Should I or shouldn't I?

[vmhy]

I'm sitting here looking at the box of citralopram tablets my doctor gave me on Thursday thinking of another excuse not to start them. I'm just terrified of the consequences of a extended period on antidepressants - of course I've looked up all the side effects! Will they change the effectiveness of EMDR treatment when I restart that?

[Hidden]

Hi

I understand everything you are saying

I have meds anxiety , one look at a med & I have every side effect , especially as I am daft enough to read them

I no people that take them for other things , as I think they can be used for more than anxiety & because they are "normal " meaning don't suffer from anxiety they have not had any problems at all

I approach meds in a way that I say "I will take one today & tomorrow I have a choice "

That way I feel more in control & the fear seems less

This is with other meds I have to take

You could try them , & if you really feel they are giving you side effects you can stop them

I am not a doctor but as your GP , thinks its a good idea to take them & they no you will be having EMDR treatment , I wouldn't have thought they would have given them you if they had thought it would affect this

Someone who has or is taking this med might be able to say more when they see your blog

Love

whywhy

xxx

[Hidden]

I had citalopram for a long time and no bad results they were so helpful. I only had a fairly small dose but it kept me free of anxiety and panic. I only came off them because they can cause a low sodium in the bidy when on is elderly. My grandaughter is on them and has no problems . Best of luck cotonroad

[Hidden]

Hi I took citalopram years ago and I was fine on them and they really helped me. I tried them again last year and I didn't respond well so I was switched to mirtazapine and had no nasty side effects and found immediate relief so if citalopram doesnt suit maybe ask about mirtazapine. i have read that the withdrawal is much easier from mirt but im still on it so i cant say if its true. I have just been through emdr and I wouldn't have wanted to go through it without meds as its a tough therapy but its very effective. It's your choice and not knowing much about your situation it's hard to say what's best other than meds do act as a prop to help until you are in a position to go solo. take care love eve x

[Hidden]

Hi vmhy,

Its quite common for GP's to prescribe these, indeed my brother started them when his son was killed in a motor accident and his wife who is a district nurse, too.

The tablets have allowed them to carry on working, however looking at them both, 3 and a half years later, I dont see that there is an improvement in them.

Indeed a 30 yr marriage has been damaged beyond repair, and they both are shells of what was once two happy people. I do wonder if therapy had been their preferred course, how they would of been now.

I know it couldn't stop what had happenned but maybe could of allowed them both to move on, appreciating the time they had with their son, instead of always blaming themselves, and each other, for it, and not dealing with this horrendous thing.

Just to let you know I have never taken this drug, I have been prescribed it, lol, but never took it. I was on valium and xanax however, but stopped when I decided enough is enough, and started on the path to recovery.

The drug does suppress all that pain, but is it dealing with its cause,and allowing them to move on?

Personally if I was really wanting to face my anxiety and trauma, and felt I could keep off the drugs untill the EMDR got going again, that would be my choice, and indeed was. But its for each person to know theirselves, and whether that is possible in their circumstances. I had/have a loving wife, and she supported me through the beginning stages which was so helpfull.

I would ask your doctor to get you some councilling CBT etc. as well as the private EMDR though, as it all helps.

EMDR was the awakening call for me to start on the road to getting better, I did open up totally about my past trauma, and it was challenging, but I feel so much better now, its all out in the open.

In my daily routine, the things that were stopping me from doing what I wanted to do, are just not there anymore, I still have the challenge of working with my anxiety, but its just anxiety. Its not fuelled by the past, and that is manageable. Indeed I look forward to practicing each day

I did have some help also from a friend, who directed me from his treatment experience, (he is a therapist now) using all sorts of stuff, including saying positive things everyday. I would say to myself

"I am a worthy person, I can give and recieve love" and others.

This at first made me feel silly, as if I was telling myself I wasn't worthy, but as I did it more, it became easier, and started making me feel better towards myself., healthier. This, needing to be hard on myself was another area that needed sorting, also my need to do things perfectly, so I wouldn't be judged, even though I always was, lol.

Chip away at all these things GENTLY each day, and slowly but surely, things get better. And remember every action has an equal and opposite reaction,

i.e. if we do one positive thing, a negative will also occour, its how our minds work, but we are given strength when we do a positive thing, and that helps us when the negative rebound occours, and slowly but surely things get easier.

I do wish you well in your decision, and hope you can do what is right for you at this time.

Much love

B

xxxx

[jandeb007 in reply to Hidden]

May I just say, that if I was in vmhy`s position (thankfully at present I am not - although at times, I do have real anxiety, but that`s another matter) then I would feel greatly uplifted by your kind reply. You do hava a way with words, and after what you and your friend have been through - maybe you should think about doing some kind of therapy (training - to help others) as I just want to say a thank you myself for such an upbeat answer and being so open with others. Many thanks. Take care Jx

[jandeb007]

I cannot answer this one vmhy, but if the doctor recommends them, and also if you have taken unbiased advice, then in my mind, I would begin the course but note any changes in mood, etc. Good luck and take care. J