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changing from prozac to citalopram, for katecog, especially or anyone else

Posted , 4 users are following.

crayola24
crayola24

I have been on prozac for 6 and a half months and still having side effects of anxiety and brain fog, ,,,I am directing this to katecog becuase I have vorresponded with her on the flu.(prozac) forum,,,,,but to anyone who might lend me help,,,,,,I am thinking of switching to citaopram because  prozac may be to  activating,,,has anyone have the brain fog and anxiety then it celared up?  I also am having bouts of anger  and agitation which I dont show but i have to spend time alone to conttrol.   Also , I have to go other meds sometimes because of crohns disease and the meds cause alot of wieght gain.....I have to be on an antidepressant for life, due to a brain injuyry.  Has anyone been on citalopram for a long time and not gained wweight and slo found relief?  I am feeling so desprate and thank you for your help!!  also i have tried wellbutrin and cant tolerate it at all.......

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • katecogs
    katecogs crayola24

    Posted

    Hi crayola

    Sorry to hear you're still having brainfog and anxiety still.  I actually take Citalopram and find it suits me well, and my son takes Fluoxetine (I have noticed he's a bit snappy).  I used to take Seroxat and had a lot of anger issues with that one so switched to Citalopram (this is my 3rd type of meds).

    Different meds suit different people, so maybe Flu isn't the one for you.  I'd have thought by now the brainfog and anxiety would have lifted.  You may be right in trying a different one.  Hopefully others will tell of their experience on both these meds.

    K xx

    • crayola24
      crayola24 katecogs

      Posted

      thank you so much katecogs!    I did finally piece together that you are the wonderful mom who has supported her son through his journey on FLU,  !!  that is why I pointed you out as i saw recently you also take  citaloptam.  You have been such a comfort and wonderful source of information on the Flu  end of the forum!   Thank you for helping me here!  My doc was saying maybe trying prestiq but I have heard that as an SNRI it can cause weight gain, nd restlessnes,,,,,,,I knwo i talk alot about weight gain, but I get more depressed when I have to go on a steroid for the crohns and it packs 20 poounds on me and then i have weight gain from anidepressant, and i am only 5 1 inches and very small boned and cannt  exercise as i use to because of the brain injury.  Even before the brain injury , when i was I was on prozac and running every day , and healthy eating, I gained 20 punds.  

      i know there is no perfect  med, but i hate the anger isssues, and agitation and extra brain fog making it even harder for me to function.  

      and gwen1953, thank you,  I do expect side affects again,,,prozac is very long lasting,,, and i knwo citalopram is not so much.  I was just tryoing to see if there was help maybe with the anxiey and snappiness, and brain fog, and not a weight gainer.  i knwo  it is a lot to ask, but thank you all for being so patient with me!!  wishing you all love and I DO think of you all so often and thank you for your honesty and help,,,,,you are all very precious!

    • katecogs
      katecogs crayola24

      Posted

      Hi Crayola

      Yes that's me, supporting my son throughout his journey on Fluoxetine.  It was such a shock when he became ill with this illness like me ...... Never thought history would repeat itself with my child.

      Yes I've taken Citalopram for many years, and also have watched my son with Fluoxetine and going through such a tough time on it.  I recognised many of his side effects with what I'd been through.

      SNRI's are newer medications than SSRI's, though both do relatively the same thing by working on neurotransmitters, that affect absorption of serotonin.  SNRI's though also work on norepinephrine too.  I've never tried SNRI's but have read they work just as well.

      I've never had weight gain on Citalopram but must say that I have gained a bit recently, but think that's more like middle aged spread :-(  I've also read that Citalopram is less of an evil drug with the side effects than others, but then everyone reacts differently to them all.

      Is there any other form of exercise you could do - something more tailored towards your injury?  If you have mobility issues then maybe something like swimming or even joining a gym is good as they cater for all people.  I know someone who had is quite affected from a stroke and is having sessions at the gym.  

      I havent had any anger issues on Citalopram either, but I had it bad on Seroxat.  I don't have any brainfog either, though I must admit I'm not as sharp as I used to be ...... maybe that's an age thing too :-( boo

      I think it's probably a good idea to try a different medication if you aren't happy on that one, though don't forget you may feel anxious for a while when swapping over.

      K xx

    • crayola24
      crayola24 katecogs

      Posted

      thnak you so very very much for responding back and reaching out to me!  me heart aches for you.... i have been with you rposts thorugh your journey with your son who is so preciosu to you.....I do understadn, I have a son also, and 2 daughters, and it is bad enough youhaving to endure depression and anxety and all that geos with it  buthten to have it happen to your chidl when you see the side effects that he or she is experienceing aong with the journey,,,,I do understand,,,,,I have /am been there....

      i am so very very grateful for your wonderfu lhonesty and candor, my dear friend.  As I am to thsoe who are so kind to share their experiences and help!  it is so difficult to admit that there are anger issues that arise !from  possibly a med, or increase anxiety to where you arent able to do anytign but make itthrought he next minute,,,,and then to try to best parent (spouse, child, caergiver, employee, friend ect)  . Thank you so much for being so human and so kind and  so helpful, !!!  all of you!!  I thank you from the bottom of my heart!!  xxoo

    • katecogs
      katecogs crayola24

      Posted

      Yes you're so right crayola ..... to have to endure the pain of depression was really hard, but to have to watch my child go through it was even harder.  That's why I went back on medication last year as I needed to be well for him as could feel it was affecting me.

      I was 20 when I first became ill (same age my son is now), and for the next 15 years I was ill and missed out on many carefree years.  I read so much on depression/anxiety during that time and was only when I started on SSRI's, maybe 16 years ago now, I recovered.  

      I hope you find peace on medication eventually like did xxx

  • gwen1953
    gwen1953 crayola24

    Posted

    Hi. Citalopram can be very good for a number of people. What you have to understand though is that changing from Prozac To Citalopram means you will still feel anxiety and possibly the fog you speak of as your body needs time to adjust from one drug to another and as everyone's bodies work differently it could take you one week or two weeks or whatever. What I would say is Citalopram is a far better drug than Prozac. Prozac in a lot of cases makes depression worse. So personally I think you'd be better to switch just don't expect immediate results.
  • laura63622
    laura63622 crayola24

    Posted

    Hiya, I've been on cit on and off for years. This time however I was put on sertraline for some reason.. I think Dr said it was supposed to be better for anxiety. Anyway long story short I had no results on the sertraline for five weeks so straight changed to citalopram ..this was two weeks ago today...I can say day two I felt 60% better already! My anxiety is a lot better...I am still getting either start up or with drawls side effects....hard to tell which...the only really annoying one is nausea on and off...hopefully this goes soon! I have never put on weight on the citalopram myself so I hope this gives you hope! I'm sorry yourve had such a crappy time...I hope citalopram works for you
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