Citalopram for panic attacks and driving?

[Elmer123]

Hi, I'm on amitriptyline for migraine attacks. Recently started having several panic attacks after a traumatic experience and have been very anxious, even my instructor mentioned in my driving lesson that he felt I was suddenly very panicked at times in my lesson, although i hadn't noticed this.
So I decided to see my gp, who prescribed me citalopram and referred me too talking therapy and I have a follow up appointment in a few weeks. I'm confident this will help, but my question is, does anyone know if I have to inform my driving instructor of this, or will it effect me being aloud to do my lessons? I feel fine in the lesson?

Will be fine to drive on citalopram and you shouldn't have to tell instructor

Ok thank you.

I don't like the drug myself as I had had experiences on it
I found propalonol worked better

lyndar I only took one and felt so weird it made my panic worse, but I know lots of people are on it and it suits them ... unfortunately because of my experience with that one tablet I now have phobia of anti depressant meds in particular and have had severe anxiety for over 10 years because I can't take anything to help it ... hope it works for you Elmer123

Serialweightwatcher, really sorry to here that.
I'm hoping it doesn't make me worse as I also had a bad experience on a different meds a while back.
I was just worried if you had to tell your driving instructor about the panic attacks and anxiety or if it's ok to keep driving?

I went on propanolol and sertraline for extreme anxiety that was brought on by driving fear. It worked and enabled me to pass my test and start driving without panic.

Leatherboundanddown
Thank you for sharing, did you have to tell your instructor about your anxiety and medication or not?

Elmer123 I only took one tablet but the GP gave me too high a dose and it scared me how I felt - if you've already started them yours should be fine ... just tell the instructor you feel scared etc and take it steady and you will be fine

Thank you I will!

No of course not didn't mention anything. There is no reason you need to tell anyone at all! I would say give yourself a good few weeks to get used to the meds before you take a test or anything, they can get some time to get used to. For me it was exactly 14 days until I felt better. Before that I had a bad stomach and sicky feeling.

My top tip for your test, take a bottle of water with you, I had such a dry mouth from nerves x

I take Cit. never disclosed to DVLA & never had any probs driving.

Thank you both:)

I take Amitriptyline and propranolol for anxiety and the propranolol really helps with panic attacks. I did tell my instructor. He was fine about it and does tend to coach and reassure me in situations where I panic.