Citalopram

[Mishy1234]

I've been prescribed Citalopram 20mg today for anxiety/low mood. I'm sitting here looking at the box and just can't bring myself to take that first tablet.

I have tried other avenues, stopping all alcohol, yoga, getting out more etc and it has worked to a certain extent, but as soon as something unexpected comes up (ill child, stress at work tc) I'm completely knocked for six again. It's like being in a well and spending most of the time with my head out of the top feeling ok and then suddenly falling to the bottom and having to start the long limb out again.

Am I 'bad' enough to merit taking these tablets? Am I making more trouble for myself in the long run (withdrawal issues). I feel so ashamed it as come to this. So rubbish for needing them and like I'm really letting my family down by being the 'weak link'.

Should I just be toughening it out and not taking anything? Dosn't everyone feel low sometimes?

I'm so sorry to ramble on like this, but is the only place I feel I can say these things.

They wouldn't have prescribed them if you wouldn't benefit from them. Don't try and struggle on alone. It won't help in the long run. Your doctor us trying to help you and they clearly think that medication is the right way to go. There is no shame in accepting this help. There are literally thousands of people out there who take ads and it could really help you. Please don't think that you're failing if you need help. The fact you asked for help is a triumph and you should be proud to have taken that first step

Taking anti depressants is not being weak, it is being strong enough to do something about it. They won't catapult you out of your well, but give you something to hold onto while you're climbing out. When I was prescribed them I felt the same as you, but my GP said that I'd be surprised at how many people took them, and you'd never guess.
BTW they make you feel weird to start with, my GP started me with a half dose so I could get used to them.
What's the point of toughing it out?no one will give you a prize for being superwoman. Hang in there and good luck

What Brightspark and AceofBase said. You are not the weak link, you have been really strong in acknowledging that you need help and in taking the first step towards getting that help. I took Citalopram for about a year, but like you I had the packet in my bag for a few days before I took the first one. It was fine, I didn't start suddenly singing and dancing, full of the joys of spring but I very soon began to feel like the old me again. When it comes to stopping, do it very slowly and it will be fine xx

Thanks so much for the kind replies. It helps so much to hear from people who know what it's like. I will start taking them.

Please don't feel like a failure! I used to feel embarrassed about it but now I don't think of it any differently than someone who has to take tablets for high colesterol for example. I've been on citalopram for about 10 years now and it just means I'm able to cope with life - and not just that but actually enjoy life! I take 10 mg every morning, it's not a big deal at all. I feel so strongly that as a society we need to get rid of this stigma surrounding mental health problems. It's taken me a while to stop feeling embarrassed but in the last year or so I've told most of my good friends (who I trust) that I'm taking citalopram; it's part of accepting the way I am and that struggling is nothing to be ashamed of. Do keep posting and let us know how you get on?

I think you would be really surprised to find how many of the people you like, love and admire around you are or have been on ADs. It's no more a sign of failure than it is to need insulin for diabetes.

My dh is a vicar and when he told his congregation that he needed some time off for depression everyone who had ever been ashamed to talk about their own suddenly opened up!

Hi Mishy I've been on citalopram 20mg for 10 days now. The first week is hard as the side effects can be rather a pain in the butt - in my case I felt very very tired and stoned all the time. I didn't have the energy to do anything and couldn't put a coherent thought together, but now after 10 days I feel great. The side effects have pretty much gone, the only one remaining is the carb cravings and I've ordered some chromium picolonate to help with that.
Anyway, good luck and I hope that you start to feel like your old self again soon

Ditto to all of the above. I've been on AD's for about 8 years now. Took fluoxetine for a couple of years and now take 20mg of citalopram.

I felt a complete failure at first and it was only by lurking on MN that I realised that I'm not alone. Most of my friends are pretty 'normal' (in their eyes anyway) and just didn't get the whole anxiety thing. This did have an effect on me as I felt I was alone but when I confided in a couple of close friends they told me of others going through the same. I've come to realise that we are the normal ones, asking for help is a part of life and no-one should feel any less of a person for doing so.

Whilst there are still people I interact with that don't know, it doesn't bother me, we all have our foibles (sorry can't spell)!!!

Velcro - I'm intrigued by Chromium thingammybob. I take it that it doesn't interfere with Cit? I've struggled with my weight since taking Cit, but I'm an IBS sufferer as well so have put the weight gain down to that (TMI - I lucky to go once a week )

Lozis I found out about it here www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_tips.htm
I did a search on Sunday for stuff that might help me and that came up, and then I found people on forums who said it helped them. I couldn't find any problems between Cit and Chromium, so I ordered some. Am waiting for it to arrive and really really hope it works cos I'm developing a serious digestive biscuit addiction!