Sertraline or Citalopram - what have been your experiences.

[Gottotrysomething]

After decades of suffering from awful debilitating daily anxiety and all day IBS (which seem to feed off each other), I have just about come to the end of my rope with it all and need help.
Alongside this and other things going on in my life (child with school refusal and parent with Alzheimer’s) I really am close to breaking.
I hate taking medication as I am so sensitive to them and because most meds make my IBS worse. I just can not function with a poorly gut. So I have been limping along trying special diets, exercise, meditation, hypnotherapy etc etc, you name it, I have tried it but nothing is helping…..nothing.
I know I need to go on antidepressants or some kind of anti anxiety med.
I have tried Nortriptyline and although they did help, I felt extremely drowsy on them and upon researching I have found reports stating these drugs can potentially cause dementia. Having to watch a parent suffer with Alzheimer’s, this is a huge fear of mine and I just don’t want to take the risk, however small (or big) that risk may be.
So my psychiatrist has said Sertraline or Citalopram are really my best options.
However, I know several people on Sertraline and although they do not have IBS or gut issues like I have, they all suffered from a bad tummy for a while whilst adjusting to the meds. I notice that nausea, diarrhoea etc are also one of the top side effects listed.
I just can not take anything which will exacerbate my already awful gut issues, I know it will make my anxiety a million times worse, it’s such a vicious cycle.

So can I ask you what your experiences of either of these drugs were for you? Did you get a bad tummy?
Have they helped you live a ‘normal’ life?

I take Fluoxetine and they don’t mess with my stomach (Crohn’s disease). Citalopram and sertraline didn’t work for me but I can’t remember if they effected my gut.

good probiotics really help me.

I’ve had both. Currently on citalopram. I also have IBS (which adds to anxiety if I’m out and about!)

when starting I took my tablets before bed in cause of nausea/stomach upset. I was fine. You’ll feel more anxious for first couple of days but it settles down.

I control my IBS through diet. No sugar/low carbs and avoid certain sweeteners (check out FODMAP). I take OTC codeine/paracetamol for occasional flare ups .

My anxiety (and IBS as I do think it’s exacerbated by anxiety) is heaps better and I’m so grateful for my meds.

Sertraline upset my stomach, Citalopram gave me the sweats and stopped me sleeping. I’m now on Mirtazapine 15mg but I just feel half asleep the whole time.

I started Citalopram a few weeks ago. I had one night of a few stomach pains and felt a bit sick. Have had nothing at all since. I make sure I take them on a full stomach.

I take Sertraline - I have Crohn's but didn't have any issues. I nie have a stoma, still take Sertraline and no issues.

I know three people whose anxiety was well controlled by Citalopram. Two still take it and one has weaned off of it and is doing well. None of them had any stomach problems.

Thanks UpUpUpU I have wondered why they have never suggested anything like fluoxetine. I have a gp appointment coming up and will ask. I have experimented with various probiotics but haven’t had much luck sadly.
mintbiscuit it’s encouraging to hear Citalopram is helping you, tbh it’s my preferred one out of the two so maybe I should give it a go. They did suggest halving it and taking it very slowly to start so I may do that. I am already low fodmap and avoid all my known triggers but sadly still having daily issues, I think my anxiety is feeding it if I’m honest with myself.
Groutyonehereagain I have tried Zispin which I believe it’s mirtazipine, it sent my loopy!
That’s good to know Inmy40, thanks
Thanks Timeforchangeithink, that’s reassuring.
GabrielleLegs If I go for it, I think Citalopram will be my first choice, thanks for that.

I took sertraline very successfully for depression with no issues at all other than a bit of jerky legs while sleeping now and again. I have a bowel issue (similar to IBD) and it didn't cause me any GI trouble.

I did take citalopram briefly about 20 years ago and I found it absolutely horrible - I was literally stuck on the toilet and leaving over the bath to vomit at the same time by the point I stopped. That said, it might have improved but I only lasted 2 weeks. I would just say try whichever is recommended and see how you get on. I suspect it's very individual.

I also weaned myself off sertraline with no issues at all when I was ready.

I’ve had both. I was in citalopram for years, eventually weaned off it (after many, many failed attempts and suffering debilitating ‘discontinuation’ I.e withdrawal symptoms) then went on to Sertraline when PND struck.

both gave me stomach problems. The citalopram gave me upper Gastro pain and reflux, the Sertraline gave me more lower tummy problems. I’ve experienced night sweats with both. Sertraline was vastly superior to citalopram in terms of anxiety, especially any sort of social anxiety.

Have you tried propranolol? Lots of people take this for anxiety and it’s not an SSRI, so no issues with ‘discontinuation’. IMHO SSRI’s should be a last resort. They are so fucking hard to get off of and we just don’t know the effects of them long term.

Icannoteven tbh I really, really do not want to go on any antidepressants but I have just been so very bad recently and nothing I try helps I am getting desperate to feel well again but I am also so very frightened of suffering any additional gut issues as I barely function now, I couldn’t cope with any extra issues which is why I’ve put them off for so many years. I have seen many on MN say beta blockers have helped them but in all the years I have been back and forth to see various GPs regarding my anxiety and tummy issues, not one has suggested anything like propranolol. I have an appointment next month, I will ask about them then.