Weight gain and reduced sex drive on citalopram

Hi Jill. I have been taking citalopram for the last 10/11 years and have always been on 20mg. Over the years I have gained a total of 7.5 stone and I am constantly tired. I was always a slim lady but am now obese.it makes me feel horrible about myself. However.. i decided last month that enough is enough and I want to come off them so after speaking to my GP we agreed to do it slowly. I started alternating daily 20mg 10mg 20mg 10mg and having done that for a month I am now on 10mg daily and so far I feel okay. I have my moments of no patience and irritablity bit I get through it.

My daughter was on 20mg for year an a half just came off dropped a 1/4 pill every 2 weeks with no problems the slower the better

Hi Jill,

Yes it may creep up on you and hit ya like a train! It all depends how you have reduced and feel so far?

One question people who wish to reduce are asked is why do you want to? Therefore, my question is, are you recovered and feel confident to give it a try and go it alone? If you are not in a good place re recovery then don't I'd say. Especially, if the motivation is purely of a sexual and physical nature. Sounds a little harsh, but I'd rather see you mentally fit to then get fit first or else you'll end up at square one again. When we come here it is not so we can go back to being me again or my old self or wanting to be normal (whatever that is? It certainly is not the lifestyle we are brainwashed to live, for sure) because, that is what brought us here in the first place!

Even being a male I can understand what you are going through as I put on 3 stone and my labido is only about q quarter of what it used to be however, my Fiancee has no complaints! A week ago yesterday I started work again after 19 months being signed unfit (a new job) which may be only part time, but I am already feeling better fitness wise. By walking the mile to and from work each day I work. I also have osteoarthritis in both knees which have been under great strain from the weight gain, but are now beginning to complain less! I even bought two pairs of new work trousers one that fits and one I'll slim in to which gives me an added incentive.

Obviously, I do not know what your work or social situation is, but if we give ourselves goals to aim for not only does it stimulate the old cerebral vortex (in my case), but alsotakes ours minds of all the sh*te too!

Saying all that and getting back to your last sentance again, if you get the smallest inkling of feeling yuk! Then take a dose no more than 20mg that you feel you will be comfortable with to get you back on track and start again if you feel you are mentally fit enough to start reducing again. I was advised to reduced like so 40mg as usual next night 35mg then 40mg and then 35mg and so on until, you have adjusted to this then 35mg one night and 30mg the next etc., etc. It may take a week, a month or ? for each set of reductions, but it is the most recommended and best way! I have only got over some personal issues (not related to my illness) so I have not started reducing, but want to give it a go as soon as I feel ready.

Goos Luck

Best Regards,

David

PS When I started reading your opening paragraph I thought because you had never joined a forum like this (and wished you had) that you were taking Cita just to join LOL!) Sorry, this is how Cita has affected me too! LOL!

 

Hi Jill,

Yes it may creep up on you and hit ya like a train! It all depends how you have reduced and feel so far?

One question people who wish to reduce are asked is why do you want to? Therefore, my question is, are you recovered and feel confident to give it a try and go it alone? If you are not in a good place re recovery then don't I'd say. Especially, if the motivation is purely of a sexual and physical nature. Sounds a little harsh, but I'd rather see you mentally fit to then get fit first or else you'll end up at square one again. When we come here it is not so we can go back to being me again or my old self or wanting to be normal (whatever that is? It certainly is not the lifestyle we are brainwashed to live, for sure) because, that is what brought us here in the first place!

Even being a male I can understand what you are going through as I put on 3 stone and my labido is only about q quarter of what it used to be however, my Fiancee has no complaints! A week ago yesterday I started work again after 19 months being signed unfit (a new job) which may be only part time, but I am already feeling better fitness wise. By walking the mile to and from work each day I work. I also have osteoarthritis in both knees which have been under great strain from the weight gain, but are now beginning to complain less! I even bought two pairs of new work trousers one that fits and one I'll slim in to which gives me an added incentive.

Obviously, I do not know what your work or social situation is, but if we give ourselves goals to aim for not only does it stimulate the old cerebral vortex (in my case), but alsotakes ours minds of all the sh*te too!

Saying all that and getting back to your last sentance again, if you get the smallest inkling of feeling yuk! Then take a dose no more than 20mg that you feel you will be comfortable with to get you back on track and start again if you feel you are mentally fit enough to start reducing again. I was advised to reduced like so 40mg as usual next night 35mg then 40mg and then 35mg and so on until, you have adjusted to this then 35mg one night and 30mg the next etc., etc. It may take a week, a month or ? for each set of reductions, but it is the most recommended and best way! I have only got over some personal issues (not related to my illness) so I have not started reducing, but want to give it a go as soon as I feel ready.

Goos Luck

Best Regards,

David

PS When I started reading your opening paragraph I thought because you had never joined a forum like this (and wished you had) that you were taking Cita just to join LOL!) Sorry, this is how Cita has also affected me - LOL!