Going to the doctor today to ask to change anti depressents, does this sound ok?

[Used2bthin]

Basically I have gained a lot of weight on citalopram. They have really helped me in other ways and I look back own how I felt before them and it scares me that I could feel like that again. Bt the weight gain is horrible and one of my issues is body image and its got me down so much I am feeling quite depressed, not wanting to see people, old thoughts creeping back in etc.

That's really the main issue for me, I really hope the GP won't just think I need them upping or to come off them? I've been on the, around four months so don't think I should come off them yet but apparently four to six months is the minimum to be on them? I would really like to try Prozac instead I think or anything less likely to give me weight gain but am so worried the gp will just say to get over the weight thing (its not just a couple of pounds, I am gaining weight still every week and its a stone so far despite upping the exercise and trying to eat healthily) any experience of changing tablets?

Sertraline has been the best for me with no weight gain. I had weight loss at the start. I've been on it for over 20 years now & weigh the same as before I took them. I've had 3 children & took it with my last pregnancy with no effect to DD. I am sensitive to most side effects but this one has been the best for me.

If you get prescribed this one then take 1/2 a dose for the first 2 weeks. Usually the starting dose is 50mg so cut in 1/2 which will lessen any side effects.

Thanks I just so hope the dr doesn't dismiss the weight gain as me being silly about a minor issue iyswim? I will see what they come up with and remember sertraline and Prozac as ones that can be ok for weight gain. Saying that I think citalopram doesn't necessarily cause weight gain but definitely has for me, quite rapidly.

Scared about how bad I will feel changing tablets if the dr does agree to as well.

Don't stop the Citalopram immediately or you could well feel quite ill - taper the dose down gradually over a few days before taking the new AD.

Thanks. The GP was really understanding about it and the fact that the weight gain is affecting my mood. She said about gradually reducing it , first to 10mg then every other day then come back in two weeks to change over if that's what I want to do.

Thingis this worries me, she said ring and go sooner if I start to feel down but for me it wasn't as easy to know how I was if that makes sense so I could be quite bad but not realise , I am worried about feeling how I did before as I had no confidence and it affected every thing. So not sure what to do and of today have taken normal dose (20mg)

She also said it may help with weight to just try reducing the dose to 10mg so that's sn option too. So hard to know what to do.

I think there is nothing more important than good mental health and if you are fortunate enough to be on an AD that works for you, I think I would stick with it. Citalopram is as you know an SSRI and so are Prozac and Sertraline. The thing is all these meds work differently on individual people, so just because someone says they didn't gain weight on Sertraline or Prozac, it doesn't mean that will apply to you too.

As you say weight gain isn't a major issue with SSRIs - do you mean your appetite has increased, or you crave carbs or sweet things. Have you tried Slimming World or Weight Watchers - they're both good but on SW you can eat loads and still lose weight.

Thanks nananina and I agree. The problem is ny mental health is also affected by the weight gain.

I have had increased appetite definitely but have been eating healthily (not currently on sw but did it last year to lose baby weight so following it roughly now which usually would work to bring weight down, also am running and walking) it is more weight gain and faster than normal if that makes sense and I can't fit clothes I bought just two months ago, my worry is it will keep increasing, feel quite panicky just thinking about it and its making me miserable.

Yes I am really worried that this is just how sssri s will affect me. I had thought I would need them long term but if that means being significantly bigger than my (normally healthy) weight I am mot sure what to do. Dr said the other option is stick with them a few more months then come off them, again I can't see that being ok for me. Maybe I should how 10mg is for me to start with. Or wait two months (by which time I will have been on them six months) then try cutting the dose down and see how I go.

Other problem as well as weight is awful water retention and bloating, a good few pounds worth and quite uncomfortable. But worth sticking th if it was just that,it's the two combined. Am also concerned tha t my extreme reaction to the weight means I am not as well as I think I am !