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[Penguin]

I have been using citalopram very low dose since last August and it has definitely helped. Although I am still in peri menopause and only really got the anxiety mostly under control once I started hrt. Probably different for you though given you are post meno. Escitalopram is similar to citalopram, some would say it is better. You usually have a lower dose than with citalopram and side effects are meant to be less. Saying that, I am very sensitive to medication and the only real side effect I get with citalopram is a dry mouth for about 5 hours after taking it and less intense orgasms. I would definitely give another AD a try if needed, just make sure you do a proper taper from the one you are on. The GP may be able to give you something short term to use ad hoc while you make the switch, e.g. to deal with any acute anxiety that arises.

[SarahT]

Hello Sallyy,

I have just started on mirtazapine,  due to awful and worsening cyclical moods. Am only on day three. I initially took half a tablet at night, but for some reason I was awake most on the night and needed to sleep most of the next day! So I then just took a 1\4 tablet and slept better. The next days I was a bit drowsy at first but this wore off. Early days. I am anxious about potential weight gain on this particular med, but option wise it seems the best choice.

I just say to myself ( and I 100% believe this) that I need to take this for my mental health. I will carry on with it as it is a much needed support in my life right now.

I wish you well

[Penguin]

Ooh Sarah T, I forgot to say that on your post, I started on half of even what the initial dose of mirtazapine was as had been told it was quite strong by another user! I hope you feel better on the lower dose. Did your GP ask you to increase after 14 days? Mine did, but I didn't end up taking it that long because of dizziness. However my understanding is its one you need to increase gradually to the full dose x

[Gnatty]

My memory of taking Mirtazapine is that I started straight off on 15 mg. I immediately started sleeping through the night which was wonderful. Yes to feeling extremely tired in the day time but whatever you take there will be some sort of side effects to start with. They do gradually wear off tho and then you start to feel well again. I think whenever you start an AD you have to expect some start up side effects. The Mirtazapine was great for me because finally I slept, I could eat, I wasn't nauseous, and no crashing of libido!

[SarahT]

My Dr did say I could start on a 1\4 or 1\2 dose . But blimey it was very strong for me on the half. Definitely better on the quarter then I can always build up if I feel the need, but thanks for the infringer on that  Penguin.

She said I can just use it on the week leading up to my period to ease the extreme pms symptoms. I know generally Ad's work on a cumulative effect, but let's wait and see. I do not feel depressed.as such 3 weeks  of the month, just when hormones to crazier so would prefer an as and when dose.
Time will tell..and thanks Gnatty, I went for this med purposely to try to save the bit of libido I have left.😉

[Sallyyy]

It’s really interesting to see all the thoughts on this. It isn’t discussed very often which is a shame for those of us who do need ad’s.

[SarahT]

Sallyy I agree,

I love this forum for just that reason. A chance for women going through many different difficulties ( and successes) and symptoms, but having a safe place to be totally honest and supportive. Offering advice and their own experiences both good and bad.

Being able to speak freely of our health, both physical and mental\emotional is vital. X

[Sallyyy]

I’m just messaging again because unfortunately things haven’t improved and I am having awful lows and anxiety.
My dr is away for two weeks but when they are back I think I will need to change.
I’m really scared to switch anti depressant but I’m not sure I have any choice.

[Flossieteacake]

I’m just messaging again because unfortunately things haven’t improved and I am having awful lows and anxiety.
My dr is away for two weeks but when they are back I think I will need to change.
I’m really scared to switch anti depressant but I’m not sure I have any choice.

I really am sorry to hear you are feeling so low and anxious. Am I right in thinking you have been on the increased dose of the  AD for3 months now?

It is hard to change antidepressant but you never know, a new one could be perfect for you. It took me many years to find one that suited me.

[Sallyyy]

@flossiegate I’m so sorry I didn’t see your reply. I have an appointment next Monday to discuss options. I really struggle with reducing and starting ads and I know that I’ll need to take time off work again.
(Re. Timings - it’s just over 4 months since I increased my dose. I made a mistake in one of my earlier posts - I started increasing the dose at the start of April.))

[Flossieteacake]

@flossiegate I’m so sorry I didn’t see your reply. I have an appointment next Monday to discuss options. I really struggle with reducing and starting ads and I know that I’ll need to take time off work again.
(Re. Timings - it’s just over 4 months since I increased my dose. I made a mistake in one of my earlier posts - I started increasing the dose at the start of April.))

I am so pleased you have a DR appointment soon. I really hope they are going to be supportive. I too struggle with having to taper and start a new AD. It can be difficult for the body to adjust.

[Louise1976]

Hi sallyyy,  I'm really pleased you post this but obviously not pleased you are suffering and needed to! I have felt totally rubbish for at least 3 quarters of my life, I'm not sure what it's really like to be happy. I have previously been on AD (for post natal depression) 27 years ago. I broke down at my hairdressers a couple of months ago (I've never done anything like that before and don't tell me when I'm not ok) and she told me to call my GP and discuss HRT. Anyway I did out of desperation and the GP felt it was more depression and anxiety than menopause, I don't have many perimenopause symptoms really. She left me to think over if I wanted AD or HRT. My husband was very against AD so I went with HRT. 1 week into that I developed chronic hives and I'm sure it was as a result. I did a post on that so won't go over again here. I came straight off HRT and am back to square one. Well worse than square one as I still feel so utterly sad and low in myself with added chronic hives which has also decide to pitch up on my face.
I wished I tried AD first which my GP also thought I should do first. I don't want to think about that now though as I'm so scared they will make the hives worse.
I really hope you get the help and answers you need. I'm sending you a massive virtual (((HUG)))

[Louise1976]

My GP oversees the ADs. She is very nice but I think I may need to consider paying to see a psychiatrist. The NHS wait locally is very long.
Thank you for sending the kind messages. I can’t imagine feeling well again.
(I have increased the dose a couple of weeks ago @CLKD.)

Does anyone else take anti depressants ?

Have you tried vita minds? You can self refer there.
You'll get an initial assessment with a few days then if you go on to the waiting list for help you can have a few sessions with someone to tide you over as waiting list is so long. Have a Google of it

[CherryC]

Hi Penguin, do you mind if I ask what dose you are on when you say very low dose? Interested to hear that a very low dose can help...x

[Penguin]

Hi CherryC, I take 10mg daily. The standard dose is 20mg, with a maximum of 40mg! I was initially meant to start on 10mg and then increase to 20mg, but after discussing with the GP, we decided it wasn't necessary to increase.