Bugger, have I reduced my Citalopram dose too soon?

[mummmypirate]

On GP advice I reduced dose to 20mg from 40mg a week ago. Had had 4 fantastic symptom free months (was prescribed Cit for 1st time for PND in Oct) but am really wobbling now - the anxiety is back with a vengeance, along with all the horrid physical symptoms. It had started to creep in the days before I went to see GP about reducing my dose, but my GP said that was normal and I should concentrate on the 4 really good months I'd had. Anyone been through a reduction and had a similar reaction? I'm really trying to stay positive and believe - like all the other times - this blip will pass and I'll be left on a lower dose but it's getting harder to stay optimistic. TIA.

When I was taking citalopram my go wouldn't let me cut down until i had felt all right for 6 months I think.felt a long time at the time (and then cut down v slowly) but did work for me.

I did find when I cut down I got horrendous nightmares which went after a couple of weeks.

to an extend what you are feeling is normal - but it may well be a good idea to reduce to 30 instead of 20 - it's a big drop in one go

i used to get headaches and dizzyness to the extent I'd be bed ridden for days if I tried to cut down. I have been on it for 4 years now.....

Thanks ladies, so many have said it's a big jump but I'm following GP's instructions and his advice has always turned out to be spot on throughout this journey. I did increase from 20 to 40mg in one go and I remember peole saying the same thing in then. Is it a good idea to try and regulate it myself?

I don't think the medication will ever cure my anxiety but it has been fantastic at opening my eyes to what was causing all the symptoms I was experiencing, plus, 20mg is still a biggish dose isn't it? I wouldn't even consider stopping completely until I felt well and had had stabilised on this dose for a good few months.

In the meantime, just trying to find the strength to get through the blip, using the CBT techniques I've learnt and hoping I'll come out other end stronger and one step closer to being off the meds. Is my logic convincing anyone else?!

your logic is sound - your wobble is normal and you can do this

Thanks MadMouse, that's exactly the boost I needed x

This anxiety is getting pretty nasty again now. How long do I give it before I rule out 'a normal reaction to the dose reduction' and start thinking about increasing again? I'm trying to stick it out for a total of 2 weeks, and if no better see GP. When people recommend 4-6 months symptom free before any reduction is that 4-6 months with no bad days whatseoever? I.e. if I go back up to 40mg do I need another 4-6 clear months before attempting any reduction again?

Hi mummyp - sent a long reply yesterday but it isn't here. Sorry don't have much time now. The thing is with these meds they react differently with different people I have no experience of SSRIs as am on an old fashioned tryclic. It's difficult to know whether what you are feeling is withdrawal symptoms from the reduction, which in my completely inexperienced eyes seems a big increase.

I would go back to the GP and maybe not thinking in terms of 4-6 months for this or that, but tell him/her what you are feeling. If you go back up to the full dose and you are ok, then you will know it was the reduction causing the problem.
I was on ADs for 14 years and no problems at all and 5 months after stopping them (very gradually) I was having a severe episode of depression.

Hope things settle down again for you. But as for blips, yes yes and yes again, I am still having them a year on from the beginning of my depression. Far more good days but then a row of bad days. It's all very frustrating an exhausting isn't it.

Why are you so concerned about getting off them - if they make you feel better, there is time enough to think about coming off them when you are completely recovered.

Had it not been for the fact that you said you had the feelings starting to come before you went to the GP it would seem extremely likely that it is the reduction in meds causing the trouble. Were you anxious about going to the GP and could this be the reason you were feeling dep/anxious before you went.

There is a poster on her (nickname Natsyloo) who is very experienced in PND - she has suffered herself and has started a group. I'm sure she would help if you put a call out for her

Thank you so much Nana, had a dreadful night last night - disturbed sleep, hot and cold sweats, feel terribly fluey this morning. I've taken my original 40mg and am going to speak with my GP as soon as poss but I really feel now is not the time to be trying to reduce.

Re. coming off, I was being led by my doctor but also would to TTC later this year and also have fears that longer term use will make coming off harder and will lead to weight gain. Right now though, I know the important thing is to feel well again.

Well, spoke with a GP - mine unavailable - and she said the right thing to do would be to return 40mg, get back on an even keel and then attempt more gradual reduction later. She said this would be alternating between 40 and 20mg each day - because Citalopram has a long half life and this would create same effects as being on 30mg daily. Feel relieved as this is the conclusion I'd come to whilst tossing and turning in bed last night!

Glad you have seen a GP and that you have a plan of what to do next. And hope you are feeling a lot better soon.