anti depressant tablets

[emmilou]

hi jtb my wife has been taking citalopram for about three years now as she has suffered with anxiety and anger due to depression she wasnt sleeping

Did the citalopram aid sleep? In what way?

Does anyone have any experience of already being on medication to aid sleep and THEN being prescribed an SSRI?? (Citalopram or otherwise) Did the doctor take you/him/her off the sleeping meds before starting the SSRI's, keep them running alongside, stop the sleep meds at the same time as starting the SSRI's?

Has anyone had any experiences of any side effects of taking both and what they were please or what to look out for.

[simgreen78]

My dad stopped sleeping when he was put onto Citalopram. I cannot recall his previous medication, sorry. He doesn't take any other medication in conjunction with it.

(At one point last year he was taking separate medication to lower his cholesterol which interfered with his anti-depressants and negated their effect. Another thread another time I guess.)

Anyway, When he went back to express his concerns, the doctor doubled his dose of Citalopram and he is now sleeping again. I do not know if the non-sleeping was 'medical' (as in directly chemically connected to his tablets) or a result of his increased anxiety becasue of the Citalopram not having the same effect as his previous medication. This is all within the last seven days and relevant to Emmilou's first question, hence why I'm posting on a matter here I actually have very little experience with .

[emmilou]

My dad stopped sleeping when he was put onto Citalopram. I cannot recall his previous medication, sorry. He doesn't take any other medication in conjunction with it.

(At one point last year he was taking separate medication to lower his cholesterol which interfered with his anti-depressants and negated their effect. Another thread another time I guess.)

Anyway, When he went back to express his concerns, the doctor doubled his dose of Citalopram and he is now sleeping again. I do not know if the non-sleeping was 'medical' (as in directly chemically connected to his tablets) or a result of his increased anxiety becasue of the Citalopram not having the same effect as his previous medication. This is all within the last seven days and relevant to Emmilou's first question, hence why I'm posting on a matter here I actually have very little experience with .

He 'stopped' sleeping when he was put on them?? Oh eck. Thanks for the reply. I have a feeling there will be a confliction but am trying to work out the best 'options'

[simgreen78]

He 'stopped' sleeping when he was put on them?? Oh eck. Thanks for the reply. I have a feeling there will be a confliction but am trying to work out the best 'options'

As I say Em, I'm no expert. It may have just been a 'bodyshock' reaction to moving over from another type of tablet. But yes, he stopped sleeping and his mood swings returned. The doctor doubled the dosage and he's now back to normal, although I'm keeping a close eye on him for the usual warning signs.

[emmilou]

As I say Em, I'm no expert. It may have just been a 'bodyshock' reaction to moving over from another type of tablet. But yes, he stopped sleeping and his mood swings returned. The doctor doubled the dosage and he's now back to normal, although I'm keeping a close eye on him for the usual warning signs.

Warning signs?? What would these be? Sorry I'd explain myself further but it will no doubt open the floodgates to a barage of opinions on a public forum and I'm not up for that suffice to say it's not for me I just need a bit of awareness..... thanks.

[simgreen78]

PM'd you.

[freckle]

I know its been said before but perhaps its worth reiterating that there are a range of pharmacological and non pharmacological approaches to the treatment to depression (eg cognitive behaviour therapy) with proven efficacy. Often such approaches can be combined to yield the best results (see NICE guidelines for depression). Speak to your GP but there is also useful information at the following link:

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Depress...Treatment.aspx

talking therapies can be particularly useful in helping people who are experiencing difficulties in their relationships.

good luck

[Mountain Goatess]

Citalopram has certainly worked for me. About 6 months ago I could not see a way forward in life, was in a very dark and strange place, did not recognise myself and was so unhappy. I am now able to go to bed and go to sleep straight away (most nights). Do not have the terrible thoughts I was having. Do not have the awful anxiety and panic attacks. Then, I was so embarrassed and ashamed of what was wrong with me. Now, I can talk about things without bursting into tears. I can go out, I can socialise with my best friends, do normal activities without shaking and going into cold sweats. I have returned back to work after having 5 months off on sick, something I thought I would never be able to do again!
I have had counselling which did help in some ways, it wasn't really for me, ultimately, it's the Citalopram that has helped. I am enjoying life again and looking forward....yipeeee!
One thing I will say is that it does kind of 'numb' ones emotions, so coming off it may open up new problems for me. But at least now I am strong enough again to deal with things.
I have opened myself up again on this forum....bad move I know! But to any of you that feel the need to argue or criticise my words, my actions, my feelings...well don't bother...I am in a good place right now and I don't need YOU!
To all of my friends out there....realling looking forward to spending some time in the hills with you :wink:

Oh, and to John the Baptist...wishing you happier times ahead...hope you find the answers xxx

[The devil's own]

JTB PM me if you want and i'll offer my professional opinion from being a psychiatric nurse for nearly a decade. Won't get involved in this thread though after the mess that Staggers depression thread became.

[Carlos the Jackal]

just taken my first happy pill, i hope they work because i got my regular asthma medication along with them and the cost sure did make me depressed...£14.40:angry: