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Citalopram ...

37 replies

Tups · 25/03/2010 18:45

Hello
Have been prescribed citalopram but after reading the side effects on the net, am now really worried about taking them.
Prescribed for anxiety and low mood (20mg). Am now suffering anxiety about taking it which sort of defeats the object.
I have told no one in my family, not even my partner as he would not aprove, I know it's not good but am trying to deal with it myself.
Can anyone offer me any advice (apart from telling my partner as he would not understand and think a/depressents make you go mad).
Thanks

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Tups · 29/03/2010 16:15

Day 2
took it at 8pm last night
have a little nausea but seem ok at the mo so will wait and see.
Am really tired but our 6 year daughter was up all night Friday as was sick so think that catching up on that sleep plus loosing an hour on the clocks is hard to tell.
Had the shakes a little bit earlier but all good so far..... don't like the nausea!!
Anyway, will keep you all posted
x

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Tups · 29/03/2010 16:16

Ps 8pm tonight ... Day 3

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katiemamam · 29/03/2010 19:52

i'd been taking citalopram for the last 2 years and apart from the first week when i felt very tired, i would say that i had no side-effects. if you're reading stuff online, just beware that they are "possible" side effects. not everyone will get them (and you're unlikely to get them all).

prior to this course i'd taken them before on and off for years (as prescribed by my gp!) and when i was on a reasonable dose i found there were no lasting side effects. tiredness for the first week was the one that really hit me. at my best i was on 10mg and at my worst 60mg.

on 60mg i found after 3 weeks that i got random pins and needles in my arms and hands, and my gp reduced my dose.

i came off citalopram very quickly after christmas as my gp overreacted (according to my consultant at hospital) when we found out that we'd conceived a bit quicker than we thought (by a good 6 months and then some).

the plan had been to wean off the medication then ttc. however, nature had other ideas! so, having been referred to a consultant with an interest in mental health issues during pregnancy, i've since been told that i could go back on citalopram again if my mood deteriorates. apparently there is no problem with being on citalopram when ttc, but a lot of gps get awfully jumpy about it.

look at it this way - if you had diabetes (i'm sure someone has said this to you)then you'd take insulin without question. when it's somethng to do with mental health it seems to be less acceptable. don't try to deal with it on your own.

Tups · 29/03/2010 22:46

Thanks x

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Tups · 30/03/2010 17:39

Well, am on day 4 or is that 3?
Anyway still suffering from nausea but am waiting in anticipation of the benefits

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moominmamma11 · 30/03/2010 17:45

I have been taking citalopram since I was 19. I am now 28. I came off it when trying to get pregnant, during pregnancy and after 6 months of breast feeding I went straight back on it. I suffer from depression. It is an illness, not an affectation. It is no different than needing an asthma pump if asthmatic or needing insulin for diabetes. I encountered quite a lot of patronizing disapproval from 'health professionals' during my pregnancy but I do believe that if you are ill then (especially as a mother) it is your responsibility to look after yourself in order to be able to look after your child. As to side effects - yes, I do recall feeling that I might lose sight of 'me' when taking it - but I didn't really want to be me anyway. The other side effects aren't great but are something that have to be accepted as a reality when there is no other option.

ItsAllaBitNoisy · 30/03/2010 18:28

Well done Tups. You're on your way.

nannymcphee · 31/03/2010 17:42

Hi Tubs, new to this thread. I'm in my 2nd week now of taking citalopram and I think I seeing or rather feeling the results already. I'm really tired most of the time and eating like a horse (!) (ironically the two things I've been stressing about before seeing the doctor!
I have noticed though that I'm having more of a laugh with my children (ages9,7,&3) and not taking messy house so seriously. I also haven't told anyone (except you now) as still feel there is such a stigma and my husband wouldn't understand or probably be supportive - maybe unfair, but I feel I can't tell him now anyway!
Keep it up - I'm sure it'll make you feel like 'you' again - I feel better than I have done in years!

Tups · 31/03/2010 18:28

Someone in the same situation as me yes it's unfair but it's our choice x
nausea wearing off and am a lot more patient with our daughter haven't shouted at her once since been on this. Felt a bit strange yesterday afternoon it was like I could hear all the noise at once in the office a bit weird.
Thankyou all so much for your stories and support.

NannyMcPhee hope you have a good hiding place for your pills!! xx

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nannymcphee · 01/04/2010 14:36

Hi Tups, actually have been leaving the pills fairly noticeable as I guess I want DH to know, but don't know the best way to tell him. We're all going away tonight for a weeks holiday, so may tell him then.

Have a good week - I'll check up on you when I'm back !!

Tups · 02/04/2010 10:18

Thanks
have a good week xxx

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noodle6 · 03/06/2010 00:45

I think Citalopram can be a good thing if it supports you through the process of mending your life and perhaps changing any old ways of thinking which had gotten you to the stage of wanting to try citalopram. It will not actually be the thing that cures you in my experience, but looking back I think it certainly eased me into the process of healing, making it much easier than going it alone with no drugs. Ultimately the change has to come from within. The worst memory I have of Citalopram was almost OD-ing on it at 20mg dose when I started, and then when dosage was reduced to 10mg it gave me the worst shits (sorry if its tmi!) I've ever had in my life, and it went on for weeks and weeks before it finally subsided.

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