Citalopram

[Peachmelba90]

I've been having to deal with some anxiety issues and finally went to the doctor to talk and get some advice. Basically I'm worried about finding a loo in time which then kicks off my IBS which in turn makes me anxious even more.

She offered me low dose citalopram 10mg a day. I've got the tablets but am wary about taking them. She said I can come off them whenever I want, they aren't addictive etc. I just don't know if it's a slippery slope

I'm On 40 mg for depression and has been v good but am coming off due to lack of libido and general flatness. It is supposedly good for ibs as relaxes digestive tract, tho I have had constipation.

The info I've seen is that the GPs have been told to make 40mg the top dose, not that the drug is being removed altogether

Scaldy, if you are having such reactions to reducing your dose, I suggest you don't go down to 40mg without seeing your GP again

Amazingly the medical profession don't all seem to know what it's like reducing the dose when you have been on them a while

From other threads on this subject people have advised reducing far more slowly 5mg at a time, or have 60mg one night and 50 mg the next for a couple of weeks, then 2 weeks at 50mg and only go down to 40mg on alternate nights when you have stopped having symptoms

i have been on Citalopram for 3 years since the birth of ds2..have always suffered from depression however was not on medication.

I honestly can say it changed my life.I started off at 20mg and went up to 50mg and thought that I had found my dosage.

Felt like a normal human being and a great mum. Was advised to reduce three weeks ago to 40 mg and I burst into tears. Seemed like such a step backwards into the old me.

I did it and it was fine..I was a crabby cow for around a week and I woke up and realised I was ok. Hurray! I'm going to leave it a few months and reduce again.

As long as you know its only a week then the moods are okay to cope with. I had posted on here a few weeks ago and got some amazing advice. If monitored and taken correctly it can be a life saver. Don't go skipping doses or stopping altogether as it can be awful.(been there..snot nice)

It will take about 3-4 weeks to kick in and youwill probably feel tired..I take mine at night to combat this. If you are suffering then it might be enough to get you over this hump.

They are no addictive and you don't develop a tolerance to them you just go to a dosage you feel human at.

best of Luck!

Hi OP, I am on citalopram for the exact same thing. I have Chrohn's Disease (similar symptoms to IBS) and I get myself in such a stress about it, because I have literally 3 mins tops from the first incling I may need a poo, to it coming out whether I'm ready or not I get so anxious about going somewhere if I dont have all the loos mapped out in my head

I am on citalopram for anxiety (no depression) and I had to go to 30mg before I felt better. Currently back on 10mg becuase of pregnancy and looking forward to popping it out and getting my 30mg back!

In my experience it's a wonder drug. I'm so much calmer on it and it really helps. I could have written your OP though!! i though I was just an odd bod! But there are 2 of us :)

Ironically the more I stress the more likely I am to need the loo! I could sit on my sofa without needing the loo an the second I go outside and there isn't a toilet i start to get anxious and my tummy muscles contract and bring on an attack!

scaldy they're not withdrawing citalopram it's just the advice has changed and the manufacturers don't feel anyone should be on a higher dose than 40mg (apparently they have decided there's no benefit from the higher dosage and people are no different on 60mg compared to 40mg). I hope you manage ok on the reduced dose.

@EllenandBump

I am a bit confused as to why they have put you on citalopram as i am prescribed citalopram (but dont take it) for post natal depression, this is an anti-depressant drug and therefore i do not understand why they have prescribed it to you for anxiety issues. I was also prescribed diazepam for the anxiety related effects of my post natal depression as i was told that citalopram would not have an effect on my anxiety. Maybe you should read the product information leaflet. I never did( oops). AND surely a better way for the doctor to be able to help you would be to help find a way to keep your ibs under control so that you dont struggle with anxiety in the first place? Maybe you should try talking to your health visitior who may be able to help you more or go back to your doctor. Citalopram does have side effects which is why after a few weeks i stopped taking it, and i am now coping (marginally but coping) without it. I dont feel its a slippery slope as i managed to come off it without a problem, but it is SUPPOSED to be medically supervised.

Best of luck. x

Citalopram treats both depression and anxiety, it's commonly used to treat anxiety