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Em2728: Citalopram withdrawal


Em2728

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I have taken citalopram 20mg for 10 years. I had a very damaging childhood and the doctor suggested these to help my mood. A few months ago I went to my gp to try and come off them. He gave me 10mg tablets to gradually decrease my dosage. I began taking 10mg one day and 20mg the next. Then started taking more 10mgs instead of 20mg. I had no side effects at this point. After a few weeks on 10mg I started cutting my tablets in 4 and got the the point I was taking 1/4 of a tablet a day. Then I began missing days. The end of October I ran out of my tablets and decided not to bother getting anymore as I was feeling fine. I then realised I had been cutting up my 20mg tablets instead of 10mg. Anyway for the first week I was fine. 2nd week I had tingling fingers and random dizzy spells. Then came anxiety palpitations and other side effects. The side effects were manageable and didn't affect me much. Until a few days ago I began feeling very dizzy and off balanced. The tingling in my fingers is back, I ache all over and my head and ears feel full. I have no idea what to do now. I'm not sure if I should start taking the citalopram again or what. I'm missing work due to feeling like this and I have 3 young children. Please can anyone help

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hello    Em and welcome to SA.

 

This site is run entirely by volunteer Administrators and Moderators, all have been through or going through withdrawal.

There are no commercial interests or influences  involved .

 

I am sorry you are having such a rough time but you are now in the right place.

 

 

I assume from your text that you have no Citalopram left.

If that is the case get in touch with your GP today and request 10mg tablets.

You are experiencing the onset of W/D symptoms from reducing Citalopram too quickly.

The only known way to mitigate W/D is to reinstate a dose of the medication.

Please see the following to understand what is happening.

about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/

why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/

the-rule-of-3kis-keep-it-simple-keep-it-slow-keep-it-stable/

 

PLEASE NOTE: Under no circumstances should you begin reinstatement without asking us to suggest a suitable dose.

Reinstatement at previous dose levels can cause serious issues.

 

Please feel free to browse the site, it is a wealth of info.

Other members threads will give you an insight and the opportunity to share experiences.

 

When you have the Citalopram post on here and use @Sassenach in the text which will notify me.

I will catch you this evening if I have not heard from you.

 

Your original post should be in Intros and Updates and will need to be moved however I will leave it here until we get you started.

 

Again welcome.

 

Sassenach

 

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Do NOT take a full tablet.

To be clear in late October you were taking one quarter of a 20mg pill ie 5mgs.

The tablets are definitely Citalopram, not Escitalopram?

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

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1 minute ago, Sassenach said:

Do NOT take a full tablet.

To be clear in late October you were taking one quarter of a 20mg pill ie 5mgs.

The tablets are definitely Citalopram, not Escitalopram?

Yes I must have confused the tablets as I thought I was taking 10mg cut into 4 but the last tablet I took was definitely 20mg so 5mg. Yes definitely citalopram @Sassenach

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Em

 

Will get back to you between 5-7pm as I am currently out.

 

If you do not have a pill cutter and a medical syringe marked in 1mg intervals can you get them from a chemist this pm.

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Em

 

5 hours ago, Em2728 said:

. A few months ago

Can you remember when this was?

Have you taken any drugs other than Citalopram in the last 24months?

Have you taken or are you taking any supplements in the last 24months?

Do you have the pill cutter and syringe?

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

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No I cant remember exactly when that was. No other drugs. I take daily vitamin c, b12, d6, iodine, magnesium supplements. I have pill cutter and syringe 

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  • manymoretodays changed the title to Em2728: Citalopram withdrawal
  • Moderator Emeritus

We would normally start at a very low dose 1-2mgs.

Because of the erratic way you were taking the meds and the ridiculous taper your doctor advised, it is difficult to assess the steady level of Citalopram in your body.

As it just over one month since your last dose I suggest you use the pill splitter to cut a 10mg pill into quarters ie. 2.5mgs.

The syringe is in case we need to reduce your dose by making a liquid.

It is essential you take this dose at the same time every day so we can evaluate symptom progression.

Take citalopram once a day. You can take it with or without food. You can take citalopram at any time of day, as long as you stick to the same time every day. If you have trouble sleeping, it's best to take it in the morning.

As this dose is slightly higher than normal it is important to be aware of adverse reactions.

