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☼ joy2730: withdrawing from citalopram, quetiapine


joy2730

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  • Moderator Emeritus

No problem, Joy. What we need most is understanding.

 

I'm also at the stage where I'm very active in practicing my coping skills (going through a bad wave) and going through these links a lot:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/604-important-topics-about-symptoms-including-sleep-problems/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1112-non-drug-techniques-to-cope-with-emotional-symptoms/

 

I just know that my drugs can't help me. And actually going up to 20 just gives you a relief of having done something. It's very unlikely that it will do anything about your symptoms but it obviously has a very strong placebo effect for you. These drugs don't work from one day to the next and especially not immediately after you take them.

 

You have had a major stressor. It is normal to feel out of sorts. But you should give yourself more credit: you are perfectly capable surviving this without the very dubious help of a drug. This is just an automatic reaction we have grown to be accustomed to. For years I believed that only taking Xanax can stop my panic attack. It was totally liberating to see that a panic attack actually stops on its own without a drug. However, even 3 years after I stopped using Xanax to manage my symptoms my first reaction when hit with a panic attack is reaching for a Xanax.

 

After everything I've learnt, after having experienced panic attacks going away on their own many times, still, every single time Xanax is the first thing that comes to my mind. It's just that I don't do it.

 

The second thing that comes to my mind is it will go away, the third thing is breathe, take magnesium, ground yourself, just focus on breathing and so long until it passes.

 

You just have to find something that you believe will help you go through a wave. Easier said than done but an extremely powerful and liberating experience.

Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2

2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013)

Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 
1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg.
2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg
went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days after
reinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours
28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr  2015 1 mg,  25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64  Xanax     9 month hold

24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26

Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic 

I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Oh Joy, only you know what it is like to be you, to go through what has happened to you.

 

I cannot comment on tapering or doses, because I can't make sense of what you are on or what you are asking, not tonight.

 

I responded to this because my ex committed suicide, as well, in 2008 - and our last words were not pleasant.  We divorced in 1995, but it got even more unpleasant as the years went by - he was psych drugged, and had been drugged since the late 1980's.  

 

I still remember the day he came to me and said, "Doc says Endogenous Depression.  I must take drugs for the rest of my life.  I have a permanent chemical imbalance."  He was proud of this fact, as if it proved to me that "he was right and I was wrong."

 

By the time of his death, his widow reports, he was on a complex cocktail which included neuroleptics, antidepressants, and probably anti-anxiety drugs, too.

 

I wish our last words had been kinder.  I wish there was something I could have done - but even his wife, the kids, the world's best puppy dog - were not enough to cut through his misery.

 

She, the widow, was listed as a "victim of violent crime," and received quite a bit of counselling and state assistance to help her get through that time.  But the kids were seriously derailed by that, and the dog - had to be put to sleep.  Sadly, she and the kids are now psych drugged, as a flow on effect of his trauma.

 

And I feel compassion for his trauma, as I learned through the widow, that he was probably molested as a young boy, and had horrors of fear that he could not face, that exploded in him on a regular basis.  He was hurting, and he hurt everyone around him, too.

 

I feel blame, as we were having a legal battle a few months before (financial, not pressing charges or anything).  But there comes a point where beating myself up is - a waste.  I'm all I've got left, and I will try to remember the best of him, to his friends.  The hard times, I've taken on as my own trauma - and I can work on that as needed.  To wrack myself with guilt or think about "what could have beens", or "shoulda, coulda, woulda" stuff - only drains what little energy I have left to live on.

 

Everybody's story is different.  I don't know why I'm compelled to tell you this, other than to tell you - you are not alone.  People care about you.  Take care of you - choose what is best for you.  Follow your pleasure - the things that make you better.  (that was how I knew that guilt and blame and shame - were not making me better)  

 

I hope you see the sun today.

"Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna

 

Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again.

 

My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices.

 

A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia.   CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013.   Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine).     Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 -  Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years  on Lithium).  Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made.


The tedious thread (my intro):  JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium

The happy thread (my success story):  JanCarol - Undiagnosed  Off all bipolar drugs

My own blog:  https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/

 

 

I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016!

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JanCarol thank you so much for that, it has brought me such comfort.  I have taken the 20mg citalopram back on board and need it for my survival right now.  My w/d symptoms have eased after just a few hours.  I have taken lithium and sodium valproate for bipolar in the past and many antidepressants over the years, tranquilisers, sleeping pills, antipsychotics - the lot.  I put this all down to the abuse I suffered from my first husband.  The fact I have updosed from 14.5 mg citalopram to 20 mg, seems matter less at present.

 

The complex range of emotions I am feeling is enormous and overwhelming I feel totally alone.  This may ultimately lead to the end of my second marriage because I feel so different about everything.  If I am going to feel this alone I might as well be alone.

 

I don't think I am depressed at the moment, but I can do without the nausea, sweating and looking like death warmed up with very poor quality sleep.  Withdrawal is something I can't risk at this time, I want to hold my working life together if possible, this is a late career of mine that I have invested in heavily with time and effort and some money. 

 

I am so glad you shared what happened to you with me, it has really heartened me.  This site is good but I feel I need to do well and achieve, but it is about so much more really.  My own daughter has been brilliant, but my second husband and son have zero empathy, which is the main reason I work away from home so much. 

 

THANK YOU OVERWHELMING FOR SHARING YOUR STORY WITH ME.  IT IS GOOD TO KNOW OTHERS HAVE TRODDEN THIS DIFFICULT ROAD BEFORE ME.

 

My world will  never be the same again but somehow I have to survive.  My first grandchild is due in February, I have to stick around and thrive for that.  This is a child from my daughter, my son has said he will never let me have access to his children if he has any as I have a psychiatric history.  I struggle with that.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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Dear Joy, I cannot imagine how you must be feeling right now. I just wanted to say that I do not see you as a failure. We do what we feel is best when the going gets tough.

 

Maybe now is not the right time for you to put yourself under anymore pressure to continue tapering. If you can hold on your current dose until you feel more settled that would be great. I think you might just be able to do it as you have done so well in the past.

 

If not don't be too hard on yourself. Time has a great way of sorting out our problems. Just take one day at a time and practice the mindfulness if you can. It may help you put your problems into perspective.

