March 23, 2005
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome according to my doctor
So, I went to the doctor this morning and told him of my angry bum woes. He (and the student shadowing him) listened carefully (good brownie points earned there). Dr B reckons it's because of my anti-depressants which I've had to go back on recently. I'm on Citalopram and have been on and off for nearly five years (oh dear). He said it could be a side effect - and they can happen at any time even if you've been on the drug for ages. He has also said that he doesn't think it's a good idea to be on it long term (he tells me this now). He's concerned because it's only five or six years old (what was my old GP thinking?) and there is no knowledge about long term use. He's concerned it will become a bit like Seroxat and have nasty things found out about it. One good thing though, he reckons the reason I have found it impossible to come off is not necessarily me, but the drug itself. So perhaps I'm not chronically depressed! How wonderful to one day be free of the little pills.
So, I'm going to go back in a month and we're going to talk about changing onto another drug, which in time might be easier to come off. That of course means I will have a few nasty weeks during the changeover, but if it means I can come off the anti-deps totally, so much the better!
Posted by Sleepy Sal on March 23, 2005 11:22 AM
Comments
Hi Sleepy Sal,
I found your diary whilst doing a search for citalopram and CFS.
It's sad but good to find someone else in the same boat.
I have M.E./CFS....whatever you like to call it. I have had it for a long time now - since the mid-90's really. I have autoimmune thyroid disease too. Smashing.
Anyway, I was wondering what sort of problems you have had coming off citalopram? Are they that bad?
Thing is, I've got to the shaking twitching very anxious stage and I really HAVE to try them now, despite avoiding them so far. I think I won't get better unless I slow this darn nervous system of mine down.
It sounds from your diary as though you have gained a lot of benefit from them, even if you have had withdrawal problems?
I'd love to hear from you if you have a mo'.
Toy
Posted by: Toy at April 4, 2005 02:26 AM