Citalopram

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Hi, have also posted in Conception but not sure of the best place, so....

I miscarried 4 months ago and am now very depressed, crying uncontrollably and feeling like there isn't an end in sight to this darkness. (I'm not digging for sympathy, just want to give some background.) I went back to the doctor today as I just can't cope anymore and have been prescribed with Citalopram. I really, really didn't want to go on anti-depressants as I'm so scared about miscarrying the next baby, if it ever happens. However, I don't think I'm ever going to be able to conceive without sorting this out - hysteria isn't turning husband on, apparently.
So I just wanted to know...
How long did it take for the Citalopram to kick in and stopped you from wanting to jump off a bridge?
Has anyone successfully conceived/carried full term whilst on Citalopram?
Did you come off the meds as soon as you got your BFP?

My friend is taking antidepressant tablets and is 30 weeks pg. all fine with the baby. Not sure it's exactly the same ones but the gp wouldn't prescribe knowing you're pg or trying.
So sorry to hear about your loss. Fingers crossed for you. Don't forget there's always someone here if you need to talk

Haven't conceived on it but I had severe pnd after dd and they took about 3 weeks to kick in for me, but I varies from person to person really x

Hello there. What an awful time you've had. I took citalipram when I was anxious to the point that I became depressed. I felt slightly better quite quickly (I think because I knew I was doing something that would help). You'll probsbly see a slight improvement within a fortnight but it'll take a good 6 weeks to really kick in.

I would say it might be worth taking a break from TTC for a while...let the meds work, get yourself in a better place. Pregnancy will wreak havoc with your emotions at the best of times, having MC'd before, you're likely to be more anxious about the next pregnancy anyway. Have you been referred for counselling? I think it might help.

here are the NHS guidelines for citalopram and it does mention pregnancy. It can be taken during pregnancy but you'd be moniotored closely, especially near the end. They might suggest you switch to a different medication when you become pregnant. It's really important that you don't just stop taking them - this can be quite detrimental (believe me, I ran out once, it wasn't pretty!).

I hope you start to feel better soon and all the best with your TTC endeavours.

I have been on it twice and it took me about 4 weeks for it to really kick in, I was told that sometimes it can make u feel more depressed before better just something to watch out for, once it in ur system tho I found it the best anti depressant by far, how many ml are they starting you on? Xx

Hey, im currently 38 weeks pregnant and taken a HIGH dose of fluoxitine (same group as citalopram) We conceived on it and have been on and off for well over a year now. But what i would say is when i did conceive i was in a good place, id built my confidence up through counselling and losing 2 stone as well as constant support from family and DP. Good luck and do what you feel is right not what others tell you is right or wrong! xx

Wow, so many replies so soon. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Having - Dr today said there's a 4-month waiting list for counselling, which is just fab. Have seen the bereavement counsellor at the hospital who was lovely but I'm still feeling like this. DH is a cognitive behaviour therapist but I hate it when I sense he's changing from the position of husband to therapist whenever we talk about how I'm feeling. He's completely anti-meds and not supporting me taking them. I've told him that I don't like the thought of taking them either but I'm just desperate and feel that I have to try something. Don't want to stop trying for a baby as I feel like that being pregnant again is the only thing that will make these feelings stop. On the other hand, every month not being pregnant brings a whole new level of crapness, so I appreciate what you and marshkat are saying about conceiving in a good place.
Thanks for the link - had a little smile at the flatulence side effect!

jk393 I'm on the 10mg. Have read that too about it getting worse before it gets better which I'm nervous about. DH sees this as proof that taking anti-depressants is the last thing I should be doing.

Good that you are starting low then if you need to you can build it up slowly in ur system, hopefully they will help you very soon in feeling better within urself, I know it's such a hard thing to go thru, I've also just completed my cbt and been discharged I found it useful but must be hard for you with ur husband being a therapist when u want him to put profession aside, xx

Hi! I've been on citalopram on and off for 3 years. First time I started taking it, it took around 3 days to kick in and I felt high as a kite for a whole 24 hours! But it settled down and now the chemicals in my brain seem fairly balanced!

We decided in Oct that we would TTC in Jan so discussed my meds with the Dr. She was great - we weighed the pros and cons of being on them and the pros (less stress, no depression, no panic attacks) far outweighed any risks (there are no conclusive studies to show that it is dangerous to the baby).

We started TTC in Jan and conceived in Jan! I am still on my meds and have my 12 week scan tomorrow. Had an early scan at 7+3 weeks and could see the heart beating.

I'm having nothing more than what I assume are normal hormonal moods! On 10mg currently and will keep taking it throughout pg if it means it helps me cope. I also worry about post natal depression as I may be more susceptible to it and even if it means I can't breastfeed my baby (there are conflicting views on this), as long as my baby doesn't get any adverse effects of my depression I will be a very happy mum.

Congratulations SeriousStuff! Hope everything went well with your scan yesterday and best of luck for the rest of your pregnancy.

I've had a few head rushes which have been a bit weird but I'm not feeling any worse so far (touch wood). My doc said the same as yours about pros outweighing the risks so I'm going to continue with them until I get a positive and then discuss coming off them.