 

Hugs,

 

Flowers xxx

15 yrs on 20 to 30 mgs CITALOPRAM.  MAY 2014 Increased to 40 mgs per day.SEPT/NOV 2014 tapered in 6 weeks down to 10 mgs as per Dr instructions due to violent nightmares/palpitations.Given Noctamid (lormetazepam) to help with anxiety. On average took 2mg per day for 8 weeks.No taper was advised.DEC 2014 WD severe. Nervous tic in eyes and limbs, muscle pain,fluct  temp, weakness, dep and anxiety, nausea, giddy, unstable when walking. Different Dr suggested taking 20mgs CIT. BROMAZEPAM 3mgs up to 3 x daily for anxiety.DEC 9 2014 Updose CIT to 30mgs. Only taking BROMAZEPAM in emergency.DEC 31 2014 Settling at 30mg CIT - helping with depression. No Brom for 2wks.Found SA.APR 2015 Trying to stabilise on 30mgs CIT.  JAN 2016 Started Cit Taper reducing by 5% per month.  28.5 mgs 
FEB  Taper held bereavement. APR Taper resumed 27mgs . MAY 25.50 mgs .  JUNE 24 mgs .  JULY I stupidly mixed up my BP meds with CIT. Consequently took no CIT for 3 days and doubled my BP meds. Waiting for the fallout....Holding for a while until any chance of repercussions have abated. SEPT taper resumed to  22.5 mgs . OCT 21 mgs .NOV 19.95 mgs DEC crashed. 2017: FEB 3rd updose to 20.5 mgs to try to stabilise.FEB.switched over to 75mgs of Venlafaxine XR for 3 weeks.Too stimulating so switching back to Cit. 12 March 37.5 Ven and 20 Cit. 21 March 18mg Ven 20mg Cit. 4 April 9mg Ven 20mg Cit. Xanax .50mg when needed.  13 April 0 mgs Ven, 20mg Citalopram. Xanax .50 mg per day. 5 May reinstated a small amount of Ven to stabilize  1 mg twice a day. 20 mg Citalopram at night. Xanax .25 mg twice per day.Other Meds: Losartan (BP)Started 1993 at  50 mgs at night.  Seretide (Asthma) Started 1996 at 1 puff twice a day. Jan 2019 Antibiotic Ceclor 500mgs twice a day for bronchitis and  Atrovent 2ml capsules twice a day for asthma. Finished the course of both Jan 17. 

XANAX  Jan 27  - Feb 3 2019 Failed Valium Crossover.   Feb 14 2019  Updosed Xanax by .0625  Feb 17 2019 Decreased Xanax by .0625. Back to .50mg daily.  Update Xanax 28.2.20 tapered to .1250 mg 8am .25 mg midnight. Update Xanax 11.8.21 tapered to .25 mg at night. 

Current Meds 28.2.19: CITALOPRAM  20mg  taken at midnight. VENLAFAXINE  .9 mg twice a day at 8am and 10pm.  XANAX .50 mg split into 4 doses per day. 10am .0625mg / 2pm .1250mg/ 6pm .0625mg / midnight .25mg.Update 10.8.22 .25 mg at night.  LOSARTAN 50 mgs taken at midnight.  SERETIDE 1 puff taken at 8am and 10pm.   7.7.19 VENLAFAXINE UPDATE: Started tapering 10% every 4 weeks. Currently .4 mg twice a day at 8am and 10 pm.  2.9.19 .36 mg x 2. 1.10.19  .32 mg x 2. 26.11.19 .29 mg x2. 26.12.19 .26 mg  x 2. 23.1.20  .23 mg x 2.  20.2.20 .21 mg x2.20.3.20  .19 mg x 2. 21.4.20 .17 mg x 2. 19.5.20 .13 mg x 2.  18.6.20 .11mg  x 2 .18.7.20.10 mg x 2.1.9.20.09 mg x 2. 30.9. 20 .08 mg x 2. 1.11.20 .07 mg x 2.  2.12.20 .06 mg x 2.  8.1.21 .05 mg x 2.  4.2.21 .04 mg x 2. 9.3.21 .03 mgx2.  7.4.21  .02 mg x 2.  9.5.21 .01 mg x 2.  21.6.21 .01 mg x 1.  11.8.21 ZERO!

 

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Thanks so much flowers. I slept a bit better last night and mood is a bit better. I don't know where I am going with all this but I will not be going any higher that 20 mg and probably for not that long. I am still committed to total zero psychiatric med but I can't risk too much. I am waking up in the might aching to join my dead ex husband - not good. I know in a few days time I will be regretting going up but I need to survive and felt overwhelmed.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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Have just taken 18 instead of 20 cit but 2 nights ago started a small dose of epilim which seems to be helping.

 

I am not going to my go as she will talk me into a lot more med. Have updated my signature and am now going to try and find some sense in all this. I have read somewhere that anticonvulsants can help with w/d. My sleep has been far better these last 2 nights. I think when I have been reporting brilliant sleep it hasn't really been the case. if I am not honest this blog is pointless. When u get the chance I am going to research my the anticonvulsant theory. Take care everyone. If anyone feels suicidal don't do it no matter how bad you are - it is so awful for everyone left. No matter how bad psychiatric drugs doctors and facilities are it is not worth it. The devastation and the repercussions are enormous. My pregnant daughter is spending s lot of time supporting me and my 88 year old mother is fill ofor grief.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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Have just b done some background reading and if you are pregnant or nur add nursing and taking antidepressants your child is likely to present with depression as a teenager. This is ft romantic mad in America. Thank goodness my pregnant daughter got off hers years ago.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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  • Moderator Emeritus

joy, It's good to hear that you are sleeping better. Thanks for updating your signature with the addition of the Epilim.  Would you also add to your signature that epilim is sodium valproate also known as Depakote?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

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Good that something is helping you sleep. Hope you have a good night tonight.

