Anyone relate?
Posted , 4 users are following.
Been on Citalopram for about 18 months now. Initially started on 20 and had to halve it because it made my anxiety go crazy. Been on 10 ever since, then gradually took myself off completely about 3 months ago. Anxiety came back with a vengeance so doctor told me to carry on with 20. Did that for a few weeks and started to feel better again but then noticed my anxiety creeping back and my obsessive thoughts. This never happened before when I was on 10.
I also noticed that my bowel habits went crazy recently - for example, going 3 times before lunch!
So in last few days I've gone straight back down to 10 and I think it's helping?! Could it just be that 20mg doesn't agree with me?? Or could it all be in my head or perhaps the bowel issues aren't even related I don't know?
0 likes, 13 replies
lisavale46 tiggermac
Posted
Hi Dee,
I can relate to the bowel habits that happens to me sometimes. So its not in your head. It didnt happen when inwas on 10mg. I went to the drs Monday and had a bit of a bad experience with my dr and just started to cry when he started to raise his voice at me ... I'm fed up with not being "me" so rightly or wrongly I have stopped taking citalopram completely I haven't been out all week but that's nothing unusual (without someone with me anyway). But I haven't been as weepy as I have been whilst taking 20mg of citalopram I didn't want to come off it slowly I just want rid of it. Felt sick, had headache and dizzy but hopefully the worst is over. I had been on it for 9 months nearly so hopefully I can lose this weight now too which isn't helping my mood either as I had an eating disorder diagnosed early last year too so well done to the drs for putting me on a tablet with side effects of weight gain!! I'll get better on my own I think cause obviously Drs definitely arent helping this time !!
David_21660 lisavale46
Posted
Hey Lisavale,
Firstly, DUMP THAT DOCTOR! He obviously knows nothing at all about mental illnesses and should not talk to anyone like that! We'll deal with him in a moment.
Right, Cita does have side effects (or added extras as I prefer to call them - sounds less negative), but to get better, to make a recovery from all this we do need to let this sticking plaster for the brain do its job, repair the damage so we can move forward. Not move back to the old me or be myself again, that is wrong because, that is what brought you here in the first place so, why go back?!
Everyone is different and naturally not everyone gets the same added extras or intensity either, some are lucky enough to get very few - lucky, I had the works for over a year. However, from month 5/6 I began to feel more in control, when I had added extras due to increases and later after I levelled out I still had blips I could handle them better each time and move forward.
I could not have done this without a GP that is not just caring, but also knowledgable about these meds, she is an fantastic! I had the support of my girlfriend, now Fiancee and of course the wonderful people here!
Your GP is a male dinosaur that, in my opinion, should not be practicing as he has some really bad attitude. His is the kind that went out at least 20 years ago and has no right in a modern society. Fortunately, many here will attest that they are not all that dumb, some even if they know little about mental illness, lets be honest great as the majority are still only general practitioners. My GP for years retired just before I crashed with work related stress. I was given my current GP and have not looked back. I was in denial on my first visit trying to be macho on the second I blubbered like a baby! She was fantastic andknows what she is talking about. Therefore dicth that GP and see if there is another in the practice that knows about mental illnesses, if not go elsewhere.
In the meantime you have us and when you find a good GP you will still have us to help guide, advise and support you. So, keep posting, keep reading and ask whatever you like, we have all been where you are and remember therefore you are not alone!
Your mission now is to find an understanding GP, ask Family and friends, you will be surprised there are many people suffering with what we have these days, I would be suprised if you don't find a GP to help.
Bye for now,
David
(PS you may notice sometimes replies to posts can be quick or (I think mostly at weekends) slow as they're a lazy bunch here, sometimes, and probably having a lay in (which I would be, if it wasn't for the cat lol!).
lisavale46 David_21660
Posted
Thanks so much David. I have an appointment on wed of next week with a different dr. Probably won't be very happy that I have stopped the tablets but we will go from there. It is so great to hear how well you are doing. Thank you again for that msg that all makes sense .
I must now too go and feed.my two cats after having a long lay in
I will.keep you updated as to the new dr.
Thanks again.
