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[Justjules]

Hi ladies. Have been lurking for a few months and feel like I have had some good advice from your posts. I am definitely post menopausal, at least 6 years, aged 59 soon. Have always been an anxious person and am prone to depression. Was on Citalopram quite happily for around 8 years on and off. It had to come off them as Dr said there were now contraindications with betablockers which I take for palpitations. I had more or less weaned off from the Citalopram as seemed ok but now have terrible anxiety and depression. Have just got through Christmas but didn't want to know, just wanted to tell family to go home etc. I feel so pessimistic about life and everything. Nothing makes me happy. Holidays are a no no as I can't well up any enthusiasm for them. Trying to cope with 4 full days of work in a busy office, give up Saturday's to my elderly mum, then family tend to come for tea on Sunday's. Marriage isn't a good one but I can't face the alternative as that will just make me even more poorly. My daughter doesn't understand anxiety or depression so keeps her distance and my sons are lovely but are men. I feel like I am just existing with nothing to look forward to apart from illness and old age. I also have severe HA which means I go to pieces at every twinge or symptom. I am terrified of taking a different AD for fear of feeling worse. Sorry for rambling on but could this still be just because of no estrogen anymore? I am just so desperately unhappy. Have had CBT and some private therapy. I just want to be like my friends, all full of energy and getting on with things. Just watching people dancing or walking on TV makes me tired as I can't do that without struggling. So fed up.

[babyjane]

I wonder what the contraindications are as I have recently been diagnosed with anxiety and depression and given citalopram which was recently changed to escitalopram and I also take a BB, Propranolol.  The combination of the two together has helped me quite a bit and I want to stay with them for some time as it is nice to feel a bit better.

If there was a problem with the 2 then surely my GP wouldn't have given me the AD knowing I take the Propranolol?

[Justjules]

Thanks ladies. Didn't expect such a quick response.

Jane...the GP said that certain ADs could cause a Long QT problem with the heart but when I googled it, it said 'could' ...but then she was going to give me Sertraline which said the same thing! I would just check with your GP just to see what their opinion is but I am gutted not to be able to take the Citalopram as it was great for me.

[babyjane]

jules I have read on this forum that HRT is not a cure all and that ladies have to weigh up the small risks against quality of life.
there was a time that 'could' would make me panic, but having seen an improvement with the ADs and BBs I have to weigh up the quality of life against any small risk of 'could' but I will mention it to my GP when I go to see him again on 8th Jan.

I have just been reading up about this and the problem appears to be with citalopram and escitalopram at higher doses which GPs have been aware of for some time. The article, from the NHS website, says that some cases of Long QT can be treated with beta blockers so it doesn't seem that they are the problem. So long as you are on a low dose of Citalopram or Escitalopram (I am on 5mg) there shouldn't be a problem unless you already have heart issues.

For me, the anxiety affects my well being far more than the possibility of something that might not happen but, as I said, I will run it past my GP especially as my late father had heart issues.

[Taz2]

Hi Justjules - I found this

"Beta-blockers (eg, metoprolol, propranolol)
Inhibition of beta-blocker's metabolism may occur, resulting in excessive beta blockade (eg, bradycardia). Coadministration of metoprolol with citalopram has increased plasma levels of metoprolol 2-fold"

I'm not sure which beta blocker you are on?

Taz x 

[Justjules]

Jane, I think that is it really...quality of life is what matters and I need some of that! I am going to see GP and see what she says...need a thorough MOT and make some decisions as to what to do about ADs as I can't go on feeling this miserable.  It's New Year tomorrow and to me I feel like 2016 will bring only the same old for me and that's not a healthy way to think.

Taz, I take a low dose of sotalol ...20 mg twice a day. I have a fast heart rate and anxiety so they were prescribed for that some 15 years ago! I have convinced myself I have angina as the anxiety has given me chest pain but I was cleared by a&e twice over the last year but too terrified to ask to see a cardiologist but that's how my HA works....default death!!!