 

xxx

15 yrs on 20 to 30 mgs CITALOPRAM.  MAY 2014 Increased to 40 mgs per day.SEPT/NOV 2014 tapered in 6 weeks down to 10 mgs as per Dr instructions due to violent nightmares/palpitations.Given Noctamid (lormetazepam) to help with anxiety. On average took 2mg per day for 8 weeks.No taper was advised.DEC 2014 WD severe. Nervous tic in eyes and limbs, muscle pain,fluct  temp, weakness, dep and anxiety, nausea, giddy, unstable when walking. Different Dr suggested taking 20mgs CIT. BROMAZEPAM 3mgs up to 3 x daily for anxiety.DEC 9 2014 Updose CIT to 30mgs. Only taking BROMAZEPAM in emergency.DEC 31 2014 Settling at 30mg CIT - helping with depression. No Brom for 2wks.Found SA.APR 2015 Trying to stabilise on 30mgs CIT.  JAN 2016 Started Cit Taper reducing by 5% per month.  28.5 mgs 
FEB  Taper held bereavement. APR Taper resumed 27mgs . MAY 25.50 mgs .  JUNE 24 mgs .  JULY I stupidly mixed up my BP meds with CIT. Consequently took no CIT for 3 days and doubled my BP meds. Waiting for the fallout....Holding for a while until any chance of repercussions have abated. SEPT taper resumed to  22.5 mgs . OCT 21 mgs .NOV 19.95 mgs DEC crashed. 2017: FEB 3rd updose to 20.5 mgs to try to stabilise.FEB.switched over to 75mgs of Venlafaxine XR for 3 weeks.Too stimulating so switching back to Cit. 12 March 37.5 Ven and 20 Cit. 21 March 18mg Ven 20mg Cit. 4 April 9mg Ven 20mg Cit. Xanax .50mg when needed.  13 April 0 mgs Ven, 20mg Citalopram. Xanax .50 mg per day. 5 May reinstated a small amount of Ven to stabilize  1 mg twice a day. 20 mg Citalopram at night. Xanax .25 mg twice per day.Other Meds: Losartan (BP)Started 1993 at  50 mgs at night.  Seretide (Asthma) Started 1996 at 1 puff twice a day. Jan 2019 Antibiotic Ceclor 500mgs twice a day for bronchitis and  Atrovent 2ml capsules twice a day for asthma. Finished the course of both Jan 17. 

XANAX  Jan 27  - Feb 3 2019 Failed Valium Crossover.   Feb 14 2019  Updosed Xanax by .0625  Feb 17 2019 Decreased Xanax by .0625. Back to .50mg daily.  Update Xanax 28.2.20 tapered to .1250 mg 8am .25 mg midnight. Update Xanax 11.8.21 tapered to .25 mg at night. 

Current Meds 28.2.19: CITALOPRAM  20mg  taken at midnight. VENLAFAXINE  .9 mg twice a day at 8am and 10pm.  XANAX .50 mg split into 4 doses per day. 10am .0625mg / 2pm .1250mg/ 6pm .0625mg / midnight .25mg.Update 10.8.22 .25 mg at night.  LOSARTAN 50 mgs taken at midnight.  SERETIDE 1 puff taken at 8am and 10pm.   7.7.19 VENLAFAXINE UPDATE: Started tapering 10% every 4 weeks. Currently .4 mg twice a day at 8am and 10 pm.  2.9.19 .36 mg x 2. 1.10.19  .32 mg x 2. 26.11.19 .29 mg x2. 26.12.19 .26 mg  x 2. 23.1.20  .23 mg x 2.  20.2.20 .21 mg x2.20.3.20  .19 mg x 2. 21.4.20 .17 mg x 2. 19.5.20 .13 mg x 2.  18.6.20 .11mg  x 2 .18.7.20.10 mg x 2.1.9.20.09 mg x 2. 30.9. 20 .08 mg x 2. 1.11.20 .07 mg x 2.  2.12.20 .06 mg x 2.  8.1.21 .05 mg x 2.  4.2.21 .04 mg x 2. 9.3.21 .03 mgx2.  7.4.21  .02 mg x 2.  9.5.21 .01 mg x 2.  21.6.21 .01 mg x 1.  11.8.21 ZERO!

 

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Feeling better but a bit sedated which could be either the citalopram or epilim or both. No idea which way I am going with any of this. I do not that once you have felt the benefits of not taking med it is hard to go back to them.

 

Well done flowers on getting to your present dose and I don't want to put you off but for me it got hardet after 20 mg.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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Glad you are feeling better.

 

It's early days for me tapering but I hear what you say regarding lower dosages and the onset of problems.

 

I guess I will just carry on and see what happens. No one knows really so that is all we can do. Talk about trial and error!

 

I am sorry you have encountered problems when you were doing so well. I suppose we in WD are learning something on everyday of this journey.

 

Xxx

15 yrs on 20 to 30 mgs CITALOPRAM.  MAY 2014 Increased to 40 mgs per day.SEPT/NOV 2014 tapered in 6 weeks down to 10 mgs as per Dr instructions due to violent nightmares/palpitations.Given Noctamid (lormetazepam) to help with anxiety. On average took 2mg per day for 8 weeks.No taper was advised.DEC 2014 WD severe. Nervous tic in eyes and limbs, muscle pain,fluct  temp, weakness, dep and anxiety, nausea, giddy, unstable when walking. Different Dr suggested taking 20mgs CIT. BROMAZEPAM 3mgs up to 3 x daily for anxiety.DEC 9 2014 Updose CIT to 30mgs. Only taking BROMAZEPAM in emergency.DEC 31 2014 Settling at 30mg CIT - helping with depression. No Brom for 2wks.Found SA.APR 2015 Trying to stabilise on 30mgs CIT.  JAN 2016 Started Cit Taper reducing by 5% per month.  28.5 mgs 
FEB  Taper held bereavement. APR Taper resumed 27mgs . MAY 25.50 mgs .  JUNE 24 mgs .  JULY I stupidly mixed up my BP meds with CIT. Consequently took no CIT for 3 days and doubled my BP meds. Waiting for the fallout....Holding for a while until any chance of repercussions have abated. SEPT taper resumed to  22.5 mgs . OCT 21 mgs .NOV 19.95 mgs DEC crashed. 2017: FEB 3rd updose to 20.5 mgs to try to stabilise.FEB.switched over to 75mgs of Venlafaxine XR for 3 weeks.Too stimulating so switching back to Cit. 12 March 37.5 Ven and 20 Cit. 21 March 18mg Ven 20mg Cit. 4 April 9mg Ven 20mg Cit. Xanax .50mg when needed.  13 April 0 mgs Ven, 20mg Citalopram. Xanax .50 mg per day. 5 May reinstated a small amount of Ven to stabilize  1 mg twice a day. 20 mg Citalopram at night. Xanax .25 mg twice per day.Other Meds: Losartan (BP)Started 1993 at  50 mgs at night.  Seretide (Asthma) Started 1996 at 1 puff twice a day. Jan 2019 Antibiotic Ceclor 500mgs twice a day for bronchitis and  Atrovent 2ml capsules twice a day for asthma. Finished the course of both Jan 17. 