These start quickly and are different to the W/D symptoms you are experiencing.

If you experience an adverse reaction stop taking the med and contact us immediately.

Keep a note of your symptoms daily using this

dr-joseph-glenmullens-withdrawal-symptom-checklist/

Symptoms are an important measure of your progress.

It will take a week to ten days for the drug to reach full state in your body and we will review the dose at that point.

If all goes well you will stay on this dose until your CNS ( central nervous system ) stabilises.

I should warn you this is a slow process and there is no short cut as you have already discovered.

the-windows-and-waves-pattern-of-stabilization/

Please ensure you keep in touch daily for the next two weeks so we can be sure you are on track.

If you have any concerns do not hesitate to ask for help.

 

Good luck

 

Sassenach

 

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

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  • Moderator Emeritus

You're in the best possible hands with @Sassenach, Em. The only thing I want to add is, withdrawal symptoms are often delayed, with people feeling pretty well early on in the process but getting hit later.  Then once they hit it can take a while for them to improve or resolve and they can even get worse for a while. People often get pretty nervous or even panicked during this period, since it's unpleasant and unexpected. So if that happens to you, please don't be alarmed or discouraged, it's perfectly normal. Things will settle down eventually and you will be able to do a sensible, tolerable taper. Best of luck to you on this journey, we all understand!

Started on Prozac and Xanax in 1992 for PTSD after an assault. One drug led to more, the usual story. Got sicker and sicker, but believed I needed the drugs for my "underlying disease". Long story...lost everything. Life savings, home, physical and mental health, relationships, friendships, ability to work, everything. Amitryptiline, Prozac, bupropion, buspirone, flurazepam, diazepam, alprazolam, Paxil, citalopram, lamotrigine, gabapentin...probably more I've forgotten. 

Started multidrug taper in Feb 2010.  Doing a very slow microtaper, down to low doses now and feeling SO much better, getting my old personality and my brain back! Able to work full time, have a full social life, and cope with stress better than ever. Not perfect, but much better. After 23 lost years. Big Pharma has a lot to answer for. And "medicine for profit" is just not a great idea.

 

Feb 15 2010:  300 mg Neurontin  200 Lamictal   10 Celexa      0.65 Xanax   and 5 mg Ambien 

Feb 10 2014:   62 Lamictal    1.1 Celexa         0.135 Xanax    1.8 Valium

Feb 10 2015:   50 Lamictal      0.875 Celexa    0.11 Xanax      1.5 Valium

Feb 15 2016:   47.5 Lamictal   0.75 Celexa      0.0875 Xanax    1.42 Valium    

2/12/20             12                       0.045               0.007                   1 

May 2021            7                       0.01                  0.0037                1

Feb 2022            6                      0!!!                     0.00167               0.98                2.5 mg Ambien

Oct 2022       4.5 mg Lamictal    (off Celexa, off Xanax)   0.95 Valium    Ambien, 1/4 to 1/2 of a 5 mg tablet 

 

I'm not a doctor. Any advice I give is just my civilian opinion.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Em and welcome aboard,

A couple more links to add, that you might find helpful, if you wish to try the reinstatement route, with a make your own solution:

How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules

You could do a 1/1 solution of 10 milligrams(mg) of citalopram, in 10 millileters(mL) of water, so then you would have 1 mg per each mL

 

Keep the solution refrigerated, covered and protected from light, and I might just use it(the same solution) for 3 days to be on the safe side.  Then re-mix and start with a fresh batch.

Please read that link above through too, as it will answer most of the questions that might arise for you regarding making your own solution, if you decide on that route.

 

Another handy reference:

Tips for tapering off Celexa(citalopram)

 

If you've already gotten going with the 2.5 mg dose or 1/4 tablet.......no worries.  Keep daily notes and keep us updated as well. 

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

manymoretodays(mmt)

 

 

 

 

 

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022, and again finally 5/25/24.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Emm

Your thread has been moved to introductions and updates by one of the other moderators.

Keep in touch.

Sassenach

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

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11 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

Hi Em and welcome aboard,

A couple more links to add, that you might find helpful, if you wish to try the reinstatement route, with a make your own solution:

How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules

You could do a 1/1 solution of 10 milligrams(mg) of citalopram, in 10 millileters(mL) of water, so then you would have 1 mg per each mL

 

Keep the solution refrigerated, covered and protected from light, and I might just use it(the same solution) for 3 days to be on the safe side.  Then re-mix and start with a fresh batch.

