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Mental health

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Original poster

Took myself off Citalopram - now feel the fog returning!

28 replies

Jazzicatz · 12/02/2008 16:44

I felt better so stopped taking my citalopram - I can feel the depression returning. I really thought I was better. My dp says I should be fine and to stop relying on the tablets. I am losing enthusiasm and the will to leave the house, I look a mess and I just feel crap. What should I do???

OP posts:

dustystar · 12/02/2008 16:45

Did you speak to your GP before coming off them?

Original poster

Jazzicatz · 12/02/2008 16:45

No - just stopped about 2 weeks ago

OP posts:

MascaraOHara · 12/02/2008 16:46

go back on them. Talk to your GP.

I took myself off them the first time round and I'm now taking them for a second stint which probably could have been avoided. I feel good now and I don't actually want to sto taking them for the time being as I know I came off them too soon last time.

dustystar · 12/02/2008 16:47

I'm not nagging but you should always speak to your GP beofre stopping ADs. It may be that they would have advised doing it gradually.

That said if you are feeling low you don't sound as though you are ready to come off them yet. How long had you been taking them?

Original poster

Jazzicatz · 12/02/2008 16:48

Over a year.

OP posts:

dustystar · 12/02/2008 16:49

I did the same thing as MAH. I spoke to the GP and he was all for it and it took a about 3 months before i felt low again and had to go back on them. The second time i stayed on for a year and then came off. Since then i've been ok.

Original poster

Jazzicatz · 12/02/2008 16:51

Suppose it is back on them then. Just feel so useless for having to take pills.

OP posts:

dustystar · 12/02/2008 16:51

People who haven't suffered from depression often don't understand it at all. My dh is like that - I don't think he's had a moment of self doubt in his life. After 11 years with me though he has come to accept that he can't always make things better and thats ok.

dustystar · 12/02/2008 16:53

Would you feel useless if you had a physical problem that needed an op or an infection that needed treating with anti-bitotics? What about if you had diabetes and needed to take insulin every day for the rest of your life?

I know its hard not to feel angry with yourself for having depression but its not your fault. Its an illness.

Original poster

Jazzicatz · 12/02/2008 16:54

I am sat here in tears - just feel so bloody useless!

OP posts:

dustystar · 12/02/2008 16:58

Call the GP and make an appointment for tomorrow. {{{hugs}}}

Original poster

Jazzicatz · 12/02/2008 16:59

Thanks dusty x

OP posts:

Original poster

Jazzicatz · 13/02/2008 13:16

Started back on them again this morning - for those who stopped and restarted - how long before you felf better again?

OP posts:

Threadworm · 13/02/2008 13:18

If you have been off them for more than just a few days, I think it will probably take a couple of weeks to get back up there. Be kind to yourself for a while and hold on. You've done the hard thing and you will start to improve.

Original poster

Jazzicatz · 13/02/2008 13:22

Thanks threadworm - I hope so. I cannot believe how quickly the symptoms return

OP posts:

ConnorTraceptive · 13/02/2008 13:23

I don't think you will need to be on them for a long time the second time round but please please come off them slowly next time. I stopped taking hem gradually over a period of 10 weeks.

I would give it a copule of weeks before you get back on an even keel.

MyEye · 13/02/2008 13:26

What you experienced may well be withdrawal symptoms, rather than the depression itself returning
Coming off abruptly is not recommended exactly for that reason
I inched off my ADs over about 3 mths and the transition went fine
Don't panic, try again in a little while, but with GP's support/advice

Original poster

Jazzicatz · 13/02/2008 13:47

No it is definitely the depression. The crying, tiredness, irritability and generally feeling pants.

OP posts:

mears · 13/02/2008 13:52

Sounds as though you have come off them too rapidly. As has been said before. come off them more slowly next time to allow your body to adjust.

Depends how long you stopped them before you feel better taking them again. It can be at least 3 weeks before you feel a difference. You are not a failure needing to take medicine - you have an illness that needs treated. Don't be so hard on yourself. Take care.

mears · 13/02/2008 13:53

Sorry - just realised it was 2 weeksa ago you stopped. Go back to your GP and tell him how you feel.

Original poster

Jazzicatz · 13/02/2008 13:55

Thanks mears - I am taking them again and hopefully will start feeling better. I won't come off them so quickly next time. This is awful.

OP posts:

gummy · 14/02/2008 12:54

hi its good that you are going back to your GP to get advice. I did the same thing and after a year of taking them decided I was OK to come off. I booked to see a therapist and went for about 10 sessions. Much more helpful than the GPs I saw, they were all pretty crap with not much understanding of depression. Only one of them was helpful because he really urged me to do excercise which helps enormously.I felt really bad for the first 2 weeks ( very frightening as I really didnt want to go back to where I had been) but rapidly much better after that and with help from therapy was able to be happy again and work, go out have fun with the kids etc. a year later I do not have any "dark" thoughts so feel what I would call back to " normal" although I have altered my life quite a lot. Therapy costs a lot but is worth it even for a few sessions. Good luck, you will be fine, its not a reflection on your character. I was so gutted when I got it because I was always judgemental of other people who had depression, when you begin to really understand and accept it it will make you less depressed!!

Original poster

Jazzicatz · 14/02/2008 16:56

Thanks gummy - I think I need to start looking at other options as I really do not want to be reliant on pills for the rest of my life.

OP posts:

Original poster

Jazzicatz · 15/02/2008 09:07

Juat to let you all know that I am starting to feel better aleady - and thanks for all your advice xx

OP posts:

dustystar · 15/02/2008 10:25

I'm really pleased you are feeling better today

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