Coming off Cital after 2 years on 20mg

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Originally Posted by UrbanMark

Update.

I tried to come off them too quick. I would say at least a MONTH for each change in dosage. Also different brands of pill seem to have different affects. Activis isn't as good for me.

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Hi Mark

Are you off citalopram now? can I ask, how long were you on them for? I am suffering at the moment I came off cold turkey and had an horendous time I was on them for 6 months. I went back on them 3 months ago and i still feel bad. Thy have not kicked in yet but I don't like taking them so stupidly I reduced to 3omg last thursday just for that day. as I have a book on how to reduce. I am on 40gm. but I have suffered this weekend so just by reducing them for one day by 10mg I felt awfull. plus I don't think drinking wine helped me. I feel trapped I will just have to carry on taking them until my nerves are desensitised. sorry went on a bit there. Let me know how you are doing.

Cathy xx

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Originally Posted by UrbanMark

Ok, so I've had the best 12 months out of the last 18 years.
I want to stop, so after reading lots of threads on the subject, I'm taking 10mg tonight instead of the usual 20mg.

I'll post a daily diary to keep you updated, and to give me some perspective on it.

Take care x

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Sorry for asking a stupid question I can see you were on them for 2 years silly me lol

Cathy xx

Hi Cathy,
Hope you are feeling better.
Coming off Citalopram `Cold turkey' is apparently WORSE than coming off Heroin.
I reduced my dosage too quickly first time, dropping from 20mg to 10mg.
This time around, I am dropping from 20mg to 15mg for ONE MONTH, then 15mg to 10mg for one month, then 10mg to 5mg, then 5mg every second day for another month.
The Brain has to readjust to the levels of Serotonin, and apparently it takes a while to do this.

I am feeling great at the moment on 15mg, that's me been taking it for a week now.

Take care x

Hi urbanmark

Let me know how you are doing. I am starting to reduce and I am going to tackle my anxiety myself I do know that is not going to be easy. Today I have taken 30mg instead of 40mg. I will do this for a month and see how I go. What do you think? xx

Cathy xx

Hi Cathy, hope you are well,
I am still on 20mg of Cit, but I plan to come off them starting 15th Jan 2013.
I consulted my doctor about it and she said she would give me a prescription for the chemist.

28 x 20mg for the first month.
28 x 15mg for the second month (28 x 10mg + 28 x 5mg)
28 x 10mg for the third.
28 x 5mg for the forth ( the 10mgs are halved)
14 x 5mg for fifth (pill taken on alternate days)

Apparently it MUST be done this way to avoid the horrible side effects.
So hopefully I will be Cit-free by June next year :)

Hi folks,

Thought I post an update.
I've decided to come off the Cit. So I reduced my dosage two weeks ago.
I was on 20mg per day, but for the past two weeks I have been on 15mg per day.
The side affects are;

A little more self concious - previously I wasn't at all.
A bit more aware of my surroundings.
A little bit more introspective.
My long term memories are returning - but every so slightly.
I have more energy.
I'm not as sleepy.
Sex is better, more sensitive.

I've had only two days out of 14 where I felt bad, on both occasions I had a splitting sore head and I felt really tired.

I shall continue to take 15mg for the next week to see how I go.

I'll post again in a week's time.

Take care x :)

UPDATE

First day on 10mg.
I had been on 15mg for the past three weeks - No major side affects.
I feel far more aware of my surroundings now, I feel more self-concious and more introspective. I'd say overall I feel a bit more sensitive. They do say that Citalopram creates a protective `bubble' around you and I believe this to be true as I have experienced this for the past 2/3 years.

Feeling good though - will stay on the 10mg for at least three weeks.

Take care :)

Hi folks,

This is my forth day on 10mg.
Feeling more concious of my surroundings.
Smells are more prevalent.
I do have more energy.
Sex is better. :)
My girlfriend says I've been a bit short tempered this weekend, I would have to agree with that :(
But overall it's been virtually free of any withdrawal symptoms, I think this is down to taking my time and reducing the dosage slowly.
I think I'll be on 10mg for at least the next three weeks/ 1 month.

Take care x :)

Well that's one week on 10mg.

The main difference is that I am more short-tempered :blush:

No other side affects to report.

Take care x

Hi UrbanMark

How long has it been now? Did you go back onto them are you still off them?

Bel8