***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?

I know that feeling Sue. Have a ((((((warm hug))))). What you need to remind yourself (and what I need to remind myself to remind myself!) is that these DHs have moods (as do we) and they are rarely all about anything we've done.. often nothing to do with us.. but men being men, we need a crystal balls to knows what's going on in their heads whereas, us women tend to talk it out, to our DPs and our friends!

"..this too shall pass..."

{{{{hugs Sue}}}}

I'm feeling shitey today. Really angry and maudlin about nothing in particular. When I am talking to people I am saying awful things in my head - like 'Shut up you are fucking boring me' - which is really really awful.

I saw a woman today parked in a disabled space without a blue badge and I wanted to go up to her and shout at her. Why do I feel like that??? It has fuck all to do with me???!

I am generally a very nice person (honest) but these awful rages make me SO nasty inside. I never come out and say it but I think it.

Does anyone else get that?

oh my god yes!!

i have the RAGE right NOW!!!

my ex has been taking my children around with his little slag, i dont want them to go to his house any more if he cant see them without HER being there.

She cut my son's hair severely short, without my permission.

i am FUMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi all not sure if i am writing on the right page as i am complely new to this site,but i have a 12 week old daughter and am feeling very depressed, i constantly worry about her, she has been diagnosed with reflux but i also worry about everything else her breathing and sleeping etc and feel very panicky if she does anything out of the ordinary do any other first time moms feel the same i have an appt with my GP tomorrow.

Wilkie, have just read your link, that has really worried me as I can honestly say that I answered a categorical (sp?) to each and every one of those symptoms. I saw gp back in August and he prescribed Citalopram. Like a complete prat, I decided once I got home and after listening to other people's advice, that I didn't need to take them.

Needless to say I have been struggling since. The Citalopram are sitting in my cupboard. When I really think about it, things are really, really shit for about ten days every month, about a week before and a about the first couple of days of my period, after that its like someone flicks a switch and I return to being a well balanced, outgoing, full of energy person.

This past week for a really bad one, I had days when I just could not motivate myself to do anything, it was half term and that made it ten times worse. On Monday I sat on the stairs and wept, I couldn't control it and am ashamed to say it was in front of the children. They stroked my hair and put a blanket around me as I was shaking. They stayed with close relatives Monday night and also had Tuesday with them, I wasted all that free time and wept for most of Tuesday. Thursday was pretty much the same, I kept losing my temper then crying. I am now day 3 of my period and can feel everything lifting.

I am too embarrassed to go back to my gp as I didn't take the tablets but I am really sruggling.

Sorry if I have hijacked this thread and want to say hello and give hugs to everyone else here. Depression is a truly horrible thing

understand so well about the rage-see below.
it is quite dreadful when you feellike that.absolutely anything can set me off. (the cat bowl had overturned ffs)when dh starts shouting back i know ive gone too far as normally he is so patient.I try to run away if i can so no one is in the way of it.Yesyerday i just pissed off shopping and had my mum take dd for asleepover.then i wentto bed early. feel so much better today cos ididn't end up ranting at someone for nothing.its even worse now ddhas started her period and she gets all moody judy too usually at the same time as me.
poor dh.bet he wishes he lived on mars some weeks.

starlight1 welcome hope you and dd are ok.good luk withthe gp tomorow
wilkie- did you see my post about PMdd?

stripytiger- so sorry you have had arough week. would you think about taking the tablets now? it might help you start to feel better.honestly i have had days like that and you feel like you are going out of your mind.
thinking of you

Hi Starlite.. you are very very welcome on this thread although as it is mainly aimed at those of us taking citalopram, you might find you get more input either starting yourself a new thread in this section (feeling depressed) or on one of the postnatal threads.. or both!

The anxiety over a very young baby is very normal and common and especially when they have a recognised problem so don't think you aren't normal, but you may well have post natal depression as well and the doctor and midwife will be able to help with that. Just tell them exactly what you are feeling and what your worries are.

Good luck. Things will get better; promise

Thanks Cremolafoam. I think maybe I should take them but am now wondering if the Citalopram are suitable or whether I should take something else. I really don't feel too bad the rest of the time its just for the lead up to when I'm due my period, and the problem is I know its going to happen every month and I dread it.

Just to complicate matters I am returning to work tomorrow to the surgery as a receptionist where I am registered as a patient although it is going to be temporary work. I don't know what to do for the best.

Starlight - I hope you get on ok tomorrow. Be totally honest and don't try to put on a brave face and hopefully you will get the help and support you need. Thinking of you.

oh crappy situation stripey-
i obviously can't know ifcitalopram are right foryou.i do know that my symptoms were worse than pmt and sincetaking the pills i have been so much better at controlling my feelings- which is all for the good.i am not really weepy anymore and i feel good about taking timeout yeaterday -a decision i COULD NOT have made before the pills.
what used to happen was i would be in a rage with everyone.let it build up until i exploded .rant for at least 4 days about hoe i was a dogbody and that they were taking advantage of me and all i was fit for was fucking this and fucking that blah blah.followed by weeping remorse, maybeweshouldsplitup as i amhorrible blah blah.iam so ugly and fat and its nowonderi have no job or friends rantyrant....drives off in car weeping..eats 10 bars of chocclate.

i wouldn't say i was serene- but fuckme the citalopram have helped me be calmer and abit more subjectiveand make better judgements

Can I join in? I've just been put on Citalopram 20mg for "reactional depression". Basically I was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour in August and put on medication to shrink the tumour quickly. Hormones involved were part of the pregnancy hormones and my consultant now believes my body thinks it's had a miscarriage and is grieving. There is a bundle of other stuff related to this situation which are contributing to the way i am feeling. Right now I am exhausted all the time, very weepy and I don't find anything funny at the moment (even went to see Billy Connolly live the other week, who normally has me rolling, but not this time.). I just feel numb and wish the headaches and nausea would just bugger off! I am hoping the Citalopram works for me...

know what you mean about it building up and then exploding, its horrible isn't it. Think I may well take the citalopram, I have a months' supply, by the time I have nearly finished them I will know what is what with the work situation. I think I owe it to myself and more importantly to my dc to get myself better.

Am off to bed now, night everyone, hope we all feel a bit better tomorrow.

god tiggly you've been through the mill by the sounds of it.
hope the citalopram helps you as it did me.

sorry gotta go.
night night

Tiggly - 'recreational depression'...do you get it for fun then? What bizarre terms these medical people come up with. Massive sympathies for you. What a nightmare.

Cremola - Basically have had PNDD for 10-11 years. I get anxiety attackes, rages, depression and feelings of doom. I can't take any kind of hormonal contraception as it makes is 100x worse. I was on the pill for quite a few years before diagnosis and was even advised to have counselling because my original GP didn't think there was anything wrong with me.

I was on Prozac for about 2 years but it gave me headaches and total loss of libido. It made me feel 'numb' emotionally.

Citalopram - started it when DS was 4 months old (he's 10m now) and although I do feel better, I am very tired all the time and have lost my 'umph'.

Starlight - my DS has reflux. It is nothing to worry about just messy! Although it is definately getting less with age. I have a terrible fear of cot death so I know how you feel but I do think it is a very natural instinct to worry about your child.

Stripey - I would get those tablets out and start taking them. The GP won't mind if you chose not to take them. And as for you working there - it doesn't matter. YOU matter. I would make an appointment to see your GP as soon as possible.

Right am off to bed. Night night xx

Question for those with PMDD, have you tried tricycling the pill?

It used to be the only thing that controlled me but I can't take it anymore because I now know I have a clotting disease and am fortunate that I didn't get a clot the ten years I was on it!

Hi everyone, been having a tough time and not posting much. Just wanted to check in.. I'm going back to GP tomorrow.. I'm worried that a/ds might be making me feel worse this time.

Can i join you ladies? Have just started taking citalopram a week ago. Doctor diagnosed me with anxiety. I worry about every little ache and pain and am terrified that something is wrong with me. Basically only started since having DD. Had a couple of bad turns today where i felt really faint and then had a massive hot flush. Has anyone else had this with the tablets? Just looking for a bit of reassurance really cause i think i actually feel worse since taking them - not better!

MascaraOHara - So sorry to hear that it's bad for you. We are here if you want to off-load.

elliemac - I had those feelings when I irst started taking the tablets. Thought I might be having an early (very!) menopause! but they seem to have gone now. How long have you been taking it?

elliemac - Just read your post properly!
I think the side-effects you describe will go fairly soon, mine did.

Hi Ladies
I started taking Citalopram in October last year for anxiety. I was on 10mg, but now on 20mg. I am feeling a lot better but I feel so tired all the time.

EllieMac, I have just started getting those hot flushes - didn't make the connection to tablets.. just thought it was dues to stress and I was poorly.. the hot flushes are part of the reason I'm going to GP tomorrow

Feeling better today (Friday night esp bad with suicidal thoughts; also on Saturday morning. Luckily DS started trying to work out how long until his 4th birthday (November 22nd) which gave me the metaphorical kick up the behind that I needed).

My sleep patterns are just quite useless - either falling asleep really early or too late.

Hi everyone

I am back at work today and really struggling to concentrate. I am definitely not worth what I am being paid atm . I just hope that it starts to improve soon or I am going to drop a massive bollock and end up causing huge problems.

MoH good luck with the GP. Stick around, even if you are taken off the Citalopram I get hot flushes too but mainly at night.

Starlite - I know it's easier said than done but please try not to worry. This is coming from the woman who rang NHS direct in a panic when her 6 day old baby was "struggling to breathe and making strange noises". SHe was SNORING ffs . It is so easy to wind yourself up over every little thing, having a baby is so overwhelming. Please try to relax and enjoy your little girl

Tiggly that sounds horrendous hope that you system sorts itself out.

There are so many of us now aren't there! ANother thread that I will stuggle to keep up with

((Idris)) x posted with you, glad you are feeling better today. Having sleep patterns out of kilter really buggers me up too. I can cope with pretty much anything if I get 8 hours unbroken sleep... trouble is I can't remember the last time that happened.

Excuse me, could I just ask you all a quick question please?

How do you remember to take your tablet??
Part of my deression manifests itself in a complete lack of memory and I'm having real trouble getting the best out of my ad's by forgetting to take them regularly.