To stop medication without telling dr

[pleasenomorebing]

Shamelessly posting here for traffic

Title is a bit misleading but didn't know how to word it. I was prescribed 20mg of citalopram daily last June due to anxiety with panic attacks. They advised I would usually have options of counselling etc prior to medication but all on hold due to covid. So medication was my only option really which I accepted as was desperate to stop my daily debilitating panic attacks.

Work was my main source of anxiety. I have since changed job roles to something far better suited and am working from home which makes me feel so much more comfortable. I had also been struggling as I had just gone back to work after maternity when covid struck and I had to work on site then go back to my DD which I found so worrying.

Fast forward to now, I am in a much better place mentally which I credit more to the change of work situation and feeling more in control. I decoded back in Jan that I wanted to come off my medication? I wanted to speak to the DR about coming off my meds, but was unable to get an appointment to speak to Dr any time soon at that point. I decided to start taking my tablets every other day, after a while I lessened it again. I now haven't taken a tablet in over four weeks, no longer suffering from withdrawal or anything and all symptoms were quite weak as I lessened the doses so slowly.

I am yet to speak to the Dr about it, I phoned them today but was told no appointments available so need to try again tomorrow. My question is, do I come clean and say I've stopped the tablets completely and face the judgement of an annoyed Dr (I'm a total wuss and am scared of being told off!) or do I say I want to come off them? Any advice for what to say would be much appreciated, feel like I need a script 😂

[pleasenomorebing]

Thank you so much to all of you for taking the time to read and respond to my post. I can see now that notifying the doctor is more of a formality which is fantastic news as I have been dreading a slap on the wrist 😂 Coming off the meds wasn't something I took lightly, I found that due to my situation being better, I felt so much more positive. All the medicstion did for me was stop the panic attacks and the physical aspects of my anxiety, I still felt anxious if that makes sense? I did however feel a little 'numb' emotionally, no idea how to explain it but certainly wasn't feeling myself. It's only been five weeks since I stopped taking them but I feel better than I have in years and I'm hoping they'll be out of my system by now. Thank you so much for your advice everyone! I will phone tomorrow and just ask the receptionist to put it on my file, I have already cancelled the precriptoon with the pharmacy.

[Sparklingbrook]

I didn't tell my GP either, I came off Citalopram but it took me 2 goes. She still doesn't know because I've not been for a couple of years but I'll tell her when I next go, I think she'll be pleased.

[TestingTestingWonTooFree]

And it’s fine, glad you didn’t go cold turkey.

[TestingTestingWonTooFree]

Email/write in to explain what you’ve done. Keep it factual.

[Changechangychange]

Why would the doctor mind? They definitely aren’t going to tell you off. Just let them know next time you are in there.

[Viviennemary]

If you are determined to stop the medication and are aware of possible downsides to doing this you don't need to tell the doctor. But be prepared for them to be less than sympathetic if if turns out to be a bad decision. But I agree it would be better if you try and get a telephone appointment.

[Daphnise]

If my doctor ever gave appointments they'd say it was a waste of time you having one!

Just tell them when you next see them- which may be not for a very long while!

And I hope all goes well.

[U2HasTheEdge]

I am weaning off Sertraline.

My GP doesn't know. They will find out when they realise I am no longer ordering them, or when I have my next med review, or go in for an appointment.

[MargaretThursday]

Send them an email or ask the receptionists to pass a message on to make a note in your medical file. That's all that's needed.

[tiredteacher100]

Well done for sorting this out yourself! But I'm pretty gobsmacked you are not able to get a doctor's appointment even by phone! GPs shouldn't be restricting appointments to emergency only - I've had phone consultations with my doctor that aren't considered emergency, as well as two non urgent hospital referrals since lockdown started

[HikeForward]

You tapered off them sensibly rather than stopping suddenly, you feel better, most doctors will be fine with that. I’ve done the same with SSRIs.

[pleasenomorebing]

Thank you so much for such quick responses. You've definitely stopped me worrying. I know you're not meant to stop meds without a doctor's advice but it's all been emergency only so I had to take matters into my own hands. I will call again tomorrow and just ask that it be noted on my file, I already cancelled the repeat precsription with the pharmacy. Thank you for your kindness all, I do feel proud that I'm in such a better place now and feel amazing being off the tablets! Back to my old self pre panic attacks 🥰

[sunflowersandbuttercups]

I've done it every time I've been prescribed anti-depressants - both citalopram and sertraline.

It's fine. You don't need their permission to stop.

[Tal45]

Tell the truth - if they don't like it tell them they need to have more availability then because you had no choice but to do it yourself because they weren't bloody available. Don't over think it, you've done really well, your job sounds great for you and the doctors will have bigger problems to deal with (but may be obliged to tell you that it's not advisable to stop without speaking to someone).

Well done you for getting yourself in a much better place without any counselling to help you, you should be very proud x

[MissConductUS]

You were fortunate not to have worse withdrawal symptoms. Just ring the office, speak to a nurse and ask that it be noted in your chart that you've discontinued it.

[Purplewithred]

Good grief, you've taken very sensible control of your own health with an excellent result. I would imagine the doctor will be delighted. Well done.

[Cindersrellie]

It's ok, you don't need to tell them. You can just mention it next time you're in.