Alternatives to citalopram
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi, I was put on citalopram by my doctor some five years ago and I do not regret it one bit since it took me out of a bad place, About five months ago I decided to see if I could do without them and came off them. All though I did not do cold turkey I think that I could have come off them a bit slower, it took m e around three months to get rid of the withdrawl symptoms. One of the reasons that I decided to come off them was a side affect I was experiencing. which was depressing and negative dreams.
People who have experienced the same will know what I mean. Unfortunately over the last couple of weeks I have started feeling rotten again similar to when I was put on them fitst time. It is not like depression I just feel ill. When I was first diagnosed my doctor said that it was clinical depression as a result of ongoing health problems ie Crohns and all of the treatments that I had undergone for this complaint. I am thinking of going back on them but I am concerned about the above mentioned side affects. can anyone who has experienced these side effects recommend an alternative to citalopram. Thank you..
0 likes, 5 replies
katecogs decndor
Posted
Hi
I've read that Escitalopram is similar to Citalopram and is another SSRI, but if you mean an alternative other than medicine then I can thoroughly recommend 5-HTP which I'm taking. Its an over the counter medicine (no prescription needed), there are no start up effects or withdrawal either, so you can start and stop anytime. You need to take l-tyrosine with it too (according to my book) and again bought over the counter. If you're in the UK Holland & Barrett stock them. I've taken these since August when I came off Citalopram and am doing well. They don't suit everyone of course.
I have been on Citalopram twice and had a different experience the second time around - I didn't get much anxiety (only once) but I had many months feeling completely flat and empty. It took longer the second time too. That's not how it'll be for everyone though as we're all different.
It might be worth a try on 5-HTP and l-tyrosine before you consider going back onto Citalopram ..... but you can't take both together.
K x
sanja1993 katecogs
Posted
I am glad the I read your reply, this is my second time on them and it's been little over 7 weeks and I still feel blah lazy etc. First time when I took them I struggled for about two weeks then I was on my way to recovery. Now this time around man oh man I finally got some relief after 6 week and after I split my meds up. Did u ever find out why some people struggle so much when they go on it again?
katecogs sanja1993
Posted
2 weeks and then onto recovery is quite unsual as many people take around 3-4 months when they first take these meds. My first time it took 6 months and the second time was about 8 months. It felt never ending.
The second time on them I felt completely flat, empty of everything which just went on for months and months. Slowly though they began to kick in much to my relief.
No I have no idea why it sometimes takes longer the second time - I don't suppose that's true for everyone either. I'll see if I can find anything.
So if you're on them again and its been 7 weeks already, it sounds like its at the normal stage.
5-HTP etc is only for when you're not on any SSRI's.
sanja1993 katecogs
Posted
I def feel better but very blah, I never had this the first time around on them. So I found it very strange that I did so well with the side effect first time around and this time it's just killing me,
katecogs sanja1993
Posted
Yes its weird when you restart meds - I had a different experience completely. Didn't get many side effects but that loooooooong 'meh' feeling just dragged on and on.
Just keep persevering - they will work for you even though you won't believe it yet. However long it take, just keep going ...... they'll do their thing eventually.
K x