Citalopram withdrawal problems
Posted , 7 users are following.
I've been taking Citalopram for several years now and I really want to come off it but it is such a vicious circle. I've dropped to 20mg two weeks ago and i just dont feel myself atall. My anxiety is a little worse, im feeling fed up and have low tolerance to what would usually to over my head. I am also very restless and have trouble sleeping. Part of me just feels like going back on the 30mg for an easier life but i dont want to admit defeat. Has anyone else had so many problems lowering the dose and stopping Citalopram bevause i just don't know what to do!! 😦
0 likes, 8 replies
dubry7605074 Carla89
Posted
Sounds as though you have decreased too much. These meds are powerful and need to be tapered very very slowly to minimize withdrawals. Maybe taper from 30 to 25. Of course after each reduction, wait 4-5 weeks before tapering on down. But what you are experiencing is definitely withdrawals.
Carla89 dubry7605074
Posted
That's what i thought too! It's really difficult to get past these withdrawal symptoms and the doctors aren't much help so i feel stuck and i don't want to keep going around in circles. I will buy a pill cutter and give the 25 option a go. Thank you for your response 😃
louise23768 Carla89
Posted
hi carla ive been taking citalopram for about 20 years, ive tried over the years to come off it but the withdrawal symptoms were too bad to tolerate so had to increase dosage again. Ive had diff side effects during this time mainly weigh gain. i so want to come off but the feelings are just too much and i and up back to square but feeling worse until i get the dosage back up. id love to be more positive but sadly i cant! I hope you manage to so good luck for the future.
Carla89 louise23768
Posted
Hi Louise, i am glad to hear i am not the only one. I've known people to be on it and then randomly stop taking it and be absolutely fine but i think when people have been on it for as long as you and i (20 years and 11) it's not as easy! There was no doubt that at the time i was prescribed them i was in desperate need but i wish i those a different option ie a councillor because as you say its an absolute nightmare trying to decrease and come off them. I feel really strange at the moment so I'm hoping i will adjust to 20mg real soon because i don't want to admit defeat. As i said though, it is a comfort to know i am not the only one. Thank you!
john86234 Carla89
Posted
i hear what you are saying. im taking 30 mg of Escitalopram , 15 mg of L-Methylfolate Calcium and 30 mg of Buspirone HCL. This combination worked for me for my Depression and Anxiety. The Escitalopram has less side effects than the Citalopram. You need to take whatever you need to be yourself again.
ruth08109 Carla89
Posted
That's a huge jump. Some withdrawal websites recommend only doing a reduction of 10 per cent of your current dose every 6 to 8 weeks. Sounds like you cut by 33 per cent, I think you were on 30?
You could try going back up to 30 and stabilising, although you may well feel a bit wonky for a while. Then get very stable, and try reducing by 10 per cent.
don45258 Carla89
Posted
i droped from 40mg to 30mg and it took me 8 weeks to settle and still not right i think droping 10mg is to much i myself want off but going to go down 2.5 each time
toria_07298 Carla89
Posted
hi ive been on 10mg for years, the lower doses are renowned for being harder to get off ive been on 6mg for ten months and ive still not settled xx