Hi there all,
I was prescribed 20mg at Christmas, and started them Jan 1. Side-effects were so bad early on, then continued to a lesser degree right up for the full month. Spoke to my Doctor, plus Crisis-Team in local hospital, both agreed that I shouldn't be feeling that bad, so to start coming off them and maybe introduce something else?
So, exactly 1 week ago, went down to 10mg per day as advised by both above.
Felt okay for 3-4 days, maybe placebo-type effect as I'm expecting to feel better by getting off them (although probably still had full 20mgs in my system at that time?)
Last couple of days however, felt really flat, having more intrusive and depressive thoughts, and the feelings of anxiety appear to be returning, the tingly neck/back of head and racing mind etc. I did ask the Doc if I could reduce slower (15mgs for a while instead of 10), but both he and the Crisis Team said it wasn't necessary, as I'd only been on the meds for 4 weeks anyway. In fact, the Crisis Team said they would normally have advised to come off them completely within 1 week!
Now I'm obviously starting to feel worried that I'm coming off them too quickly, and going to set myself back again, although the experts think not?
I'm also taking 80mg Propranolol per day (in 2 doses) and Diazepam 2mg when required (usually twice a day)
Its just so frustrating, tiring and scary though isn't it? I know all you good people unserstand better than anyone.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. thank you.
Andy MC x
I am not an expert and you hae to trust your professionals, but most people have had the side effects in luding me, for the first month. I amin my 4th week, and theside effecare much less but the nervosness is still hanging on. I am told at around 4 weeks that will go away. The anxity certainly gets worse before it gets better. But as far as weaning after 4 weeks, I am not sure but I weaned once aftr several years, and I went very slowly. Took 3 full months going down tiny amounts at a time.
Thanks Kathy,
Yes I've heard the 4 week thing before, thats why I asked the Doc. I would have gone with the advice to carry on but when I told him how I'd been feeling he advised to come down off them. I just hope he hasn't set me up for more problems in the next few weeks?
Hi andymc,
Please know you are not alone. Talking really helps. Sometimes it is one breath at a time. In a very similar place as what you are describing, so this is all I can manage at the moment. A hug to you.
Hi Andymc
Like Kathy, I'm not a health professional and wouldn't go against whatever your doctor has said .......... but, it often seems doctors don't prepare their patients fully for what to expect on this medication, and they don't seem to know just how long this medication takes to work. 4 weeks being on this medication isn't that long.
It takes at least 4-6 weeks for it to get into your body and to feel any benefits .... if that even. Some people take 3-4 months. Side effects can last quite a while - weeks and weeks, everyone is different. I went through a whole range of side effects - seems as one faded another would start. Withdrawl from this medication takes equally as long.
Personally I'd have given it much longer on this medication. First you get nasty side effects including worsening of your depression, intrusive thoughts and a whole host of scary stuff, then as this starts to lessen you begin to feel calmer and start to feel better. You'll then get ups and downs after this which makes you feel like you're ill again, but these are just setbacks and seems a normal part of recovery. Slowly these setbacks get less and you feel better as time goes on. I'd say it took about 6 months for me to feel completely at ease.
Redicing the meds from 20mg to 10mg should be fine, but if you'd rather go to 15mg first then why not. The slower the better, but then you haven't taken them long enough for any real adverse effect.
Its a shame you couldn't continue with this medication as they really do help, once you're through all the side effects etc.
I hope you find an alternative medication that will work for you.
K xx
Hi Andy, I sometimes get the impression that the people who fully understand the workings of these meds are here! Not in surgeries and that crisis team may need to sign up like the rest of us to PUK to learn the facts! That is most surgeries even mine apart from my actual Doctor who told me what to expect regarding side effects and also expect more or less! That it also, basically, depends on the individual and if taking other meds. My Doc is very good!
I started on 4th December on 10mg, then increased to 20mg late December and now on 30mg since 5th this month. I have felt like sh*t at times (excuse the expletive), stayed in bed on the very odd occassion, felt freaky, spaced, very anxious at times (funny the thing that will eventually get rid of anxiety causes it at first! I have dreams every night and if I even get up in the middle of the night when I return to bed I either carry on the same dream or start another! On each increase I have to put up with buzzing in my ears which is a frigging pain, but I just keep the faith that the sticking plaster for me brain will help heal me (no matter how much it upsets me) and eventually will get better. It is an uphill struggle, but it is not as bad as it would be without these lovely people here on this site.
Stay tuned, stay informed and stay in company!
Regards, David
Thanks for your very kind words Kristin, its tough isnt it?
I'm sending an equally big hug to you, keep your chin up and cope as well as you can to get through this tough time
Keep in touch x
Thanks for the great info Kate,
I know even I thought 4 weeks was too soon, even though I was feeling so bad, but I went with the professionals.
I did ask if I could go down 5mgs at a time and was told theres no need, although this was from the same Doctor who said I wouldn't suffer side-effects in the first place!!!
I suppose now I'll have to put up with the same kind of thing with a different SSRI?
Thanks again
Sadly a lot of doctors fail to inform their patients of side effects, what to expect, the time scale of this medicine, withdrawl etc. Many SSRI's suit different people, but you do have to persevere for many, many months before you can tell if it's for you. I recovered on SSRI's after years of illness, and have stayed well ever since. It's tough initially being on them, but so worth it in the end.
I hope you find the one for you ..... or even Citalopram another go one day.
K xx
Hi
I have had a similar experience to you. I was on Cit 10mg for 4 days then up to 20mg for 4 weeks and struggled though some awful side effects I returned to the GP beaten by the drug who advised me to reduce to 10 mg, which I did with no reduction on my side effects. Returning again to my GP who advised me to stop and as I had been on them for only 6 weeks I would be OK in a couple of days!! WRONG that was just before Xmas and I am still suffering with most of the same side effect although at a lower level.
My advise is do your own research and then go back armed with comments like this and discuss it again with yor GP (they don't know it all!!) should you not feel satified with the directions then take a second opinion until you feel comfortable with the combined approach which you have agreed!!
Dave