Citalopram for Panic Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• LuLu
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2020

"I have been on multiple medications all of them had weird side effects for me and weren’t effective enough for continued use. I had succumbed to a life of regular panic attacks for the last 5 years. Someone recommended Celexa and I swear this is the first time I have relief. Aside from a bit of brain fog and mild stomach upset the first 2 weeks I haven’t had any major side effects. I haven’t wondered if I have some catastrophic illness or had a panic attack in over a month. Things that used to trigger me feel like a hazy afterthought. I am able to tackle other issues in my life because I am not at constant war with my own mind. I didn’t think I’d ever feel like myself again but this medication has truly given my life back. I don’t normally write reviews.. however, this deserves one. Grateful .. can’t say enough good things 3 months in- first 1.5 on 10 mg and now on 20mg (thats my sweet spot!) good luck everyone, I hope you guys get to experience this too!"

• Ari
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 22, 2023

"I started using citalopram 2 years ago for anxiety and panic attacks. I was in really bad condition. I started on 10 mg and I had really bad side effects. After a few weeks, it's working wonderfully for me. It's like I was reborn and it saved my life. I stopped after a year, really slowly, with no side effects at all. But then, after 1 year, the panic attacks came back. I decided to start again, but this time, I didn't make the same mistake of starting at 10 mg. I started at 2.5 mg and for 3 weeks now, I'm at 5 mg and I feel like myself again. I will remain at 5 mg, I don't need more. Please, when you start and when you come off, do it really slowly if you don't want to get the side effects. This medicine is a life saver."

• sarin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2012

"I have developed panic attacks and anxiety almost a year ago and been put on 50mg of sertraline first which did a good job at stopping my panic attacks, however I had plenty of side effects so my GP changed sertraline into 10mg of citalopram which has been wonderful for me. I still feel anxious every now and then but nothing I couldn't handle. And no side effects at all."

• Take...
• February 7, 2011

Celexa (citalopram) "I have been using Celexa for a little over a year now. I was really going through some very stressful situations. Over the years I have been on other medications and was taken off after about a year. I had got to the point that I was having chest pains and could not stand to be around people. I did not want to leave the house. This medication has worked wonders for me. I enjoy being around people now and I no longer have chest pains and I no longer shake like I am freezing. I would recommend Celexa to anyone that needs it."

• Lrosa
• February 23, 2020

"I had been taking beta blockers for three years trying to push through panic attacks, OCD and anxiety. The beta blockers stopped helping and my anxiety reached a new horrible level. My doctor prescribed citalopram and I was petrified, I was convinced I would have all the side affects. Weeks of not having the courage to take the tablets my doctor prescribed a short course of diazepam to take along side the tablets. I am on 10mg, for the first week I split the tablets in half to 5mg. Once I had started to take the correct dose I had no side effects apart from not being able to sleep for the first three weeks. I have only had a positive experience with this drug, some times I have anxious days but mostly are good. It’s been three months now and I am so happy that I’ve stuck to the drug and I wish I had started them sooner."

• grace...
• September 4, 2008

Celexa (citalopram) "I suffered my first panic attack in 1992. I took imipramine for years which got rid of the attacks but gave some side effect and gained weight with Paxil. Doctors then put me on Celexa. It has been wonderful. The only way I can tell I'm on the drug is the panic attacks disappeared. I would recommend it highly."

• Anony...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 5, 2018

"I have been on citalopram 10mg 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 heart rate of 140bmp. 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 :)"

• Azmom
• May 11, 2017

"Back again to post another update. Going on week 6 of citalopram. Started on 10mg. Felt I needed to boost it up to 20mg. Things have been going great! Haven't had a panic attack in over a week now. I haven't experienced any side effects. Just amazed. Still happy I had courage to give this medication a chance. Best wishes. Panic and anxiety are awful to experience."

• anxie...
• July 21, 2011

Celexa (citalopram) "I was on Lexapro for 6 years before it started to poop out. Besides panic disorder, I have some OCD and I am scared of taken medicine. So, when the doctor wanted me to try Celexa it took three months of therapy and hitting rock bottom before I took it. Well, 5 weeks later things are great. Virtually no panic attacks and it has reduce to obsessive compulsive disorder habits to a minimum. I did have loss of sex drive for the first three weeks, but I am back to normal now and my husband is happy. I was also very scared of gaining more weight. I gained 45 lbs on Lexapro but so far on Celexa I have lost 8 lbs. I hope this medicine never poops out on me."

