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Reducing citalopram 40mg

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mary84470
mary84470

Hi

I've been on 40mg citalopram for years

Think it maybe 18yrs or so. Anyway started reducing on Wed 1st Feb. Took 30mg that day. It is now 5th and except for a touch of insomnia and some zapping to my head I feel really good. Can i say now that I've done that reduction without much withdrawal or is it too early.

I've already reduced olanzapine to a really tiny dose and each step was awful.

Come on guys...give me some Hope🤔

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • ian90586
    ian90586 mary84470

    Posted

    Hi. After 3 days!! You obviously haven't reduced before if taken for 18 years. Reducing off an antidepressant should be taken really seriously and in no way hurried. If you haven't discussed it with your doctor and drawn up a plan,you should take things very slowly. The longer you take an antidepressant, the more your brain has become dependent on the drug,which usually means the harder it is to become accustomed to not having it. I would have suggested you decrease in 5mg intervals firstly, and give that decrease lots of time to see what withdrawal effects you experience before any more hasty reducing. You can experience an initial feeling of euphoria when first reducing,and that should not be taken as that's going to last. I would recommend you take several more weeks to see what happens before even contemplating another reduction. You could be one of the lucky ones and have minimal withdrawal symptoms as everyone is different,but I would still continue with extreme caution first. Even though you stop taking the drug in part,it will still be in your system for some while. Hope it works out for you,take care.

    • mary84470
      mary84470 ian90586

      Posted

      Thanks Ian.

      I have reduced meds (olanzapine) before and yes I'm aware of slowly doing it.

      I'll not be making another change until March and the next reduction will be alot smaller.

      I have been under my doctor's care throughout this but that makes no difference as he hasn't a clue. Sometimes I think he's learning from my experience or as is common he really doesn't believe anything I'm saying. On day 6 now and all going well. Hopefully its not just euphoria 🤔

  • ian90586
    ian90586 mary84470

    Edited

    Hi,never heard of or taken Olanzapine,and I've only mostly taken SSRI'S. Olanzapine increases dopamine,while Citalopram mainly raises Serotonin levels. To be fair to doctors,they rarely have mental health training,and if are newish to the job,then they do have to learn from experience. That's not good enough for patients,hence people asking for advice from others on forums.

    Even though you reduced the medication,the drug still stays in your system somewhat for a while,and the initial reaction from your brain can be positive in the beginning. Going turtle slow is really the best strategy for coming off these medications especially after 18 years. Good luck.

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