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Staying on citalopram forever?

Posted , 13 users are following.

Madge99
Madge99

I have been taking cit for 18 months. Last autumn I tried (unsuccessfully, obviously) to get off it, and a while ago I decided I would try again.

I've been cutting down slowly, from 30mg a day now down to 10mg every other day, but I've started to feel like the depression is coming back. I'm feeling very down, crying a lot and wondering if all this is worth it.

I went to see my GP today, had a good cry, and asked should I try and \"tough it out\" and hopefully get through these symptoms, or just \"give in\" and increase the dose again.

She told me she thought I would be better off taking them for the rest of my life!!!! I was horrified. I don't want to be a slave to these things for the rest of my life.

Part of me wants to prove her wrong and get off them, but there's another part which is thinking maybe she is right.

I just don't know what to do.

Any help anyone?

0 likes, 22 replies

22 Replies

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  • jessica44142
    jessica44142 Madge99

    Posted

    Sorry I'm late to this forum but just wanted to see how you're doing! I'm on celexa and tried to taper once and felt the way you did. But maybe if you get to a dose where you feel a little too anxious, go back one step and let your body acclimate again? For instance, I was alternating between 20 and 15 mg, switching doses every day, for a couple weeks. Then Stay at 15 a couple weeks. So then 15 and 10 for a couple weeks, etc. say I started feeling anxious at 10? I'd go back to alternating between 15 and 10 for a while. You need to do gradual tapering or else you'll have intense withdrawal symptoms.

    Also, nothing to feel ashamed about taking meds for the rest of your life. My mom always tells me, the brain is an organ just like the rest of your body. If you were a diabetic and needed insulin, you wouldn't think twice about taking medication.

    Unfortunately serotonin deficiency in the brain is a little harder to determine, so doctors go based on symptoms. Whether those symptoms are a result of actual seretonin deficiency or just a tough time in life, is a bit harder to determine

    • acakes
      acakes jessica44142

      Posted

      Thanks Jessica. I realized I was having a reaction to another medicine and that's why I was super anxious.

  • julie01672
    julie01672 Madge99

    Posted

    I have been on it 15 years, was prescribed it for acute vertigo, now every time I try and come off it, I get nervousness, anxiety, small panic attacks. While I'm trying to keep a job I don't know if it's worth stopping it and suffering.. I only take 20 mg a day sometimes missing a day here and there.

  • izzy89051
    izzy89051 Madge99

    Posted

    I have been on Cotalopram 20 mg for 26 years now! I have weened down to 10 mg approx I week ago now and physically don't feel too good. mentally, however, I feel I'm doing fine! I'm still having brain zaps and headaches but I'm going to give it some time! Anyone else been on it as long term as I have?

  • stannis
    stannis Madge99

    Posted

    People like us (anxiety sufferers) have a chemical disbalance - it's been proven scientifically.

    I know people who have been taking citalopram for 10 years, they don't seem to have any particular long-term effects (except for less anxiety overall smile ).

    I think it's just the way our brains are wired - not all, but most of us.

    If you really want to stop taking them, consider psychotherapy. I'm currently seeing a very good psychoanalyst who managed to explain to me many things - and I completely changed my view on life and other areas. I think that if I keep solving my "thought problems" for a few more years I might be able to function without the medication. It's a lot of work though!

  • kimbe
    kimbe Madge99

    Posted

    Well I'm having problems I've been on

    • kimbe
      kimbe

      Posted

      Oops, I've been on generic celexa for 10 years now and noticed it stopped working. I was irritable and emotional more than I was so I went to the dr. She gave me another to try and it was 2 weeks into the med and I felt bad. Heart palps all during the day and overall felt like I had to sit down. Now I'm stopping it because I felt it was the side affects. I just want off these med. Now I read long term taking celexa causes cardiovascular problems. Now I really feel like I'm having withdrawl. I probably have brought it on myself and I really need to see the Dr again. I'm a big dummy and canceled my apt I made for today. I'm trying the new CBD oil I ordered. So I'm at work feeling like I'm gonna pass out and just feel confused and all the other things that go along with withdrawl. So I know for sure I need to get to the dr. Ugh

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