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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:
Sallystyle · 08/03/2013 14:16

Once I have got over the jaw lumps (dh said they aren't lumps but that is what I think they are) fear (if I do) I need to STOP feeling myself. I am going to make more of an effort to not go looking for things. I only rooted around my jaw because I had a pain which turned out to be a spot.

I must stop doing this to myself.

MechanicalTheatre · 08/03/2013 14:19

A1980, it's really too painful for me to talk about just now. Another time maybe, and please talk to us.

Samu, is health anxiety something you generally struggle with? That must be so touch.

Well, having a tough and anxious day and meant to be going out later. I really don't want to but I have promised. :(

Sallystyle · 08/03/2013 14:21

Yes it is.

I have had

Cervical cancer x2
Oral cancer x8
Tongue cancer x2
Bowel cancer x1
Breast cancer x1
Throat Cancer x 2
Skin cancer x too many times to count
Ovary cancer x1
Vulva cancer x1

All one one year.

Sallystyle · 08/03/2013 14:22

All in one year*

I hope going out will help you. Sometimes getting out helps me no matter how much I don't want to leave the house at first.

citalobrain · 08/03/2013 14:33

Hi everyone, I'm just popping in really quickly as work is crazy for me and I'm panicking I won't make the deadlines! The one up side is it's keeping my mind busy.

Samu, those lumps are your glands, one either side? They can feel quite big, so please don't worry about them :)

Have you talked to your doc about your anxieties re health? I'm sure they can help. It sounds so exhausting for you :( It's good you have your mum and husband to talk to for other perspectives. Keep posting here though too xx

Colouring I'm so sorry to hear about your DP and his redundancy. I so pleased though that he's sounds in a strong place now. Hope you're okay too x

Cremeeggthief has the fug lifted yet? It's weird since I've gone up in dose, I'm finding it really to concentrate on one thing. My mind is behaving very skittishly.

When I was out earlier, if anyone talked to me I came out with a really bizarre reply?! (like not relevant to the question!) I'm chalking up a few entries for a "What embarrassing things have you said" thread!

Mechanical and A1980 so sorry you're both finding things so hard at the moment. Mechanical I bet the doc could give you a note you could use against your essay? To give you a few more weeks say? It's worth asking if it's worrying you? Be gentle with yourself today.

Really sorry not to name check everyone but hope everyone is doing okay. I'll be back at some point over the weekend. Take care of yourselves everyone xx

citalobrain · 08/03/2013 14:37

p.s. Samu have you considered CBT? It's supposed to be really good for health anxiety. I had it myself for something different and it was really useful. You can also buy a book (I bought CBT for Dummies - it's great as a starting point).

take care x

ColouringInQueen · 08/03/2013 15:10

Hi everyone, wanted to send support to everyone too.
Not so good today so apol can't namecheck. DP is still good. I am feeling so exhausted and have splitting headache. Couldn't get out of bed til 12. It is a real rollercoaster this isn't it as someone wiser said up-thread.
Take care everyone and be kind to yourselves x

Sallystyle · 08/03/2013 16:08

Thank you Citalobrain! They are on both sides, if I touch the corner of my mouth and move down to my jaw I can feel them. I don't need to rush to the GP then?

I am on the waiting list for CBT but currently reading a book and trying to help myself. My GP is pretty understanding and he knows all about my anxiety but I am trying not to rely on him too much because his time is valuable and I get embarrased and don't want to be a pest.

I feel so silly when I call the reception.. they know my voice Blush

citalobrain · 08/03/2013 18:29

Samu, that sounds spot on for where they are so don't worry, no need for the doc I reckon! (Go with what your husband says though as he can see them)

I always feel like I'm wasting the surgery's time too, so you're not alone with that. I really hope your CBT appointments come through soon, I think they'll really help. I can only imagine how distressing this must all be for you. I'm so glad your GP is understanding and supportive.

Colouring if you slept that long you must have needed it. Hope you have a restful weekend - you might be going through the effects of the increase in dose?

Will check in over the weekend, another working one :( xx

Sallystyle · 08/03/2013 19:21

Thank you. My jaw is red raw where I have poked it. I have sat here now for over two hours poking it.

It's ok, this is my PMT week, after that is out of the way I will naturally feel better and then perhaps my med increase will have kicked in.

Mind you, I have to have my cholesterol blood test next week and I am crapping myself about that too. I have a family history of it but never been tested. I eat relatively well, slim, gave up smoking a year ago and exercise so I hope my levels aren't so high that I am a walking heart attack. My Dad had a heart attack two weeks ago but he is a 40 a day smoker and eats chips and eggs.. that is it.. chips and eggs.

Tomorrow is meal out day!! so I have something to look forward to at least Grin

I hope we can all manage to have a good weekend!!

pixwix · 08/03/2013 22:36

Just popping in to catch up - and it has moved so fast - arrgghh!

am due to see doctors on monday after almost 4 weeks of citalopram - side effects worn off, am feeling better, less anxious, and heavy weight has gone. Interestingly, other people were the first to notice that I seemed better - less slowed down, before I felt it meself! Then a few days later I started to feel it...

When I saw my GP to start on the meds, she said she wanted to double em at this appt on monday. I feel fairly OK with that - I think when the feelings start to lift, I get a honeymoon period, of feeling great cos of relief, but am not quite 'there' yet,. so am happy to double em up.... cos can always decrease when am out of the woods.

