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New here, cipralex withdrawal. Am I normal?

Posted , 5 users are following.

jed68633
jed68633

Hi all.  I have been on cipralex and before that citalopram for 14 years.  Over last two years have got my health in shape.  Stopped drinking, got good nutrition and lost three stone.  I was doing very well so decided it was a good time to taper of the escitalopram.   Started taking a half tablet every third day which equates to a 3 mg reduction.  All good so after 3 months dropped it to half a tablet every other day. This equates to a 5 mg reduction (on 20mg).  Two weeks ago started to feel really dizzy, tired lethergic and heavy headed. Kind of detached and no energy.   Was hoping it would subside.  Anyone else felt the same?  Is it normal?  Will it end?   Thanks. Jed

0 likes, 25 replies

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  • redmarigolds
    redmarigolds jed68633

    Posted

    thats nomal jed could but it looks as thoug you are dropping to fast drop the dosage slower and that will aese withdrawal good luck x
  • jed68633
    jed68633

    Posted

    Thanks Maria.  Any idea how long I will feel like this?  Cheers jed
  • redmarigolds
    redmarigolds jed68633

    Posted

    it could take anything up to a year iwas on them for 8 years went cold turkey wouldnt recomend doing that to anyone but going with what other people have written about a year everybody is different jed but do go slowly and you will get there best of luck xxx
  • pat97152
    pat97152 jed68633

    Posted

    Hi Jed ..Maria is right ..go much slower..I took a year to reduce from 40mg to zero..still got withdrawal symptoms for 5 months after that ...but we are all different...just be patient and ride it out 

    good luck

  • jed68633
    jed68633

    Posted

    Thank you. What sort of tapering program would you recommend?  The one I was doing was going to take 16 months with reductions every three months.  Many thanks 
  • pat97152
    pat97152 jed68633

    Posted

    Hi ..Escitalopram is different to Citalopram ..so the dosage reductions are different..wish I could be of more help 

    I reduced 10mg of cit over 2 months per reduction 

    so...40 30 20 10 .5  zero ..staying at that dose for 2 months 

    it's not set in stone ..you may be better doing it differently 

     

    • pat97152
      pat97152

      Posted

      ...so your reduction over 16 months would seem spot on 
  • pat97152
    pat97152 jed68633

    Posted

    Looking back on your post your plan seems good ..we are talking cross purposes because you are on Escitalopram and I was on Citalopram !!!

    you will be fine on that reduction ..but you will get bad days when you want to go back on the meds ...ride it out

    if I can be of any help please let me know 

  • jed68633
    jed68633

    Posted

    Thank you pat just need to keep on keeping  on I spose.  Just fed up of being dizzy .
  • pat97152
    pat97152 jed68633

    Posted

    Believe me feeling dizzy is nothing compared to some withdral effects ..you will get through this 😀😀
  • jed68633
    jed68633

    Posted

    Felt okay for first time in 3 weeks yesterday morning and then back to dizzy and tired again in afternoon.  Just hope these good spells start to appear more often and for longer.  Not able to work out which is an issue as worried about weight gain. 
  • mollysox
    mollysox jed68633

    Posted

    I am on 20mg and trying to reduce. I can halve the 20mg tablet but what do I do then? Also when I have tried before its the "brain zaps" that get me
  • jed68633
    jed68633

    Posted

    I took a half tablet every third day for three months.  So ful, full, half and so on.  Then half every other day. That is where I am now. X
  • jed68633
    jed68633

    Posted

    Yes but I am on escitalopram which is twice as strong as citalopram x
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