Meds not working

Treatment and medication
1

Hi I,v been on 20mg citalopram for 8 months now and my mood still aint great, I get bouts of feeling ok, and bouts of rumminating and feeling low,  I felt better 3 months ago than I do now, should I up dose or change meds. Suppose to be starting a new job on Wednesday

Thank you

2

Hey Nick, go see your doc and let him know, as you can increase. I am on 40 mg and that is the highest, so you have room to increase. Good luck in your new job x

3

Thanks Louise, did you notice a difference between 20 and 30 mg

4

I'm feeling about the same way as you are. Been on meds. for 7 1/2 months. Not quite sure what to do.

5

Yes I did and even better on 40mg

6

Hi Karen, what dose are you on now ?

7

Yeah I think I may up dose, Thanks

8

Hi Nick

Getting bouts of feeling ok and bouts of feeling low is normal when recovering.  Usually you begin to feel good then get this period of ups and downs.  Feeling up can be an hour, a day or few weeks, followed by an hour, a day or weeks feeling low.  As long as you are getting ups and not just feeling low all the time, then your meds are working.  Eventually the low times get less intense and less in length and the ups get more and more until you feel good all the time.

People often mistake this period for their meds not working, up their dose and feel worse with side effects.  Whatever dose you settle on, you'll get back to this up and down period.

It will pass.  

9

I'm on 40mg flouxetine(Prozac), which is also an SSRI.

10

Thats reasuring thank you, the lows do get quite dark, thats why I was thinking of uping dose

11

Nick ask your doctor if you should up the dose by 5mg or 10mg because you don't want to suffer side effects if you don't have to! Hope you are feeling better soon x

12

Morning Nick, my friend,

There's good advice you're receiving here and hopefully reassuring.

I just wanted to add some thoughts and in doing so show you support.

I have always kept in touch with my Dr (as she knows a lot about ...? You got it, "sticking plasters for the brain!" (I just love that saying)) I am seeing her this morn first time since beginning of summer. Man! There is a lot to talk about and decide regarding being back on track after all my medical problems.

As you may remember I am on 40mg (the highest) I basically increased month by month from 10mgs. Even though the side effects were there with each increase they did, eventually, ease until I levelled at 40mg. Putting aside my physical problems (I wish!) the lows did become less frequent than the HIGHS, as everyone says a long road, but worth it. Cita helped my brain fortunately before my body (after 6 years of something bordering on neglect) gave in and needed fixing too.

Amongst all this my emotions levelled out and I have even cried once or twice, but I am much stronger and as I mentioned there are, now, no lows I can think of. I have to qualify this and balance this by stating that, my change of lifestyle and non-meat diet (although we eat fish for other health reasons - which makes us presbytarians or something! Lol!) has helped in mending mind, body and soul.

Ain't religious, ain't preaching just telling it as it is!

Another thing is, I no longer suffer from that which made me ill in the first place (which was work related stress) as I am signed unfit for work and have decided to retire or semi retire. Whatever, it is on our terms and no one else's. We are not rich, but our home is ours and we like to grow our own, we are also so like minded so, that is a good start!

Modern day stress is a very nasty thing formed from the system that makes us slaves and very much related to the sick attitude that makes us one of the worse countries for bullying. I served on a tactical unit during my military career and went through the Falkland Crisis, fortunately, without signs of any form of stress even though the pressure was quite intense. Myself and my comrades were trained for such events however, sadly, in civvi street no one is trained for something far worse, as far as I am concerned.

I cannot remember what caused your illlness, nor do I want to pry, I just pray that it wasn't work related stress as, at the moment my friend, it would be like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire! If not, I hope everything works out for you.

Keep reading, keep posting and keep in touch (now I am better I shall pay more attention!).

Best Regards,

David

 

13

Thanks David, no my depression is something I have always had, low self esteem, insecurity I'm not sure but it's alway been there