GP enough guidance on antidepressants and depression??

[Hometownglory]

I am on citalopram for depression and after hearing other people's experiences of being on antidepressants I am becoming increasingly dissatisfied with my GP and how she has handled the situation.

For a start she told me she didn't think I was depressed (even though I told her I was suicidal and had had depression before so knew I needed help) but still put me on antidepressants.

She gave me a weekly prescription to 'avoid the temptation' of having a lot of them at once so I need to pick up 7 at a time every week from the pharmacy.
However since I started them (nearly 6 weeks now) she has not asked to see me once nor suggested I go b ack for any appointments. And the prescription has been renewed in that time because the first one was only for 4 weeks.

I feel like she has just given me these pills and let me get on with it without really bothering about how it is affecting me.

I had a work night out last weekend which I can remember none of. I did have alcohol, which you aren't supposed to do, but not enough to not remember 90% of a whole night!

I don't know if I should see another doctor, or complain about the one I did see or what?
That may sound like an over reaction but there is a whole lot more I could say about when I went to her for help in the first place which is shocking!

[Hometownglory]

Yeah the alcohol thing was my fault really.

But with the GP it's just that I know that people are supposed to be monitored when they are on antidepressants, escpecially if it is the first time. The GP I saw just seems to have a total disregard for my wellbeing. I worry that if I ask to see another doctor the same thing will happen.
I am angered at how little the first GP seemed to know about depression and mental heath- some of the things she said were really quite shocking but I worry that if I complain it will affect how I am treated by others at the sugery.

[Hometownglory]

Yeah I would expect a follow up appointment but she didn't mention one, didn't ask me to make one and hasn't been in touch since that first appointment.

No not just the memory loss. Been having really horrible dreams. I don't usually remember my dreams but I remember them all the time for the last two weeks and they have been really quite upsetting. Also been feeling quite sick and nauseous (sp).
I wasn't sure whether there was much point in going back to see the GP as I doubt she would care, and if I saw a different GP if these were just normal side effects that I'd have to deal with.

Because I got the prescription in weekly doses I didn't even get one of those leaflets with it so I have no idea what is normal in terms of side effects.

[Jan1957]

Do you really think a GP could follow up everyone they had just given medication to. You were told not to take alcohol with them and you did so it is up to you to go back to the GP.

[Hometownglory]

Actually Jan I do think a GP should follow up someone who hey've given medication to which is a mood alterer when they are suffering from a mental illness and therefore at risk of suicide. Especially when they have a history of mental illness.
If you'd read the rest of the post you'd know it's not just about the experience with alcohol. In fact your attitude goes ro prove what it really is that is making me angry- people's sheer ignorance about mental illness.

Pink- only on 10mg so I don't know if any other drug would be any better if the dose is so low and I'm still getting side effects! I will go and see another doctor I think and see if they think it would make a difference.
My sister was on citalopram a few years ago and I seem to remember her feeling sick quite a lot on them too.

[Hometownglory]

Thank you.
Will make an appointment asap!

[Jan1957]

Hometown, I have been on anti-depressants for 14 years after a mental illness but would not expect my gp to come chasing after me considering she has 3,000 patients to worry about. I was not having a go at you but making sure you know that you also have a responsiblity to sort it out yourself. I tried 4 or 5 different types of anti-depressant until I found one which did suit me and help me with my problems, which are ongoing so please don't think it's just that easy. I'm sorry if it upset you but it's just I'll take a pill and it will go away problem.

[Mamyalynne]

I am on Citalopram and also have increased dream activity and some nausea, but it really sounds like you are still unhappy and need to speak to someone.

[Jan1957]

Didn't see an apology in there pinki. but what else should I expect?

[Hometownglory]

I understand tha obviously I need to take responsbility and I don't think I can just take a pill and get better- I've had depression before too.

Well you've kind of proved my point though- you said you had to try a couple of different kinds before you got the right ones.
But I have absolutely no experience of antidepressants, this is the first time I've been on them.
I go to the GP, she tells me she thinks there's nothing wrong with me but gives me antidepressants anyway, sends me away and doesn't mention a follow up appointment or going to see her again.
I get the pills and they don't even come with an information leaflet.
How am I supposed to know this sort of stuff without my GP giving me guidance?
I don't think it's too much to ask that she gives me the treatment I need.
Also I like in quite a small town so each GP has nowhere near 3,000 patients each- would be lucky if it was 1,000!

[Hometownglory]

mamyalynne are your dreams nasty ones or just increased dream activity in general?
Mine are so bad to the point that I've woken up sweating and crying.
I have insomnia too and I'm begining to wonder if it's a subconscious thing that actually I don't want to sleep because I know I'll have horrible dreams!

[Jan1957]

I am now fed up cause I think this is a wind up. No one can get anti-depressants that don't come withe the paperwork if they have come from a GP. I am now off to watch a film.

[Hometownglory]

Oh get a grip, do you really think I'd take the time to write all this if it was a wind up?

The antidepressants don't come form the GP, they come from the pharmacy. The take the meds out of a bigger box (because I only get 7 at a time) and when they did they didn't put in the leaflet to go with it.

Just because someone doesn't agree with you doesn't mean they must be a troll

[Hometownglory]

I can assure you, it's not a wind up.
There's no way I can prove it isn't excpt to say that I came on looking for help and all I've been left with is a horrible sense that I'm just not supposed to get anything right