Jump to content
SurvivingAntidepressants.org is temporarily closed to new registrations until 1 April ×

☼ joy2730: withdrawing from citalopram, quetiapine


joy2730

Recommended Posts

Thanks for the words of encouragement, yes things are going well, I was  very hot in bed last night, and my constipation is back with vengeance, which I think the best remedy is magnesium but I am taking and doing anything to help with this, ie change of foods, more water, senna, figs, fruit, anything that well help.

 

I have been reading on the internet that bowels are very sensitive to the serotonin levels in your body, and to be fair to the GP I saw he did ask me about constipation.  I have made an appointment to see my regular GP, who I have a great deal of time for, in about 2 weeks time, but unfortunately I am raising the issue of whether to seek financial compensation for the years I have spent on these pills without proper reviews or help in withdrawing.

 

It is not a nice subject to raise but I need to explore it fully for my own psychological benefit, my husband and daughter, when I first told them of this, were horrified, but having had more time to think about it, I think they can see where I am coming from.

 

The main sadness I have is that I have suffered a lot of cognitive disability from taking these pills.

 

I am sticking at 15mg for a long time now, certainly I would have to get my constipation resolved before reducing any further, because I am aware I could end up with serious constipation at this rate, I am also going to ask my GP if there is anything she can prescribe to help with it.

 

Take care everyone, GOING SLOW IS THE KEY, KNOWLEDGE GIVES CONFIDENCE.  IF I CAN DO IT ANYONE CAN!

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment

Just tingling today, of my hands and lower arms, feet and lower legs, and face, mood fine though and enjoying being out and about at Xmas time, so because of the tingling today it is clear withdrawal symptoms are coming through still.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment

Hello Joy

Just read through your thread. All very interesting. It was Citalopram and Lithium that caught my eye as I take those too.

 

When I decided to try to get off these drugs, citalopram was the first I attempted ( I take 3) I hadn't found this forum then and it was at a crazy speed suggested my GP.

I had no withdrawal symptoms during the 4-5 week taper, then had about 6 weeks of feeling fine, better cognitively, getting back emotions, feeling confident about the future and then of course, bang!

That was back in the summer and ive spent probably 3 months before getting stable again, having reinstated the 20mg of Citalopram.

Strange in a way that its possible to feel fine even though I had Lithium and Mirtazapine still in my system.

 

Anyway the positive thing was that I discovered this forum and got my head around the whole idea of tapering slowly. Its quite radical really all this stuff and has made me totally rethink my past years on these drugs. Getting hold of my medical records of the last 20 years has enabled me to see how WD and 'relapse' probably got totally confused.

I now feel that ive probably been in a state of WD and reinstatement, increased dosages, new meds, for years. Its like re-writing the past. The drugs merry-go-round causing me to be diagnosed with chronic depression!

Anyway im very hopeful for the future now even though it might take me at least 2 years.

 

Even though I have begun, im still not sure if it should be lithium or Cit first. The Australians on the site recommend leaving Lithium til later as it can help getting off the others. And Cit is more activating so would normally be the one to taper first. I instinctively wanted to get rid of Lithium because of the possible physical health risks

.

Will follow your slow taper of Cit with interest over the months!

Wishing you all the very best; looks like youre making great progress now after your up and down start.

 

Simon

. Been on some kind of meds since 1982,mainly on and off things like imipramine.,2000 on75mg venlafaxine til it bottomed out, then 150, also no good. about 7 years. Almost ct from it and put on cocktail of  Cit, Mirt and Lithium. Remained there for 7 years.

Tapered Citalopram in June2014 and was off in 6 weeks. Mood slumped about 6 weeks later. Found this site sept 5th and got some idea why this happens.18th Sept stopped lorezepam and due to misunderstanding with GP was without it for 36 hours which caused a crisis.

from 19thsept 18mg diazepam to replace lorezepam(possible addiction) 24th sept 12 mg diaz per day. 29th sept 10mg diaz per day and tapering at 1-2mg per week. At 5mg will slow down taper. At same time increase of mirtazapine to 45mg per day.

