Citalopram for menopause?

Posted , 6 users are following.

I've been prescribed citalopram for anxiety/depression. I've read that this may reduce the flushes but I am wary of starting on a medical antidepressant and have been using St. John's wort for about 8 months however my symptoms are increasing. Has anybody had any beneficial results from citalopram? 

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    For some people it is supposed to help and there is another one, Venlafaxine that is also supposed to help with hot flashes. I don't think you can take this with St John's Wort, check with your doctor. I tried Citalopram and it just didn't work out as hoped for me, but remember, everyone is different. 

    Anniex

    • Posted

      Thanks for your reply  - I've got 2 more sjw tablets left and the I suppose I'll have to decide which way I want to go x

  • Posted

    I don't think you can take citalopram with St. Johns. One doctor tried to put me on Citalopram(Celexa). She felt Trazodone "wasn't a very good antidepressant". This was her first time seeing me and I felt she had no business making that kind of snap decision, especially since I had no complaints about the Trazodone. I read the side effects and never filled the script. I am already on a mild antidepressant called Trazodone.It had very few side effects. One of them is a stuffy nose. I that for a little while and it went away. These new antidepressants are too strong for me. They make you feel worse before you feel better, some of cause weight gain, and loss of libido, all things that sometimes happens during menopause anyway. Why in the world take a pill that causes all that. But everyone is different, you may do fine on it.

  • Posted

    hi Suzybear

    I don't believe an ant-depressant is the answer . I took  citalopram for 3 weeks and just felt worse .. as if was out of sink .. menopause is hormonal and I believe we should regulating our hormones that bring on ththe the depression .. 

    • Posted

      Thanks for your reply. I don't know what to do I'm just fed up of feeling like I'm not firing on all cylinders! x

  • Posted

    Hi Suzybear, what is it that makes you wary of medical antidepressants?  In my experience, it can take some time to find the right one for you and the right dosage - you may have to try a few. They aren't a magic cure but what they can do is to reduce your symptoms enough so that you can start to function normally again. All drugs have side effects but for me the question is do the benefits outweigh the side effects?  Oh, and as Annie said, you can't take ADs at the same time as St John's Wort. Good luck and let us know how you get on. J xxx

    • Posted

      Thank you so much for your reply. I think why I'm wary of antidepressants is that I'll get dependant on them, I feel that as the menopause is a natural event as was puberty and pregnancy it is something you should be able to deal without the need for artificial  support. I'm also nervous that I won't be in control - the medication will be controlling me. I know it probably sounds ridiculous and irrational but with my jumbled up head and emotions that is how I am perceiving it. 

  • Posted

    I can really understand your fears about antidepressants and it is absolutely a personal choice. I guess the way I see it is that natural events can cause huge problems: many women used to die in childbirth without medical intervention (and in some parts of the world still do). So we all need a helping hand once in a while whether it's childbirth, asthma, depression etc.  In my experience I have always been in control with antidepressants & I've had 3 or 4 different ones over the years. I felt like a complete zombie on one but I now know that was because it was the wrong one for me.  Also, when I start to feel like they're slowing me down it's a sign to start reducing the dosage. I've only ever stayed on them for about 18 months maximum but they have helped me over the worst and allowed me to function well enough to get back onto the world and get on with my life. I never experienced the 'feeling worse before you feel better' but then it would have been hard to have felt any worse!  And everyone is different and will have a different response. Hope that helps and good luck with whatever course of action you decide on. xx

    • Posted

      Thank you so much for your reply. I've thought loads about these tablets. I spoke to the occupational health advisor in work yesterday and she said "just do it" and I was going to but being the worrier that I am I googled reviews about citalopram and there were more negative reviews than positive! I think I'm making my anxiety worse by constantly overthinking this issue - so to feel like I'm taking control of my fluctuating emotions I'm heading off to the health store later to see what they can advise? I'm a great believer that the mind is a powerful thing (for good and bad!) and sometimes if you believe something is doing you good then that's enough?! I'm probably making no sense.............. this way I feel I'm doing something instead of thinking and worrying. I'll keep you posted over the next few months x

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