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[Dee46]

Hi

Can anyone tell me how long it took for Citalopram to get rid of anxiety? I was put on it end on Dec & still getting the side effects, doctor said it could take up to 6 months to get the full effect, starting to wonder if I will ever get better, anyone taken this long for it to work?

[babyjane]

Hello Dee, I was put on Citalopram last November and the side effects went on and on so I went back to my GP.  He changed me to the sister drug called escitalopram which is gentler and has less side effects.  Once I found the dose that worked for me the side effects went away and I just got the benefits.  Do you think your GP might let you try the escitalopram, after all you have given the citalopram 5 months. 

My GP told me that he has a number of patients on it who did not do so well on citalopram.

[Dee46]

Thanks babyjane, how long did you give Citalopram? Did you have any side effects swapping over? I just feel like I am a crazy person & that this anxiety is not leaving me, I feel much better than I did in December but not sure if I can carry on like this, have been given Propanalol to take only if needed but came off that as I was feeling like a zombie, do you think the escitalopram will take months to work aswell?

[babyjane]

I don't know Dee, everyone is different.  I changed over after three months.  I also take a very low dose of propranolol alongside the escitalopram on a daily basis.  For me they work well together.

Why not have a chat to your GP and see what is suggested?

Are you sure that you do, in fact, need antidepressants rather than hormonal treatment?

[Dee46]

After my 3 month review I said I was still suffering with the anxiety, so doctor suggested upping it to 40mg so I said no as I was off to a wedding that weekend, I said I would ride it out.

Doctor just called back & she will not issue anything for hrt until she is sure, so having to come off the pill tonight & have blood test in a month & then discuss the risks of hrt if I am in peri.......she said hrt is not the be all & end all but when you feel emotionally drained you would try anything!!

[Mojo61]

What dose of citalopram are you on?

I've been taking 10mg since 2nd April and although I'm much better than I was back in the winter before I started (felt I was going mad and wanted to be admitted to hospital) I still suffer anxiety on a daily basis, especially in the morning. I'm going to give it 3 months at 10mg before considering an increase.

Are you having any CBT or other therapy? I found that really helped as just taking the pills alone and expecting them to "cure" your anxiety won't work - you have got to put a lot of effort in too I've found.

There is a very good forum called No More Panic which has a wealth of information and support, plus a section for users of citalopram/escitalopram - we've got quite a club going on that thread lol, we all support each other.

[Dee46]

Hi Mojo61 I am currently on 30mg

I felt the same as you thought I had lost the plot & was off my head & going to be admitted to hospital, I felt like I was not in this world & this was not my head or body but I was looking at someone else. I get anxiety in the morning & it is in the background most of the day, yesterday I had some relief & thought great it is going then it appeared again today !!

I went to see a counsellor in January when I was at my worst, I paid privately, I use a couple of apps to help me chill out, what I don't get is that the tablets gave me anxiety?

Oh I have had a look on No More Panic & it was very useful, it is good to support each other, do you know how long you have been peri for?

[Mojo61]

Hi again Dee. I'm post menopausal - about 3 years now. Really only went on HRT because the dr told me it would help with my anxiety - pah! 

Do you suffer from insomnia as well? Mine was crippling before I started the citalopram/HRT and I still wake up at silly o'clock in the morning and can't get back to sleep.

I've been told that most people don't start feeling the benefit of citalopram until about the 3 month mark, but that it can take 6 months or more before you feel back to "normal" so to speak. I agree about tablets taken for anxiety actually causing more anxiety - what a paradox eh? From what I understand they are primarily an anti-depressant so can take longer to work for anxiety. Funny that because I've also felt depressed on them at times, we just can't win!

[Hurdity]

Hi Dee46

I answered on your other thread - it does sound, as babyjane says that you should be on HRT not ADs given your circumstances (as I said on the other thread). NoMorePanic is a great site! Typical of the medical profession these days to try to dose everyone up on beta-blockers and anti-depressants, nerve pain drugs and heaven knows what else - to relieve symptoms caused by hormonal deficiency. Pah! That's what the NICE Guidelines are trying to remedy - but it will take a long time to educate doctors - especially ones that are as backward as yours are (in recognising and treating menopause).

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

Return to your GP and ask for a referral to a Gyanecologist with menopause knowledge or to a Menopause Clinic.  Your GP is WAY out of date and is probably trying to save money 

How were you at the wedding?

[Spangles]

Hello De46,
I've used Citalopram for about 10yrs now. I've gradually increased to 40mg. I still get crippling anxiety but I am going through menopause like the rest of us. The anxiety does go away and I have times when I feel great. This is how I know it's hormones and not the AD's not doing their job.
I also use HRT, Evorel 50 and Utrogestan, none of it is a magic cure but it definitely helps.
Regardless of what we take menopause is extremely difficult for some of us to manage, me especially!
This site is amazing as are the ladies that use it, it's kept me sane and help me to understand more during times which have been and still can be terrifying, there are no magic medicinal cures but medication can ease symptoms.
I really hope you feel better soon.
Shellb
xXx

[Dee46]

Thanks for all your advice, I am fed up with the doctor palming me off with rubbish, I did say to her yesterday you only have to look back at my records to see I have been in & out with peri symptoms for a while now.

Mojo61, I slept well until doctor put me on sertraline last October & then had insomnia until I would say March this year then started to sleep better, I started to feel normal about a month ago but like you say the background anxiety is the thing that is lurking about, your right they do make you feel more depressed.

Hurdity your are right there I was prescribed amitriptyline for back ache last year then pregablin which did nothing for nerve pain!!!

CLKD I broke down on the phone to the doctor last night & said I am fed up, then she couldn't wait to get me off the phone.... I battled through the wedding but felt a wreck inside, danced & no one knew any different

I have 2 weeks ago just come back from Dom Rep & battled through the 2 weeks with anxiety which was tough as I felt like screaming at times !!!

[CLKD]

Change your GP or visit your Practice Nurse?

[Dee46]

see my post on newbie & confused but basically been back to doctors today & waiting a month before blood tests to try & determine if in peri !!!

going from 30mg to 20mg citalopram as from tomorrow, not sure what side effects I will get as at the moment I still get the racing heart, shaky legs, lighthead & acid reflux, I hope I don't feel worse for reducing

[CLKD]

You may feel a difference but doubt if it will be worse  .

Why is your GP waiting  - my Gynae won't do blood tests as they are reliably un-reliable in telling a GP where a lady is in the peri-menopause journey