Taking fish oil and magnesium as suggested on this site.

Also have menieres syndrome, a cause of vertigo, vomiting and partial loss of hearing, also very occasional drop attacks.

As of 8th October on; Mirtazapine 45mg, Citalopram 20mg Lithium 500mg Diazepam 6mg (tapering by 2mg per week) Fish oil and magnesium

As of 25th October Mirt 45mg, Citalopram20mg Lithium 700mg Diazepam12mg

As of 12th November Mirt 37.5 Cit.20mg Lithium 700mg Diazepam 8mg (to taper after 14 days by 10%)

As of 17th November Mirt 35mg Cit 18mg Lithium 600mg Diazepam 8mg (to taper after 14 days by 10%)

As of 25th November MIrt 35mg Cit 18mg Lithium 600mg Diazepam 7mg

As of 1st December MIrt 35 Cit 18mg Lithium 600mg         Diazepam 6mg  (been stable for the last 2 weeks)

GP intervention 19 December now on 150 Ven, 37.5 Mirt, 600 Lithium  Diazepam 7mg

Link to comment

Just a quick update, I thought I was doing fine on 15mg citalopram and then wham, this weekend lots of withdrawal symptoms so I am now back on 20mg, which resolved my symptoms of withdrawal within 24 hrs.  I am not giving up hope though.

 

Message for Simon, thanks for your reply, I do feel you are now on the right track, I got rid of lithium before trying to withdraw from citalopram and having come off it felt so much better, it spurred me on to try citalopram withdrawal.

 

For me withdrawing from lithium was a walk in the park compared with withdrawing from citalopram!

 

I have just come back from a very frank exchange with my GP as to why I have ended up in this mess, she was very good and is going to get back to me after the New Year.  I told her I felt I had not had the chance to withdraw using the GP service and that I would have been left on these pills indefinitely if the GP had had their way, that I had been written off by them.  It must have been uncomfortable for her, but I had to be honest about the way I feel.

 

The more people share their experiences the more society will benefit from that sharing as well as the individual.

 

I will keep you all posted, disappointed to be back on 20mg instead of 15mg but the withdrawal symptoms were awful, and I don't want to have to take any time off work.

 

Take care everyone.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment

When I saw my GP last night she told me that many people have to stop withdrawing and hold it at 10mg or thereabouts indefinitely, but at least she was acknowledging there was a problem with getting off these drugs.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Joy,

I'm sorry you have updosed back to 20mg.  You may have been able to reduce your withdrawal symptoms by trying 16mg or 18mg. 

 

How have you been tapering?  You may have been tapering too fast.  We suggest reducing by no more than 10% of the current dose every 4 weeks, this reduces the risk of withdrawal symptoms arising.  Please read through this which will explain why:

  

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?  (The general philosophy of gradual tapering)

 

If you taper too fast and updose when symptoms become unmanageable, then you are going in the wrong direction, its better to slow down, but continue going in the right direction...smaller cuts and longer holds. Some people need to really slow down as the dose gets lower.  Possibly making cuts between 1% - 5%

 

Please read through: 

The slowness of slow tapers 

Also see our topic on micro-tapers http://survivinganti...or-5-decreases/

 

I'm confident that you can get off this drug, if you are prepared to taper slow enough for your nervous system to adjust.  Please stay in touch and let us know how you are doing.

 

Petu.

I'm not a doctor.  My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one.

My Introduction Thread

Full Drug and Withdrawal History

Brief Summary

Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects

2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010

Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal

DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms

Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal)

May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins.

Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes

Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine

Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D

June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens.

Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered

Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days.

April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close.

VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from?



VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made?



VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes?



VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects?

VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes

 

 

 

Link to comment

Hi there I know all to well about citalopram. I cut way to fast and have been in hell for nearly 2 years. Stay at one dose for at least 6 months than slow 10 percent after that. If I new than what I know now I would have went very slow. Also don't eyeball with pill cutter do a water dulution and take with oral syringe. I will talk more later. Wish you all the best but do me and you a favor and stay put for a good long while.

