Anyone NOT had any side effects on Citalopram?

Thanks, guys..

Yeah, I've pretty much always had bad PMS, but it got worse when I moved abroad, possibly because it was once I was away from home that I noticed how awkward I was socially. I can't seem to let people come close - in any way - without keeping a certain emotional distance. I'm just such a strange person and I wish I wasn't. All the psychiatric nurses and even the doctor don't seem to know what exactly is needed for me. I mean, I tried talking with a therapist a handful of times, but even she was a bit unhelpful. She was able to analyze my behaviour, yes, but that was it. I felt happy after our sessions because it was nice to talk to someone who wasn't afraid of hearing what I had to say, but no amount of Citalopram or talking has made any of the symptoms go away. I feel like a lost cause.

But, when I get back to Canada, I WILL seek help again, and perhaps this time another kind of medication will be prescribed.

Actually, my anxiety and depression is one reason I haven't been able to lead a normal adult life. I've been on social benefits for a long while now because I can't seem to make myself go to work, to make 3 healthy meals a day, to exercise daily, or to hang out with friends. I'm constantly tired, almost always constipated, and I can't seem to get all my pee out when I go pee! I can feel that there's some in there, but I can't seem to relax enough to let it out.

So, that's a lot of personal info right there, but I don't mind sharing.

Cheers.

Hi Rachel,

Sounds like it'd be really good for you to access some support once you've settled back in Canada. There are so many different types of talking therapies and different medications out there so I'm sure there will be one that's right for you. Sometimes you need to stick with them for a while as it can take a while before things start to click into place or to feel like it's making any difference for you.

Xx

Thank you, Mrs VN. I need all the support I can get right now. Cheers.

Hi everyone!

So hubby went to work this morning and it wasn't as bad as expected. Took my little one to school without any problems. Still have a sore throat and was tired so decided to go back to sleep. Was feeling slightly edgy when I went to sleep. Ended up having a nightmare where I completely broke down and asked to be admitted to hospital!!!! The nightmare was so real and I woke feeling really anxious and sick.

I just wonder if this new anxiety is being caused because the Cit is working for me and I'm bringing the anxiety on by trying to analyse why I have felt so bad before. It's getting on my nerves overthinking!!!

I am feeling really nervous about going back to work but in my heart I need to get on with it. Thankfully I'll be back on a phased return for a few weeks.

Anybody doubting the dosage given to you by your GP, trust them, they know their stuff and this forum is.proof that CIT works as we are all gradually getting better. I felt ashamed at first when I had to . increase to 40mg but it must be making a difference as my confidence is so much better.

I just hope I get my mojo back over the next couple of days. Maybe me feeling unwell is contriubuting.

love to you all x

Emma, that's great! Well done you! :-D

I was also a bit anxious about my other half going back to work, but kept telling myself I can cope. He told me I'm the most capable person he knows which really gave me a boost! Didn't sleep amazingly well but have done lots of housework today and apart from breaking into a sweat, I'm fine. Do feel i'm starting to turn a corner.

I'll be doing a slow phased return too when I'm ready to go back. Feel so blessed that I have such a a supportive team.

Hugs and best wishes to everyone. :-D

Hi Diane,

Well done for getting the housework done! I am going to have a good clean shortly.

I am lucky as you are and have such a great team of people I work with. Not all of them are fully aware of what I have been going through but I know now that I feel ready to share it with them, rather than going back and lying.

I have just made an appointment to start some new counselling/therapy as my previous sessions really helped.

Have a good rest of the day x

Emma, you sounds much more positive today, are you feeling better?

Diane, sounds like things have really started to improve for you too. I'm so pleased for you.

I've had a fairly good day today but in the last hour or so have started to feel a bit anxious about going back to work. It's silly because I'm not due back for a fortnight! I guess as the fog has lifted I've started thinking more about 'real life'! I guess it's natural to be worried about it after being away for so long.

Hope everyone's had a good day xx

Hi all

Just got my appt for the psychiatrist for tomorrow morning. I haven't stopped shaking since.

Today was not a good day. Children back to school. My heart was beating to over 100 bpm just before I was leaving the house to drop them to school. At collection time we both ended up in the driveway together (shared). My heart started to beat to over 100 again and I was shaking. We live so close that when her car door in open to get her kids in, I physically can't reverse out of my driveway - so there goes my quick getaway. It's unbearable to live with. I can't even see or think of this woman without having major panic.

The poor psychiatrist tomorrow will probably kick me out!!!!!

