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Original poster

Just started on Citalopram

502 replies

Nanabana · 30/01/2013 15:55

Have read old threads about side affects and quite worrying, but will give it a go. Hope it kicks in soon

OP posts:
ColouringInQueen · 27/02/2013 09:51

Hi Citalobrain, sorry to hear you're not feeling the benefits any more. Like you say give it another couple of days and then go back to the GP... maybe you need a higher dose? I also fantasise about moving somewhere like the Isle of Skye (!!!) where I think life would be simpler - like you say, just escaping from the present situation.

I think I have seen a little benefit from the ADs the last couple of mornings - have felt a bit more able to engage with some other mums in the playground. But at the same time I am doing very little - I have scaled my life right back, the couple of hours after school pick-up in the afternoon sees my anxiety rise and rise. Yesterday my OH helped with the school run, I came home watched a bit of TV, went to counselling, had a cry, had a big sleep, watched a bit of TV, picked up DS4, picked up DD8, heard her read then cooked tea while they watched TV (hmm recurring theme here) and that was enough for the day. Not exactly a full life! But it is a bit more manageable and people keep telling me it won't be like this always (and I try and believe them!) anyhow sorry for splurge - must get to docs now!
Take care everyone x

MechanicalTheatre · 27/02/2013 19:12

I also think about going back to where life is easier (I come from rural Scotland). There was a huge house, 9 bedrooms I think, right out near the Black Isle (top of Scotland, by Inverness) that was the same per month as my flat in London.

I would LOVE to be somewhere like that right now.

catgirl1976 · 27/02/2013 19:13

Hi everyone

I am really struggling atm

I cant eat am naseous really bad headaches spaced out sweats shakes and chills

Is this normal?

MechanicalTheatre · 27/02/2013 19:44

It was really bad for me for the first 2 weeks, catgirl. Now I'm back to normal.

How long has it been for you now?

ColouringInQueen · 27/02/2013 19:44

Hi catgirl, sorry to hear you're feeling so rough. Yes from my experience that does sound fairly normal - what day are you on now? I ended up nibblinh on rich tea biscuits to try and keep the nausea under control (well a bit). What dose are you on?

MechanicalTheatre · 27/02/2013 20:07

Have you tried eating ginger? It was the only thing that stopped the nausea for me.

ColouringInQueen · 27/02/2013 20:18

Oooh MT that Black Isle looks beautiful.

MechanicalTheatre · 27/02/2013 20:33

Yeah isn't it Colouring In? I'm from further east, but up there is beautiful too.

They have one of these up there somewhere.

bit weird, I like it

catgirl1976 · 27/02/2013 20:43

Hi Mechanical and Colouring

It's been just over a week now so I think I have a way to go
I think I am making myself worse by not eating but the thought of food makes me heave. I am on 20mg

I had to ring my mum today I felt so grim. Bless her she took DS out to the park and returned with some nice bread, warm chicken breast and salad and made me eat it

I do feel a bit better for that. It's just hard to think of food atm but not eating isnt helping

MechanicalTheatre · 27/02/2013 20:47

I lived on biscuits and crisps for the first couple of weeks. Just try to choke down whatever you can. If it's been over a week, you should settle down in the next couple of days.

catgirl1976 · 27/02/2013 20:48

Thanks - I hope so :)

I am back at the doctors tomorrow so will mention the side effects to her. Going to ask for some counselling as well I think

Hope everyone is doing ok today Thanks

maidmarian2012 · 27/02/2013 20:50

Citalopram helped me no end, Iv actually just this month come off it, and its been invaluble. Persevere with it OP. \When it starts to kick in you will reap the benefits Smile

best of luck

ColouringInQueen · 27/02/2013 21:01

Looks lovely MT!
Hang in there catgirl, hopefully you'll feel a lot better in a few days - and as MT says try and eat something (doesn't really matter what) if at all poss. Yr other options is (in consultation with Doc) is to reduce dosage a bit to get past the worst of the side effects, but tbh if you've done a week you're nearly through the worst of it. Def get help though - I did with my DCs - too much otherwise x

citalobrain · 27/02/2013 21:24

catgirl hope you're feeling a bit better x The side effects can be horrible but you will be through them soon. Do you think you may have a cold or some other bug on top though? There are loads of nasty ones about at the moment. Great advice to try and eat anything you can manage. You don't want to cos you feel sick but it does make you feel better. Hope the doc tomorrow can provide some help and reassurance.

ColouringIn hope the doc went well today. You are doing great! Just keep on doing however much or however little as you can handle / get away with at the moment. It will pass but for the time being try and put you first if you can (not easy I know day to day!). It's great to hear that you may be starting to feel the benefits though? :)

Mechanical oh I love that part of Scotland!! I stayed with my friend there last September. Her nearest big town is Inverness. It was so beautiful (and quite rainy!). I love how her life seemed up there - she seems to be able to be peaceful, tranquil and hide away if she wants, and then social and busy and out there if she doesn't. And her friend has pigs!!! I adore and would love to have pigs!

Good luck back at the docs tomorrow. I'm dithering about ringing my doc sooner rather than later to check my dose with her.

Take care all

MechanicalTheatre · 28/02/2013 13:32

citalo, that sounds great. Not sure I wouldn't get bored though, I HATED living up there as a child.

