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Parenting

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Original poster

Citalopram: what are your experiences?

16 replies

threetwoonezero · 31/08/2018 13:46

I am struggling with some form of postnatal anxiety, and some days it feels like depression. It runs in our family, so I know I'm susceptible to it but I am so scared of the pills. I started CBT therapy this morning (my main issues are obsession with her sleeps and her crying., she's a bit high maintenance) and I've been offered the pills but...I've tried before and I've never stuck to them. I just wonder what other people have been through, whether I should give it a go or not? The good and bad stories? Thanks so much for any input you can give, so hard to talk about this with people close...

OP posts:

lionsgate18 · 31/08/2018 13:55

I was in a similar situation. I did have the tablets. I guess they helped. Well yes actually they did help. But I ended up in a cycle. After I was apparently well again I was taken off them gradually. But then about 6 months later I went onto Prozac. It's me 8 years of trying and coming on and off them to kick them. I finally am tablet free for the last 5 months. I think I did probably need them at the time, but he prepared it is hard to permanently kick anti depressants once you go into them xx

arbrighton · 31/08/2018 14:11

As i see it, the anxiety and depression are the result of a chemical imbalance so I take sertraline to deal with that.

Just as I would take insulin if I needed to for diabetes

Some people need them long term. So be it.

EatSleepRantRepeat · 31/08/2018 14:21

I've been taking 30mg Citalopram for over 10 years now (to mask anxiety caused by my autism), and I don't get any side-effects etc unless I've not taken any in a couple of days. The first two weeks are rocky, you can feel anxious and get the shakes, nausea etc, but I found once the first two weeks were over I felt much better. If I forget to take some for a couple of days (like travelling and forgot them) I get a blinding headache, but I find they're still better for me than taking nothing.

I have been through lots of different treatments inc pills, hypnotherapy combined with CBT and Psychotherapy with a psychologist. The CBT hypnotherapy was good, as I found it sank in better without my negative thoughts finding excuses why it wouldn't work. The Psychotherapy was excellent but very expensive, so mainly used for long term cases.

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Catheroooo · 31/08/2018 15:18

Hi OP.

Sorry you're struggling. We sound similar! My 8 month old DD is rubbish sleeper, usually wakes up a few times after bed and always after a certain amount of time so I'm always glued to the monitor in the evenings anxious she's going to wake up. She won't sleep properly out and about so we're housebound a lot which doesn't help.

How old is you baby? Is it your first? I found the crying horrible at first like I was torturing her but as time has gone on I recognise what the cries are for and feel less anxious about them (but it still gets me). Used to put off having a shower as she woukd cry but began to realise she wouldn't die and I needed to be clean.

I was prescribed sertraline but avoided it so far. My mum suffered PND so i was expecting to be hit with it. Had a few CBT sessions and find it's helping, as does time. You've got to do what's right for you. It's so hard though and you have my sympathy. X

Original poster

threetwoonezero · 31/08/2018 15:22

Thanks, really helpful to hear. I think I'm on the verge so I might leave it another few weeks and see if I level out. I had to stop breastfeeding at 7 weeks due to thyroid, and she's 15 weeks old now so I don't think its just a hormone issue?

OP posts:

EmpressOfSpartacus · 31/08/2018 15:26

I was on 40mg of Citalopram (max dose) for a couple of years because of severe depression & in conjunction with CBT, it quite literally saved my life. It took a couple of weeks to kick in & the only real symptom for me was heavy periods. I took it just before bed.

It saw me through a divorce, a new job & a couple of house moves. I took at least 6 months to come off it, ending up just taking 5mg every couple of days before I stopped altogether, & I could feel the change there - almost as if my brain had been wrapped in a blanket & now it was coming off. I was ready for it by then though.

Original poster

threetwoonezero · 31/08/2018 15:44

I've heard of similar stories for people saying it was a lifesaver. My sister included. I just cant work out if Im there yet...she's been on it for years, and says she never wants to come off. But I'm so nervous of it, the doctor accidentally put me on sertraline 2 months ago neither of us knowing my thyroid was totally out of whack and I had the most terrible side effects...

OP posts:

EmpressOfSpartacus · 04/09/2018 18:20

Maybe try it & review it after a couple of weeks, or sooner if the side-effects are really awful?

lu9months · 04/09/2018 19:37

i took it for post natal anxiety and it was great, symptoms reduced dramatically and quickly. felt a bit woozy and nauseous for a few days, then no side effects. good luck , its a horrible feeling, hope you find something that helps

CremeDeSudo · 05/09/2018 01:19

I took it for stress after I went back to work after DS, plus have always struggled with anxiety. Amazing stuff. Life is just so much easier on it! I don't understand why you wouldn't take it if you need it - you'd take medication for a chest infection for example. It helped me get over my fear of motorway driving!

I was on 20mg it for year in the end. A bit anxious when I was first on them and gradually weaned off, and felt sketchy coming off but it was ok. I went back on 10mg them for 6months last year a couple of years later after a cancer scare and was easier coming off.

I've got DD now and tbh thinking I'm anxious and stressed again and contemplating going back on. Why make it harder than it needs to be!

Original poster

threetwoonezero · 05/09/2018 08:27

So, no bad experiences reported, interesting....my anxiety has eased off a little this week because DD has slept OK and that has been one of my main obsessions, but I've got some shocking challenges coming up and so I doubt this will last. it sounds like its helped so many people, thanks so much for the advice and feedback.

OP posts:

KatyP1975 · 06/09/2018 10:43

Killed the anxiety but side effects were not a good trade off. Constant crushing tiredness, complete loss of sex drive, general apathy to life. Withdrawing when I came off them was HORRIFIC despite withdrawing slowly as advised by doc. I felt like I had motion sickness for a week with vomiting and shaking. I would never take them again. They killed the anxiety short term but it was the CBT that worked for me. I was diagnosed with PNA after my next child and only had the CBT with no meds and it worked well.

WipsGlitter · 06/09/2018 11:05

I took it for a few days and felt horrendous. Anxiety went through the roof. Stopped taking it after about five days.

Original poster

threetwoonezero · 06/09/2018 14:09

Wow that's really interesting. I managed about a week on them a few years ago but I thought perhaps I just wasn't 'stron'g enough to take the side effects. Interesting too that CBT worked better than the drugs. Thanks so much...

OP posts:

EmpressAdultHumanFemale · 16/09/2018 17:42

The way it worked for me was that the drugs got me to the stage where I could benefit from the CBT. I don't think one treatment by itself would have worked, it was having them together that did it.

Ilovemypantry · 16/09/2018 17:56

I had horrific PND after the birth of my daughter (she’s 24 yrs now) and was actually hospitalised. I am still on 10mg Citalopram but am gradually coming off them as I feel I’ve been on them too long now. I agree with other posters about the tablets killing sex drive and I also found they made me put on weight.

I would say that if you’re really struggling, give them a try ( they take 2/3 weeks to kick in) and then try to come off them when you feel strong enough. Life’s too short to spend it miserably, especially when you have a new baby and this should be your happiest time. I wish you lots of luck and hope you feel better soon 💐.

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