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Stopping Citalopram

Posted , 7 users are following.

nicky39064
nicky39064

Anyone got any advice for best way to come off Citalopram. I’m currently on 10mg and have been since January. X

0 likes, 24 replies

24 Replies

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  • will20275
    will20275 nicky39064

    Posted

    Nicky, 

    Why are you stopping?

    • nicky39064
      nicky39064 will20275

      Posted

      Hi will,

      Because I don’t want to depend on tablets. My mind is in the right place and I’ve done a CBT course so I’m hoping I can put that into practice. Who knows I may fail and may need to go back on them but I won’t know til I try. 

    • will20275
      will20275 nicky39064

      Posted

      Nicky, 

      I wish you an easy and comfortable transition. 

      Will😎

  • Belle1993
    Belle1993 nicky39064

    Posted

    I came off 10mg cold turkey to be honest and didn’t get many side effects apart from dizziness x
    • nicky39064
      nicky39064 Belle1993

      Posted

      I most definitely cannot do cold turkey belle, I remember a few weeks back I missed two tablets and I felt absolutely horrendous like I was back to square one again. X
  • kamille_46200
    kamille_46200 nicky39064

    Posted

    I just weened myself off of 10mg. I split it in half to 5 mgs over 4 days and then split that in half for 2 days...I also took 1000 mgs of fish oil which actually kept the anxiety away. I had no problems coming off....you must ween....
    • nicky39064
      nicky39064 kamille_46200

      Posted

      how long was you on them for to start off with? Did you just one day stop after cutting the 5mg in half? Thank you for taking the time out to offer advice. X
  • Paula2019
    Paula2019 nicky39064

    Posted

    Hi Nicky, after researching the internet for myself, I learnt that the severity of side effects can vary depending on age, weight., half life and how long you have been on them. I have read alot from experts to taper by 10%. For myself, I am post menopausal, have been on them for 3 years and have gained weight, plus have to come off them as have a sensitivity to them. So taking all this into account I will be doing a slow taper and will be alternating dosage for six weeks. The length of time includes allowing my brain and nervous system to settle, and to make sure my work and life isnt affected.

    At the moment I am tapering from amitryptyline and was doing great for 5 months and got fed up with length of time so thought I would speed up the taper, huge mistake I have been ill from withdrawal and signed off work. Cita is different in withdrawal.

    To come of 10mg my advice to you would be get a pill cutter or ask your pharmacy to cut your pills, then taper by 2.5mg to 7.5mg or alternate between 10mg one night and 5 mg another night until you adjust, could take a month or even 6 weeks depending on how sensitive you are. Then as soon as you feel back to normal go to 5mg, and so on.

    Please do not underestimate these meds and how they can affect your brain or central nervous system. You may be lucky and not be affected too much. I have gone cold turkey in the past so have learnt the hard way.

    Please let us know how you get on as will be joining you soon with my taper. All the best with this.

    • Paula2019
      Paula2019 lois95799

      Posted

      Hi Lois, I was prescribed Amit for Insomnia, and Cita for hot flushes.
    • lois95799
      lois95799 Paula2019

      Posted

      I don't know why doctor's prescribed that horrible medicine for insomnia when there's ziplocone or Ambien for insomnia without those horrible side effects..and cita for hot flashes works on low dosages.. another thing that baffles me is why doctor's say oh upp your dosage when a lower milligram works just as well..I had hot flashes too on top all of my other symptoms and celexa diminish it..aside from that I take it one day at a time..and hope for the best..

    • Paula2019
      Paula2019 lois95799

      Posted

      I agree with you, have lost faith in doctors. Whats even more shocking is when I went to the doctors complaining of symptoms (which I now know are side effects) the upped both tablets. Then I went back again, and they did the same thing and told me to watch out for seratonin syndrome. Makes me so angry.

    • Paula2019
      Paula2019

      Posted

      Have also been n citalorapram twice in past once for PTSD and another for anxiety. Which makes me wonder if that was why the doc prescribed it again.
    • lois95799
      lois95799 Paula2019

      Posted

      One rule of thumb ..when you are feeling the side effects ride them out with a benzo..or reduced your dosage..more milligrams more side effects..that's what my phychiatrist says..yes serotonin symptoms does happen when you take two antidepressants together..that should of been a red flag for you..

    • Paula2019
      Paula2019 lois95799

      Posted

      Thing is Lois, so much was going on, and I felt so drugged, I couldnt think straight until 5 months ago, I was so shocked and ended up having counselling for trauma. Its difficult for me, because I know these meds help lots of people, just not me, and am trying to be mindful of that on here.
    • lois95799
      lois95799 Paula2019

      Posted

      You know Paula I was the same mess like you or maybe worst..with similar symptoms..and I was also on loads of med.. UNTIL I decided enough was enough and I settle on celexa xanex and ziplocone..that dis it for me..my story is also long ...and complicated.. saying prayers for you.
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