Posted , 7 users are following.
Hey everyone, I have a bit of a problem... I've been prescribed 10mg of Citalopram about two weeks ago after having a bad reaction to Zoloft aka Sertraline, (Headaches, Nausea, spacey feelings, hallucinations, double vision, fever etc.) It was horrible. I havent even touched it yet, the bottle is still in its bag unopened. I'm completely terrified. Should I cut the pill in half and start with 5mg? How long should I do that for? like how does that work since the pill is so tiny? I'm really nervous. Just asking for a friendly advice here
0 likes, 23 replies
cheryl20077 amanda42105
Posted
amanda42105 cheryl20077
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I really hope so. the pill is tony so i dont know if its possible to cut down but ill try anyway.... my birthday is early next month so im having worries i just hope i'll be able to eat the first few days because i have stomach issues and on Z i felt sick to my stomach
cheryl20077 amanda42105
Posted
katecogs amanda42105
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Yes cutting the pill is a good idea as it'll ease you onto the meds - but do speak to your doctor if you're going to do that as they should be keeping an eye on you.
I came off meds last year and reduced mine by 5mg each time, spending about a month or 2 on each reduction and I had no withdrawl at all (unlike the first time I came off them). Going the other way and introducing 5mg each time I'm sure would work equally as well.
5mg is a small amount and if at any time you feel unsure about the dose increase then its not such a big amount if you want to return to the previous dose. Don't be in a hurry with the meds, if you do get any side effects then just wait until they subside before increasing again. Side effects will probably be very minimal with that small amount.
I bought a pill cutter and cut my 20mg into 1/4's. A bit tricky at times as you don't always get an equal piece, but my reckoning was that one day I might take a slightly larger piece and the next day a smaller piece ...... but over 4 days I'd still be taking the full 20mg.
Don't be frightened, people are here for support.
K x
sasha0924 amanda42105
Posted
I am very sensitive to meds as well. I did start on 10mg at night. My side effects were tiredness, spacey feeling and anxiety upon waking which i used xanax for the anxiety until the celexa kicked in. It took me 7 weeks before i started to feel almost normal again. The doc then increased my dose to 20mg which on the second day i had massive anxiety that my xanax couldnt even touch. So called the doc he told me to split the dose 10mg in am and 10mg at night, which i have been doing for 3 weeks now. I have been doing better splitting the dose and the thing that bothers me the most is being tired during the day and not being able to fall asleep like i used to at night. You could try to split your dose take 5mg in the am and 5mg at night so at least your getting the full 10mg. This helped me. I know everyone is different but maybe give it a try. Good luck and hope this helps !!
colin29438 amanda42105
Posted
Please do not touch these tablets they are horrific.
If they are still in the bag leave them there. I took them last year after
illness which lead to horrible stress and anxiety. I lasted 20 days and
could not get out of bed. Went cold turkey wasn't easy every day was
a battle still is but my life is better without these tablets.
Don't trust everybody on these forums some of them work for the
pharmaceutical companies - you know who you are, why else would
you hang about 24/7 extolling the virtues of these things which are a
national disgrace.
Good luck stay strong you will get better but not with these.
sasha0924 colin29438
Posted
Everyone is different with medications and react different. Not everyone has a good experience but we all have to give it a try before we know if its going to help us. I have seen alot of success stories with this medication and we all strive to get better. Im sorry your experience was bad but that doesnt mean her experience is going to be bad. We are trying to look at the positives of this medication.
katecogs colin29438
Posted
Sorry to hear of your experience, but 20 days isn't long enough to be able to give an in depth review on these meds. Starting meds will give you side effects for the first few weeks and going cold turkey is the most dangerous thing to do. Mixed together I'm not surprised it's given you a bad experience. Taken and withdrawn responsibly is the better way to go.
I can assure you none of us work for pharmaceutical companies - we're people who've suffered years of illness to find solace in these meds and purely offer help to those starting their journeys.
The meds don't suit all, though often it can be due to being taken incorrectly. Everyone has a different experience on these meds.