XANAX  Jan 27  - Feb 3 2019 Failed Valium Crossover.   Feb 14 2019  Updosed Xanax by .0625  Feb 17 2019 Decreased Xanax by .0625. Back to .50mg daily.  Update Xanax 28.2.20 tapered to .1250 mg 8am .25 mg midnight. Update Xanax 11.8.21 tapered to .25 mg at night. 

Current Meds 28.2.19: CITALOPRAM  20mg  taken at midnight. VENLAFAXINE  .9 mg twice a day at 8am and 10pm.  XANAX .50 mg split into 4 doses per day. 10am .0625mg / 2pm .1250mg/ 6pm .0625mg / midnight .25mg.Update 10.8.22 .25 mg at night.  LOSARTAN 50 mgs taken at midnight.  SERETIDE 1 puff taken at 8am and 10pm.   7.7.19 VENLAFAXINE UPDATE: Started tapering 10% every 4 weeks. Currently .4 mg twice a day at 8am and 10 pm.  2.9.19 .36 mg x 2. 1.10.19  .32 mg x 2. 26.11.19 .29 mg x2. 26.12.19 .26 mg  x 2. 23.1.20  .23 mg x 2.  20.2.20 .21 mg x2.20.3.20  .19 mg x 2. 21.4.20 .17 mg x 2. 19.5.20 .13 mg x 2.  18.6.20 .11mg  x 2 .18.7.20.10 mg x 2.1.9.20.09 mg x 2. 30.9. 20 .08 mg x 2. 1.11.20 .07 mg x 2.  2.12.20 .06 mg x 2.  8.1.21 .05 mg x 2.  4.2.21 .04 mg x 2. 9.3.21 .03 mgx2.  7.4.21  .02 mg x 2.  9.5.21 .01 mg x 2.  21.6.21 .01 mg x 1.  11.8.21 ZERO!

 

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Thanks flowers. I have just noticed it is harder to go from 20 to 10 than 30 to 20 but you may be fine. It was like this when I withdrew from diagram years ago but I didn't get sweatiness or nausea with diazepam it was more muscle twitches dizziness and trembling and shaking and feelings of anxiety. It was also diorrhea instead of constipation but I was taking lithium and sodium valporate when I withdrew from diazepam. I can remember fiddling about with tapering for ages and then reaching a point when I had to find out what life was like without diazepam and it was much better.

 

You are doing well flowers but knowledge is power in this game. When I started tapering I would have done it differently had I known t get enough what I know now.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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I managed to sleep without the Epilim last night.  This was important as yesterday I ate almost everything in sight, which is a side effect from the Epilim and I don't want to be back on mood stabilisers just because of the problems with citalopram..

 

My 20 mg citalopram is taking hold now and for the first time this morning I didn't feel sick.

 

I have worked out my problem with withdrawal - because I work away from home I need to be on top form and can't stick a lot of symptoms out, so the only hope for me is very slow microtapering, which is better than no hope at all.

 

Clearly this drug is really in my brain and stomach and it will be an uphill struggle to get off it, but even if I only end up micro tapering to a smaller dose it will be better than staying on 20 mg indefinitely.

 

I am starting to accept my first husband's death now and that I must move forward.  I would give anything to turn the clock back and talk him out of his suicide, which I am sure I could do, but I can't go back.  In the next life I will catch up with him and we can work it through then.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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Good to read such a positive post from you.

 

I am only reducing 5% every month if I feel ok to do it. It will take a long time to come off completely but hope to minimise any waves creeping up on me.

 

Take care.

 

 

xxxx

15 yrs on 20 to 30 mgs CITALOPRAM.  MAY 2014 Increased to 40 mgs per day.SEPT/NOV 2014 tapered in 6 weeks down to 10 mgs as per Dr instructions due to violent nightmares/palpitations.Given Noctamid (lormetazepam) to help with anxiety. On average took 2mg per day for 8 weeks.No taper was advised.DEC 2014 WD severe. Nervous tic in eyes and limbs, muscle pain,fluct  temp, weakness, dep and anxiety, nausea, giddy, unstable when walking. Different Dr suggested taking 20mgs CIT. BROMAZEPAM 3mgs up to 3 x daily for anxiety.DEC 9 2014 Updose CIT to 30mgs. Only taking BROMAZEPAM in emergency.DEC 31 2014 Settling at 30mg CIT - helping with depression. No Brom for 2wks.Found SA.APR 2015 Trying to stabilise on 30mgs CIT.  JAN 2016 Started Cit Taper reducing by 5% per month.  28.5 mgs 
FEB  Taper held bereavement. APR Taper resumed 27mgs . MAY 25.50 mgs .  JUNE 24 mgs .  JULY I stupidly mixed up my BP meds with CIT. Consequently took no CIT for 3 days and doubled my BP meds. Waiting for the fallout....Holding for a while until any chance of repercussions have abated. SEPT taper resumed to  22.5 mgs . OCT 21 mgs .NOV 19.95 mgs DEC crashed. 2017: FEB 3rd updose to 20.5 mgs to try to stabilise.FEB.switched over to 75mgs of Venlafaxine XR for 3 weeks.Too stimulating so switching back to Cit. 12 March 37.5 Ven and 20 Cit. 21 March 18mg Ven 20mg Cit. 4 April 9mg Ven 20mg Cit. Xanax .50mg when needed.  13 April 0 mgs Ven, 20mg Citalopram. Xanax .50 mg per day. 5 May reinstated a small amount of Ven to stabilize  1 mg twice a day. 20 mg Citalopram at night. Xanax .25 mg twice per day.Other Meds: Losartan (BP)Started 1993 at  50 mgs at night.  Seretide (Asthma) Started 1996 at 1 puff twice a day. Jan 2019 Antibiotic Ceclor 500mgs twice a day for bronchitis and  Atrovent 2ml capsules twice a day for asthma. Finished the course of both Jan 17. 

XANAX  Jan 27  - Feb 3 2019 Failed Valium Crossover.   Feb 14 2019  Updosed Xanax by .0625  Feb 17 2019 Decreased Xanax by .0625. Back to .50mg daily.  Update Xanax 28.2.20 tapered to .1250 mg 8am .25 mg midnight. Update Xanax 11.8.21 tapered to .25 mg at night. 

