OCD Action

OC/DC
Member

Hi

After a 3 month relationship with increasing doses of Fluoxetine - my GP has introduced me to Citalopram as the Fluoxetine was having little to no positive effects.

I just wondered if anyone has had any good or bad experiences of Citalopram.

I think, if this shows no positive signs of working, I may give up the meds as the cons seem to be outweighing the pros at the moment.

Thanks - your advice is appreciated.

Mon Feb 21 2011 0:23:59 #
Remi
Member

I was on citalopram for a period of time (before I knew it was called OCD). Not sure if it did much for me at the time...may be different for you though...I know what you mean by the pros outweighing the cons. I've been on all sorts and never really saw a real difference with intrusive thoughts until I was on a high dosage of Paroxetine. Even, that didn't really work, it takes the "edge" off if you know what I mean, but it can take a while to get there.

Mon Feb 21 2011 0:30:34 #
swan
Member

Hi,
I was put on fluextine for couple of years but after six motnhs they added rivetril which is addictive and not really recomended have been on another SSR for last year or so but again not working. They are mow considering me taking citalopram bad side effects and my present anti depressant or an anti psychotic ( even though I do not have pyschosis apprently this is being considered as new treatment for depression and OCD. again bad side effects. I also have epilepsy and change of medication could result in more siezures. So don't really feel I have much success with medication.
Hope it works well for you.
Take carexx

Mon Feb 21 2011 13:01:58 #
Remi
Member

Sorry I meant cons outweighing the pros.

Mon Feb 21 2011 13:08:04 #
OC/DC
Member

Thanks for the advice - I will see how it goes...

Tue Feb 22 2011 12:47:48 #
heatblast
Member

HI oc/dc

I was taking citalopram for a couple of years,starting with the minimum dosage which worked its way to the maximum dosage, i then had a new gp start at my surgery and he unwittingly stopped this. So after going back to how i was in the beginning i went back and he has now put me on sertraline the minimum dose which has now gone up to the maximum dose.
when this fails to work i would imagine the gp will innevitably try something new, the only thing i can say is iwill take what the gp gives me for as long as it works and then i will go back to see what else they can do as it is worse for me if i take nothing.

Wed Feb 23 2011 22:00:20 #
Tess
Member

Hi
I can't understand a GP who takes someone off a medication which is working, however if the dose has to be repeatedly increased to be effective this is not good. The ideal situation is to find out which medication works best for you and then gradually work towards finding the maintenance dose which suits you best and which provides the optimum balance between maximising relief from the OCD and minimising unwanted side effects - and once you have acheived this don't be tempted to come off it altogether or change to a new medication. I have been on my meds for 18 years, I only take 10mg of seroxat daily But I would not personally take the risk of coming off it altogether. I know of people who have come off all meds successfully, I also know of others who have done it and gone downhill very badly and then had great difficulty getting back onto a maintenance dose.

Thu Feb 24 2011 10:05:06 #
aronralstonismyhero
Member

I finally gave in and accepted the meds - started taking Fluoxetine 3 days ago and feel quite sick - also the doc gave me diazepam in case anxiety gets worse for a bit. Need to see how it goes. How are you getting on now OC/DC?

Thu Feb 24 2011 10:53:55 #
Pinklady
Member

Hi there
I was on citalopram for a year max dosage but didn't find them to have much effect if any thing made me feel more anxious than anything and cause nightmares but what I know off they are a common used one. I am now on sertralin max dosage found this to be more effective but don't take away the intrusive thoughts as I would like but had no side effects apart from feeling tired.
Pinklady

Fri Feb 25 2011 0:26:15 #
swan
Member

Hi,]When I first when on fluexitine I felt the same as aronralstonismyhero, I find that I didn't want to eat for just over a week, but thta soon settled so hope the feeling sick does too.

Fri Feb 25 2011 20:54:45 #
OC/DC
Member

Hi

Thank you all for your advice!

I don't think it's been a week yet since I switched medication so we'll see how it goes with 20mg daily.

I was up to 40 mg of Fluoxetine and it was having more bad effects than good - I think?

Since I've been on medication I've suffered from vivid/bad dreams and memory loss and confusion.
Has anyone else sufered the same?
I spoke to my GP about the memory loss and they said we all suffer from bad memories?

CBT is good but slow - an hour per week is not much and my therapist is only dealing with one aspect at a time so it's going to be slow...

ARON - Glad to hear that your giving the meds ago. Please let us know how you get on. Hopefully, they will be beneficial.

Take care everyone.

Sat Feb 26 2011 20:39:21 #
VIOLET
Member

Hi. I was on Citalopram (60mg daily) for around 13 years and throughout that time (apart from the first six months which was the time it took to really start working with full effect) I was 99.999% symptom free. Unfortunately, the OCD recently returned with a vengance (I don´t why the citalopram suddnely stopped working like that) and so I`ve been put on a whole lot of new stuff. But those 13 years were the happiest in my life and enabled me to enjoy my children's early years like any normal person. Being OCD-free was an amazing feeling. In short, even though it's no longer doing the trick for me I'm extremely greatful to whoever invented it. Be patient.

Thu Mar 3 2011 19:12:30 #