I am an idiot, ran out of citalopram now going cold turkey and going mad!

[sweetkitty]

That's it really last week thought I had another packet, I didn't, was supposed to go get a repeat prescription every day last week and haven't done, I'm a complete idiot.

Now I'm a week in cold turkey and going mad, I'm emotional, weepy, stressed, feel like my head is going to explode, feel dizzy, uncomfortable in my own body, confused, stressed I'm a complete mess really.

To make matters worse I have an important college interview on Friday, do I try and get a repeat prescription on mon it'll take 48 hours or do I ride it out and hope for the best?

I've also got a cold so am feeling really bad. I want to cry so much.

[HumphreyCobbler]

I would make a doctor's appointment on monday and get it prescribed immediately. Or go to the Out of Hours - they say not to stop without medical advice, don't they?

remember there is nothing dangerous happening to you though, it is deeply unpleasant.

[HumphreyCobbler]

sorry, posted too soon. Hang on in there.

[lemisscared]

phone the ooh dr and they should prescribe.

[itiswhatitiswhatitis]

Go to OOH and get a prescription.

[sweetkitty]

Yes suddenly stopping is very bad especially from the 40mg I was on. I know all this and I've let it happen

[HumphreyCobbler]

It is easily done, don't beat yourself up.

[HermioneDanger]

Your OOH should be able to prescribe it for you after a telephone consultation and fax it to a pharmacy. Failing that call the surgery on Monday and ask for the repeat to be done the same day. They will make an exception if you need them to (they just don't like to admit it or everyone would leave things to the last minute every time).

Hang on in there, it will get sorted soon.

[sweetkitty]

I can't go to OOH tomorrow have planned a day out for DD2s birthday can't let her down, Monday is difficult as well, this is the thing I'm so busy can't find time for anything :( got serious prep to do for this interview I've been waiting 2 years for this chance

[HumphreyCobbler]

You need to prioritise the pills on monday to enable you to get everything else done. Once that has clicked into place the rest of the week will be ok.

It is a horrible feeling, I know. Been there.

[plinkyplonks]

sweetkitty - Please make some time for your health this weekend. I've seen family members go cold turkey on anti depressants and it's never ended well. You have to put your health first. If in doubt, call 111 and see if they can organise an OOH visit for you, I know it can take a little time - but your health is 100% the most important thing right now. The rest of the stuff from your post can wait and you won't be letting anyone down. x

[sweetkitty]

I've taken some diazepam tonight to see if it'll take the edge off and let me sleep, I've been a horrible shouty monster all week too.

Will it be ok to take 40mg tablet after a weeks break will it not set me back to the start so to speak?

[notonyourninny]

Look it happens please try ooh tonight or tomorrow. Failing thatsee gp
On monday and get script asap.

[onlyfortonight]

You can go to the pharmacy that you normally get your repeat prescription from and ask them to fill a new prescription in an emergency. I have had to do this for amitriptyline and the pharmacist was really helpful.

See this link:
www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1011.aspx?CategoryID=73

[ArabellaStrange]

If your really stuck, the pharmacy you normally go to should be able to get a script phoned through from your surgery. Will probably be just seven days worth or so, enough to tide you over until you can get the repeat form in.
As to the week (?) Off and then straight back onto 40 mg, I have no idea what the implications are but a quick google or a chat with your pharmacist should tell you.
Good luck x

[lemisscared]

it has quite a long half life. Where abouts are you?

[sweetkitty]

Scotland

[lemisscared]

oh it was a long shot but i have two packets of 20mg as ive changed to a different drug. i doubt i could be further away in the south east though :(.

[sweetkitty]

Right I'll get something sorted Monday feel like such a complete idiot, I know not to just stop taking it so why didn't I sort it out last week argh!!!

[ArabellaStrange]

One day I will tell about the time I forgot to take my meds on holiday with me. Wasn't abroad, thank goodness but did lose a good day to travelling to the nearest hospital in order to get sorted.
Not fun times!

[NiceCupOfTeaAndALittleSitDown]

Don't beat yourself up Sweetkitten but do get it sorted as soon as you can, and accept that what you are feeling is withdrawal from the drug. I tried to cut down too quickly and felt awful for weeks.

If you had side effects when you started taking them initially then be prepared for them again. When I upped my dose I had them all over again.

My problem with repeat prescriptions is I forget when they are due so I have the chemist do a repeat through my GP - is this something you could do?

[sweetkitty]

Thanks I feel terrible this morning but I have a heavy cold so it may be that, had an ok sleep but DP woke me up at before 7 as he has gone out for a run and DS who is 4 was up, he was a nasty git to me. Apparently I am lazy and should get out of bed (7am on a Sun morning) I could strangle him, when I said I was having withdrawals "what from your on so many drugs I've lost track!" I take citalopram 40mg, Cerazette mini pill and a multivitamin a day. I also have migraines a lot so will take meds if I need them. He has never understood my anxiety/depression and says he has never had a headache and migraines don't last 3 days as no one he knows at work has a 3 day migraine. Oh how I would love him to have a 3 day migraine, to have flashing lights/double vision/be sick/have pins and needles down his arm/throbbing headache the works I really would.

Anyway I digress tomorrow morning I will go to GPs after school run and beg for a prescription. It's DD2s birthday too I need to make a cake today and all I want to do is stay in bed! And I've got a cinema lunch treat to take her to as well.

[Springcleanish]

Don't wait until Monday, phone OOH today, do it now, they will help you get a prescription. The longer you leave it the worse the withdrawal and the harder it is to motivate yourself to get them. This is one of the key symptoms of depression, that everyday tasks like phoning the doctor, take on a difficulty of their own. I hope you get your meds soon.

[EskiDecaff]

I've done this and the 24 hour chemist have me a weeks worth, just phone them and ask it won't take five
minutes. You'll feel much better

[sweetkitty]

I could maybe have a look to see if the chemist is open, I honestly don't have the time to phone NHS24, get an appt, drive to the hospital and wait then find a chemist. Then my DP would go mad that I'm having to do this as its wasting time and he doesn't bloody believe that I need them and that I'm having withdrawal symptoms, it's not worth the hassle plus I've got everything with DD2s birthday to sort out.

I know what you mean about things being hard when your depressed even having a shower has been so difficult this week

[TheCowThatLaughs]

Sorry I don't have any advice re your meds, but your dp sounds really horrible, he can't be helping your mood at all