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!

[anneasquith]

firstly make an appointment with another gp, secondly ask your pharmacist for literature for your medication. and getting into arguments on line will not improve your condition. good luck

[tigwig]

Actually pinki, how an earth do you do it?! I moan if I have less than 6 hours! Just cant cope with lack of sleep, I like my bed too much lol.
Sorry for hijacking HTG, hope you get yourself feeling better soon.

[linedancer16]

I am just coming off citalopram after 12 months and my experience was very different. It was the first time I had been depressed (triggered by a bereavement ) and my GP was very sympathetic. I was on 10mg and got 1 month at a time and was told to come back after each month. They took a few weeks to kick in but since then I've been fine and for the last 2-3 months have only been on 5mg. I am now taking them every other day and this precription is my last - I can stop then and I've been told to go back if necessary after that. I haven't had any side effects. Hope every thing works out for you!

[Lisa27]

Don't drink on these tablets Iam on the same ones and have blackouts even with a little drink and I've landed myself in alot of trouble please take my advice don't drink even s little x

[Jan1957]

I want to apologise to everyone on this thread for being such a b1tch last night, especially to Hometownglory and Pinkilady. I should not come on here and take my problems out on other people and I am very sorry for my behaviour. It is unlike me and I am sorry for my very rude and childish comments.

[Hometownglory]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Have an appointment for next week with a different GP so will see how that pans out.
As some of you have pointed out I know it also lies with me and is my responsibility- I realise now that all I had to do was ask about the info leaflet and such but that is one of the ways depression affects me- I have little motivation to do anything and don't really like talking to the people at the pharmacy any more than I need to! Will make more of an effort though as I know it's in my best interests to be proactive in recovery.

[Hometownglory]

Thanks linedancer for sharing your experience- I'm glad it worked well for you and you are able to come off them now. I hope to be in the same situation in the not too distant future :) All the best and hope you never need them again!