Please read that link above through too, as it will answer most of the questions that might arise for you regarding making your own solution, if you decide on that route.

 

Another handy reference:

Tips for tapering off Celexa(citalopram)

 

If you've already gotten going with the 2.5 mg dose or 1/4 tablet.......no worries.  Keep daily notes and keep us updated as well. 

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

manymoretodays(mmt)

 

 

 

I started yesterday with 2.5mg of citalopram. Today the pressure In my ears is awful but dizziness hasnt hit me yet. I am having palpitations and feel shaky. Is this normal?

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
23 hours ago, Em2728 said:

Then came anxiety palpitations and other side effects. The side effects were manageable and didn't affect me much. Until a few days ago I began feeling very dizzy and off balanced. The tingling in my fingers is back, I ache all over and my head and ears feel full

Hi Em

 

You already had all these symptoms as W/D set in so it is unlikely they are an adverse reaction.

As the reinstatement takes effect it will put a brake on the symptoms increasing initially.

This is why it is important to monitor you closely for near future.

It is very much a balancing act but we have done it many times before.

Will catch you again this evening.

 

Sass

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

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Hi em!

Good luck with your reinstatement.

 

Keep up the spirit and don't despair too much.

 

It could take a while but you are going to beat this.

 

Thing is, stay as calm as possible and take good care of your food, sleep and excersise if possible. This helps keeping you as mentally flexible as possible.

 

I have 2 kids (youngest is 7  months) and when wd symptoms kick in or anxiety this is not always easy.

 

Good luck!!!.

 

 

 

Jozeff

 

Sep- 2016 - Okt 2017 citalopram some months 15 mg some months 20 mg

Nov 2017- Apr 2018 citalopram 25 mg

Apr 2018 -  Jun 2018 citalopram 3 month TAPER too fast  from 25mg to 16.5 mg (0.1 mg per day decrease, felt horrible and crashed)

Jun 2018 - Aug13th 2018 citalopram trying to stabilize at 16.5 mg for 5 wks, updosed to 18 mg

- 14Aug 2018 - 26apr 2019  citalopram 18 mg, hold 8 months

 

2019 apr 27 : START taper citalopram @ 18 mg: 29Jun 16.4 mg / 19aug 15.4 mg / 25aug 15.2 mg / 30sep 14.0 mg / 4dec 13.1 mg

2020  03Jan 12.75 mg / 28Jan 12.29 mg / 18Feb 11.83 mg / 25Feb 11.68 mg hold.. / 7May 11.33 mg / hold...., 4Aug 10.98 mg / 5Dec 10.0 mg 4 month hold...

2021 30mar 9.8 mg / 06apr 9.5 mg /  13apr 9.4 mg / 14may 8,5 mg / 04jun 8,0 mg / 11jun 7.75 mg, 02jul 7.35 mg /  09jul 7.2 mg hold 3 weeks during holiday /31jul 7 mg/ 8aug 6.8 mg / 15aug 6.63mg / 22aug 6.5mg / 1sep 6.3 mg / 8sep 6.15 mg / 15sep 6.0 mg / 22sep 5.9 mg / 29sep 5.8 mg / 04 oct 5.65 mg / 10oct 5.55 mg / 17oct 5.45 mg / 24oct 5.35mg / 30oct 5.25 mg hold 3 wks / 22nov 5.15 mg / 01dec 5.1mg / 12dec 5.0mg / 20dec 4.85mg / 30dec 4.70mg

2022   08jan 4.5 mg / 16jan 4.4 mg / 23jan 4.3 mg / 27jan 4.2 mg / 18feb 4.1 mg / 25feb 4.0 mg / 04mar 3.9 mg / 11mar 3.75 mg / 18Mar 3.65 mg / 09apr 3.55 mg / 16apr 3.45 mg / 23apr 3.35 mg / 01may 3.25 mg / 8may 3.15 mg / 17may 3.10 mg / 28 may 3.0 mg / 7jun 2.94 mg / 18 Jun 2.88 mg / 27 jun 2.84 mg / 05 jul 2.80 mg / 16 jul 2.75 mg / 23 jul 2.70 mg / 01aug 2.65 mg / 09aug 2.60 mg hold 5wks / 18sep 2.55 mg / 25sep 2.5 mg /02oct 2.45 mg / 10oct 2.40 mg / 19oct 2.35 mg / 27oct 2.30 mg / 05nov 2.27 mg / 14nov 2.25 mg / 22nov 2.20 mg / 29nov 2.10mg / 09dec 2.05 mg / 15dec 2.0 mg 

