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Having a tendency and history of using meds such as prozac and citalopram I am curious about how to square the fact that the gp insists on a monthly assessment which is hardly convenient with the job of euro driving.Case in point,spoke to my primary doctor who refused to prescribe me any meds prior to doing some Italian groupage work,and yet seeking a second opinion from another doc,was given the all-clear and off I trotted with a months supply,however I found myself away for nearly 6 weeks with no recourse to a re-supply and paid the head wrecking price coupled with the joys of negotiating major Italian cities,result…major shedwreck situation and job suffered as a consequence.
What is it with these monthly gp appraisals?surely if any job on earth requires a nullifying agent in the form of ssri’s it would be transport,especially on the euro side of things.Has anyone on here had similar experiences and managed to procure a consistent supply of ssri’s,without having to lose a days pay to just sit back in the surgery and say,‘can I have another months supply please good doctor’.Why can’t they give repeat prescriptions given the intrinsically non 9 to 5 nature of haulage…seems ridiculous,I’ve used them in the past while driving with no problems at all,but it seems to fall on deaf ears.
AFAIK those sort of meds should not be stopped abruptly. In which case, in your situation I would go to the nearest emergency centre and ask for further supplies as a matter of urgency. If you do this often enough, they may ge the message? Especially if you call the surgery each time you do it.
I know they have to keep an eye on people taking strong meds, but having to take time off work so regularly to attend, will only add to the patients’ problems. You’d think they could work something out, like a telephone appointment between actual visits.
Sometimes it seems like doctors just expect everyone to be able to fit in with their Monday to Friday hours regardless of them trying to hold a job down. 
Perhaps it is your GP or practice because one of my family members gets Citalopram every 4 weeks by repeat prescription without seeing a doctor - they call the chemist and get a 4 week repeat no problem
The GP does like to see then every so often and may sometimes informs the chemist of this in which case the chemist informs the patient and an appointment is made but the prescription still goes ahead
I cannot see why you cannot get a 6 or 8 week supply if you tell them that you will be out of the UK for that time
I went to see my doc as have a list of drugs he then gave the go ahead to have a 3 mth perception
When I need more phone chemist & they organise it for me to collect or deliver when ready
So a trip to gp may help as you wont go through the hassle although you gp may want to see you at times as my consultant does
I was told to stop driving whilst taking Citalopram, although it was a high dose, now I am on a smaller dose but can only get one months supply, although I get three months of all my other medication, except aspirin
Hi having taken antidepressants for some time over the years you learn a bit. First a dr needs to see if the meds are working as not all suit, minimum 2 wks. At the beginning you do normally see the dr monthly (4weekly) to be kept an eye on, though the occasional tel appt shouldn’t hurt. In some cases people are a suicide risk so they are not allowed to accumalate tablets. I doubt your drs being difficult it’s probably the surgeries protocol & each surgeries different. If you stick to the same dr for all appts & calls they get to know you & become more accomodating. In your case you really need to know where you stand & not be left without meds as withdrawal can give you unsavoury symptoms. I hope you get it sorted & feel better soon.
Beebee:
Hi having taken antidepressants for some time over the years you learn a bit. First a dr needs to see if the meds are working as not all suit, minimum 2 wks. At the beginning you do normally see the dr monthly (4weekly) to be kept an eye on, though the occasional tel appt shouldn’t hurt. In some cases people are a suicide risk so they are not allowed to accumalate tablets. I doubt your drs being difficult it’s probably the surgeries protocol & each surgeries different. If you stick to the same dr for all appts & calls they get to know you & become more accomodating. In your case you really need to know where you stand & not be left without meds as withdrawal can give you unsavoury symptoms. I hope you get it sorted & feel better soon.
I am not sure about the suicide risk as I get 3 month supply of Paracetamol 500mg and the same amount of Codeine Phosphate 30mg. I just wish they would give me 3 months supply of Ex Lax 
Beebee:
In some cases people are a suicide risk so they are not allowed to accumalate tablets.
Doesn’t matter what they allow, it’s not difficult to accumulate tablets. I have a couple of dozen boxes stashed away for check out day. None of them were prescribed to me.
Hi your quite right, I only said it as that’s an excuse the dr has given me for not prescribing more than a month at a time. Someone who really wants to take their life will find the means no matter what. 