Depression Forums
General => Medication => Topic started by: mat on October 18, 2012, 07:58:57 PM
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got the doctors tomorrow and I'm querying asking her to change my medication , started off at 20 fluoxetine still was not working and increased to 60mg fluoxetine over time been on for the past month or so, They just don't seem to be working for me.
As expected I get quite anxious and I clam up anyone have any suggestions on possible med changes, I heard citalopram can be quite good, I know every one is different But I'm kinda stuck !!.
Feel as if I'm never away from the doctor. Every second Friday Asking her for something to help me with my problems, the meds she gives don't work to full effect just feel as if I come across needy. If anyone understands
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Oh I understand. I was also at the dr's often crying and wanting help to get better. I was on Citalopram. I got changed to Duloxetine. Which has been great for me. You should not have to feel like this. There are many different meds to try. S x x x x
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Same of me Mat!
I was on Citalopram, got changed to venlafaxin. I too felt needy and constantly at the doctors'.
So many different AD to try, it's just a question of finding the right one....
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Trouble is GP's are reluctant to change AD's and tend to persuade us to stick with them. From experience, I would say you really need to give the higher dose about 3 months. While they can sometimes make us feel good in the beginning, the real purpose of raising certain chemicals in the brain, do take longer.
In saying all that, Mat, GP's often think they know it all, but very often AD's are not their strong point. I think too many of us get caught up in months, even years, taking the same AD, but getting very little from it. In my case, I waited 13 yrs before I found something that did work and, believe me, when it works, you know about it. It's worth bearing in mind, however, if I had followed my own instinct, I would have insisted in changing them sooner. So, at the end of the day, it's your life, your recovery. If you feel you want to try something new, then insist on it. I know that's difficult when we're feeling at our most vulnerable. Maybe if you don't feel you can talk to the GP, ask the Doc to refer you to the local Psychiatrist and Mental Health Team. They are best placed to assist you with the right medication and support
Good luck
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I totally agree, I too was make to stick to citalopram for way too long! Had I followed my own instinct I too would have stop taking them a lot sooner!
Be firm with the doc and ask for a referral if they won't listen.
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Been to the doctors coming of fluoxetine so not to take any anti depressants for 6 days (bit worried) and to go back next Friday to get a prescription for citalopram.
Also bit disappointed because he doctor challenged me on something that I said to my therapist on Monday (trying to take my own life), obviously I understand that they need to share information but that's now on my medical notes and I kinda feel pissed off about it to be honest , I told her that in confidence.
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I can understand why you would feel cheesed off about that Mat but they only want to keep you safe and try to help. They know it's the illness making you think like that so to them it will just be a case of "medication not adequate as considered taking his own life". In the same way as if you had pneumonia they would have said "pain in the left lung, not breathing well, change of medication".
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I think it will be positive in the long run. However, I'm a bit unsure why the GP would tell you to suddenly stop taking Fluoxitine for 6 days. How long were you on Fluoxitine?
I was recently told to come of 5-6yrs use of Citalopram, within a 3 week period. It was a challenge, but I did wonder if it might have been easier doing it quickly, like you've been advised.
All said, I think it's a positive move. Good luck. I'll watch our for your updates
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Around 6 months or so been on fluoxetine.
Wondering if there is any side effects on coming off them ?
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I don't understand why your GP wants you to stop for 6 days either.... I crossed over from citalopram to venlafaxin but cutting dose of citalopram in half and starting low dose of venlafaxin.
Some GPs are terrible making you go cold turkey like that, can they not do a crossover???
You may get side effects but not necessarily.... if you do and feel crap, we'll be here for you! Big hug xx *()
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I have never taken this medication so I cannot offer any advice. Normally the dr's want you to wean off antidepressants. But if you have any worries maybe you can speak to your Dr to put your mind at ease. S x x x x
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Thanks all ;)
It was a diff doc my usual one was on holiday back next fri, I might phone the surgery on Monday about this kinda worried now about just stopping them .
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Did not mean to frighten you Matt. When I changed it was through the psychiatric Dr at our local mental health dept. I changed from Citalopram (which was not working for me) He stopped the Citalopram and I went straight onto duloxetine but he gave me Clonazepam to take to help during the change over. Fuloxetine may be different as I have said I have never taken it. S x x x x
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I thought if both are in the same group (fluoxetine = prozac yeah? So it's an SSRI like citalopram) you don't need to interrupt it....
What dose were you on?
If you're worried about tonight, what I would do is keeping taking it, then ask to see a different doc on Monday who can give you sleeping pills to make you comfortable and ask to do a cross over like I did....
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Was on 60mg
You haven't worried me %^%. Don't worry
Just after reading some things online about this. I wonder if the doc has made a mistake , she did say that I would have to wind myself off them at first, then looked on her computer and said just to stop them all together.
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You would if you were changing "groups" for example, I had to when I went from a NaSSA to an SSRI. But since then, even going from an SSRI to SNRI, the cross over method worked fine....
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That's ok then. Thought I had frighten you Matt. I do think that you should book a phone call to this Dr on Monday. If only to put your mind at rest %^%. S x x x x
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Yeah Matt, I personally wouldn't interrupt 60mg abruptly like that.... I mean I am not a doctor but shouldn't they get you to take say 20mg then up the dose of what they are switching to?
