Celexa/citalopram users

I'm on day 3 of taking 10mg of celexa. So far, no terrible side effects. The only things I am experiencing are a bit of fidgetiness, dizziness and disorientation.  I am also finding it a bit hard to focus on tasks. Probably becaue I also feel sedated. I know it makes no sense..fidgety and sedated feeling...but it's true. I also have no appetite. I can barely choke down food without feeling overly full. I"m trying to snack on granola before going to the gym so I have some energy to spare!

I'm also constantly obsessed with the fear of weight gain and loss of libido and/or anorgasmia. It's driving me nuts, but I know it varies from person to person.

So far, though, this is a much better experience than other a/ds I have taken. Much much milder side effects!

Anyone taken celexa/citalopram that can shed some input and advice??

Thanks!

Hi, I've been on Celexa for a long time now(currently on 60mg daily,which is the maximum dose). I haven't had any adverse effects from it; as far as weight gain goes, I do sometimes put on weight when I'm in a very low phase(tend to comfort-eat),but once I start going to the gym again,and watching what I eat, I lose weight OK.
As far as the sexual dysfunction aspect, I've actually found my sex-life has improved---I gather some folk are lucky enough to experience this on Celexa,though others do have the problems you mentioned. The anorgasmia thing is a very frustrating business,and I had that with some of the other anti-depressants I've had over the decades,especially Paxil. I hope things work out for you.If Celexa does affect your sexual life adversely,there are lots of other meds which maybe won't. Hope you feel able to discuss this with your doctor if it's a problem.
It's great that you're going to the gym. I always feel better for it. Let us know how things are going,and if there's anything else I can help you with.

Thanks everyone. I am hanging in there. I actually feel better today. The first few days the meds made my anxiety increase, so I took .25- .5 mg of klonopin in the morning to keep from having a panic attack at work. That made me pretty sedated.  Today, I felt much better so I didn't take any klonopin. I am supposed to up my dosage to 20mg this weekend.

Dysthymia - thanks for the encouragement re the weight thing. When I've been on a/ds before I would put on weight. Not anything terrible - like 10 pounds or so - but enough to be bothersome. In hindsight, I wonder if it wasn't because I was eating differently and wasn't as conscientious about working out. I gave up red meat, dairy, high fatty foods, desserts, processed foods, etc. I also go to the gym 4-5 days a week now and do cycling classes, weight training, kickboxing, yoga, etc. I'm in the best shape I've ever been in is why I am worried about weight gain. All that hard work...but I suppose if I maintain my workout schedule and continue to eat right I'll be okay. As for the sexual dysfunction - Effexor killed my libido. That is why I was concerned now.

Guess I just have to stop trying to control everything and just see what happens ;)

Thank you so much for the encouragement. I need all I can get right now to stay with the celexa. I"m feeling pretty rotten today. It's my third day taking 20mg. I have awful nausea and the loose stools are back. I'm trying to concentrate at work, but my tum hurts. Did you experience any side effects like this? How long before they go away? I'm concerned that the med is negatively impacting my IBS, which may or may not go away with time. Otherwise, my moods are consistently stable and that "edge" is gone. I definitely don't feel as wound up, but I would rather be at home in bed than trying to gut it out at work today. Bleh.

Hello there,
Wow,you're at WORK,with all this going on? Hope you don't do a stressful job! The loose stools problem----I know this can be difficult when you increase the dose of Celexa,and the same can apply when you decrease it; I've found that this goes away after a couple of weeks. Your situation is a bit different because of the IBS---you may not know for a while whether it's the Celexa that's responsible or not. I found that the nausea soon wore off too. See how you get on.The fact that your mood seems more stable is good news. I hope that if you hang on in there,the physical stuff will settle down,and you'll be able to enjoy renewed mental health.
It's always difficult when you start on a new med,and don't know whether you're getting side effects,or whether it's symptoms of anxiety,or what.
Hope to hear things are improving for you.

Yes, I am at work dealing with all this. It's okay. I've dealt with far worse with my IBS and had to work through every miserable day of it. I'm an attorney, so my job can be pretty darn stressful at times. It definitely feeds my anxiety.