JeanK : getting off Celexa

[JeanK]

I'm withdrawing

 

off of cellexa can someone give advice

[Gridley]

Hello, JeanK, and welcome to SA.  We are a site dedicated to helping people taper off psychiatric drugs, so you have come to the right place.  Have you started your taper yet?

 

To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.

• 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. 
• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses. 
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 
• Link to Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

At Surviving Antidepressants, it is recommended that a person taper by no more than 10% of their current dose with at least a four week hold in-between decreases.  The 10% taper recommendation is a harm reduction approach to going off psychiatric drugs.  Some people may have to taper at a more conservative rate as they are sensitive to even the smallest drops.
 

Before you begin tapering what you need to know

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

Tips for tapering off Celexa (citalopram)

What is Withdrawal Syndrome?

Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list.

 

This link explains why a slow taper is important.

Brain Remodelling

 

To get consistent doses as you reduce, here are some techniques that members use:

Using a digital scale to measure doses.

Making a liquid from a tablet or capsules . + Using an oral syringe and other tapering techniques].

How to cut up tablets or pills.

 

Most doctors are not knowledgeable about tapering or withdrawal.  These links provide tips on taking to your doctor:

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?
What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

 

Many members have found the techniques in these two link to be helpful during tapering and withdrawal.

The Dr. Claire Weekes Method of Recovering from a Sensitized Nervous System

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms.

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

Please research all supplements first and only add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems. For more tips, please see:

 

The rule of 3KIS: Keep it simple. Keep it slow. Keep it stable.

 

This is your introduction topic -- the place for you to ask questions, record symptoms, share your progress, and connect with other members of the SA community. I hope you'll find the information in the SA forums helpful for your situation. I'm sorry that you are in the position that you need the information, but I am glad that you found us.

 

Edited February 24, 2018 by ChessieCat
fixed up tips for tapering celexa link

[ChessieCat]

Hi Jean and welcome from me too,

 

The tips topic was not linked so I corrected it but will give it here again in case you have already seen the above post.

 

Tips for tapering off Celexa (citalopram)

[JeanK]

i can't seem to get my signature in

[Gridley]

See if this works:   Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

[TikkiTikki]

Welcome Jean.

Without your signature complete it is hard to tell, but did you drop from 40 to 20mg of Celexa at the beginning of this year?

How are you feeling?

[JeanK]

yes TikkiTikki. I'm now at 20mgs from 40mgs

[JeanK]

My taper is lost: I had an absessed tooth; then I broke my foot; then I got a bacterial infection. I don't know what is taper with all these ailments.

[Gridley]

How are you doing at 20mg?  If you are doing okay, I would hold there (not taper any more) until your physical problems are better.

[JeanK]

thanx for posting Gridley. I'm at 20mgs of celexa and plan to stay there awhile. My psychiatrist did't inform that celexa and busporine were conflicting drugs. My psychiatrist just kept putting me on medications. The reason I'm getting off of celexa is because it was my next choice. I got off the klonopin; then went off the risperdal and now the celxa. My next choice is the gabapentin. I've got such a long way to go. I hope it's not too late.

[TikkiTikki]

Hi Jean

It is really hard to tell with all that going on. I'll join the chorus of "hold, hold, hold..." – 40 to 20 is a big jump but I got away with that (though I held for nearly 3 months). I've had to take it much more slowly since then.

It's not too late. It may take a long time, but rewards come throughout the journey, not just at the endpoint. 

Glad you found us here and keep posting and reading.

[JeanK]

TikkiTikki thanx for the support

[Gridley]

JeanK, It's not too late.  You've already gotten off two and that's great.  

[JeanK]

i was having a couple of days where i felt the taper; now i feel better.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, jeank.

 

What is your current symptom pattern, when do you take your drugs, and at what dosages?

 

Why do you want to go off Celexa? Did you have withdrawal symptoms after you went off Klonopin? If so, what were they?

[ChessieCat]

Here is an example of how to Keep Notes on Paper

[JeanK]

hey hi chessiecat and altostrata: I'm currently on 20mgs Celexa. I have depression and i know it's a withdrawal symtom. I have yet to get off of Lamictal, Gabapenton, Trazadone and Buspar. I'm having diahrea and have been on antibiotics thhey're not working it's hard to be sick all the time.

[ChessieCat]

Please Keep Notes on Paper and after 3 days please post them here in post so we can see the symptom pattern related to when you take your drugs.  Thank you.

[JeanK]

i quit klonopin cold turkey an had withdrawal symptoms for two months. i suffered three panic attacks that i could barely handle. I take 7.5 mgs buspur and 100mgs gabepentin and 100mgs lamictal in the morning. 7.5mgs buspur and 100mgs gabapentin at noon; 7.5mgs buspur at 4:00 in the afternoon; 200mgs lamictal and 7.5mgs buspur, 300mgs gabapenton, 50mgs trazadone at bed time.

