***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?

Hi Girls

Sorry Itsa and Twigy to hear you are having a bad time with work and housing, hope something works out for you both.

I just wanted to ask a question about taking the tablets. I take mine at night usually 8.30 to 9.30 and don't get full nights sleep, always awake in the early hours, mostly for hours, sometimes I can go back. And then after the kids have gone to school, and because I can as I am on my own, the desire to sleep overwhelms me and I lay down on the sofa, sometimes doing relaxation tape and then sleep for up to 3 hours. Would it help to change to taking my tablet midday so that I sleep at night and if so how do I do that? Sounds a daft question i know but my first time on AD's and not sure what to do

I take mine in the morning, at any time between 9 and 11.
I would guess if you were to drastically change the time you took them, you should do it gradually. Maybe change by an hour or so a day until you get to the time you want.

Hi KK

Sorry to contradict you Itsa but I had the same problem and spoke to my GP about this. She said it was fine to change the time but it would take a day or two for the effect. Try it and see what is best for you.

Since you are on your own why dont you put the relaxation tape on in your room as you go off to sleep, i used to do it when I was pregnant to help me sleep.

Oh right. I didn't know, I was just guessing. Thinking about it sensibly, I guess the drugs are in your system so you could change the time without it having an adverse effect.

Thats it, but you are talking to an old pro here

Hi is it too late to join you? I'm on 40mg of citalopram a day, started in nov 07 on 20 but got increased a couple of weeks ago. Today i've has the 1st "good" day for months could this be the start of recovery or just a one off?

Welcome tigger32

Looks like you could have turned the corner.

I'm on 40mg and have to say that lately have felt in a better mood. Still get bad days but think everyone does. The problem is the really stupid things i do.

Is anyone else really clumsy/forgetful or could it be the meds making it worse?

Thanks Twigy, I too have become very clumsy, spilt boiling chilli over my arm and the floor tonight, and i'm constantly knocking things over, maybe its lack of sleep though!

I was really forgetful when I started the tablets a few weeks ago but I think I am ok now. Those around me may tell you otherwise though

where has everyone gone?

I'm around. Is it that we are all starting to feel better so aren't chatting on here. I'm really chuffed as yesterday and today, I managed to keep going all day, but I do find it easier with the kids at home, because they need you to help with things, so you have to get on and do it.

Went to visit my mum and dad yesterday, dad has alzheimers, myeloma and just had an operation to remove skin cancer behind his ear, he is 81 and I don't think he will be around much longer, so it was lovely to see him, but I feel scared as I know he could go downhill quickly.

Ah kk you have my sympathy with regard to your dad. My sister died from cancer a few years ago, and I regret not spending more time with her when she was ill, which was only for a couple of months (to be honest, I was scared, but that's another story), so make the most of the time now. He could keep going for donkeys years, but you never know. treasure him while he is here.
Glad you are feeling better x

Yeah KK you have my sympathy too. In my case I wanted to spend as much time as possible with my mum. Hers was quite long and drawn but I tried to be cheery which was hard. I'm really glad I did even though she didnt know who I was at the end.

Keep posting every couple of days, i am feeling better too but find all our chats really comforting.

Autumn its a night of eating choc bickies in bed (on DH side of course). How are you getting on, on your own.

Morning girls

Thanks for your support re my dad. I have been so lucky in my life, still have my Mum and Dad, although we have lost DH's Mum and Dad in the last 10 years, still miss them loads, they were both lovely. Just find it hard as Dad seems painfree now, and worry about him suffering and my mum trying to cope with him, but feel helpless to do anything, we live 35 mins away. Anyway I will stay positive and try not to be too scared.

Well at least we all seem to be on the up a bit again.

Itsa when do you go back to the Doctors? Is it this week and do you think you need a stronger dose?

Twigy, Choccy Bickies in Bed, whatever next!!!!!!! The only thing I want to do in Bed is sleep, we're both still waking in the night and can't get back to sleep.

Autumnmists how are you? You haven't been on MN for a few days.

Hi all and welcome tigger; glad you are all doing so well.

Doing great at the moment, despite dh taking to his sick bed once he got home!

Going in to the office on Friday was much easier than I feared; in fact I ended up being there for 4 hours and still did not have time to talk to everyone! Looking forward to going back 'properly' (did I really say that ) in a couple of days - 2 days this week, same next week to ease me in slowly

Not quite sure what we did this weekend, time just seemed to disappear, but i do remember a leisurely coffee with my mum on Sat am Very chuffed too that I have lost 6lbs in last three weeks - even bought myself a pedometer to track how far i am walking; 1 hr fast walking on Sat used only 240 calories and i was shattered but if I manage it several times a week it all helps

kk you have my sympathy; my FIL had alzheimers and it is a horrible illness. My mother is going thro chemo at the moment too but so far so good, she seems to have had remarkably few side effets

Not surprising we are 'here' given all the things happening in our lives that we cannot control!

Twigy - good for you on the choccie biccies - think I will drop into Asda for some more cookies (altho dh is home this week - told him to be as i am back at work) How long is your dh away?

Itsa - good luck at the docs, what day are you going? And hugs to doggie - loved your ultimatum to dh

Autmn, that's good news about your job. How long had you been off for? Did your colleagues know why you were off? I'm worried that IF I go back to work, people might treat me weirdly.

My docs appt is Weds.

It's me - have changed my name partly becasue i do anyway every so often for annonymity but also becasue autumn is for 'down' moments and now i feel good, like the spring!

Itsa I was off officialy for 5 weeks altho with Xmas and New year my last day in the office was 21 December.

Only 3 people in my office (my boss and his 2 bosses) know why I was off this time. I asked specifically for this because last time the horrible phrase 'nervous breakdown' was commonly used which was the last thing i wanted! Having said that, tho, everyone was really nice when i went back last time so I am sure you do not need to worry.

We both have a big day on Wed then...

Brilliant Autumn to change your name to a more positive one!!!!

I worry about going back, especially as they haven't contacted me from work, I wonder if they are saying what a waste of time I am!!!

maybe I should change my name, but I want to keep it related to the film 'Annie'.

Itsa

I love that film, I saw it live on stage once, it was brilliant

Like the name chage Springsunshine. Now the fog has lifted here its another lovely day. Does anyone think that the weather has also lifted our moods

DH away for the week but trying to plan something for everyday so that I dont feel down missing him.

BIG SLAP ON THE BACK Spring for the weight loss.

KK stay positive about your dad, you can do it.

I hope squirdle is ok she hasnt been around in a while,

The weather is lovely Twigy, I'm sure it helps.

I think tomorrow, I'm going to start this online CBT the doctor told me about, I find when I'm on my own like today I find it hard to occupy myself after kids and DH go out in the morning, still laying down sleeping for a couple of hours, can't get motivated to do anything.

Twigy what have you been doing today?

Where is Squirdle, hope she is ok.

I have to move myself now to make a beef casserole for tea.

Be back later.

Love chatting on here, if it was online I wouldn't get anything down. Its nice to have MN friends, couldn't manage without them

Hi Kk, had Itsa round at mine, eating all my cakes, drinking bucket loads of coffee, and she even atacked my dog!!!

She's barred!

Tomorrow I will get all my jobs done since Lo with the father-out-law.

Twigys nose is twitching what is a CBT online?

I think CBT is cognitive behavioural treatment. I'm not sure exactly how it works though.
Tee hee and I licked Twigy's cat! And I do mean licked, not kicked!!

Good luck with that KK