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Original poster

Anyone taking Citalopram?

178 replies

SPARKLER1 · 14/01/2005 17:53

Doctor has just started me on them.
Just interested to know if you have taken them and if you found they helped. Some of the side effects sound a bit worrying but I have taken them as I am fed up with feeling so low (have been now on and off for 3 years).

OP posts:
sammi25 · 04/02/2005 23:43

Im new to this so bear with me here. I have 2 ds's aged 7mths and 7 years. I have been on the tabs for 3 weeks now and still waiting for them to help. Doc refered me to a councillor but when I got there it turned out to be a psyciatric nurse, who said there wasn't anything he could do to help me. If you can't get help when you ask for it when can u? I lost my Dad just over a year ago so I dont think that helps me.

blueteddy · 05/02/2005 00:25

I really feel for you sammi.
Go 4 the counselling.

spook · 05/02/2005 09:00

Good morning everyone. Sparkler,I have just read your whole thread honey and you sound so much more upbeat now than a few weeks ago. I hope the tablets are kicking in for you. I was the same as you-AD's were a no go area but I have had a really tough year and started taking Escitalopram (Cipralex) about 6 months ago. Are they the same?? I was on 10mg and they definately definately helped. They gave me a reason for being basically. I had very few side effects but did feel sick for a few days and had one particular night of hell-hallucinations and very weird feelings.
I have just been put on 20mg 4 days ago-to get me through the next phase of shit (divorce and house sale etc) just to keep me on an even keel. I can already feel the difference. A more level headed outlook-if that makes sense!
Hang on in there and I'm so glad your fog has started to lift

Titania · 05/02/2005 09:01

I swear mine arent doing anything.....been on them 4 weeks now....

spook · 05/02/2005 09:05

Stick with it Titania.They do say it ccan take weeks. It will be gradual.You won't suddenly wake up one morning feeling fab but you will hopefully start looking back and realising you don't feel as bad as you did.

blueteddy · 05/02/2005 09:09

Yes you have to give them time Titania.
You do not notice a result right away, but if you are still feeling bad in a few more weeks, you can always go back to your gp & be prescribed a stronger dose.
I had a blip while taking mine & they doubled my dosage.

Titania · 05/02/2005 09:10

dont think there is a stronger dose is there?? I am on 20mg. I was on them a few months ago and felt better after about 3-4 weeks. They seem to be taking a lot longer this time

blueteddy · 05/02/2005 09:15

Yes there is!
I started on 25mg & was put up to 50mg!!!

Original poster
SPARKLER1 · 05/02/2005 19:13

Hi all. I feel different in someways but not in others but GP has said it is still early days. Titania the tabs can be taken at a higher dose. GP has told me that he could increase mine if needs be.

OP posts:
cheekychops03 · 05/02/2005 22:38

Hi there
I know I'm coming in to this a bit late but just wanted to let you know I'm on Citalopram. I've just had it increased from 20 to 30mg as not having a brilliant time at the moment.
If you think you need counselling push for it. The first G.P. is saw was really unhelpful but then my HV got me to see another GP and she was brilliant - referred me to community mental health team who I have now been seeing for nearly one year.
I was told it takes 2-6 weeks to start to feel any difference and that it happens slowly. Also not to beat myself up if I go 'down' for a bit as that can be a normal pattern of depression.
I am amzed you GP is not advocating counselling. If he still refuses then ask to be referred to a psychiatrist. Big step but can be worth it.
Good luck and big hugs.

Original poster
SPARKLER1 · 05/02/2005 22:51

Hi CC. GP has referred me for counselling now. I asked him about it on Monday when I went back for a repeat prescription. He denied telling me that he didn't think counselling would help! . Am on waiting list now - not sure when I will get appointment.

OP posts:
CHIEFPICKLE · 06/02/2005 00:52

IM ON THOSE BUT NOT DOIN SO GOOD.
GOT A REFERRAL FROM GP ON WEDNESDAY.

CHIEFPICKLE · 06/02/2005 00:53

SPARKLER,
TPPK FOUR WEEKS FOR MY REFERRAL BUT APPARENTLY THATS QUICK!!!

cheekychops03 · 06/02/2005 14:42

Sparkler1
Have you heard of the Association for Post Natal Illness? My HV referred me to them and you can get loads of info and support from them. You can also be allocated a 'supporter' who is a Mum who has had PND and got through it. You can either talk to them on the phone or via email. Their website address is www.apni.org

Original poster
SPARKLER1 · 06/02/2005 17:55

Thanks ever so much. GP doesn't seem to think it is down to PND three and a half years down the line.

OP posts:
blueteddy · 06/02/2005 18:09

But did u have PND when your dd was a baby atall?
I think if u have suffered, you can slope back at any time, but after 2 years they do not call it PND any more!

Original poster
SPARKLER1 · 06/02/2005 20:50

I suffered PND when dd2 was born 3 1/2 years ago. Not been right since. Have always been quite an emotional person anyway - went through quite a lot as a kid with parents not getting on and then divorcing.

OP posts:
blueteddy · 07/02/2005 18:06

Counselling will be very helpful for you then.
They go right back to you child hood.
Am I right in thinking you had a tough time before Christmas, in that you lost a few people?

Original poster
SPARKLER1 · 07/02/2005 22:24

Yes - I had a realy crappy lead up to christmas. My uncle died, dh's great aunt died, dd lost her finger nail by trapping it in the supermarket door xmas eve while I was in a funeral in Wales and my step-dad nearly died too. Pretty awful time.

OP posts:
blueteddy · 07/02/2005 22:51

No wonder you are down then.

Original poster
SPARKLER1 · 08/02/2005 13:05

Yes it was really bad time but I have felt down for three and half years. Christmas was just something I could have done without really.

OP posts:
blueteddy · 08/02/2005 17:38

Do you feel down all the time or does it come in waves?

Original poster
SPARKLER1 · 08/02/2005 20:23

Hi blueteddy. Thank you so much for your interest BTW. I find that I was feeling down quite a lot of the time but since starting ADs it seems to be in waves.

OP posts:
Original poster
SPARKLER1 · 08/02/2005 20:24

How's things going with you now BT?

OP posts:
blueteddy · 08/02/2005 20:36

Hi sparkler.
I seem to go in waves too.
I really feel for you, because I have been exactually where you are now.
I have panic days when I feel I am not coping with being a parent etc, even now.