Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: vanessa spain on August 07, 2014, 06:42:08 PM
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hi all been taking perifem hrt for 3 months already on citalapram 40 mg been on it for years about 5 wks ago doctor added mirtazaprine 7.5 said to incerease to 15 mg up until a week ago when i had period i was doing well the anxiety i was suffering and feeling anxious when going out was much better i have just finnished a period and feel anxious and symptoms have returned i really dont want to take 15mg of mirtazprine just cant understand why this anxious feeling and low mood has returned please has anyone else had the same sort of symptoms come back it would be great to have some advice thanks vanessa spain
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Hi Vanessa
Sorry I can't be of help with the HRT or Citalopram but I was prescribed Mirtazapine 30mg back in May for anxiety and mild depression, I found they more or less worked overnight by lifting my mood, however after a week or so I found my anxiety increased, this can be common with all AD's though, worse before better, I did persevere for 7 weeks but had to come off them, been off just over 2 weeks now, had a few lows and still high anxiety but can't say for sure if it's related to the Mirtazapine or not. I use rescue remedy mouth spray which I find does help. Maybe you need to go back to your GP x
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Hi Vanessa I too am suffering terrible anxiety, I have tried tablet hrt, herbal, homepath, citalopram and now hrt patches, still anxious but a little better, the citalopram made me worst, maybe Im not giving anything long enough to work but its awful you just want it to stop x
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On 2nd week of citalopram for anxiety and I am feeling awful. Loads worse ! Just had full blown panic attack . Doc says persevere but I got no appetite shaky legs headach. Please any advise. First of all doc said 2 weeks to improve then yesterday said 6 weeks . Can't feel like this for six weeks! I missed on tablet on Sunday night and felt better monday but thought i better keep going as I had a week in. This is awful. Appreciate any advise at all How long did you try them for karenja? I know how you feelxxx
Kelly x
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Hi Kelly, I really feel for you its awful, I came off hrt straight onto citalopram and to be honest only took four, I feel very very low never felt like that before, maybe it wasn't a side effect of them as only had four but I came off them I had to, then tried herbal stuff not much help, although when I had panic attacke l-thanine I think that's what you called it did help for short term relief, but ive gone back on hrt the patches and the anxiety is a bit better it hasn't gone but its helpingx
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Oh these GPs and their 'stick with it' ……… I never could! If side effects are unbearable then stop the medication. There are several types of AD out there so it's a bit trial and error. I get on well with Cipralex 5mg at night 5mg in the morning - what dosage has the GP started you on, it might be too high!
Life is too short to keep on with medication that makes us feel worse! Deep breathing can help as can rescue remedy. Taking time out - i.e. a long bath, good book, sitting quietly in the garden can ease anxiety, I find keeping really busy rather than dwelling: I'm a good dweller :-\.
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I think citalopram can be very good but you may well have more anxiety for six weeks. This is generally the way with ad's. Did your gp give you diazepam or anything to help you through this period? It's obviously your choice whether to continue or not but you are a third of the way through (at least) and they may end up working brilliantly for you! Whatever you decide, I do hope you feel better soon xxx
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Antidepressants seem to cause a lot of discussion and like most medications individuals have to make their own choice as to the way to go. I can only speak from my own experience. Being about 8years post meno and after chemo for a blood cancer I found myself still having flushes and night sweats, anxiety etc. My GP ruled out other things with blood tests and offered citalopram as although not licenced as a treatment for menopausal symptoms it has been shown to help some women. I reluctantly decided to give it a go. The first few weeks were horrid with lots of side effects and yes my GP did say "stick with it" and with my DHs support I did.Slowly I have begun to feel the benefits, less flushes and less anxiety- not perfect-but at least I feel I can get on with life and it has given me breathing space to try other remedies - breathing exercises, mindfulness, change of diet etc which can all help.Citalopram has a very long half life which is why it can take quite a while for the body to adjust and to get the full benefits, even if you have only taken it for a short time you have to taper off it slowly or the side effects will happen again.I have now been on a low dose of 10mgs for about 4 months and my GP says at least a year before attempting to stop the drug.Hope some of this ramble helps but whatever you decide hope it works for you and you get some relief soon.
