Citalopram and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 4)

• MrB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2013

For Panic Disorder "Been on citalopram 5 weeks now. Getting better, the only side effect I had was yawning. Feel a big difference, been on many medicines for panic disorder, just like most of us have. It seems to be working."

• kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I know I should wait about a month before sharing my experience, but I absolutely love this medication. I've been on it for a week with nothing but good effects. Before this, I couldn't be around crowds without getting panicky and anxious. I was causing problems in my relationship out of anxiety. My sex drive has increased since this medicine eases the anxiety I get about my body. The only minor effects I'm getting are very minor shakiness, which is hardly noticeable. I'm also yawning a lot, but I'm not tired. I also have a slight tightness in my throat, like the feeling you get while crying, but it's not even prevalent anymore. I hope I keep reacting so well to this, I feel like a real person now, and I'm not held back by my anxiety."

• Ton...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I take 10 mg every morning, and after 2 weeks of horrible side effects, sweating, nausea, and general lethargy, the good effects are starting to kick in. I feel really good, energy levels increasing, anxiety has reduced dramatically. Please, please do not allow the initial side effects to deter you. Pain does lead to gain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 21, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "When I first started to take 20mg of citalopram, my whole life was falling apart. I couldn't go out, I had split up from a long-term, mentally abusive relationship. Before long, I realized I couldn't leave the house without this horrible and overwhelming fear. A work trainer told me about anxiety and this medication. From that moment on, my life got better. I am not fixed by any means, but then I am 90% better now. The side effects are crap: headaches, weird brain zapping sensations, crazy dreams, hallucinating, yawning, slurring words for about 4 to 6 weeks. Stick with this pill, it genuinely will work. It took about 2 or 3 months for me to feel better. You will see a difference."

• Bun...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 15, 2012

Citalopram for Depression "I suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder since I was very young. When I first received therapy at 28, I tried several anti-depression medicines with little success. I also went on and off meds, which I learned much later wasn't the correct thing to do. At 46, I found a psychiatrist who helped me understand my condition and prescribed Celexa. I've been on Celexa 10 mg since 2007 and know I must stay on depression medication for life. My moods are bright, I don't get 'stuck' for long periods, no suicidal thoughts, and haven't had any big panic attacks for years. I'm very sensitive to many medicines, and Celexa has been very good in treating my depression with anxiety, with little to no side effects. A little dry mouth and tiredness on occasion is all."

• Em9...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2016

Citalopram for Depression "I'm 18 and on my third day of Celexa. I've had depression for 3+ years now and have gone unmedicated. I finally agreed to try Celexa 30 mg and 0.25 mg of Xanax. Changing my life and cannot wait for even more improvement. Only issues so far are some insomnia and constant yawning, but it's a small price to pay!"

• Jaz...
• March 31, 2011

Citalopram for Depression "I have been taking 20 mg every evening for about 2 months, and a few days ago, upped the dose to 40 mg. I couldn't be happier with this medication. I had very few side effects in the beginning (frequent yawning, tiredness, lack of concentration). Those all went away within 2 weeks, and I was afraid they would come back with the increased dosage, but they haven't. I don't feel like an emotionless zombie while taking Celexa, I feel happy when I should and sad when I should, like a normal human being. It has really helped with my crying-for-no-reason spells, as well as helping me deal with frustrations better. I wish I had found out about this medication sooner."

• RJH...
• September 13, 2013

For Depression "I reluctantly started this medication a year ago after trying to deal with depression on my own. After I began taking it, I had some mild side effects (intense dreams, tiredness), but they subsided after about a month. The good effects started at that point, I now feel stable, content, and don't let things and people get to me like before. It gives me the ability to make bad thoughts simply evaporate from my thought process. I recommend this medicine to anyone who feels the destructive effects of depression like I did, but give it time to work, stick with it, and it will change your life."