Current Meds 28.2.19: CITALOPRAM  20mg  taken at midnight. VENLAFAXINE  .9 mg twice a day at 8am and 10pm.  XANAX .50 mg split into 4 doses per day. 10am .0625mg / 2pm .1250mg/ 6pm .0625mg / midnight .25mg.Update 10.8.22 .25 mg at night.  LOSARTAN 50 mgs taken at midnight.  SERETIDE 1 puff taken at 8am and 10pm.   7.7.19 VENLAFAXINE UPDATE: Started tapering 10% every 4 weeks. Currently .4 mg twice a day at 8am and 10 pm.  2.9.19 .36 mg x 2. 1.10.19  .32 mg x 2. 26.11.19 .29 mg x2. 26.12.19 .26 mg  x 2. 23.1.20  .23 mg x 2.  20.2.20 .21 mg x2.20.3.20  .19 mg x 2. 21.4.20 .17 mg x 2. 19.5.20 .13 mg x 2.  18.6.20 .11mg  x 2 .18.7.20.10 mg x 2.1.9.20.09 mg x 2. 30.9. 20 .08 mg x 2. 1.11.20 .07 mg x 2.  2.12.20 .06 mg x 2.  8.1.21 .05 mg x 2.  4.2.21 .04 mg x 2. 9.3.21 .03 mgx2.  7.4.21  .02 mg x 2.  9.5.21 .01 mg x 2.  21.6.21 .01 mg x 1.  11.8.21 ZERO!

 

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Sleep much more restful now, no sleep aids and no Epilim, just 20 mg citalopram.  Body temperature is slowly returning to comfortable now, which makes me now feel so much better.

 

My weight was 14 st 10lbs before this last withdrawal attempt, it is now just under 14 st, and I look so much better, so that is a bonus.  I think my loss of appetite and nausea paid off weight wise.

 

I am coming to terms with my first husband's suicide but am looking forward to talking to his widow - I need to know some details to lay it to rest.

 

I am going to carry on doing this blog, as one day I want to turn this into a book, and I now have broadband where I work so it is easier on my laptop than phone to type.

 

Whether I have any success in coming off citalopram in the long term I have no idea but I am determined to survive one way or another.

 

I have been ready that some have success in changing to Prozac and then tapering, has anyone any links on this or personal experience?  I would like to hear.

 

Flowers I have been reading your signature in more detail, you spent some time on a low dose of 2 mg feeling quite ill, and then updosed, am I right?  Did that experience put you off trying again, or may you more determined?  You don't have to answer that question if it is too personal, I understand.

 

I have also been reading that Surviving Antidepressants is one of the best sites around, well done, I am so glad I found this site.

 

Loving my new body weight, but how long will I keep it now I am back on 20 mg!  At least I have knocked my Epilim (mood stabiliser) on the head, but it was useful for the few days I took it again - it helped with anxiety and insomnia.

 

Take real good care everyone, you are all in good company trying to resolve the same difficulties.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Here's SA's topic the-prozac-switch-or-bridging-with-prozac

 

Some people have success, others don't.

 

If you google search survivingantidepressants.org prozac bridge it brings up some members' topics.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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Still feeling really sick first thing on a morning, but I am not actually being sick and bowels are working a bit better and sleep is more refreshing.  Sadly, I am relieved to be back on 20 mg citalopram.  Wrote to my GP yesterday to explain, I can't get there with working away.  Life is full of compromise.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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My stomach is still trying to turn itself inside out when I wake in the mornings, but I am not actually being sick.  I reinstated to 20 mg and am sleeping much better and feeling less tense, but this is so not the way to go.  However I do feel I am keeping the rest of my life on track.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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Hi Joy

 

I guess it is a balancing act trying to achieve a reasonable quality of life and taking as little of the drug as possible to function!

 

You have been through a lot lately and it may take a while for things to settle down with your tummy. Hope it's not long before you feel a lot better.

 

xxxx

15 yrs on 20 to 30 mgs CITALOPRAM.  MAY 2014 Increased to 40 mgs per day.SEPT/NOV 2014 tapered in 6 weeks down to 10 mgs as per Dr instructions due to violent nightmares/palpitations.Given Noctamid (lormetazepam) to help with anxiety. On average took 2mg per day for 8 weeks.No taper was advised.DEC 2014 WD severe. Nervous tic in eyes and limbs, muscle pain,fluct  temp, weakness, dep and anxiety, nausea, giddy, unstable when walking. Different Dr suggested taking 20mgs CIT. BROMAZEPAM 3mgs up to 3 x daily for anxiety.DEC 9 2014 Updose CIT to 30mgs. Only taking BROMAZEPAM in emergency.DEC 31 2014 Settling at 30mg CIT - helping with depression. No Brom for 2wks.Found SA.APR 2015 Trying to stabilise on 30mgs CIT.  JAN 2016 Started Cit Taper reducing by 5% per month.  28.5 mgs 
FEB  Taper held bereavement. APR Taper resumed 27mgs . MAY 25.50 mgs .  JUNE 24 mgs .  JULY I stupidly mixed up my BP meds with CIT. Consequently took no CIT for 3 days and doubled my BP meds. Waiting for the fallout....Holding for a while until any chance of repercussions have abated. SEPT taper resumed to  22.5 mgs . OCT 21 mgs .NOV 19.95 mgs DEC crashed. 2017: FEB 3rd updose to 20.5 mgs to try to stabilise.FEB.switched over to 75mgs of Venlafaxine XR for 3 weeks.Too stimulating so switching back to Cit. 12 March 37.5 Ven and 20 Cit. 21 March 18mg Ven 20mg Cit. 4 April 9mg Ven 20mg Cit. Xanax .50mg when needed.  13 April 0 mgs Ven, 20mg Citalopram. Xanax .50 mg per day. 5 May reinstated a small amount of Ven to stabilize  1 mg twice a day. 20 mg Citalopram at night. Xanax .25 mg twice per day.Other Meds: Losartan (BP)Started 1993 at  50 mgs at night.  Seretide (Asthma) Started 1996 at 1 puff twice a day. Jan 2019 Antibiotic Ceclor 500mgs twice a day for bronchitis and  Atrovent 2ml capsules twice a day for asthma. Finished the course of both Jan 17. 

XANAX  Jan 27  - Feb 3 2019 Failed Valium Crossover.   Feb 14 2019  Updosed Xanax by .0625  Feb 17 2019 Decreased Xanax by .0625. Back to .50mg daily.  Update Xanax 28.2.20 tapered to .1250 mg 8am .25 mg midnight. Update Xanax 11.8.21 tapered to .25 mg at night. 

