First things first: My only medical training is a nearly 20 year old St Andrew’s Ambulance certificate in first aid. Therefore I am not qualified to tell you what to do, your GP is. Go and see them, please.
I don’t know how many people are on antidepressant citalopram but, lots certainly. Put it this way, I have 449 Facebook friends and I know for certain that nine of them are or have been on the drug. Given that this 449 include friends of friends, those I’m only vaguely acquainted with and some in the ‘who the fek are you?’ category, I’d say that was a very conservative estimate.
Knowing their are crowds and crowds of citaloprambies, plus the fact that that everyone I know who is on/has been on citalopram falls into the category of Interesting People That I Really Like, I couldn’t not talk about it.
When I came back from the doctor’s with my packet of citalopram and a diagnosis of post natal depression, my supportive husband, the Panther of News, did his best to lighten the mood. He attempted this by skipping around the kitchen yelling: “My wife’s bonkers. My wife’s bonkers.”
That was around three years ago when I was in the darkest of dark places and, while that misery has gone, have been on it ever since. There’s no doubt it works – it lifts mood, levels things out and generally drives the monsters away, but I don’t think I need it to do that for me any longer.
A year ago I went back to my GP – who had been very relaxed about me being on 20mg of the drug for as long as I liked – and he suggested I could try coming off by taking a half dose.
But after a week or so on 10mg I started to feel dreadful – a head full of rushing sensations and terrible headaches. My first thought was that my underlying illness was still there – and perhaps worse – so in a panic I went back onto the full dose. I felt rattled and bothered that I wasn’t actually any better.
A few months went past… business as usual. Then I consulted my other health-care professional of choice, Dr Google. She said that withdrawal from citalopram was often a difficult business to be done slowly and patiently.
Symptoms, however alarming, were a sign of the drug leaving the system, not of any remaining bonkersness.
So I’m having another go – at my pace this time.
Here’s the plan:
Phase 1. 20mg and 10mg days alternating.
Phase 2. One 20mg day and two 10mg days.
Phase 3. 10mg every day.
Phase 4. Largely depends how the first three phases went.
How long each phase lasts just depends – at least a month to six weeks or until I feel normal again.
If you’ve come off citalapram, please let me know how it was for you. I’ve a feeling there’s an awful lot of us doing the same thing. Perhaps talking about it might just help.
Meantime, I’m going to keep cutting my anti-bonkers pills in half and I’ll be back to let you know how I get on.
I read this with interest Ellen. I am currently on same dose as you but going back to see the GP to get mine increased as I have gone back to not eating deliberately, and crying all the time. These, even I in my 'bonkers' state are not good.
My neighbour was also on this and he went full 'cold turkey' as he didn't want to live on them forever. And he was a nightmare for about 2 months – really grumpy and moodswings, and started smoking again. But now, some 18 months later he is fine and says he regrets not doing it properly, step by step.
I think it is great that you feel that the time has come to come off these and I applaud you for raising the issue.
Not sure if I counted in the 9, but if not then now you know 10! They did put me on another one to try to bring back the appetitie but the nightmares and the complete feeling of being drugged in a bad way made me go back to the citalopram.
Let us know how you get on with it when the timne is right: I would be very interested to know. x
I was on 20mg per day for around 18 months, and whilst there's no doubt I felt better on it, I worried that my feelings, and my happiness, were somehow inauthentic. I wanted to be sure that what I felt was 'me' and not a chemical whitewash of sorts.
I followed a reduction cycle similar to the one you suggest, with each stage lasting 30 days, and ive been off entirely for 6 months now. Thankfully, I feel fine, and I'm grateful that my time on medication gave me the space, or the level, to work things out such that I had a firm foundation to come off. I'm under no illusions that I might require it again in time, but I'm trying to live well and look after myself as best as is possible.
Thanks for writing about this, there are a lot of us (I'm one of your 'who the fek are you Twitter connections) and your piece will help someone, not least you.
Hope all goes well.
You weren't one of the nine. Just goes to show how many of us there are. Interesting about appetite, one of my reasons for wanting to come off is that my weight is creeping up and I don't know if it's middle age spread or the drugs.
