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Long term citalopram 20 mg.

Posted , 4 users are following.

dean59482
dean59482

So I'm new to this kind of thing but not the medication , I've been taking citalopram 20mg now for just over 2 years , it made me feel great at one stage prity much anxiety free for the 1st time in a lot of years. I chose to come away from the med and then it all went down hill fast !

I weaned off it the correct way advised by my gp it was probably the worst period of my life feeling shocking is an understatement.

I generally think this type off med and other pyhiscotic drugs are addictive and once your on you can't get off ...

I'm at a stage now where I'm still taking my 20 mg along with 20 mg propanol and I still suffer everyday prity much with my anxiety. I was looking into cbd oil but everywhere I read says not to take along side ssri.

Any help or ideas would be appreicated.

Sorry for the rant ... 👀👍

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • holly_t
    holly_t dean59482

    Posted

    Hi there - I find the GPS advice to come off is always too rushed. I actually stretched coming off over 6 months and only went down 5mgs at a time for 2 months, then another 5mgs for 2 months etc. It’s too much of a shock to the system I think.
  • dee35726
    dee35726 dean59482

    Posted

    Hi Dean

    I wonder if it isn’t that it’s addictive- it’s that it works? And when you come off it - you’re back to the way you were? 

    My experience shocked me : I was on it for 4 years. Weaned myself off - then 6 months later felt exactly as I have four years previously. There is a chemical imbalance in the brain - which prevents us managing ‘normal’emotional ups and downs.  I struggled with the perception of ‘needing’ a drug just to be ‘normal’ and rejected it for a long while thinking it cannot just be me. Big picture - does it matter if we need something? Coffee, alcohol , food, gym - all potential addictions. At least this drug is approved and managed and in UK it seems half the adult population are on it! 

    • holly_t
      holly_t dee35726

      Posted

      I totally agree with this. I have been on and off it for 8 years, have been on it solidly now since 2014 and can’t rwally imagine life without it. Before I had ever taken it I always struggled with anxiety and depression - I never want to go back there so if a pill a day makes me feel like myself then so be it.
  • lois95799
    lois95799 dean59482

    Posted

    How long you been on 20..?
    • dean59482
      dean59482 lois95799

      Posted

      Around 2 years now I started on 10 as normal 2 weeks after went up to 20 been there ever since ...
    • lois95799
      lois95799 dean59482

      Posted

      If your still feeling anxietys ..maybe talk to your doctor about reducing to a lower dose . because two years and still anxious..doesn't sound right ..I know as soon as my phychiatrist drop from 20 to ten ..I recovered fully..

  • dean59482
    dean59482

    Posted

    Thank you all for your replys it means a lot.

    I get the taking a tablet to feel normal and I've accepted that it's just I feel like it gets abit overwhelming at times , maybe me over thinking abit I suppose in some ways but then why take meds to reduce anxeity if you still live with it it's abit of a catch 22.

    I'm certain certain side effects from it now aswell what I never had before such as low libido , itching , sweating ECT.

    • lois95799
      lois95799 dean59482

      Posted

      The only reason I say this is because I reduced to ten and all my anxietys symptoms reduce tremendously until eventually all disappeared..and I recovered on ten...
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