Hi,
I've been taking citalopram for around 2 years, started on 20mg and Dr upped my dosage to 40mg around 5 months ago as has got worse... A few weeks ago I was feeling especially low and went back to docs hoping to change pills as already on maximum dosage of citalopram. Dr said will try councilling before changing meds. Still waiting on councilling appointment...
Anyway, during this time I have had a crazy busy work schedule, haven't been able to get to docs to pick up prescription, so ran out of tablets last Friday... Kept meaning to pick them up, have been asking friends to pick up for me but to no avail. So I have had an unplanned week off citalopram, I actually feel fine, exhausted but fine. Exhaustion may be down to the crazy hours I've been working, I'm not sure. So my question is, what do I do now? Considering I'm actually feeling better than I have for a while, do I pick up my pills next week and go back on them, (I'm aware that now they are out of my system I'll probably go through the sh*t 2 weeks I did when I first took them with headaches etc) or do I just stop taking them completely until I start to feel low again?
Any advice appreciated. Many thanks
I would go on a low dose because now you may be able to get by without the maximum
This is quite a dilemma. Part of me says no, now that you are clear hang on in there until you need them - if indeed you will again, and that's a big if - I have so far because like you I stopped abruptly, not through choice, after years and years on them and I am 3 months down the line meds free. I have weepy days quite a lot and know that Cit would deal with these but then I tell myself that these days will pass and they do. So far I am hanging on in there and am grateful for that. On the other hand I can see where g.90572 is coming from and that's what I mean by this being a dilemma. Simple advice - take each day as it comes
The medication in a reduced dose is still in your system.
I would advise you pick up your tablets and ask to talk with your GP,
In our Practice they can arrange a telephone appointment if they cannot fit you in. Sometimes they will try and slip you in at the end of surgery, or if their is a failed appointment.
That is all I can advise, have words with the Receptionist, they may get you in with another partner if anything else fails
Hi well if you follow the golden rule of not coming off them until you have felt better for a least 6 months then you should start taking them again. It depends on how you feel about it. x
You likely have a good portion of the drug left in you. You should call your M.D. to see what recommendations he gives you. One week might not explain what your feeling. I am afraid you might suddenly bottom out of your good feeling when it gets out of your system. Better to be safe the sorry. If it was a psychiatrist who prescribed them, call him, please!
Thanks everyone,
When I woke up this morning I actually felt pretty terrible, I've been feeling dizzy all day, and have also slept most of the day due to exhaustion. Still feeling In reasonably good spirits despite this, but luckily I have Monday off work so will finally be able to pick up the meds. My Drs is absolutely terrible though, you can't get an appointment for atleast 2 weeks and there is no emergency appointments, or option to speak over the phone to the Dr. The receptionist actually tell you to go to walk in centre if its urgent as they can't help, however I don't think the walk in centre will be able to help me in this situation? So I'm guessing I just have to hold on till Monday and try to pick up my prescription.
On this note, im guessing I should just stick on my 40mg until I see a Dr? My mother has been taking citalopram for as long as I can remember, and has never been on such a high dose as I am, even though she had been far worse than me. I've never been suicidal, just feeling quite low a lot of the time. Basically my mother is disgusted that the nurse (no Dr was available) who I last saw doubled my dose when I said they weren't helping much, because she said she was trying to help me save money.(if she had upped it to 30mg I would have had to pay for 2 prescriptions as the tablets only come in 20mg or 10mg, which wasn't necessarily an issue to me but it's what she decided to do) so I do feel like I'm been failed by the Drs
If you can't pick up your prescription can your mother give or mail you a couple of pills
Laura
Why do you not go and pick up your prescription. The contraindications will just get worse and complete withdrawal can take up to two/three weeks. Sometimes even longer.
If you need them and the GP has prescribed them it is imoportant you take them or you will be in.
Make that appointment for the two weeks, so you can at least see your GP in the future. If you do not take the drug and do not pick up the medication the GP will close on the scripts, and then that will cause more health problems
Our Surgery has a delivery service that calls at Patient Adresses with medications and health Aids, ask the Reception to have the drugs delivered to your door
BOB
I take the same medication and have just been reviewed. Gp and Specialists prefer not to keep changing ADs as to do that causes more problems and contrindications. You seem to be on a high dose and it is possible your GP will reduce the dose you are taking in the medium /long term when you settle. First you need to get down that pathway and you are not allowing the GP to help you.
With my Reactive Depression and age I will be on this medication until death, I have accepted that and I will bend to my GPs wishes.
get well
BOB
Why not arrange with your nearest chemist to deal with your prescriptions for you? Have a word with them as most areas do that now. How it works is you go to them and order more meds and in 3-5 days you just go and pick them up. If you use a chemist near work then you can go there in your lunch hour. Or using one at home you can pick them up on Saturays. x