April 2013 Doc put me back on 40mg of celexa for 2.5 weeks than switched to Paxil 3 weeks adverse reaction and kindling reaction
July 2013 5mg celexa and .5mg klonopin daily

5/15/16 started lamictal and currently at 25mg daily once a day.

1/1/17 crossed over from .5mg klonopin to 10mg Valium.

3/1/17 off celexa from getting down to around .25mg.

5/25/17 started tapering the Valium from 10mg to 9mg

6/25/17 dropped down to 8mg Valium 

currently on 8mg of Valium and 25mg of lamictal once a day in the morning never could handle more than 25mg of lamictal and never really felt anything from it.

7/2/17 updosed to 10mg Valium and holding split twice a day and holding.

3/1/18 dropped Valium from 10mg to 9.5mg

4/1/18 dropped Valium from 9.5 to 9mg still on 25mg lamictal.

Updosed 6/20/18 Valium 10mg and 25mg lamictal and holding.

Link to comment

Thank you for your constructive comments, I am a little disappointed to be back on 20mg, but am still pleased it is not 30mg.  I didn't feel like I had much choice because I felt the tingling in my arms, legs and face had become more like knife pains and I felt very nauseated again and kept wanting to throw up.

 

I have just been eye balling my pill reductions as I cant understand using the scale I bought and can't understand how to make a water dilution,  in a few weeks no doubt my brain will be befuddled again by the citalopram increase and I will be wanting to decrease again, by then I may have been able to work out these methods of reducing the dose slowly.

 

I am posting the disasters surrounding my story as honestly as the successes because it is only when hearing the full story we can learn.

 

I think the drug manufacturers should be made to make 1mg tablets which are then scored to give 0.5 mg, just aimed at those patients who are trying to reduce, but of course the drug manufacturers really want the patients to stay on their drugs and so this is not likely to happen.  Smaller doses should be readily available in every GPs surgery.  Any  thoughts, any one?

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Joy,

I agree that 20mg is certainly better than 30mg :)  You might find these links useful when you are ready to start tapering again.

 

How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules

 

Using a digital scale to measure doses

 

 

I'm not a doctor.  My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one.

My Introduction Thread

Full Drug and Withdrawal History

Brief Summary

Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects

2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010

Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal

DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms

Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal)

May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins.

Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes

Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine

Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D

June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens.

Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered

Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days.

April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close.

VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from?



VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made?



VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes?



VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects?

VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes

 

 

 

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...

Well I have soon got fed up of taking 20mg citalopram again, and so am now doing 17.5 mg, I figured I was fine on 17.5 mg and only had problems when at 15 mg, so HERE WE GO AGAIN.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment

Doing OK on 17.5mg, odd thing is I feel so much more alert on 17.5mg than 20mg, I am sure it is not psychological, just physical, also my body recognises the difference as it immediately goes into SERIOUS CONSTIPATION MODE, but my mood is fine

 

Happy New Yr to everyone, and no one must beat themselves up if they are struggling with withdrawal, just look after yourself.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment

Feeling fine on 17.5 mg citalopram, but my body has definitely recognised the drop in dosage of 2.5 mg, by a clearer mind and slight nausea on waking and a few spells of feeling hot.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Happy new year, joy.

 

You may wish to consider 10% decreases, based on your last dosage. The next decrease would be 1.75mg citalopram.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment

Thanks for that advice, I am fine on 17.5 mg, where I am staying for a long time and any future decreases, when I pluck up courage, will be based on 10% of my previous dose, it is good to spell out HOW SMALL THESE DECREASES ACTUALLY ARE, thanks so much.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment

Update, doing just fine on 17.5 mg, just a bit of tingling in my face today and some weird dreams and shallow sleep last night, but I can easily live with that.

For anyone who noticed my wish to sue the NHS for keeping me on these pills so long, l have pursued this with a 'no win, no fee' company and basically they will only proceed when there is at least a 50% chance of success and preferably more, which they don't think there would be in my case.

