Can Citalopram stop working?
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hello,
This is my first post so i hope I make sense.
My husband is 33, I have known his for 9 years. For the whole time i have known him I have suspected he suffered from depression. However in the past 3 years things have been significantly worse. He has be short tempered, easily irritable, grumpy, low libido and just generally unhappy and not very nice. It was not all the time but his personality would change and it was like a Jekyll and Hyde situation. It would cause so many arguments and at Christmas time just passed, I told him I could no longer take it. He agreed to speak to the doctor and to doctor diagnosed him with depression and prescribed 20mg citalopram.
For the first month/ month and a half, things were amazing. The medication had an immediate effect and he felt much better in himself, but in the past 6 weeks, things are gradually going back to where they were and his behaviour has changed hugely from when he first started them. He was taking the tablets at different time and so at first I thought it was that but he now taken them every morning at the same time.
Is it possible that they have stopped working or that he needs a stronger dose as he has built a tolerance?
My worst fear is that he takes a higher dose and then starts to feel numb.
Any help or advice would be really appreciated.
Thank you,
x
0 likes, 7 replies
Tara13579 Milliex
Posted
Milliex Tara13579
Posted
Its been over the past 5-6 weeks.... started off as just a bit grumpy for no reason but he would lift himself out of it after an hour or two. Then it got gradually worse, where for the past week he has been in a bad mood, and he aknowledges that he doesnt know why.
But the bad mood consists of snapping at me, geting overly anxious when driving, not wanting to spend time with friends and family and feeling really low.
I was on a friends hen weekend for a few days last week and missed him terribly, and when I got home i was so happy to see him, but he was so off and cold with me that it wasnt until late at night where he actually told me he missed me and then wanted to cuddle me.
Sorry to go on, its just that i feel helpless and it is starting to get me down now too.
When he started the medication, it was like a massive fog was lifted from around us and for that short time, i was the happiest person alive because i had my husband who i love all the time, and not just glimpses of him.
I always thought that there would be ups and downs and bumps in the road, and im prepared for that but this feels like it is progressivly getting back to before the medication, i have actually asked him if he is still taking the tablets, but he said that he is still taking them.
I dont want to put any more pressure on him by pestering him but do you think i should suggest he makes another appointment with the doctor and ask him if i can go with him?
Thank you again,
x
Tara13579 Milliex
Posted
a18842 Milliex
Posted
katecogs Milliex
Posted
Im sorry to hear of your husbands struggle with depression, and I'm glad he's now taking medication for it. Depression is an illness, and not something one can just step out of, just as diabetes and epilepsy is. My husband supported me throughout my illness and I can't thank him enough for being my rock, as am sure your husband will feel too. Well done for supporting him :-)
This medication doesn't stop working, but through his journey of recovering he'll be up and down with his mood. Some weeks he'll feel great then will be hit again with a low point. It feels like the depression has returned, but it hasn't, it's just a normal part of recovery and how the medicine works. Don't be too hasty in upping the dose at this stage either - let him just accept it's a blip, it will pass, keep on persevering with patience and he'll come out the other side.
I was ill for about 15 years on and off and when I was put onto SSRI's I recovered and have been well for the last 15 years. Life is now great!
Its always 3 steps forward and 2 steps back toward recovering. Remember, lots of patience, try and relax, exercise, eat well and perseverance and he'll reach that goal.
My son also developed depression last year, and over now been able to help him through his journey too. It's been painful watching him, but he's also now recovering well due to SSRI medicine.
I wish you both well.
K xx
Milliex
Posted
I hate to feel the way i felt yesterday, Its just tough sometimes as he doesnt want me to tell anyone and so i feel bad and like i have broken his trust when i discuss the situation with friends, but even when i do, it is difficult to find someone who understands and can offer solid advice.
Thank you all again
xxx
katecogs Milliex
Posted
He should persevere with the medication for a long time, as he will benefit from it in time.
Stay in touch on here for support, there's many people like yourself who find this site and find great comfort and understanding from sufferers and carers here. I've suffered greatly in the past with this illness, and only I came on this site for support whilst I cared for my son through his illness, and find myself helping others too :-)
K x