Hi everyone
I’ve been on a reduced dose of citalopram from 10mg to 5mg for over 10 months now and still getting withdrawal symptoms. I know that the covid 19 threat has made me more stressed and could be giving me anxiety symptoms, they have definitely worsened since lockdown. I don’t know whether to go back up to 10 mgs knowing this will give me more symptoms for several weeks but in the hope these symptoms will subside by doing so or would it be better to change to another med. The other query is that I cut my tablet in half but they are not precise therefore I could be 1mg out, could this be prolonging my symptoms? I seem to be going through a bad patch, dizzy, headaches, aches and pains all over, crying, nausea, digestive issues etc. Any advice appreciated. Thanks.
Hi Sonia, I am sorry to hear about your issues, I will try to offer you some advice.
You are correct that worrying about things such as corona virus, will make your symptoms worse, so try to stay calm about this issue and remember to follow all the advice given by government.
I would suggest before you make any alterations to your dosage, to talk to your GP , many surgeries now offer telephone or online appointments so you don't need to go in and risk anything.
Are you able to get out, to take a walk? This would reduce your anxiety as long as you keep your distance from other people.
Finally, don't sit there worrying about things, do come back to us on here and we can suggest different things to try and help. I will always help anybody if I can.
Take care and keep safe!
Hi Personal 20, Thank you for your kind reply. Although I am in withdrawal, it is true that covid 19 has brought on more anxiety for me as it has others. I am going to try to get my dose as accurate as possible because I think the slight deviation in strength could be making a difference in my healing. Kind regards
No problem Sonia, and if you need more support don't hesitate to come back on with another post. Take care
can you not swap to liquid sonia?
Hi Toria, The last time we spoke you had a chest infection, hope you are over it now.😊 What a good idea, I never thought about liquid citalopram. Have you tried it?
i use the liquid lovely, still not better as doctors say probable covid 19, they gave me antibiotics in case it turned bacterial and i had a reaction to them, i now have neuropathy and intercostal neuralgia, also chest still sore so having an xray on monday! x
Oh Toria, I'm so sorry you are still poorly, it all sounds extremely uncomfortable, as if going through withdrawal isn't bad enough. I hope all goes well with the xray on Monday, and I hope they test you for the virus to be sure. A few members of my family have had symptoms of the virus and they have made a full recovery. Take good care of yourself, sending best wishes for a speedy recovery, 🌼will catch up with you again later. x🌞
thank you my lovely, really hope things improve for you soon xx
Hi Toria Are you feeling any better? I"m doing ok at the mo, knitting like crazy. Sent for a scales to measure my dose, hopefully that will work out, if it doesn't I'll switch to liquid. 🌝
Until a week ago I'd have said inaccurate cutting made little to no difference but dropping from 10mg to 2.5mg (so I have to cut halves and quarters!) hit me like a train so I wonder what my tolerance is for imprecise cutting. I know that over a couple of days it'll kind of balance out but when you feel bad you question everything!
Hi Charlie T I've been on surviving antidepressants and apparently it can make a difference. Lower doses are harder to come off so it makes sense that accuracy is important. Fingers crossed🌝
not at the mo lovely but still battling, ive got phychosis from the antibiotics, i thought 3 years ago it was the steriods in hospital that caused it but i had the same antibiotics then, good idea about the scales, im trying not to get frustrated as i wont be able to drop for a while now :( x
Hi Toria Don't worry about reducing, that can wait until another time, just concentrate on getting well first. 🌞 At least you know now to avoid that antibiotic in future. Every day is a step nearer to recovery, I hope you start to feel better soon. Take care x
Yep, I read some of the posts on that site too. I guess you have to remember that Internet forums probably represent those who have the hardest time and SA is no exception. That site is particularly focussed on withdrawal and discontinuation syndrome so, completely understandably, they have very strict views on dosage. That said, I'd prefer liquid, but apparently the absorption is different from tablets!
thanks sonia, keep me updated how you get on x
i swapped from tablets to liquid and got used to it but have to get the same brand x
Hi Toria Just dropping by to see how you are, are you feeling better yet? I'm plodding along, good and bad days. I'm knitting loads and I think it's giving me headaches and stiff neck. My scales arrived two days ago and they are great for measuring a more accurate 5 mg dose. Fingers crossed. I have a niggling chesty cough, have had it for a couple of weeks, feels like I want to cough to clear my chest but it's only making my chest sore. Worse in the mornings and at night. Hope it will pass soon. Hope all is well with you. Take care x
can i ask what scales you bought and how much they were? x
I am sorry Sonia, I didn't answer the question you raised that has covid 19 brought on more anxiety? Yes, without doubt it will and this needs to be taken into consideration. Please let us know how you are getting on. Take care