 

Don't know what to think about that really.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment

Hi, I am on A/L for a week and so am able to catch up on my antidepressant reading.  I am still doing really well on 17.5 mg citalopram, my previous thinking would have led me to reduce to 15mg today, but now I know a bit more about things NO WAY. 

 

These last few days I have had a further positive outcome from the reduction achieved so far, I have started to loose weight without altering my diet or exercise, proof that the drug is definitely starting to leave my body even though I am maintaining this dose.  It feels as though it takes ages for the body to adapt after each reduction.

 

I really feel as if I can feel my figure for the first time in years, how wonderful.  So to anyone concerned with their weight just give it time and eventually you will notice improvements.  I had no idea this improvement was about to happen, the thought of having an improved figure after all this time just by reducing a drug is so exciting.

 

Overwhelming though my message remains, do the reductions so slowly.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Joy, thank you for updating. I'm glad that you are doing well, and that your weight is going down. I found

the same thing, my weight slowly dropped with the doses, it was a surprise because I hadn't been expecting that,

an added bonus!  I think you are right to hold for a bit longer, and would consider a micro taper which is easier

on the nervous system. Tiny cuts but they can be more often and 'sneak' the drug away. 

 

Here is  a link for micro tapering. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2878-micro-taper-instead-of-10-or-5-decreases/

 

Hope you are enjoying your A/L  :)

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

Link to comment

Update, I have made a solution of my citalopram and am now taking 17mg instead of 17.5mg, well as near as can be, just a little less.

 

I rang my GP surgery last night to ask them if they could prescribe liquid citalopram for me, but they said it was impossible to get hold of, which I take to mean is too expensive!  They also said most people don't have problems coming off antidepressants but I know quite a few people registered with that surgery who have had  problems.  They also told me to take 20mg one day, and 15mg the next, alternating as a means of reduction instead of using a liquid.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

That is not true Joy, I am quoting a post from another member who got the liquid in the UK, it isn't as expensive as the doctor thinks! 

I would ask the pharmacist to look for it on their system and write it down for you to give your doctor. 

 

 

This post is about my conversation with my new GP about being prescribed citalopram as a liquid preparation. I hope it helps anyone in England (Wales too?).

 

This was my first GP consultation in England about having liquid citalopram. I was first given a prescription for it in Scotland (see 13 June 2013 et seq in my topic http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4430-maryka-withdrawal-without-tapering-scary-and-unsuccessful/).

 

Before going any further, I think I should say, it could be relevant (gawd, talking about hedging), that this GP was not young. Which was good and bad, overall good, and so maybe quite interesting ...

 

Well, it went something like this. I said that I would be needing more meds by the end of this month, that I was tapering 5-10% once a month, that it was a slow taper because of my bad experience with a sudden withdrawal, that it was going well with no effects or disturbances to my life, especially important workwise, that I was taking 12.5 mg a day. And the GP asked how I was managing that and was actually quite ready for my answer 'I'm using liquid' because she couldn't imagine being that accurate by cutting tablets.

 

So far, so good.

 

Then I said I'd like more citalopram because I'd be running out by the end of the month, and she didn't refuse my wish but intimated that it was a Big Ask because it was expensive, which made me wonder whether she wanted me to feel guilty.

 

Ding dong, so far, bad.

 

(Next paragraph has multiple ding dongs...)

 

Then she looked up the liquid prep to prescribe and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't expensive [hurray], that it was the liquid prep of Prozac that is expensive, that liquid citalopram cost less (at £7 odd) than the cost of a prescription (£8.10). While I'm thinking 'I'm gonna be conned', she gave the volume of the prep (about 7 ml), at which point I could say that I had 15 ml of the prep, pulled my actual bottle out of my handbag (oh yes! I was prepared), whereupon she hunted more on her system and found that she could prescribe 15 ml.

 

Result!

 

Whatever shortcomings there were during the consultation, they were not longlasting so not terribly stressful, I did not have to 'fight for it', and she talked through her thought processes and responded to me. So good on her.

 

Such a shame that cost was mentioned...

 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

Link to comment

 

That is not true Joy, I am quoting a post from another member who got the liquid in the UK, it isn't as expensive as the doctor thinks! 

