Cilalopram...

[YommyMommy]

I can only handle positive stories right now please :)

I have started on 10mg today for anxiety and depression. I'm do relived to b getting some help and looking forward to feeling like myself...I know it won't work over night but would love to hear success stories!

X x

[YommyMommy]

Hi curious,

Glad to hear all is well with you and also glad to hear DMIL is keeping better too...fingers crossed she keeps getting brighter! She will enjoy seeing the boys tonight!

We have a child free night tonight, boys are staying at Nanna's tonight. We were going to go to the cinema but its so wet n cold out that we're just going to have film in the house. My anxiety is playing up a little, but I'm due on so hoping that's why!

Hope you have a nice weekend out dancing. Your friends house sounds amazing x x

[CuriousMama]

Hi YM,

We're not dancing as he invited us too late. We're out with friends for an Indian meal and comedy night at the town hall as that's been organised for ages.

Exmil has gone right down again. She's very confused and imagining allsorts. Plus not eating. She was fast asleep when I went last night.

Enjoy your child free night. Get dh to give you an aromatherapy massage, works wonders for stress and anxiety. Or just oil if you don't have essential oils. Though would be worth a trip out to get some

[quirrelquarrel]

Are you seeing your Exmil soon Curious? Maybe if there were some very light meals made for her, very simple and not heavy, she might be persuaded to eat a little? Like a small salad with finely chopped ingredients which she could eat with a spoon. You can't feel good when you're not eating.

Now I'm finally off it, I see how good citalopram was. It didn't make everything right but got me on an even keel. Just had an emotional week with mini meltdown on Monday and lots of teariness at various times, though yesterday was busy and spent time with a lovely, calm, funny friend in the evening which meant it was a good day (didn't stop me writing a long and desperate email to my poor mum in floods of tears at 11). This morning hung up on my mum as I was such a snotty blubbering mess (parents called back and we had a long talk and I'm much calmer now!). I KNOW it's just because I'm off meds and it's not that I'm getting worse, it's just a crash, but I have to travel on Monday and don't relish the thought of losing it in the middle of London so wish I could take some of the magic pills just on that day....I have five days' worth left.

Onto Prozac next week, oh goody!

[CuriousMama]

quirrelquarrel she's in a room on her own now and they're putting her on a soft diet. She has a swollen arm which could be lymph gland related as she has leukemia? Poor woman, it's awful seeing her suffer. Exdh is cooking whatever she asks for but she doesn't eat it. She has plenty of easy to eat things but can't eat them. Her other son was in the town today handing in some work and chose to go to the football game instead of visiting him mum Poor exdh is there twice a day. I daren't even speak to the exbil for fear of what I'll say.

I had a great night out, fantastic curry and brill comedy night. Only bad thing was we went to our local pub and I had too much to drink, ended up being sick at home. Poor dp looked after me so well and cooked me a lovely beef dinner today with lush yorkshire puds He was drunk too but not as bad as me.

I hope the Prozac work well for you quirrelquarrel. Also hope your travel goes smoothly. I get anxious when I travel,awful tightness in my chest.

[SecondhandRose]

Sorry have not read any of the above but just thought I would pop in for an update.

Week 11.

Woke up in the night very briefly and went back to sleep quickly.

No other side effects at all now (did have dry mouth and very tight jaw).

Last two days I have felt on top of the world. Best I have felt in 2 years.

Saw a friend and her family yesterday, had a worry that she wouldnt speak to me and the anxiety crept back with what I call a feeling that I am on the outside looking in when I greet people. I pushed it away and she was lovely as she always is.

Looking forward to an organised Christmas.

[CuriousMama]

That's good news SR

It's amazing how the weeks fly by.

I'm not so bad today, having sinus problems though. Stopping me sleeping. It's just the time of year to get that though.

[SecondhandRose]

Hi CM, Sudafed for sinuses. Hope you feel better soon.

[reastie]

Hi, I've been on this thread a couple of weeks ago when I started citalopram. I have a quick question (as I'm panicking!).

I started citalopram 3 weeks ago but have only taken a normal dose (20mg) for just under a week - the first 2 weeks I was building it up gradually. I've had a headache all day and felt really tired. This evening the headache is awful, despite pain killers. I know headaches can be a side effect, but I thought they would appear soon after starting to take them, not a week or so after. Can anyone help me on whether this might be a side effect? I don't often get headaches, and when I do it's very unusual for it to be this bad. I don't feel ill . One of the reasons I'm on this drug is due to anxieties about illness, which is probably why I sound a bit in need to know!

[CuriousMama]

Thanks SR I'll get some of that.

reastie, yes headaches are normal but ring NHS direct for peace of mind.

[reastie]

I'm not worried enough to ring NHS direct thanks curious , just wondered if other people found they had headaches not straight away . Could be something else like anxiety about having my first proper CBT session tomorrow

[CuriousMama]

Oh good luck with the CBT I hope it helps. It'll be the build up of the drug making your head ache no doubt? Are you drinking enough water? I know if I'm dehydrated it can make headaches worse.

[reastie]

I have been drinking like a mad thing curious - there's no way I can be dehydrated! Hope it doesn't last too long...

[CuriousMama]

I hope not too. Good luck tomorrow am sure it'll be fine.

