Bit of a setback

Hi Mishap I've been following your thread and I'm sorry to hear what you are going through at the moment. Hang on, it's bound to get better.

I think mishap you need to phone your doctor about the cardiac symptoms you're having at night time. Perhaps you need some extra medication.

I agree with bookdreamer. I was given a betablocker to help my heart when I had atrial fibrillation. Didn't stay on it for that long, but I was told it would help the rhythm to settle back down.

mishap small consolation I know for all your angst.I really hope you see some improvement soon.

Just a thought Mishap but are there any books you've been meaning to read, films/tv programmes you've been meaning to watch that you could read/watch now which would mean that, whilst relaxing [as much as you can with the pain that is] you can at least feel that you're catching up with things you've been meaning to do but haven't had the time for. You could also read or watch if you can't sleep at night. When my knee was bad a few years ago I used to time to watch lots of films I'd recorded over the years but hadn't got round to watching. You're having such a wretched time of it but things will get better .

Thanks for your suggestions.

Things still not great - I have become quite anxious and weepy as a result of the trauma of the AF and hospital admission at a time when I was still getting better from the surgery. A bit scary as I am usually happy and busy, and feeling out of control of my emotions is not pleasant. I felt so agitated last night and had great trouble sleeping. GP has offered me 10mg of citalopram - anyone taken this? I don't want to ad to my problems with more drug side-effects, so any thoughts from those in the know would be gratefully received. Trawling the web says it can increase the risk of committing suicide!!!!!

mishap no words just flowers I hope you start feeling better soon.

((((hugs)))) Mishap

No real knowledge of citalopram but DS1 is on it more or less permanently to help him cope since he had a stroke and it really does help. 10mg is a low dose, I think, and it stopped DS feeling so hopeless about his situation! Your GP knows you well so be guided by him/her.

Take one day at a time.

I feel for you Mishap, trust you GP. I'm sure things will improve very soon.

Trawling the internet can be frightening, far too much rubbish info and much of it without any foundation.

At least 2 of the drugs I take regularly are reported to cause suicide, perhaps if I was contemplating it, they may not help, but for the majority it is irelevent. Just read what the internet says about aspirin, you would never take it again, yet for many it is a life saver.

Dear mishap you really are having such a tough time of it. Take the citalopram to give yourself a bit of rest, and you will get yourself back on the road to recovery. I don't know if you could do any seated anti-DVT exercises, such as you can on an aircraft? They would be less tiring.

Mishap, I have been taking Citalopram for 4 months now and am doing fine on it. My DH was diagnosed with Alheimers in Jan and I was finding it very hard to come to terms with it. I know from your posts your DH is not a well man and I am sure that like me you will worry about your own health ,worrying how they are going to cope, so any major setback as you have had is a real problem. Trust your GP and try the Meds and I hope your anxiety is eased.

Thank you for your reassuring posts - this is proving to be a difficult time for me and I am hugely appreciative of all your support.

I have just been talking to my DD who I knew was on some sort of anti-depressant and it turns out that she is on citalopram. It has truly been a life-saver for her - she could barely function, but now she is back to her usual efficient coping self - she has been on it about 3 years and the serious anxiety and panic attacks that she suffered are thankfully now a thing of the past. She is suggesting that I simply cut the pill in half and build up the dose very slowly.

I am sorry about your OH's diagnosis annsixty - you are quite right that there is this constant worry about being well to look after one's partner. There is this background concern and stress that has been going on some time and the events of the last few weeks have brought it all to the fore and tipped me over the edge a bit. I am glad that the treatment has been positive for you.

Thank you for all your kind words, especially when so many of you have troubles of your own.

mishap

I don't have any experience of that medication, but I do know that some medications can make you feel very odd and either take some time to get used to - or perhaps you need to go back to your GP to get it changed to something else.

Be kind to yourself.

growing old getting on a bit is a bit of a bugger a bit challenging isn't it!

for Mishap, Annsixty, Kitty, Pompa and all facing 'challenges' at the moment.

Thanks. Little bit brighter this morning - the sun is out and I had a good sleep. But I do feel as though I am still asleep - in fact I feel this way most of the time! I just have to be patient.

Take the citalopram Mishap. 10mg is a very low dose. I suspected that this was what was needed temporarily for you when you were mentioning weepiness and feeling so low. It's well worth taking to put you back on an even keel.

Whilst taking various medications, I listen to my body and if I feel something is just not right that's the only time I refer to the list of side effects. Then, I waste no time consulting my GP if I have any concerns.

ps. Please only take the advice of your GP re your medication who is fully aware of your medical history.

Hope you are having a better day.

Just picked up the citalopram - looked at the instruction leaflet and one of the first things it says is "DO NOT take this medicine if you have ever had an episode of irregular heartbeat." Hmmm. I think I will just try and "tough it out" with the low mood and anxiety as I cannot countenance risking precipitating a further episode of AF.

But on the plus side, I have seen the physio and she thinks I am doing OK. She is keen for me not to rush things and wants me to continue using two crutches for the time being because of my unhealed fracture in the other foot. She has been reassuring about the pain I have been getting. She says that things are going to plan and that I must not be worried about the fact that I know others who have progressed quicker, which is reassuring and makes me feel a lot better.

The sister on the ward said I would only get pain for " a few days" after I went home, so every time I have had bad pain I have been concerned that something might be wrong! I could shoot this lady!

Just having the pills 'just in case' can work wonders!

Onwards and upwards.

I've never noticed the bit about not taking it with an irregular heart beat. DH has been taking citalopram for 4 years in spite of having a lot of problems with AF before it was prescribed.

Why not ask your pharmacist about it? They're often more reliable than doctors.

Didn't intend to worry you on behalf of your OH Deeda. For me the AF episode is so fresh in my mind, and I found it so frightening, that I just could not consider taking it just now. I am glad that your OH is well on it.

Citalopram worked very well for me. Can you check in with your GP about an alternate drug? I've found that state of mind is closely tied to recovery. Medication could help you get better all round. Thinking of you and sending positive thoughts....

Wondering how you are today mishap?
These drug leaflets drug on side effects can be so worrying - we only discovered after a YEAR on multifarious high blood pressure pills that my DH must not eat grapefruit or other bitter foods with them. Nobody said and he hadn't read the leaflets (of course - no sexist comment intended... ).

The mornings are proving difficult for me - I feel as if I am being dredged from the bottom of a river and just want to sleep. I recognise this as a symptom of depression; but just now I am wary of taking anything as I do not want to precipitate further problems. It is a bit of a bond/ But thankfully the hip pain is reducing which is a blessing.

It is possible Mishap that your unstable hear rhythms/palpitations are due to anxiety and not associated to your recent AF in which case, citalopram could in fact be the answer and benefit your recovery.

It would be worth phoning your GP telling him your concerns about taking citalopram. He can then put your mind at rest as to what is a safe treatment for you.