***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?

Gosh we are going to be the fittest Citalopram girls around!!!! All this walking.

Glad you seem much better kk, very brave going for a drive, (big hug).

Squirdle, shall we set up a thread for abondanded wives/partners? Mine still not home yet feel really lonely.

AWWW, I'm the only one without a dog, but more a cat person anyway. Pets definately help don't they, they are good company, and I would feel I had more purpose taking a dog for a walk, than just wandering around, mind you I live in the middle of a massive housing estate, although we do have a wood and a lake, not that I go there much.

Have you found since starting with this D*ression that you appreciate the simple things in life more, I do, its like I have stripped back the layers, or maybe its my tablet kicking in!!!!

Twigy - glad you had a good time in Ireland, we missed you. I expect DH will be home soon.

I'm off to bed now to try and get some rest.

NIght Night - Be back tomorrow.

Take it easy kk, hope you get a better sleep

Twigy, yes we should set up an abandoned wives/partners support thread! I've told Dh I will get a life sized cardboard cut out of him to sit at the breakfast table, so that we don't forget what he looks like!

kk, I don't have a dog, only a few fish (who don't like walks ) I nearly had a dog, but dog sat for a week for the friends who were going to give him to us and he drove me insane, so I decided I could live without one for now! Well done for being so brave today. Just take small steps and you will get there eventually.

kk we have 4 cats and no dog so you are not alone!

I do love dogs but feel it would not be fair as we both work - dd is very miffed as she desperately wants a puppy

Know what you mean about housing estates being unispiring walk wise - we have only just moved here (from a housing estate) where i have a 20 min uphill stagger trot to the Downs

Going to bed now too, have been sleeping very well now I am on the pills (after the first few days) thankfully

goodnight all - speak tomorrow x

Look how early I am up! Been up since 7! It could be that the tablets are working (OH said I was slightly manic yesterday - I even hoovered or it could just be that it's payday and we can go shopping. January is always a tight month, eh? Or maybe I am just too excited about the dog - I couldn't sleep for thinking about him.
Hope everyone else is ok.
Twigy, Knickers and I are planning to go to soft play area on Friday if you are free.

Gosh Itas aren't you doing well.

Hows everyone else. big hug

When is the puppy coming today, very excited for you. You must post a picture.

Me and LO couldnt get out of bed today, still tired after our visit to the Emerald Isle. He is with his granda now, so not got an excuse, MUST CLEAN today

Thanks Itsa but its Lo 1st birthday on friday and we are doing something 'as a family'.

Where is everyone, hubby working late again and im feeling very sorry for myself!!!

I'm here Twigy, DD has just given me a electrical massage and DH has just rubbed my aching shoulder.

I feel such a wimp as I have DH home now for the second week to look after me, mind you he keeps taking me out and pressurising me to clear more clutter, which badly needs doing, but its a bit much right now!!!

When will your hubby be home??

Well doggie is here! I will take some photos later when DS has gone to bed. Don't expect cute puppy pics - he's 10months old and he's a big boy!
My work rang today I wasn't in but they left a message to see how I was and if I was coming back as my sick note ends on Thurs. I go to doc tomorrow and I think I will stay off for a bit longer - do you think I am doing the right thing?

Hi kk, Dont know when he is back, he is on his way home from scunthorpe but his crane can only do 40mph, so another while yet.

You sound like you are getting plenty of attention, good for you.

God im bored been trying to suss out that facebook and feeling like an old biddy, havent a clue what to do there.

How your day been anyway?

itsa I would say stay off work until you are absolutely certain you are OK to go back. I am due to see the docs on Monday and plan to ask for another week before i go back. OH have recommended that I stagger my return anyway, increasing by a day a week till I get to my full hours

Glad to hear that doggie has arrived - long walks coming up from now on

Sorry you hubby is late again Twigy - I hate it when that happens, the house feels so empty when you are just waiting ...

kk you are not a wimp - you deserve all that attention, you are ill!

I am shattered tonight, done too much walking I think and i am getting a cold so will have an early night with a hot toddy

I'm with Autumn on this one Itsa, take your time going back to work. Your job sounds stressful enough and you need to be 100% or you will be back to square one again.

Bet that wee dog is mad as a hatter. Whatever you do DONOT let that dog into your bed even if it cries all night. We did it and he has slept in our bed for the past 7yrs!!!

Hot bath, then a hot tottie, then bed for you Autumn.