Lisa
David_21660 lisavale46
Posted
Yer welcome!
It has got me thinking, as you are not the first and probably, for now, won't be the last, that we need a national register of GPs that specialise in mental health issues at this level throughout the country. Then no one would have to suffer or worry that no one cares.
Therefore, I have put it to the moderators to see what they think. I did not mention your name, only the content of your post as another example of people suffering unecessary when they're suffering enough!
Regards and enjoy the lay in!
David
lisavale46
Posted
Hi David,
I've been to see a new dr - not sure what to think.. she has said that from what the notes say he is really sorry that the last consultation ended so bad ! Anyway I have been taken off citalopram and put on Mirtazapine to help me sleep I have now discovered that these have side effects of weight gain! I feel like I'm going round in circles and no one reads my notes and understand me at all. I also have an underactive thyroid so how can giving some one a tablet that slows down the metabolism more help them when they are terrified of putting weight on! I just want to get some sleep and feel better during the day! I feel like I have to Google What tablet does what and take it to the drs and ask them if I can have it . Alternatively dice with death and buy it off the Internet!
David_21660 lisavale46
Posted
Lisavale,
Never buy drugs off the internet, it i sfar too dangerous a road to go down as no one can gaurentee what really is in what you are buying. Also, only a health professional can safely prescribe them. Saying that you do need more advice. Start a new discussion, post it and hopefully someone will come along with more helpful advice than I can give at the moment. I will pm one particular person who is when of (if not the best) forumers here (her initial is k) and hopefully she is available.
I still think you are not get the full professional advice that you need however, try as I may, at the moment I cannot suggest who to turn to in your area as I am awaiting the moderators reply to a suggestion I made.
Anyway, that is by the by, I shall send the pm and you post and fingers crossed for some good and helpful replies!
Hold in there Lisa,
David x
lisavale46 David_21660
Posted
I will do as you suggested - thank you for your help
Lisa x
David_21660 lisavale46
Posted
Hi Lisa,
Everything helps to get things into perspective.
As I mentioned earlier that I'd try and get hold of 'k' and she is going to contact you as soon as she can, she is a little busy, but is on the case!
Keep reading, posting and positive!
Regards,
David x
lisavale46 David_21660
Posted
Thanks again you have been a massive help.
And I will keep posting ! Thanks
Lisa x
katecogs lisavale46
Posted
Hi Lisa
I'm 'K' David mentioned, and have just been catching up with the conversation. I've been away and now back it took me a while to find this conversation :-)
Sorry to hear of your doctor experience. I've cried many a time at my doctors over the years - my doctor eventually used to keep a big box of tissues on his desk :-D I'm sure doctors see many patients cry in their surgery ..... its not unusual xx
That doctors reaction was unprofessional and he should never, ever has raised his voice at you or at anyone. This is an illness and not something you can step out of. The right medication will help. People's reaction to this illness often surprises me ..... doctors too sometimes.
Stopping the medication abruptly wasn't a good thing, and it can make you feel very ill, but I completely understand your frustration and why you chose to. How long had you been on the 20mg?
Mirtazapine is a good medication and is a NaSSA which is a different type of one to Citalopram (SSRI). Both do a similar job by working on neurotransmitters. Its often a question of finding the right medication for you, as each meds affect people in different ways and some work better or some people than others. You do need to be persistent with them though, and it can be some time before you start seeing any results. Weight gain can be side affect for some, and again different meds may affect you more a different one. Just because weight gain is listed as a possible side effect, it doesn't mean that it'll affect you.
I've been talking to another lady who is seeing a nutritionist to alter her diet. Sugar ....... now that's something worth considering eliminating from your diet. Apparently it doesn't necessarily lead directly to depression and anxiety, but it can play havoc with your stressors and make some people more sensitive to depression and anxiety. Cutting out processed foods and sugar can make a huge difference ... plus it'll help with the weight gain. Check it out on line 'sugar vs depression and anxiety' - there's some very interesting reading on line.
