Switching from citalopram to sertraline- scared.

[SameKeyThough]

Just had appt with psychiatrist and have agreed to change antidepressants. I've been on citalopram for 15 or so years but despite increasing to 40mg in January, and augmenting with olanzapine first and most recently mirtazapine, my anxiety and depression still aren't controlled. I'm due to start reducing my citalopram tomorrow down to 35mg, then to 30mg after a few more days. Then another week getting down to 15mg, at which point we'll start the sertraline. I've been given clonazepam to take as well while reducing the citalopram. I'm really really nervous about it all. I just want to be better.

Hopeful bump. Took my first reduced citalopram this morning. Ironically I had a really good evening last night which made me doubt whether I should make the change. But then I woke up pretty anxious again so I guess I'll plough on..

Just wanted to say I hope you’re ok. Stay strong and take it easy when you can.

Thank you, I really appreciate that. I'm taking clonazepam so feeling less anxious at least!

I know it’s different medications but I know how you feel! I was ok Paroxatine for 20 years and it stopped being effective and have just switched to Sertraline by my psychiatrist. It’s so scary….so far I’m on day 6 and it’s the side effects are horrible 😞

@SameKeyThough I hope it’s all going ok. DH switched from Citalopram (for 14 years) to Sertraline in September, he’s finding the side effects much milder than when he started on the Citalopram & now he’s feeling so much better. He is more mellow, less high & low moods, just chatting to him right now & he says he’s happier on the Sertraline than the Citalopram (40mg Citalopram at its highest, 100mg Sertraline).
Full disclosure, I was on Sertraline for 7 years (I can’t take SSRIs now due to Tramadol & pregabalin for pain) and I found it really, really good. It helped me get my life back.

We’re both wishing you well for the future. Very unmumsnetty hugs x

Thank you @CentrifugalBumblePuppy , that's reassuring to hear. I'm still at the citalopram reducing stage (5mg reduction every 3 days) so will be starting with the setraline in about a week.
@MummaDons what sort of side effects are you experiencing?
I'm also on mirtazapine so hoping that that will compensate for some of the side effects.

I have constant nausea, headaches, increased anxiety, no appetite.

It’s no problem @SameKeyThough . Hoping you’re OK & the transition to Sertraline goes well. And, of course, that it’ll help you as much as it has helped DH & I. There’s always lots of us around in you need to talk too.

@SameKeyThough I was the same. Everytime I reduced the dosage of Paroxatine I felt really good for 1-2 days so I’d question whether I should stay on it. Unfortunately it was short lived 😞 I too just want to feel myself again. The Sertraline side effects are hard and I hope it settles and it’s all worth it. All the best starting it next week 😊

I switched about 5 years ago. Coming off the citilopram was horrific but the sertraline started working quickly and i have no side effects. Best thing i ever did.

@bloodyplanes how long we’re you on the Citroplam? I’m glad you didn’t get any side effects from the Sertraline. I’m thinking my side effects are from both stopping Paroxetine and starting Sertraline. Once I got down to 10mg the psychiatrist did a direct switch to Sertraline.

@MummaDons i was on citilopram for 12 years! Stick with it, it will be worth it in the end.

@bloodyplanes thanks! I don’t know if I can push through the nausea is soooo bad even prescription anti nausea doesn’t help. Now I have a burning feeling through my insides it’s horrible. 😞

@MummaDons hope your nausea is easing off a bit now. How has your mood been? I'm down to 25mg citalopram and to be honest I just want to get on with the switch to sertraline!

Just updating my own thread in case it's useful to anybody. Down to 20mg now (from 40mg in a week and a half), my mood has plummeted. Feeling despairing. Anxiety not so bad because of the clonazepam I think but I'm crying all the time and just feel hopeless. Psychiatrist tomorrow so will find out when I'm starting on the sertraline. Starting to get quite panicky about what the side effects of the sertraline will be.

Another update - mood not quite so bad, don't seem to be having any side effects from the setraline - day 4 now. Slightly swimmy head from withdrawing from the citalopram, which is now down to 10mg. Hoping I'll see an improvement in my mood/anxiety soon. I don't feel terrible but I don't feel awful either, so I suppose that's something.

Hello, just wanted to ask how you're getting on now? I'm currently in the same boat as you - reducing citalopram ready to switch to sertraline next week. I've been on citalopram for 7 years but it's stopped working and my anxiety has just got worse and worse. I was on 30mg citalopram and my GP said I could just reduce to 20, then go straight onto the sertraline. But reducing has made me feel awful so far. I'm nervous to start the sertraline next week.

How did you find the sertraline side effects? And are you feeling any better yet?

Hi, I'm still at 10mg citalopram (from 40mg) and have gone up to 50mg of sertraline. I've been feeling quite unwell (physically) for the past couple of days - stuffed up nose, headache, exhausted and generally ill, which I think is citalopram withdrawal, and had some very low, tearful times but they haven't lasted. I don't seem to have had any side effects from the sertraline, but then I am also taking clonazepam twice a day so that will be taking the edge of any anxiety. I'm seeing my psychiatrist on Monday and the plan is to reduce the cit to 5mg and possibly up the sertraline to 100mg. I don't feel any different yet, but it's pretty early days. Do you have anything to help short term with your anxiety? Diazepam or similar?

@SameKeyThough i had to stop the Sertraline the side effects were too much for me. I’m back on Paroxatine low dose and Lorazapam for physical side effects. I’ve been very up and down mood wise. I’m seen my a new pysch in 3 weeks so trying to hold on until then 😊

@Doublevision5 Maybe you need to reduce the Citalopram more slowly? These SSRI can be hard to come off.

I was only off the Paroxatine for 10 days and going back on it I got side effects! These meds can really make us feel horrible. My GP wants me to start Citalopram or Escitlopram whilst I wait for new Psych but I’m undecided??

@MummaDons I think with these medications it's really very individual. I had awful side effects (anxiety, suicidal thoughts) when I increased my citalopram dose too quickly last Christmas, but with the sertraline so far I'm ok. Although it's hard to know completely because I'm also on mirtazapine which is quite sedating. Good luck with your psychiatrist and I hope you find something that works for you.

I have now been on sertraline for 14 weeks eating but keep losing weight has this happened to anyone else

@SameKeyThough your taking citalopram and sertraline together?

No came off venlafaxine now on sertraline been on them 14 weeks thank for getting back to me