I would ask the pharmacist to look for it on their system and write it down for you to give your doctor. 

 

 

This post is about my conversation with my new GP about being prescribed citalopram as a liquid preparation. [...]

 

 

 

Joy, I would add now that I have paid for my prescription at current NHS price that, per mg, the liquid is cheaper than 10 mg tablets.

Started citalopram May 12, from 10 to 40 mg/d over 2 months

 

Wanted to come off in May 13 and did it too quickly: decrease from 40 to 0 mg/d over 2 weeks; WD from then onwards, increasing in intensity to be unbearable at 4 weeks later;  reinstated 10 mg/d for 2 days (WD severity halved); reinstated 20 mg/d (initial WD symptoms decreased but not gone entirely until after 8 weeks)

 

Started 5--7% taper: Aug 13: 19 mg/d, mild WD on day 3; thereafter none notable; Nov 13: 18 mg/d, no WD; Dec 13: 17 mg/day, no WD for 3 weeks, then (at Christmas) tearfulness; Jan 14: 16.7 mg/d, Apr 14: 15.7 mg/d, Jun 14: 14.5 mg/d; Jul 14: 13.5 mg/d (6.9% reduction), Aug 14: 12.5 mg/d (7.4% reduction)

 

Sharing experience makes a difference

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...

Just to let you all know, today I decided to adjust the liquid citalopram I had made so that I now take 16mg citalopram, instead of 17mg.  I am using 1/2 a 20mg tablet, 1/2 a 10mg tablet to get 15mg and then adding on the liquid dose.

 

Making and using the liquid citalopram is much easier than I thought it was going to be, and I work away from home about 1/2 the week and have to take it with me, and then remake it while away.

 

The maths of it aren't as bad as I thought and it seems to be working more accurately than I thought it would.

 

ALSO I AM FEELING BETTER THAN I HAVE IN YEARS.  I ACTUALLY FEEL A LOT LESS ANXIOUS AND DEPRESSED FOR REDUCING THE CITALOPRAM.  HOW ODD IS THAT?

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Great to hear things are going so well for you and you are managing your liquid taper. Unfortunately I'm not surprised you are feeling less depressed and less anxious having lowered your dose. The so called therapeutic dies is very high and these drugs can have paradoxical effects.

 

It's great to hear your updates, please keep the coming

 

Dalsaan

Please note - I am not a medical practitioner and I do not give medical advice. I offer an opinion based on my own experiences, reading and discussion with others.On Effexor for 2 months at the start of 2005. Had extreme insomnia as an adverse reaction. Changed to mirtazapine. Have been trying to get off since mid 2008 with numerous failures including CTs and slow (but not slow enough tapers)Have slow tapered at 10 per cent or less for years. I have liquid mirtazapine made at a compounding chemist.

Was on 1.6 ml as at 19 March 2014.

Dropped to 1.5 ml 7 June 2014. Dropped to 1.4 in about September.

Dropped to 1.3 on 20 December 2014. Dropped to 1.2 in mid Jan 2015.

Dropped to 1 ml in late Feb 2015. I think my old medication had run out of puff so I tried 1ml when I got the new stuff and it seems to be going ok. Sleep has been good over the last week (as of 13/3/15).

Dropped to 1/2 ml 14/11/15 Fatigue still there as are memory and cognition problems. Sleep is patchy but liveable compared to what it has been in the past.

 

DRUG FREE - as at 1st May 2017

 

>My intro post is here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2250-dalsaan

Link to comment

Doing well on 16mg.  Slight dizziness yesterday, but only very brief, just 2 little bits and quite good because it reminded me of the progress I was making.

 

Thanks for the comments about paradoxical effects, I am going to do some reading on that.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment

I just cant believe how much sharper my brain is with a lower dose of citalopram.  Everything is fine on the 16mg but the last lot of liquid I missed up did not look as dense as the previous batch, so now I am crushing the med between two spoons before dissolving it in the water, so there are pitfalls, but it is still helping me a lot.

