snooo
10-02-13, 13:04
Hi,
So I started taking Citalopram in 2003 for OCD - took it at 40mg for about eight years. I went cold turkey in 2011 after I got fed up of taking them and didn't want to be dependent anymore. I didn't really have a GP or a psychiatrist to speak to and I was just getting repeat prescriptions for them.
In the last year I have had some recurrence of my OCD symptoms, especially when I spend time with my girlfriend. My anxiety had also started to get episodically bad - I suffered a massive panic attack while I was on holiday to India and I suddenly became terrified of flying. I spoke to my GP and I suggested it might be a good idea if I went back on the citalopram. He said take it at 20mg for a few weeks before going back to 40mg. This was back in October.
So I took it for two days while I was away on a trip - by the second day I started experiencing crazy panic symptoms and anxiety, with worries about things I never used to worry about anymore. It scared the hell out of me and I stopped taking them after a few days.
Since then I've been feeling terrible anxiety almost every day, varying from a general feeling that something is going to happen to physical shaking, palputations and sweating. Now and again I get an anxiety free day, but usually I have some worry or feelings of depersonalisation - feeling distant with occasional difficulty in thinking straight. I have had a few panic attacks, including on Christmas Day, and I've gone from being someone who enjoys travelling and enjoying socialising to wanting to generally stay in bed. I have, however, been OK with going to work and so far I haven't had to really take any sick.
I spoke to my GP who suggested I go on prozac, but I've been reluctant and the pills have stayed on the shelf. I have finally managed to get a referral and see a psychiatrist but he, like my GP, has suggested I take another anti-depressant - this time setraline at 50mg.
I have to be honest, I'm absolutely terrified of taking them. I am worried that after eight years of being on citalopram I've caused some kind of permanent damage to myself, and after the extreme reaction I had to just two 20mg doses this would just get worse with another SSRI. Yet all that is offered to me in terms of treatment are SSRIs. I can't find very much on the internet to reassure me that it would be OK to try them again.
Has anyone gone back on an SSRI after having a break following years of being on them? Am I over-worrying about this?
Thanks
So I started taking Citalopram in 2003 for OCD - took it at 40mg for about eight years. I went cold turkey in 2011 after I got fed up of taking them and didn't want to be dependent anymore. I didn't really have a GP or a psychiatrist to speak to and I was just getting repeat prescriptions for them.
In the last year I have had some recurrence of my OCD symptoms, especially when I spend time with my girlfriend. My anxiety had also started to get episodically bad - I suffered a massive panic attack while I was on holiday to India and I suddenly became terrified of flying. I spoke to my GP and I suggested it might be a good idea if I went back on the citalopram. He said take it at 20mg for a few weeks before going back to 40mg. This was back in October.
So I took it for two days while I was away on a trip - by the second day I started experiencing crazy panic symptoms and anxiety, with worries about things I never used to worry about anymore. It scared the hell out of me and I stopped taking them after a few days.
Since then I've been feeling terrible anxiety almost every day, varying from a general feeling that something is going to happen to physical shaking, palputations and sweating. Now and again I get an anxiety free day, but usually I have some worry or feelings of depersonalisation - feeling distant with occasional difficulty in thinking straight. I have had a few panic attacks, including on Christmas Day, and I've gone from being someone who enjoys travelling and enjoying socialising to wanting to generally stay in bed. I have, however, been OK with going to work and so far I haven't had to really take any sick.
I spoke to my GP who suggested I go on prozac, but I've been reluctant and the pills have stayed on the shelf. I have finally managed to get a referral and see a psychiatrist but he, like my GP, has suggested I take another anti-depressant - this time setraline at 50mg.
I have to be honest, I'm absolutely terrified of taking them. I am worried that after eight years of being on citalopram I've caused some kind of permanent damage to myself, and after the extreme reaction I had to just two 20mg doses this would just get worse with another SSRI. Yet all that is offered to me in terms of treatment are SSRIs. I can't find very much on the internet to reassure me that it would be OK to try them again.
Has anyone gone back on an SSRI after having a break following years of being on them? Am I over-worrying about this?
Thanks