Just back from doctors, she upped my dose to 100mg. She asked me what I enjoyed doing and I couldn't think of anything. She pushed me, and I burst into tears. I feel so bad, and I couldn't explain it to her, but I don't enjoy ANYTHING because I feel so insecure that I am "bad" at things. Bad at anything arty/musical, bad at anything physcial...even things like reading, I feel like I'm not doing it properly. I hate being like this.

ColouringInQueen · 28/02/2013 16:17

Hi MT sorry you're feeling so low - it's horrible that feeling and not being able to think of something and not enjoying anything.
Maybe its Thursdays (poor joke). I am having a shitty day today, can't even manage to look "normal" in front of the kids today.

citalobrain · 28/02/2013 18:35

I can't offer much help I'm afraid but I can identify 100% with what you've both said. It's so clear from reading your posts though that it's the depression talking, and not you as a person Mechanical. (Not that I know you of course!). Someone who isn't depressed would never even say those words, so try and keep in mind it's not you and who you are.

I don't know if that's any help. It helps me a lot to remember it's nothing I've done, it's like breaking a leg, it just needs fixing. I know it's more complicated than that (bastard thing!) but it helps me keep it in perspective when I feel like I'm drowning. I'm sure upping your dose will help you through the worst, keep talking here x One day soon you will wake up and you'll be grabbed by an idea, something you want to do, and you'll be onwards and upwards.

When I first talked to my doctor she asked me a similar question, I think she asked about anything in my life I 'take joy from'. I must have looked completely blank! I said I felt like I had just simply checked out of my life, and was basically going through the motions, and perhaps not even managing that.

Have decided I'm going to ring my doc on Monday and hopefully speak to her then or Tuesday (ridiculous new surgery system). I'll be saying that I feel I'm going backwards, and HELP! Dreading calling though, hate phone calls!

Take care of yourselves everyone xx

A1980 · 28/02/2013 19:41

I just started on it two days ago. Needed a day off work today, I feel sick and lethargic. Couldn't get out of bed.

Bunnygotwhacked · 28/02/2013 19:56

Hi i've been prescribed 20mg of citalopram for GAD I am going to take my first one tomorrow so i'm hoping to crash on this thread as it looks like im in for an even rougher few weeks of it. I am tempted to mark three weeks out on the calendar as a count down to when i should be feeling normalish. At the moment anxiety is so bad i cant really leave the house today was the first time i left the house for a week and a half and that was only because dp was with me.
I am nervous about taking the pills but i have a life that needs getting on with and i just seem to be stuck so fingers crossed these will work for me. Will hopefully update tomorrow once have taken first one

catgirl1976 · 28/02/2013 20:07

Hi Everyone

Turns out I have a kidney infection so a lot of how bad i am feeling could well be down to the not the citalopram

MT Really hope you are ok sounds like a rough day

ColouringInQueen · 28/02/2013 23:43

Hello A1980 and Bunnygotwhacked, youve come to a good thread. Well done for getting some help (hope that doesn't sound too patronising) and really hope the drugs give you the boost you need.
catgirl ouch that's really not going to help. Hope you get the chance to rest and feel better soon x
MT Hope you're OK tonight, keep posting.
Citalobrain thanks so much for your hug and insight. Sounds like a good plan to ring the Docs - go for it. Be as honest as you can.
I have had a good chat with my OH tonight. He says he thinks I've been a bit depressed for a long time, but is optimistic I will come out the other side. I know its not to be encouraged, but open chat was preceded by drinking more wine than I have in a while Wink, My best friend texted me too, and another mum from school so that helps. phew it does feel like a bumpy road sometimes doesn't it?
sleep well everyone and take care x

MechanicalTheatre · 28/02/2013 23:45

citalobrain, the thing is I have always been like this. So it IS who I am. I have a personality disorder and at the end of the day, that means it is just something that is wrong with me, rather than a chemical thing or whatever. I hate it. I so wish I was normal.

Bunnygotwhacked · 01/03/2013 08:59

I'm sat here this morning with the pill and a glass of water and i have to say i am very nervous about starting on this journey I hate taking pills its the whole once youve taken it thats it theres no way to get it back you just have to ride out the effects whatever they maybe. I am really scared about the anxiety becoming worse as mine I would of thought is as bad as it could be and to get worse im not sure i could cope

citalobrain · 01/03/2013 10:39

Hi everyone.

ColouringIn last night sounded good!! Talking is good, and wine sometimes helps Grin I spoke to my best mate last night too and it cheered up me massively! Have a good day today.

Catgirl wow, so sorry to hear about the kidney infection, sounds nasty :( I hope it clears up soon.

Hi Bunny and A1980. You really will be okay. I guess it's best to expect a bumpy ride for the next few weeks and then things will start to improve. Good luck and definitely keep posting if it helps.

Mechanical I'm so sorry, if I spoke out of turn to you. I wondered whether my logic would help you (rather ham-fistedly I now think). I sympathise with how you're feeling. I've had depression for 20 years now Shock and also have that feeling of 'this is just who I am'.

I've often wondered if ADs bring out the real me, or just mask it. Whichever way, give me the pills anyway lol!

Really hope I didn't offend you Mechanical.

Have a good day everyone xx

Bunnygotwhacked · 01/03/2013 11:50

took it just after posting have been feeling a bit floaty light and clenching my jaw on and off other than that no real side effects so far