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When should u switch anti depressants

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philis63315
philis63315

Hi can anyone advise . Iv been on citalopram 40mg for nearly six weeks. My dose was was increased from 10mg-40mg over a week and a half in the early stages. I had terrible side affects but after the third week I felt an enormous change although not completely 100% I cld do tasks I couldn't and had some real optimism about my situation again. A week later and ever since iv began to feel anxious and very down about my progress the optimism and energy I had seems to b fading I'm waking very early due to anxiety about never getting out of this situation. It's making me question whether citalopram is working and should I move onto to another type of ssri or  is it me failing to accept that nothing is a miracle cute and it's still early days so feeling ups and downs r normal at this stage. I'm very frightened of going backwards and I have a family who need me to get better for all our sakes.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • alan0
    alan0 philis63315

    Posted

    Hi philis,

    I have been on antidepressants for anxiety and mild depression for about 6 years. I am now in the process of weaning myself off....whole other ball game, but so far so good. It is still early stages for the meds to work to full affect and for you to get familier with how they make you feel.Try to go about your day as normal and help the meds as much as you can with light excercise and socialising if your up to to it. I had very bad experiences at first with the meds but it does settle down and you get used to how they make you feel and it just becomes the norm. They do work, however some people experience side affects like me. Int side effects were fatigue and headaches so if you do experience side effects you have to weigh up the pros and cons. For me it was worth it to get me over a difficult time and to gain back my life and perspective. Not everyone experiences side effects as people experience these meds different. I was never on your medication but have tried a few over the years and is worth it to experiment to fond the right one. In my opinion tho I would give these a few more weeks until your body and brain get used to antidepressants in general because this will also make the transition to another one more easy, should you decide to try one. I am coming off sertraline that made me very tired and possible headaches (am not sure the headaches were a side effect yet). However my all time favourite should I have to choose one is Lexapro, but like I said everyone experiences are different and what works for one might not work for another.

    Sorry about the essay there and the spelling but am not in an ideal position at the moment to write this.

    Hang tight and I would expect things to calm down real soon. Your body and brain are just going through an adjustment.

    I wish you well and use this forum for support. I wish I had it when I first started my journey.

    Alan

    • philis63315
      philis63315 alan0

      Posted

      Hi thanx for ur feedback. I am doing much better than 3 weeks ago my doc said it's like the anxiety has considerably decreased but the depression is still there and due to hormonal changes (monthly cycle) I may b feeling their negative effects as opposed to going backwards. She said 8 weeks is usually wen an assessment wld b made as to whether a different anti depressant wld b better. I'm just frustrated and scared it's such a horrible thing to go through and although there may b help and support ur all alone with coping daily with this issue. Im also scared that if I have to change tabs there wld b a horrible dipping period where I literally cldnt eat ,sleep, rest etc. So in short I'm putting a lot of pressure on the citalopram working and hoping to feel the effects soon. 
  • kim86725
    kim86725 philis63315

    Posted

     Hi Phillis, I've never taken the drug you are on but I would go back to your Doctor and ask him what you should do. That being said, 6 wks. on it you should start to feel better, maybe not completely but some better. There are so many different ones out and everyone of these drugs work differently for everyone of us. Good luck and keep us posted. 
  • alan0
    alan0 philis63315

    Posted

    Hi philis,

    I understand exactly how you are feeling as do many here. The supports are there but you can still feel very alone as it is YOU that is having all these feelings and worries about this new  transition. One of my favourite sayings in times of distress is " this too shall pass"....and it will!!!! It might very well be something to do with your monthly cycle and it is possible you might have to change the meds ( Or not). In my experience and my understanding is that the first time you use SSRI meds is the most difficult and changing is not so bad if you need it.

    I hope things calm down for you soon, which am sure they will.

    Best wishes,

    Alan

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