Last week i went to see my GP regarding my prescription citalopram, as the repeat prescription i usually had been stopped. Basically the GP, insisted i need to come off after nearly 3 years. I tried to tell the GP that this was the wrong time for me as i have been rebuilding my life and was looking for work. I suggested to let me me get my career back up and running - i have been doing IT courses in the previous 1 and half years. Now just i finished i was ready for work, but the GP refused my request. I also told him i had pressure from my parents who want to see my work again as they are worried and i dont want to put them through all the s*** they had with me before. Anyway despite all of this he didnt want to know.

I have now been on 30mg coming down from 40mg for the last week and feel completely slowed down, unable to look for work, I feel very aggravated, that the GP never listened to me. Also i may lose my JSA money and i have a wedding to go and at the moment the way im going im not sure i will be up to it the way i have been detoriating. This is the wrong time for me. Surely I have the right to chose when i come off? I feel like my work is being undone.

Hi Gazza

I am no expert but your doctors behaviour really doesnt sound right to me at all. Your weening off meds should be a joint decision, and ultimately yours to make, not his. I would highly recommend you get yourself a new doctor which is your right, doctors are not infallible and are just people too and like people, some are good and some are bad. If you are at any time unhappy with or unsure about a doctors decision etc it is ALWAYS your right to see someone else or get a second opinion. Especially if you are doing OK and feel like you are getting your life back on track, you really dont need this kind of unnecessary upheaval at this point in time.
I would also suggest to you if you are able (financially etc) to get yourself a psychiatrist. They are better trained in mental health issues and often bettered informed about medications, after all it is their speciality. I was being medicated by GPs for a longtime, and then started to finally see a psychiatrist and the difference was amazing. Not always the case, just my experience.
Just remember your health your decisions.

Good Luck and let us know how you go

Gazza,

A GP really has no right telling you when you need to come off of these types of medications. You know your emotional state and your history. I would also recommend getting to a psychiatrist ASAP! At the very least get a second opinion!

Thanks guys for the replys, im furious that i have been put in this position. The good news is today at least i felt a bit better but has slowed me down, hopefully i will return to full fitness. In the meantime how do i get a psychiatrist? Its very hard on the NHS, you have to be in the system for years. I cant afford private.

The GP has to refer you to a psychiatrist, unless you are able to go private, but i agree with the others, try seeing a different GP.


Torch xxx