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[joeline]

Hello ladies, I'd love some advice please. I have been on citalopram (30mg) since July, and it's not really helped at all. But I only discovered that I'm also peri last Monday, and have only been on BHRT for less than a week. Before this latest discovery I was considering swapping back to Paroxetine as I was on a very low maintenance dose for years very successfully (5mg every 3 days). So I guess my question is, should I try swapping back now, or should I hang on for some time and see if the BHRT makes the difference? Have any of you swapped SSRIs and found that a different one worked better? My problem is anxiety rather than depression. Please no horror stories, I need to feel optimistic! Many thanks xx

[CLKD]

No horror stories.  As long as a drug doesn't make me feel sick, then usually it works.  Might take a day or two B4 I notice but I've been stable-is since 1990s.

Now - do you require a dedicated anti-anxiety drug?   I take an AD morning and night and Propranolol overnight, the latter to ease any early morning anxiety surges.  I also have an emergency anti-anxiety drug for when it floors me.

Some ADs are considered to ease both depression and anxiety ........ however  .

Personally I wouldn't stop the ADs and see if BHRT - what is this exactly    - helps any.

[Dancinggirl]

Good thoughts CKLD. 

Why did they switch you to the Citalopram in the first place joeline? What peri meno symptoms are you getting?
Anxiety and low mood can rack up when meno hits - so the HRT should help but may take time.  Some women do need both HRT and an AD.
Dg x

[joeline]

Many thanks for your responses. My GP refused to re-prescribe paroxetine because of bad press about difficulties coming off it (I never had any problems before). To be honest I was in such a state at the time that I just did as I was told and she convinced me that citalopram would be just as effective (which it hasn't been). My peri symptoms are mainly anxiety (I think the citalopram is more or less keeping hot flushes at bay). I'm just not sure whether to risk rocking the boat by going back to something that worked in the past or stick on the citalopram in the hope that once my hormones are more balanced the citalopram will have a better chance to work.

[CLKD]

If your symptoms are hormone-led, HRT may be more likely to relieve some symptoms.  Citalopram can help with flushes but it is basically an anti-depressant.

[Mindfulmoomins]

Hi,

I don't have any advice really but I totally understand where you are coming from. I had been on 40 mg of Fluoxetine for years and it worked well until perimenopause came along. My gp started me on mirtazapine about 4 weeks ago in addition (15mg) and along with BHRT I think it's helping.

I have had terrible anxiety since peri and never had it like that before.

My gp is suggesting I reduce the fluoxetine and then once I have done that up the mirtazapine but I am reluctant to change anything at the moment. I just want to get some equilibrium and stability and there has been so much trying new things (Evorel Sequi, too low a dose of Oestrogel, amitriptyline) most of which didn't work.

In your case it may well be a good idea to stick with the BHRT and give it time to work. For some people HRT works quite quickly but my specialist said to give it 6-8 weeks.

I find Mindfulness and exercise help plus I cut out sugar, caffeine and alcohol.

Good luck xx

[CLKD]

Whereas my diet hasn't altered.  Little of what I fancy 

[Mindfulmoomins]

CLKD - I think your approach is probably very healthy and a little of what you fancy does you good! Hopefully when I feel more settled physiologically I can introduce some chocolate! 

[CLKD]

>hands over serviette>

I can enjoy foods for months, then 'go off' it for years  i.e. cheese .......... but rarely chocolate 

[joeline]

Thanks so much for your responses. I think I won't make any more changes for a couple of months and see what happens. Meanwhile, I'm going to do my best to ignore all symptoms and act as if all is well. I've got the flu, which doesn't help matters!  Take care ladies x

[CLKD]

  Get Well Soon