Coming off citalopram. :(

I'll be interested to see how you get on Julie - I am also on 10mg reduced from 20mg and was going to go down to 5mg afte 2 weeks but thought the better of it as I had plenty of tablets left so decided to take it slower. That's a month in now though. I wasn't sure how to go down to 5mg because I had been taking the 20mgs on alternate days which was hard enough to remember which day it was! I have a pill cutter so might try cutting them in half then just carry on doing what I was doing.

Marg

I was taking 5HTP and for past few days felt so depressed. Didn't take any, today, and feel ok. I wonder if I had an adverse affect?

What little research I have done on 5HTP indicates it should not be taken for more than 2 weeks at a time.

HTH -Michelle

Crikey, Michelle, I never read that and have take it for over 3 weeks - 100 mg tablets. There were no instructions.

S

I tried to insert the link here, but the moderators did not approve - which is fine.

Try doing some research on the web and inserting pros and cons of "5HTP".

Everything I read said you need to be very careful, because it's considered a vitamin/herb and not regulated by what we call the FDA here in the states.

I did purchase a bottle the other day, but it is 50 mgs. and says one a day. However, I've only been off Cit now for 9 days and wanted to wait at least 3 weeks before I try anything else. I stopped after 2.5 mgs for 11 weeks.

I will say just 3 days ago I have started to get a little leg cramping, but nothing unbearable like the last time.

I also will say that I short tempered right now, but I come down just as quick. So just imagine...super pissed off and 2 minutes later and many deep breathes calm again. Seriously I couldn't make withdrawal symptoms up from this drug! LOL!

Tell me how did you feel other than just recently taking the 5HTP? Good?

Group hug to everyone! Michelle

For the first week or so after stopping Cit., I felt great, then I got the dizziness and muzzy head so that's when I started the 5HTP to see if it would help. Was fine, for a couple of weeks then 'BANG'! For 5 days I felt suicidal - cried all day every day. Didn't take any, today, the sun came out, I went out to the garden and tidied up and I feel really good again. Going to stop everything and see what happens.

Michelle, I feel like a Jekyll and Hyde. I cannot believe how different I am from yesterday. People were really frightened I would top myself - I know it and, boy, did I want to do it. Just as well the house was too untidy - couldn't have anyone coming in to the house a disaster.

Yes - J + H is a good way to describe it - just flipping AWFUL!! Look we need to be tough here, this is a wicked drug to kick. I can't believe how much more there is to read NOW about this drug on-line than there was in June of 2012 ( when I tried to stop before). Anyway - word is getting out and look how many of us are in this Cit boat together? I am wishing and praying for everyone. I know you're alone,so keep reaching out here Ms. Mac. I am married, but who knows for how long DH can put up with my high low mood swings? I will say, I started to sew again - just little home projects and that calms me down a little and of course my two love-able crazy fun pooches too.This Winter has been the Winter from HELL, so lack of Sun and cold and looking at white everywhere has me nuts!

I am holding on that my mood will improve with the warmer weather!

:-) Michelle

No snow here all winter and none last year either but we pay for that with rotten summers.

Just as well I live alone because I would have been hell to live with for a few days. To be honest, I was like that whilst taking Cit. I wonder what it did to my brain? I hope people get to know the nicer person I can be. I want these moods to go and never come back. I want my life back.

Goodnight from Dr Jekyll ---- or is it Mr Hyde?

hi everyone

well am still doing ok, i went to the hospital for a diabetic eye check, and got fantastic news that my eyes are ok, infact my vision has improved since last appointment, am convinced its because ive reduced the cit, one of the side effects does state blurry vision lol

oh well lets blame the cit lol, have only got bout 18 days left of my favorite brand of tablets, although i am going to gp's next week, not sure if i can get the same brand so either i try to come off them totally within the 18 days or go onto a different brand and take my chances with the side effects, i know which one i want to do, but am scared of falling off the wagon and maybe having to go back on them at the 20mg dose, oh the joys of cit lol

Hope your doin ok marg, if your thinking of going down to 5mg, then maybe we can do it together and try to support each other, i didn't realise it would be sooooo hard coming off them, especially when you've become dependent on them and using them for an emotional crutch.

well onward and upwards to clear thoughts and a life without the cit!!!!

Juliex

ms mac

i've been taking omega 3 capsules for the last few weeks as some on the net state that it helps with the brain fog and fullness you get wen reducing cit. Not sure if its helping but it cant hurt

i dont buy a particular brand, just the 1000mg ones from the supermarket, and i take one a day, but u can take up to 3 apparently to help

Juliex

Hi folks

well today was the day i decided to cut it down to 5mg, so far so good, although i am having problems actually cutting the tablets in 4 even with a pill cutter

no side effects so far mind you it is very early days!!!!!!

hope you are all doing ok,

Juliex

Julie,

You might try a razor for the further reduction. A razor is only thing I could find to get to 2.5 - I am sure that some of the pieces were uneven, I just tried to piece them together to look about the same size.

My pill cutter worked great until 2.5...

Best to all,

Michelle

Yeah I had problems cutting my tablet this morning as well but finally managed it!

Marg

https://patient.info/health/coming-off-antidepressants

I wish I'd read this before now. My doctor was all wrong, telling me to stop over 2 weeks and after 13 yrs. on SSRI's No wonder I an feeling bad.

Still not feeling great - very emotional but, physically ok and lots more energy.