• PJC...
• April 6, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I have had feelings of moodiness, irritability, snappiness, and slight depression since my children were born. I cast it aside for four years, thinking I was just nuts and hormonal. After talking to my OB/GYN about these issues on multiple visits, she suggested I try Celexa. I have been on 10 mg for one week. The first two days were the worst: headache, nausea, and diarrhea. I've also been slightly tired and have had a bit of insomnia. However, I've caught myself smiling all the time. My chest no longer feels tight. I'm enjoying and embracing motherhood, and feel moments of euphoria. I'm hoping my body adjusts accordingly to the medication within the next few months."

• Anonymous
• November 17, 2011

Citalopram for Depression "My 4th week using Celexa. I feel GREAT! For the past 2 years, I felt so unhappy for no reason, worried about everything, constant anxiety, grumpy and tired. Now I feel like a new person. I find myself smiling all the time, full of energy, positive attitude. I did feel very, very tired the first two weeks on it, it made my stomach upset a little. That all stopped around the 3rd week, not a big deal. I am truly thankful for Celexa, it has changed my life! I am sorry I waited so long to say something to my doctor. If you think you need help, call your doctor now, don't wait."

• Ske...
• April 23, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "Life transforming. I've always resisted the idea of medicating mental states, but after a year of utterly out-of-control and misery-making anxiety, I was persuaded to give it a try. Within two weeks, my levels of anxiety had dropped significantly. Three months in, I feel positive and able to cope with my enormously stressful work situation. This medicine has transformed my mental state. I do feel more tired on it, and am perhaps experiencing a certain loss of mental sharpness, but that's a price I am happy to pay in exchange for despair, panic, and regular suicidal thoughts. I never expected to find myself buying into 'big pharmaceuticals will make you happy,' but this has helped me regain control of my life."

• Jes...
• July 8, 2016

Citalopram for Depression "I am a long-time sufferer from depression and anxiety and ADHD and PTSD....well, you name it, I have been diagnosed with it. I recently...like right now tried to get off Celexa....head hurts so bad I cannot stand up. Been awful. It's been 3 days and I am throwing in the towel and going to go pick it up at the pharmacy. Yes, it works on depression and a tad for anger, but I still do have episodes of anger and depression, which at times I wonder are worse than before. The thing is, I guess you never do know unless someone monitors you before and after. Honestly, I think exercise and healthy eating would have worked just as well. I can definitely say it makes you more tired. I can say this...DON'T TAKE THIS MEDICATION UNLESS YOU'RE SERIOUSLY IN NEED."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2012

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I took this medication for anxiety and stress for only 2 months. I really did not see any improvement, and the side effects were pretty bad: insomnia, nausea, headaches, felt like my nerve endings had little electrical surges, lethargic, night sweats, and zero sex drive."

• Iti...
• November 13, 2013

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I began Celexa after having a bad experience on Prozac. I did not see immediate results, but I did see some improvement. The side effects were terrible! I had extremely vivid dreams that caused me to be very tired and hard to wake. I had decreased sex drive and lots of problems with memory loss."

• 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."

• Alo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I started Celexa mostly for generalized anxiety and panic attacks. I started on 10 mg and felt better immediately. The first couple of days, I experienced some euphoria and diarrhea, but that went away quickly. I also had insomnia for the first month or so. I've slowly increased my dose, and now, after about 4 months, I take 40 mg daily. This medication has changed my life. I no longer worry about silly things or get upset over nothing. My anger is better, my back pain has improved, and my focus and concentration have improved. However, since increasing to the 40 mg, I feel much more tired on my days off, with little energy. I'm hoping this eventually wears off."

• vha...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 8, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "With any psych med, always use the lowest effective dose. If your doctor starts you on 5 or 10 mg and you already feel better, just stay there. Less is more. SSRIs mess with your sleep architecture, and the long-term sleep deprivation will make you gradually more depressed and tired, and you might not realize it's the citalopram because it's making you too tired and stupid to figure it out. I gradually increased the dose until I was on 40 mg for 2 years, and my life fell apart. Most people do not do well on 40 mg, and I'm angry that my doctor portrayed it as a moderate dose. Anything above 20 mg made me too tired to function without loads of caffeine. Doctors, please be more conservative in your dosing."

