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I want to come off citalopram!!!

Posted , 8 users are following.

Marie266
Marie266

Hello,

I have been taking citalopram 20mg for a year now and decided enough is enough as they are making me terribly fatigued. My doctor told me to alternate the dose so I take 20mg for one day then the next 20mg and repeat it like that for a few weeks then it's going down to 10mg then hopefully i can slowly come off them for good. I have been experiencing tiredness and feeling spaced out and seem to have a lower appetite. Is this normal and the right way to come off them

0 likes, 22 replies

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  • marsh23433
    marsh23433 Marie266

    Posted

    hi marie266,like the other have said you need to reduce slower than what you want too do,if you try too reduce too fast you will get redraw-al symptoms and they can be worse than staying on your medication which you are on.,so if you want too come of them,then you will go down slower and each level you should stay on them for at least 2/3 weeks   
  • Ka1234
    Ka1234 Marie266

    Posted

    Hi everyone, 

    I’ve been on citalopram for around 5 years starting on 20mg then reducing eventually 5mg this last year. I kept forgetting to take my dose for the past week so thought I was doing ok and would stay off it (which is my aim) but today find myself feeling really tearful, anxious and low. I’m not sure whether to take 5mg now as I don’t like these withdrawal symptoms. Any advice please? 

  • Guest
    Guest Marie266

    Posted

    Hey Marie. When I came off two years ago I did it really really slowly and have a very smooth transition.

    I was on 20mg. I went to 15mg every day for  12 weeks, then 10mg every day for 8 weeks, then 5mg for 8 weeks.

    There's no rush to come off so you may as well just take it as slow as poss, then you will not feel the bad side effects. But it also helps to supplement with things like fish oil, and also making sure you have a good therapist to support you and that you are in a good space in your life (good friends, family, parter, living arrangement, house).

    Just remember you will be OK. Its very normal and this happens with any medication (not just anxiety medication!) your body just needs to adjust. Be kind to yourself and be positive. The feelings aren't forever. It will pass!

     

  • Guest
    Guest Marie266

    Posted

    Hey Marie. When I came off two years ago I did it really really slowly and have a very smooth transition.

    I was on 20mg. I went to 15mg every day for  12 weeks, then 10mg every day for 8 weeks, then 5mg for 8 weeks.

    There's no rush to come off so you may as well just take it as slow as poss, then you will not feel the bad side effects. But it also helps to supplement with things like fish oil, and also making sure you have a good therapist to support you and that you are in a good space in your life (good friends, family, parter, living arrangement, house).

    Just remember you will be OK. Its very normal and this happens with any medication (not just anxiety medication!) your body just needs to adjust. Be kind to yourself and be positive. The feelings aren't forever. It will pass!

     

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