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Original poster

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

1000 replies

ShinyHappyPurpleSeveredHeads · 25/10/2007 12:18

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?

OP posts:
anniebear · 10/01/2008 19:50

can I just ask, how long after you took your first one did the side effects start?

thanks

anniebear · 10/01/2008 19:52

and.has anyone took them and not had any side effects?

tanzi · 10/01/2008 19:59

I didn't have side effects on them at all, I stopped taking them in June last year and touch wood I seem to be ok.....however I do have some bad days and just go to bed.

AutumnMists · 10/01/2008 20:51

Hi

I started Tuesday night and have felt quite queasy and spaced out since then. I have eaten very little because eating makes the queasiness worse but the doc said that was OK for a short time as long as I drink plenty. On another thread someone mentioned that she was queasy for the first 3 days so I am hoping I will be alright in a day or so.

I have been spaced out at times and this evening very weak and a bit dizzy but nothing I cannot handle for a few days.

I also had a horrible type of 'vision' but I am not sure if that was the pills or just me

Oh and I have the teeth gritting too - have to consciously relax my jaw!

IsThereAnybodyOutThere · 10/01/2008 20:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

anniebear · 10/01/2008 21:03

thanks

who takes it in the morning? and who at night?

is there a 'best' time do you think, or maybe just depends what your side effects are?

thank you

AutumnMists · 10/01/2008 21:43

Isthereanybodyoutthere the leaflet says do not drink, I suspect mainly becasue alcohol is also a depressant, and would interfere with the pills

Maybe if you were careful,and gentle with yourself the next day, one or two drinks may be OK?

anniebear reading this thread it seems the 'best time' to take them depends on individuals and their side effects - probably mainly related to sleeping. I am not sleeping at all well with taking them at night so may well switch to morning

Good luck

itsahardknocklife · 11/01/2008 09:45

I had the first one at about 11am yesterday. Started to feel queasy in the evening. Completely spaced out this morning. Having to really concentrate to write.

anniebear · 11/01/2008 14:57

will take one each morning when I have my cup of coffee

thanks

allgonebellyup · 11/01/2008 16:27

well i got hammered at xmas for first time since taking them, got v drunk then ended up crying in the pub (public crying - i NEVER EVER do!!!!!!).Then the next day i felt mega depressed and the day after that too!
So be careful!

ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands · 14/01/2008 00:17

Eeek I've really ignored this thread.. will read and catch up sorry;want to find out how you all are.

Just wanted to say (before I do so ) that I've been off them since beginning of Jan (after nearly 6 months on them). Didn't really intend to come off them but changed to taking them nightly as they made me so tired when driving the school run; then kept forgetting to take them.

I feel fine (fingers crossed) and not had that "eternally panicky" feeling back again yet.

havenotgotaclue · 14/01/2008 00:29

I hope you don't mind if I post here too? I have just been prescribed Cit..(can't spell it without looking) Still sitting in teh packet - can;t bring myself to take them. My Doctor asked me at my PN check how I fel etc - which made me burst in to tears. After an hours chat she said not PND, but clinical depression and that she is very worried because I mentioned that I had thought about suicide - years ago. Even now though I do think maybe it would be better all around but then I look at my babies - 5, 4, 2 and 9wks tomorrow. My husband works abroad and left today for 4 weeks. I daren't take the tablets in case they make me feel wosre and I will do something awful. I am too weak a peron to take my own life, just looking at the little ones makes me feel life is worth living - without the crap in between!!

paros · 14/01/2008 22:01

Ive been on happy pills for abouy 6 months now and love them but the lack of sex drive dosnt bother me LOL but my teeth aching does anyway I spoke to my dentist today at my check up and told her about teeth problemwell gum problem really . Any way this time I told her I was on AD I dint know this was a side effect untill I read it on here ,anyway she reckons its something to so with your saliva glands and having the dry mouth which makes you want to salivate more and this causes the teeth problem . Sorry if rambling here but I could get the connection between teeth and taking Ads .

MascaraOHara · 15/01/2008 08:40

Gosh a fair few new names... hello all. welcome.

I'm settled on Cit and about 3 months in. At the moment I'd be quite happy to take them forever..

anniebear · 15/01/2008 10:14

when you all first went on them, did you tell your friends?

I know its nothing to be ashamed of, but I have oly told my Mum, Dad and Husband!

MascaraOHara · 15/01/2008 10:21

I've not told anybody.

The first time I took them I told my (now ex) dp.

I've never told anybody else.

Twigy · 15/01/2008 12:53

hi haventgotaclue. Take them tablets when you have a bit of support near you. I took them a 7 months ago and stopped and things got worse. So went back about 4mths ago and feel so much better. I only told my husband and best friend and they helped for the first week as i had really bad headaches but they go just as quick as they start.

CALAMERO · 15/01/2008 19:47

I have made the decision to stay on Citalopram for the forseeable future as I have no side-effects and have experienced many lapses in the past when I'm not taking it - if I had diabeties or similar then I would be taking medication so I don't feel bad about it. Does anyone else feel the same?

IdrisTheDragon · 15/01/2008 19:50

My DH knows, and some people at work know I suffer from depression. Haven't (and am unlikely to) tell the rest of my family, although I may tell my sister.

Don't think anyone else would gain anything from knowing and I wouldn't gain anything from having told them, so am keeping it like this .

(Sorry I haven't been on this thread for so long btw - had forgotten about it and just saw it in active conversations)

CALAMERO · 15/01/2008 19:56

I have been quite open with family and a few trusted friends and have been amaazed at how many people have had the same problems. This has been a huge support to me and I think by talking about it more then we realise how common it is and the stigma should fade. I am still concerned however about the attitude of employers etc.

Twigy · 15/01/2008 21:09

I wouldnt worry about your employers attitude. They have to be fair with you and its best they know esp if you have a bad day.
Best not to tell too many people, my hubby let slip to someone and even though they didnt outright mention my depression I could tell from the way they talked to me they didnt know what to say and it made for a very awkard conversation.

AutumnMists · 15/01/2008 21:18

I have told my dh and a couple of close friends. My boss has to know because I am signed off but he has been absolutely fantastic.

Previosuly when I had time off my then boss was a crass idiot so I understand the worries.

However if you have depression for 12 mnths (or it recurs after 12 months) you are covered by the disability discrmination act 2005 so that should make life easier workwise.

siberry · 15/01/2008 21:54

Hi, I'm on Citralopram. I have been for 2 years. I started at 20mg then moved up to 40mg. Fell pregnant and the doctor wisely put me back down to 20mg. It does help, a little bit. It's just a shame about the people who get you wired up! I wish I could Citralopram them away lol.

Twigy · 15/01/2008 22:01

Im with you there!

havenotgotaclue · 15/01/2008 22:47

Twigy

I really can't - pathetic really isn't it. I just can't face it - plus the fact that I am on my own for the next 4 weeks with the children, so I don't really have anyone to talk to.

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