No go citrolpram

Hi k iv been on lithium over 2 years I believe it's done wonders for me in some ways but when I get really depressed not being able to function at all through it I need an AD . he just said AD dnt seem to agree with you ..Iv been on mirt & ven both trycylic both made me unbelievable ill, understandable being the same meds with different names. My friends son has been given citrolpram recently for a marriage breakdown their From a different part of the courtry.so how does that make sence. .. told him I feel like giving up I cnt live in my head anymore ..so prescribed me another mood stablisor. .👊👊👊

Oh & to make things worse.. he told me I looked really well.. Iv been manic for at least 4weeks .. barely slept .. looked like a tramp big baggy clothes hair greased back. Anxiety going through the roof the questions he was asking.. don't think I could after trust a phyciatrist again after the past year xx

Ah I see ... sorry, I read it wrong 

I used to take a tricyclic for years, which did nothing for me really as I continued to be depressed and anxious, and it was only when I was started on SSRI's did I then recover completely.  I couldn't believe it - 16 years of being ill and I recovered!  I didn't think I could carry on anymore living with depression - so for me it has been a miracle drug.

My son had a breakdown 2 years ago and was given Fluoxetine (a different type of SSRI) and it took 9 months for him to also recover completely.

Ask your doctor you'd like to give Citalopram a try.  Its your body, your illness and your right.  It also needs discussing whether both Lithium and Cit can be taken together, but I haven't seen that you can't.  Your doctor should advise.

Citalopram and similar SSRI's can be tough to take, so best to start really slowly on a low dose, especially if you've had a reaction to tricylics.  Also you need to make sure re reactions with lithium.  They also work really, really slowly, though some people feel better quickly.

But I don't see why you can't be prescribed with them.

K xx

You look really well ???  Seriously?  How the hell does he know what you feel inside anyway - our appearance doesn't always convey what we feel on the inside.

I've had some run-ins with psychiatrists and other medics - and yet many are really lovely and helpful.  One medic did suggest my son was probably autistic when he was suffering with depression and anxiety.  Unbelieable.  I said absolutely not, and I know my own son.  He's since recovered from depression/anxiety, back working, out and about, plays music, has a girlfriend - and of course there's not even a hint of autism.  Completely different thing.

Anxiety is an awful thing to suffer with - I remember it too well.  The Citalopram worked wonders for me.

Definitely push for it.

K xx

Wow k that's great I live for this day . I really can't see it happening though.. Im not heard I don't get why not of I ask .. Iv asked 3times now.. told them iv done research ..they look at me as to say we are the doctors not u.. Iv got a little boy and want nothing more to get better I have told them how important this is but still it gos over their heads..I don't no what to do. I don't no if I'm going over paranoid I think they think I pretend this illness. .bloody tiring after 20 years of being under them..really not coping with it. I had a panic attack last Wednesday things have got that bad. .again just over their heads..I feel iv got 3heads right now..xx

That's really strange why they won't prescribe an SSRI for you - I've searched online but can't find anything as to why or if its different in another County (which County are you in)?

I don't think they can refuse you, but it might be because you're taking lithium - not sure if it has a reaction with Citalopram.  If he says AD's don't agree with you, then as long as its safe to take these 2 meds together then you should insist and say you want to at least give it a go.  Remember though that a lot of people do get bad side effects to start with on this, though it might not be the case for you.

I'd go speak to your medical team to discuss your meds etc.  If there's nothing wrong with taking both meds together then I'm sure they can't refuse - its your right.  Be determined and persistent - at least until you get a clear answer.

It is tiring being ill for so long - I had it for 16 years, and felt I couldn't endure it any longer.  Nobody understands what it feels like unless actually experiencing it ... not even medical people who specialise in it.  The reality of it is far more frightening than simply talking about it.

K xx

Your so right in everything your saying. I'm a total mess now.. I read up on olanzapine last night 😢 "why u gain weight on it" might as well put me in my coffin now .. its just a horror story. It forever stores fat any little bit you eat.. having bipolar you have to eat carbs fat to function otherwise you relapse, I found this out in march when it happened to me. I also found out the last 2 meds I have

been on can't be used with lithium" tricyclic "

Explains why I have been so mentally & Physically I'll since January. I rang my gp this morning told him I'm not taking them & told him what I have told you plus I can't leave the house as it it.. piling on another heap loads is gona stop me even going to appointments. He said for me to see him next Friday after a week of taking it & monitor my weight so we have something to prove to the phyciatrist. . My daughter is going mad with me for coming on here ..she hasn't got a clue either. I noticed the only type of ad for lithium is flouoxidine. .I dnt understand why I havnt been given it.. Iv asked on here about olanzapine but no1 has replied. . Xx

Coming on this site - its the best thing for many, many people.  They find help, comfort, support and friends too.  Your daughter doesn't understand the need as we do - thats only natural.  Maybe explain to her that this is a really good site and you're simply being supported.  The worst thing you can do is scour the internet and read stories about your meds and make yourself feel scared and worse.  There's many scare-mongering stories out there, and you don't need to be worrying about any of it because everyone is built differently, and what works / doesn't work for one person, reacts differently for another.  Some people gain weight, some don't.

So, have you been diagnosed as bi-polar, or do you just have depression and anxiety?  (And, I don't mean 'just' depression is a light term .... I know its still horrendous).

Bi-polar is completely different to suffering with depression and anxiety and needs different treatment and often different medication.  

I don't know much about olanzapine but believe its different to lithium.  Sometimes taking too many meds can be confusing for the body I agree, but do think talking with your doctor about all these meds and Fluoxetine is the best things.  Maybe take a notebook and pen to jot some things down whilst you're there - its always tricky remembering things afterwards.

Iv suffered with severe depression anxiety ect since early teens..didn't get help until my 20s so have been in & out of the mental hospital for a long time ..only as an out patient though..I should of been hospitalised many of times but my family left me too it I was managing it in my late 30s shut everyone out seemed to be the best bet. I got diagnosed 3yrs ago turned 41.. I always new I had it but was just doin what they say ..so I was on seditives for many years before the diagnosis, I can't remember my daughters childhood .. i stopped taking meds & got really ill again.. ended back at the hosp.. just been a nightmare. . I don't get heard.. I'd luv not to be taking anything ..Iv sent my hair off ..see what vitamins minerals I'm missing out on.. hopefully self help .. lithium & olanzapine are both used for stablising moods in bipolar. Only when taking lithium you put on the weight it can be gone once your body is used to it.. Iv done it.. olanzapine is like quetiapine evil.. good for your head but if u have a issue with weight ot sends u so depressed again. I can't take the chance.. Iv a toddler to look after.. I don't leave the house because of the site of me..if I pile more on .. my word !! Iv battled anorexia ..this causes relapse xx

Sorry for the delay in replying xx

Lots of people have to take medicines throughout their lives, and as we get older nearly everyone ends up taking something.  Anti depressants and bi-polar meds are no different - they're there to keep you well.  I have a friend who is bi-polar and another friend who is epileptic - both have to take meds. If my epileptic friend doesn't take her meds she'll have seizures and so it works the same for my friend who has bi-polar .... she'll get sick again.  She's just come through a really bad episode, found the right meds, and I've seen a change in her already.  Medicine is there for a purpose and is no different people who need anti depressants.  Bi-polar is a physical problem with the brain system and medication is there to help sort it out / control it.

Often its hard to diagnose some conditions, hence the wait sometimes for a lot of people.  

I'd love to not take medicine, but its kept me well over the years which I'm so thankful for.  Don't no where I'd be without them today.

K x