Citalopram 2 years , my withdrawal diary...

[xliljosiex]

Ok so I've been on citalopram for roughly two years now, started on 10mgs for about 6 months then moved to 20mg where I have remained.
I've recently had the odd week here and there of feeling pretty low and depressed and feel as though they are no longer working as effectively.
I have 2 options , increase to 30mg, which may work wonders, I worry how long until that stops working effectively? So I have decided to give the (very scary) withdrawal process a go and take it from there!

GP gave me a 6 week plan of withdrawing. Alternate 20mgs and 10mgs every other day for 2 weeks, 10mgs for 2 weeks, 10mg every other day for 2 weeks and stop.. I think this sounds way too quick so I'm going to go at the pace I need to, I do kind of feel like ripping the plaster off and putting up with the side effects if they are not too horrendous ! I also do have a small amount of diazepam to help if things get too difficult

I'm going to journal my experience , hopefully I will find it helpful and someone may find it interesting!!??
Last night I dropped my first 10mgs so guess this is day 1

[xliljosiex]

Day 5

Nothing to report , really feel no different as yet, mood has been pretty stable but I fully expect to experience side effects soon as my brain adapts to the decreased dosage. Just hope they are bearable !

[xliljosiex]

Day 11

Still feel ok, have been feeling irritable and snappy but if that's the worst I'm experiencing I'll happily take it!
Still alternating 10mg-20mg will leave it as this until maybe Thursday then drop to 10mg xxx

[xliljosiex]

Day 24

After alternating 10mg and 20mg for 2 weeks I have dropped to 10mgs , that was 10 days ago now, been feeling pretty good but felt low mood creeping in yesterday and a bit worse today, just going to go with it, no way I'm going back now, going to ride the storm xxx

[raindeer]

Hey, I had a storm too, its subsided but there are still some minor side effects. Anyway, hang in there!

[TRISTAN]

I'm just about to start coming off mine to so will be good to follow how you get on and ill let you know how I do I'm going from 40 so expecting the worst x

[raindeer]

I'm just about to start coming off mine to so will be good to follow how you get on and ill let you know how I do I'm going from 40 so expecting the worst x

Different people react differently, from what i've read its best to taper slowly. like lower dosage every 2 weeks or so.

[carolineellen]

Please keep me updated. I have been on them for three years now and I am on 40mg I so want to come of them but am scared ! Although I don't think they are really doing much for me now. . . I still have very low days. Although I don't feel suicidual like I used to, but I am far from being in a happy place in my life. . ��

[TRISTAN]

Do you take any add on meds ?

[carolineellen]

Tristan, was that last question for me?