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Citalopram to escitalopram

3 replies

MsFanackerPants · 20/07/2012 18:18

Has anybody switched from the first to the second? Care to share their experience of the switch or just what being on escitalopram is like?
I have a Loooong history of depression and after a total falling apart last year have managed to scrape myself together, go back to work etc.

However, the last month or so, the black dog is currently biting my arse quite hard and dragging me back down. I'm just about functioning enough to work but it's getting tougher. Combined with little interest in things I normally love, crappy concentration and generally feeling like poo, it's not making for a great time.
I've been on citalopram 40mg for over a year, plus diazepam when needed. I've had horrible side effects from zopiclone and now come off it with resulting rebound insomnia.

I have to withdraw the citalopram before I can start the new drug. So the withdrawal which in the past has taken me four months is going to be done in about 10-15 days. I'm down to 20mg but think I need to go back to 30 as the withdrawal side effects are pretty intense after two days of half dose.

Anybody able to hand hold, cwtch or otherwise reassure me I'll manage the next two weeks and that it might indeed be worth it?

OP posts:
accidentalchickenkeeper · 20/07/2012 19:28

Hi. I have been taking escitalopram for just over 18 months now. It has worked wonders for me. No real side effects apart from a bit of weight gain which I could blame on the ad or maybe middle aged spread or maybe just too much cake Smile
Never tried citalopram though so I'm afraid I don't know about that.

Ask me anything you like and if I can answer I willSmile

MsFanackerPants · 24/07/2012 01:23

Just to update in case anybody is reading. Today I ended up in A&E because I felt suicidal. On-call psych was mystified why the doc had made me start reducing a medication when I was clearly very depressed. I'm being prescribed venlafaxine instead.

If anybody's GP suggests a rapid dose reduction when you're already scoring high on the PHQ9, do question that please.

OP posts:
PerryCombover · 24/07/2012 01:33

I take 225.mg of venlaflaxine
Very comprehensively good anti d.
Good luck with it, it has made an absolute world of difference to me

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