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Citalopram long term and pregnancy

Posted , 2 users are following.

holly_t
holly_t

Hi there

I've been on citalopram this time around for around a year. It'll be the 4th of 5th time I've been on it in 6/7 years, I've actually lost count.

I feel ok when I'm on it but as soon as I come off it, around 4-6 months later it all comes crashing down and I get severe anxiety. CBT etc doesn't help. I also have PCOS so sometimes I bleive the anxiety is something to do with hormones being out of whack.

Anyway. I've just got married and we're starting to think about a family. I wanted to know about 2 things:

1) does anyone have experience being on citalopram whilst pregnant

2) has anyone been on citalopram long term (ongoing) through advice from their doctor

This time around I am terrified to come off it again, feel like I just want to stay on it forever.

Thanks for reading.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • holly_t
    holly_t

    Posted

    please note the reason I am asking is I would never want to put an unborn baby in danger and I also wouldn't just go by advice on this site, I would speak to a doctor. I would just like to collect a little info before going to the docs smile
  • katecogs
    katecogs holly_t

    Posted

    Hi holly

    Ive been on Cit for 15 years.  It can be taken for life if needed.  It's not addictive.  Being on Cit and being pregnant is something you'll need to discuss with your Doctor.  I do believe some people here have done so, but you really need to work with your Doctor on that - they'll monitor you throughout.

    Ive posted many times on this site about an alternative natural SSRI bought over the counter.  It has no side effects.  You need to be completely off SSRI's before taking it:

    When you're off Citalopram try a natural SSRI called 5-HTP which needs to be taken with l-tyrosine.  Both can be bought from Holland & Barrett (if you're in the UK) and you need to take them both.  Read a book called 5-HTP The Natural Way to Overcome Depression, Obesity by Michael T Murray ........ it's a really interesting read.

    You need to be off SSRI's completely before starting 5-HTP as they mustn't be taken together.

    You can google 5-HTP for some info too.  It has very positive results.  Obviously whatever medicines you take throughout pregnancy need to be discussed with your Doctor, whether it's over the counter or prescription ones.

    When I had my children over 20 years ago I was taking a Tri-cyclic anti depressant (SSRI's weren't around) and I had discussed with my Doctor beforehand.K x

    • holly_t
      holly_t katecogs

      Posted

      Thanks Kate - you're always so helpful!

      I did try 5-htp before citalopram and unfortuantely it did nothing for me but maybe its diffierent now who knows.

      Did you ever have a dicussion with your doctor about being on citalopram long term then or has it just naturally rolled on?

      Thanks again x

    • katecogs
      katecogs holly_t

      Posted

      You need to take 5-HTP and l-tyrosine together.  Takes a few weeks to build up and continual use shows results.

      Taking Citralopram long term was discussed with my doctor many years ago.  Took it for 15 years.  I came off it 2 years ago (went onto 5-HTP with good results) but restarted Cit last year due to family illness and the stress of it.  Am back down to 5mg again and will come off next year.

      I know there's a couple of ladies on this site who've posted about being pregnant whilst on Cit and one was on Fluoxetine.  I'll try and remember who they were and let you know smile

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