Citralpram

[Sammy48]

Been to GP tonight as my panic attacks have returned this week after being free of them for 4 months. He has increased my dosage from 20 mg to 30 mg but reading up on google( yes I know I shouldn't), people seem to get horrific side effects.

I never had any from being on 10 mg going up to 20mg.

Getting worried,

[TheChair]

Don't take this the wrong way, but there is not much point in your doctor trying to treat your panic attacks if you are going to go out looking for reasons to panic.

The normal maintenance dose is 20-40 mg per day, so you are on a pretty average dose. If you had no side effects on 20 mg you are unlikely to experience any serious side effects on 30 mg.

[Sammy48]

I know TheChair, I am a worry guts. Have no idea why the panic has returned, nothing comes to mind thats a trigger.

[237SJ]

My best friend was put on Citalopram for her anxiety and panic attacks. That drug didn`t really help her so she went back to the GP, told him that Citalpram was not helping her and he changed her onto Sertraline (which is also an SSRI) Apparently Sertraline is geared towards panic attacks rather than just depression.

[237SJ]

BTW - she feels much better now.

[Sammy48]

237SJ. They have worked for me up till now and I am starting counselling/CBT soon. I have just had a meltdown this week and it's very scary.

[pastafreak]

Look for the books by Dr Claire Weeks. She may seem a bit dated compared to today's therapies,but a number of people on here have benefited from her writing. She's a voice of gentle reassurance,and calm. Just what is needed when we are in panic mode.

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[237SJ]

I know the feeling. I have recently been suffering from reactive depression (due to bereavements) and I have been prescribed 20mg Citalopram per day. I`m not going to stay on them though - I will have CBT (or read the book about Mindfulness that the GP told me to buy) and get off them. There is a lot to be said for alternative therapies alongside the drugs. Maybe you are just having a "blip" and your seratonin levels are unsteady. Hang in there though.

[PankySmooch]

My missus is on them for anxiety attacks, as you probably know they take a while to kick in and can make you feel worse before they start to work but whatever you do don't come off them without consulting your doctor

All the best

[hellywelly4]

Panic attacks are awful, I do sympathise. Keep strong and I can promise you that they WILL go. If you can, let the panic wash over you, and you will come out the other side. Sending a hug to give you strength xx

[sunny-dave]

Whilst in no way suggesting that you give up with your current drug therapies, I would endorse what pastafreak said at 21:21

When I was (quite a lot) younger this book probably saved my life - it certainly saved my sanity :

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Self-Help-Your-Nerves-overcoming/dp/0722531559

[jennyjoan]

I was prescribed Sertraline - but due to the fact that I didn't feel any better with it I took myself off it.

I perhaps should not say this but I truly think that circumstances dictate your depression and no matter what anti-depressants one takes it doesn't heal.

Having said that a friend told me the anti-depressants helped her as she said that some "chemicals" die off in the brain and the a-d put them back. Hope you are feeling well soon.

Definitely wouldn't worry increasing the dose - it is small indeed.

[hellywelly4]

Jennyj - drugs definitely do help! If your chemicals are all in a mess in your brain, they do help to sort you out. Perhaps when you stopped taking them they had worked and you didn't realise it because you were better?

[Postdog]

You think is is wrong to Google? Can't answer for your case, but about a year back, I had to see the area diabetic nurse who put me on new meds for my type 2. It was a very complicated procedure involving shaking the meds a certain way before injecting it in my stomach.

It only had to be done once a week, so I decided to do it on a Sunday every week, which meant waiting a few days. As such, I googled to refresh my memory of what to do, only to see a note saying do not use if you have had pancreatitis, which I have. Apparently, it could have proved fatal.

OK, that was a nurse, not my doctor who prescribed it, but I'm just saying it isn't always silly to research things yourself.

[Sammy48]

Pasta. I have read some of Claire Weeks' books.
Dave. I have that book.
Panky. Thanks
Helly. I have had a few operations in my life but would have them all again than to suffer a panic attack.
Jenny. It took my a couple of years to be convinced I needed anti D's but had to succumb to them in the end.
Postie. I always like to check stuff out on Google, especially medical. Good job you did.