Coming off Cit

[Walks]

Hi all

I have only been on Citalopram for a few months but am weaning myself off it. I have read posts that 20mg is the lowest therapeutic dose and the doctor only put me on 10mg - so it was enough to have side effects for sure but was it worth being on full stop? It was great at first to have no cares in the world at all but I started thinking how will this benefit me with the CBT that I'm on the waiting list for (as been reading up on it before my appointment) as I feel on the Cit I didn't really give a hoot about anything at all, if I went to discuss my issues, I kind of wouldn't have any - does that make sense? I'm just kind of confused as to how I can get better when on the tablets I'm not bothered by anything anyway, so I fear I won't address the true issues then come off the tablets and be really low again?
Also some of the side effects have lessened as I've cut down to 5mg a day but is it even worth taking such a small amount? If 20mg is the lowest therapeutic dose how come the doctor put me on just 10mg?

Thank you all :)

[Frankie123]

I was on a low dose of citalopram and found it really helpful. I think your GP starts you on a low dose and, if necessary, increases the dose slowly. I guess you only ever needed the lower dose. If the citalopram works for you not sure why you would want to come off it but, of course, that is your decision.

[Walks]

I had a lot of side effects, headaches, extreme tiredness, no sex drive, weight gain, which ended up adding extra stress on to me. And having no worries at first was lovely then I felt a bit strange like I had no emotions at all - it was great to have no lows but I also had no highs either I just felt like I was a robot does that make sense? Whereas now i'm taking 5mg I feel less anxious and angry but still have some feelings and emotions which I'm trying to keep in check with practising CBT etc. will ask the doc when I go back what she thinks. Thank you!

[little scientist]

Hi walks, like you, every time I got to cbt while on medication, I had no cares in the world and felt I had no problems to discuss! This time though, thankfully, has been different. The meds took a lot longer to kick in, but I got access to professional support a lot quicker than normal through my workplace and I think seeing the counsellor has really helped me!

Good luck with coming off then and with your cbt :)

[Sparkle1984]

I was started on 10mg too (back in August) and I've felt fine on that so I never needed to increase it to 20mg. 10mg does work for some people. :)

I personally think doctors should start patients on the lowest dose and only increase it if necessary. I know that some doctors start people on 20mg, but I don't think that's really necessary (unless the person's symptoms are severe) and it's too much for some people. If doctors put people on an unnecessarily high dose, it will only make it harder for them to come off it when they've recovered, and it may cause too many side effects.

[little scientist]

First time round (a few years back I think) I was started in 20. This time, the doctor started me on 10, I was then raised to 20, and after a total of about 8 weeks increased to 30 which is where I have really started to feel the benefits, but this time I was pretty bad

[Flossie11]

I've been on 10 for about 3 months. It definitely has made a difference. Bad side effects at first, but now only some sleeping issues. It does make some people feel "flat" though, which may mean it wasn't the med for you.
Interestingly, I've been told by my psych that the higher doses are more the starting dose for depression. They want me to up my dose, but in small amounts.. Like try 12.5 and then 15.. Cut up the pills. I didn't get that kind of advice from my regular doctor at all. Sometimes a specialist is a good thing. I'm a firm believer in cbt and talk therapy though. I think any meds should always be coupled with it (in a perfect world) :)

[little scientist]

I can't agree more with the talking therapy and CBT. Yesterday I saw my counsellor for what I think was the 4th time, and again we went through a situation that had caused me to have a bad panic attack and she helped talk me through it and see it from a different point of view.

I never thought counselling would help me, how wrong I was!

[Walks]

That's really helpful, thanks for all your comments :) and good luck to you all too! x