Re: How do I get GP to prescribe Citalopram?
Hi - it is annoying when we want to be put on med and the doctor disagrees. I was put on Mirt and found it did not help my mood at all in fact in made by mood worse and anxiety. I told the doctor how I felt and said I had upsetting thoughts, etc, and when I was on Prozac, felt happier and had no funny thoughs, I asked about Citalopram and he said definitely NOT! He did mention Sertraline but we agreed to go back on Prozac - 12th day in and feeling crap but hope it will be worth it - personally prefer SSRIs for depression - hope you get sorted out and good luck - Laura :)
Re: How do I get GP to prescribe Citalopram?
yes I had to wait a week too , so perhaps standard , like nicola says explain to GP you are in a desperate situation. My GP is well aware of my mental health issues have only just gotten out of hospital after a 3 month stay so my relationship with him is a very understanding and caring one.
Best of luck
Re: How do I get GP to prescribe Citalopram?
your doc might just prescribe you citalopram tho as it seems to be one of the preferred meds they try, id just ask them and if they say no then ask to be referred xx
Re: How do I get GP to prescribe Citalopram?
Thanks again guys.
Laura - I agree. Mirtazapine doesn't feel like it actually does anything, sometimes I convince myself that it's just a placebo drug. The SSRIs are hard going but when they work BOY do they work - I miss feeling that euphoria and feeling that everything will be ok.
Mirtazapine just doesn't bring that - it just makes me feel groggy and emotionless.
Re: How do I get GP to prescribe Citalopram?
emotionless is one of my main issues , bad enough other issues but when you feel kind of dead inside its not a good feeling , I feel at times if I could just have a good cry I would feel better , but to no avail , I feel a stranger withing the family , having a wife and 3 kids , even the kids ask their mum why is dad so quiet and not talk much , its not that I dont want to I just feel I can express emotion the way I used to , but say to myself maybe its the depression but also I ask is it the meds , some days I just feel how worse can I feel and thats taking medication hence my asking to be changed to the new citalopram.
I suffered a bad trauma 20 years ago , and was given amiltriptiline , that got back back up and running in months , Ive now nearly been out of work and had my issues for nearly a year ..
something has got to work to get me to a starting point level.
ps dont ask for amiltryptine they dont like prescribing that anymore for depression Ive been told , although I know some few GPs still do , its an old drug , I think they use it more for parkinsons disease these days
Re: How do I get GP to prescribe Citalopram?
I think you can sometimes run into problems with some GPs if you ask for your current medication to be augmented by another. Although I personally have not found this to be the case.
Most GPs are usually quite willing to let you try a different medication if the current one is no longer helping. You've been on Mirt quite a while, it's not as if you've thrown in the towel in a matter of days or even weeks.
When you see your GP, try to remember that you are making a reasonable request. Maybe say something along the lines of "I've been on Mirt for quite a while, but it's no longer working that well. I've been doing a little research and I was thinking that maybe Citalopram might be the way to go - what do you think?" Suggest rather than demand, if you see what I mean... don't be the doctor. In my experience GPs are always ready to prescribe Citalopram as it works very well for most people... and it's cheap (off patent a long time). People ask for a particular medication all the time... they will be used to that.
Try not to worry too much about it. Take a deep breath.. and decide this will be the day that I ring for an appointment to sort myself out... I owe myself that much and I'm worth it.
Take care Mono.
Belle x
Re: How do I get GP to prescribe Citalopram?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Monostich
I've been taking Mirtazapine since April 2011 but don't feel that it works for me as my anxiety levels are high and my mood is often very low.
Before that I had been on Fluoxetine and Paroxetine, both of which seemed to do a lot better than Mirtazapine does.
So I think that SSRIs are the way forward for me. I'd like to try Citalopram but I've read on various websites the doctors are wary of patients that ask for a certain medication.
What's the best way for me to approach this situation?
Explain this to your GP. You are articulate and reasoned, and full of insight.
If you talk to your doctor in this informed way, he or she will listen to you no doubt.
Re: How do I get GP to prescribe Citalopram?
Thanks so much Belle and eight days a week - comforting words, these forums really do have some great people.
I'm off to an emergency appointment with a GP at 8am - wish me luck!
Re: How do I get GP to prescribe Citalopram?
Hi Belle is right - but I am quite sure you know that Monostich - think sometimes it depends on what mood they are in (should know as work for them)! but Citalopram is a reasonable request - common and cheap and generally works well. Don't quote me but I read somewhere on this site that Mirt is made up of the same compound as Citalopram and was wondering as this is the reason my GP would not prescribe it for me? but am no chemist. As regarding augmeting antidepressants my gp said he left this to psychiastrists and did not want to go down that route - fair enough - but agree totally Monostitch - Mirt just feels like a placebo - no nasty side effects apart from drowsiness - imo should be used as a sleeping tab! Hope you get sorted out - work up this morning feeling lousy - day 12 Prozac - anxiety bad and my westie pup just wants to play! lol - take care Laura
Re: How do I get GP to prescribe Citalopram?
Thanks again Laura - your input is much appreciated.
Back from the docs, I got to see a lovely (and very attractive :D) GP that I've never seen there before and she was excellent! She was very interested in my illness when in the past I've been in & out of doc's office within 5 minutes after they've thrown a prescription at me.
She has given me Citalopram and said that it's got a good success rate. 20mg a day.
I have to wean off the Mirt over the next 10 days, then I'm to take nothing for a week before starting the Cit.
I am very excited about the prospect of trying the new drug after being in this Mirtazapine fog for the last 10 months or so of my life.