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[Busylizzie]

I can't cope any longer with panic attqcks and anxiety about my health, that I went to my GP last night and have been prescribed Citalopram 20mg and Diazepam 5mg if needed to tide me over whilst I wait for test results.  I am having major mood swings, one minute crying and shaking and then next trying to not worry.  I'm having a very late menopause, I am 58 and seem to get a "period" every 7 months now and I am sure the hormonal surges are triggering all the auto immune stuff on top.  I already take Thyroxine for low thyroid and had a hysteroscopy in April 12 when they said everything looked fine.  I've changed GP and still because am having periods they say no HRT.  I eat well, try to walk every day (had hip replacement May 13) and by Sept last year thought things were improving!  Had routine dental check up in October and dentist told me I had oral lichen planus in my mouth, down below was feeling very dry as well at the time.  Within 2 weeks my mouth became dried up and ulcerated on inner cheeks plus a white patch on floor of mouth next to salivary exit under tongue and a big gland up on neck.  I had biopsies taken last week of the worst areas plus an MRI last Monday of neck and head .  ENT say there is a stricture in salivary duct but no stone visible.  I have to wait until the end of January for results, they are not concerned but I am in major panic mode.  I am sat here with the pills and wondering should I take just 10mg to start for a couple of days?  I don't want to feel worse and it seems to have a lot of common side effects and takes time to kick in and help, I am already using rescue drops and Kalms since this all started last October.
Any help would be much appreciated on this AD.

[littleminnie]

If you have a google, 10mg is the recommended dose for a week then upping it up to 20mg. The doctor put me on this 3 years ago for anxiety/low mood. Some people can't tolerate it but I didn't have any problems.

[Mrs January]

Hi Buzylizzie

I am so sorry this is happening for you at this time. I started to take Citralopram in March 2013 for anxiety,starting on 10mgs now up to 30mgs daily.....all I would say hun is maybe try to Diazepam first I did taking 2mgs at night and see how you get on before trying the citralopram too. I avoid all alcohol, smoking, caffeine etc as they can be a depressant and or stimulant...coffee, tea etc.......

When I began the citralopram it made me feel worse initially but after bout three weeks much better.......I still have to avoid alcohol now at all costs or my mood dips.....and at the time of starting this med I was having biopsies for cancers scare of my uterus....

So lovely hang on in there we are all here to help you and see what you think re meds....

Hugs and Wuv Lyn

[CLKD]

I take Cipralex (same family) for the last every so many years, plus a Betablocka.  Once the meds kick in you should begin to feel easier.  However, don't do too much too soon once you begin to feel better because you will use up energy!

I took 5mg Valium on an as necessary basis for years ……… usually before I was expected to go to an event!

[bev567901]

Oh dear sounds like you are having a terrible time. AD's do make you feel worse generally before you feel better. I would avoid googling the side effects & try & take. It can take up to 6 weeks to feel the affects but you might feel better sooner. Perhaps use the diazepam whilst your body gets used to the AD. There are quite a few people here who do take them me included. It sounds like you have lots going on so big hugs to you, just keep posting its nice to feel you are not alone with all these thoughts & feelings x

[Busylizzie]

Thanks to you all for your replies, they are very much appreciated.  I am going to start tonight and take half a tablet, I am not sleeping well anyway with such a sore dry mouth so if this keeps me awake it will not be any different.  If these tablets can help reduce my stress levels and help me relax then maybe the mouth will ease a little.  My mind and thoughts go round in circles thinking the worst as my husband says.  It just seems to take an age to get any answers and it's the waiting that eats away.  I stopped smoking 10 years ago but used the gums and lozenges for a long time so I know that is partly why I am beating myself up as well.  I rarely drink alcohol either as I get enough headaches anyway.
Thanks again for all your support!
Hugs Back, Busylizzie

[lubylou]

Hi.
Sorry you are going though such a tough time. Great advice and suggestions have already been given by the other ladies.

