Julest: 2 months off, desperate, 30 years on antidepressants

[Julest]

I have spent the best part of 30 years on antidepressants following post natal depression. I was told my body did not produce serotonin and to think of the medication as like insulin.

it’s ruined my life. I have tried to come off at various times but end up back on them again after months (max off was 18 months) 

After 7 years of not every being contacted by my GP, no review, nothing I have slowly tapered myself off citalopram.

After 2 months of no meditation I am desperate and in a dark place. 
Please any help or advice. I have no trust in GP’s

Edited June 28, 2023 by manymoretodays
name to topic title, title altered from original

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @Julest

 

When did you last take citalopram? What was the last dosage you took?

 

To help us out, follow these instructions Please put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature You may need to use a computer to do this.

[OreElect]

How did you taper off?

 

Withdrawal's from AD can be  delayed weeks even months. 

 

The general rule of thumb is to add up the time you have taken any antidepressant, and divide that time in half to know how long you should take to wean off. 1.5 year's for every 5 years on while working to rebuild your ability to metabolize serotonin. 

Each person's different and some can go faster than others. During tapering no more than 2% to a 10% reduction every 2-4 week's is advised.  Stabilize for at least one month before further reductions to start. 

 

Most doctor's are clueless about tapering off these drugs.

 

1. If a doctor  tells you that antidepressants are not addictive or do not have a host of adverse  effects, that is incorrect.

2. If a doctor tells you to skip days or go every other day, that is wrong.

3  If a doctor tells you to simply stop taking any antidepressant that is not only wrong but dangerous.  With the exception of a diagnosis of Serotonin Syndrome you must cease with taking the antidepressant/offending drug. 

4.  If  a doctor tells you withdrawal only lasts two weeks and isn't that bad, s/he is misinformed.

 

 

[Julest]

I last took medication about 10 weeks ago and was taking 20mg daily

[Altostrata]

@Julest  Did you simply quit 20mg citalopram? How did you go off?

 

This is important: Please put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature You may need to use a computer to do this.

[Julest]

Really by cutting down to half a tablet then a quarter and then every other day and so on over a 4 week period

[Altostrata]

Skipping doses is a good way to trigger withdrawal symptoms. If the withdrawal symptoms are very bad, you may wish to consider low-dose reinstatement, perhaps 2mg citalopram out of the prescription liquid.

What is withdrawal syndrome? 
 
About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms 
 
The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

But before further discussion, Please put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature