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Original poster

Prescribed citalopram for PND…scared :(

28 replies

Hanflower311 · 08/01/2022 16:52

Hi everyone. I am a newbie here and hoping for some opinions and advice. My dd is 14 weeks old and I am a first time mum. The pregnancy was very much wanted although I found it quite tough and also had a traumatic birth. My baby struggled with feeding and I struggled with breastfeeding her. We had to switch her to prescription formula quite early for cows milk protein allergy. I’m not sure any of that is relevant but it might be. Anyway, I’ve found motherhood certainly harder than I expected and it’s just gotten harder rather than easier. At first I struggled to bond with her but this has improved. I have however been diagnosed with PND, I am extremely irritable and describe it as having a very low resilience to change or the unexpected. For example, baby cries, I cry. Baby won’t sleep, I cry. I get super frustrated and overwhelmed. I have no self esteem and very little self confidence. The doctor has prescribed me citalopram but I am scared to take them. They have been sitting on the counter for 5 days. When I feel good, I tell myself I don’t need them. Then I spiral and decide I will start them tonight, but then it passes and I don’t. Endless cycle. I suppose I just want some reassurance or other peoples experience with these pills and whether they help. I have never been on any regular medication before. I am scared of my thoughts and feelings not being ‘my own’ although my own are quite rubbish a lot of the time at the moment!!! I just want to feel better and enjoy new motherhood more and not feel such a burden to those around me. Any replies appreciated. Thank you x

OP posts:
Shehasadiamondinthesky · 08/01/2022 16:54

The only thing you have to worry about is the excessive flatulence they cause. These drugs completely saved my life and I feel normal now for the first time in my whole life. I'd be dead without them.
I'm more frightened of reverting to how I was before.

everybodystalking · 08/01/2022 17:00

It's a good and well researched and very well tolerated medicine. It sounds like you are having a very tough time and you want to enjoy your baby. I think that your symptoms sound very difficult to bear. Is there anything specific about taking medications that you are worried about?

I think that you would most likely benefit from them.....and if you give them a good go and they are not working for you they can be stopped...(with medical supervision)

everybodystalking · 08/01/2022 17:01

PS although they stabilise modd they don't change your thoughts or ways of thinking...you will still be you...just the less unwell version

Original poster
Hanflower311 · 08/01/2022 17:07

Thank you so much for your replies.

@everybodystalking I am finding it very difficult at times. I hoped it would improve but it’s not, other than our bond is a lot better now, which I am very thankful for. I am just scared of not feeling like myself, or having side effects that make it even harder to cope (like insomnia for example)

OP posts:
TrialofTrials · 08/01/2022 17:07

Felt the same with my first and didn't take the medication... like you left them on the counter. Felt similar with my second and this time took the medication. My only regret is not taking them the first time. I am finally enjoying my maternity leave after telling the gp there is no hope that I will enjoy it. I just want to not constantly cry. They were a game changer

Notwithittoday · 08/01/2022 17:08

I found it very good with no side effects. Very normalising

GigantosaurusRex · 08/01/2022 17:12

Take them my lovely, take them. I had sertraline following the birth of DS as I felt awful and they did help. I later weaned off them. I took them again last year for 8 months before slowly weaning off again - they got me over a hump both times. There is no shame in it. I remember crying to a health visitor at a baby group and her saying 'you would be suprised how many women in this group are in the same position as you' - brave faces and all that. Take the meds, I only wish I'd taken them sooner as it really upsets me at how much I missed of his early months x

everybodystalking · 08/01/2022 17:13

I'm sorry OP. It doesn't have to feel like this, and I imagine it is both scary and exhausting. Lots of good experiences above. I hope that you feel better soon and feel empowered to make the right decision for you.

Best wishes

Insertfunnyname · 08/01/2022 17:17

I love citalopram it makes me myself again. I have all the same symptoms as you OP but with these tablets it’s removed all of them. I love them and would highly recommend.

Downside is total lack of libido and struggle orgasaming but don’t care as lovely to not be so anxious anymore.

Barton10 · 08/01/2022 17:19

Citalopram saved me. I have been on it for 10 years now. My anxiety was so bad I wanted to die and was drinking to cope. I am now sober and happy.

Original poster
Hanflower311 · 08/01/2022 18:42

Thank you all so much. I am overwhelmed (in a good way) by the number of responses and all of your kind words and experiences. This is why the internet is awesome! Smile I am feeling a lot more comfortable and reassured now and think I will give them a go. One final question - those who have taken it, is it better to take in the morning or at night? It doesn’t say on the packet I noticed the leaflet said either morning or evening, does it matter?

