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Mental health

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Original poster

Reducing down Citalopram. Need advice/support

22 replies

bristols · 24/04/2009 11:48

Have been on 20mg Citalopram for the past year for PND. I have been feeling really well so I felt ready to start to reduce them with a view to coming off them altogether.

I have been on 10mg for the past four weeks and for the past week or so I have felt really quite down. I've been tearful and anxious as well as short tempered.

I don't know whether this will pass as my body readjusts or whether this is how it would be long-term.

I'm due to see the GP on Monday for a review. We were considering reducing to 10mg every other day but I don't feel ready for that. I don't know whether I should go back to 20mg or stick with 10 for a few more weeks to see if it settles.

Anyone else been through the same? Any advice?? TIA

OP posts:

Original poster

bristols · 24/04/2009 11:59

Anyone? Could really do with a few words of encouragement.....

OP posts:

Gillyan · 24/04/2009 12:23

When I was on Citalopram I was taking 40mg at the height of depression. I suddenly stopped taking it which was a bad idea and felt the effects immediately. I slowly reduced it down but if I got tearful more than a couple of times I went back up again by a half with consulting my GP. Keep with it you'll get off it eventually just don't rush it

Original poster

bristols · 24/04/2009 12:35

thanks Gillyan. How long did it takr you in all?

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Gillyan · 24/04/2009 12:40

I was on it about 2 years solidly, I've been off them now for about 4 years and never needed them again. I think for me having a proper bout of depression - hospitalised etc - did me good becuase I recognise the signs now of feeling down and I know how to make myself feel better. It sounds stupid but honestly if you're feeling tearful just go and have a shower or do your hair or get up and go for a walk - I have to talk myself through simple tasks somethimes to make me do it. I sued to hate taking the meds as it every one I popped in my mouth reminded me I had a problem so I used to just stop taking them but soon realised I needed them to get better.

I think it took about 3 months to come off them completely but then I suppose it's different for everyone becuase I had started to feel better in myself. How lomg have you been taking them?

Original poster

bristols · 24/04/2009 12:50

Have been taking them for a year. I am trying hard to get out and about and keep myself busy but I have found that my motivation to do anything is getting less and less.

I am worried about the impact on my DSes. They are 2 and a half and 14 months. I can already feel myself losing patience with them much more quickly than before.

I had definitely started to feel better in myself which is why I felt able to start to reduce them. I know exactly what you mean about being reminded of having a problem every time I take a tablet.

OP posts:

Original poster

bristols · 24/04/2009 12:52

By the way, thanks for chatting

OP posts:

pooter · 24/04/2009 12:58

well, im on citalopram at the mo, after changing from paroxetine (been on ADs for 20yrs on and off) and i noticed that i was a lot less patient with DS. I got an inflatable punchbag and video, to pound away at, and it really helps. Its an outlet for anger and frustration (angry at myself most of the time) and also gets you moving which helps alleviate the depression.

Hope you find a way that works for you, but be kind to yourself and take it slowly.

ConnorTraceptive · 24/04/2009 13:00

When I came off citalopram I was on 30 mg I came off very slowly

Week one I alternated each day taking 30mg one day 20mg the next

Week two: 20mg everyday

week three: 20mg/10mg alternate days

week four: 10mg everyday

week five 10mg/no tablet alternate days

week six stop all together.

This worked really well for me

Gillyan · 24/04/2009 13:06

have you been suffering PND? My depression was before I became PG and I was very concerned I would get PND. I had a year off work and did get a bit down. Do you work? Do you have family/friends that are aware off how you feel and know how to deal with it? My mum didn't really understand that being told to pull yourself together does not help. I always used to put off seeing people and still do sometimes but I always feel better when a good friend has been round for a brew or something especially un-announced ( which I usually hate ) but by the time she's gone I always feel more cheery. Do you have a good friend you could ask to call in on you?

If you don't feel it's the right time to come off them why don't you take the pressure off yourself and stay on them on a while longer and hopefully you can only get better.

