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[Spangles]

Hi
I've been taking Citalopram for about 14 years, gradually my dose went up to 40mg.
I've now started to reduce it to 30mg, I've been taking 30/40/30/40 alternately for about 8 days now, I feel awful.
Has anyone else reduced and if so what have you felt like?
Thanks
Shellb
xXx

[samweller161]

Is anything else going on in your life to make the decreasing feel a bit odd?  I only ask because I know you are meant ot be on completely even keel before decreasing

What about taking 35 mg every day instead and see if that helps?

SP x

[misme7]

Hello
I came off Citalopram a few years ago, after taking it for some time.  I was weaned off it, over 3 months,very gradually under the supervision of the GP.   I am sure that I dropped down by a 5mg dose ever 2 weeks. I was on a very high amount.
I had no side effects, other than some dizziness at times.  To drop to 30mg one day, and then up to 40mg the following, seems an odd way of reducing, but then I am not a GP. 
Are you able to get in contact with your GP, and explain how you are feeling?
Hoping that you soon start to feel better. x

[Spangles]

Hi Ladies,
Thanks for your replies.
As for being on an even keel Pixie,  I think I feel well most of the time at the moment but I dthink get regular dips due to my hormones like we all do.
I had a medication review last year and the GP (one whom I had never met!), 'told' me I needed to reduce to 30 from 40. I wasn't happy with him so I saw a doctor who I do know who said if I wanted to do it them I should do it when I feel the time is right.
It's something I've wanted to do for a while now so I thought I would give it a go.
The GP also said most people are fine just dropping down to 30 from 40 but if I wanted to taper it was up to me. I spoke to a pharmacist a couple of weeks ago too and she said the same.
It does make sense that alternating the dose would cause ups and downs though.
The way I feel about the moment I just feel like continuing with the higher dose, I feel frustrated as I really want to reduce my dose to 30.
Sorry for moaning but I've been on AD's for such a long time, reducing the dose isn't something I've done on a whim, I didn't expect it to make me feel like this.
Thanks
Shellb
xXx

[CLKD]

For me it was recognising that any bounce back symptoms didn't last longer than 24 hours and didn't get worse despite my head bothering me: "will I need to go back to the higher dose because these feelings won't go away": they did go away! then I had 3-4 days on the reduced dose B4 dropping again.  It wasn't this particular AD but in the same 'chain' of medication.  Under supervision it took 9 weeks. 

Why are you reducing?  You shouldn't feel up and down whilst tapering but 'different' as the brain and body becomes used to a different regime.  Think about how you feel physically and whether these feelings are maintained or if they get worse.  I don't understand how one would taper from 40 to 30 unless there's an intermediate dose.

What exactly are you feeling?

[Justjules]

Hi Shellb. I found an excellent article years ago on the internet by a Dr who said it was poppycock that you could wean off ADs so easy despite what the GPS tell us.  I was like you so set about following his advice. I literally did each stage for about 6 weeks at a time by shaving tiny bits off the tablet for each 6 weeks. Yes, it took months but I had no withdrawal problems, my son did the same when he came off them.  I am back on them as I found it was needed again but I know I can stop them again so don't panic any more. I can't remember who the dr was but have a search on the internet and you may come across it. I'll have a look too and will post the link for you. Good luck, honestly, it's the way to do it. xx

[Milamam]

Hi Shellib,
I came down from 20 to 10mg Citalopram with no problem with the following taper schedule:
Monday -10mg then the rest of the week 20 mg;
Monday and Tue -10 mg then the rest of the week 20mg
... and so on until I started taking only 10 mg throughout.

I think this taper schedule brings the least shock to the brain thus no side effects at all.

Good luck

Milamam

[CLKD]

It does depend on the type of medication, GPs have access to small amounts that aren't usually available other than for weaning off.

[cubagirl]

I had to take 10mg every second day as I weaned off as that's the lowest dose. I weaned myself off them by taking every 3rd day & so on. Been off completely for 3 weeks now & feeling fine.

[Spangles]

Hi ladies,
Thank you for your replies.
I don't feel any better to be honest.
I've just done two days of 30mg, my Bowles have gone to pot and so has my appetite.
I feel like going back up to the 40 but then I think if I do I will have gone through the last 12 days for nothing. I'm trying so hard but it's really difficult.
Any tips on getting my appetite back as I lose weight really easily.
xXx

[cubagirl]

Sure your appetite will come back on it's own. No point forcing yourself to eat.  When my anxiety was bad 3 years ago, my appetite went as the anxiety made me nauseous.

[Milamam]

Yes, cubagirl is right - don't beat yourself up or force to eat. I'll help if you "juice" your food : i.e make smoothies from greens or things you fancy and sip during the day. When I lost apetite during a meno low point a few years ago, I lived on celery juice, tomato juice and small bowls of soups. Little sips throughout the day and at night if needed. It will pass - don't push yourself too hard!

Milamam

[CLKD]

I suggest Bovril in a cup of hot water with toast - my go-to when I can't eat. 

Your body/brain will get used to 30mg - however, where do you go from 30mg 

[babyjane]

I was started on 10mg citalopram but the side effects were cruel so I would cut the tablet in half to begin with.  Then the GP transferred me onto the sister drug called escitalopram which is similar but kinder.  I take the 5mg dose now. It keeps me on an even keel. 

Occasionally I think I ought to try without it but then I ask myself why, if it is helping.  I don't think I should reduce my thyroxine as my body needs it.  So my brain needs the support of the low dose AD.  I have to remind myself of that.  However if I was on a high dose I don't think I would be happy long term so I wish you well with your reduction.

[CLKD]

Shellb - what symptoms are the most bothersome?