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Mental health

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Original poster

Well, today I finally did it

17 replies

droitwichmummy · 04/11/2011 13:02

After months of telling myself my depression would pass and I was just going through a rough patch, I went to the doctor's today.

I have come away with a 4 week supply of ADs (citalopram 10 mg) and an appointment to go back in 4 weeks. Rang DH on the way home who was supportive (I'm partly in this state because of him so he had better be) then walked the rest of the way in floods of tears.

In between the tears I wondered about starting a blog of my journey out of this fog. Is anyone doing this already? Would it be useful to anyone else? I will probably do it even if no one follows it, it might help and I have always had a feeling I ought to write.

Any advice on citalopram would be useful. I read the (very long) leaflet with all of the side effects. Wat should I be looking out for?

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Original poster

droitwichmummy · 04/11/2011 13:03

You see, I knew I wasn't right! I always preview before I post but today I didn't. It's what not wat fgs.

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ThatllDoPig · 04/11/2011 13:09

You sound just like me a month ago. I had a tough couple of weeks, as things sometimes get worse before they get better on ad's and it takes a while for things to stableise (excuse spelling!) but stick with it. After a fortnight I turned the corner and starting feeling so much better. Wish I hadn't left it so long before asking for help. Really enjoying feeling more like me again. The relief to be free of all those feelings of despair is immense. Stick with it. All the very best to you. You are now on the road to recovery, well done for valueing youself enough to give yourself that chance. Go for it with the blog if it helps you, but you might feel that it is better to focus on something else .. .whatever helps, do it!

Sparklingbrook · 04/11/2011 13:16

Agree with ThatllDoPig I started Citalopram (20mg) and it did get worse to start with. Now 4 months later I can see it has changed my life completely.
I feel so much better. I was told to maybe expect an upset stomach but I didn't. Have a few vivid dreams (not nightmares). It's worth sticking with. Well done.

Original poster

droitwichmummy · 04/11/2011 13:20

Thank you for your replies.

ThatllDoPig I'm looking forward to being me again and get my bounce back. The doctor did tell me to expect another prescription when I go back so I know this won't get better quickly.

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ThatllDoPig · 04/11/2011 13:26

Recovery won't be quick. Look at being on them for at least six months, and give youself a chance. Be prepared in the first couple of weeks to feel exhausted and overwhelmed. Sleep as much as you can, don't do anything that you don't have to do. Steer clear of people that you find hard work. Just hang in there and know that you will start to feel better soon.

Sparklingbrook · 04/11/2011 13:27

Just remembered I was warned it can make you a bit sweaty at first. It did for a while (just felt quite hot). Also they have given me constipation. Sorry if TMI. Those first few weeks were a bit of a blur. If I remember anything else I'll let you know.

Original poster

droitwichmummy · 04/11/2011 14:46

I keep treating myself as an invalid if if I don't think I am iyswim.

I have started my blog as I think it would be good for me as a type of confessional. It may end up being very rambling but it doesn't matter as it's just for me.

Sparkling thanks for the tip about overheating. It will stop me worrying that I have hit the menopause on top of everything else!

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Sparklingbrook · 04/11/2011 15:48

I really hope it works for you as well as it has for me droitwichmummy x

NanaNina · 04/11/2011 21:43

Hi DM - I keep a journal as I am still struggling to fully recover from a severe episode of depression last Easter (can go weeks and all is well, then I dip into a depressive state again for an average of 5 or 6 days) I am on an old fashioned AD (Imipramine 200mg)

I used to keep the journal on a daily basis, now I only write in it on bad days. It helps me to get it on to paper and stops me moaning quite as much to my DP! On really bad days the writing is all big and scrawly. I actually write it because I started it when I was in hospital and didn't have my laptop. I can say anything I like as no one else will be reading it.

Hope you start to feel much better soon - you are on a very low dose of citalopram and it may be that your GP will increase it next time you see GP.

OneWaySystemBlues · 07/11/2011 18:37

I have looked at your blog and I want to say thanks for writing this. My doc today has given me a prescription for Citalopram and I'm v nervous of taking it. I'm looking forward to your updates, and hope it works for you. I'm still thinking about whether I'm going to take it...

Original poster

droitwichmummy · 07/11/2011 18:45

OneWay it is a big step to take but I found the hardest part was going to the doctor and admitting I need help. I'm glad you like the blog, today's installment will be about some of the side effects which have started showing today. It should go on late tonight with any luck!

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RosiethePriveter · 07/11/2011 19:01

Congrats on making it to the docs. I also did similar about 7 weeks ago after my DP made me realise that I was indeed depressed and it wasn't just X crisis that was causing me to be stressed / not sleeping / nervous etc etc. The highlight of it all (thanks to a quite frankly amazing GP) is that I have realised that anxiety is my biggest demon and something I have clearly lived with and suffered with all my life.

The citalopram (30mg for me) has completely changed things. I feel like a new person and finally know what it's like not to be crippled with anxiety.

Good luck to you and well done!

OneWaySystemBlues · 07/11/2011 21:39

I'm scared of the side effects. The dose is low, 10mg, but I'm still scared.

RandomMess · 07/11/2011 21:42

Which side affects are you worried about?

I have had some of the common ones, worst of all was the sinus problems because they hurt like hell for a few weeks!

RosiethePriveter · 07/11/2011 21:48

I barely had any side effects really. I was a bit 'druggy' for about the first week (first time on any medication I wouldn't drive) and lost my appetite but it literally lasted 7 days and back to feeling normal. Felt no difference in side effects when I increased from 20mg to 30mg.

OneWaySystemBlues · 07/11/2011 22:05

feeling sick, as that is one of my anxieties, but mainly feeling worse than I already do at times - increased anxiety I guess. i'm an anxious person who's learned to deal with it well through counselling, but i have a son with sn and recently my coping mechanisms have been less effective, hence the visit to the doc.

Original poster

droitwichmummy · 07/11/2011 22:18

OneWay I have had a few side effects today but nothing I can't handle (and I'm a coward) To be honest it has been a bit tricky to distinguish between my usual depression/anxiety and a side effect apart from a mild dose of the runs in the morning!

I've been a bit shaky and mildly spaced out (just for a few mins this morning) and my hands went a bit manic when I was talking to someone today but I spotted it and sat on them! I was talking to that person about my illness, so that might have triggered it.

It obviously has to be your decision to take them, but I would say go for it and just keep an eye open for ill-effects. If something happens that you don't like, get back to the doctor who can change them for something that suits you better.

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