Citalopram tapering - Desperate Help

[Chocattack]

Hi, I'm in desperate need of advice. Has anyone any experience of coming off citalopram preferably after short periods? I came off it a few years ago but can't remember my schedule (plus it probably isn't appropriate because I was taking it for months.) I want to come off again but this time I've only been taking it just under 3 weeks. I can't hack it anymore. It's worsened my sleep, causing me more anxiety and the worse is the swinging moods. I've seen my GP 3 times most recently a couple of days ago, she's convinced it'll settle down. I'm not convinced and have decided that even if it does my circumstances aren't going to change and I don't want to battle withdrawal months/years down the line.

Does anyone have any advice? Has anyone tapered off from 10mg/day? I was on 10mg/day for the first 3 days then 16 days on 20mg/day. Today was my first day on 10mg but unsure how many days to continue before reducing to 5mg. Experiences anyone? Thank you.

Sorry to hear you are going through this choc I had a similar reaction to citalopram - messed with my sleep and gave me terrible anxiety. I only managed 3 days on it, so well done you for persisting as long as you have.

Your GP may well be right, it may settle down, but you know your limits better than she does. There's no way I could have hacked those side effects any longer than I did. And actually it's unnecessary as there is probably an AD that would suit you much better and not cause such horrible effects.

The fact you've only been on it a short time means it should be easier to wean yourself off. Even so I would say do it slowly. I was on a different AD for about 1.5 years and when I decided to come off, I did it really gradually over about 6 months. The drs. said it was unnecessary to take this long but I just wanted to be safe to avoid withdrawal.

I've been given advice not to do the "every other day" thing as it can cause the drug to peak in your blood and drop again. Maybe just a smooth transition of cutting down little by little over the course of a few weeks.

You should def ask your GP for a different AD, and if she doesn't have enough expertise then a referral to the mental health team. I was given mirtazapine in the end and worked for me. Wish I'd had it sooner, would have saved me a lot of suffering.

All the best

Yes, I came off it with no problems a couple of months ago. I remember it took some time to get off gradually, but cannot remember the exact timing. I was originally on 20mg per day, then on 10mg, and I believe this was for a two-week period. I did not go to a lower dose tablet,(5mg) but seem to remember that at the end of the time, I was taking one 10mg on alternate days for a week, then a final week on one 10mg tablet every two days.
Sorry I can't remember more precisely, but am sure the GP would give you proper instructions on how to come off them and slowly get onto a new one.

Thank you GetDown and shodatin for your (rapid) responses. Much appreciated.

GetDown - OMG I'm relieved I'm not the only one. My first few days were horrendous but I was expecting it (previous experience) so that's the only reason I perservered! Can I ask the name of the different AD you came off? I've been reading online about avoiding the every other day thing for citalopram because of it's relatively short half life. Though previously I vaguely remember doing exactly as shodatin did with the alternate days then every 2 days .

shodatin if you don't mind me asking, roughly how long you were taking citalopram for before coming off? I'm thinking of taking 10mg/day for 4 days then reducing to 5mg/day for 3 day which would equate to spending one-third of the time coming off as I was taking them for. I just don't want to suffer anymore but know I shouldn't just stop cold turkey. I am seeing my GP again mid-week and will discuss what I'm doing with her but I really don't want to carry on taking the 20mg until then.

Thanks again.

The AD that worked for me was called mirtazapine. It was much more "calming" for me - helped me sleep and reduced my anxiety. I think the SSRIs (like citalopram, prozac etc) are just too stimulating for some people.

Mirtazapine is a more sedating AD. GPs generally don't give it out as it is beyond their remit. I had mine prescribed by a psychiatrist.

Hope you get the help you need, I remember those citalopram days well it was awful. I ended up calling NHS direct as it was a weekend and I was so so ill on them.

If I were you I'd just take the 10mg until your next appt.

Wish I could remember how long I was on it, but something's affected my memory! Maybe a year?
As you're seeing GP next week, I'd stay on 10mg daily I think. Someone I know came off it at same time, within 2 weeks I think, and suffered badly particularly with sleeping.
It's just possible the side-effects will get less; hope so.

Ah yes mirtazapine. I've had that before but didn't realise it wasn't a SSRI. I'm definitely sensitive so maybe just can't take stimulating ADs (well I can't even drink coffee!).

My memory is shot too!

I think I'll stick with the 10mg for now - only 3 days I guess.

Thanks for the advice you two.

Been a bit busy or would have posted earlier; glad you decided to stay at 10mg, and hope GP can find you something better.
It's worrying to have side-effects, but can honestly say I've never had a problem coming off any meds, so hope you'll be OK too.