I am on an antidepressant called citalopram, have been on them for 3 years and before that i was on fluoxetine. When i found out that i was pregnant i tried to come off the tablets but i failed miserably. I had such a bad time, major panic attacks, severe dark depression. i just wanted to die, when i didnt wanna die i wanted to smash every mirror in the house cus i couldnt stand the sight of myself, and i was so close to having a termination because of the way i was. I turned into the most horrible vile person known to man!!!

My GP put me back on the citalopram 20mg because she said the risks were much bigger to me not being on them than the risks to the baby, but on november 17th i have to see a consultant at the hospital because i am taking citalopram, and i am absolutely petrified that she will tell me i have to stop taking them! dont get me wrong, every time i take one i feel bad for the baby ( even though i know they arent harmful to baby) and i wish i could just be a normal person and not have to rely on pills... i battle with this every day you see but i have been through so much in my life that my mind is far too damaged to ever be able to see the light and come off the tablets.

I will be besides myself if the consultant says i have to stop the citalopram, i cannot live a normal life without them! Can consultnants over ride what the GP says about what meds u can take? Is there anyone else in my position?
I would love to hear from you and hear how things went for you i am just worried sick!!!!!

I was on citalopram (40mg) and they are extremely difficult to come off. I was on them with mirtazapine (60mg) and the only way I managed it in the end was cold turkey, against my dr's advice, because doing it slowly made me feel so much worse. However, this is not something that you should be doing when pregnant; but the consultant will know best and may or may not put you onto a drug that is better suited to you during pregnancy, doing a phased transition so that you don't get the anxiety. You may still suffer the brain zaps as this was the difficult part for me when coming off them. And yes, the consultant can override the GP - my psychiatrist overrode my GP on a couple of occasions with regards to meds, but remember than an obstetrics specialist will have greater knowledge of what tablets you can and cannot take during pregnancy, than your GP, unless that GP comes from an obstetrics background.

I also have to see the obs about my previous mental health history, as I'd been in hospital when I was seriously ill. I am seeing him because of my BMI anyway. I am not currently on meds, thankfully, but there is always the chance I may have to start again with how I have felt lately. For the moment, I am just signed off work.

Good luck.

Your comment about never being able to see the light and come off your tablets concerns me. I have been through a lot in my life as well, and I am not prepared to go into it here, but I was placed on a psychiatric ward because it got to a point where I couldn't cope with the thoughts of everything that had happened to me. Tablets help you to cope in the short term but they are not a long term solution, and you should be seeing a psychiatrist to recommend therapy for you. I had therapy and it gave me a totally different outlook on the awful things that had happened to me, including sexual abuse; I came off the tablets and, yes, now and then I need to see someone to chat things through, but all tablets do is help you tread water while the problem still remains there in your head. Your GP should have referred you to AMHT and shouldn't be handing out such addictive medication without also recommending you for some form of therapy (I had a few therapies and in total it all lasted nearly a year).

Hi carrie! i have to see a consultant due to my BMI also.... jeez! As if we havent got enough to worry about eh! I dont drink nor have i ever smoked and i am not unfit so i feel like i am being victimised for being overweight!!!

I am on paroxetine which is very hard to come off. Have tried a few times. I saw my consultant and she didn't see any harm in me staying on it. I am having a detailed scan on 24 Nov, but she said she expected everything to be fine. Good luck and don't worry too much. They may just do the same with you, give you a detailed scan.
x

I hope so.... dont know what i will do if not!

How far gone are you ?

Do you know soething.. nobody has ever offered me councilling! I feel cheated now you have said that! I am definately going to seek councilling when the baby is born! Thanks carrie

Hi Hun,

I have been on citalopram for years now too. I am 19 weeks pregnant, and neither the hospital or my midwife seem at all worried. I am on 10mg a day, and they said as it is such a low dose, it is quite safe. I see the consultant on 12th Nov as I also have underactive thyroid, high BP and am 37, so all those things have put me under consultant care. My meds were never mentioned as part of my consultant referral.

Try not to worry Hun. They can be over cautious sometimes

Maz xxx

I'm on 20mg citalopram and i'm a GP. If benefit outweighs risks, stay on it. I have and no fuss has been made. Don't worry before you have seen the consultant - no point - the may agree with you!