Coming off citalopram & nortriptyline?

[NameChange30]

Hi, does anyone have experience of taking citalopram and/or nortriptyline, and then coming off them? If so please can you give me advice on side effects to expect and how to minimise them?
I have been taking both for years (20mg citalopram and 40-30mg nortriptyline) and I'd like to try weaning myself off them. I don't like having to take them every day and don't want to take them for ever. But I'm a bit worried about side effects... If I forget to request a repeat prescription and run out before I can get some more, not taking them for just a day or two can make me feel like crap. Does anyone have any advice please?
Thanks

Can only advise on the citalopram, come off it very very slowly... Get a 10mg prescription take that for at least a couple of weeks, then halve those, then halve again, I eventually ended up just taking crumbs!! Still got an annoying spinning head occasionally.

Oh and get the agreement and support of your Dr and tell someone you trust who can keep an eye out for your mental health just in case.

www.comingoff.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=18&Itemid=28

The above link and site is worth a read. If you've been on the meds for years you'll need to go ever so slowly, set aside 12 months or so to taper.

Hi both, thanks for your replies, I really appreciate the advice and the link. It looks like I will need to come off them one at a time. Better book a doctors appointment to get them to reduce my prescription and advise on timescales. I'm really hoping I can do it over a few months rather than a whole year. One of the reasons for coming off is that my husband and I want to start trying for a baby in the new year. I really want to be medication-free and feeling stable before coming off the pill and getting pregnant!

In terms of support I've been looking for a counsellor and have an initial appointment with one tomorrow, hopefully that will go ok. Also yoga used to do me a lot of good so I would like to start going again. Just have to make sure I get away from work on time!! Eating healthily would probably help too but I am an emotional eater with a massive sweet tooth... Maybe counselling or an alternative therapy could help with that?!

Agree with Boleh.
Don't just stop
Be kind to yourself
Gradually reduce the tablets
Go from half to a quarter but over a few days. If you have been on them a long time just please do it gradually

WHen I came off citalopram, I was prescribed the liquid version so that I could reduce it very slowly and accurately (rather than trying to cut pills).