 

oh I take 20mgs if celxa in the morning

 

Edited March 7, 2018 by ChessieCat
added info about Celexa from additional post

[ChessieCat]

This is how we need you to keep daily notes of when you take your drugs and when you get your symptoms throughout the day:

 

Keep notes on paper about your drug dosages and daily symptom pattern

 

A symptom pattern that occurs regularly over several days could mean the symptoms are from withdrawal, other adverse effects of drugs, or something else you do on a daily schedule.

 

In the course of discussion in your Introductions forum topic, you may be asked to keep notes on paper of your daily symptom pattern, including when you take your drugs, their dosages, and any symptoms.

 

What we need to see for every individual day over several days is:

- Time and dosage for drugs taken in morning
- Time and description of any symptoms in the morning
 
- Time and dosage for drugs taken in afternoon
- Time and description of any symptoms in the afternoon
 
- Time and dosage for drugs taken in evening
- Time and description of any symptoms in the evening
 
- Time and dosage for drugs taken in middle of the night
- Time and description of any symptoms in the middle of the night (such as waking)
 
And so forth. A diary, in chronological order, such as:
 
6 a.m. Woke and vomited
8 a.m. Took 2.5mg Lexapro
10 a.m. Had diarrhea
10:30 a.m. Ate breakfast
11:35 a.m. Got a headache, lasted one hour
12:35 p.m. Ate lunch
4 p.m. Stomachache
5 p.m. Took 2.5mg Lexapro
6 p.m. Ate dinner
9:20 p.m. Headache
10:00 p.m. Took 50mg Seroquel
10:20 p.m. Headache got worse
10:30 p.m. Fell asleep
2:30 a.m. Woke, took 3mg Ambien (NOT "took 1/2 tablet Ambien")
2:45 a.m. Fell asleep
4:30 a.m. Woke with headache

 

An appointments diary is perfect for this and can be bought at stationery stores. 

They have a page for each day with times for appointments which can be filled in with doses, symptoms etc as shown by Alto.

 

Edited March 7, 2018 by ChessieCat
coloured example info

[ChessieCat]

Interactions between your drugs

Major

buspirone  trazodone

Applies to: BuSpar (buspirone), trazodone

Using busPIRone together with traZODone can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases may result in coma and even death. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms while taking the medications. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may already be aware of the risks, but has determined that this is the best course of treatment for you and has taken appropriate precautions and is monitoring you closely for any potential complications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Major

buspirone  citalopram

Applies to: BuSpar (buspirone), Celexa (citalopram)

Using busPIRone together with citalopram can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases may result in coma and even death. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms while taking the medications. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may already be aware of the risks, but has determined that this is the best course of treatment for you and has taken appropriate precautions and is monitoring you closely for any potential complications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Major

trazodone  citalopram

Applies to: trazodone, Celexa (citalopram)

Using citalopram together with traZODone can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases may result in coma and even death. You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms during treatment. In addition, combining these medications can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances (for example, magnesium or potassium loss due to severe or prolonged diarrhea or vomiting). Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may already be aware of the risks, but has determined that this is the best course of treatment for you and has taken appropriate precautions and is monitoring you closely for any potential complications. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations during treatment with these medications, whether together or alone. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Moderate

buspirone  gabapentin

Applies to: BuSpar (buspirone), gabapentin

Using busPIRone together with gabapentin may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Moderate

trazodone  gabapentin

Applies to: trazodone, gabapentin

Using traZODone together with gabapentin may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Moderate

trazodone  lamotrigine

Applies to: trazodone, Lamictal (lamotrigine)

Using traZODone together with lamoTRIgine may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Moderate

buspirone  lamotrigine

Applies to: BuSpar (buspirone), Lamictal (lamotrigine)

Using busPIRone together with lamoTRIgine may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Moderate

gabapentin  citalopram

Applies to: gabapentin, Celexa (citalopram)

Using gabapentin together with citalopram may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

[JeanK]

oh I take 20mgs if celxa in the morning

[JeanK]

chesicat: I'm on 20mgs celexa and I've had depression and minor mood swing. As of today I'm feeling good.

[JeanK]

4:30 am woke up. Took 20mgs of Celexa, 100mgs of Lamictal, 7.5mgs Buspor, 100mgs Lamictal, felt good

[JeanK]

5:00 am took 7.5 Buspur, 100mgs Lamictal, 100mgs of Gabapenton, 20mgs Celexa. Feeling good

7:00 am some negative thoughts.

9:30 am breakfast feeling good

Noon took 100mgs Gabapenton, 7.5 Buspur feeling good, got a new puppie

4:00 pm, took 100mgs of Gabapenton, 7.5 Buspur

8:00 pm 200mgs Lamictal, 50mgs Trazadone, 7.5mgs Buspur, 300mgs Gabapenton, feel tired, no depresson