My very first anti depressant?

Question

I was prescribed my very first anti depressant, Citalopram, today. I've brought it home and I am too scared to take it. I keep looking at the box. I suffer from extreme depression and my doc only prescribed me 10mg coz its my first time but I still worry about all these scary stories you hear...they are mind altering, addictive, the come down period is catastrophic once you stop taking them. IF you ever stop taking them, you get memory loss...

God, I just want to feel better and I have tried all other therapies like natural meds and talking..I know this will help but Im just scared of the scary stuff...most importantly..WILL I PUT ON LOADS OF WEIGHT??

help yahooers!!

Answer 1

I have taken Citalopram 20mg. They are designed to make you feel calmer. You need to take them for a couple of weeks at least to feel the benefit.
They don't make you put on weight, if anything when you feel better you will be more active.
They are one of the milder forms of antidepressant and are the easiest to stop taking.
The efects are very subtle at first and you are unlikely to get any side effects.
Good luck

Answer 2

As Salaam to you all, Taking any medication for a true illness is not Haram, even if that medicine has alcohol within it. Enough has been said about anti-depressants by other contributors to this question but it is up to the individual and what the doctor has prescribed that matters. It is up to the individual to take or not take the prescription if they truly think and believe that they can do without it, or the doctor can be influenced into prescribing an alternative medicine. Wa Salaam

Answer 3

I've been there, done that, and been down your road many times with antidepressants. First, please take your meds as directed as you feel much better in as little as two weeks.

I've never suffered memory loss and I've taken Paxil, Prozac, and a others. I've gotten dry mouth, constipation, and sedation, but nothing that I can't deal with or remedy myself. To not take your med is to risk the worst case which is suicide or forced admission to the loony bin, so please don't go down those paths.

Millions of people suffer from depression and get help from meds and counseling. I do suggest you get some counseling as it will improve your treatment.

If you need to chat, remember that on the Net, you're never alone. Good luck!

Answer 4

You poor girl. What a situation you're in. Just remember it's your life. You don't have to take anything you don't want to. If you'd like to try another way then do it. If you think this is your best chance then try. I don't think you'll be hopelessly sucked into something once you try them. I think the scary stories are in the minority of users. The press just likes to report this stuff because it gets people to watch commercials. If you take them and something bad happens you can stop. Maybe you have to taper off or something but keep in mind you can choose to stop if you want. You're in control. Not your doctor.

Answer 5

First of all, there is a reason you were prescribed this. It's just a tool to help you get better. As long as you look at it that way, there should be no problems. As long as you eat healthy and exersize regulary, you should have no weight problems. Actually, jogging and exersize could be therapeutic as well. Just keep your chin up and everything will be fine!

Answer 6

Try it out. Your doctor gave it to you for a reason.

YOu may gain some weight. If you start to gain weight, then look at your diet and exercise, just taking one pill won't make you put on 20 pounds, the food and lack of exercise do that :)

Answer 7

Do what your doctor tells you! There might be some weight gain, but isn't that worth being happy? [YES]

Answer 8

I have not been on that but i am taking effexor and it works great... not only can i sleep and i dont feel as if im going to go nuts i have also lost weight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!