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Original poster

Day 8 Off Citalopram And Feel Alive!

370 replies

boolifooli · 07/09/2009 12:08

The last 4 days have been yuk but I feel great today! I first noticed yesterday that I am feeling things more, I cried while watching a movie yesterday and that hasn't happened for a while. Although the Citalopram capped the anxiety it also capped a lot of the good stuff. Anyways I just wanted to give some hope to people who are thinking of coming off and worried after reading many horror stories.

OP posts:
Original poster
boolifooli · 28/09/2009 10:21

Hi Orm, the head shocks tail of after about day 5 or 6 and they do drop off quickly after that. I think you might have one once or twice a day here and there for about another week after that and even then they are not as bizarra as the first few days.

It's been 29 days since my last day and I think I am better off the meds. My ups are higher and the lows are no different. I have more energy too. It's also 8 days since I had a drink and my jeans are already looser. Hey, humour me!

OP posts:
OrmIrian · 28/09/2009 10:50

Thanks booli!

And yes from here your jeans definitely look looser

Summertimefizz · 28/09/2009 12:23

Hi Ladies,
Orm - I agree with booli, I joined this thread asking the same question on day 4 of taking my last tablet. These guys were great and supported me through and got me to hang on in there. It's day 12 for me now and I'm suprised how clear headed I am, DH has met his match in quick, witty remarks, that put him in his place. My lips for some reason tingle 4-5 times a days which is a bit weird. Alcohol not so good had a drink saturday to help deal with DD's buddies sleeping over and DH away. I didn't enjoy it at all, perhaps the guilt got in the way?!

Booli- 29 & 8 days thats fantastic well done...

I wish my ass looked that good in jeans.

Chillo- Hope you're ok...

OrmIrian · 28/09/2009 12:31

No wine?

Nooooo....

ChilloHippi · 28/09/2009 18:09

I've got wine for tonight
And I am doing really well with the 40mg. It's been nearly three weeks since I cut down from 60mg to 40mg. How long do you think I should leave it before I cut down to 20mg?

Original poster
boolifooli · 28/09/2009 18:54

Hi Chillo - maybe you could try alternating 20 one day then 40 the next day for a week? See how that goes?

OP posts:
OrmIrian · 28/09/2009 20:04

I went running tonight and had more energy that I have had for ages. The brain shudders were a bit offputting but I felt better afterwards.

I feel more positive about things now.

ChilloHippi · 29/09/2009 08:00

Wow I think you are mad for running but I am also jealous I wouldn't make it to the end of the road without collapsing! How far did you run?

I feel poo today after drinking last night. Why can't I learn a lesson from that??

OrmIrian · 29/09/2009 08:17

Only 4 miles but it's a start. I managed 6 on saturday but felt a lot worse afterwards.

Booze is a bastard isn't it? It always seems like such a lovely idea at the time....

GooseyLoosey · 29/09/2009 08:23

This is all very interesting.

Over the past 2 years I have taken citaopram, sertraline and fluoxetine. All for accute anxiety and depression.

In the summer, my 6 year old son had an accident resulting in him being in intensive care for a while. I stopped taking everything. No immediate side effects (wouldn't have noticed them anyway).

Recently, I have found I am a bit irritable, but like OrmIrian wonder if that's hormonal.

I had put on weight and have now started running and for the first time in ages actually fancy sex.

There is no doubt that these pills have turned my life around, but its good to be free of them.

ChilloHippi · 29/09/2009 08:49

4 miles is amazing! Well done Orm
You're right, Goosey. The pills have helped me through a tough time and now I am looking forward to coming off them completely, although I really appreciate their help. I know my DH will be happier when I fancy sex again too, but I can't see myself taking up running any time soon.

GooseyLoosey · 29/09/2009 09:06

Actually Chillo, I think that the running helps to make you feel better. Must say in my case it is more of a lollop than a run but it does feel like I am controlling life and not letting things get away from me.