On a practical note, if you have something like the AD and valium to help you cope then why not go ahead and take them. I had a period of time when I had severe anxiety; it is awful and it was at a time when I was having lots of tests for the eventual diagnosis of another (non gynaecological) health condition. Valium will help you straight away. Anti depressants take time to build up in the system to a therapeutic dose, so the longer you delay taking them the longer it will be before you get up to the therapeutic dose and start to feel better. Don't feel anxious about taking the tablets, if you do get any unpleasant side effects from the AD you can stop. It is an AD prescribed a lot and most people seem to tolerate it well. You can always try cutting the valium tablet into a smaller dose to see how they work for you.

The choice is stay feeling anxious or give the valium and AD a go. In my experience it's impossible not to worry when waiting for test results - so give yourself a break and give the tablets a chance to help you out!

All the best
Lubylou

[lubylou]

Buzylizzie
I didn't see your post when I post mine but see that you have decided to give the tablets a go.
Good Luck
Lubylou

[zelda]

I take 30mg of Citaphram for Anxiety and find they work great, I've not experienced any side affects at all, I would highly recommend them for anxiety.

[CLKD]

Half of which tablet  ........... neither of the ones you have been given are particularly highly dosed.  Stick to what your GP recommends or they won't work!

How are you today?

[Taz2]

My son has been on and off citalopram and always starts off on the 10mg dose which really reduces the nausea type side effects. His doc did say not to cut the 20mg in half though as it interferes with the dissolving of the tablet. It can dissolve faster when cut up and you don't get as much benefit. It  may be worth changing your prescription to the 10mg ones Busylizzie.

Taz x

[CLKD]

Thanks Taz knew there is a reason!

[bev567901]

How are you getting on with the AD BusyLizzie? Hope all is good x

[Busylizzie]

Hi ladies,
Thanks so much for all your good advice and support.  I took half a citalopram the first night and a full one last night.  I feel very weird on them although I did sleep but had very vivid scary dreams that made me wake gasping for breath and my mouth feels even drier, as if someone has slashed all down the sides of my tongue with a razor blade, but guess that is the oral lichen planus on top of whatever is attacking/blocking my salivary duct.  Where they took the biopsies are slowly healing, the cheek ones are ok, it's the one in the floor of my mouth at the front that is deep and sore.  I had another panic attqck this morning, just feel spaced out and tired, mornings are the worst as my gland in neck is sore and swollen and my mouth feels awful until I can get a lot of fluid in.  I have to go to my Mum's tomorrow so may miss tonight and take it in the morning.  It's all the ifs buts and maybe's that are fuelling all this and the end of the month seems a long way ahead before I get some answers and hopefully some treatment, although with auto immune stuff its seeing rheumatology and over the last 8 years it's been 5 different consultants or locums, so no continuity.  Time to go and make some soup for lunch and then 40 winks if I can.  Thanks again for all your answers.
Hugs Busylizzie

[Rowan]

So sorry Busylizzie, I know what anxiety and panic attacks are like they can take over your life, specially health anxieties.

To my mind Citalopam is not the correct treatment , you have anxiety not depression, my experience with it was not good, your nervous system is over stimulated and needs to be calmed down.

Citrolopram will dry your mouth out even more so drink plenty of water.

I think HRT (If you are able to with your thyroid meds also not sure about auto immune problems and HRT) it would help more with the moods and panic, and something to calm and help you sleep.
I think the combination of valium and AD can be too much, it would be best to uses the valium on a "need" basis. 

This is only my opinion based on my own experiences.

Your anxieties are stemming from your physical problems, and having a hip replacement too ( a big op) has taxed your adrenal glands and probably caused PTSS type symptoms (along with worrying about your mouth problems, brought it to a head) causing the panic attacks. No More Panic is a great site  http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/forum/ and you will get an insight into panic attacks and anxiety.

Please try not to too stressed as it can effect  oral lichen planus( might have been cause by the antibiotics given with hip replacement op) 

I have had a blocked salivary gland too, it seem to get worse (gland) and swollen after eating but eventually went away on its own.

Reading my post I have not given much of a solution Busylizzie, but I would advise having a look at the no more panic site.