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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Sertaline and Citalopram - advice please

16 replies

Anony12341 · 13/09/2022 13:29

I’ve decided to take medication as I’m getting worse year on year. Counselling has not worked. I’ve felt like this for nearly 25 years. Spoke to my doctor today but was no help. I found her cold and dismissive. I’m wondering if anyone can advise me on here before I book another appointment with a different doctor.

I took sertaraline a year ago but stopped after 10 days as I was shaking and could not function. I had a one year old yo look after plus older kids do I stopped it. I was on the lowest dose possible. Have others experienced the same? I want to now talk to doctor about Citalopram. I’ve heard it’s better, is this true?

OP posts:

mangoontoast · 13/09/2022 13:31

Different meds have different effects on different people I'm afraid. The side effects generally only last a few weeks so you have to persevere. There is another on btw, Fluoxetine. It's the one I get on best with.

CocoPlum · 13/09/2022 13:35

I absolutely bloody love sertraline qnd have been on it for 13 years. The only side effects I've had occurred when I tried to lower my dose/missed a couple.

Do try an alternative. The side effects can be yucky for the first few weeks but if you can push through to see if it's the right medication for you it will be worth it, you're clearly struggling. I'm so sorry you've felt like this for so long.

Nagado · 13/09/2022 13:38

I’m on Fluoxetine which works best for me. I didn’t get on with Citalopram at all and gradually came off after six months with the advice of my gp. Essentially, you never know what side effects you’ll suffer with (if any at all) until you’re taking them. And then you could have them for three weeks and never suffer those effects again.

girlfriend44 · 13/09/2022 13:39

You have to persevere with any anti depressants and they can take a while to work.

SecondsAreTheBest · 13/09/2022 13:41

You just have to try them..it's impossible to say which anti depressant will work well for you. Sertraline pulled me out of the depths of a decade long depression but it also gave me terrible and serious mood swings (hypomanic during the day, suicidal at night). Personally I was very happy with Citalopram but who knows what will work for you. If you've tried sertraline I'd give Citalopram a shot now.

Largethighsbadeyes · 13/09/2022 13:43

Sertraline was much better for me than citralopram but everyone is different and unfortunately you will have side effects for the first 2 weeks ish with either of them and you do just have to push through

Sunnyqueen · 13/09/2022 13:48

Citalopram gave me psychosis and sertraline was great in the sense I was hypomanic for months but it did eventually tip over in to full blown mania with psychosis. It's just different for everyone, trial and error with mental health meds. I'm on the 16th and 17th ones I've tried and I'm best I've been in tears but it's taken literal years to get there.

goldfinchonthelawn · 13/09/2022 13:52

Totally anecdotal but the friends I know who really liked sertraline had anxiety-based depression.

I loved Citalopram at first. I had the kind of depression that is like a computer freeze. I just shut down and couldn't do anything - eat, move, talk etc. There were raging (not schizoid) voices in my head constantly telling me how useless I was. Citalopram silenced them. It was bliss and I felt normal for the first time in years. but for other people it doesn't work at all.

Long term, I think most anti-depressants can end up causing side-effect complications, but to have 6 months to a year of them to stablise and get a grip on what normal life is like, it's worth trying a few to get the right one.

Can you see a different GP in the surgery and ask reception if there is someone who specialises in mental health?

Eselch · 13/09/2022 13:57

Im on day 10 of starting citalopram and I can honestly say I am in absolute hell. I feel worse than ever and my anxiety and physical symptoms are absolutely shocking.

I’m just trying to power through and hope it gets better, as I’ve read that it can get much worse before you see an improvement…

Notsoyummymummy2 · 13/09/2022 14:00

I really feel for you. I’ve just started sertraline again after years of starting and giving up due to the physical side effects. I am now 14 days in and can absolutely say I feel better mentally. I still have some side effects (mainly nausea and dizziness) but the worst of it was over in 10 days. I really had to tell myself to power through this time, and although I felt physically horrendous for the first 10 days, I’m so glad I did xxx

mamabear715 · 13/09/2022 14:00

Citalopram fan here. Been on it donkey's years but have cut back from 60 to 15 now. It makes me feel NORMAL. DD & DS are on sertraline & that works for them (both ASD / OCD.) Sertraline seems to be the go-to drug from GP's since the heart scare thing with citalopram, but agree with PP's, it's tria & error with what will work best for you. Good luck!

goldfinchonthelawn · 13/09/2022 14:07

Like @mamabear715 I felt normal on Citalopram and it was such a refreshing feeling. But too long on it turned me into an overweight zombie. It can create overwhelming carb cravings.

CombatBarbie · 13/09/2022 14:15

Eselch · 13/09/2022 13:57

Im on day 10 of starting citalopram and I can honestly say I am in absolute hell. I feel worse than ever and my anxiety and physical symptoms are absolutely shocking.

I’m just trying to power through and hope it gets better, as I’ve read that it can get much worse before you see an improvement…

Day 10 is said to be the worst on any Anti depressant, hang in there!!

OP they take a few weeks to fully get into your system. Unfortunately you need to hit the bottom of the mental hole before you can start climbing up. It's horrible, but it does get better.

Some meds work/don't work, it's finding what works for you. I went through 4 different ones before settling with Venlafaxine.

Jen222jp · 30/12/2024 01:32

I have been o Citalopram for 15 yrs .I find it is great for depression,. But leaves you with no motivation to get any tasks don e .I'ike de-cluttering, I know Sertraline has some dopamine for reward pathway, Does this make it more motivating,or am
I on a hiding to nothing Be grateful for a reply.

bridgetreilly · 30/12/2024 01:55

For me, citalopram has been a lifesaver. 14 days of awfulness at the start and then I was suddenly myself again. Have been on and off them for 15 years now and am incredibly grateful that it exists.

MrsPSwayze · 30/12/2024 02:06

The thing about antidepressants is that they work and react differently for everyone and unfortunately it’s trial and error to find one that is a) effective and b) minimal negative side effects.

I tried citalopram, fluoxetine and another I can’t remember the name of - no real negative side effects but no noticeable impact on my mood. Mirtazipine was life changing, it probably saved my life but the weight gain side effect was so bad, I gained soooo much weight in the year I was on it. My doctor moved me to agomelatine, I have no side effects and it is effective.

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