[babyjane]

jules you need reassurance over this. I appreciate your concern as my father had his first heart attack when he was 58, the age I am now. My GP was very kind. Tell your GP your concerns and ask for the reassurance you need.

I take 5mg Escitalopram and 5mg Propranolol and I do not have a fast heart rate, it is much steadier now as the anxiety was doing more harm than the medication for me so I am not concerned, but you are and must seek the reassurance you need.

[SadLynda]

maybe also worth seeing another GP for a fresh opinion?

I have no experience of combined medications but do know I could not have carried on without the help of the AD's so do appreciate how you are feeling.

[Hurdity]

Hi Justjules

 

Sorry to hear about your problems.

I see babyjane mentioned HRT and I was going to do the same.

You have been given both propalanol (sp?) and anti-depressants for what are probably menopausal symtpoms! Palpitations and anxiety are very common symptoms of peri-menopause and often start before women are even aware they might be peri-menopausal. If you have been cleared of any heart condition then it is not too late to be considered for HRT as you are still under 60 and within the 10 year window of opportunity for HRT - where it can more good than harm if you are not medically contra-indicated for it.. http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/balance.php  Between the age of 60 and 70 the benefits and risks are thought to be equal and especially if you minimise cancer risk in other areas ie weight, alcholol, exercise, smoking, diet etc. I am in my 60's and have been on HRT for over 8 years and have plenty of energy and get up and go - although naturally get more tired than when younger).

I totally agree with babyjane - it's about quality of life. There are other women on here who have started HRT (or re-started) in late 50's or just before 60 and have reaped the benefits. Do read up on this! Lots of info on the green tabs and go and see your doc - you may well have a pleasant surprise and may not be necessary to take more ADs

Hurdity  x

[Justjules]

Jane, thanks again. I will go next week and get everything off my chest (so to speak😊).

Hurdity, have read loads of your posts and you seem to be so knowledgable on all these things! I thought that you couldn't start HRT so long post meno. I definitely wouldn't have got through meno so easily if it hadn't been for Citalopram. Only really suffered hot flushes as obvioulsly the ADs were keeping the rest of the symptoms at bay. I will have a good read up on what you suggest and then put it to the GP.

Thanks everyone, really appreciate your responses. Jules. X

[babyjane]

It is nice that Hurdity mentioned my post but I don't want to mislead anyone, I do not take HRT. I was simply referring to the 'quality of life' posts that I have read on this board be that due to HRT, ADs or whatever.
My particular brand of anxiety did not appear with the menopause but has been the result of chronic stress over my lifetime due to my upbringing and personal experiences. I am nearly 59 and post meno and have suffered with anxiety for the past 15 months since a stressful event knocked me off kilter, I did not have it during my menopause symptoms.
In my case I feel that the ADs and BBs are keeping me on an even keel now and helping me to function and I would not go down the route of HRT instead as I have never felt the need for it.
Apologies for any misunderstanding I caused and I hope you can find whatever is right for you to help you to cope jules. .

[sugarspice]

Hi new to posting but been a member for about 18months. Haven't been on for a while but feeling so low lately needed to feel reassured I am not going crazy. I have suffered with anxiety for many years since the passing of my dad and a relationship break up. I have had CBT and have beta blockers which I rarely take. I am peri-menopause and now take Premique low dose. It has helped no end with my anxiety and enabled me to go out and do things again. However, over the last couple of months I have become very low and have lost all interest in everything again. I really don't want to take ADs and hope it is just a bad patch. I would seriously consider HRT to help you through this bad patch- but be warned it took me almost a year to find one which agreed with me. Good luck. xx

[Justjules]

Jane, no problem. I didn't think you had misled us. I too think most of my problems are chronic stress related but I am also may be trying to find out if it could be linked to post meno as it appears that anxiety and HA started in some ladies at this time of life.

Happy New Year to you all and will be posting again in 2016 as its a lovely forum to have found.