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Mental health

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Flip

Original poster

Nearly weaned off citalopram.

23 replies

Shitalopram · 25/01/2017 23:19

Have been on citalopram for nearly 3 years now. This has been my 7th time on SSRIs over 20 years. Have had lots of short runs of CBT too.

Have been feeling much better and been weaning off for the last 2 months (not with GP advice as last 2 times I felt ready to stop he just cancelled my prescription which was a hideous experience.) They've served a purpose but I don't want to be stuck on them forever.

Because I've done it very slowly this time I have had very few of the harsh withdrawal effects, such as "brain buzzes" or nausea.

I think it's going quite well but I have noticed this last week that I'm feeling all my feelings again - irritability is creeping back in, and so is overwhelm. I know I can manage these but it is a bit scary to come out of the monotone bubble...

OP posts:

Pinkgeek · 25/01/2017 23:24

Have you finished weaning yourself off them so no more tablets?

I've been on citalopram on and off for the last 8 years! I have weaned off 4 times. The longest I've gone is a year without them. That year I went to the gym every other day so exercise is definitely key to keeping off anti depressants.
I am currently on the pills as too scared to try again at the moment.
You are doing so well to be trying to come off them and if you need to take them again but perhaps a lower dose, remember there is no shame in needing help.
Best of luck

Itisnoteasybeingdifferent · 26/01/2017 15:15

Well done you....

Now some might say wine is not a good idea but WTH?

CantGetNoSleeeeeeep · 26/01/2017 21:34

Well done you! As already has been suggested hit the gym! Remember your CBT, meditate. The last bit apparently is the hardest, you can do it

Original poster

Shitalopram · 26/01/2017 22:46

Thanks everyone! Down to 5mg every other day now. Going to move to every 3 days next week. Was on 20mg a day at the start of December and have been inching it down very very slowly. I know I'm ready. Thanks for all the encouragement to have good strategies in place. CBT never did work for me (felt like being told off and morphed into a sort of mocking inner critic) but big yes to exercise and meditation! And am putting lots of happy things in the diary; movie nights, lovely walks, time with friends.

SSRIs have helped carry me out of some very dark times but I'm ready to embrace all my emotions again now. It's like I want to experience all of them because I want to live life to the full. What a difference from the many times I've not wanted to be here at all...

OP posts:

NowtAbout · 26/01/2017 22:50

Can you make it even smaller dose but still close two days apart? Might be slower and less of a shock? I always wait when it starts feeling weird for a week or two til levels out again. Well done

Original poster

Shitalopram · 28/01/2017 20:55

Good idea Nowt. I'll try that I think.

OP posts:

Itisnoteasybeingdifferent · 29/01/2017 21:53

Can I suggest you hang on for a few more weeks until the days really stqrt to draw out?

Serotonin is a significant hormone formed in response to daylight. As the days get longer your body adjusts by itself to produce more.

Haribogirl · 29/01/2017 22:15

I think going to 3 days without any AD is not very God idea, because your brain/serotonin levels will be hit and miss iyswim like one day 5mg then nothing for 2/3 days

I would if me, have a little every day and bring it down like very slowly

clairethewitch70 · 29/01/2017 22:18

Citalopram is available as drops which may make it easier to wean off. Drops are put in water.

SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower · 29/01/2017 22:21

Once I got down to 5mg every other day I started to feel this as well. My GP said such a small amount could trigger symptoms and to just come off it. I did, and it was the right thing in my case. I'm not advising you to do that, but just offering a different view point.

I reduced really really really slowly. Think it took me 3 months to go from 30mg to coming off them completely. It's so fucking hard, isn't it.

SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower · 29/01/2017 22:23

I also agree with the advice to wait a few weeks, perhaps until the clocks change. I deliberately waited until spring to come off mine, but lack of sunlight has a huge effect on me.

Original poster

Shitalopram · 30/01/2017 22:49

Thank you, these are good suggestions. I've decided to wait where I am for another fortnight. Happily I do quite an outdoorsy job so I get a decent amount of sunlight even at this time of year!

OP posts:

Original poster

Shitalopram · 06/02/2017 18:58

Feeling pretty tearful the last couple of days. I know it's just things settling but it's so hard.

OP posts:

Original poster

Shitalopram · 11/02/2017 14:32

I've decided not to taper off any more for now as my symptoms are all back with a vengeance. Trying to see it as an experiment rather than a failure.

OP posts:

Original poster

Shitalopram · 15/02/2017 03:53

Well just thought I would record, for the benefit of anyone who does a search on this in future, that my symptoms came back so hard and fast this last week that I've had to switch back to my full dose as an emergency measure. Was tearful, suicidal thoughts, ready to pack in my job/run away, the lot.

So I guess now is not the right time after all..!

OP posts:

Itisnoteasybeingdifferent · 15/02/2017 04:47

Oh dear.
Try again another time.. We are here for you.

fallenempires · 15/02/2017 12:38

Oh no!
Would you consider switching to other AD's?

Original poster

Shitalopram · 15/02/2017 17:24

I've tried most of them by now fallen but thank you.

I think it's just time to accept I have to manage this thing rather than ever recover from it.

OP posts:

Itisnoteasybeingdifferent · 15/02/2017 17:50

Shitalopram

One of the most useful things I have done is to accept that I will never "recover" from being a manic depressive". It is part of me and I am part of it. By accepting that I can get on with my life and live within my capabilities instead of railing against my limitations.

Wolfiefan · 15/02/2017 17:54

I was on citalopram. I reduced my dose by the smallest amount possible and then was told not to reduce it more until I had felt ok on the new lower dose for some weeks. It took months. Not weeks to come off. It sounds like you have come off really rather quickly. If GP is no help them ask for referral to someone who knows their stuff.

Original poster

Shitalopram · 15/02/2017 18:16

I've been asking for a referral to a consultant for 20 years through various GPs but I am becoming convinced that there's something on my notes saying "ignore her." I only see the doc maybe once every two years about it when I've reached a crisis of some sort.

OP posts:

fallenempires · 15/02/2017 21:02

This is no way to be living though is it?Other than recommending the obvious what more can be suggested to you? I think that you have been badly let down.

StewPots · 15/02/2017 21:06

Urrrrgh. I made the silly decision to stop my Citalopram by myself, oh my god it was horrendous. Awful electric shock feelings down my arms, regular dizziness, head fog...terrible. Wish I'd withdrawn properly, if just had enough of being on them at that point. Good luck OP and well done for reaching this stage in your life I've been off them for 2 years now and I'll be honest, sometimes I want to go back on them but within a few days, I'm ok. It's a long road.

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