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Got to thank everyone for their input. It really means allot ;)
I'll go back on Monday to sort this all out.
Will love you and leave you all .
Goodnight xxx
Hope everyone has a pleasant weekend +-_
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Night Matt. S x x x x
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Thinking of you Matt, remember we've been (or are going ) through what you are going through and it's tough but you'll feel better soon.
Good luck for work, sleep well xx
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Matt, at the end of the day, you should come off them in the way that makes you feel most comfortable.
Doc's can be a bit limited in experience with AD's. They know all the text book info but often fail to recognise the patients experience. If I can give you any advice, I'd say don't stop them until you double-check with your regular GP. The Doc will agree, if you wish to play on the safe side by either coming off gradually or doing a complete swap-over, like Bookletters is doing. I never listen to a GP's reduction plan and I tell them straight that I will come off them in the way I see fit and usually take double the time that they recommend. They're normally happy to go at the patients pace.
Coming off AD's are difficult, even when you do it gradually. The chemicals in your brain are bound to take a jolt from a sudden withdrawal and can lead to much serious depression. Sorry, I don't mean to alarm you. I almost said it earlier, but felt uncertain. But, judging by everyone Else's posts, I'd say lets follow our instincts. Don't stop suddenly. Go see GP Monday. If you want, you can half the dose and see how you feel. By Monday, you will already have made progress.
Good luck. Try not to worry, just take it slowly and have a good weekend
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I agree Mat, if it makes you worry then surely there is a better way to do things.
Don't hesitate to tell your doc you need something to help you sleep and relax while coming off them, even if it means you giving the tablets to someone you trust to make sure you don't have a moment of weakness with them.
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Just wanted to say Matt. I did come off fluoxetine 40mg overnight. Fluoxetine has a long half life so it stays in your system longer than some other SSRIs and makes it easier to come off of. I got a bit of a headache, paracetamol sorted that out. Apart from that it was fine, that was also during a med change.
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Oh wow Buttercup, I feel bad giving bad advice to Matt now :s
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I didn't want to make you feel bad, just wanted Matt to know others had done it %^%
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Nooo it's fine Buttercup, I have to remember all meds are different!!
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Thought I would update you all all.
So it's been a week now and I have not taken any fluoxetine , my mood has been kinda balanced. Not up or down, could say even a bit numb, Its kinda hard to describe , only side effects I have had is the headaches but I'm sure everyone knows by now that headaches are a big part of depression. So I'm already used to them .
Was at the doctors today and decided to actually try Mitrazapine as its a different med , the doc said citalopram and fluoxetine are similar in many ways. And Mitrazapine can help with my insomnia as well .
Here's hoping :D
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Fantastic Matt!
My meds cross over has been good overall, I think because citalopram wasn't helping anyway (never did) so....
Probably the same for you, if the meds didn't help then not taking them probs isn't a big deal, would probably be a different story if they had been beneficial!
Well done on not taking sleeping aids. I once took some every night for 8 weeks.... well no need to say that when I stopped them I had 24h of insomnia and felt like a total zombie!
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Hi Matt +-_
Sorry if I alarmed you last week by saying don't stop the AD's overnight. Buttercup was right and it made sense if they stay in your system longer.
That's brilliant news about the Mirtazapine. I also started Mirtazapine a couple of months ago, on top of Quetiapine. Loadsa people on Forum are also on them and i haven't heard anyone talk of side effects. Did the GP explain you should take it at night before bed? It completely knocks everyone out. Within 20-30mins after taking, If I'm not already in bed, I will fall unconscious in my chair
A word of advice.... if you didn't like savoury things before, you probably will do now. I also sit and feed my face with sweet foods. Was never too keen on custard before, now I make bucket loads. I've never had a belly in my life....until now =+-
I'm sure you'll do well on those: haven't heard of anyone experiencing side effect while on Mirtazapine. Because they give such a good sleep, I was feeling better within a day or two.
All the best with that one *()
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Thank you ! catb doc did say to take it at night but was not sure around what time to.
Actually ok about savoury things, my appetite has been very low for the past few weeks already lost a stone in the past month due to whats been going on, i do have a sweet tooth late at night if i cant sleep which is the worst , i h8 the person who invented crisps, like my self I love COLD custard and could drink loads of it. !!. :D
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I think you'll feel the effects of Mirtazapine within 30min, depends. What's the dose they've given ya?. They usually start fairly low. I'm only on 20mg. I wanted to leave room to increase if I ever hit a bad downer. I'm not even sure what the max dose is. Don't fret about the weight you've lost, you'll soon be munching your way through all those crisps =+-
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15mg I hope it is enough for me :D
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Woke up this morning all over the place really out of it quite groggy, was weird trying to walk. It was as if I was drunk , went back to bed and slept for a few more hours ,
Is this normall.
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Probably!! Did sleeping do you good?
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Yes and no , My eyes are quite tired but everything else is raring to go
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Well as ever, be kind to yourself and give it more time xx
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Hope the new meds help you Matt. S x x x x
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Helping with my sleep anyway , I have not slept as much this weekend than since I was a baby literally sleeping for like 15 hours from last night
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Hurray hurray!!!
Sleeping in itself helps depression I find (at least it does for me!)