Gillyan · 24/04/2009 13:06

Sorry just saw you have said it was PND

Original poster

bristols · 24/04/2009 13:06

Connortraceptive - Maybe I'll ask the GP if I could do the 20mg/10mg alternate days for a few weeks then. The plan he gave me originally to come off 20mg was:

Week 1-4: 10mg daily
Week 4-6: 10mg alternate days
Week 6-8: 10mg twice a week
Week 8-10: 10mg once a week

Maybe going half dose straight away was a bit drastic?!

I know the things I should be doing to make myself feel better but I'm finding it hard to actually get on with it.

OP posts:

Original poster

bristols · 24/04/2009 13:15

Gillyan - I do work two days a week and that certainly helps although I do feel as though I'm putting on a face there but maybe that's better than moping around at home!

My parents live abroad so I avoid talking to my Mum about it as I know she'll worry herself about me. I try to protect her from it a bit.

I do have a couple of close friends who know (I haven't told many people) and I will be seeing one of them this afternoon. I think I'll mention it to her as she is very good at 'keeping an eye on me'!

I did feel that now was the right time as I was feeling very positive about everything.

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Gillyan · 24/04/2009 13:19

Yeah the alternate dose and day thing sounds ggod, I'm sure I did that too but just off my own back which I know you shouldn't do. If you feel it's the right time then stick with it, you will get there!!!

It is easy to say do this do that with regard to getting up and going out etc and I know how it feels to have no motivation - thats the problem isn't it the just not wanting to. I used to find making a realistic list of stuff to do helped but sometimes I just ignored it. It's hard, so ggo luck, don't give up!

Original poster

bristols · 24/04/2009 13:20

I've got to go to work now. Thanks for replying to me.
I'll be checking in again later...

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maggiethecat · 24/04/2009 19:56

Hijacking Bristols - close relative of mine had severe depression 3 years ago - it hit the family really hard. Fortunately she has come through it, with medication. She's still on citalopram but I dont think she takes it as prescribed and goes through low periods now and again. I live in fear of a full blown relapse.

Gentle · 25/04/2009 16:35

Bristols I came off it in a similar way to connortraceptive and it was fairly seamless, although on a couple of occassions I stayed at the dose I'd got to for a few more days if I was having a stressful week. If anything I only noticed good things, like return of libido and better sleep.

I did get the strange head-buzz sensations which many people describe, but that was a small price to pay!

Gentle · 25/04/2009 16:37

Oh forgot to say I also staggered it to 2 days on the higher dose a some stages, e.g. 2 days of 20m, 1 day of 10m, 2 days 20, etc, before going for alternate days. Took about 2 months in total.

BillSilverFoxBuchanan · 25/04/2009 16:57

Bristols - I am in a similar position to you at the moment. I've been taking citalopram since January and am coming off them now in order to try a different medication.

I was on 60mg, but am on 40mg this week and have to come off them, have a break, then go onto the new ones within 8 weeks.

If you're not ready to decrease and your mood is being affected by the lower dose your GP should suggest a different strategy.

Hope your appointment goes well on Monday

Original poster

bristols · 26/04/2009 20:26

Thanks, all. I have had a good weekend. Seen some friends, the sun has been out and DH has been home which all make me feel better. Will let you know how I get on tomorrow.

Talked to DH about it and he reckons sticking with the 10mg dose for a few more weeks is the way forward. He is GP which is a help but I sometimes have to remind him that he is talking to me as his wife, not his patient. I think he finds it all a bit difficult.

ANyway, will be back tomorrow. Thanks for sharing your stories

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Gillyan · 27/04/2009 13:04

Hope you're doing okay

Original poster

bristols · 28/04/2009 20:31

Thanks Gillyan. Had a bit of a nightmare day yesterday. Couldn't get an appointment at the GP. They only offer 'book on day' appointments and despite calling them at 8am on Thurs, Fri and Monday, was unable to secure one!

Ended up getting a repeat prescription which is OK but I really wanted to talk it through. Only got a four week prescription so will start ringing in about two weeks to get the appointment on time!

Had a bad day yesterday but better today. We have arranged to go to stay with my parents for a week on Saturday so looking forward to that but already worrying about leaving them to come home...

Trying not to think too far ahead so here's to tomorrow.

OP posts:

Gillyan · 28/04/2009 21:11

Take one day at a time

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