Should I really be on Citalopram?

[Plussizemummy]

I've been feeling a bit down for about two months now. Crying for no reason, being irritable with DH and feeling tired all of the time. I've also felt my heart racing, have had lots of headaches. But not every day. I also have some days when I feel fine. I went to see my GP yesterday and told him that I thought that I had PND. He agreed that I had a mild PND and suggested citalopram for 6 months. Took my first tablet last night but now I can't help feeling that I shouldn't really be taking ADs at all. 6 months seems like an awfully long time. Will they really make a difference? And what if I become addicted to them? Perhaps I'd be better to manage this on my own? Really confused.

I have been on AD's on and off sice 2001 and are currently on citalopram and have been for 2 years approx. I expect I will be on them for a good while yet. The GP took me off them as I was feeling well and tbh how I was was so bad I never want to feel that way again.

You have an illness and if you had any other illness you would take medication without a second thought. This is the same.

Basically, just feeling like I may have over reacted about how I've been feeling.

Sounds to me you might be a little bit scared of the consequences in voicing your thoughts. You have done the right thing and FWIW I don't think you can become addicted to AD's.

Are you me? This is exactly how I am feeling, I was diagnosed yesterday with PND and I have been given the same tablet. I have always coped through everything and I think everything has come back to bite me. My daughter is beautiful and golden I couldn't wish for a better baby- feeds like a dream, slept through from 6 weeks, always happy but I am a panicking mess... convinced that everyone and anyone is going to take her from me..

I sat down with my dh yesterday and read through all the info and we both decided that the tablets are not the best route, I got this mornng and felt 'better' and asked my mom whether I was just having an off day yesterday (she suffered with PND but because she couldn't bond with me) but I know deep down the issues are still bubbling just haven't been provoked today if you see what I mean.

I took my second tablet this morning because I wouldn't stop taking take cough mixture for a cold.. we will get better, and I think I got up this morning thinking I was 'fine' because I didn't want to accept there was anything wrong because that would make me weak, but we have to accept that we are not weak and that by taking these small steps now we are only going to enrich our lives... x

I would always say if you have dx take the tablets. I have been depressed for years and it was only dx when I had my first child. TBH I don't think anything will help me but at least the tablets are doing some good for me.

I was prescribed citalopram 10mg as have been under a lot of stress. The doctor said it was something to do with prolonged stress depleting the seratonin stores in your brain and that you need to take ssri pills for 4-6 months in order for your brain to restock.

Having read the side effects I decided against using the medication and have been taking St John's Wort for the last month as it is supposed to do the same thing. Feel loads better already and will keep taking them for 4 months.

Wouldn't necessarily recommend the same for everyone but did loads of reading and decided this was the best route for me. Don't know if it would work for PND but for borderline anxiety seems to be doing the trick.

I know in Germany they prescribe St. John's Wort first for mild depression before you try an SSRI, so it might be worth trying that as a compromise: you'll feel you're doing something but might feel more comfortable with an over-the-counter medication. Are there lifestyle changes you could make too? I know it's very hard with a new baby, but getting a bit of outdoor exercise every day - even just a walk - is probably more effective than drugs for mild to moderate depression.

I will second the walk. It sometimes seems too much effort to be bothered with but you always feel better once you have done it. Breaks the day and gets you out in the fresh air. Even walking in the rain can be better than stuck in the house alone feeling low.