Thorntrees x
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hi as i said been on citalapram for quite few years have tried to come off them in the past but symptoms returned as for herbal nothing worked troble is it all messes with your head started to feel better then bang back to square 1 cant believe menopauce can cause all this you feel you just exist day to day not knowing how your going to feel but its nice when you know your not the only 1 suffering vanessa spain
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Hi everyone on 10 mg citaopram daily. Doc gave me diazepam 2mg to take if needed and they do help in the morning but she said try to take them only in emergency as she won't give me any more . ! I have 10 left so i am trying to battle through . Doc said Prozac would be another option. I am trying to get to the two week point to see how I feel but the anxiety is now waking me up at 5 in morning. Got no appetite at all !
Kelly xxxx
Hugs to all ! It's no picnic isi it!
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Hi Kelly, Citalopram 10 mg is really a low dose, recomended for a start . Can u ask
Your doc to increase it to 20 mg daily? This is how I started the med and
Felt the relief after the increase. Again I am not a doc ! Citalopram has its benefits but if it doesn't suit you after the increase, you should change to a different type . We are all different.
Hugs
Mila xx
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20mg is a lot but is often used as a start-up dose. For me any AD of that dosage was too much, I had to spread it throughout the day ………. fortunately my GP is supportive. I have never found that it takes 6 weeks to gain benefit! with 1 AD I had benefit within 3 days …. others never worked due to side effects.
Valium is addictive. But necessary and why GPs can't accept that sometimes it's important to use it …… I had 10mg on an as necessary basis for years because once I knew it worked, I knew how to use it.
If herbal remedies worked they would be available on the NHS!
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Totally agree CKLD with everything you say! 2mg of diazepam is very low isn't it and I only take them if I am in a very bad way. These docs just don't know what it feels like! Today I am not as bad coming to the 1 half week of citalopram and maybe just maybe ( I daren't say it) i am coping little bit better with the day especially the morning. Hypnotherapy helping too.
I really think 10 mg is enough for me as they make me so tired as well. I wish herbal worked taking kalms had no effect ,reflexology was relaxing but 30 a time didnt really do much . Has anyone had any benefit from acupuncture homeopathy or anything else at all.
Hugs to everyone.
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There's nothing wrong with the placebo effect ;) ………… I went to the GP in an absolute state 2 years ago, I could hardly stand up because the anxiety was crippling. She prescribed an emergency drug (Name escapes me) which I use sensibly. Valium did me fine in the 1990s until I had 2 weird reactions ::) …..
Why GPs don't see patients weekly until the anxiety eases or to check on how we feel :-\ - mine was very good when I was really ill :'(, I would wander into the surgery because that was where I felt the safest, he would have a quick check which I found supportive and I would wander home again.
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CLKD what kind of weird reactions did you have to diazepam? I asked doc if that's what was causing me the shaking, she said no, if anything they will help with that, they do help with the restlessness and anxiety in that they enable me to go out but I still have the shaking if that makes sense, thought not quite so severe till I go to bed, then it starts all over again! Sighhh ::)
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>:(Hi everyone I get the shakes and tingly in my feet but didn't realise it was anxiety symptoms :-( I'm on 2mg diazepam and take them only if get really bad . Menopause >:( xx
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Still struggling on with citalopram hit the two week mark today. 2mg ofiazepam in morng helps but as doc said i wouldn't get any more I have 9 left so keeping for emergency only.
Kelly
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Hi Kelly, I have been given Citalopram from my doc too and weeks 1 and 2 were horrible....I am now on week 4 and although |I still feel anxious, I feel it is more manageable than before and am coping a bit better...hope this helps and you feel better soon ;)
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Hi Tropical I gave the citalopram 6 weeks but I am off them totally now. I was waking up with aching limbs and sweating( it wasn't like a hot flush just horrible sweats on and off in the day) . I asked the doc who said it was anxiety and to go home and double up on the citalopram as 10 mg wasn't enough. As I reached for the packet I just thought I would read the side effects ( I had avoided doing so due to my anxiety !) and what do you know aches and sweating are the most common side effects!! I cut them back to one every other day and duly informed the doctor who said you are only on 10 mg you won't have side effects. What do you know I went cold turkey and it took me about two weeks to get over them ! I am more myself now though maybe the 6 weeks were enough. However I am having weekly hypnotherapy which does help. The doc wanted me to have CBT and I have had one session but how can four 30 mins sessions really help. I don't think it's enough time and the therapist seems rushed . She didnt wnt me to keep the hypnotherapy on but I definitly am as I need to see someone weekly and I can text or ring them anytime . Once again I have no faith in the NHS -at the moment ! Seems like you have to look everything up yourself .