Not been a good week for me here. I can't believe I can still get these down days being on the medication and other days I feel wonderful. Guess it's better than having everyday feeling down.

Sorry to break to you sparkler but i've been on them 4mths, had them increased to 40mg and feel great 80% of the time but the bad days I have are really bad, then I seem to be graet again. My doc keeps saying that i need to give it time!! Maybe the meds just heighten our moods!!!

Twigy, I couldn't understand Facebook for a long while, but it slowly started to make sense and it's ok now. It's a good way of keeping in touch with friends that live a long way away.

Taz the dog will certainly not be in bed - when I lived on my own I didn't mind but Jon put his foot down when we moved in together. At the mo we are planning not to let Taz upstairs at all - then the cat has some space! I may well end up going downstairs to him if he cries in the night. I can't get up to the baby but I always manage to get up to an animal!

I have felt good today - bit of a panic attack early on when we first went out but other than that it's been good. See what tomorrow brings, eh?

I've just stumbled across this thread and I'm in the citalopram club too! I've been to the docs today though to see about coming off them as my husband and I want to start trying for another baby soon and I want to try to get them out of my system before then. I've been on them for over a year and felt like I was dying when I first started taking the tablets. I had v+d, insomnia, shivering and shaking, teeth grinding, stomach cramps and tonnes more. I'm really worried about coming off them incase I go through some sort of evil withdrawal. I'm like a bear with a sore head if my prescription runs out over a weekend and I have to wait until Monday to get it filled (organisation is not my strong point clearly). I hate the idea of going back to the way I was before I went on them with a foul temper alternating with crying and struggling to get through each day! The doctor didn't really give me much advice..... HELP!!!!!!!!!!

See how you go chubbymummy, i am now 10 weeks preg with my 2nd child and tried weaning off my citalopram and just couldn't cope. Went to see obstetric consultant who spoke with a specialist mental health clinic who said its not always a good idea to come off them. I have been switched onto sertraline 50mg instead(apparently safer),and am not perfect,up and down, but better than with nothing.
Just don't suffer and think theres no help out there if you find it hard xx

Hello, hope you dont mind me crashing this thread. I am on dothiepin rather than citalopram and started another thread but someone suggested I try here for advice. Basically I'm really fed up of having no libido due to the ADs. Changing to a different one isn't really an option as Ive tried all kinds over the years and found this works best for me (also they all affect your sex life in some way IME). I haven't read the whole of this thread but I know at the start there was some discussion of sexual problems - has anyone found a way to cope with/resolve this? I would be really grateful for any advice - can't talk to anyone in RL about this.

Hi Guys

Haven't been around much today. Had an appointment with the Welfare Officer at my work, which I really had to battle to go to, anyway with DH behind me did go and no problems. Also managed to go into my office for about 5 mins just to try and face the fear, so it won't be so hard when I go back.

I went to docs today and told him I was feeling a bit brighter so he hasn't upped the dose
Signed me off for another couple of weeks.
My work rang to see how I was and to see if I wanted a referral to Occ Health and I said yes. So that's all good.
Levan I can't help with your questions, I'm afraid - the sex drive was gone long before I started the meds!
kk when are you thinking of going back to work?

Evening Girls

Welcome Ellasmum1 and Chubbymummy

Levan glad you found us.

KK glad things are looking more positive for you, remember baby steps, you did well going into work.

Itsa hows that little puppy of yours, did you post a picture?

Ive actually had a good day, been over to see a friend and took our LOs to the park.

Hubby gone to see Morrisey now so on my own again tonight!!

Had a very lazy day today but seem to be throwing off the cold after last night's toddy and early night Should have thought of a hot bath Twigy but I went to bed before i saw your post - still I think I would have fallen asleep in it anyway! Had one today instead and a snoozy morning.

Spoke to my boss today - he wants me to go back for an important meeting next week which is tempting but I was looking forward to another week off so not sure what to do now. Suppose I should take my own advice to itsa and wait until I am sure i am ready

I told him I would wait to see how I am next Monday as dh is away again from Sunday so maybe I will know more then ....

Levan sorry cannot help either, only been on them a month and that has not really been my priority yet

Glad you are feeling brighter itsa - I was plesantly surprised by my work's OH referral process and report so hope that goes OK for you

kk glad your meeting with the Welfare offier went Ok - the thought is often is more daunting than the reality isn't it? I am worried too about going back to the office so glad you were able to pop in and settle the fear.

Hi Autumn
Listen to Auntie Twiggy, a good stiff one always sorts me out!!