2023  hold 2.0 mg for 5 months / 05may 1.95 mg / 14may 1.90 mg / 24may 1.87 mg / 02jun 1.85 mg / 17jun 1.82 mg / 27jun 1.79 mg / 07jul 1.75 mg / 31jul 1.72 mg / 12aug 1.69mg / 27aug 1.67 mg / 04sep 1.65 mg / 09sep 1.63 mg / 22sep 1.61 mg / 27sep 1.60 mg / 12oct 1.58 mg / 18oct 1.56 mg / 31oct 1.54 mg / 06nov 1.52 mg / 18nov 1.50 mg / 04dec 1.48 mg / 11dec 1.46 mg / 22dec 1.45 mg / 28dec 1.44 mg

2024 01jan 1.43 mg / 06jan 1.42 mg/ 10jan 1.40 mg hold / 08apr 1.38 mg / 15apr 1.36 mg / 20apr 1.34 mg / 28apr 1.33 mg / 2may 1.32 mg / 9may 1.30 mg hold / micro taper 0.002 mg/day start 17jun / 27jun 1.28 mg / 06jul  1.26 mg / 29jul 1.20 mg / 24aug 1.14 mg / 02sep 1.12 mg / 10sep 1.10 mg / 17sep 1.08 mg / 23 sep 1.06 mg / 07 oct 1.02 mg / 12oct 1.0 mg /

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Em

 

Did you get the dizziness today?

Are other symptoms better or worse?

Do you have anyone to help with the kids? ( do not answer if you do not wish to do so.)

 

Sass

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

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27 minutes ago, Sassenach said:

Hi Em

 

Did you get the dizziness today?

Are other symptoms better or worse?

Do you have anyone to help with the kids? ( do not answer if you do not wish to do so.)

 

Sass

Dizziness has improved a lot. Symptoms have been, full ears, some nausea, headache and sleepiness. Am attempting leaving the house for the first time since Monday to go to work! 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Good take care, don't overdo it.

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

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  • 2 months later...

Hi me again. Since reinstating my citalopram and building up to the 10mg tablet I was fine for a few months or so. I have recently been prescribed the 20mg tablets and have been cutting them in half albeit quite badly and for the last week I've been feeling off balance and not right again. Could this be due to not getting the same amount of the drug each day? 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
2 hours ago, Em2728 said:

Could this be due to not getting the same amount of the drug each day? 

Yes, that could certainly be the cause.  Can you not get the 10mg tablet?

 

If not, I would advise ordering the AWS Gemini 20 scale on Amazon and buying a pill cutter at a pharmacy.

 

The GEMINI-20 Scale

 

To get an accurate, consistent 10mg dose, you should weigh ten of your 20mg tablets and get an average weight.  Then divide the average by 2 to give you what your 10mg tablet should weigh.  This is the weight you will want for all your doses.

 

Cut the pill in half and weigh.  Shave bits off to add or subtract until it's the right weight..  Now you have an accurate 10mg tablet.  A pain, I know, but worth it to get a consistent accurate dose.  Save the extra shavings in a pill bottle to use for future doses.

Gridley Introduction

 

Lexapro 20 mg since 2004.  Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017.   

End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg 

End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg

End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg  

Oct. 30, 2020  Jump to zero from 0.025mg.  Current dose: 0.000mg

3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete.

 

Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements

Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium

Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium 

End 2021  year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg

End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg 

End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg

Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper.

Taper is 95% complete.

 

Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986.  Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg  

March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper

Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper

Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper.  Current dose as of Oct 15: 3.2mg

Taper is 96% complete.  

  

Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotic, zinc, melatonin .3mg, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase, L-Glutamine, milk thistle, choline


I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice. It is information based on my own experience as well as that of other members who have survived these drugs.

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