My Citalopram Nightmare

8 yrs ago I was prescribed Citalopram in hopes that it would help with my IBS pains as well as other pains I experience from other diseases. I wish I had never taken that medication.

The pharmacy provided an information pamphlet with the medication but it didn't have the full list of side effects. For that, I had to go online and read one that E.R departments are given. That is where I saw the risk for the side effects that I experienced. If I had known the risk, I never would have taken the medication. Drug pamphlets should contain the full list of side effects cause not everyone has access to the internet.

By providing your email address, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Short-term memory issues

Just after a week of taking Citalopram, I was having MAJOR short-term memory issues. Have you seen 'Finding Nemo'? Yea, I was like Dori. I could start talking about something and forget part way through what I was saying. If I was interrupted, I wouldn't remember what I was saying before I was interrupted. It was incredibly scary. I had seen my Mom go through this with Prednisone and couldn't believe it was now happening to me.

A week later, the scariest side effect happened. While walking home with my husband, all of a sudden I collapsed on the side of the road. I was no longer able to stand, or move my legs at all for that matter. I could still feel them, but that was it. I couldn't move my arms that much either. My husband had to carry me a block to our home. I instantly stopped taking the medication and made an appointment with my GP.

He informed me that he knew of those risks but decided it was worth the risk. I 100% disagree. Especially because it did nothing for my pain levels.

Not fully recovered

There are things that happened during that month and the following that I have no recollection of. Conversations, events with people and family members, shows/movies, etc. are all gone from my memory. To this day my short-term memory hasn't fully recovered. It's very frustrating because I can be having a conversation with my husband and when he asks for clarification about what I said, I can't always provide it due to not being able to remember what I had just said. There have been times I have had to bring my husband with me to doctors appointments as my backup brain, which is exactly what I tell the doctor.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The IrritableBowelSyndrome.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.