Long term use of Cipralex

[bora20]

Just wondering if anyone else has been on Cipralex as long as me, its been 5 years now, 4 of them on 20mgs. I always struggle to cope with things in winter months but this year seems a lot worse. I'm not sure if they are no longer working for me and if a med change might be something I should think about. I asked my GP but i dont really trust his judgement on these matters with him being an elderly doctor and his past track record. I've asked to be referred to a Physchiatrist but we all know how long that can take in the UK. So in the meantime any thoughts experiences from my fellow Cipralex'ers would be appreiciated.

[alias_kev]

Only had mine for 6 months and life situations haven't helped keep that shorter or plan any change as yet. sigh.

If you've always had problems in winter it may be that you are also affected by SAD (seasonal affected disorder). That's where the lack of natural sunlight leads to depression like symptoms. This would aggravate your tendency to anx/dep. It could be worth discussing with your doctor or if you have the money buy an anti-SAD lamp and see if it helps. A quick Google "anti SAD lamp" shows quite a lot under £150. Suppliers include sad.co.uk, bupa, lots of others. Worth a thought anyway.

[chbun]

I was on Cipralex for 5 years and have just stopped taking it. I did experience side effects when withdrawing but this was helped by reducing it slowly. Other than that - nothing bad to report:D

[torontotodd]

I have been on Cipralex for over 2 years. Using 30mg for most of that.

I find my anxiety gone but I almost have no drive. I sleep and sleep and it's never enough.

My business is suffering because I don't feel motivated to get stuff done. Some of the anxiety used to good to get my up off the couch but it's just not there anymore. I am able ignore many important pieces of my business.

I also feel more prone to drug and alcohol use. Like again, not feeling any anxiety around over using.

Help.

[blay]

Just wondering if anyone else has been on Cipralex as long as me, its been 5 years now, 4 of them on 20mgs. I always struggle to cope with things in winter months but this year seems a lot worse. I'm not sure if they are no longer working for me and if a med change might be something I should think about. I asked my GP but i dont really trust his judgement on these matters with him being an elderly doctor and his past track record. I've asked to be referred to a Physchiatrist but we all know how long that can take in the UK. So in the meantime any thoughts experiences from my fellow Cipralex'ers would be appreiciated.

i am so happy to read an e mail like this! I like you have been on cipralex since 2005 and was on 20 mg until quite recently where i slowly went down to 10. It took a while to readjust to being on 10 but gradually coped with it. I am now taking 5mg on alternate days as I am hoping to conceive. however it is proving hellish. i am so gutted as whenever I feel i am making progress I have to fall back again. I don't want to be on cipralex but i;m not sure what the alternative is. What can one do if there is a chemical imbalance in your head like me? I wonder how safe it is to be on anti depressants very long term, Thank you for your e mail! i feel glad to have support out there!

[blay]

I have been on cipralex for 5 years - it has been a godsend! but now am trying to wean myself off them in the hope that i might conceive. Unfortunately it is proving pretty impossible. I am alternating 5 mg but this is having a disastrous effect on my mood. I feel gutted that due to my depression it will be unlikely be able to conceive due to the danger risks and also being on this long term could be dangerous?? I think having a chemical imbalance is something so exhausting to change that no-one can understand.

[sunndyd]

hi im on cipralex i haven't been on it that long , but i wanted to let u know there is a cipralex website u need a batch number from a packet of cipralex to join. I keep a diary on there which other can access the do weekly depression test so u can keep and eye on ur level of depression and you can ask the experts it does take them a couple of day to reply but very usefull i was thinkin mayb u could join look at other peoples diary and ask the experts what they think of ur situtation. www.ican.co.uk that the website x

[blay]

Thank you sunnydyd
What a comfort it is to get some positivre feedback
i will give that a go!

cheers and keep going!
x

[optime]

I think It should not be taken for long. In Hungary It is easy to get a specialist and they are very good too. When I sarted He said it is suppose to be taken for a year asa therapy and you are taking a quiet higyh dosage. Did you start on this one or lower dosage? If you are not getting better you need therapy for exapla group or one to one out of the more than 200 therapies. Sport hleps. Dance therapy...You have been taking it for too long I am afraid.

Good luck

[Thumbelina]

I have been on cipralex 10, 20, 10 mg for 4 years.

I spoke to the doctor about taking them and she told me that some people have to stay on them a lifetime.
I totally agree with it though I surely wouldnt like to be one of those people. I would like to come off them one day. Though i know you have to be relapse free for over a year. I had last relapse in april last year. Now i am recovering from the out of anxiety cause by FLu.So i dont hink she would think it s a good idea to withdraw now. I dont think so either. Especially knowing i do not take the tabs regularily anyway...

So dont worry about taking the tablets for a long time, if they help you let them do their job.

[impetuoso]

Like Thumbalina, I have been taking Escitalopram for over 5 years now. I started on 10mg then was upped to 20mg. Prior to that I had been on Dothiepin which totally drugged me - I was like a walking Zombie, I then was put on to Sertralin which gave me a fuzzy head and dry mouth - I was constantly dry even though I drank buckets.

I have tried to reduce the dosage, but due to other factors, I have had some really black episodes. My doctor told me that if I had a thyroid deficiency, or Diabetes, I would have to take medication for the rest of my life so why should it be any difference for clinical depression? He said If I feel ready to try a reduced dose, then I can do, but not to worry too much if I find it a problem. By the way, I have had no real side effects, other than taking a bit longer to get "Jiggy" if u know what I mean :blush:. If u don't, then no worries! The medication doesn't take away the down days, it just enables me to get a grip and carry on.

[phadnis]

I am suggested Cipralex by a renowned psychiatrist in Bangalore in 2000. I was kept on cipralex 10 + prothedin 50 and now after so many years it is reduced now to cipralex 5 in the morn and protheidin 25 at night. This course I am taking for the last four years. No side effects are felt and we can also remain in contact with cipralex people on their website, if needed.