 

Still think the manufacturers should be forced into producing 1mg tablets specifically for titrating upwards on starting the meds and downwards for tapering.  Perhaps this is something the Food and Drug Association body could look into, in GB, any way and other bodies abroad.

 

The older antidepressants are available in smaller amounts.  Perhaps there is an economic market that some of the drug manufacturers could tap into here, after all if there are profits in it I am sure someone will take it on, if there are no profits then it would have to be an ethical and moral duty.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment

Joy2730- I had a question about your experience with cita and constipation. When did you see a shift in the constipation? I am hopeful for this to change for me too!

thnks

neurologically challenged

Copaxone, Baclofen Oxybutynin and L.D.N. for multiple sclerosis and on Dilatin for seizure disorder Celexa 20 then 40 for at least 7 years Started first reduction in Jan 2015, but with generic- bad idea. Lasted 3 days

Started again Feb 1 2015. 

Feb 1-  40 to 37.5

Feb 24-  37.5 to 35

March 24- 35 to 32.5

April 28- 32.5 to 30

June 9- 30 to 27.5

July 1- 27.5 to 25

July 27-25 to 22.5

Aug 18- 22.5 to 20

 

Link to comment

To answer the question about constipation, I have actually seen an improvement this last month but I am still heavily dependent upon laxatives, which I keep swapping around, taking different types, and usually in higher dosages than recommended on the packet.  My GP suggested this side effect is almost inevitable, however it is not as bad as it was when I first started reducing when it made me feel realy ill and irritable.

 

I do not take laxatives every day now, whereas at first I needed to take them everyday.  I think it is a case of waiting for your body to readjust.  I am a great believer in exercise for constipation but unfortunately I find that hard due to work pressures at present, exercise and drinking water, and laxatives until it resolves.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment

I had constipation for years. 200mg magnesium every night before bed and no more constipation.

January 2012 - Prescribed 900mg gabapentin and 30mg Norco for lower lumber spinal stenosis pain.

September 2013 - Spinal fusion surgery, 6 levels. Hospital ramped up meds 1500mg gabapentin, 100mg Norco, 80mg Oxycontin, 25mg Fentanyl patch.

January 2014 - Sever nausea daily and with back pain every 4 hours. 2 trips to ER. First endoscopy found ulcer. Treated with Sucralfate and PPI. Second endo in May found no ulcers. Doctors said it was the opiates causing the nausea. CT'd Oxycontin, Fentanyl patch.

July 2014 - Lost 48 lbs. due to not eating because of severe nausea. GP prescribed Prozac 20mg and Ativan 2mg prn. Tried for 4 days, quit. Two week followup GP said keep taking Prozac. 4 days, quit again. Ativan taken rarely prn for anxiety and appetite.

August 2014 - Went to detox. Off opiates. Still nauseous, helmet head, drugged feeling. Doctor CT'd gabapentin. Ended up in ER. Found 2 gallstones. Gabapentin reinstated at 900mg. Tried botched up and down taper to get off Gabapentin. No tapering advice from doctor. Said to just CT again.

September 2014 - Coded on table during gallbladder surgery. Developed liver biloma due to CPR by doctor. Had bile bulb inserted for 2 wks to drain.

October 2014 - Gallbladder removed. Still nauseous, 3am cortisol surging, drugged helmet head, vertigo, breathlessness, whooshing head, heart palps.

November 8th, 2014 - CT'd gabapentin suggested by family and 4 different doctors. Was told no withdrawal is associated with gabapentin. Have been in hell ever since. No windows, just one big tsunami every day with same symptoms for 4 months.

December 26, 2014 - Found SA. At least I know I'm not insane. My family thinks I'm doing this to myself. Akathesia has become unbearable.

March 10, 2015 - In absolute daily hell with no relief. Currently taking magnesium 200mg before bedtime.

Link to comment

Quick update, last Thursday I started to feel hot and sweaty again and that night started to feel very sick again, the next day I was actually sick twice.  It was exactly the same as last time but not as bad and only lasted 1 day and not 2.  So obviously I am not completely out of the woods.

 

Even with a slow taper there is obviously the potential for rough patches, but interestingly my mind is even clearer now and I am more active physically.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment

This is great to hear your doing well..