Current Meds 28.2.19: CITALOPRAM  20mg  taken at midnight. VENLAFAXINE  .9 mg twice a day at 8am and 10pm.  XANAX .50 mg split into 4 doses per day. 10am .0625mg / 2pm .1250mg/ 6pm .0625mg / midnight .25mg.Update 10.8.22 .25 mg at night.  LOSARTAN 50 mgs taken at midnight.  SERETIDE 1 puff taken at 8am and 10pm.   7.7.19 VENLAFAXINE UPDATE: Started tapering 10% every 4 weeks. Currently .4 mg twice a day at 8am and 10 pm.  2.9.19 .36 mg x 2. 1.10.19  .32 mg x 2. 26.11.19 .29 mg x2. 26.12.19 .26 mg  x 2. 23.1.20  .23 mg x 2.  20.2.20 .21 mg x2.20.3.20  .19 mg x 2. 21.4.20 .17 mg x 2. 19.5.20 .13 mg x 2.  18.6.20 .11mg  x 2 .18.7.20.10 mg x 2.1.9.20.09 mg x 2. 30.9. 20 .08 mg x 2. 1.11.20 .07 mg x 2.  2.12.20 .06 mg x 2.  8.1.21 .05 mg x 2.  4.2.21 .04 mg x 2. 9.3.21 .03 mgx2.  7.4.21  .02 mg x 2.  9.5.21 .01 mg x 2.  21.6.21 .01 mg x 1.  11.8.21 ZERO!

 

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Thank you Flowers.  This morning I still had tummy issues and am now feeling very hot but I am sleeping and looking better and am getting more baths and showers and hair washes now, so I think I was beginning to neglect myself a bit, which may have been a sign of depression?  My weight is now exactly 14 stone but am aware that it may creep up again as ;I am taking 20 mg again, so am now roughly doing Calorie Count on my mobile phone app.

 

I think it is really important to document these details to give a fuller picture.  Flowers you are now taking 22.5 mg, how are you feeling at that, what sort of symptoms do you have, if any, and when do you plan to reduce next and what to?  You don't have to answer my questions, in fact you may not even know yourself, but I am trying to build up a picture to try to make some sort of sense of my own Seeing my daughter tomorrow afternoon, and my mother Wed afternoon, which should ground me.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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PS  I am also sweating a lot this morning and have a headache, so I am still in withdrawal even though I have gone back to taking 20 mg citalopram a while ago now.  Have we any links on this site about this scenario - it shows how long the changes take place in the brain and body when you have made a change, either up on down.  Clearly we are in the realm of weeks rather than days, and maybe even months.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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  • Moderator Emeritus

We don't have a topic to provide a guide about the time symptoms take to decrease after changes because each individual's response is unique. Response may follow a normal distribution (bell curve) but there are too many complicating/confounding variables for any data from this site to be meaningful.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

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Hi Joy. Glad you are feeling like taking more care of yourself. Sometimes I get lethargic and can't be bothered to shower but make myself as I know I will feel so much better afterwards. This doesn't feel like depression as in feeling down but more like I have no interest in anything which I suppose could be depression.

 

At the moment I am OK on 22.5 and will soon reduce by another 5% of that down to just below 21.5. Just after a cut I do get a little wired and don't sleep so well but this could be psychosomatic! I try not to think too much about how I am feeling as I will always find something that is wrong to worry about! 

 

I don't seem to be able to cope with as  much stress as I used to be able to. However, I refuse to shut myself away from the world so have developed strategies to help me cope when the going gets tough. I am so grateful that I no longer feel like I did when withdrawal first hit. 

 

xxx

15 yrs on 20 to 30 mgs CITALOPRAM.  MAY 2014 Increased to 40 mgs per day.SEPT/NOV 2014 tapered in 6 weeks down to 10 mgs as per Dr instructions due to violent nightmares/palpitations.Given Noctamid (lormetazepam) to help with anxiety. On average took 2mg per day for 8 weeks.No taper was advised.DEC 2014 WD severe. Nervous tic in eyes and limbs, muscle pain,fluct  temp, weakness, dep and anxiety, nausea, giddy, unstable when walking. Different Dr suggested taking 20mgs CIT. BROMAZEPAM 3mgs up to 3 x daily for anxiety.DEC 9 2014 Updose CIT to 30mgs. Only taking BROMAZEPAM in emergency.DEC 31 2014 Settling at 30mg CIT - helping with depression. No Brom for 2wks.Found SA.APR 2015 Trying to stabilise on 30mgs CIT.  JAN 2016 Started Cit Taper reducing by 5% per month.  28.5 mgs 
FEB  Taper held bereavement. APR Taper resumed 27mgs . MAY 25.50 mgs .  JUNE 24 mgs .  JULY I stupidly mixed up my BP meds with CIT. Consequently took no CIT for 3 days and doubled my BP meds. Waiting for the fallout....Holding for a while until any chance of repercussions have abated. SEPT taper resumed to  22.5 mgs . OCT 21 mgs .NOV 19.95 mgs DEC crashed. 2017: FEB 3rd updose to 20.5 mgs to try to stabilise.FEB.switched over to 75mgs of Venlafaxine XR for 3 weeks.Too stimulating so switching back to Cit. 12 March 37.5 Ven and 20 Cit. 21 March 18mg Ven 20mg Cit. 4 April 9mg Ven 20mg Cit. Xanax .50mg when needed.  13 April 0 mgs Ven, 20mg Citalopram. Xanax .50 mg per day. 5 May reinstated a small amount of Ven to stabilize  1 mg twice a day. 20 mg Citalopram at night. Xanax .25 mg twice per day.Other Meds: Losartan (BP)Started 1993 at  50 mgs at night.  Seretide (Asthma) Started 1996 at 1 puff twice a day. Jan 2019 Antibiotic Ceclor 500mgs twice a day for bronchitis and  Atrovent 2ml capsules twice a day for asthma. Finished the course of both Jan 17. 

XANAX  Jan 27  - Feb 3 2019 Failed Valium Crossover.   Feb 14 2019  Updosed Xanax by .0625  Feb 17 2019 Decreased Xanax by .0625. Back to .50mg daily.  Update Xanax 28.2.20 tapered to .1250 mg 8am .25 mg midnight. Update Xanax 11.8.21 tapered to .25 mg at night. 