• Charles
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2019

"After developing a pretty severe anxiety/panic disorder after a bad panic attack, my GP recommended I try Citalopram + Therapy to get back on track. I had tried Buspirone, CBD and regular CBT with mixed results. The first 2-3 weeks of Citalopram were awful. Anxiety attacks were way worse, sweating from hands, insomnia, lost 15 lbs, had to stay home from work. Around the middle of week 3 I started to notice a slight improvement during certain times of the day. By week 4 I had gone from slightly agoraphobic to being able to get through an airport and onto a plane. I do feel a little bit zombie like sometimes - and still get bouts of dizziness - but overall after 4 weeks I feel like I went from a 0 to about an 8. Hopefully it continues to improve - just stick with it for at least 3-5 weeks."

• Camer...
• June 21, 2016

"First of all, I just wanted to warn people of the reviews on here saying, "'I am on the 2nd day...' 'It has been 1 week..." This drug doesn't work like that. Whatever you're feeling before the WEEK THREE of taking this is pretty much irrelevant to the review, as Celexa's effects take at least 3 weeks to work properly and for the side effects to ease/disappear. That said, the side effects can be awful at the start but once you're well into treatment this drug can be a literal life saver. I was diagnosed with clinical depression 14 years ago, and this is the only SSRI that has worked for me. Its only after you're off it do you realize how helpful this drug really is. If the side effects do go away after a month, id suggest something else."

• Nikki
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2018

"I started on Citalopram after suffering with anxiety, panic disorder and agoraphobia for many years. I tried the natural route but nothing worked long term. My panic attacks were awful. They came on without warning and make me VERY physically ill. My doctor put me on a low dose of Citalopram (celexa) my initial symptoms that I can remember were: dizziness, mild stomach upset, mild nausea, numbness in hands and feet, slight insomnia, increased anxiety, headaches, and severe lack of appetite. I was only consuming about 500 calories per day for 2 weeks but then week 2 hit and I upped my dosage to 10 mg. My appetite came back for the first time in over a year, I sleep amazing, I’m no longer anxious, if I feel an attack coming on it quickly subsides ( I haven’t had one since switching to 10 mg a month ago), I have energy, I’m not depressed and I have the urge to go out and do things all the time! I no longer am afraid to go places in fear of having a panic attack!"

• Vivs
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 9, 2018

"My Panic attacks started in early 2017. Back in my country doctor gave me 10 medicines a day but no relief. Then I have to move to UK. As I was not feeling well I consulted a doctor here in GP and she gave me two medicines (Propranolol and Citalopram)and stopped others. First 4 weeks were horrible and I started looking into reviews on this website & got some confidence. My condition was very bad for first 8 months I thought of giving it up and stop taking it but I also read the side effects of going off the medicine. I consulted my doctor and she increased citalopram 20mg to 30 mg, again had side effects for 2 weeks, insomnia, peaked anxiety etc. Only thing that keeps me taking this medicine is the feedback here on the site, many people advised to "Be there and don't give up on this medicine" and I promised that time if I ever recovered because of this medicine I will come back and write a honest review. I hope you all get to where I am now, it is all worth it and there is light at the end of the tunnel :). Stay blessed , stay positive and love all"

• Zano
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 17, 2020

"I've taking Citalopram for 7 years now for panic attacks and generalized anxiety. I've tried other medications and have quit a few times, but my anxiety and panic always come back and I end up going back to 40mg for relief. It's great medication and the side effects are generally mild and do go away once your body adjusts to it."

• Anonymous
• December 7, 2010

Celexa (citalopram) "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!"

