Meewah: Hi

[Meewah]

Hi 

In 2015 i was suffering with mild anxiety and since then I have been on/off, more on than off Citalopram 20mg. I had never heard of this forum until I watched the Panorama TV programme on antidepressants.

 

I have always thought that the withdrawal was the cause of my increased symptoms, but all the doctors said that as I had mild symptoms tapering off by 50% every three months that it was the anxiety causing the relapse and so Back on the Meds again.

 

After three months from stopping the meds I would end up having terrible insomnia (2 hours sleeps a night), this in turn made me feel terrible and anxious and panic attacks. 

I am hopeful I can taper off with the right advice from this great community. 

 

Thank you. 

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  I'm very happy you found us before you start your current taper.  If you let us help you taper, and listen to our advice, you should be able to minimize your symptoms, and avoid the severe insomnia.  

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we can get symptoms from going off of these medications, and why it's so important to taper slowly and carefully, and be very cautious about changing our doses: 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

Tapering is best done extremely slowly, and we generally taper by 10% of the current dose no more than once every 4 weeks, so that the reduction becomes exponentially smaller.

 

 Why Taper by 10% of my Dosage  

 

Tips for Tapering Citalopram

 

While you are tapering, stability is very important.  Part of this is to be consistent and precise in your dosing.   

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

Please let us know how your tapering goes, and feel free to ask any questions.