yaya: withdrawal from celexa 20mg after 12 years

[yaya]

 

22 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

Here's the SA topic on Omega-3 Fish Oil

Thanks ChessieCat.

 

Thanks BaroqueP. You rock.

[yaya]

Hi dear all. I'm updating regarding my reinstatement. I've been taking 5 mg for 8 days without seeing any significant results so far, if not at all. Still feeling this flu-like symptom, pressure in my head and very sore and dry eyes and mouth. So I've decided to updose to 10 mg, which is half of my original dose (celexa 20 mg). I'm not really happy about it, but if it's what it takes to make me feel normal again, well then be it. 

On a positive note, I found a good psychiatrist, a new one, who was quite open and understanding about the whole process. 

[ChessieCat]

These drugs are strong.  It is better to increase by a small amount.  Increasing by 1mg or 2mg may be enough.

 

Please consider taking a small dose from now on, eg 6mg or 7mg.  And of course the lower dose you can stabilise on the less you will have to taper off. 

[ChessieCat]

Here is the information to get your doses:

 

Making a citalopram solution yourself
This is about citalopram (Celexa) but can be applied to most tablets that are not extended-release or sustained-release

 

Tips for tapering off Celexa (citalopram)

[yaya]

Hi Chessecat, tx. I'm on 10 mg from yesterday already, meaning 2 days on. I don't want to mess up my brain now with lowering the dose all of a sudden. 

[baroquep]

Hi Yaya, just keep in mind that if you feel you do need to increase, it is best done in small increments as ChessieCat mentioned.  Sometimes even 1mg is enough to get a bit more relief.  I'm attaching a link that will explain it in a bit more detail.  It takes about four days for the drug to register in the brain, so it is recommended that if you do need to updose, increase only by 1mg at a time rather than a big jolt (5mg) to your system.  When it comes to these drugs, less is more.  More info at the link below.

 

Keep it Simple, Keep it Slow, Keep it Stable

[yaya]

Hi Baroquep, tx. The thing is, I already increased the dose to 10 mg, like I wrote to Chessiecat, since yesterday. Not sure it would be wise to reduce it by now. 

[baroquep]

I think that an extra 5mg is going to be far too much, if it were me, I'd decrease today to 6mg and stay steady on the 6mg for the next couple of weeks, you can always increase it again if your symptoms aren't alleviated at 6mg.  My concern is that an extra 5mg is going to further destabilize your central nervous system (CNS) and what you are trying to avoid.  It is far better to take too little than too much.  Any changes that you do make have to be done cautiously so as not to upset your CNS further.  Please keep track of your daily symptom pattern so we are able to determine what the best course of action to take would to help get you stabilized.  

[yaya]

Ok, tx. And those 2 days on 10 mg won't make any difference? I'm confused now, and a bit scared I must admit. Btw the decision was taken with the psychiatrist, of course. 

[baroquep]

It is my experience that medical professionals are not aware of just how strong these drugs are and have very little experience tapering people off of these drugs safely.  At the end of the day you have to do what you feel is the best choice for yourself based on the information that we provide.  I just want you to be aware that these drugs are very powerful, even in small amounts, and it wasn't my intention to alarm you.  Because it takes four days for the drug to build up a steady dose in the system, you should be okay to reduce to 6mg going forward.  

[ChessieCat]

8 hours ago, yaya said:

the decision was taken with the psychiatrist, of course. 

 

7 hours ago, baroquep said:

It is my experience that medical professionals are not aware of just how strong these drugs are and have very little experience tapering people off of these drugs safely.

 

I suggest that if your medical professional makes any more suggestions that you post the suggestion here BEFORE acting on it so that we can provide you with our opinion of their suggestion.