Jazmin88: tapering citalopram

[Jazmin88]

Hi Everyone, 

 

I am new here and currently tapering from citalopram. I started taking this med 5 months ago for anxiety. I only went up to 7.5 mg and it made me feel so out of it. I can’t think, I can’t drive, I just can’t function. 
since it was my first time, I wasn’t sure what I should be feeling like. I finally was able to get a psychiatrist and he confirmed that I should be feeling functional. He wanted to do a quick taper but after reading a lot I felt I should go slower. 
I am very sensitive to medication and believe my anxiety is hormonal. 
I did my first taper 11 days ago from 7.5 to about 6 (I am cutting my pill) 

 

I am super nervous, because I know my nervous system is still sensitized and the anxiety is still there. I don’t want to do anything to make myself worse. I’ve lost 25 pounds and still don’t have much appetite which scares me. 
 

I started taking probiotics, vitamin b, c, omega and magnesium glycinate. 
 

any advice is welcome. 
 

thank you 

[Frogie]

@Jazmin88

 

Welcome to SA. We are a volunteer ran site helping people taper off psychiatric medications or have tapered off and are now healing.

 

This is your introduction page where you will receive information, ask questions and meet other members. We ask that you only have one introduction page so we can keep all your information in one place.

 

 

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I am very sorry you are feeling as rough as you are. We don't suggest more than 10% a month tapering and some go much slower than that.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

 

Tips for tapering off citalopram (Celexa)

 

Dr. Joseph Glenmullen's withdrawal symptom checklist

 

 

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications:

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

 

Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

 

Here are some links you may find useful in your taper.

 

Using a scale to weigh and measure doses

 

Easing your way into meditation for a stressed-out nervous system

 

Ways to cope with daily anxiety

 

 

 

We don't suggest supplements on here as they can be stimulating, especially B Vitamins. We do suggest 2 that seem to be calming to the nervous system that you are already taking, magnesium and omega. I would stop the Vitamin B for now and see if that helps. Also, remember that Vitamin C should be taken in the morning as it is the sunshine vitamin and can cause sleep issues.

 

 

After you have read the provided links please reach out with any questions you may have.