Citalopram not working, which next?

Treatment and medication
1

Hi guys,

Hope you are all having a good day

Basically I suffer with GAD, Intrusive thoughts and Pure O, I am getting on top of these now but I mainly feel 7/10 with some pretty crap days, I just feel like I have had all the therapy I could possibly have but the medication isn't helping me along the way. There is days I feel as though I am not taking any medication or that it is making me worse. I do have good moments but then can be hit with crap momemnts, no stabililty. 

I have tried Sertraline up to 150mg, Pregabalin and I am on 40mg on Citalopram. I am about 6 months in to Citalopram 40mg, I have been really patient but I just can't accept where i am at, at the moment

My therapist and doctor is suggesting to try a different drug class group as I have now tried 2 SSRI's at a high dose. One is suggesting Duloxetine and the other is Venlafaxine, it is my therapist who is more educated who is saying Venlafaxine.

I would really appreciate some opinions as this is a huge step for me to try come off and change meds. As I have explained, its mainly intrusive thoughts and anxiety which I suffer with.

Thanks all

Tom

2

I have just realised I have posted 'Citalopram not working' and hope this doesn't worry any people! I made my own decision to go on to this medication after knowing of some very very good results in people. Unfortunately for me it isn't quite hitting my symptoms however I do know people have real success on this drug. 

3

Hey Tom,

I'm not a doctor but from what I've seen, each person needs to find the "right" SSRI/SNRI for himself. It's strictly individual, if you're not happy with the results I'd go with Duloxetine and see what happens.

Unfortunately, it's going to trial and error until you find the right medication for you. I was lucky in the sense that Citalopram started working OK for me, but I have friends who went through 4-5 different types of medication before they found the right one. The downside is of course that one has to go through the side effects more often but in the end, when you find the right one for you, you won't regret it.

Just don't forget that the pills don't "cure" us, they treat and manage our conditions. So it's normal not to be "idealistically 100% OK" like a "normal" person. I thought I was going to literally have my personality changed on Citalopram but I realized that I am who I am so I just have to live with it (being introverted, not going out too often, etc.)

 

4

Hi Stannis

Thank you for your response. I am not looking for a cure just something which helps me along with my therapy and knowledge. Normal to me is still experiencing levels of anxiety but at the correct and acceptable times. 

I am interested as to why you suggest Duloxetine over Venlafaxine? My GP and Therapist are at lockerheads suggesting the opposite

Thanks again for your response

Tom