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Original poster

TTC on Citalopram

8 replies

selsigfach · 18/03/2013 21:34

Hi ladies,
I miscarried 4 months ago and am now very depressed, crying uncontrollably and feeling like there isn't an end in sight to this darkness. (I'm not digging for sympathy, just want to give some background.) I went back to the doctor today as I just can't cope anymore and have been prescribed with Citalopram. I really, really didn't want to go on anti-depressants as I'm so scared about miscarrying the next baby, if it ever happens. However, I don't think I'm ever going to be able to conceive without sorting this out - hysteria isn't turning husband on, apparently.
So I just wanted to know...
How long did it take for the Citalopram to kick in and stopped you from wanting to jump off a bridge?
Has anyone successfully conceived/carried full term whilst on Citalopram?
Did you come off the meds as soon as you got your BFP?

OP posts:
chocoloulou33 · 18/03/2013 22:44

Hi hun. Sorry to hear about what's happened to you xx I know how hard it is. In the past I have suffered from severe anxiety & bouts of depression. I also had 2 m/c's before I concived my dd who is now 5. I also felt it would never ever happen. I didn't go onto citalopram until about 2 years ago as that's when my anxiety was so severe I was struggling with day to day tasks. It took about 5 weeks to kick in. The thing is as soon as I told my gp I was ttc I was weaned off them within a month as she told me its v dangerous for the baby. I asked if I could just stop taking them when I get bfp but she said even in those first few days after conception its dangerous. Does your gp know ur still ttc as seems a strange thing to do. My gp said there r safer meds to take when ttc or pregnant if I needed them. Sorry if this isn't news ur hoping for, its just what I've been told. But maybe if ur feeling so awful u need to hold off on the ttc for a while & take the citalopram to get better? What do u think would be best for you? X

ILoveMyCats · 18/03/2013 23:10

Hello there's,
So sorry you've been going through this. I agree that you should talk to your GP about medication that is safe while ttc. Citalopram is the go-to antidepressant as it has the least amount of side effects, but is quite generic. I didn't find it helpful for my depression. I changed to venlafaxine and it worked for me and the psychiatrist (yes, I ended up seeing one of those), said that he had had several patients conceive and deliver healthy babies while taking it. You're right that you need to get it sorted, for you as much as for DH. Good luck.

Original poster
selsigfach · 18/03/2013 23:29

Thank you both for your kind words.
It was my first baby and I'm so scared I'll have another MC - I don't know how women like you chocoloulou can bear it for a second (or third, fourth, fifth) time.
I did say we were TTC again and Dr said it should be fine as, because my depression stems from the MC, I should be able to come off it if/once I get my BFP. Bit scared now having seen your post. Don't want to stop TTC as I feel that being pregnant again is the only thing that will make these feelings go away but it getting my period just makes me feel like a failure all over again each month. So perhaps you're right. I don't blame myself for my first MC but I know I'd beat myself up if I miscarried whilst on antidepressants.

Dr said to go back in three weeks so I'll see how things go and raise your points about alternate, safer medications. It's so hard trying to work out what's the best thing to do.

OP posts:
Madratlady · 19/03/2013 00:04

I was on citalopram for a few months but stopped when we decided to ttc. The withdrawals were horrendous and I was only on a low dose. Whatever you do, don't stop suddenly, you need to wean off it.

LadyMedea · 20/03/2013 22:20

Just had my pre TTC chat with the GP and was told that Citalopram is generally ok (they'll never say safe). As always its a 'does the benefits of taking it outweigh the risks'.

More details on www.mayoclinic.com/health/antidepressants/DN00007.

The truth is for most drugs they don't really know the impact, but the fact that they don't know ( when oodles of pregnant women take them) means that if there is an effect it is small or very rare.

LadyMedea · 20/03/2013 22:41

Actually ignore meand my gp... See my angry thread!

And you can't breastfeed on Citalopram....

littlepinkfizz · 21/03/2013 13:51

Don't worry... I carried my last baby on 40mg of citalopram. Have had 3 mc also and pnd so know how desperate you feel. It does pass though,but I know you will not be able to believe this yet.

Will be thinking about you. X

littlepinkfizz · 21/03/2013 13:53

Just to add ... I successfully breast fed ds on said 40mg citalopram for a year. He is a wonderful,healthy,happy boy.x

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