Otherwise - things aren't too bad - I'm loving these lighter mornings, working mostly early shifts! I'm on annual leave for a week now, and am desperate not to take to my bed whilst children are at school. Children are fine, and are revving themselves up in the helpfulness stakes in prep for mothers day - Both tidied and hoovered their bedrooms unprompted tonight, and Ds1 (15) washed his bedroom carpet using the vax (doubles up as a hoover/carpet washer) yowzah!! Grin

I tend not to go in his room too much- it's his responsibility - apart from exhorting him to bring down plates and glasses etc. It gets really untidy, then he sucks his teeth, puts his MP3 player on, has a cull, a tidy up, hoovers up, cleans the window - and now - he can use the carpet cleaner! life is looking up!

will read back and catch up x

MrsShrek3 · 09/03/2013 08:48

just a quick pop in - ((hugs)) colouring, you sound like you need them Brew
pix, brilliant post. really made me Smile for you.

ColouringInQueen · 09/03/2013 16:03

Hi everyone,
Thanks Mrs Shrek - much appreciated.
Hi pixwix great to hear you're feeling the benefits. And as for the kids sorting their bedrooms - fantastic!
Hi Samu hope you're feeling a bit less anxious today and enjoy your meal out.
Citalo yes am wondering if splitting headache I've had for 2 days is related to upping dose... DP is happy about leaving work, I just feel like the ground keeps moving and there is no stability. DD is poorly too so it is feeling rather relentless at the moment. Good luck with work...
Hope everyone's having an OK weekend x

ColouringInQueen · 09/03/2013 20:19

Bad evening. Ended up on the phone to Samaritans Sad. Feel like I'm getting worse, not better.

MechanicalTheatre · 09/03/2013 20:25

Were the Samaritans helpful Colouring ?

Sorry you're feeling bad, is there anything you can do to make yourself feel a little better/safer?

MrsShrek3 · 09/03/2013 21:15

Sad colouring. any way we can help? did it help talking with the samaritans?

pixwix · 09/03/2013 21:29

colouring - it sounds like things are really tough for you at the mo Sad There's a lot of change and your dc isn't well, and neither are you. were the samaritans helpful? how are you feeling now? keep talking mate... x

Sallystyle · 10/03/2013 10:43

I am sorry, Colouring :(

How are you doing today?

A1980 · 10/03/2013 11:27

Does anyone else wish depression was a terminus illness. I've had enough.

A1980 · 10/03/2013 11:27

*terminal

ColouringInQueen · 10/03/2013 12:04

Thanks creme egg thief, mrsshrek, pixwix, samu2, its really nice to read your messages today.
I went really downhill yesteray afternoon. My DP was busy in the day looking after the kids/our lives etc... my DD has been off school since Wed lunch with a fever, I was expecting him - DP - to be back at 4 and he wasn't and started to get anxious about where he and DS were. When he did get back at 5 he was busy and had to pop out again and I couldn't talk to him. When he got in my head was splitting and I went to bed. I couldn't think straight. The only thing I could think was that it would be better if I wasn't here any more, I couldn't think any other thoughts. I sat on the edge of the bed looking at my anti-ds...... I rang him his mobile, didn't speak but he came up. I still couldn't talk to him. So after a while he rang the Samaritans and gave me the phone and a woman started talking to me. I think I was on the phone for about an hour and she gradually got me talking. So, eventually I had a bit of tea and had a little chat with DP and got to bed about midnight. DP thinks his news, plus DD being ill, no naps since Tue, no peace and quiet since Wed morning and increased dose of anti-ds (doubled on friday) was a bad combination. I didn't feel good when I woke up. I am really tired. It's hard feeling this bad on mothers day. My DD wrote in her card I hope you have a lovely day and be happy Sad I have got up and am writing this while watching the rescuers with DS and eating chocolate [tiny wink]. My DP is supposed to be going away with work Mon-Wed. I don't know if my DD will be well enough to go to school tomorrow. I have told DP I can't look after her tomorrow. DP has removed all anti-ds. Hopefully I won't get in such a state again but am not certain. Kind of want my DP to ring the docs tomorrow to say what happened, but am a bit nervous. Don't want to end up in hosp, but am unsure if it might happen again. I'm still not completely convinced that it wouldn't be better if I wasn't here, tho I am trying, actually I am trying not to think at all! Sorry if this is TMI, hoping its helpful to identify the combination of things that led to last night. Hope everyone's having something nice today x

ColouringInQueen · 10/03/2013 12:13

and thanks Mechanical.

citalobrain · 10/03/2013 14:15

ColouringIn :(

You are going through such a lot at the moment, it's no wonder you feel overwhelmed. I hope you are able to take it easy today and have the quiet time you need.

In terms of what to do over the next few days, I think I would talk to your GP again and be honest about how difficult you are finding things. What does your DP think? Did talking to the Samaritans help? If you feel you need the extra help, do you feel you could ask? Or are you worried? Whatever helps you through a very tough spell for you. Is there any chance at all your DP could re-arrange his work trip? Or could family be around?

I was surprised by how much the small increase in my dose affected me. So I wouldn't be surprised if at least some of how you're feeling is down to your dose increase.

Sending you a massive {{{hug}}} and hoping things improve soon xxx (sorry above looks like a string of questions!)

Hello to everyone else, hope that you are doing okay today and that the mothers are getting lots of spoiling :)

CremeEggThief · 10/03/2013 16:10

Thanks for everyone today.

citalobrain · 10/03/2013 16:11

A1980 I don't really know what to say. You have meds but you're not taking them. They will help. Yes the first week or two is quite bumpy but then you'll start feeling better and more able to cope. Your GP prescribed them so they must feel you would benefit from them? Please try and give them another go, or call the GP tomorrow and/or maybe the Samaritans tonight for a chat? Once you've taken the first step, the steps that follow will start to get easier. Wishing you all the best x