Citalopram

[Tree-hugger]

Hi everyone

Looking for some answers if possible. I have been on the above medication twice for depression and on 40mg. My GP had suggested to stay on them for 3 years and may have to consider them for life.

Has anyone had the same advice?

[Hidden]

Hi tree hugger Iam on 40mg propanol and 40mg citalopram which keeps the darkness away . The GP plan is to stabilise me then see if we can reduce med once I'm in a better place .due to depression and anxiety bouts I have been taking tabs for three years . You and your GP need to talk as to why you would need citalopram for the rest of your life . A second opinion may be needied. Do hope this helps . Take care Ian

[David196]

Hi.

One of my counselors informed me that it is usually accepted that once you have a few episodes of depression you may be stuck with it for life. This seems to be supported on the internet research i did. I think that was something I found tough to accept but eventually took the approach "Whatever I've got, I'm going to manage it and try to master it for however long I've got it."

I have recently come off Citalopram after taking them continuously for two years at 30mg. I had taken them previously for depression but went back on after my circumstances changed.

I am doing great off them now. I still feel very anxious at times, but feel happier and more at ease most of the time. There are still lots of triggers and challenges around for me so i feel i am coping better.

This is probably down to me getting more exercise, practicing a little mindfulness and using some CBT tips a counselor helped me with. I chat with a few friends now too which I have avoided for years. (the chat mostly, not the friends)

I have had depression for over ten years and tried to manage it with drugs and counselling. Both have helped.

Citalopram did help a lot. I remember a real change in mood and coping ability a few weeks after I started taking them. This also helped me recognise that it is an illness that can be treated and not just me with an inability to cope.

After a year or so I tried reducing my dose after requesting advice from my GP.

I didn't do well on lower doses so stayed on 30.

In Jan this year I asked about changing meds as I was still feeling the effects of depression regularly and having suicidal thoughts. The side effects of Citalopram affect people differently but I couldn't tell if I was still anxious and depressed or just having bad side effects.

My GP advised trying to up the dose to 40mg in case I just needed a boost. This made everything much worse. Very low mood, lots of time in bed and more suicidal thoughts every day.

Because of contraindications with other medication for depression i needed to come off citalopram altogether before starting a new drug.

It was a tough few weeks, the recommendations say to come off slowly but i reduced my dose by 10mg every 10 days or so, depending on the work i had to do because i knew the drug was affecting me badly.

Six weeks later i felt great, my wife was commenting I was more like my old self again and i was coping fine without any medication. I have not started taking any other medication.

I am enjoying myself again and wake up feeling positive most days and ready for challenges on others.

I still have mental health issues with anxiety and depression but i am doing well without drugs. They did help get me here.

It's a long answer to your question, thanks for the prompt to share my experience. I suppose I am offering a perspective on citalopram.

In short, it has helped but i needed to come off it when it wasn't helping any more. I wish i had done that earlier.

Watch out for side effects and manage your condition with other ways to support wellbeing and mental health.

Good luck

Regards

Dave

[dillydally1]

hi, yes I have had the same advice. been on citalopram 20mg for at least 10-15 years. no side effects as I know, recently had a bad time with pain so was upped to 40mg 3 months ago. hope all works out for you. your gp may lower your dose as you improve x

[LucyKris]

Just been switched to this med so re assuring to see most has been positive experience, how long do they generally take to kick in?

Thanks

Lucy