OrmIrian · 29/09/2009 09:27

Yes it does. I can recommend it chillo. Seriously. I have been running regularly for about 4 yrs now - took it up when I got fed up with the hassle of the gym and classes. It gives you head space and the sense of relaxation and well-being after a run is fantastic. I was battling anxiety all last summer but it was only when I had to stop running in Septemeber when I broke my foot that it overwhelmed me and I had to see my GP. I only stopped this summer becase of tendonitis in both feet.

It is life-changing.

BrokenBananaTantrum · 29/09/2009 11:59

Hi can I ask some advice about comoing off Citalopram? I had been on 40mg a day for 2 years, have done 2 weeks at 20 mg and now i'm moving on to (hopefully) 2weeks of 10mg then off.

Am I going too quickly?

ChilloHippi · 29/09/2009 12:09

I'm no expert, BrokenBananaTantrum (great name!!!) but I think that's too quick. I have cut down from 60 to 40 three weeks ago, and I am going to stay on 40 for at least a couple of months before I cut down to 20mg.
Your system will have a build up of the drug in it and I think 4 weeks to go from 40 to nothing will be a big shock.

OrmIrian · 29/09/2009 13:12

It will be a huuuge shock. I was only on 20 -went down to 10 for a few weeks and then went cold turkey (so to speak) and I feel like WWIII is going on inside my head But emotionally I feel so much better strangely.

BrokenBananaTantrum · 29/09/2009 13:12

Oh dear. I want to start TTC #2 and I'm desperate to come off quickly but if it's gonna make me feel shit I guess I should be more careful

Original poster
boolifooli · 29/09/2009 13:31

Hi Broken, I agree with the others, stay on the 20 for a while longer. THe fat that you're keen to get off is a good sign that you are ready to but it is wise to stretch it out as much as you can really if you were on 40 to start with. Any why do kids, mine included, feel the need to throw wild tantrums over a broken banana??? I think they're the ones who need the meds!

OP posts:
Original poster
boolifooli · 29/09/2009 13:31

The FACT. Doh.

OP posts:
BrokenBananaTantrum · 29/09/2009 13:40

hmmm looks like we might have to postpone TTC for a bit.

I don't know why children meltdown over bananas. If its peeled too much its wrong, if its not peeled enoough its wrong. If it breaks in half - nuclear meltdown in our house!

ChilloHippi · 29/09/2009 13:44

BrokenBanana, I spoke with my doctor about TTC on the meds (we've postponed it, but not because of the medication) and he said it's not great to be on them when you are pregnant, and you certainly cannot breastfeed on them, but it wouldn't be the end of the world to be on them when you are pregnant.

gonnabehappy · 29/09/2009 14:18

Hi

I went from 40 to 10 over a little more than a week. It was a BAD idea! I would go slow as poss. Have done 20/40 for a week now and seem to be fine. I will not drop again for at least another week though! Can't go through that again!

I reckon exercise is one powerful key for getting off this. I am not fit at all (health wise as well as too much sofa wise!). I am walking every day with the dog and as soon as I can intend to get on the exercise thingy - one of those low impact elliptical doh dahs!

Might be worth thinking about doing this with the reduction? I will let you know how it works for me.

Booze...hmmmm not good intake at the moment and I am broke too. Next on list....

BrokenBananaTantrum · 29/09/2009 14:39

Thanks Chillio. I need to have a chat with my GP I think.

Mentally I'm feeling really good so might do 20mg one day and then 10mg one day then 20mg etc and see how that goes.

OrmIrian · 29/09/2009 14:43

Just a quick question for those who have experienced the brain shudder thing. Is it safe to drive? I am due to drive myself and DS#1 to Bristol and back on Thursday night, and then my DC and my parents to Ludlow on Sunday. I am a bit concerned TBH.

BrokenBananaTantrum · 29/09/2009 15:03

sorry not experienced the brain shudder thing sounds horrible. What happens?