To try get the doctor to prescribe me Citalopram as Alzheimer prevention, when I am not really depressed? At least not very depressed.

[QuintessentiallyQS]

Preventing Alzheimer's disease — with an antidepressant

"he selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, drives down the production of a protein called beta-amyloid, which in the brains of those with Alzheimer's clumps together in sticky plaques and is thought to short-circuit the brain's wiring."

This is a significant find.

I also wonder if there is a link between untreated depression and dementia?

I am quite certain that I will get Alzheimers. I already now feel that my memory is not like it was. My grandmother had it, and out of her 7 children, 5 has gone on to develop either Parkinsons, Alzheimers, or Levy Body Dementia, all part of the same spectrum, and all clustered in our family, which is often found to be the case.

All I have read in the news about factors contributing to Alzheimers, with stressful life, problems, genetic make up, apply to me. I am trying to avoid the foods often found to make it worse, like sugar and certain proteins. I drink coffee and red wine, as it has been found to help, and I try to exercise. But I dont want my children to go through what I have gone through with my own mum, and indeed what my children have gone through with their grandma. Also, I dont want her life.

My mum said to me, while she was still of sound mind "If I get Alzheimers, regard me as lost, just let me fall into myself. But dont let me end up like my brother who is a vegetable in a carehome. I would rather die". And when she had just moved into the carehome, confused about what was happening to her, and aware of her situation, she said "I wish you could let the door open when you leave, so that I can just walk up to the mountain, sit down and meet my maker". It is a terrible illness. I am struggling with this, and my poor dad is struggling with this and miss his life partner, for she is nothing but a shell.

So, seeing that I could be genetically disposed for this awful illness, would I be unreasonable to approach my gp and ask for a low dose of Citalopram? I am still not ok after pnd, have periods where everything is bleak. If this medicine can help clear my fog now, and also help preventing Alzheimers, it would be a good thing, right?

You are right, I cant tell my gp that I want it as Alzheimer prevention. So how can I ensure that I get this particular medicine?

Well, it says towards the end of the article you linked that any of the SSRI class of drugs will have this effect so I wouldn't get too hung up on the exact drug.

It also says the dose used in the study is much higher than the dose used to clinically treat depression.

And, 'an article published two months ago on citalopram as treatment for agitation associated with Alzheimer's found further cognitive impairment and cardiac toxicity in those taking it.'

Also, there is a LOT of ground to cover between reducing B-amyloid levels in CSF, and reducing risk of Alzheimers.

I'm really sorry, I can see why you are clutching at straws but I don't think this is a fantastic idea.

Do you have anyone in the family with access to literature databases, who could check if anyone's done a study into whether long-term A-D users have less risk of getting Alzheimer's? I can have a look this evening but I'm a bit tied up today

Quint, I agree, discuss your current mood problems with your GP.
I cannot see any harm mentioning your concerns re Alzheimer's and requesting Citalopram to be considered as a first choice.

BUT -
I get really angry about science reporting like you linked to as it seems to suggest hope to people like yourself who are understandably worried about an awful condition such as Alzheimer's when what has been published is first data on mice models and health volunteers. I have not read the original study, but these are early results that may or may not work to prevent/slow down/reduce the effects of Alzheimer's.
I am not an expert, but I was under the impression that there is an association between certain proteins and a number of neurodegenerative disorders, but so far not proven causative link?

I think you need help and support with how you are feeling right now. Whether or not that is going to reduce your risk of Alzheimer's, who knows.

And wot Boulevard said - toddler wrangling does not promote sensible posting

A quote from the article "People should not start popping citalopram or other antidepressants in the expectation that they will prevent Alzheimer's disease," said Schneider, who was not involved in the latest study. "They could be doing some substantial harm."

I think this kind of study is in its very early stages, citalpram and pnd can both affect memory and give you that fog you describe. I have experience of both. Granted if it is proved to prevent it, then its a good thing, but trust me, citalpram comes with its own problems and side effects. Its not a drug to be taken lightly.
If it were me, and feel free to ignore, I would focus on what is happening right now, the pnd, not future possibilities

Hi, logged with a different account for this as I'm not sure how DP would feel about me discussing it.

DPs mum died a couple of years ago of early onset alzheimers and he has sort of resigned himself that it is going to happen to him to. His memory is dreadful at the best of times and I really worry that he's right.

My grandma is currently in a nursing home and has dementia and watching her slowly forget and become confused about everything and everyone she knows has been really difficult. The thought that this might happen to DP is terrifying and I totally understand why you would want to do anything to prevent it.

As for citalopram, I have been taking this for a number of years for depression and anxiety (we sound like a right pair but really we're 'normal' functioning adults with good careers and plod along just nicely).

I really would speak to your GP about both your worries over dementia and your PND as seperate issues. I think if you try and cloud the two you will end up with a solution to neither.

Citalopram works wonders for me and clearing my 'fog', I don't think I realised how far from functioning properly I was before I started taking it. However, that said, it is a very powerful drug and I have had friends who have been on it and just can't get on with it at all. There are loads of side effects that granted you might not get but it's a consideration.

I have also had cognative behavioural therapy which took a long time to get but was brilliant, I taught myself to stop worrying about things so much and let stuff go that I had no control over. I also discovered the more exercie I get the better my mood is and going for a swim can stop a downward spiral before it starts.

I don't think you are being unreasonable at all for wanting to do anything you can to try and prevent what you consider inevitable. (If I thought citalopram would help prevent it in DP I would be crushing mine up and adding it to his tea) but there are a lot of options when it comes to mental health and finding the combination that will best treat you has to be the best solution but you have to be honest and you won't get an answer over night.

Sorry to have banged on a bit but I hope this helps x

Thanks, you are all very helpful. Thanks for sharing, calculator.