Citalopram

[ninah]

Sorry I know there have been other AD threads, which I've read, I just need some encouragement to take the drugs I've been prescribed cos I read the leaflet and it scared me shitless, frankly. Common side effect - suicide attempts?! let alone the more arcane seizures, blood clots etc. I have two small children here, we are living in the middle of nowhere! I feel bad already, can I really take something that may make me feel worse even for a limited time? I'm petrified to. I asked the GP about counselling but he just said to ring Cruse - with a four year old and a 10 month old I've only tried once and there was an answerphone message, so it seems the drugs will help - if only I can get over the fear of taking them. I'm not bothered by 'stigma' btw! just want to feel like myself again
I don't come on here often so do please reply but I may not be able to answer as promptly as I would have in the halcyon days of being at work

I'm on escitalopram (similar???) 20mg and they are working really well for me so I would suggest you give the ADs a try. The only side effect I have had is a bit of nausea the first few days, and vivid dreams. All ADs seem to take a good few weeks to kick in so the sooner you start the better. Good luck!

I was on citalopram a few years back, & like you, I frightened myself silly by reading the possible side effects!
I spoke to my HV & she explained that citalopram was the ad most commonly given out for PND, as it is the one with the least side effects & if I did experience any nasty effects, I would just come off them.
I ended up taking them for a good few months & they helped me through a very low point in my life. I didn't get much in the way of side effects other than slight nausea & I yawned more than normal!!
I would give then a go & if they don't suit you, you can always try something else.
Good luck.

Hi Ninah... not seen you around for a bit.. I started on Citalopram about 4 months ago now.. I was nervous at first - started a thread about it myself. I'm getting on well with it and I was bothered about the stigma to begin with but nobody knows...

Ninah mail me if you want mascarohara hotmail co uk

...sorry to hear you're feeling down mate...

thats mascaraohara of course - not a good start miskeying my mail address!

Hi Ninah, you responded to me the other day when I was feeling crap about being on my own thanks for that. in response to your query, have been on them myself and found in first 2 weeks had a couple of very anxious episodes, but then settled and felt better. Was on them for 6 months now off and feel ok (most of the time!) Work as a nurse on an advice line and know that fairly minor side effects are common in first few weeks for many people, but after about a month many people feel they help. The "suicide" thing in the leaflet refers to a drug from same family called seroxat. Don't think theres any research to link it to citalopram which is a fairly mild AD esp at 10/20 mg dose. Hope that helps, good luck.

Took Citalopram for well over a year, no major bad side effects and they gave me a bit up of get up and go which helped me a lot more than any of the other ones i've tried which just made me sleep. I'd definately push your GP more for counselling though he shouldn't be able to refuse to refer you and if you have a community mental health team they may be able to come to you rather than you go to them.

Hi ninah, I've been on citalopram for 12 weeks and they have been a great in helping me to cope with things. I was very worried about about taking them because of the side effects but I never experienced anything beyond nausea and dry mouth. I've seen another thread on MN about people who take citalopram and vivid dreams.I would say that is true as well. I would definitly say that they have really chilled me out. I'm so calm about everything. You should try the AD's and see how you get on. I find that being in couselling helps as well. Perhaps your GP can refer you if you feel you really need it. It will do you a world of good.

hi i have been taking citalopram 40mg now for nearly a year for panic attacks i had no side affects but like you i was scared to take them and refused to take them for weeks but once i did after a few weeks they worked i wouldnt say the are a miricle its hard to explain but it feels as if i have less bad days now and things are more bearable. i started on 10mg them went up to 40mg slowly as they didnt sema strong enough. hope they help you hun xxx

Hi,
just had a chat about this somewhere else!
Yes there are side effects to all drugs, but I personally feel citalopram has been a major part in my recovery from PND, the side effects i had were upset tummy, vivid dreams (but only if i took it late in the day)and blurred vision breifly.
But it also stopped paranoid thinking, suicidal thoughts, eating difficulties and me from socially isolating myself.

I could take it safely when breast feeding too.
It may sound like im on commision banging on about how good this drug was for me- and thats the point it was good for ME, i suppose you have to weigh up the pros and cons for you, which is exactly what you are doing, so well done.
Take care

thanks so much everyone. Just to update (I have been a flaky about logging on) I eventually mustered courage to take it, slept totally the first morning in sole charge of 2 children luckily they did not burn house down ... then for a couple of months. I have to say it did help over the worst patch. Life was really tough in all respects - living in old family home with no heating two young children rubbish ex no money - and I think it got me through the grimmest. Last weekend our old babysitter came to visit, she is a young 21 has never been on train by herself came all the way out here to see me and children, was such a boost decided to bin the pills ... they take off the lows but also the highs, and so here I am of sound mind and body. I would never have had myself down to take ADs but lived and learnt. They did make me enormously forgetful tho. MOH I will deffo email! x

Hi Ninah,

So glad you started this stream - just logged on for the first time because I've been sitting on my Citalopram tablets for 4 days now, afraid to take them having read the side effects!
It's great that you're now back on your feet, and having read some positive responses, I shall now start my AD's!