Current Meds 28.2.19: CITALOPRAM  20mg  taken at midnight. VENLAFAXINE  .9 mg twice a day at 8am and 10pm.  XANAX .50 mg split into 4 doses per day. 10am .0625mg / 2pm .1250mg/ 6pm .0625mg / midnight .25mg.Update 10.8.22 .25 mg at night.  LOSARTAN 50 mgs taken at midnight.  SERETIDE 1 puff taken at 8am and 10pm.   7.7.19 VENLAFAXINE UPDATE: Started tapering 10% every 4 weeks. Currently .4 mg twice a day at 8am and 10 pm.  2.9.19 .36 mg x 2. 1.10.19  .32 mg x 2. 26.11.19 .29 mg x2. 26.12.19 .26 mg  x 2. 23.1.20  .23 mg x 2.  20.2.20 .21 mg x2.20.3.20  .19 mg x 2. 21.4.20 .17 mg x 2. 19.5.20 .13 mg x 2.  18.6.20 .11mg  x 2 .18.7.20.10 mg x 2.1.9.20.09 mg x 2. 30.9. 20 .08 mg x 2. 1.11.20 .07 mg x 2.  2.12.20 .06 mg x 2.  8.1.21 .05 mg x 2.  4.2.21 .04 mg x 2. 9.3.21 .03 mgx2.  7.4.21  .02 mg x 2.  9.5.21 .01 mg x 2.  21.6.21 .01 mg x 1.  11.8.21 ZERO!

 

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  • 4 weeks later...

I have had a few weeks of 20 mg citalopram and now am feeling full of it, am a bit lethargic and feel like I am eating too much again.  So this morning I have reduced to 19.5 mg, my goals are not specifically to get off it anymore, but just to see at what dose I function best and minimise side effects.  A GP said I was a poor genetic metaboliser of SSRI's and I think this makes taking it and withdrawing from it worse.  I don't feel as anxious and depressed so it has bailed me out to be fair, but I don't like having to take it again.  Do we have any links to poor metabolisers here?  I have taken psychiatric drugs all my life from 18 to 58 and am only left with citalopram now.  I have managed to cope with first husband's suicide and failing in citalopram withdrawal, I have kept my late career job, I have not gone back on my mood stabilisers, I am a trier and a survivor.  It is good to survive and thrive.  Hoping one day I can find a dose of citalopram that feels 'sweet'.  I don't think I want to risk a Prozac switch, better the devil I know.

 

How are you Flowers doing?  And Daisy?

 

I will update my signature when I get chance.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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Have just discovered on the internet 'Risk', an excellent website about SSRI drug withdrawal.  Reading this has made me realise I haven't had things too bad really and it has given me fresh hope.  My main mistake has been doing things too quickly for me, so I am now revising everything and am not really aiming for 'off citalopram' anymore, just seeing where I can go now with taking slightly less.

 

Did well today on 19.5 mg.  Will probably update weekly now as everything is going to be so slow.  Take care everyone, hoping we can all learn more.  Knowledge is power - I truly believe knowledge is worth more than money in the bank.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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Second day on 19.5 brought sickness, severe headache and panic, also sweating.  Not good, felt so ill, so now back on 20mg.  I am trying to work out what is going on here, is it that the 20 mg isn't really stable in me and it is too soon to taper again, or am I now just too sensitive to withdraw now.

 

I have been reading further and am rapidly thinking the risks of withdrawal are high for me now and I might stay on 20 mg indefinitely, although I don't want that to be the case.  I cannot risk permanent disability that can't be treated, that would be even more tragic than staying on citalopram.  At least I have had the option of going back on the citalopram.  This is really serious, I had no idea permanently or long term disability was on the cards in this type of scenario.  Any links anyone?

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Joy,

 

Sorry you are feeling low after your most recent reduction.  To be honest, however, your CNS has taken a tremendous beating.  You have bounced up and down a LOT in the recent past as when you had trouble rather than slowly adjusting upwards to find a level that you could stabilize at you instead jumped up to 20 straightaway.  Then you quickly restarted your taper.  You need to allow things to quiet down for quite some time.

 

I think your general plan of staying at 20 for an extended period makes sense.  I would not "write off" the idea of tapering because of some notion of permanent damage (not sure where that came from) but I would certainly put it on hold for the time being.  Perhaps you can look back into the notion after 6 months or so but right now your system needs a break.

 

Best,

 

Andy

Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012

increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement

Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first")

Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15

Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid 
Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15

Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016

10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg.  No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold.

After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation

Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C,

 

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Thank you Andy, that is good advice, which I will take.  The idea of permanent disability from withdrawal has come from Rxisk reading ie David Healy, apparently some people never recover from withdrawal and remain permanently disabled - what a horrible scenario.

 

I will re read it.  They are saying when starting SSRIs people should be made aware of this possibility so we can have true informed consent.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Nobody really knows that, Joy. Including Healy.

 

The same way we didn't know the long-term effects of these drugs because there was only data for short period, we don't know that people won't heal given longer periods of time and positive neuroplasticity.

 

In short, thanks to big pharma we are all part of an ongoing experiment of mammoth proportions.

 

Best,

 

Andy

Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012

increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement

Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first")

Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15

Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid 
Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15

Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016

10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg.  No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold.

After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation

Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C,

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I agree with Andy's Post # 531.

 

I've updated the graph for your doses (the previous graph was for the period March to August 2016). It shows how quickly you started tapering after you increased to 20mg.  I hope you can use of it as a reminder to go slowly and carefully with longer holds after you get stabilised.

 

post-5985-0-26307900-1477863157_thumb.jpg

 

Also, when getting the information for this graph, I found some discrepancies between your posts and your signature. 

 

16/9 18 mg cit plus epilim. Epilim is also known as sodium vaporate or depakote and is an anticonvulsant that is also used as a mood stabiliser. 23(?) Sept 20mg cit  28/10 19.5 mg citalopram after spending a few weeks on 20mg. 30 Sept 20mg cit

 

I have included the date(?) and dose when you increased.  Please update your signature to show accurate information and also include your recent updose.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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Thank you ChessieCat.  I have updated my signature to show that I only managed 2 days on 19.5 before updosing to 20 mg.  I feel a lot better now on 20mg, but fat, hungry and lethargic too.

 

Any discrepancies doesn't surprise me, I often feel chaotic in my lifestyle, but the broad details will be accurate.

 

If I could do this all over again I would take a totally different approach, but I am where I am and that is that.  I am very concerned about any permanent disability issues and am grateful this last updose is taking effect.  I am going to do more reading on this matter.  Also on being a poor metaboliser of SSRIs.  Like does being a poor metaboliser mean that withdrawal is harder?

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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Hi Joy

 

I am hoping that you manage to settle at 20 mgs even if it takes awhile. I can't answer your questions re metabolism and being left permanently disabled. It is too scary for me to go there as I am continuing tapering and don't want anything to put me off!

