***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?

Tee hee. In that case, I'll have a double whisky.

Oh hang on, I think you meant something else...

Eh check me out, cracking rudey jokes!!!

you must be getting manic!

Think being on my own so much is sending me that way!

Thanks ellasmum1 and Twigy. It's good to know I'm not the only one that feels like this. Had an awful day at work today and came home in tears, wondering how I'm going to cope without the ad's to hold me up when i am like this now!
Levan I'm sorry I can't offer any advice either, i agree with others who said that the libido was long gone before the ad's - great when we're supposed to be trying for a baby!!!!!!!!

Chubby, how about taking some time off work? I've been off for a few weeks after I walked out of classroom full of kids because 'I just didn't care anymore'. My boss was very understanding, considering!

Is anyone else having heinous nightmares? Ok, so being chased and attacked by a dragon that resembles one of those plastic sea-saws shaped like a crocdile might not be scary to everyone, but it scared me and I woke up with a bad headache and crying

Hi Itsa

I had a nightmare last night about me and the kids being chased by a gang, in fact I had quite a rough night and have been flat out on the sofa all morning, just feel so weak and tired and shoulders ache like help.

How are you feeling now?

I've been ok today. We were very busy mind you and did lots of nice shopping - bits and bobs for the little man. I enjoy that. I really do think the tablets are working now and I feel more normal. There is no way I could face teaching again for a bit longer though. I am worried that the doc has only signed me off for another two weeks.
kk do you have nightmare often?

Hello peeps,

I'd like to join Citalopram buddies, although I'm not on it at the moment. Have been on 20mg a day for five years for depression and anxiety. It's true, the side effects, which can be the same as the symptoms (such as having panic attacks) get worse once you start taking them. But once they start working and you stay on them, and take them at the same time each day, they are fantastic (well in my opinion anyway). Although did experience the lack of orgasm, etc.

When I got pregnant I was told by my GP to come off them slowly (which I did), but then I was plagued by terrible depression and panic attacks and felt suicidal. So after appointment with psychiatrist I was put on 50mg sertraline a day, which is crap by comparison, but is 'safe' to take in pregnancy. DS born in September and I'm still on sertraline as I'm BF. Some days good, but lots of days bad, which makes you feel guilty as have wonderful gorgeous DS and very supportive DP. But have to say I'm looking forward to going back on citalopram.

lots of love xx

hi mamafairy - good to know it works!

Hi girls

Glad everyone seems to be ok at the mo considering the blustery weather.

Welcome Mama, glad you found us.

God I am the only one who has turned into a porn star since being on the ADs?

I had a lovely day maybe because i have spent the day with my 2 boys.

Hi Itsahardknocklife.
I was off work with stress and depression when I first went on the meds but haven't taken any time off since. Like you I work in education but your head sounds a damn sight better to work for than mine! She knows that I've been on ad's for a year because I told her in my back-to-work interview when she gave me a hard time for being off. She has never once asked how I am (even when it's obvious to everyone else that I'm not alright). I will take some time off if I find that work is as bad next week - there is a lot going on at the moment and even the non-depressed are starting to react the way I am!
As for the nightmares I really suffered with them when I first went on citalopram but they passed after a week or 2. They were really vivid and I woke feeling even more tired than before I went to bed. I had the same reaction when I tried sleeping tablets. Stick with it because it will pass and you will eventually begin to feel human again. It won't be a great high or anything but one day something will happen and you will think to yourself 'hey, normally I would cry at that'.
Good luck! x

thanks chubby . This thread is great isn't it?

Hi Itsa

I kept getting anxious and streesed knowing i wasnt ready to go back to work but my doc only gave me 2 week lines. I didnt know that they have to for a few weeks then they do 4 week lines. Be honest with yourself and your doc and if you need more time take it.

You dont want a relapse. Look after yourself and remember you are just a number to your boss!!!

true. but a gorgeous number!

Yeah just rememeber that.

Didnt mean that to sound harsh, but you do need to look after yourself for the sake of your lovely boys!!

Hi guys

welcome chubbymummy, ellasmum and mamafairy - there are lots more of us on here now

I have been feeling positivley human the last few days, today i went shopping in Toys R Us for presents for parties the dcs are going to over next few weeks then braved Asda for some essentials.

Had another longish walk before picking up the kids then took them shoe shoppping (normally my worst nightmare, both of them in there on my own ) but we survived. Had forgotten my purse but the shop were fine and let me phone dh for a credit card number and I did not stress out about it at all - the pills MUST be working

Sorry to hear about your nightmares itsa - thankfully I have not had them but my sleep has become more erratic recently

chubbymummy it is hard trying to get pg on ad's isn't it? Last time I had this awful illness I got pg and the hormones etc then seemed to help me get over it so maybe you do not need to stop just yet?

Glad you had a good day Twigy - your hubby home yet tonight? You deserve some company, especially if you have turned into a porn star, I am so

Hope you feel chirpier soon kk - I had a day a bit like that on Wed when i was tired and slept most of the day but felt better for it afterwards.

Hi Autumn

Glad to hear you seem better, hubby been home all day and tomorrow, so thats why the good mood.

I actually think that being on my own is making my illness worse, anyone else agree? I actually live away from my family so think that is a big factor.

Hi everyone,

I did type a nice long post earlier but it got lost in cyberspace! I was just waffling anyway!

I sort of ok, my sleeping is erratic too. I feel absolutely shattered around 2pm, but when it comes to 11pm I can't go to sleep.

I'm also getting headaches too...is this normal?

I am quite stressed this week but that is because I have my second support group meeting tomorrow night and I just know they won't let me say nothing this week So i am a little scared to say the least. To add to it, DH is in Budapest until Saturday so I have had to ask a friend to come and sit with the boys. She is great and knows why I am going to the meeting, but I really could do with DH to give me a hug when I get back

Twigy and AM, nice to hear you have a good day...may you have many more!

Itsa, take your time and make sure you are really ready to go back. You will get thee evntually, but you would regret it if it set you back x

Right I need to stop Dot Cotton from droning on, thats enough to send anyone to sleep! I am going to have a bath and try to go to bed early (mind you, it's 10.15 now!)

Night everyone x

twigy, I know how you feel, my family and DH's live 2 hrs away and he is away generally from Monday to Friday every week. You kind of get used to it don't you, but it isn't always easy.

Hi ya Squirdle

BIG CUDDLE FROM ME

I still get funny spells where i feel kind of drunk/out of it, but it passes quick. Cant remember, how long have you been on them?

Squirdle, I just came up to the computer to get away from Dot's moaning!
I have been getting headaches too - quite bad but ibruprofen has usually sorted them.

Thanks twigy I've been on them for 9 days now, but am on a low dose of 10mg. I think the doctors will increase it to 20mg when I go back in a couple of weeks though.

Itsa, I'm still not in bed! This is madness, I am normally asleep by 10 - 10.30! I seem to be up watching rubbish telly!

My hubby used to complain that i am in bed early.Now he compalins i am in bed late.

Isnt this illness really funny. As in strange.

Hi everyone been in a good mood for a few days now, its feels real good cant remember when last I felt this good maybe 4 or 5 years ago. Really scared I am gonna have a bad day, still in hospital and hoping to go home soon but broke down in the session with the pshycologist so maybe going home to soon is not such a good idea. Never thought this would happen to me. Boy was I mistaken........