hi ii have anxiety a s was on citalopram for 4 years and it worked well. only had weight gain and some sexual side effects. i came off in April and have gone down hill again. i have IBS and that seemed to get worse when i came off the medication and has set off the anxiety again as well as a stressful time at work. The GP said to go back on the citalopram but i have been looking at the packet for 2 weeks - usual stuff, fear of side effects, long term effects, what if it doesnt work etc. I emailed the psychiatrist i saw 4 years ago and she has suggested that i try sertraline to see if i get less side effects but I have read that it can have more GI effects at least initially which would not be good for my anxiety or my IBS! Now I am stuck in an anxious cycle of trying to decide which one to start! Any suggestions?
Thanks heaps
well if it helps, i did the same after 4 years and came off it because i felt well and didnt need it. But 9 months later my symptoms came back with anxiety and extreme reactions to situations and paranoia. I’m back on it and feel great. well… I worry about aches and tummy discomfort but i would have had that anyway I think. it is all a balance I guess and anxiety triggers digestive issues on its own, with or without medication I believe. I’ve read that other drug is a potentially good alternative. we’re lucky we have any choice at all. Some have access to nothing and just have to put up with it I guess. Good luck