Try not to worry about the weight gain if it happens - the important thing is that you concentrate on getting well again - the weight gain (if any) can be addressed when you're better. But do consider eating healthy, cutting out processed foods, sugar and fats as it'll make a difference - seeing a Nutritionist is a good idea too if it helps.
Whilst waiting for the meds to work, daily exercise is beneficial too. Just a regular walk is all you need - being out in the fresh air helps. Exercise releases endorphins (our feel good hormones).
How are you at the moment?
K xx
katecogs lisavale46
Posted
Hi Lisa
I'm 'K' David mentioned, and have just been catching up with the conversation. I've been away and now back it took me a while to find this conversation :-)
Sorry to hear of your doctor experience. I've cried many a time at my doctors over the years - my doctor eventually used to keep a big box of tissues on his desk :-D I'm sure doctors see many patients cry in their surgery ..... its not unusual xx
That doctors reaction was unprofessional and he should never, ever has raised his voice at you or at anyone. This is an illness and not something you can step out of. The right medication will help. People's reaction to this illness often surprises me ..... doctors too sometimes.
Stopping the medication abruptly wasn't a good thing, and it can make you feel very ill, but I completely understand your frustration and why you chose to. How long had you been on the 20mg?
Mirtazapine is a good medication and is a NaSSA which is a different type of one to Citalopram (SSRI). Both do a similar job by working on neurotransmitters. Its often a question of finding the right medication for you, as each meds affect people in different ways and some work better or some people than others. You do need to be persistent with them though, and it can be some time before you start seeing any results. Weight gain can be side affect for some, and again different meds may affect you more a different one. Just because weight gain is listed as a possible side effect, it doesn't mean that it'll affect you.
I've been talking to another lady who is seeing a nutritionist to alter her diet. Sugar ....... now that's something worth considering eliminating from your diet. Apparently it doesn't necessarily lead directly to depression and anxiety, but it can play havoc with your stressors and make some people more sensitive to depression and anxiety. Cutting out processed foods and sugar can make a huge difference ... plus it'll help with the weight gain. Check it out on line 'sugar vs depression and anxiety' - there's some very interesting reading on line.
Try not to worry about the weight gain if it happens - the important thing is that you concentrate on getting well again - the weight gain (if any) can be addressed when you're better. But do consider eating healthy, cutting out processed foods, sugar and fats as it'll make a difference - seeing a Nutritionist is a good idea too if it helps.
Whilst waiting for the meds to work, daily exercise is beneficial too. Just a regular walk is all you need - being out in the fresh air helps. Exercise releases endorphins (our feel good hormones).
How are you at the moment?
K xx
David_21660 tiggermac
Posted
I can, Hi Dee,
I have been on Cita for 18 months and have not looked back, didn't get scared and I am doing fine. I went from 10mg to 20mg then discussed another increase with my GP and went to 30mg and eventually levelled out at 40mg!
Now, I am not saying it was as easy, simple or pleasant as just that! However, I do have a fantastic GP that does know about sticking plasters for the brain, I had a girlfriend, now my Fiancee, that knew little about mental illness at first, but was willing to learn. Then I found this forum, probably the best forum in the world! These and a small window of calm around 20mg coupled with the realisation that I should do a bit of self help to aid my own recovery has helped. Again it was not plain sailing I had some of the usually added extras (side effects is too negative a word) wow! Did I ever, from anxiety, panic attacks, fuzzy head, intrusive thoughts, vivid multiple dreams (until I started taken Cita at bedtime), health paranoia, nausea, then comfort eating, bowel out of sync etc., etc.
I still get the odd blip, but because I stuck with everything and everybody where I am and the wonderful people here I got through it!
I have to say I think you have lost 18 months of time whereas if you had the support to stick with it you'd be in a better place now. You have to give an med time to work. Therefore, why not stick at 20mg, no matter how it feels and see if you can level out somewhat, but do talk with your GP soonest and keep posting here, you are not alone and you just need some support.
Regards,
David
tiggermac David_21660
Posted
Hi David
Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. Am glad you are in a better place with everything now / what you've described sounds somewhat like myself!
Good to know it's normal
You're right in that these forums are a god send! Reading them has helped me no end.
Thanks again
Dee