You should withdraw for months from this medication, because as you've found, they can make you very ill. Your body is readjusting, and it could last for a few weeks yet, but abating all the time.
I have been on Cita over 7 months now and this week started a very gradual reduction from 40mg.
My Dr has me alternating 30/40mg daily for two weeks, if I feel okay, I can continue on 30mg for a few weeks see how I go. Any problems then I must try upping by 5mg and see how that goes. When I am stable on 30/35mg I give it another couple of weeks then try dropping 5mg alternatley daily as before for so, for arguements sake if 30mg is okay the 30mg one day 25mg the next for two weeks. All going well stay on 25mg for another couple of weeks then drop another 5mg and alternate 25/20mg. However, I am not to go below 20mg and by then it should be September and that is when I have my next appt.
Hi Shazzer, I wish I could help but sounds like you are fighting thru it which I admire your inner strenght! Hang in there I'm sure you are coming close to turning a corner I guess 18mths is a decent amount of time to be on them did they cure you for the most part? maybe see your doc about ideas with side effects although the fact you know its side effects is half the battle take care!
I've been in a worse state than this so now I'm just gonna have to ride it out.I'm just counting day by day and so proud of myself for where I am now.(Even with the dizziness) B-)
I am fighting through it and it isn't going to beat me.
As I did the depression and anxiety with help from citalopram.
I must have inner strench because this was all down to work related problems and I still went to work day in day out even at my worst and I got through it with the help of these tablets and not giving up.
At the time though I think you do feel like you're a weak person for going on tablets but I hold my hand up to anyone who admits that they have a problem because that proves you are a strong person for admitting it and you don't have to fight it alone.
I don't know your story Stevo but thanks so much for your encouraging words and I'm gonna turn that corner soon.As are many people on here.
Hi Shazzer awesome work proud of you that is very brave !! understanding is half the battle David sounds like you have it well managed buddy which sounds great! I still have a long way to go although I'm happy I have nt had any anxiety since going on cita, which for me is everything! take care guys!
Hi Shazzer, Good one you. I am at a similar stage although have been on Cytalopram for roughly 13years and have gone cold turkey from 20mg. I have tried tappering before but this way seems just the same- I went to a really good homeopath and got some nat5ural help which has been amazing. I am on day 8 and fully expecting another good couple of weeks feeling dreadful but cant wait to come out the other side. All the very best for your journey.
You are brave going cold turkey after 13 years.It was bad enough for me after 18 months but like you say I think you're going to get symptons anyway. I am on day 17 of being tablet free and I feel great.
The dizzy head stopped at around day 11.Thank goodness.Quite moody aswell.Which I didn't like but proud of myself for doing it.
Youre gonna come out the other side even if you don't think that now because it isn't easy but you will.
I'm now entering the next chapter in my life as a happier,confident,positive person.
I've finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel after a long hard journey!!
Hi I've not long cone off citalopram didn't do it the right way did cold turkey approach. Dizziness last for me a couple of weeks. I came onto the forum because of them. Realised it was due to serotonin levels dropping so have been excersising regularly to bring them back up this has helped stop the dizziness but the moodiness is still an issue.
I kind of think it's having to retrain your brain again into knowing your limits and levels of patience.
Wow! Going cold turkey is the worse way to come off and I am glad you appear over the worse now. I am starting a very slow and gradual reduction next week from 40mg down to 20mg or wherever above 20mg that suits me. I see my Dr again (if I don't need to see her in the meantime) beginning of September. I may make it to 20mg, I may not we will see.
Exercise, diet and supplements can all help. I am going to take exercise in the sunshine at least 10 mins a day to get the old vit D, also B3 and B6. When I have eventually come off Cita I (have all ready got them in a buy one by one for a penny offer)(other offers are available!) will take 5-HTP, but not until I come off.
Please keep posting, as I will as I start to drop, because every little experience helps!
Hi shazzer wondering how you're doing today coming off cit? I'm on day 4. I was on 5 mg for 5 weeks than my doctor upped it to 10 mg for another 6 weeks, so only about 11 weeks on cit totally. My doctor started me on a5 week schedule top come off 1) 1/2 whole 1/2 whole 1/2 whole 1/2. 2) whole 1/2. 1/2. whole 1/2. 1/2 whole. 3) 1/2 pill for that week 4) 1/2 no 1/2 no 1/2 no 1/2. 5) 1/2 no no 1/2 no no 1/2 DONE!! I sure hope that's a good way for me to wean off, what do you think? I'm on B6 and D3 during those time and I'll get 5 -htp after I'm off. Cindy
No the opposiite Cita has got me back on track however, I had to go up to 40mg to being to level out. Bit of dentistry problems at the moment, have had Family visit for the week and back to hospital re tooth on Tuesday.
So, all being well I shall start my reduction next week sometime! Although, as my Dr has warned I may never get right down or actually come off - but then I might!
Where are you in the scheme of things at this very moment (with the meds of course!).
I'm into my 3rd week of 100mg. Last two days feeling very low. Suffering from insomnia so had to take a lorazepam last night. Right at the moment not doing well.