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Original poster

Citalopram Hydrobromide tabs (ADs) 20mg

96 replies

biglipskissinunderthemistletoe · 13/12/2005 10:24

What are your experience using them? as i have been given them by my docs today as ive got a depression

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 13/01/2006 01:49

Alcohol is contraindicted, but apparently, cannibis is not. Well, at least, that's what my ex-h's psychiatrist told him.

expecting · 13/01/2006 09:16

That's a whole different ballgame!

mummytosteven · 13/01/2006 09:36

exactly expecting! Personally I won't touch cannabis with a bargepole, given I am obviously vulnerable to mental health problems, no point in playing with fire.

biglips · 13/01/2006 09:50

is it just me but since taking the tabs @ nite.. 5/7 nites i wake up STARVING, eg last nite i had a good size tea and supper before i headed off to bed but woke up at 5am starving!!! as my dp can hear my stomach growling

mummytosteven · 13/01/2006 09:52

could be that if the tabs are starting to work, you are starting to get your appetite back. check the list of side effects, as I imagine it could include increased appetite tho!

WigWamBam · 13/01/2006 10:04

One of the side effects initially is loss of appetite. From memory I lost my appetite for about 2 weeks, then it came back with a vengeance, so maybe this is just your appetite coming back as the side effects wear off.

Nemo1977 · 13/01/2006 13:37

hi all
biglips sorry to hear you have been feeling low, can empathise both from personal and profesional perspective. In terms of the citalopram it can take up to 6 wks for any medication to build up in your system in order to then have a desired effect. Most do work within 2-4wks but what your GP is suggesting is the norm for ADs. A lot of people take them expecting a result within 1-2 wks however that is not how they are designed to work. Interesting looking at the thoughts you are having BL as it is normal for anyone to have intrusive negative thoughts, everyone does it is just to what you ruminate on them and they take over your day to day activities. Some of your worries actually sound quite founded to me personally in terms of the huge responsibility we have for kids so thinking about something happening to them or your partner is something I think that most parents experience.

Expecting interesting what you say in regards to ADs being better in short term use as that technically goes against how they are designed. I do agree that early intervention with counselling proves to be more effective in combating depression however sometimes people are not suitable to counselling without the support of medication in order to alleviate anxiety felt. Also suggesting meds only be used for a 6mth period and then creating a dependancy would surely depend on every individual case as yes Ads are readily prescribed by gps mainly due to the lack of MH resources and knowledge available.

Sax · 13/01/2006 14:42

Hiya all and Biglips,

Love some of the names here just thought i'd add my two pennith!!! By the way Wigwambam, lovely to see you and awesome replies, well done, great to hear you sound good.

I was commenced Citalopram 20mg last Summer, approx 6 weeks later felt not doing enough so had them increased to 40mg which is where I'm at. Didn't have many side effects so I feel i'm on the right ones, just do blip every so often but thats depression for you I guess.

I wasn't advised when to take them, i have always had them in the morning but do feel pretty zonked by the afternoon, hence me sitting doing nothing which I should right now and coming on here lol.

My advice is to give them a good go before dismissing them, they have really really helped me and was referred to a counsellor at the same time (last summer) had my appointment eventually yesturday - waste of time, she's signed me off her books saying I have come through my hole and seem to know what to do if I go into it again lol.

Anyway will keep an eye on how all are doing a bit more now and hope 2006 is better for us all.

expecting · 13/01/2006 21:13

Nemo, I did say it depended on the individual. I agree with your point that many will benefit from ADs in conjunction with counselling. My main worry is that people are put on them and just left on them with very little follow up or intervention. I would be interested to know how long on average mners have been taking ADs for, what support they were given whilst on medication and how they coped when they stopped.

biglips · 19/01/2006 00:01

im ssoooo tired since Xmas and cant seems to get out of bed zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz as my body feels it lacking of sleep zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

SHHHH · 01/02/2006 11:51

Just checkin how you are doing..biglips and mummyhill ? Biglips are you still on citalopram ? Well i felt fine until about a week ago . i have had a few down days but like you big lips i am sssooooooo tired ! i could sleep for a month [yawn emotion]...is it the tablets? i can easily have 10 hrs but still want more !!!! suppose having a baby doesn't help as it is not quality sleep...

SHHHH · 04/02/2006 14:50

are you around biglips..?

BROWNY · 04/02/2006 16:52

Bump for Biglips!

biglips · 04/02/2006 17:34

hiya sshhhhhh ... im here!!! im still the same on them tabs, so gotta go back on tues and poss put me on a 30mg and not 20mg

im abit tired but that was partly my fault as ive been going to bed late since xmas till last week which ive started to go to bed early and it makes a difference

how are you today?

SHHHH · 04/02/2006 22:48

hiya, glad you are ok.Sorry to hear that the tablets are not doing you any good,let me know how you get on on tue.
Today I feel ok and tbh the last few weeks I have had more happy days than sad ones. Thats quite positive. But the bad days have been bad and I have wanted to sleep all day. Those days I just usually take things easy and am not to harsh on myself. Suppose to me its a sign that all is still not 100%.

My wieght is getting me down as I have about 1.5 st of baby weight to loose and it's not shifting..gp says that the tablets will interfere with weight loss..great.!

I was tired the end of last week but dh & I have started to go to be soon after dd (still in with us) so we have also been having early nights. Like you its having a good impact.

biglips · 07/02/2006 12:59

well went to docs and docs had given me 30mg as its just not working full stop for me and on the way out, i went to the loo and baba (16m) pulled the loo tissue about a mile long around the loo!! i had to pile it all on the window ledge!!!!!

biglips · 07/02/2006 22:46

i wonder long it will take for it to kick in? as ive been taking the 20mg for 2 mths now

biglips · 07/02/2006 22:47

sorry - i wonder how long the 30mg will kick in?

SHHHH · 09/02/2006 22:33

biglips LOL at baba and the loo roll...things like that make it fun being a mum . I am waiting for dd to be like that as I know I was exactly the same as a little girl (dh doesn't think I have changed much !! )..

Hope you are better soon.xx

genkilady · 14/08/2011 01:58

hi girls, am a newbie to mumsnet but not to citalopram. been on it 6 years following a stroke.

to get off it you must take it really slow. decreasing over a long time. i started on 40mg, decreasing over a year and am now on 10mg for last 4 months then went to one every other day. Having looked it up on various sites i reckon it should take about 18months to wean yourself odd them, if you dont want the horrendous side effects. it sounds a long journey but its worth it. I am starting to feel normal now. And i wish you all Luck with it.

madmouse · 14/08/2011 08:40

Hi genkilady - welcome! This thread is over 5 years old, most people posting on it have probably moved on by now. It's better to contribute to a recent thread or start your own :)

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