Good luck I am glad it's working for you xxxxx
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Hi Kelly....shame the citalopram isnt working out for you....dont think its a miracle cure for me either but definitely better although I think maybe my depression was due to the panic attacks and not going out which I am now and cope some days better than others...I am on my 6th week....did you have headchaes or strange thoughts with them? X....and still want to cry....not sure if I want to continue them either...undecided ...having sweats but no aching limbs coundnt relax for a few weeks though and still not sure if sweating and headache at the back is meno or citalopram ...hope youre doing well :)
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Hi Tropical I am so much better off them though I know people who have seen a real difference while taking them. I think I needed time and also talking therapy rather than pills. Maybe you are the same. I reduced over a couple of weeks and haven't looked back. Like you i wasn't depressed but anxious over a continuous ore throat that no one seemed to help. Are you getting any counselling help. If so with their support you could cut back and see how you go. you can always start them again. I didn't have headaches but I think strange dreams are a side effect too. I think sweating is the citlopram .
Let me know how you get on. Thinking of you xxxxxxxx
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Hi sparkle how are you? Yes I feel so much better and my throat has been good. I feel back to my old self and have been busying about. I am back at work next week only two mornings a week. I though this would never happen six months ago.
I hope things are good with you too .
Lots of love xxxxKelly
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Last everol sequi patch today and I feel v weird today can't even explain just not right and of course this sets of my anxiety :( x
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Not sure if this saying will help anyone but it is so so true:
''Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength" - Charles Spurgeon
Bramble
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:thankyou:
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HI Sparkle went back to work on phased return for two mornings and absolutely exhausted. Can't believe it really. My sore throat has retuned with a vengeance for a week. I was so fed up I have asked to see a gastroentrologist about having the op for the hernia. Mind you I am always asleep by nine or ten at night ( never see a movie ending! ) Last night it was 8 30. Does omezparole make anyone tired or is it the reflux .?
What a roller coaster !
What they gonna do about your stone?
KELLY
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Kelly-
I have been having issues with my sore throat lately as well. My ENTRY doctor keeps blaming my chronic tonsilitis but why is it an issue suddenly?
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I HATE GPs who think that low dose medication won't give side effects >:( - when Prozac came out mine told me 'this doesn't have any side effects', I told him that I would find some - and I did :'(
Eating properly can stop drops in sugar levels = anxiety surges. Keeping hydrated helps. Eating little and often so that one isn't hungry ……. gentle exercise. Wind down at night - I have a bubble bath with chocolate milk shake, a Very Good Book or magazine - there are nights when I don't sleep but most I drop off as soon as I get into bed.
Making lists can help too!
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I agree CLKD. They don't even check the side effects on their screens just dismiss them. Your bubble bath sounds delicious !
Tried lansoprozole Sparkle but it dried out my mouth and didnt help my throat . I have just asked to be stopped to private the morning as I am determined to prove if I am suffering from acid or not! Docs just blame anxiety all the time ! Easy way out I think! I am trying to soldier on this time as everyone is sick of me being ill. Does anyone get nausea and a heavy feeling in your chest .also feeling like you want to burb but can't?
Xxxx
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I will Sparkle. Yes I am with you Sparkle on playing down the anxiety. They just blame everything on that really and your other stuff is sidetracked. That's what happened to me and I am only being referred to a gastroentrologist now after 7 months. No one ever mentioned it to me . I evn believed myself that my throat must be anxiety induced but as it goes on I realise I still save all the sme symtoms.i will never cry in a doctors again as they simply diagnose anxiety and depression!! I have changed doctors and she is quite helpful and friendly but I am determined to have at least a ph test to prove once and for all if I am suffering from acid.
Keep in touch Sparkle. It just goes on and on doesn't it and I had a couple of weeks where I felt fine!!
Hi NATA how is your throat these days?