Personally for me these meds ended a 16 year nightmare within 6 months.
Everyone has to try them for themselves - and with support from this site only then can people decide.
;-)
colin29438 sasha0924
Posted
Sasha thanks for the reply but I'm sorry I would love to see the
success story stats up against the not success stories.
These tablets are far to dangerous to be handed out to people
who are in the depths of despair. You should not be
administered tablets which have the potential to raise
the risk of suicidal tendiencies. I've walked in Amandas shoes
so I do know what she is talking about and all I'm saying is- if that
is allowed- don't take them. That's my opinion, from experience
I'm passing it on. I respect yours is different and
I'm glad you took the time to pass it on. But I'm not going to sugar
coat and say ye stick with it , cut it up into little bits , everything
will be OK in the morning because chances are it won't be
by taking citalopram.
colin29438 katecogs
Posted
That's what I offered- my support.
I said don't take them .
katecogs colin29438
Posted
Yes the meds are firece, but the problem often lies in lack of info from doctors when they're prescibed. Patients aren't prepped for what to expect plus many people don't read the Patient Information leaflet that comes with the meds (it says it all in there) - so yes, it can come as a shock if you aren't weaned onto them properly without follow up appointments. I've said for ages the system should change - more support is needed.
Everyone is different and no two people react the same. Both our experiences are totally different and no doubt Amanda's will be too ...... but for many, many people, they're a godsend ..... I've talked to many here over the years who've recovered.
I hope you were able to find relief meds free anyway
colin29438 katecogs
Posted
Katecogs I can't reply properly to your points you raise without
knowingif you have come off them and what your experience was.
john059 colin29438
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colin29438 john059
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Ye John but few will come on and tell the truth that they don't
work for a LOT of people. It's all about stick with it keep
taking the med suffer days weeks months of misery but you
know what? you have to face up to one coming off it one day.
I only point out please don't touch it in the first place.
katecogs colin29438
Posted
I recovered years ago and stayed on a maintenance dose for years, but I'm off medication now. Starting meds back in the 90's felt no different to the years of illness I suffered anyway, so didn't think I had anything to lose. I didn't know I'd recover with them so was amazed when I started getting better.
I came off some years ago but had to return due to the stress of family illness, took them for about another year then spent the last year withdrawing from them finishing in August last year. Second time withdrawing I didn't have any withdrawal effects as was done by 5mg over 1-2 months each time. First time weaning off was by halving each time over a few months but I suffered brain zaps, sickness, headaches etc., as was too quick.
My son had a breakdown a few years ago and started meds too (Fluoxetine) and went to hell and back. 9 months it took for him to recover, is off meds and he's still well today.
The meds do work for many people though not for some, and the main reason they don't work for some is because they can't tolerate the side effects.
So yes, I'm off meds now and still well. So for me they were a miracle and can't praise them enough.
K x
john059 katecogs
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God bless you Miss K. You have helped a lot of ppl in here. I, for one took ur advice and my journey is coming to an end when it comes to Cit. I'm down to 10 mg's--have been for a week, and I'm gonna stay here for a few weeks. Then I shall go down to 5mg's and then 2.5 and then hopefully nothing. It has been quite a journey!!!!!!
katecogs john059
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Hey thats good - down to 10mg. How are you feeling too? When I got down to 2.5mg I reduced further and took 1.25 - a teensy amount. That's an option to do too.
john059 katecogs
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Not feeling good today asI have come down with the flu. Lol. But when I reduced to 10mg's I had a bit of a stuggle for a few days. Gonna stay at ten fo a few extra
Weeks and the try 5 mg's and see how that feels. Hope to be off Cit in march sometime. Take care.
katecogs john059
Posted
Sorry to hear you've got a virus 🤢😷. Good idea to stay on 10mg until you're feeling better. Keep warm, lots of fluids ... and lots of TV 😉
K x
amanda42105 colin29438
Posted
debbie17569 amanda42105
Posted
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