2000 - sertraline for job anxiety low confidence (17 years old) ..which turned the next 16 years into nightmare!

 

On/off sertraline severe withdrawals every time. 2014 - felt better as reduced dose of sertraline no more inner restlessness. Doctor rushed off again. Hit severe withdrawal. Lost the little I had in life. Couldn't get stable again on 12.5mg. Was switched to prozac. Had severe reaction to prozac..came off in November 2015 at 6mg as felt more confused and damaged on it..Even more withdrawal ..rage, depression, dyphoria, near constant suicidal ideation, self harm impulses, doom, concrete block in head, unable to do much of anything with this feeling in head..went back on 6mg of sertraline to see if would alleviate anything. It didn't..reduced from December to June 2016 came off at 2.5mg sertraline as was hospitalised for the severe rage, suicidal impulses, and put on 50mg lofepramine which in 2nd week reduced all symptoms but gave insomnia which still have..psych stopped lofepramine cold turkey..no increased withdrawal symptoms new symptoms from lofepramine except persistant insomnia which has as side effect.

 

Taking Ativan for 8 months for the severe rage self harm impulses 1-3 times a week (mostly 2 times a week) at .5mg. Two months (I'm unsure exactly when the interdose started to happen) ago interdose withdrawal seemed to happen..2 days I think after the Ativan.

 

 

Nightmare that could have been avoided!

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Sorry to hear that you are feeling sick and not as well after a really good window. It will pass, just hold on tight and the window will open again. I'm glad that you are feeling better after reducing the citalopram, more is not always best! 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

Link to comment

Thanks for the words of encouragement.  I am now back to feeling great again, and stable on 16mg, it looks like it is going to be a long haul but that doesn't matter.  I plan to give it about another month and then go to 15mg citalopram, I felt quite grotty on 15mg the last time I was at that level, so I am not rushing there.

 

As a plus of reducing my appetite is now 'normal' and my body shape looks more 'normal', and I have lost 6 lbs in weight, which I have been trying to do.  When I was on the larger dosages I couldn't loose any weight no matter what I tried.  To have some control over my figure again feels like magic.

 

But best of all is my mind, which is now razor sharp and bright as a button.  I can carry dates/details in my head which previously I never could.  Unless one goes down the road of reduction one never knows what one is missing and the actual adverse effects.  I am not suffering any anxiety, depression, insomnia or anything psychological, I have never felt more stable, it is brill!

 

Even if I never get even to 15mg and stay on 16mg I have gained a lot!

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment

Had some tingling of face and neck tonight, felt nervous and a bit sweaty and sick, also have hiccups which seems to be one of my symptoms, which I suppose all means a bit more citalopram is leaving my body and mind, but the odd thing is my mind is even clearer now and I feel so much better.  Weird.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment

I am having a bad day, lots of withdrawal symptoms, and have taken some extra citalopram today, I feel like a real loser and am not sure where I am going with this.  My husband is saying if I am addicted and having problems coming off I musn't make myself ill and bet myself up, but I am so not impressed.  Perhaps my GP is right that people choose to stay on them.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment

I can relate to your feelings I'm trying to get off this stuff. I'm holding at 10mgs. I had to updose I was so distressed. I felt like a failure. I hope you feel better soon.

Link to comment

Thank you LookingforHope55 your words have really helped in that I know now others are having similar problems and feelings.  I too am updosing but unsure of how much to go, but these symptoms are not conducive to someone with an active working lifestyle.

 

I feel like 10 ton truck has just run over me and I need emergency care, I ache all over and feel sore and sick in my stomach.

 

It should not be impossible to get off these drugs, but I am beginning to think that my GP who said I might get down to 10 mg was being realistic.

 

LookingforHope55 you are at that dose now, let me know how you get on.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment
  • 4 weeks later...

I seem to have got down to 15mg, with a combination of liquid and chopping tablets up, and seem to be doing well, but I have been here before and then had to go back up in dose so I am wary.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

Link to comment

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use Privacy Policy