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Have been on 40mgs of Citalopram for 14years. Have tried to come off on several occasions but unsuccessful, think I did it too quickly. Last year I reduced so so slowly, 5mgs every 2months. All good, no side effects, thought I had cracked it! As soon as I was totally off the meds I became absolutely hyper, bounding with energy not sleeping needing to be continually active etc. I knew this wasn't normal behaviour but have to say after 14 years of grogginess that goes with citalopram, I embraced this new me. Well this lasted about 3 weeks then overnight I hit rock bottom with serious depression. My husband and I were so scared that I was going to have another breakdown that I went straight back on 40mgs again and am back to square one. Gp not interested in helping, she says I need meds for life as they 'keep me well'. I am 61 years of age and want my life back before it passes me by. My question is do you think what I experienced was the return of my previous depression or simply side effects of coming off tabs and if so had I stayed off them do you think I would have improved again. I am sorry for such a long winded post and realise this is not a medical forum but would be very grateful to hear anyones opinions. Thankyou.
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lois95799 Katehoo
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lois95799 Katehoo
Posted
RIch2410A Katehoo
Posted
I am off citalopram completely for a year now and I feel pretty good ,I get ups and downs but ,I got ups and downs on citalopram .
I know what you are saying as soon as I got on citalopram I realised that when I got a thought like ,yes it's the weekend then the feeling of exitment that accompanies it never happened.I wanted feelings again as that is life .
I think because you are now on 40mg you will have to start over.
If you were ok on 5mg would you be happier being on 10mg then you have something but also less side affects of dulled feelings and groggyness.when I stoped the 5mg every other day I was really bad tempered that people noticed for about 2 months then it went.
katecogs Katehoo
Posted
Hi Katehoo
I was also on the meds for 16 years though was on 20mg. I also withdrew by 5mg each time and spent a year coming off. Once off I started taking 5-HTP which is a natural SSRI bought over the counter so if you were to come off again its worth looking these up.
Previous to this I came off once before, but I had reduced to 10mg and had stayed on that for many years as a maintenance dose and even 5mg. Both worked well. Yes you can take these for life and you may want to think about reducing as Lois says and stay on that for a long, long time if you feel well on it before considering lowering again - test the waters each time. I did that and if I didn't feel good on one dose I just increased back to the previous one.
I don't know if the depression was a side effect of the withdrawal or not. SSRI's hang onto your Serotonin making you feel happy and well and some people do have a lower level of this neurotransmitter naturally, making you feel low.
Some people needs meds for life whether its heart pills, blood pressure pills, insulin etc etc and these meds are no different. They're just meds for a specific condition, and if you need them then don't worry about having to take them. Maybe just try 35mg and if ok on that then stay there for a long time, then maybe try another slightly lower dose until you find the lowest you can yet still maintain that well being feeling.
I intended to stay on them for life and maybe one day I'll feel the need for them again - and I wouldn't hesitate for an instant.
K x
Katehoo
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Thank you so much for your relies. Just reading you helpful suggestions means so much. Maybe I should reduce my aim abit and as you have suggested look for a lesser dose that still works. Haven't felt excited/sad about anything for along time, as I imagine you have all experienced and would really like to see if I am still able to. My mental alertness and memory is rubbish and as I stated originally at my age I don't want my life to just drift by. Thank you all so much. I will keep in touch.
karen_57593 Katehoo
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I've been on citalopram 16 years came off slowly thought I was doing ok then bang exact same as u hit rock bottom couldn't sleep couldn't eat went too doctors had a complete meltdown crisis mental health was called in anyway long story short they changed my antidepressants took a wee while too work but I'm a lot better now. I thought I could do without them but I definitely can't and I just need too accept it. As mental health says it's the same as a diabetic if they need medicine then they need too take it. No difference. Same with me and you xx
lois95799 karen_57593
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vicky36475 Katehoo
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But again a good psychiatrist will be better at helping you establish the right dose. When I did what he told me to do I became well.
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