advice on citalopram

[justanothersoph]

Hi guys,

I've suffered from various health issues physical and mental in the past. I have a history of mild self harm, food issues (though never full blown bulimia or anorexia), depressive times etc. My boyfriend and I have discussed it several times and felt that I needed to go to the doctor as I can't seem to lift myself up this time and have been "down" for over a year. I get palpitations and feel like someone is squeezing my chest. I get upset over silly things, snap at people and get annoyed over things I shouldn't, and wouldn't normally. I find it hard to concentrate and my only real distraction is cooking. I recently joined slimming world and have gone from 16st 4lbs to 12st 7lbs since Christmas 2013. I am concerned as I'm recently becoming extra anxious around this, binging even I've done well and not eating when I haven't.

I've taken this to my doctor and he offered me citalopram 10mg. I've read a lot of horror stories about it, and I'm concerned about my ability to do my job (driving around, and having face to face meetings with supermarket store managers) effectively if I take it, even if it's just during the first few weeks. I've never taken any kind of tablets like this, and I'm scared of not being in control. Saying that, I'm slowly losing control of my self anyway.

Given my history, is there a better option? Or do you think that I would be better trying this, and seeing if it helps, and battling through any side effects I may or may not have?

Any advice you feel is relevant I would appreciate. I feel a little snowed under and lost in all this.

[Kuma]

Hello. I am not qualified to give any medical advice. But if you trust this doctor, I might be inclined to try what he recommends. If it works, that would be great. If not, you can always go off it, under appropriate medical supervision. If you are concerned about side effects, you might ask the doctor whether you could start with an even smaller dose, and then move up. I don't know whether that is possible with citalopram -- i.e., whether there is a dose smaller than 10mg, such as perhaps 5mg -- but you could ask. You might also ask the doctor whether you should consider escitalopram as an alternative to citalopram. Best wishes.

[justanothersoph]

Hello. I am not qualified to give any medical advice. But if you trust this doctor, I might be inclined to try what he recommends. If it works, that would be great. If not, you can always go off it, under appropriate medical supervision. If you are concerned about side effects, you might ask the doctor whether you could start with an even smaller dose, and then move up. I don't know whether that is possible with citalopram -- i.e., whether there is a dose smaller than 10mg, such as perhaps 5mg -- but you could ask. You might also ask the doctor whether you should consider escitalopram as an alternative to citalopram. Best wishes.

Thanks for the advice. I'm pretty sure 10mg is the lowest dose, and although I don't really know the doctor (I think I saw him for a chest infection a while back?) I'm inclined to do as he says. I think I've just scared myself.

I think I'm going to bite the bullet and take it. I've got a few family gatherings I'm going to get out of the way first though, just in case the side effects are awful.

thanks!