AudreyLP: Tapering off Celexa

[AudreyLP]

I've been on Celexa for 16 years, and have spent the last two years tapering off. I'm trying to go really slow and managed to get down to 20 mgs without withdrawals.

 

When I went down to 15 mgs, the trouble started: vertigo, anxiety, irritability, depression, sleep disturbances. I'm taking natural supplements to help with the withdrawals (theanine and SamE), and they help a little. But I'm stuck at 15 and afraid to go down any further. 

 

I wish I could find a psychiatrist who specializes in getting patients off SSRI's. Mine doesn't seem to have a clue. I've been following the  protocol in the book "The Antidepressant Solution." I'm getting scared I'll never get off this stuff. 

Edited September 20, 2017 by baroquep
White Space

[ChessieCat]

Hi Audrey and welcome to SA,

 

I am really pleased that you have been tapering for 2 years.  Unfortunately many members wind up here after trying to get off their drug too quickly.

 

Have you been reducing your dose by 10% of the previous dose and following it with a hold of about 4 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug?

 

Please create your drug signature so we can see your history whenever you post.  These are the instructions:

 

 A request: Would you summarize your history in a signature - ALL drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly?

• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses.
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 

• Any drugs prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years.
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago)
• Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016.
• Link to Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

Many members find that the lower their dose gets the slower they have to go.  You might find this discussion interesting:

 

Why taper paper: dose-occupancy curves

 

One of the moderators has come up with what has been named Brass Monkey Slide.  One of the other moderators has created a tapering calculator which includes a tab for this method as well as regular and micro tapering.  It can be used online or downloaded Tapering Calculator - Online

 

Tips for tapering off Celexa (citalopram)

 

Micro-taper instead of 10% or 5% decreases

Rhi's "Start Small, Listen to Your Body" Taper Plan

Slowness of slow tapers

 

These helped me to understand SA's recommendations:

 

Brain Remodelling

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

These topics discuss talking with medical professionals:

 

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

 

You have probably already discovered that healing isn't linear.  These might be helpful:

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Stabilising After a Reduction - What Does That Mean?
 

Withdrawal Normal Description

 

This is your own Introduction topic where you can ask questions and journal your progress.

 

Edited September 20, 2017 by ChessieCat
added doctor links