Losing faith with SSRIs? (on Citalopram)

[Lovesick Loner]

Just thought I'd share my personal experience on SSRI medication. I'm not what you would call a "hardcore" user of these medications and haven't tried everything out there, so take this post as an "amateur's opinion." I believe SSRIs can be a great treatment for some if it helps you; for some people it can actually be a godsend. Unfortunately, it has never worked well for me. At best it would make me feel like a slightly happy zombie. The crippling anxiety always remains, which is the real problem in my opinion.

I recently started on a low dose of Citalopram after several years of not being on SSRIs (on Zoloft/Effexor for a few years in HS). Been taking it for about a month, and I already feel as if the side effects far outweigh any benefits. My energy level is down by 50%, I feel confused/disoriented, I can barely concentrate on simple tasks like reading, and the fatigue is so bad I don't even want to leave my house. And it's not agoraphobia; it's the fatigue. I used to enjoy exercising, hiking, biking and whatnot. Now it's hard for me to get out of bed. All I want to do is sleeeeep! I could drink 2 cups of coffee at night and still fall asleep at 8:00pm.

It also has turned me into an eating machine. Now my only passion is eating copious amounts of sugary, fattening foods. This is after several months of being on a relatively healthy diet and getting regular exercise. I could easily see myself gaining 25 pounds on this if I stay on it for six months or more.

Anybody else feel the same way, and what did you do about it? I'm seriously considering tapering off my Citalopram, but I want to hear some other opinions and suggestions. I want to feel the beneficial effects, but I know from experience that increasing the dose intensifies side effects. I feel if it's going to give me no motivation, no energy, and no mental focus, then it's probably doing more harm than good. What say you?

[arth67]

your antidepressant problems are sadly common, maybe you should quit them and rely on valium as needed for a while
some search for years without ever finding an AD that they can cope with and works for them

BTW, the term SSRI is meant to mean prozac type only

[GSH]

Originally Posted by arth67

BTW, the term SSRI is meant to mean prozac type only

WTF ever..

My psychiatrist just laughed when I mentioned SSRI's. I think its pretty well known that these problems stated by the OP occur for most when taken for a prolonged period of time.

Try the NDRI route.

[rocknroll714]

Originally Posted by GSH

WTF ever..

My psychiatrist just laughed when I mentioned SSRI's. I think its pretty well known that these problems stated by the OP occur for most when taken for a prolonged period of time.

Try the NDRI route.

I agree with the above poster.

I recommend you try an alternative, non-SRI (as in no SSRIs, SNRIs, or TCAs, or MAOIs (except selegiline) for that matter) antidepressant/anxiolytic like bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), trazodone (Desyrel), selegiline (Emsam), or buspirone (Buspar). Or if you can, get a stimulant off-label like methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin), amphetamine (Adderall, Dexedrine), lisdexamphetamine (Vyvanse), or methamphetamine (Desoxyn).

These drugs have completely mechanisms of action and effects in comparison to SRIs (none of them even act to enhance serotonin transmission except for buspirone, which does so in a much different and far more selective way). SSRIs don't work for everyone. That doesn't mean other antidepressants with different actions will be the same story.

[euphoria]

Maybe an SNRI would be better than an SSRI then, it would provide more energy. Alternatively, you could add bupropion (Wellbutrin) to your SSRI for added energy and joie de vivre; this is often a highly successful combo, but you'd probably want increase the SSRI first to help anxiety. Another good combo for anxiety & depression is SSRI/SNRI + mirtazapine (Remeron), but unfortunately Remeron has a habit of making you very sleepy, lethargic & hungry (though these feelings went away over the weeks, for me). SSRI + mirtazapine + bupropion would probably work brilliantly without lethargy due to the latter, but obviously your psych would have to be consulted on something like that.

[Lovesick Loner]

Thank you, everyone, for your insight and suggestions on different antidepressants. Obviously, I don't know all the pharmacology jargon, but I'm learning from reading posts here.

