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citalopram prescription for my wife, a little advice please

Posted , 5 users are following.

unixm
unixm

Hi,

My wife has been displaying symptoms of severe depression, anxiety and the biggest issue is a Body Dismorphic Disorder symptoms as confirmed by her CBT therapist.

She has been to see a counsellor, finished with that, went on to CBT which didn't help nearly enough and now the Doctor has prescribed Citaloproam SSRI.

I am very nervous about her taking this but we are at a point where medication is literally the only option to help her cope with her life daily.

She has to start these when I am not at home, and whilst the GP has tried to reassure her that it's unlikely she will get an side affects or they are only temporary I am nonetheless concerned.

She has been given a starting dose of 20mg I believe, which from what I have read is 50% of the maximum you would prescribe.

Please can anyone comment/advise as to whether you've taken this for these things and in particular the Body Dismorphic type symptoms.

Many Thanks.

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • roby_54688
    roby_54688 unixm

    Posted

    she need to take it

    but first u just need to know it may make her worst for first few days , but after some weeks she will feel batter

    side effect us diffrent from one person to on ther but it almost it's safe and nothing to worry about

    maybe just a bad dream and less interesting in sex

    i

    so take it and be patiain with it until she feel okay

    I hope she get batter soon

    • unixm
      unixm roby_54688

      Posted

      anks for the reply Roby.

      It does seem that we have no choice now but to put her on medication. At least for a short while.

      I do hope that the side affects for her are minimal because at the moment I would consider her almost unmanageable as if she gets any worse I feel it could be catastrophic.

      If she gets worse whilst on these is there any service I can contact for help?

    • roby_54688
      roby_54688 unixm

      Posted

      talked to her GP any time u need

      but don't worry she will be fine

      don't afried of sied effect Cit is the best medication almost with no side effect

      just told ur GP to prescribe a Dizepam to help in first day until the Cit keak in

      best luck

  • Jo2833
    Jo2833 unixm

    Posted

    I've been on 20mg Cit for almost 8 weeks. I dont have BDD but had hellish depression after my husband died 2 yrs ago after we fought cancer for 6 mos. I wanted to die. Life meant nothing anymore. After the first 6 weeks, which I told them I could not do, Cit kicked in. I climbed out of that black hole back into the sunlight. Life is good again! Except I miss my Tom so much. Uni, I did not have 1 single side effect. After reading all of the posts on here, they all complain of side effects so either I'm unusual or those that take Cit with no side effects are not posting on here. I dont know if BDD is a manifestation of her depression or if it's it's own condition & needs specific analysis & meds But I owe my life to Cit, now. Best of luck, Jo
    • unixm
      unixm Jo2833

      Posted

      I think the BDD has always been there thinking about it but in a lesser form to which I haven't directed noticed, but only suspected as unusual.

      A single body image related occurance happend in her life roughly 2 years ago which I think has caused it to become a huge problem.

      The depression I also think has always been there in a potentially minor form which I could usually talk her out of/spend time together to make her feel better.

      Thank you for your reply.

  • Guest
    Guest unixm

    Posted

    Hi Unixm,

    I am taking 10mg of citalopram daily. It took a few weeks to kick in for me and it can sometimes make you feel worse before you start feeling better. Just be aware that when your wife feels better and decides to come off them, tell her to do it gradually. I started to feel better and cold turkeyed and I was back to square one after a few days. I went back on them and had to wait a few weeks before th e y kicked in again. I've decided to remain on them but l still get bouts of anxiety. They work well for many people though. I often wish I hadn't started taking them but quite honestly I don't know what else I could have done.

    Best wishes

    • unixm
      unixm Guest

      Posted

      Hi Cherr,

      Thanks for reply.  I am hopeful they help, at least to carry on living because this is something she is very vocal about not wanting to do and it's quite upsetting to see such a happy person only a short while ago be overcome by these problems.

      Thanks for your reply.

    • Guest
      Guest unixm

      Posted

      Hi unixm,

      Just like to say that I think it is admirable of you that you are taking interest in your wife's problems. Having been in a situation where you can feel isolated I know how much she must appreciate your support and concern. She is fortunate to have someone like you. In my case everyone around me said it was all in my head but I struggled through it. Good luck and best wishes to you both.

  • kerry12616
    kerry12616 unixm

    Posted

    Hey, firstly I have not suffered from BDD but I do get weiry of my weight and I feel a bit paranoid and things surrounding my weight, mostly because I need to gain it.

    However, I was on citalopram for 3 years from the age of 18 after my dad went to prison, I found it helped a lot at the lowest dose, to begin with I felt wired at night, couldnt sleep, fidgety, aggitated and my appetite was crap, bit of constapation and generally feeling a bit dowsy and sleepy but they passed, some days were better then others. I'd laugh one moment an hours later be crying, they made me mood fluctuate but i expected this.

    I was already at the bottom of a pit though, feeling suicidal, low mood and being isolated after I dropped out of college for weeks I had nothing else to loose. I just didnt care, but once they started working they were fantastic, I gained weight, I got my qualifications and went to uni. My mood was back and i felt like the old me prior to all the suffering an pain I experienced.

    I tried to go back on citalopram after months being off them and i was given 20mg, felt spaced out, blurred vision, and was sick a few times with an upset stomach.

    My doctor thinks i had a bug and told me to continue but I was a bit scared too after the experience, i knew it helped me last year so i was stressing about my body not tolerating them.

    I personally think 10mg should be the starting dose, 10mg for a few weeks then upping, my nan had a bad experience when the doc gave her a high dose as she is sensitive to medication it made her feel uneasy.

    I'd suggest your wife starts at a lower dose and keeps a diary and regularly visits her GP for progress

    Good luck 

    • unixm
      unixm kerry12616

      Posted

      Hi Kerry,

      Thanks for your kind reply and I'm sorry to hear of your struggles.  I was wondering if 20mg was perhaps too high a dose.

      Past experience shows she does seem somewhat sensitive to thinks however I suppose nobody knows how she'll react.

      I may speak to the GP and query whether it may be prudent to perhaps start at 10mg as you suggested.

      Thanks,

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