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[kristine78]

I've had anxiety my entire life, I finally got up the nerve to go see someone about it (an NP at a local clinic) She gave me rx's for xanax and citalopram, said the xanax was for panic attacks and the citalopram was for daily use. I will be seeing a neuropschiatrist in a couple of weeks and a psychologist. The NP said they may want to change my meds, so should I even start the Citalopram? I've never taken any medicine outside of cold meds and anti-biotics so I'm freaking out a bit, and after reading the side effects (heart attacks???) I don't know what to think. She has me on 20mg of Citalopram and .25 of xanax, I've taken 1/2 a pill of xanax since Thursday.
I don't know what my potassium or magnesium levels are until Tuesday and the rx info said not to take it if you are low, I'm just kind of lost and scared about what to do and hoped to hear from those who have been here, I am a single mom of 2 and cannot afford to flake out or die on them And if I do get the nerve to take it, would you recommend starting with an am dose or pm?
Any and all advise really is welcome!!!


Thank You,
Kris

[jonine1975]

Hi! I totally know how you feel. In fact about 6 years ago I was pregnant and suffered really bad anxiety and depression. I was hospitalized, they wanted to put me on meds and I refused because I was so terrified. I eventually gave in during that hospital stay. But it took a few more trips to hospital to get everything right for me with meds.
I have been taking Citolopram at a low dose, 10 mg for about 6 years. I never could get up to 20 mg because I'm super sensitive, so I felt I was filled with adrenaline instead of the calming I needed. Right now I'm only on 7.5 mg which is hardly nothing, but I take it together with lithium and has helped me out of a dark phase I was in.
Everyone experiences meds differently, some people can tolerate what others can't tolerate. the only way to find out is to try. At first meds can make you feel different, or experience unwanted side effects, but most times the effects go away. Keeping close to the dr that prescribes your meds is very important. Try not to be scared, fear sometimes keeps up from something that can be very helpful. Take care.

[kristine78]

Thank You jonine1975. I appreciate you responding!!!

[Epictetus]

I read your post. I know what you mean about having worries about the meds side effects. I always worry about that myself.

I would like to make your decision easier, but actually I may make it more difficult. Please be aware that depression has been linked to disease pathology in the brain. One part of the brain that controls mood, sleep, appetite and many other things can lose as much as 20% of its total volume through atrophy in serious depression. A 20% volumetric loss is HUGE. I find it amazing that the brain can still function in this disease state. A recent study has linked a family history of depression to a 28% thinning of an area of the cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the brain that is so important for us humans. If you stop to think about it, a 28% thinning of the outer layer of a human brain is also a HUGE loss. And depression also appears to be a progressive illness.

So while it is true that antidepressants can have dangerous side effects, it is also true that depression can represent serious disease pathology in the brain. Depression is one of the few brain illnesses that leads to fatalities. If that were not bad enough, depression has been linked to systemwide bodily harm: abnormalities in hormone regulation, poor cardiac health and reduced blood vessel and heart function, reduced immune responses to infection, adult-onset diabetes, accelerated tumor growth in cancer patients, osteoporosis and even various senile dementias. So it is not "just" a brain illness.

I think it is so beautiful that you are worried about your children and the effects of Citalopram. I wouldn't want you to stop asking questions and having concerns about your meds. But also please be concerned about depression too.

My best advice to you is that if you are concerned about the medication, please seek a second medical opinion. That is your right as a patient and is a time honored medical tradition. Please realize that I do not want to minimize in any way your concerns. I feel they are valid concerns. But please seek a second medical opinion before you take any action. I am very sorry you are suffering this illness. I send you all by best thoughts and wishes.

Edited by Ep1ctetus, 09 September 2012 - 09:44 PM.

[kristine78]

Thank You, Ep1ctetus. Very interesting information!
I worry most about the side effects having a negative impact on my behavior, I am less patient with every part of my life and that is why I decided to seek help. I was becoming a yelling mom and that is unacceptable to me.
I should have my bloodwork back today or tomorrow and I will be satisfied with that and start the celexa Friday when the kids go to see their father for the weekend. Thank you both very much for responding.

[kristine78]

I got up the nerve this morning to take my first pill, pretty happy with myself :)

[jonine1975]

Good, how are you feeling? Hope all is well!!

[kristine78]

Today is day 4 and I feel fine, I don't know if it's possible for it to have built up in my system at all but I do feel a bit calmer, a little shaky in the morning and mild headache, but under a lot of stress so I can't contribute it to the meds. Thanks for checking in on me!

[ShawnaRDA]

How are you feeling Kristine? I started Citalopram on 9/24.. so far so good. I actually notice an improvement in my energy and mood. That's saying a lot for me.. I've tried a few different different ones over the past 8 years. Good luck!

[jonine1975]

How much are you starting with Kristine?

[kristine78]

20mg, they said we would see how it goes and go up or change depending on how I was feeling. I meet with a Neuro Psychiatrist Oct 30th and Psychologist on November 5th. Xanax I take 1/2 of a .25mg when needed, which is usually a couple times a week. and when my kids are at their dads to help me sleep. Feeling pretty good, no major increase in energy or anything, so no complaints as far as that goes, and I found out I will be out of a job on the 29th and Im not freaking out nearly as badly as I would be without the meds I feel like.

[jonine1975]

Well that's awesome that your feeling good. Sounds promising. How long again since you started?

[kristine78]

One week today. And yesterday I got a call back about an amazing job, so that helps too!