Im starting to come off citalopram (an ssri) any advice?

Question

ive been taking them for 7 years so ts a little worrying

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I'm glad you said starting as that is the secret to come off of them gradually over a period of time agreed with your doctor. Normally this is done by tapering the dose until you are off of them completely.

Naturally you will be worried it can be a scary time especially if you try to hurry the process. So please be advised by your doctor and ask all the question about the withdrawal symptoms (if any) SSRI's are perhaps better than most antidepressants however, only you will know how you are feeling. Do not suffer in silence if you feel bad but speak to your doctor.

I have been off of my SSRI (different to yours) for almost 9 months now and I am not going to lie when I tell you that it has all been plain sailing as it has not. Only last week I went through a bad patch but I rallied round.

If it's any help I found that exercise and a good diet full of fresh green leafy vegetables and fish has helped me enourmously.

I wish you all the best...and by the way it was my second attempt to come off of the tablets, so don't be too hard on yourself if you don't succeed the first time round...just be kind to yourself.

Good luck and email anytime you wish.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

very kind thank you

Answer 2

I came off citilopram by mistake once. Sort of felt dizzy spells.
You may also find yourself getting upset for no reason and yelling at people. Try to temper your temper.

Here are over 400 other responses to ponder.
http://depression.wpadmin.about.com/?com…

Answer 3

has your doctor told you to come off them as you're not supposed to stop taking them straight away, but gradually.

Answer 4

Very very slowly. Don't be in a rush, better to take a long time

Answer 5

i stopped dead just because i ran out over a bank holiday weekend. but i was gonna come off them anyway.(my doctor said i was mad for doing it that way, but i did) she had already advised me to take 1 every other day, then drop the dosage after a while. stay on that for a few weeks then drop it down again to 1 every couple of days.then basically wean yourself off them over a period of a few months , just to be on the safeside.
good luck, hope all goes well for you xx

Answer 6

even if you have a good few weeks or days, don't think you can stop taking them all together, come off the gradually with regular contact with your doctor. my boyfriend takes citalopram and ritalin for depression and ADHD and was told he could come down from 40mg to 20mg, although he will have to take 20mg forever to work with his Ritalin. However, after a couple of good weeks at 36mg he figured he could just come straight down to 20mg and was horrible, it was a total nightmare and the whole thing put him back months. I'm pleased to say he's now down to 20mg and fine.

Good luck. xx

Answer 7

Like others have said, slow and easy is the absolute best way to go off your antidepressants. But why are you going off the antidepressants after seven years to begin with? Was it your doctors suggestion or yours. Whatever the cause, the best way to go off of your medication is to off your dose by half. If you're taking 60 mg. of Prozac for example, have the doctor give you 30 instead. Good luck.

Answer 8

my husband has been trying to come off citalopram for a year after being on them 5 years ,some of the side effects are not very pleasant ,such as numb feeling in teeth dizziness and says sometimes he feels as though he is getting electric shocks in his head ,his doctor says he may never fully come off them but just take minimum dosage ,he is really quite difficult to be around if he misses them for afew days ,i dont think i can give you any advice but just let you know your not alone and other people are going through the same as you ,your doctor should be able to give extra advice if you need it ,hope you suceed.x

Answer 9

Just take your doctor's advice. I wouldn't just stop taking them. Most of all stop em because you want to. Not for anyone else.Good luck