K4truth: Started tapering without any knowledge as to how-Celexa 20mg

[K4truth]

Hi all!  I tapered to 10 mg from 20 and was fine for 2-3 weeks (did not take note of the date I started this) and then I started having bouts of horrible itching and burning on different parts of my body.  Most of the time on my lower legs and feet.  Waking me up in the middle of the night.  Driving me crazy.  After the 3rd day of this, it clicked that it was from the celexa tapering.  I am reading "Your Drug May be Your Problem" thanks to this site, and I'll be starting over and SLOWLY tapering.  To make it easy I'm going to start lowering by 2.5 mg at 3 week intervals.  Any similar stories, advice, or suggestions are welcome!

 

Celexa since around 2001

Edited November 23, 2015 by Karma
Added member name to intro title

[Karma]

Hi

 

Welcome to the community, I'm glad you've found us.  Are you still having uncomfortable symptoms?  Did you return to the full 20 mg dose? 

 

We actually recommend that you reduce by no more than 10% of your previous dose.  You want to go at a rate that your system can handle.  I recommend that you start a log of symptoms so that you can tell how you are doing. 

 

Here is a thread that explains why 10% this: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1024-why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/

 

Here is a thread that talks about logging and rating your symptoms: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1779-rate-symptoms-daily-to-catch-withdrawal-early/

 

Here is our guide to tapering off Celexa: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2023-tips-for-tapering-off-celexa-citalopram/page__pid__19887#entry19887

 

You may find it is easier to reduce Celexa if you make a liquid.  You can use a syringe (without a needle) to measure your dose and it is much easier than trying to cut up tablets.  Here is a thread that disusses this process: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2022-making-a-celexa-solution-yourself

 

Please add your med history to your signature.  As you post progress and questions to your thread having your history posted in your signature will make it easier for mods and members to see your personal experience and respond to your individual situation.  This thread explains how to add your signature: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

Others will pop in and share guidance and experiences.  Once again, welcome to the forum.

 

Karma

Edited June 12, 2022 by ChessieCat

[K4truth]

Practitioner wants me to do a "Prozac bridge" after being off my SSRI medication for almost 24 months now.

 

Hi all!  I was 20+ years on an SSRI.  Started on Celexa and then the last 2 or so years on Trintellix.  I did a way to fast taper (totaling two months) and started with insomnia and other withdrawal symptoms in October 2020.   I have been working with a Practitioner using amino acid therapies.  We have tried everything to get me to sleep with no success.  She now suggests that I do a "Prozac bridge."  Starting a low dose of Prozac and titrate up until my sleep problems resolve.   Then doing a very slow taper from the Prozac.  I'm terrified that this will make things worse for me.  All the "Prozac Bridges" I've read about are switching from one medication to the Prozac.  In my case it would reinstating a SSRI I have never been on after I have been off all medications for almost 2 years.  I have an appointment with a new psychiatrist next week to see if she can/will help me with this but I'm really not decided that I want to do this.  I hope to get some input from you kind folks.

 

Thank you!

Kathy

 

[ChessieCat]

Hi K4truth and welcome back.

 

I have asked the other staff for their assistance.

 

We need more details of your drug history.  Please create your drug signature following these instructions please include ALL the supplements with doses:

 

Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature

 

Edited June 12, 2022 by ChessieCat

[Altostrata]

Hello, @K4truth

 

You are correct, this is not a Prozac bridge. Your prescriber proposes treating your protracted withdrawal syndrome with a low dose of Prozac. 

 

The last drug you went off was Trintellix? Were you sleeping well on that drug? When did your sleep problems start? What is your sleep pattern?

 

Do you occasionally drink alcohol or take recreational drugs?

[K4truth]

Hi!  Thank you for your response! 

 

The reasoning behind this practitioner's suggestion was that Prozac would be easier to taper off of once my sleep problems resolve. 

 

I never had sleep problems before or during SSRI's use.  The last drug was Trintellix.  The sleep problems started approx 3 months after I stopped the Trintellix (too fast taper.)

 

I do not drink alcohol or take rec drugs. 

[Altostrata]

What is your current sleep pattern? How has it changed in the last few months?

[K4truth]

Hi!

 

I have no problem going to sleep.  My problem is that I wake up anywhere between midnight and 3:00am.  Sometimes not going back to sleep at all.  Sometimes, but not always, I can take a supplement when I awaken and it can help get me back to sleep.  Then I get all excited that I have found something that I can use only to have it fail the next night.  I can count on my hands the times I have been able to sleep past 5:00am since I started having issues back in October 2020.  I really have trouble saying how it has changed in the last few months. I go to bed each night without a clue as to how it will go.   

 

Some of the supplements I've tried:  Seriphos, Melatonin, Relora, Lactium, Gaba, Tryptophan, Lemon Balm, Inositol, L-Theonine, Holy Basil.

[Altostrata]

That is normal for withdrawal syndrome insomnia. Would you say you get around 5 hours of sleep per night? What effect did starting progesterone have on your sleep pattern?