 

I know we are all different though in the way our bodies react to drugs so will be doing another cut soon. So far so good.

 

Best wishes to you.

 

xxx

15 yrs on 20 to 30 mgs CITALOPRAM.  MAY 2014 Increased to 40 mgs per day.SEPT/NOV 2014 tapered in 6 weeks down to 10 mgs as per Dr instructions due to violent nightmares/palpitations.Given Noctamid (lormetazepam) to help with anxiety. On average took 2mg per day for 8 weeks.No taper was advised.DEC 2014 WD severe. Nervous tic in eyes and limbs, muscle pain,fluct  temp, weakness, dep and anxiety, nausea, giddy, unstable when walking. Different Dr suggested taking 20mgs CIT. BROMAZEPAM 3mgs up to 3 x daily for anxiety.DEC 9 2014 Updose CIT to 30mgs. Only taking BROMAZEPAM in emergency.DEC 31 2014 Settling at 30mg CIT - helping with depression. No Brom for 2wks.Found SA.APR 2015 Trying to stabilise on 30mgs CIT.  JAN 2016 Started Cit Taper reducing by 5% per month.  28.5 mgs 
FEB  Taper held bereavement. APR Taper resumed 27mgs . MAY 25.50 mgs .  JUNE 24 mgs .  JULY I stupidly mixed up my BP meds with CIT. Consequently took no CIT for 3 days and doubled my BP meds. Waiting for the fallout....Holding for a while until any chance of repercussions have abated. SEPT taper resumed to  22.5 mgs . OCT 21 mgs .NOV 19.95 mgs DEC crashed. 2017: FEB 3rd updose to 20.5 mgs to try to stabilise.FEB.switched over to 75mgs of Venlafaxine XR for 3 weeks.Too stimulating so switching back to Cit. 12 March 37.5 Ven and 20 Cit. 21 March 18mg Ven 20mg Cit. 4 April 9mg Ven 20mg Cit. Xanax .50mg when needed.  13 April 0 mgs Ven, 20mg Citalopram. Xanax .50 mg per day. 5 May reinstated a small amount of Ven to stabilize  1 mg twice a day. 20 mg Citalopram at night. Xanax .25 mg twice per day.Other Meds: Losartan (BP)Started 1993 at  50 mgs at night.  Seretide (Asthma) Started 1996 at 1 puff twice a day. Jan 2019 Antibiotic Ceclor 500mgs twice a day for bronchitis and  Atrovent 2ml capsules twice a day for asthma. Finished the course of both Jan 17. 

XANAX  Jan 27  - Feb 3 2019 Failed Valium Crossover.   Feb 14 2019  Updosed Xanax by .0625  Feb 17 2019 Decreased Xanax by .0625. Back to .50mg daily.  Update Xanax 28.2.20 tapered to .1250 mg 8am .25 mg midnight. Update Xanax 11.8.21 tapered to .25 mg at night. 

Current Meds 28.2.19: CITALOPRAM  20mg  taken at midnight. VENLAFAXINE  .9 mg twice a day at 8am and 10pm.  XANAX .50 mg split into 4 doses per day. 10am .0625mg / 2pm .1250mg/ 6pm .0625mg / midnight .25mg.Update 10.8.22 .25 mg at night.  LOSARTAN 50 mgs taken at midnight.  SERETIDE 1 puff taken at 8am and 10pm.   7.7.19 VENLAFAXINE UPDATE: Started tapering 10% every 4 weeks. Currently .4 mg twice a day at 8am and 10 pm.  2.9.19 .36 mg x 2. 1.10.19  .32 mg x 2. 26.11.19 .29 mg x2. 26.12.19 .26 mg  x 2. 23.1.20  .23 mg x 2.  20.2.20 .21 mg x2.20.3.20  .19 mg x 2. 21.4.20 .17 mg x 2. 19.5.20 .13 mg x 2.  18.6.20 .11mg  x 2 .18.7.20.10 mg x 2.1.9.20.09 mg x 2. 30.9. 20 .08 mg x 2. 1.11.20 .07 mg x 2.  2.12.20 .06 mg x 2.  8.1.21 .05 mg x 2.  4.2.21 .04 mg x 2. 9.3.21 .03 mgx2.  7.4.21  .02 mg x 2.  9.5.21 .01 mg x 2.  21.6.21 .01 mg x 1.  11.8.21 ZERO!

 

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Hi Flowers, I have just been reading your signature.  You are now on 21 mg citalopram?  That is really good.  You have achieved a lot.  Don't let anything I write about put you off, I am only describing how it is for me.  You will probably have a much easier course than me, and I have messed things up a lot by too quickly and haphazardly and not being able to stick things out due to work commitments.

 

Don't read anything I suggest that could cause you any upset, we are all so different in our reaction to these drugs.  Personally I am doing better on 20 mg now, I used to take 30 mg and would never plan to take 30 mg again, so I have improved my lot a little.

 

You are doing well Flowers, I am going to read your signature again.  Good for you.

 

Take care, your internet friend!  Joy

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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I am reading 'The Pill that Steals Lives' by Katinka Newman, from Amazon, reading it on phone kindle.  It is very relevant to me as in the past I have taken the type of mood stabiliser she took and antidepressants.  It reminds me of how far I have come, but also of my yet to complete journey.  It makes me realise how lucky I am to have got off everything I have so far.  Lots of good background reading in it.  However, this woman was left taking venlafaxine for a year but decided just to stop it, and from what I am reading, managed OK.  She did suffer a lot of akathisia though, which I did.  (Inner restlessness and turmoil).

 

Today I feel fine, but didn't take the citalopram 20 mg until lunch time as I was preoccupied and started to get a thumping headache which reminded me to take it, 30 mins later headache went, so I am well and truly sensitised to this drug. 

 

I was never that sensitive previously to it, so my withdrawal attempts have increased my sensitivity.

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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  • 2 weeks later...

This is really odd. Shallow sleep last night sweating this morning and unbalanced on my feet even though I have had a steady dose if 20 mg for some time now. I also felt quite as ixk again. How can this happen. Can it still be from when I was withdrawing? is there any information about this scenario?

 

Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine

Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Could be withdrawal. It's hard to know; one day of shallow sleep doesn't allow you to see a pattern. Please keep notes on paper of your symptoms and the times of your doses. A useful format for a daily log can be found in this post:

Take notes of doses and symptoms

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

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