Citalopram advice please.

For years I have been using escitalopram. I phoned my gp to change the dosage (I had been trying 5mg and wanted to go back to 10mg) and they said they don't prescribe it at their surgery (even though I was prescribed it before) and have now put me on 20mg of Citalopram.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Plus whats the difference. The doc said it's only the way the drug work but the out put should be the same.

Thanks

[LJBuckley]

Hey!

I have been on citalopram before for anxiety but not had this expereince. it seems really odd to only presscribe 5 or 20 and actually quite dangerous to give someone higher dosage than needed.

I know they are small but maybe you could cut the 20mg tablets in half. also just wodnering if you are experiencing some withdrawal symptoms when being reduced to the 5mg as opposed to your anxiety coming back (although sure the doc explored this with you). Withdrawl can be quite bad and very similar to the actual anxiety/depression symptoms.

Good luck x

[seyi]

Hi I am starting a course of Citalopram although i am not a fan of taking tablets but this is to control the anxiety and panic attacks. Its suppose to be a small dose 10mg. I want to control the anxiety etc but sacred of the side affects and coming off them. Are they addictive? Please let me know LJBuckley.

Thanks hope you both have a good day

Hugs Seyi x

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The doc and med advice boards say 10mg of escitalopram is equal to 20mg of citalopram. Will keep you posted with results. I don't know if they are addictive because i have been on them for years.

When i took 5mg i felt my anxiety levels go up but didn't help I was in a stressful job at the time.

Thanks for replys.

[imavail9]

attn. oldhand; the med. u r on is prescribed for deppression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder. depression pills take 6 to 8 weeks to completely get in your system. there is no guarantee that it will work. i tried at least 5 diff. depressed pills before i felt normal, i was on celexa which is the generic name of your pill. also tried serequel, paxil, zoloft, and a couple of others. if your pill or pills are not working tell your doc. you know your body more than they do so speak up. there are alot of diff. meds out there to help you, you will find one that works. ask for an anxiety or muscle relaxer to get u by till your depression pill kicks in. as for addictive yes some are, but who cares when your suffering. you can always be weined off of them a little bit at a time, REMEMBER ITS YOUR BODY NOT HIS OR HERS.

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Ok thank you.

[anxiouslyyours]

Citalopram is a very widely used anti-depressant med for Anxiety/Depressive symptoms I have taken it at various doses from 20mg - 40mg for several years now as I suffer from both Anxiety and depression often just anxiety but also accompanied by the depression also when its severe!. You may find in the 1st few weeks of taking this med that you feel more anxious and also you cannot sleep as I have experienced and I know others who have experienced this also. This should pass in a few weeks and you will gradually start to feel somewhat better depending on what is causing your anxiety you may need some therapy to help you examine your thoughts and feelings - seek out Cognitive Behavoural Therapy if its available in your area. MIndfulness is also indicated as being of help depends alot on how you are and whats causing your anxiety but I have found that there are no rights and wrongs you learn what is best for you we are all different but we can be very alike in that we all have certain insecurities and personal fears/foibles that we worry about I like to think of Anxiety as being worry out of proportion to the situation as one is unable to rationalise or put things into perspective. GPs do not know enough about Anxiety/Depression/Phobias unless you find one who can empathise as they have experienced something of this illness themselves - and they more often do not know where the help is either - I have always had to seek out help myself - I live in Leeds and Leeds MInd are extremely good they have self help therapy activities/programmes you may have a MInd branch nearby but trawl the internet for self help also - it is out there.- connect with others we can help each other as you can see from this BLOG you are not alone or in a minority Anxiety does affect an awful lot of people - anxiouslyyours