[quirrelquarrel]

Thanks CM and so sorry to hear about your Exmil, bloody awful situation she's in. Remember you can't be good support unless you take care of yourself too.....so it's important to put time aside for yourself

For headaches, have you tried having a shower? I know, I know, it sounds awful- getting wet and cold with a heavy head. I used to have headaches almost constantly at my old school, I was so stressed, and heat always helped at least a little. It almost went during a hot shower. Came back but for temporary relief it's good! That's probably a clue as to what kind of headache it was, but I'm no scientist, don't know. Relief from a hot towel on neck points to tension headache, which I'm not sure you'd get from meds?

Otherwise, have you tried keeping off things like bread, milk, cheese, sugar while you have a headache? Also, seems obvious, but lying very quietly with head and spine aligned and relaxed with the light off for an hour or so really helps. With something playing softly in the background, an audiotape is good, to take your mind off the pain- it's amazing how pain grows when you concentrate on it.

[HeartOfDixie]

Hello. I'm new to this thread. It's only day three for me so am very up and down. I was wondering what you guys do when you wake in the night and can't get back to sleep straight away. I lie there with panicky miserable thoughts flying round my head, getting frustrated that I can't sleep. Also any tips for the dry mouth?

I really hate this monster depression but your stories give me hope.

[YommyMommy]

Hi ladies, how is everyone?

I was a real anxious Annie last night but fought it and felt better this morning this is my last full day at work before the big man comes...Half day tomorrow and half day on Christmas Eve!

Welcome Dixie and I hope the pilss work for you? I hated not sleeping at the beginning, thankfully it's better now! When I wake up I try not to let the negative thoughts creep in. The CPN told me to get up have a pee n drink then you'll realise ur still tired, also start with 100 and subtract 7, or just simply say the work 'the' over and over. The 7 subtraction usually bores me back to sleep as numbers is my job, lol!!

X x

[somewherebecomingrain]

Hello may i join in?

My story is that i was on fluoxetine, got pregnant with DC2 in August, and came of the fluoxetine. After about 4 months of withdrawal and morning sickness, I had an extraordinary month of happiness. But then my mum got diagnosed with ovarian cancer - luckily an unusual mild type but still not great, they can't cure it.

As we are living with my parents while my DP starts his start-up business it has unleashed a soap opera of epic proportions with my Dad riding us constantly about my DP's un-fruitful (so far) entrepreneurship.

For that happy month I thought: "Hey maybe this is it i can go off the meds". Now i'm thinking can i even make it to the birth without sertraline? (the ssri of choice for pregnant and lactating women).

I can't find any thread for anyone who is suffering med-less while pregnant but this thread looks good - you are mostly mums, you are going on and off meds, you are discussing life on both sides. I've already found useful stuff on here about how to go off meds your life does need to be a bit more sorted.

Maybe I can just chip in with how much i want to be one of you in 3.5 months time, when I'm due and can guiltlessly go on sertraline?

Yommy i've read your story and i'm pleased you are so much better and long may it continue.

curious i am so sorry about your exMIL - i know what you are going through.

xxx

[CuriousMama]

Hi Dixie and somewhere and welcome.

I hope the meds work for you Dixie and you manage to start sleeping through? My sleep pattern is all over the place at the moment, hate looking at the clock at 4am knowing i'm up at 7. But I pop back for a nap with dp who works night shift.

Somewhere sounds like you have a lot of stress going on. I hope it all settles down soon for you? You need to be as calm as possible at the moment. What's your Gp said about meds?

I'm not too bad today. I got a painting finished, an actual commision! It's a similar one to the moon reflection I did. Also started a painting of gladioli for a friend's birthday present but that's going to take a bit of fiddling with. I may just give up and paint her something else, maybe a rose? Gladioli are difficult!

I hope everyone else is keeping well? YM glad you're work is almost over.

My best friend is over to stay tomorrow night I'm really looking forward to that, it's been ages since I've seen her. We chat on the phone but it'll be great to spend a night chatting

[HeartOfDixie]

Hi everyone I need some advice or hope. The side affects area really awful and I was wondering how long they last. I have an extreme dry mouth, dry heaving, hot sweats and can only sleep for an hour at a time. Do you think this is normal?

[Arcadia]

What dose are you on HeartofDixie and how long have you been on them? I started on 10mg then went up to 20mg after a few weeks and the first time I felt a bit tired and sick on and off for a couple of weeks, but going up to 20mg the side effects haven't lasted as long. Sounds like you should speak to your GP though if it continues like that as it must be horrible for you, and broken sleep makes you feel so much worse. Hope you feel better soon x

[CuriousMama]

HOD yes they are normal side effects that may last a week or more? I'd ring your surgery and talk to a GP. Maybe half your tablet (under their guidance).

[HeartOfDixie]

Hi guys, I'm on day 4 with 20mg. I'm also weirdly 'frozen' in that I can't make myself do anything, just lie in bed thinking about how I want a glass of water. Couldnot face getting dressed so rang in sick to work. It's all very disturbing but I will take you advice and call the gp. I think I am going to skip my pill until I have seen them as well.

[CuriousMama]

HOD is this day for of just 20mg, didn't you wean on from 10? I'd have half a tablet if I were you not none at all.

[CuriousMama]

meant to say reason being they can go out of your system quickly so if you're 'topped up' you won't suffer as much. In theory. Good luck.

[CuriousMama]

meant day four (4)