I am making a switch before giving up with ADs. I met with my doctor today, and she is going to wean me off Citalopram and have me try 150 mg Bupropion SR. I understand it's generic, but it will cost more than citalopram. Anyone have an idea what a month of this prescription would cost?

[meyaj]

Originally Posted by Lovesick Loner

I feel if it's going to give me no motivation, no energy, and no mental focus, then it's probably doing more harm than good. What say you?

I think you're going to like bupropion then, even if it costs more. It definitely gives you motivation and energy, and mental focus as well. The only issue is this surge of energy can increase anxiety for some people, which is usually why it's taken WITH an ssri.

In my opinion it's an amazing medication though.

[fcbfcb]

Originally Posted by Lovesick Loner

Anyone have an idea what a month of this prescription would cost?

Last time i filled this script it was 50-some-odd dollars for 60 Wellbutrin SR 150mg generic, so probably around $25-$30. I think it would be cheaper if you get it from a larger retailer (Wal-Mart).

[ecotec83]

I has similar issues with celexa, took it for over a year and i honestly felt like a emotionless zombie, my voice always sounded monotone and flat, eating a lot. Not to mention it didn't help anxiety.

I just started taking lexapro and even on 1/2 a pill (5mg) i noticed a major decrease in anxiety and i'm having a lot of happy days, smiling more, confidence that i haven't felt in years ect..... Lexapro is similar to celexa but it does have a lower side-effect profile.The only major issue i had was bowel problems for about a week and a bit of yawning and mild nausea. Me and ssri's have had a long and unhappy history of aweful side-effect but lexapro seems to be the exception, i'm not emotionless, not zombified, sleeping great, not eating as much, my concentration is good and unlike other meds i have tired i can still function properly below the belt. Perhaps switching to lexapro from celexa might be helpful in your case as well.

[Lovesick Loner]

Originally Posted by meyaj

I think you're going to like bupropion then, even if it costs more. It definitely gives you motivation and energy, and mental focus as well. The only issue is this surge of energy can increase anxiety for some people, which is usually why it's taken WITH an ssri.

In my opinion it's an amazing medication though.

That's good news. I'm optimistic about bupropion. Personally, I think if an antidepressant makes you so tired you can't even do the things that used to make you happy, it's not worth taking.

[Lovesick Loner]

Originally Posted by ecotec83

I has similar issues with celexa, took it for over a year and i honestly felt like a emotionless zombie, my voice always sounded monotone and flat, eating a lot. Not to mention it didn't help anxiety

I've heard lots of good things about lexapro, too. I know someone who had severe emetophobia (fear of vomiting in public) who said Lexapro did wonders for her anxiety. She was so bad, that she refused to eat at restaurants or eat anywhere in public. Of course, she didn't have social anxiety in the broader sense, and her anxiety was limited to a very specific situation.

I would give Lexapro a try, but having no health insurance, I simply can't afford it. Will they ever come out with a generic escitalopram??

[ecotec83]

Originally Posted by Lovesick Loner

I've heard lots of good things about lexapro, too. I know someone who had severe emetophobia (fear of vomiting in public) who said Lexapro did wonders for her anxiety. She was so bad, that she refused to eat at restaurants or eat anywhere in public. Of course, she didn't have social anxiety in the broader sense, and her anxiety was limited to a very specific situation.

I would give Lexapro a try, but having no health insurance, I simply can't afford it. Will they ever come out with a generic escitalopram??

I found celexa helped my depression but not the anxiety that was the root of it. Lately i can go out and not suffer crippling anxiety.

I know what you mean, i'm on employment insurance right now and have no drug plan, lexapro is not cheap 30 10mg pills cost me about 75-85$. Not sure how accurate this is but it says on wikipedia that lexapro got a patent extension until March 14, 2012.

If you are American there is a topic at the top of this forum about programs available that help pay for medications.