-level anxiety of dealing with IBS symptoms while at work. I had absolutely no history of panic/anxiety attacks prior to taking this medication, just the nerves of having to run to the bathroom. I ended up thinking I was having a heart attack while (thankfully) at a doctor's appointment and was rushed to the hospital via ambulance. Come to find out I had my first panic attack. After that, a week or so later, I spent over 24 hours in a panic cycle that had me incapacitated in bed. I ended up going to the ER again and they told me it was a rare side effect of citalopram and I was immediately taken off of it. I went from no panic ever to now dealing with Panic Disorder for the rest of my life. Miserable."

• Anonymous
• May 16, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "After a heartbreaking divorce and the passing of my little brother, I couldn’t live in this state of mind anymore. My symptoms are heavy feelings in my chest, shaky hands and body, hard to breathe, clogged throat, heart beating hard, sweaty, crying uncontrollably, worrying about everything, avoiding people, friends, and family, diarrhea, blushing, nightmares, feeling on edge, overwhelming and obsessive thoughts of worry. I’ve tried therapy and living a healthy, fit lifestyle, it didn’t help much. I started 10 mg Celexa 2 weeks ago, and during my first week, I felt even more antisocial. Now I’m on my 15th day, my anxiety did come back, I have had panic attacks, but they seem to stop in their tracks before getting out of control. It’s strange, I think that might be the Celexa, but I’m not sure. I just wanted to put this out there in case anyone else is going through this too. I don’t have a review on this med yet, it still needs time to start working. I’m going to keep updating, hopefully, this little pill will help."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "I was on Cymbalta for years, but my insurance stopped paying for it. I have a high-stress job, and it got so bad that I couldn't focus at work, and when Sunday night came, I started tensing up and started having panic attacks again and would wake up in the middle of the night with them. I started taking 20 mg citalopram for about a month, and it was working great, but before 24 hours was up to take my next dose, I started having breakthroughs, and now I'm on 40 mg daily. Just started with the higher dose today; we'll see how it goes."

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "This medication, citalopram, did not seem to help my anxiety at all, but instead trigger it. I was fine for the first few weeks, still adjusting and just going through the normal side effects that come along with almost any SSRI. After about a month, I started to notice I was losing more of the little appetite I had. I usually would only have about one panic attack a week on Prozac, but with citalopram, I have at least five."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2012

For Depression "I was to the point of hurting myself. I got put on citalopram and required counseling. For the first 6 weeks, I thought, 'Wow, I'm doing better.' Now I'm back to the same old thing, but I've developed another diagnosis, moderate to severe anxiety, it sucks. I am having severe panic attacks. I cry myself to sleep every night."

• Jen...
• March 23, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Celexa since 2000 for 17 years. It worked well for me. It doesn't work anymore. I have been having lots of breakthrough panic attacks. So I am switching to Effexor XR. Hopefully, it works for me. Good luck."

• Anonymous
• November 17, 2011

For Depression "I have been on them for 5 days now, I get really tired on them, so I have been having them at night. I am getting headaches and feeling a little sick, also yawning a lot. The first two days, I had something along the lines of mini panic attacks with anxiety, crying - soon stopped after 10 min. I do feel a difference, my 'crying' outbursts in the morning have stopped, and I left the house yesterday and today - though I still am not ready to see anyone, it was good to be out. Can't wait to feel normal again."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2016

For Depression "I was put on this by my GP for depression. I started at 10 mg tablets, but didn't really do much, so the doctor agreed I could up it to 20 mg, but still I couldn't see it helping in any way. I started having panic attacks and feeling worse than before taking them, although I am not self-harming like I used to. I took the decision to up it myself last Thursday to 40 mg, but it's still not helping. I'm also on the contraceptive pill (due to having PCOS), and my periods have gotten heavy and painful, as well as very frequent (bleeding for 7 days then off 5, repeated). I feel like I'm losing control of my own body and don't feel the citalopram helps me. The side effects of the citalopram when I first started weren't as bad as I was expecting, though."

• Pri...
• August 4, 2021

For Depression "I suffered very bad anxiety and panic and went to my doctor who prescribed me 20 mg of Citalopram. The first two weeks were excruciating! Extreme with anxiety and panic! Eventually turned into agoraphobia. I also nearly ended up in the psych ward because of panic attacks and also felt very suicidal a few times on this medicine. Every day I monitored my progress, and the anxiety and panic attacks lessened considerably, yes! At week 4-5, I felt zombie-like (numb). Week 8, I was having even less anxiety but still one excruciating panic attack. I went back to the doctor and was prescribed 40 mg of Citalopram, that was such a good week! The panic and anxiety disappeared, yes! By three months, the anxiety and panic subsided, and the fogginess left too."

• Mov...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2022

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been taking citalopram 20mg for 4 weeks today. I am female, and I do get spikes in anxiety, panic, intrusive thoughts, etc., especially the 2 weeks before my menstrual cycle starts. I should preface this with that I took lexapro 10mg for almost 10 years, had a baby, and lexapro wasn’t as effective, zoloft for 6mo, Effexor XR for over a year, still wasn’t cutting it, cymbalta for a mo (stopped cymbalta after Genesight testing), and now taking citalopram. It has been a bit of a rough road switching from SNRI back to SSRI, but the last 3 days have given me hope. I’ve weaned down from taking 1.5-1.75mg of klonopin/day to only 0.5-0.75mg, and hopes of not needing it at all once citalopram is in full swing. You have to give medication time. 100%. If you haven’t looked into Genesight testing, I highly recommend that as well!"

• Anonymous
• February 12, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been experiencing high levels of anxiety over the last couple of months due to life's 'little' stresses. I must also mention that two years ago I was struck down with a panic attack so crippling I could barely function. I was put on Effexor, which worked for a good year and then I had to wean off due to high blood pressure. Now, two years later the anxiety has returned and my doctor has put me on Cipramil (Citalopram, Celexa). I am on Day 5 of this. Day one and two seemed to show some positive results: decreased anxiety and a more relaxed demeanor. Day three saw me suffering panic attacks, for which I took some Xanax. I'm hoping the Cipramil will kick in soon! Will keep you posted."