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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu cilatopram

41 replies

Azxo · 21/06/2020 08:15

Hi everyone, I've been prescribed cilatopram (hope I've spelt it right) for depression and anxiety but have put off starting them as reading the possible side effects has scared me.
I've got a 3 month old and my partner is working alot at the moment and I'm worried it might affect me taking care of her properly. Also our relationship isn't the best right now which I've already posted about previously.
I'd love to hear anyone's experience with cilatopram.

OP posts:
Di11y · 21/06/2020 08:20

I'm on 20 (started on 10) and it's made a world of difference without any side effects that I can see. i was getting intrusive thoughts and was teary, shouty and stressed. I had headaches for about 3 weeks going onto it then just felt like 'me' again. not overwhelmed by little things and liable to overreact at the kids.

BabyStarling · 21/06/2020 08:20

I was put on Citalopram years ago after having various different meds which did me no good at all. My experience had been wholly positive. I’ve had no side effects (apart from some dizziness if I forget to take it for a few days which is my own stupid fault). It’s honestly changed my life.

PatternedQuilt · 21/06/2020 08:23

I've had a very similar experience, I take 20 after starting on 10. Side effects for me have been headaches and fatigue for about a week then it was like a fog had lifted and I felt like myself again. For me Citalopram has been very positive!

mylittlesandwich · 21/06/2020 08:23

I didn't take it initially because I was worried about side effects. When I finally started I did feel sick for a few days but I was able to look after DS at the same time. I'm so glad I did it now, 4 months in and it's made such a difference.

TheFuckingDogs · 21/06/2020 08:25

Do it! I was really reluctant to start taking it years ago for anxiety. Someone (who also took it) said to me “ this is how bad your anxiety has become, you’re anxious about the thing that could help, if it doesn’t work for you then you stop!” Was the best thing I did. Years later I’m no longer on it because I don’t need it but at that time my brain really did just need a rest and it helped.
My side effects as I began to take it were actually really nice, colours all seemed a bit brighter and I felt really chilled.
Only downside for me was it does affect sex drive for a lot of women.
Good luck

WhatInFreshHell · 21/06/2020 08:33

Citalopram saved my life.

Rachie1973 · 21/06/2020 08:35

I’m on 20mg a day. The side effects didn’t really affect my functioning, just made me feel a little worse before I started feeling better at day 10. I take mine at night though, not in the morning.

Didicat · 21/06/2020 08:38

I started on 10 and before corona it was enough to take the edge off my anxiety. I have since moved to 20 and feel so much better for it and I am coping with moving house stress and home schooling. I’ve had the odd day where I have retreated to my bed when I am not coping but largely doing everything as normal as possible.

ShebaShimmyShake · 21/06/2020 08:39

It was amazing for me with no side effects. Didn't flatten or dull my feelings, just set them at normal.

OceanDweller · 21/06/2020 08:41

Same. Totally positive experience here. No longer need it but helped me to get back on tack some years ago when I was really struggling. I’d take it if I were you

GoosetheCat · 21/06/2020 08:42

I'm on 40mg a day. I take it in the morning and honestly it's made such a difference. I feel better in myself and I have much more energy. I sleep better and it gives me initiative to eat better rather than picking through the day.

Honestly, go for it. It was the best thing I ever did and feel it helped, especially in regards to DS. He had a much happier mum Flowers

nodtik · 21/06/2020 08:42

I took it when my husband left me and it was the best thing for me. Made me be able to function again.

Mild side effect, a bit of nausea for a few days and lots of uncontrollable yawning for a few days too ... but it made me feel human again!

Only took it for a few months ... give it a go!

DisneyMillie · 21/06/2020 08:42

I’m on 20 and the only side effects I had were feelings of nausea and headaches for about a week when I started on it. No other side effects since and it’s pretty much stopped my panic attacks and let me think clearly.

humblesims · 21/06/2020 08:43

My DH takes it (20mg). It helps him a lot and there dont appear to be any noticeable side effects beyond the initial few days. He isnt 'dulled' by it and can enjoy life again. I would say go for it.

overandunder9 · 21/06/2020 08:46

No problems here. The only side-effect I had was a few days of ultra-high mood which was just like that nice tipsy point when you’ve had a couple of drinks. One day I sat on my mum’s kitchen worktop and giggled for about 20 minutes.

PurpleMonkeyDishwasher86 · 21/06/2020 08:48

I'd strongly recommend tapering onto your final dose. I was prescribed 30 or 40mg, and because they didn't suggest building up I was hospitalised due to fits. It wasn't fun, but after that I was on it for several years and it worked great.

maybemu · 21/06/2020 08:50

My advice would be to start them. I didn't personally get on with that one and had to try a different one but the dr won't let you try others until you try this so you have to give it a go and they worked great for me at the start then I felt like they weren't doing the job. No side effects still so tho x

Dontknowwhyidoit · 21/06/2020 08:51

I took it for a year after being diagnosed with pnd, it helped me cope and I had very little side affects, just nausea and fatigue initially. It lifted the fog I was living in and reduced the negative thoughts I was having. Give it a go and if it doesn't suit you, then go back to the doctor and see what else you can do.

MinnieJackson · 21/06/2020 08:52

I was on 60mg about seven years ago and then they changed the dosages so the maximum was 40mg. I changed to sertraline about six months ago but not because of any side effects of the citalopram. Go for it and give it six weeks. It won't impact your ability to look after your son so don't worry about that,you definitely won't be zombie like or anything. Massive hugs to you! Flowers

DocusDiplo · 21/06/2020 08:53

I use it. It's fine after a week or two adjusting.
Read the side effects of paracetamol.
Good luck. Hope it helps Flowers You will feel alot better for it if it works for you.

Original poster
Azxo · 21/06/2020 08:54

Thankyou everyone for your replies, all have been so positive has definately made me more confident to try them now and stick it out through any side effects I might get, I've been having a really hard time lately coping not PND but a history of untreated depression. A few years ago when I was 21 I was at a bad low and was self medicating with cannabis and went to my old gp about getting antidepressants and he basically said it was better to smoke weed than to take them and only gave me a weeks worth of cilatopram. When I read the leaflet I realised it takes from 2 to 6 weeks to start working so that really put me off taking them aswell. My last gp advised me not to start before having a baby after my last miscarriage so I've finally managed to get the help I needed for a long time.

OP posts:
Rainallnight · 21/06/2020 08:54

The thing is, if you read the potential side effects for any drug, they all seem awful! Drug manufacturers have to include every possible side effect that anyone might get - it doesn’t mean every person will get every side effect.

I’ve had a very positive experience with citalopram. I think it did slightly intensify my symptoms for the first ten days or so, but then I felt much better. It allowed me to cope and re-build my life.

Good luck to you.

MinnieJackson · 21/06/2020 08:54

@PurpleMonkeyDishwasher86 they started you on 30 or 40mg? That's insane! Also if you feel like you want to come off them don't just suddenly stop @Azxo as you'll feel a bit grotty

Original poster
Azxo · 21/06/2020 08:55

Current gp*

OP posts:
MrsToothyBitch · 21/06/2020 08:56

I dated someone who took it, he seemed to be thriving on it. He had changed his life & seemed very happy. He was starting to lower his dose to come off it when we met, too. The only side effect he mentioned/he'd noticed was a lowered sex drive.