KatieS: pregnant - want to stop Citalopram 40mg

[KatieS]

Hello,

 

I just joined this site and am finding all the material very interesting. Thank you everyone for your input and care. I'm very sad to learn about all the suffering you have gone through. 

 

When I was 24 yo, I started Citalopram 40mg in 2006 ( I believe I started at 20mg and was increased quickly to 40mg) after having severe panic attacks. I did a lot of cognitive behavioral therapy and continued the Citalopram and gradually the panic attacks reduced. In fact, it seemed like after starting Citalopram, I never "revved up" into a "full-blown" panic attack, but would just have small "episodes" lasting a few hours with complete recovery in about 48 hours.

 

I've tried to reduce my dosage slowly, but now I'm realizing not slowly enough, only to have the panic attacks return. Now I'm wondering if this was real panic or just a side affect of the hormonal changes. 

 

Now, I'm pregnant, and I'm very scared that the Citalopram will negatively affect the fetus. I'm overjoyed to be pregnant, but terrified. I want to stop the Citalopram cold turkey right now. I'm so glad I looked this website up though and found you all b/c from what I'm learning, stopping cold-turkey could be a big mistake. 

 

Has anyone successfully tapered off Citalopram quickly? How quickly could I go? Or do I just continue throughout the pregnancy? Today, I took only 30mg of my Citalopram.

I'm going to start seeing a psychiatrist again, but am not very hopeful. I'd be grateful for any help or advice.

 

Best, 

 

Katie

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Katie.

 

What method have you been using to reduce citalopram? How are you feeling now that you've reduced by 10mg?

 

See Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Why taper? SERT transporter occupancy studies show importance of gradual change in plasma concentration

 

Tips for tapering off Celexa (citalopram)

[bubble]

Hello Katie,

 

here are two links from our members who were taking an AD while pregnant. Usually pregnancy hormones buffer the withdrawal symptoms and there are women who can come off ADs during pregnancy and feel ok. That was not the case with Rose who was not able to taper because it seemed pregnancy exacerbated  her symptoms. Most women report being hit by symptoms postpartum. There are really no rules but the bottom line is that there was no harm to babies which we fear most. 

 

In Jenna's case we can see the dangers of stopping the drug abruptly (they switched her to another ADs). 

Personally, I'm trying an accelerated taper but leaving time between the cuts to see how my brain will react to them. I'm torn between wanting to minimise the drug burden for the baby and fear of dreadful withdrawal symptoms.  I just think that even reducing will make a difference and don't put myself under pressure to come off completely. 

 

Here is also a links to our thread with women discussing pregnancy and ADs which might help.

 

For me it is very important to focus on positive examples and avoid scary scenarios because there is nothing much I can do now. 

 

Let us know how you are doing.

 

Best,

Bubble