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On And Off Depression. Taking Sertraline, Citalpram, Having Insomnia Problem. Should I Continue?
Hi, I have suffered with depression now on and off for around 10 years since an abusive relationship. My medication had been increased from 20mg citalopram to 40mg in June 2012, and this had worked fairly well until the beginning of the year, when I was tried on a combination of Citalopram and Mirtazepine 15mg, but this over sedated me. Recently, around 5 weeks ago I was prescribed Sertraline 50mg with the Citalpram 40mg. To begin with I felt great, apart from insomnia, I am continuing on the medication but the insomnia continues. I am unable to sleep until around 3am and then I find it hard to get out of bed. I'm also experiencing mood changes. Should I be taking this combination? I've been trying to research it and all the articles I read point to the same conclusion, that they are both serotonin uptake inhibitors and the combination is not recommended? Any advice would be great, Thanks, Mel
Mon, 5 Aug 2013
Long standing depression on and off is called as recurrent depressive disorder.
Treatment of such condition is long term antidepressant with an aim to prevent such relapses
But, if some one has some psychosocial issues like relationship problem in your case, one need to focus on treatment of such psychosocial problem via psychotherapy. Adding this psychological treatment to medications that has shown good response in past, to my mind, will help insomnia, too.
Too many combination of medications may not be advisable, you can do thyroid function test, too. Sometimes coexisting thyroid problem can complicate depression. Consult an endocrinologist and psychiatrist
Treatment of such condition is long term antidepressant with an aim to prevent such relapses
But, if some one has some psychosocial issues like relationship problem in your case, one need to focus on treatment of such psychosocial problem via psychotherapy. Adding this psychological treatment to medications that has shown good response in past, to my mind, will help insomnia, too.
Too many combination of medications may not be advisable, you can do thyroid function test, too. Sometimes coexisting thyroid problem can complicate depression. Consult an endocrinologist and psychiatrist
I find this answer helpful
Hi
you have said you experience mood changes after starting on combination of citalopram and sertraline. These could indicate the onset of bipolarity with antidepressants. I would suggest to stick to either citalopram or sertraline and if you do not respond fully, raise the dose of that drug slowly, watching for symptoms like reduced need for sleep, feeling energetic, wanting to spend more and talk etc. giving this combination is not a scientific choice . What you may need is a mood stabilizer . May be you take a second opinion from anotherpsychiatrist regarding your present regime of medicines
DR SAATIISH JHUNTRRAA
you have said you experience mood changes after starting on combination of citalopram and sertraline. These could indicate the onset of bipolarity with antidepressants. I would suggest to stick to either citalopram or sertraline and if you do not respond fully, raise the dose of that drug slowly, watching for symptoms like reduced need for sleep, feeling energetic, wanting to spend more and talk etc. giving this combination is not a scientific choice . What you may need is a mood stabilizer . May be you take a second opinion from anotherpsychiatrist regarding your present regime of medicines
DR SAATIISH JHUNTRRAA
I find this answer helpful
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