Citalopram

[Sazza]

Absolutely one day at a time. I am already though on just day 4 having major doubts. Anxiety wise definitely better at the moment but seem to have been sent to the other end of the spectrum. I feel so depressed, total lack of motivation to do anything, my whole body just feels out of it. I am walking around feeling drugged up and i am on smallest dose possible. My main anxiety at moment is possibility of gaining weight fills me with fear and also got important appointment on wednesday. I need to be able to tell them how things are but at moment i feel i can't access my emotions feel flat. So yeah Citalopram helping with anxiety but slipping me into depression. I just keep sitting and staring in space so i am gonna put weight on at this rate through lack motivation to move and due to extreme tiredness. I am thinking i want off this med already as thought putting weight on freaks me out already put alot on lately which is adding to my issues. Have been doing bit research and thinking i would like to try wellburtin as it has weight loss properties which i think would be beneficial to me.

 

[Gamereign555]

Yeah for some people weight gain is a big problem with drugs like celexa, paxil being on the high end and welbutrin on the low end for weight gain after 3 months. A lot of people report weight loss in the first couple of months, but its usually not a long lasting trend, after several months the low metabolism these drugs cause will cause most people to gain anywhere from 20 to 60 lbs.

Anti depressant effects of the drug that cause the weight gain can seem somewhat counter productive to those who are really bothered by the notion of gaining additional weight, if you think this fits your profile, you might consider a different anti depressant, welbutrin is a drug that doesn't effect your metabolism quite as much, as stated before it is on a low end of the scale. Of course for those who have to control their weight and take Celexa? It is likely to be a battle to maintain your body weight.

For those who watch their diet and exercise they can control their weight, though some might find it impossible to actually lose weight. Because the anti depressants are mostly at fault for the low metabolism, weight losses can be achieved after discontinued use of the drug which would increase your metabolism back to its normal level, though its a relatively slow process for some. The more you regularly keep up on diet and exercise the weight loss after quitting the celexa or other anti depressants will likely come sooner.

 

[Sazza]

That's my concerns confirmed. I swear if I gain any more weight will tip me over edge. My diet isn't great but I usually exercise but exercise drastically reduced at moment due to lack energy and motivation which getting worse on
Citalopram.

I told my gp specifically didn't want anything that make me gain weight, she mentioned Prozac, setraline but prescribed Citalopram. Not due back doctors for 2 weeks but seriously thinking stoppingthese as panicking at mere thought weight gain when need lose it. I could cry just thinking about it been trying to see how goes but so many people report weight gain. I know seems stupid get so hung up over it but major thing when want lose as overweight as is.

Thanks for reply game didn't realise they slowed metabolism
Down rather be highly anxious.

 

[Gamereign555]

Yeah, when I was getting over my depression and anxiety I had to go through conditional dysphea which means that exercise and activities made it difficult to breathe, this on top of anxiety breathing was a very hard thing to endure. I just had to hang in there long enough for things to start working, now I can work, go on walks, mow the lawn and do what needs to be done.

 

[Sazza]

Do you think I should continue few more days see how get on or be best stop now before more get in system? Failing that could weigh self every morning if start gain taper off and tell gp just don't want get point where get withdrawal. Really don't know what do but can't get panic of weight gain out head Arrghhh.

I usually exercise alot but lost mojo and now feel down on tablets And sleepy so vicious circle.

 

[Gamereign555]

If you have a doctor, give them a call and say you want something else, this could be done over the phone in some places. This way they at least let you know of any concerns if you stop using the drug, some drugs react when you stop using citalopram, and your body itself might react negatively if you stop using it suddenly. Furthermore some drugs react to citalopram when combined, even residuals in your system.. A lot can be done over the phone which is a good thing, appointments can sometimes be a couple weeks away. You can also try a walk-in clinic.
Let them know your concerns. Unfortunately it could be a couple weeks until you see a noticeable difference in your anxiety and depression. They will want you to at least try it for that long so they could eliminate it as a possible fix for your problem. But it is up to you ultimately.

 

[kimba]

I am still doing what needs to be done and getting my exercise so I will hang in there for now. It hasn't even been a week and I was able to get some sleep last night which made a huge difference. My main problem is loss of appetite so I doubt the weight gain will be an issue for me at this stage anyway. I see my GP mid-July so I will hang in there until then and see where I stand. I like and trust my GP.

 

[Tosh]

I take it in the morning, I have been taking it for over four months now. My dose increased from 5 to 10 to 20. I had minor side effects the first week or two of taking the meds, then for a week each time the med was increased. This med takes time to work. It's an SSRI and they usually take a couple weeks to get in your system and level out. It mainly helps me with my anxiety. I have not gained any weight do to this med either. But it did not help me with my depression. I had to recently get put on another med for that, now I'm doing much better.

 

[Gamereign555]

That's great that it works for you. You know it's strange how these drugs work different for everybody. Celexa actually works great for my depression and only some for my anxiety. I started out with 20mg and now I take 40. I gained some weight, about 20 lbs, my appetite grew a little after feeling better. For a little while I took it at night before bed, then for awhile I split the dose and took it once in the morning and once at night, now since I have noticed it doesn't make too much of a difference when I take it, I take it all in the morning. This is my 6th month on it.

 

[Sazza]

I'm going to hang in there for now had bad night couldn't sleep wAs really restless and couldn't keep still my legs and arms was kicking them all over place. Having alot chest tightness so maybe the anxiety is still there just in more physical way. I to trust my doctor kimba hence riding it out. Just concerned re the depressive effect having on me and lack wanting to do anything and feeling flat. I was always worried anti depressants would make you feel numb and that what seems be happening for me.

Still taking it of morning for now. Thanks for sharing helps here how others doing on it. Am thinking if depression continues may need another medication adding what else have they put you on tosh?

 

[Kim]

I've been on antidepressants for 10 to 12 years now. I've been on Paxil, Celexa, and Cymbalta. For me Paxil was the worst. It had me craving chocolate 24/7 and I gained 60 pounds within a year and a half. The Celexa and Cymbalta haven't been as bad although I have put on more weight with them. I hate this!!!! I never really had a weight problem before going on the antidepressants. Another thing that doesn't help matters any for me is that it seems that since going on them I don't have the energy I used to. I used to be very active and have a lot of energy. That isn't the case now.

Now that I've been correctly diagnosed with PTSD and not just depression I'm hoping that any new meds will not add to this. I feel like a fat slob and it's not helping matters any for me. I would be happy if I was able to get back even a small amount of the energy that I used to have. I see the Psychiatrist for meds on Friday and I have no clue what he's going to put me on.

 

[Sazza]

I hear you Kim weight gain just causes an extra issue, i to am struggling with the energy issue an its only day 5 for me on the citalopram but i feel totally lacking in energy which will obviously add to risk of weight gain. I am back to seriously thinking if these are right choice for me again after reading more about gaining. Yesterday i started to restrict what i was eating because of the weight gain issue and have started weighing myself daily. I feel like the potential of gaining could be causing me more issues than i started with. Only problem is i don't want be seen to be stopping the meds and not giving them a try but the turmoil of not knowing if will make me gain weight is becoming something that appears to be taking over.