• Simbe...
• November 30, 2009

Celexa (citalopram) "I have had panic attacks and anxiety and stress for over 10 years now. They tried everything until one Doctor put me on Xanax and it was such a relief for a while. Now I am up to 2mgs 3 times a day and my newest doctor put me on Celexa 6 months ago. There was some nausea at first like he said and sleepiness but it quit after a week or two and it so mellowed me out more. The attacks are less frequent and not near as bad. So for me a God send! I know everyone is different but I have not had one bad thought and can actually go out and shop and do things without worrying about an attack! The nausea was worth working through. Thank you Celexa! It sure helped me! "

• llrir...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 14, 2014

"I have had panic disorder for about 2 years now. I've been taking this medicine for a year of this. I had four ambulances rang to my house constantly thought I was going to die. This medicine has helped me a lot but my illness is very strong and still have severe panic attacks from time to time followed by migraines. It is very effective, it wont kick in for a month or so, so just hang in there things get worse before they improve. I take a 20mg dose by the way."

• Panic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2017

"For 8 years I have suffered from anxiety and depression, and this last year I began having debilitating panic attacks, most often while driving. I was very much against the idea of taking medicine as I thought I could heal myself. When things hit rock bottom I decided I had nothing left to lose. I started 10mg four days ago and it is the best decision I have ever made for myself. Day one was a bit strange and had one major panic attack, but since then have had zero anxiety or panic and zero side effects. I even went for a joy ride today in my car, because now I can drive without fear! Please please seek help if you're struggling, my only regret is not starting this medicine sooner."

• ANano
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 18, 2015

"Been taking celexa for 6 years now. I used to have such severe panic attacks I was afraid to live on my own, go grocery shopping, social gatherings, daily activities, etc. I would constantly be in emergency thinking I was having a heart attack. It took a few months for me to feel the effect. My panic attacks are so rare to none now. It also helped with my mild depression. Only bad side effect is I lack energy and am very tired. Celexa has changed my life, I'm so thankful for this medication."

• Geno...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 30, 2015

"I have been taking this for about 3-4 years and what a difference it has made in my life. I started out at 20mg and because of my size 250 the Doc went to 30 mg and bingo what a relief. Hang in there and give it a chance to work and you will get there. It doesn't happen over night. everyone's metabolism is different."

• ROXO
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2021

"I have been taking Citalopram for over a month now, I didn't have any major side effects compared to what I did on sertraline. All I had was sweaty feet and loss of appetite, but this has helped me so much. I'm getting out, going to work without panicking, going into shops by myself. I feel so much better. Before I was sleeping a lot, dizzy all the time, chest pains etc.. thats all gone now."

• cant...
• August 25, 2011

Celexa (citalopram) "20mg citralopam caused me to have severe anxiety attacks, feel like I cannot relax ever, cannot sleep, I feel dizzy all the time and nauseous, and its given me horrible digestive problems. I have taken Zoloft and Paxil and with good results for years, but started having sexual dysfunction and was switched to citalopram. It stopped my crying spells but I feel like my depression is still there. I just cannot let out my feelings due to this medicine. Only positive is that I can just barely manage to function sexually. I am really surprised to see all these good reviews on here as to how it made others less anxious and more positive and social and even drowsy as it has had the total opposite effect on me."

• Alycat
• March 30, 2017

"This has saved my life. I wasn't able to go to work or out because of intense panic attacks. I was hopeless. The medicine started working for me in a few days. The beginning side affects were bad though. Prepare to take it easy the first few days. I haven't had a panic attack in along time now ( compared to at least one a day). I am able to do things daily now without anxiety. I have nothing bad to say about this pill. I want to thank the creators of this medicine because it has improved my life tremendously!!"

• Anonymous
• July 23, 2009

Celexa (citalopram) "Celexa worked great to curb my anxiety. No longer use Xanax at all. However, side effects are getting to me and I am thinking of switching. I am experiencing: extreme fatigue and yawning, weight gain, blurred vision. Doctor is talking about switching me to Effexor. I recommend Celexa highly to anyone."

• Alexid
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2020

"I suffered 30 years with intermittent panic attacks. In the last 4 years I experienced night terrors several times a week. I was reluctant to take medication as I was concerned of side effects. In March this year I had several hypertensive crisis, were my blood pressure was above 190 due to panic and I had to attend the emergency department and call an ambulance. I realised that I needed help as my life was spiralling out of control. Reluctantly in April I saw a psychiatrist that diagnosed panic disorder and prescribed 10 mg celexa. It took me three days to fill the script an another 3 before I took the first dose (crying) the first few days I experienced tiredness but a sense of calm. Slowly the doctor increased the dose to 20mg per day and the nightmares and anxiety have completely disappear after 3weeks on 20mg :)"