Everyone else seems to be doing better. It makes for hard reading sometimes as you all seem to be having some improvement.

Take care everyone

Beco

Hi beco,

I'm really glad you've got your appointment through. I'm sure the psychiatrist has seen it all so don't worry about being kicked out ;-)

It sounds like this neighbour is a massive trigger for your anxiety. Are they a problem for any of the other neighbours? Are you keeping a record of problems as evidence? Do you have a local anti-social behaviour unit you could report them to. (Or your husband if you don't feel up to it)

I know it must be hard for you to hear of others improving but remember there are many different medications and treatment models. GPs tend to prescribe citalopram in the first instance because it covers depression and anxiety and it's the cheapest to prescribe so don't despair as there will be a treatment out there that works for you. It might be that you need a different type of anti-depressant or that you need a higher dose of citalopram.

Hope it goes well with the psychiatrist tomorrow, they'll have loads of knowledge and experience of this kind of thing so they'll be able to offer a more tailor made service that suits you.

Keep in touch xx

Hi Beco,

I'm sorry you're having a rough time. Your psychiatrist /counsellor will not laugh at you. Your anxiety and fears are very real. Regarding your fast heart rate, I still have fast runs too, sometimes as fast as 130 but after repeated ecgs and hospital checks I have been reassured that there is no risk to this, similar to doing cardio workout type exercise. The heart can tolerate lots more than slightly fast heart rate. Now when it happens I deep breath and try to sit till it settles. Again this is happening less but I do have a cardiology review in February to double check. I agree it feels awful and in the beginning I was bouncing into a+e every few days.

We're all here to support you.

Hi

I had a long reply written, but my internet connection is faulty here so I lost it.

I'm not concerned about the heartrate. It's just the fact that this person can have such an effect on me.

For those who don't know my story, my next door neighbour and supposedly best friend turned on me about 19 months ago. I didn't jump high enough for her when she said jump. My " let me get back to you" text didn't go down to well. Initially I felt heartbroken - like a sudden lose of a relationship/ friendship. I got sick over the summer and ended up with an ulcer from the stress. I lost over 2 stone in weight as I couldn't eat properly with the ulcer etc. I've had so many hospital and gp appts and loads of medication that it's costing me a fortune. Your better off with private health insurance in ireland, it's the only was to get an early appointment.

I have developed a hatred for this woman - even though I'm told I should never hate anyone. It's such a strong feeling I have and it just gets worse with every new treatment I have to get, because I know she has caused all my physical and mental issues. Sorry for rambling.....

Take care everyone

Keep in touch

Beco

Never feel you have to apologise here, I certainly am impressed by your honesty. I feel sure that having someone to discuss it with could be the key to helping you. You summed it up by what you said almost sounding like a bereavement. You lost an important person in your life, imagine if someone you loved died but you had to be reminded of them physically every day. Anyone would struggle to deal with that.

I truly believe things will get better. Do you think some kind of mediation between you and her in a supported environment would help? Is she even aware of the effect she's having on you? Maybe getting things out in the open might help you get closure, even if you never end up being friends or even talking again beyond that.

I'm here if you need.

Hi everyone,

having been on the forum for a long time. But things are definitely getting better for me. was on 20 mg of Cit for 27 days, increased to 30 after that and within 3 weeks saw improvement. Now, trying to decrease it down to 25 as my doc says I feel good and left it up to me to manipulate the dose which suits me best And my anxiety disappeared completely!, Went back to work today for the first time after about 9 weeks off, no anxiety, talking to everyone and feeling happy. So I suppose I'm a success story of Cit.

If you don't believe in Cit, keep it on, it works!

best wishes,

grace

That's fantastic Grace!

You were having such a rough time so it's so good to see you coming out the other side and being happy.

A real success story for us to cling onto.

:-D

Wow Grace that's great news, was thinking about you yesterday, we have been on this forum for ages and thankfully you have found that light at the end of the tunnel as you were in an awful place for a while so this is just the best news, defo a success story, its great you updating for those just starting on this journey, hope all is going well and your daughter and husband will be so happy to have their old Mum back, (not old as in OLD but original) lol

Hi Beco my Irish internet was down all over Christmas maybe the weather, but so annoying. I do believe the psychiatrist will help you get past this neighbour dilemma, as I believe u will get better if you can get over the loss and hatred (mixed together) of this woman. I bet she misses you!!

take care guys keep in touch every now and then Grace, and let us know how the psychiatrist appointment goes Beco

Anne xx