And Sally who is a pharmacist is always saying keep trying different drugs until you find one that suits. I'm sure she wouldnt mind you picking her brains.
Thanks very much. I know what you mean about the whitewash. I feel like I want to know what's underneath now. I might need to go back on them but hopefully not.
That was interesting to read Ellen, i have been diagnosed with depression recently and the doctor has prescribed Fluoxetine, i haven't started on it yet as I'm quite concerned about getting addicted to it and forgetting who i am. I'm trying to stay positive and talk openly to Mick about everything going on in my head. Good luck with your plan xxx
Thanks very much. X
Sorry to hear that. Talking is really important but the pills do work. And the right ones won't have you forgetting who you are. Good luck to you too. X
I was told by my friend, who is a psychiatric nurse, that citalopram can increase or decrease appetite. She had to come off fluoxetine as it made her pile on the weight. Can't remember what they gave me to replace it but it was horrid – I really did feel like a zombie with living vivid nightmare dreams. Awful! I forgot Sally was a pharmacist – may just do that, thanks ellen.
Hi Salsa, I hope your dad is getting support from his GP.
I can't believe I missed this post … and then I saw the date it was published – I was having a break from blogging at the time, but I still feel bad especially at how supportive you've been when I was depressed this Summer, and made the decision to start taking citalopram. Yes, everything I have read points to coming off the drug very, very gently – and your approach sounds excellent – alternating days and dropping down slowly – that should lessen the withdrawal. (I'm now going to read your latest post and see how you got on!) X.
I can't believe I missed this post … and then I saw the date it was published – I was having a break from blogging at the time, but I still feel bad especially at how supportive you've been when I was depressed this Summer, and made the decision to start taking citalopram. Your approach sounds really sensible and gentle – and should help lessen the withdrawal symptoms – I am going to read your latest now and see how you've been getting on! X.
Hi Ellen,
So I can advise after coming off Citalopram to change medication it is not a nice process. I guess one way i can discribe it is I know now why it is so hard for drug addicts to come off what ever they are taking is because it is so horrible. In theroy you are supposed to come off it slowly say a period of atleast 6 months. i was advised by the doctor it was a rather low dose of anti-drepressants and i could come off them over a period of 5 days – Bad Idea! I went from 40mg to none over 6 days.
The side affects I had was very light headedness, a vertigo of sorts when ever I turned my head and a translucent feeling. Driving i have to advise was awful. The only thing i could find to combat the feelings was chewing gum. I have also experienced pins and needles down one arm.
Yes you feel all in all very peculiar. If you are taking 20mg I would suggest you go down to 1/2 a tablet – 10mg for about 6 weeks as this is the length of time it takes to get 'the full theraputic dose' then if your feeling ok ask your doc to prescribe you the 10mg as your standard dose following this you the break that tablet in half again for a further 6 weeks or how ever long you want and then when you feel like it stop taking it all together again waiting for 6 to 8 weeks to see how you feel with no drug in your system.
It is hard and I do not have children and am not qualified in any medicine, but I have been through now 2 healthcare systems in two different countries and so have had to do some learning of my own and consulting with my pharamcisits.
Good luck and no your not going bookers even though you may feel like you falling off the side of the planet.
Nicki 🙂
Hi Nicki,
Thanks for your comment – it is a slow process, but I'm getting there.
E
I have been on citalopram for two years and have tried to come off them several times, the last time I tried to come off them I slowly cut down and the withdrawal was so extreme I felt like I was going to die. I ended up getting flu like symptoms, extreme migraines, nausea, vomiting and extreme dehydration.
after several months of this I realised that my body just couldn't take the withdrawal and began taking my regular dose of medication, I have to say that I wish I had never started this medication and that if I ever decide to come off the medication I will be doing it under hospital supervision.
I've been on citalopram for 18 months 2 years i started on 10mg then went upto 20mg I'm now back down to 10mg and trying to come of by cutting down pit by pit the withdrawal is not nice. It good to read I'm not a lone I never won't to take this tablet ever again it's the pits.