going back on citalopram during pregnancy... anyone done this?

[kitkatkaty87]

I weaned off citalopram after 2 years on it and stopped one week before i got my bfp. over the last month i have noticed im becoming more anxious again, having more negative thoughts - worrying about things i have no control over and generally not being the happy self i was whilst on the tablets.

I'm not at a stage where i cant cope or anything, but im not feeling myself and im not feeling particularly happy anymore, and i dont want to let it get worse and worse as my pregnancy continues. Im 11 weeks now.

I am thinking i will go back to the doctor tomorrow to see if she will let me go back on at a lower dose of 10mg, but i am constantly questioning whether i should. if i did, i would wait until 13 weeks before beginning taking them again. I'm hoping she will say this is acceptable.

I know there are some risks if taking them, but also risks if i dont do anything and get worse.
I want to feel normal again and be able to get excited about my pregnancy and be a happy mum. am i doing the right thing by going back to them?
Anyone else been in this position or taking citalopram whilst pregnant.
Any comments would be really appreciated.

[kitkatkaty87]

Thank you for the support. I hope that you are feeling better soon too. That feeling of who am I and what is the point is so scary and guilt making at the same time.
I might have to get a sick note on Monday if I feel no better. I feel for you having to look after a little one feeling like this. It worries me what if I feel like this once baby is born. I have no idea how I would cope.
Hope you feel better once husband is home.
Xx

[kitkatkaty87]

I think I'd forgotten how much worse it makes everything but when you're so anxious it's hard to see that it's the tablets making it worse.x

[ShoeWhore]

Hi kitkat Just offering a hand to hold.

This will pass - and then you will start to feel so much better. Be really kind to yourself until then. You are doing all the right things.

[ithoughtofitfirst]

shoe makes a good suggestion. Be really kind to yourself. Give yourself a massive pat on the back for making it through every hour. The anxiety is horrible and it's so hard to articulate to those who've never suffered.

Go into be lush to yourself mode and just do really lsme things like trashy tv, boxsets, chocolate and baking to pass the time. Anything that you feel like. Guilt shmilt. Xxx

[ithoughtofitfirst]

Also try not to get completely panicked by the insomnia. Get up and do something like write in a diary, meditate, clean the bathroom, go on MN. Tell yourself over and over ... and over. This WILL pass. It Is horrible... but It WILL pass. Never give up hope.

[kitkatkaty87]

Thanks guys. Feeling more positive than this morning. But everything always seems worse in the night so I'm dreading tonight. Will just have to get up and watch TV or something instead of lying there panicking.
Haven't eaten anything all day as I just couldn't face anything while I'm here on my own. I swear my temperature is up as well I'm so hot all over.
Thank you for the support. Having this as an outlet when I have no one to talk to is helpful.x

[ithoughtofitfirst]

I know exactly what you mean about the panic about bed time. The only thing that got me through It when i started on SSRIs was having a 'wind down' routine including a bath and milky drink of some sort, flick through a magazine or nice easy book. I would usually.sleep ok the first half of the night then be really restless from about 2am. Is that how it is for you?

[kitkatkaty87]

Yeah that's exactly what happened last night. Will try bath and milky drink if you found that helpful. I'm dreading tonight. I'm already freaking out about things and dh is home now.

[ithoughtofitfirst]

Eurgh. I know this situation so well. Sleep deprivation makes you feel so crazy. If you're up early again open up your laptop and do some online Cbt on getselfhelp.co.uk. Do you need to sort anything out for the new baby? Like decorating? Could you do a mood board in the wee hours.

Good luck this eve hun Xxx

[kitkatkaty87]

Thanks I'll try that. Thanks so much for talking to me on here. I have managed to eat some food tonight. I hope that you are doing ok this evening as well.xx

[40thisisit]

It did me no harm nor my gorgeous baby xx

[kitkatkaty87]

Thanks 40. Can I ask what dose you were on and did ypy have to increase when baby was born? I had a better night last night. And have managed to eat more today so hopefully going in the right direction.x

[ithoughtofitfirst]

Was just about to ask you how you slept.

I'm really glad it went better last night

[kitkatkaty87]

How was your night? Are you feeling any better?

[Cirsium]

Hi, just wanted to say it sounds like you have made the right decision and I hope things get easier soon. I have come off Citalopram for now, 12wks pregnant but have been advised by GP and midwife to go straight back on it if I feel I need to as risks are so low.

I wondered if you had considered something like a Mindfulness or Stress Relief course to help alongside the Citalopram. I did both last year through a local mental health charity and the techniques I learnt really helped me to cope when feeling anxious and with things like insomnia.

[ithoughtofitfirst]

I struggled a bit yesterday, I'm super drowsy all the time. I did try and tell people (dm and dh) what I was doing with my meds and that I might need a bit more help than usual over the next few weeks but my husband left at 7am to go to the gym before work (which meant he was out for 12 hours) and dm just ignored her phone all day. Gee thanks guys. Massive help.

Thank god for cbeebies that's all I can say.

[kitkatkaty87]

How's it going? Are you doing any better today?
I've been a massive bag of anxiety today. I know what triggered me off but I just wish I could be normal and not panic about things I can't control.
Hope your dh has been helping out a bit more.
xx

[ithoughtofitfirst]

The anxiety goes through the roof at the start I remember it well. Just tell yourself it will settle down in the coming days. I think you're doing amazingly well for sticking with it though. Just keep moving forward .

I'm ok. I can feel that I'm a bit down but I know it's not reality iyswim. I'm on half my normal dose of Venlafaxine and will be introducing sertraline in in a couple of days. That will be the fun bit!