Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Original poster

Citalopram - to take or not?

16 replies

letstryagainnow · 17/10/2023 08:46

I've been feeling very overwhelmed and anxious in work over the last few weeks. The workload is huge and constantly increasing. I was managing to hold it together during the day but then bursting into tears. I was off for a week with flu and then on my first day due back I was feeling more and more anxious driving there. I couldn't leave my car to get in the building as I just couldn't stop crying. Work were great and sent me home to rest and get better. But I just couldn't stop crying and feeling overwhelmed. I managed to speak to gp but he wasn't very nice at all and made me feel like I was just someone fancying a bit of time off. Prescribed propanol (?) on less than a 5 minute phone call and told me to phone Mind.
I went back to speak to a different HCP at the surgery who was a bit more empathetic. By this point I'm still crying and overwhelmed. I feel like I've hit burnout point and that it's due to work/me not being able to switch my brain off. She prescribed citalopram instead. 10mg a day. I've never taken any AD and I'm a bit scared. Deciding what to do about then has now become another thing I'm constantly whirring round my head. Side effects? Will I become reliant and addicted? Do I really need them or do I need to try to change jobs? Am I in the right frame of mind to make these decisions now? At 43 is it linked to Peri? Did suggest this. I don't feel sad ALL the time but can't switch my brain off. If I do take them, should I take them morning or night? Im driving myself crazy. I am signed off work at the moment for and couple of weeks.
Not sure what my question is really. Just a long list of them. Previous posted on menopause board and had a lovely member suggest a few things from that point of view but wonder if I would get more AD specific views here?
Thank you for reading to the end if you managed to.

OP posts:
ODFOx · 17/10/2023 08:50

My own experience with citalopram was overwhelmingly positive. I had no side effects and gradually increased dose to 30 mg . I was on them for several years before weaning off. One of my adult DC is on them now.

ODFOx · 17/10/2023 08:51

To add: I took them before bed but if they affect your sleep you can take them in the morning.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 17/10/2023 08:53

Citalopram honestly saved my life. I was suicidal. I was on 20mg, went up to 30mg last year but now am back to 20.

I felt very strange the first few weeks of taking it but since then I've had no issues and no side effects. I've been taking it for about 6 years now.

CableTidy · 17/10/2023 09:03

I've been on citalopram for approx 15 years and wouldn't be here without them. For me the effect was pretty quick and I didn't experience side effects but it can take a while to find something that works for you. I've also taken propranolol on and off. It helps calm the fight or flight feeling of panic

I've been able to come off citalopram previously but my brain needs it to work more clearly and if I have to stay on it for life I don't feel bad about it. It's no different to people taking medication for all kinds of other reasons.

Original poster
letstryagainnow · 17/10/2023 09:13

Thank you for your replies. I really appreciate them. It's a very true point that you make about them just like being any other medication that is needed. I think I'm just struggling with the idea of them as I've never needed them before and none of my family have any experience with them before. And if I'm honest I'm probably struggling with the idea of them because it's yet another thing that my brain can fixate on and overthink.
Do most people take them at night? I'm really trying my best to get out for a walk everyday to get some fresh air as I know that is beneficial too and I don't want to be seen out with being off work-I know it's different but my overthinking strikes again. So I was concerned seeing that they could make me drowsy and then I shouldn't drive. So maybe at night is best for me?

OP posts:
CableTidy · 17/10/2023 09:24

I take mine in the morning, they don't make me drowsy but I also know people who take them at night.

Original poster
letstryagainnow · 17/10/2023 09:34

I suppose I could try taking them at one point of the day and then switch to the other if that doesn't seem to work? I assume you just need to skip a dose if so so you're not taking them too close together. I hate that I've been made to feel in circles of those that I know that these would be any different to any other type of medicine.

OP posts:
CableTidy · 17/10/2023 15:25

I've never bothered skipping a dose if I've forgotten to take til later in the day but perhaps that's just me. Also remember that it's nobody else's business what medication you take or why. If they care about you they should support what will make you feel better

Original poster
letstryagainnow · 17/10/2023 16:04

That's very true. I think it's possibly me feeling judged than actually being judged if I manage to think about it properly.
I think I will start taking them. Need to decide on evening or morning now.

OP posts:
TreeHuggerMum1 · 17/10/2023 17:21

I took them about 10 years ago for a year for depression. Great success.
I took them about 6 years ago for a particularly stressful time of life. Great success. Was on and off them in six months and were a huge help.
I started suffering with peri-M related panic attacks in the summer. Put onto citalopram, reacted really badly. So this time I’m trying out sertraline. I’ve been on it six weeks and definitely feeling the benefits.
Dont suffer, good luck.

funbags3 · 17/10/2023 17:24

That's a really low dose so I can't imagine you having any problems with it.
I started peri in my mid-forties and was very much like you. I'd definitely try and find a good meno doc who will consider giving you HRT. So many peri women are fobbed off with ADs when all we need is our hormones topping up.

TreeHuggerMum1 · 17/10/2023 17:25

With SSRI medication it depends whether you sleep well or not at the moment. If you sleep well now, take it before bed.
If you’re struggling to sleep, take it first thing.
Make sense?

Original poster
letstryagainnow · 17/10/2023 18:00

Thanks for the replies! I was thinking about scraping together to pay for a consultation with the new menopause dr at the local private hospital. Just for the initial consultation I was thinking and then hoping if she felt it was needed that she could write to my gp?! But for now I think I need to take the plunge and try the tablets. It's hard because when I hit my burn-out point, I hadn't been sleeping well at all with work whirring through my mind. At the moment, since being signed off I'm sleeping better. I've been trying to make myself drive to a nearby beach daily to get fresh air so was a little worried about possibly feeling too drowsy to drive. But my DH is WFH most days so I'm sure he could take me during his lunch break if so.
I'm just overthinking absolutely everything right now.
It's good to hear positive stories too and, like you said, it's the lowest dose so hopefully that would mean less side effects likely. My rational self knows this, but isn't present much at the moment.

OP posts:
Original poster
letstryagainnow · 18/10/2023 10:35

Ive just taken my first tablet.
I'm also really questioning the peri menopause aspect to this. Possibly from seeing things being posted on world menopause day.

OP posts:
funbags3 · 18/10/2023 11:32

@letstryagainnow
Keep an eye on the peri checklist for symptoms. I suffered a few years before someone suggested peri.
https://www.balance-menopause.com/menopause-library/menopause-symptom-sheet/

Original poster
letstryagainnow · 18/10/2023 13:37

Thank you! That checklist looks really helpful.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page