1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Citalopram

Citalopram....

Posted , 6 users are following.

NicolaAnne1994
NicolaAnne1994

Earlier this year or late last year I was prescribed Citalopram as I was so depressed due to all the problems at home etc! I took them for about a week....they worked I believe but I stopped taking them as I thought to myself...the tablets are helping me but they aren't getting rid of my problems! Anyway nearly a year on and my problems have pretty much gone but I am still not happy! I have tried counselling which I hated and I know won't help! But I want to maybe try out Citalopram again to see if it helps me...but I don't know how to approach it! Any help would be grateful thank you smile x

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Chalky1991
    Chalky1991 NicolaAnne1994

    Posted

    Hi Nicola

    I took Citalopram for a year it worked for me I stopped it. Felt fine then slowly over a few years depression crept back in. I knew that they worked for me so went back to the docs explained everything and was out back on them. I had the usual weeks of side effects adjusting but knowing that they work I preserved they worked again and I have been on them over 3 years. 

    The only issue I have now is a psychological addiction really. I know they are not addictive themselves but because they work I keep taking them. Could I come off them now ? I'm not sure . I tried six months ago and anxiety came back with a vengeance this could have been self created or due to tapering off the citalopram it's impossible to say.

     Just wanted to give you a balanced opinion from my point of view.

     Would I change what I did? No 

    • NicolaAnne1994
      NicolaAnne1994 Chalky1991

      Posted

      Hey Chalky, 

      I see what you mean! I don't know if I would like rely on them, I just feel I need a boost to make me feel happier you know? And I am worried about going back on them! I saw a Locum as my GP was off ill for about a year so my actual GP doesn't properly know I don't think! But she knows my situation at home etc! I have an appointment with her regarding other medication on the 26th so maybe I could bring it up again! x

  • Richardt
    Richardt NicolaAnne1994

    Posted

    Go and tell your GP how you are feeling, u are shy to let your GP know bcoz You are depressed, l used to be scared of my GP, but since been on citalprom my GP is my friend and servant l can get what l want with no fear. Citalprom works wonders, if u are scared go with some else who can explain how u feel, l went with my brother, good luck.
    • NicolaAnne1994
      NicolaAnne1994 Richardt

      Posted

      The thing is I love my GP I have known her since I was little and she would do anything for me lol I am just crap with talking about things in person! Thank you 
  • loxie
    loxie NicolaAnne1994

    Posted

    Whilst I cannot advise you for the best course of action in your own personal circumstance, what I would say is that if they work, cause you no other ill effects and when not taking them you are not coping with your feelings, why not take them?  As I mentioned in another post on a separate thread, if you had insulin dependent diabetes or a thyroid problem for example that needed continual medication to stay well, you wouldn't think twice about taking the prescribed meds, think of citalopram in the same way.  Your seratonin levels cannot balance themselves is all and the cit does it for you.  It's NOT wrong to be dependent on medication, its just unfortunate that our bodies don't always function correctly without help - that's why drug companies do the research in the first place.  My view is take what is needed to help you stay healthy.  End of story.
    • NicolaAnne1994
      NicolaAnne1994 loxie

      Posted

      I am insulin dependent! I never thought of it that way though! Thank you! I think I will defo mention it now!! Thanks again!biggrin
  • gillian176
    gillian176 NicolaAnne1994

    Posted

    Loxie is absolutely right....they really worked for me , and my  GP actually said well you could be a happy 70 yr old on them...I am 61- but after being on it 6 months, it took me a year to slowly come off them,my GP only wanted me on them short term but after a month free I could literally feel the anxiety returning. She had initially suggested st jons wort but I dismissed that..but not wanting to go back on cit started sjw about 6 weeks ago. 300 mg pm. Today I upped that to 300 mg BD because I knew I could be just  a bit better..tomorrow I am going to drop her a line and let her know what I have done...I don't have any real problems bar elderly parents, but  I know what you mean...am trying self help..getting up getting on doing the gym giving myself space..am good tonight but mornings can be low. I know I could go back to cit but you know there's something that I just can't accept, so am giving this a whirl..side effects / weight gain/ stigma! And yes I can understand the psychological addiction comment...I keep saying if am not right by day X I will go back on them ...but am prevaricating ...
    • loxie
      loxie gillian176

      Posted

      I'd never admit this to my doctor Gillian smile but age does come into play.  I'm 60 and my body naturally misbehaves - all the usual middle aged nasties of not sleeping as well as I used to, having to work harder at watching what I eat as my digestive system used to be invincible and now tells me big time if I've pigged out sad - waking with aches and pains in parts of the body I never knew I even had, etc etc.  All of which make life a little of an uphill struggle sometimes on top of what it throws at you anyhow.   I hope sjw helps for you, I have friends who swear by it - particularly those of our age who have to contend with the meany-pause on top of all the other stresses thrown at us.  I had an allergic reaction to it - much like a peanut allergy, so had to stop taking it which was sad as it has strong scientific evidence of being very effective for some people.  I do understand the feeling of not wanting to keep taking pills ad nauseum, I've never been happy at having to pop a pill then pop another one to counteract side effects, and so on.  I'm even loathe to take a paracetamol except when my arthritis is very bad and I have no option.  My partner now takes something like 8 different prescribed meds a day and he says he feels like he rattles at times but he's realised that he doesnt have a choice if he wants to stay relatively healthy and alive I guess.  Anyhow Gillian, keep strong and dont see it as procrastinating see it as making your own choices about your wellbeing and being decisive, which is a good thing.
  • mark2701
    mark2701 NicolaAnne1994

    Posted

    Hi Nicola I suffered from really bad depression last year and had to fly back to the UK as really wasnt looking after myself and when i went to the doctor they put me on a small dosage of citalopram. By around November I was feeling so much better and came of it as advised by my doctor. Later this year I fell back into the bad anxiety that lead me to been depressed again and have gone back on them. Theres no problems if you relapse, it might be worth staying on them for a longer period to see how you feel as my doctor mentioned that I might just need the small dosage to keep me up. 
    • NicolaAnne1994
      NicolaAnne1994 mark2701

      Posted

      Yeah I might do that then! Just worried they will send me for counselling which I really don't want!! 
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.