mhme2

[mhme2]

I was not feeling well  ten days ago and increased my celexa by 1 1/4 mg  to 10 mg. That uptake flipped me into a high and feeling well all day. However,  I had a breathing problem in the evening. I aborted the uptake and went back to my usual dose of 8 3/4 mg. i had no breathing problems before I did this. I still have the breathing problem now. It doesn't go away. After five days, I lowered the celexa to 7 1/2 mg. I have been on this dose now for four days. I have a history of breathing issues with celexa as well. They say I am bipolar 2. Furthermore, I am in Florida now and whenever I come here need to lower the dose because of breathing issues. I want to go back north soon and usually need more medication up there so I don't want to drastically reduce my dosage right now. Right now, there is more anxiety in the morning and early pm. Did I make a mistake by reducing my celexa after five days? I had to do something as the breathing was really bad.  Should I consider reinstatement of half of the 1 1/4 mg celexa? I am using a pill cutter and have no access to liquid at this time. You have written that someone who goes cold turkey from 20 mg celexa can possibly do ok with 10 mg after a couple of days? I have read your articles about withdrawal and reinstatement.  So maybe I should forget about reinstatement at this time. I think the breathing while not good is better in the evening. The daytime anxiety is worse. Last year up in Canada I had a bad breathing problem that lasted for four months. i was taking between 17 1/2-30 mg at times and jumping around with the doses according to how I was breathing. I found this site and it made me understand withdrawal better. My Dr. doesn't agree with this  Most Dr. don't. .He didn't know about liquid prescriptions for example. He once said a 2/12 mg increase is not therapeutic! So it is challenging to say the least. There is no point in asking his opinion. He understands that I adjust the dose when in Florida and says that is ok.   I have no intention of going off the medications at this time. I need to travel soon and can't do this now. I am  also taking 45 mg of mirtazapine at night. Thank you.

[ChessieCat]

Hi mhme2 and welcome to SA,

 

Changing your doses is like playing ping pong (table tennis) with your brain.  The brain likes consistency.  It takes about 4 days for a dose change to get to full level in the blood and a bit longer for it to register in the brain.  it is also important to be accurate in measuring your dose.  Please see Tips for tapering off Celexa (citalopram)

 

Q:  What is the reason you were prescribed Celexa?

 

We ask all members to create a drug signature.  Please update it whenever you make a change.  Please keep it nice and simple.  We only need details for the last 2 years.  Date, drug and dose only, no symptoms or diagnoses.  The other years can just be an overview.  

 

This is the preferred format which is helpful for the mods.  Thank you.

 

A request: Would you summarize your history in a signature - ALL drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 2 years particularly?

• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses.
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 

• Any drugs prior to 2 years ago can just be listed with start and stop years.
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago)
• Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016.
• Link to Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.Before you begin tapering what you need to know

 

This is your own Intro topic where you can ask questions and journal your progress.  We suggest that members visit each others Intro topics so that can support and encourage each other.

[ChessieCat]

I will give you information about tapering so that you have the information available when you decide to reduce your drug.

 

SA recommends tapering by no more than 10% of the previous dose followed by a hold at that dose for about 4 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.  This is because psychiatric drugs create a physiological dependence, not physical like caffeine or nicotine.

 

Patience is needed to get off these drugs.  We suggest throwing out the calendar and listening to your body and your symptoms.  If after 4 weeks you don't feel stable, are unwell or life circumstances are a bit more stressful than usual (for example the Christmas period, winter time, or job change) it is better to stay at that dose for a bit longer until things settle down.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Tips for tapering off Celexa (citalopram)

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

 

Brain Remodelling

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

Keep it Simple, Slow and Stable

Keep Notes on Paper

 

Rate Symptoms Daily to Check Patterns and Progress

Tapering Calculator - Online

 

The only supplements which SA recommends are Magnesium and Omega-3 Fish Oil.  Try a small amount one at a time to see how you react.  It is best to make only 1 change at a time.  It is also better not to start taking a complex vitamin because if you experience issues you will not know what exactly is causing it.  B vitamins can be stimulating especially B6.  hypersensitive-to-b-vitamin-or-b-vitamin-complex  If trying anything new, start with a small amount to see how you react and build up to the recommended amount.  

 

Even with a careful and slow taper you will most likely experience times of discomfort.  It is best to learn and use Non-drug techniques to cope

 

There are many existing topics and discussions on this site.  You can use the site search function on the main page of the site at the top right, or use a search engine and include survivingantidepressants.org in your search string.

 

Lots of information, but I really want you to have what you need so you can have a successful taper.

[ChessieCat]

 

On 5/4/2016 at 9:32 AM, Altostrata said:

"Therapeutic dose" means absolutely nothing. It's an arbitrary number from the drug companies.

 

[ChessieCat]

43 minutes ago, mhme2 said:

I am  also taking 45 mg of mirtazapine

 

Please put all the drugs you take in the Drug Interactions Checker and copy and paste the results here in your Intro topic.  Thank you.

[mhme2]

Hi Chessie, thanks, take celexa for depression in bipolar 2 . I don't know how to paste the checker will write a signature re the meds in the last two years.

[ChessieCat]

21 minutes ago, mhme2 said:

will write a signature re the meds in the last two years.

 

Please also provide the drugs prior to 2 years ago listed with start and stop years.  Thank you.

 

22 minutes ago, mhme2 said:

I don't know how to paste the checker

 

I will do this for you in the next post.

[ChessieCat]

 

Q:  Are you experiencing any of the things listed below?

 

 

Interactions between your drugs

Major

mirtazapine  citalopram

Applies to: mirtazapine, Celexa (citalopram)

Using citalopram together with mirtazapine can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases may result in coma and even death. You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms during treatment. In addition, combining these medications can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances (for example, magnesium or potassium loss due to severe or prolonged diarrhea or vomiting). Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may already be aware of the risks, but has determined that this is the best course of treatment for you and has taken appropriate precautions and is monitoring you closely for any potential complications. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations during treatment with these medications, whether together or alone. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

[mhme2]

Hi Chessie, no symptoms like that.  have been taking these two for sixteen years. The breathing is nothing new. Like I said, I was stable for six months, no breathing problems. I increased the dose and it started again. The mirtazapine is taken at bedtime, the celexa in the morning. thanks again.