OP posts:
IggysPop · 08/01/2022 18:47

This was me 12 years ago with pnd. I resisted and resisted until a lovely GP reframed it for me - ‘try to be brave and give it at go’. Me resurfaced quite quickly - my only regret was not taken them sooner. I came off them after 18 months.

Original poster
Hanflower311 · 08/01/2022 18:51

Thank you for sharing your story @IggysPop
That’s another concern I have, whether I will be able to successfully get back off of them or will I be dependant for the rest of my days! The GP ball parked 4-6 months and then to review, but I suppose feeling well is probably more important than getting off of them prematurely anyway.

OP posts:
Oxborn · 08/01/2022 18:51

I also had them for pnd I took them in the morning I’d recommend to make sure you eat with them because I felt abit nauseous at first and I’m sure your dr said that sometimes you feel abit worse for couple weeks but it does settle Good Luck and keep talking

Bigbouncingbaby · 08/01/2022 18:55

I have been on them for a few months . I was previously but came off them . No idea why they really help . I don’t have up and down days I’m far more stable … loads more positive . I still have the odd anxiety attack but compared to before them .

I would really recommend them they take a while to take effect though but it’s all good 😊

Cuwins · 08/01/2022 18:57

I have taken them for non-pregnancy anxiety although I am now on something different.
My one piece of advice with all these meds is you must give them time to work and time for your body to get used to them. All these meds can have side effects (I don't remember any particularly with those so it can't have been that bad!) but they normally settle as your body gets used to them. It can take 6 weeks to start seeing the full effect though so please don't assume after a week that they are not working.
However I would definitely advice taking them if your struggling, they helped me a lot to be able to function in everyday life. Try to think of it like if you were struggling with a problem with your heart and the dr advised meds, you would take them I'm guessing? So why wouldn't you take them for your head?
Hope that helps

SeaneenM999 · 08/01/2022 19:07

I would say definitely give them a go. I have been on them twice and I can honestly say they saved my life. I have a lot of hormonal problems and because of other circumstances my GP suggested I try them. Still on them 3 years later and have no intentions of stopping them. You may get a few side effects for the first couple of weeks but that's entirely normal. If you can push past those then you'll see a real difference afterwards. I found at first they helped me sleep rather than keeping me awake! Wishing you lots of luck xx

Freud2 · 08/01/2022 19:16

I’ve been a counsellor for 30 years and I find that citalapram is very well tolerated by my clients and does help them get over these difficult periods. They usually take 3 or 4 weeks to kick in. Start with a low dose and see how you go. Good luck and I really hope you feel better soon.

Notonthestairs · 08/01/2022 19:21

I took citalopram for PND. They were a lifesaver for me. I told myself I'd try them for 6 months and just see. They took about 10 weeks to fully work. I took them for 16 months and came off them gently with no problems.

Agree that it's best to take them with food.

iklboo · 08/01/2022 19:27

They saved my life. Literally. They do take a little time to work, and your GP may need to tweak the dose, but it cancelled out all the 'noise' for me and gave me time to think about me.

567and · 08/01/2022 19:33

I took citalopram when I was at uni, started on half a tablet and then upped them after a week or so. No side effects at all and made me feel so much better. I know the feeling though. It always makes me Hmm that they give those of us who have anxiety a tablet to take, seemingly without realising what it we go through to actually take them.

LoveFall · 08/01/2022 19:45

I have taken them for about 5 years, after I became very anxious and distressed by my IBD and other health issues, and something at work.

It as helped. I don't notice and side effects really. It kind of levels me out.

BillMasheen · 08/01/2022 19:51

I was on them for PND. all I can say is the made me feel like me again. It was amazing. My only regret, in common with everyone else is I didn’t start them sooner.

And don’t worry about being hooked on them. Absolutely not addictive, and you will know in yourself when you no longer need them.

MrsRubyMonday · 08/01/2022 20:08

I take citalopram, max dose of 40mg every day and have for several years now after tapering up over a few months. I really credit them with helping me remain level, they don't take away my ability to feel but instead of massive waves it's just a normal up and down. I've tried to come off them twice when I thought I was better and very quickly my symptoms return, but I don't have PND, I take them for regular depression, so I've come to terms with the fact that I will likely need them for the rest of my life. Currently pregnant with my first and still taking them under supervision, I was worried I would have to go without in order to have a baby but doctor has said the risks of not taking them outweigh the risks to the baby as it's a fairly well tolerated medication.

arcof · 08/01/2022 20:59

Take in am and take same time everyday, this is important