Citalopram - has anyone...

[sadandglum]

taken it, felt better, come off it...and stayed feeing ok??

am just panicking now that i've started to take them i'm always going to have to...even though gp said it will hopefully just put me back on track and give me a bit of a boost...

oh poo

yes, but it's not a short fix

be prepared to wait for it to get better (though you may have more symptoms while it kicks in) and don't be in a rush to come off, just discuss it with your gp

good luck, xxx

ok...damn google!

have other stuff going on that will hopefully be helped by counselling but ADs are just to perk me up in the meantime - gp mentioned taking them fro 3 months - does that sound realistic?
thank you for responding, i do appreciate it.

I'd say 3 mths too short - there is some evidence that there is less risk of a relapse if you take them say 6 months (and have been symptom free for a good chunk of that)

counselling great too, once you've sorted the meds out

ok, am feeling calmer now. first counselling appt is in a months time so hopefully ADs should've started to kick in then?

yes, should do. don't hesitate to go back to gp if there's no improvement or if any increase in symptoms is too much to cope with. i had an appt every week at teh beginning, it was a lifesaver. are you able to take things easy?

sort of...only have dd2 to look after during the day and she is an angel mostly.

have got to tell dh about meds and appt tonight though and am bit worried he will be upset

that was meant to be not

if he is upset explain it to him - or get your gp to. it's great that you've asked for help but I bet it wasn't easy. he shoudl be proud of you

Hi

I have to agree with iBundle its not a quick fix, but is well worth sticking with it.

I would say 3 months is probably a little optimistic, I think 6 - 12 months is the norm.

I was on them for just under 12 months along with a few months of counselling a few years ago. I went to gp at 6 months and 9 months and asked to be taken off them but they felt I should stick it out - and with retrospect they were right.

That said, despite going through a difficult phase in my life and the bereavement of a parent just after I came off them, I have never looked back.

I am sure it was the combination of counselling and citalopram that worked for me, as it meant I was able to deal with the issues that sparked the depression and then when I did come off them I'd learned the necessary coping strategies to deal with any potential problems and to recognise signs I might be slipping back into depression again and take evasive action (diet, exercise, lifestyle adjustments etc).

Hope you start to feel better soon, good luck. xx

moosemama - your last paragraph is exactly what i hope to be able to say this time next year then (see, am being realistic))

thank you both for taking the time to "talk" to me, am off to sort out tea for dcs now and WILL speak to dh later.

many thanks again xx

great and don't forget to change your name! xxx

how are you today sadandglum?