Help! Due to 3mths insomnia, GP wants me to change from citalopram to Sertraline
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi I've posted on here before about my ongoing insomnia, GP has suggested me changing from citalopram to Sertraline. Reduce 20mg to 10mg for a week, day off and then start Sertraline at 25mg. I'm not sure I can go through the terrible side effects again.
Has anyone else got any experience of switching or even staying on citalopram in the hope that the insomnia settles although GP seems to think it won't
Thanks everyone
0 likes, 6 replies
sara8798 Gerrymoo
Posted
Hi Gerrymoo, I am in the same position as you, my bloods are showing raised liver enzymes and doctor thinks it could possibly be the citalopram so he is weaning me off and hoping to put me on sertaline if my bloods return to normal. I went down to 10mg from 20mg nearly 2 weeks ago and been on 10mg every other day since last Monday. I also have the same concerns as you about going on a different AD and feeling heightened anxiety at the start, but in the long run if it's going to help my anxiety I'm willing to try
Sara x
Gerrymoo sara8798
Posted
Hi sarah, how have you been whilst weaning off and how long have you been on citalopram for? It's awful the prospect of going through it again but there again might be OK!
Let me know how you get on, I'm still thinking about it.
sara8798 Gerrymoo
Posted
I was on citalopram for 8 years and came off in May. Have now been back on for 7 weeks. Haven't found weaning off to bad to be honest, not as bad as increasing. HAVE another week of 10mg every other day and then nome from next Monday. Will keep in touch, and update you, will be good to hear what you decide.
Citaloman Gerrymoo
Posted
Hi Gerrymoo,
I went through exactly the same. Although at first, started on 20mg citalopram, I was wiped out for weeks on end, just so very tired, it was like total sedation. After that passed then the insomnia came, I could go for weeks without any sleep. I don't know how I functioned. It did pass and I gradually got more and more proper nights sleep. I'm currently in wirhdrawl using the citalopram drops over a year....this is because of so many gp's are totally unaware of how powerful citalopram is and just how dificult it is to withdraw. They normally say 20,10,20,10 for a week then 10,10,10 for another week. This may work if you have only been on for a few months, but after a year or more, a very, very gradual withdrawl is necessary. It was on msm last week the the government is to set up a helpline for the tens of thousand of people stuck on powerful presrcibed drugs and their gps have no idea how to help them succesfully withdraw.
fe44954 Gerrymoo
Posted
My insomnia has passed. I can sleep loads. Sertraline has a really bad side effect of sweating . I mean sweat under your breasts, your face, your head, your neck. Lasts for hours at a time.your always boiling. It got unbearable for me. I find citralopram are ok but I'm getting headaches again. It's hard always swapping one for another. I'm in 30 my of citralopram and hoping my stress headaches eventually go or it's back to unbearable sweating I don't no what's worse. Headaches or sweets. Good luck
Gerrymoo fe44954
Posted
That doesn't sound pleasant- sweating. How long have you been on citalopram for?