***Citalopram Buddies... ;o)***

[ShinyHappyPurpleSeveredHeads]

Well.. jumping in on the act of the other "buddy threads", there seem to a shed load of us on citalopram.

How many of us are there exactly?

What dosage are you all on? Is it working?

I'm on 10mg for anxiety. It certainly takes the edge off the panic feelings and stops me waking up with that dreadful, crippling anxious feeling, as if my stomach's in a vice. But being as things are a bit crap at the moment, I do feel generally down even though I've never been technically considered depressed (just suffering from lifestyle induced anxiety!)

DH is on 20mg. Similar reasons, slightly different symptoms.

We have been on it since June.

I came off mine (sensibly) a month of so ago but the horrid panic came back and I just couldn't face all that again. It makes life "un-do-able" and I have a lot of stuff that I have to get done everyday/responsibilities etc. So not sure what the answer is but I certainly don't want to stay on anti depressants forever and GP originally mentioned a 6 month time slot.

What are other's experiences?

PS I hate the "no orgasm" side effect of citalopram!! It really really bothers me.. main reason I wanted to come off it.. but I hate the anxiety more! Anyone else on it suffer in that way?

If you can get an appointment it might be worth going this afternoon.. particularly tell them about the urge to hurt yourself.. I think it does say that can be a short term side effect but they might be able to change your tablets or dosage to help you.

I think it's a positive sign that you know you don't want to die IYKWIM. Do you find it hard to fight the urge or is it just a passing thought?

I stood in the kitchen, holding the knife against my belly, thinking about how hard i would have to push. I'm shaking and really jittery.

Definitely go to the GP then ASAP..

really frightened now.

Why? you recognise that this isn't normal but you should deffo speak to the GP even if it's just on the phone..

MimsyMum please please please go now!!!!!!!!

Are you still there MimsyMum?

Please go to the GP. Insist on an emergency appointment.

mimsymum, please come back and tell us how you got on talking to the GP

Just back. She's stopped the Citalopram straight away and put me on some sedatives. Bloody arse. Going again tomorrow so she can monitor me, and then perhaps I get to see the psychiatric staff. Talk about causing too much frigging bother. I just hate this, I don't want to be so much of a problem

MimsyMum, that is what the health services are there for - don't beat yourself up about using a service that is there for you when you need it

Feeling the way you do is a symptom of your illness and when you get your medication/psychiatric therapy sorted you won't feel such a burden, you will be able to look back and see how it has helped you.

Be kind to yourself (a phrase oft overused on here, but a good one nonetheless)

We are here if you need to vent

Sedatives sounds a pita though - do you have people around you who can help if/when you are zonked out?

I'm glad you talked to her mimsymum. You will have good and bad days.. you just have to try and remember that on the bad days. Once they find a pill that suits you it will get easier

Mimsy, sorry to hear about what's happened. It sounds more like an intrusive thought (like OCD) than you actually wanting to do it and I know how horrible that is - I can see myself cutting through my arm like a magic trick but it's real. I get that picture a lot.

If you ever get anything like that go straight to your GP, don't even need to make an appointment. Tell the receptionist you need to see the Dr because you are getting suicidal thoughts (you can call ahead if it helps) by law they have to get you in in the next slot. You GP can get you an emergency appointment with the psychiatric hospital, they will have emergency appointments too.

Don't ever think you are a problem. It's no different to if you had a long term "physical" illness, if you were diabetic for example, you wouldn't think you were a problem for using medical services. Just because we have "mental" health problems, doesn't mean we're less entitled to help.

There are a lot of people here who understand and will talk to you if you need someone. Never worry about being a problem, we are all here for each other - with depression if we are not there for each other, who will understand?

Hi, how is everyone doing? I feel like I'm settling down now.

My sleeping is just a million times better

Hi all. Hope everyones ok. Feel like i'm taking one step forward and two back at the mo. Was feeling great yesterday but today i feel lousy again. Have felt really nauseous and quite dizzy today. On day 13 of the tablets now. How long will these side effects last? Have no apetite whatsoever. Normally that would be a good thing for me but surely you can't go on like that for a long period of time. Sorry to be so moany but i really don't feel like i can tell anyone else about how i really feel. DH and family ask if i'm feeling ok and i always say that i'm fine so as not to worry them. Take care everyone x

Hello. Not feelign good today - there were things yesterday that weren't great but it more is my reaction to them that is the problem. Can tell I am overreacting and being useless.

Just want to go to sleep at the moment but it would look weird at my desk in work.

Bother.

Can anyone tell me if it is ok to take paracetomol while taking citalopram? I started taking mine(first time, 20mg)on Monday but getting headaches. Is this a common side effect and will it subside?

I take paracetamol and don't think I've had any side effects (with taking paracetamol, rather than with citalopram).

I think for the first couple of weeks or so, there are quite a few side effects you might have - I found side effects calmed down within about 10 days.

Hi Idris, I think it's good that you recognise that you're not dealing with things so well IYKWIM. I think it's worse when you don't see the behaviour as out of the norm. I think recognise behaviour is not normal that's a positive sign.

NMN - As far as I know it's fine to take paracetamol/headache tablets etc - I do when I need them and have not had any problems (I use neurofen though). If you're concerned it'd be worth haveing a quick chat over the phone to your GP

Hello again

Saw the GP today about feeling that my 10 mg was not working. He's asked me to do some 'homework' for a fortnight and to see him after. He said it's a common thing to have minor set backs.

Then again It could also have been raging PMS I don't get it as a rule but this has been a period from hell

homework?

yeah, concentrate on different ways of viewing the world. Like metaphorically slap your hand when you slip into negative feelings and always look on the brightside really. Naff I know but effective.

notmyselfnow - I've had quite a few headaches since taking my tablets. I take paracetamol. Checked with the local pharmacist and they said it was absolutely fine.

I might try that Grouchy..! For me it's just so easy to wallow I think.. Probably because I spend so much time in my house on my own. it's very easy to ignore the housework and vacantly stare at the TV whilst dwelling!

ShineyHappy
Cremola
NBG
SueBaroo
Starlight
Mad4MyBaby
Wilkie
StripeyTiger
Moomalicious
Spoo kyOscar
LucyEllensMum
Truffaut
SupperWoman
AlistairSim
Tiggly
Thingamijig

None of you have posted for a little while so just though I'd do a roll call and see if you are still about and are OK.

Actually writing those names down, I didn't realise there was so many of us.. on top of that there are a fair few who have posted over the last week who I haven't listed above. I'm surprised!

I'm now taking my tablets between 9-10 am each day and I've found my drowsiness has worn off. I'm sleeping much better at night as well. I'm relieved they've started to kick in.

I am Spookybatoscar, that was my halloween name. This is my festive name, D'ya like it

I'm feeling OK atm, bit wobbly and in need of a few extra hours in the day but OK. Hope you're well to Mascara.