Side effects of citalopram and how to counteract them?

Hello everyone,

Ive been having a lot of problems with depression lately, and my family has a history of it. My doctor recently put me on citalopram, and by recently I mean 5 days ago.

Needless to say man oh man do I feel weird. I realize for the first 2 to 3 weeks ill probably feel weird. However I didn't really expect this, though I know what I am experiencing is apparently normal side effects.

Heres a list of what I have noticed:

Minor tinny taste in my mouth, minor drymouth I guess

Difficulties maintaining an erection

Lack of enthusiasm for activities I once enjoyed, as well as brain freezing when attempting to really think about them. Example: I'm on a paintball team. The other night I was trying to get myself geared up and ready to go and get mentally ready, however when I thought about everything that can happen during a game my brain literally froze up and I just couldn't think, it was too overwhelming. This wasn't the case a week ago. Same thing with things at work.

Sometimes I'm very very sleepy, though this is rather rare.

Im noticing headaches at night, whether or not this is due to this I don't know.

Difficulty focusing, becomming easily confused. Its like my mind is made of concrete and I can't think through it. Things that require a lot of focus and attention are difficult.

Apetite increase.

Some lack of emotion. The only time I really feel anything at all is when I'm with my fiancŽe. Everything is normal with her. This isn't to say I feel numb the rest of the time, I just feel zero really...



Needless to say, again, I realize that this drug can take time to kick in, my doctor advises around 2 to 3 weeks. What I'm wondering, is there any possible way to counteract most of these side effects?.

I typically take the drug first thing in the morning, but this is causing a lot of confusion in me during the day, and I can't have that at work. I'm wondering if I should switch to taking it right before I go to bed, I'm hoping if I do so that the effects would be a little more managable by the time I wake up.

Thoughts?. I really would like help with this.

Thanks!