ANTIDEPRESSANT

Dr put me on Citilopram for anxiety but 5 days in had horrendous palpitations. As my device is set at 70bpm my heartbeat obviously didn't race but it was thumping out my chest and felt fluttery. Dr said to stop and try Sertraline next week but I'm afraid to try them. Any advice welcome about this type of medication. 


2 Comments

Advice in general

by Gemita - 2023-04-05 09:08:19

Lizzie, have you clinically been diagnosed with depression or anxiety or are you feeling just a bit worried about yourself at the moment, worry that could possibly be helped by other therapies (like CBT - talking therapy) rather than antidepressants? 

While antidepressants are absolutely needed for some of us with clinical signs of depression, some antidepressants can cause unwanted symptoms including heart rhythm irregularities by increasing the Q-T interval (which is the time it takes the heart muscle to contract and then to recover). 

I note that meds that do not increase the Q-T interval include Fluoxetine (Prozac), Paroxetine (Paxil), Sertraline (Zoloft), or Buproprion.  You could always try Sertraline as recommended by your doctor?

I always feel that suppression of our fears doesn't help as much as allowing them to surface.  Once they are out in the open they can no longer harm us and we can then move on.  This is what CBT therapy helps us to do.  I had a course of CBT during cancer treatment many years ago and it seemed to do more to help with my anxiety at the time than any medication, so maybe give it a try?  Anxiety I know is miserable and robs us of our lives.  I hope you feel better soon

Lizzie

by Persephone - 2023-04-05 13:57:23

Dear Lizzie - someone struggling with severe anxiety may greatly benefit from medication. It may not have to be a forever med especially if combined with CBT or similar as Gemita describes. I find myself in favor of seeking medical relief to get started on a journey to manage anxiety. I think the option your doc recommended is worth a try. There are many other options to choose from if that doesn't work. I know it's frustrating, but hang in there.

This is just my experience but I have found it helpful to have a low-dose beta blocker that I can take as needed if I start to feel myself sliding into the anxiety rabbit hole

 

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