• Joy...
• May 6, 2016

Citalopram for Depression "I was on Celexa for about 3 months, started with 10 mg and raised up to 20 when I felt no changes. After going up to 20, I felt constantly tired, drowsy, and like a walking zombie. My anxiety and depression only got worse, it caused me to have thoughts of suicide and self-harm, and I just felt worse overall. My experience on Celexa was terrible, and I would not recommend this drug at all."

• Tat...
• April 19, 2012

Citalopram for Depression "I will start off by saying this medicine is very effective and has worked for my light anxiety and depression, and I'm very excited about it! Like many others that have reviewed, Celexa did make me tired for the first few weeks and did have an impact on my sex drive. Overall, I gladly accept the side effects for the calm/relaxed feeling that I have. It has surprisingly made my meetings at work and public speaking more manageable. I am 34 years old and have tried self-medicating with plenty of sleep and exercise and a healthy diet (and positive thinking). After years of 'dealing with it,' I just asked the doctor for something mild enough to lift me up, and he suggested Celexa; and I am so glad he did. It's made a difference in my life!"

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

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I was on Zoloft for about a week, then they switched me to Celexa. I took Celexa for 4 days, and they say give it time, the medicine will work. The first day I took it, I was extremely tired, but when it came time to go to bed, I could not fall asleep, and if I did, it was only for an hour or two before waking up in a panic state. The medicine kept me in bed for days and caused everything to hurt. I felt like I was out of my body and was confused, which was not normal for me. My heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest. It also gave me weird, vivid dreams. I thought taking antidepressants would help me, but I feel like they just caused more pain and suffering."

• Str...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 21, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "I suffered my first panic attack in 2015 after finding out I still needed two more classes to graduate college. I'll never forget lying on the floor, not being able to breathe, and feeling like the room was closing in around me. At the request of my immediate family, I went to talk to a doctor and realized I had been living with anxiety for quite a while. My doctor prescribed 10 mg of Celexa. I was a little tired the first week or two, but that was the only side effect I experienced. While the 10 mg helped some, I still felt a little edgy at times when I really shouldn't have. My doctor upped my dose to 20 mg and again, a little tired the first week or so, but I've been golden ever since. I'm me now without the anxiety, thanks to Celexa."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2012

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I used to have mild panic attacks, was always depressed, and just felt like I had the world on my back all the time. My doctor prescribed me 20 mg of citalopram, and it works well. My side effects are I'm usually tired throughout the day, I get the shakes on and off, consistent yawning, skin itches a little, and a bit of a bowel problem. Other than that, I have found my moods to be much better, my depression is not as bad, and I'm more upbeat. Definitely would recommend."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2012

Citalopram for Anxiety and Stress "I used to have mild panic attacks, was always depressed, and just felt like I had the world on my back all the time. My doctor prescribed me 20 mg of citalopram, and it works well. My side effects are I'm usually tired throughout the day, I get the shakes on and off, consistent yawning, skin itches a little, and a bit of a bowel problem. Other than that, I have found my moods to be much better, my depression is not as bad, and I'm more upbeat. Definitely would recommend."

• sil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "This is my 10th day on citalopram, which I am taking for anxiety. The first 7 days, I was taking a 10 mg dose and am now taking 20 mg. My side effects seem to vary from night to morning. At night, I have trouble sleeping and have night sweats, then in the morning, I feel very drowsy and tired and nauseous. I also seem to be having hot flashes during the day and at night. Not sure if anyone else has these, or maybe it's just stress-related. I really hope this medication starts to work soon, as I have read other posts and everyone says to hang in there and it will get better. I sure hope it does."

• Anonymous
• April 27, 2009

Citalopram for Depression "I have been taking this medication for about 2 months. I started on 20 mg and moved to 40 mg within 3 weeks. I haven't felt this good in more than 20 years. It took a few weeks for the side effects to go away. Dry mouth and yawning were the worst of it."