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Zim337: tapering citalopram and buspirone


Zim337

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Hi Star,

it’s good to hear from you. I am better now, much more stabile. I’m planning to taper Citalopram again this fall, to 10 mg. It will take 7 months with the microtaper. The buspar taper gave me a scare so I’ll wait a while before I try that again.

 

I hope you are ok, and that everything went well with your surgery. Im assuming it did since you’re getting ready to taper again!

I tried several times to fix my settings so I get an email when you leave a message here, but I can’t get it right. 

 

Take care 🌼

 

Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others

Lyrica 2003-14

Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg

         taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg

Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2

         taper 2022  Jan - May to 25 x 2 

Citalopram taper

         2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg,

Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0

Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium

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  • 1 month later...

Hi Zim,

 

I just saw this!  Sorry I missed it earlier.  Everything went okay with my surgery.  It's been 6 weeks now and I'm planning to start my taper off bupropion.  I'm not happy about how long it's going to take but have to just do it.  I have to keep reminding myself this can't be rushed without backfiring.

 

How are you doing?  

 

Stardust

Current Taper  Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg 

Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks;

Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering;

6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg

Other meds, supplements & previous tapers:

buspirone  plan to taper off after bupropion taper

citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering 

clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. 

Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hey Star 🙂

Im ok. Work has been stressful for a while, and Im having trouble sleeping because of that. But in a month everything will go back to normal at work, so one last push and it’ll be over. 

I have changed my mind again about the taper this fall, and decided to try to get down to at least 20x2 buspirone using the microtaper. If it works ok I might keep going to 15x2.

After that its time to taper citalopram again, since it’s an accelerator. I want to get down to 10mg a day. From 20 to 10 mg takes 7 months.

 

If I can manage this I will be down to 25% of  the Citalopram and 50% of the Buspar dosage at the start of my taper, which would be amazing!! Fingers crossed… 

 

I will buy empty capsules and crush and weigh the powder like you recommended. I already have the colored paper 🙂

 

I like that ill be able to prepare a weeks worth of pills instead of trying to weigh powder or measure small amounts of licquid in the morning. I take medicin right after I wake up, and neither my math nor my memory can be trusted in the morning.

 

Take care,

Zim

Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others

Lyrica 2003-14

Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg

         taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg

Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2

         taper 2022  Jan - May to 25 x 2 

Citalopram taper

         2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg,

Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0

Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to Zim337: tapering citalopram and buspirone

Hi Zim, 

 

I'm glad work stress will ease up for you soon.   

Your plan to do the microtaper sounds great.  

 

I'm curious why you changed your plan and decided to taper the buspirone first this fall. I was thinking that as a "brake" buspirone could help while you taper citalopram, the "accelerator".  I'm sure you've thought about all this but just thought I'd ask about it.

 

It's amazing to think of where we'll be once we've finished these tapers.

 

I look forward to hearing how it's going!

 

Stardust

Current Taper  Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg 

Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks;

Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering;

6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg

Other meds, supplements & previous tapers:

buspirone  plan to taper off after bupropion taper

citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering 

clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. 

Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil

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When I started I was on 40 mg citalopram and 60 buspar. And then I tapered citalopram to 20 mg - down 50 %, so my plan was to taper buspar next, go down 50% on that one as well to 30 mg.

You never know of course, but I was thinking with half the dose of citalopram, half the dose of buspar would be enough.

 

I did 10 % cuts every 4 weeks instead of the microtaper, so I got a lot of anxiety, got scared and stopped at 50 mg. And decided to taper citalopram next, after I got back to wd normal.

 

I really want to lower my buspar dose though, I suspect it is causing most of my bad side effects like brain fog and memory problems since all that got worse after I started taking buspar in 2014. If it wasnt for that I’d do citalopram to 0 first for sure.

 

So I’m going to try a buspar microtaper after everything calms down at work, hopefully in 3 or 4 weeks. 

 

Slow and stead wins the race.

Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others

Lyrica 2003-14

Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg

         taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg

Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2

         taper 2022  Jan - May to 25 x 2 

Citalopram taper

         2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg,

Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0

Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium

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Sounds like a good plan - makes a lot of sense.  

 

Take care,

Stardust

Current Taper  Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg 

Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks;

Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering;

6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg

Other meds, supplements & previous tapers:

buspirone  plan to taper off after bupropion taper

citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering 

clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. 

Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil

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I have been trying to find info online on whether buspirone is time-release or not, without success. The fact that you’re supposed to take it 2 or 3 times a day makes me think it isn’t. 

I will start my taper taking two whole tablets and a half crushed one, twice a day.

 

I will take that dose for atleast one week before I start my taper, in case it gives me wd to switch to powder.

 

Unless I have missed something it will work for buspirone to weigh something like a weeks amount of tablets to crush (first week 14 halves), find the average weight per mg, crush the tablets, and then fill capsules with powder, for the first week each weighing a 14th of the total. 

 

That’s my plan. I understand that the weighing and getting the dosage right is the tricky part. I have three weeks to figure that out before I start.

Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others

Lyrica 2003-14

Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg

         taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg

Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2

         taper 2022  Jan - May to 25 x 2 

Citalopram taper

         2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg,

Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0

Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Q:  Have you seen Post #1 of this topic?

 

Tips for tapering off buspirone (Buspar)

 

The drug has a very short half life, only 2-3 hours, which is why it needs to be dosed 2-3 times a day.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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These are the calculations for my buspirone taper from 50 to 40mg ai. 

I’m going to try a microtaper, 2.5% a week with 2 weeks hold, for 13 weeks.

 

I’ll first do 1 week to adjust to powder, taking the dosage I take now, 2-1/2 tablets, but crushing the half. 

 

Since I take the medicin twice a day, the numbers for the weeks show half of the microtaper numbers.

 

Weight of twenty 10mg tablets: 4.08 g

 

Average weight one tablet (10mg ai): 

4.08 g / 20 = 0.204 g

 

Tablet or powder weight of 1mg ai:

0.204 / 10 = 0.0204

 

I will take two whole tablets plus the amount of powder calculated below.

 

Week 1 - adjustment to tablets + powder:

1/2 crushed tablet = 5mg ai

 

Week 2 - taper starts:

      4.375 mg ai

      1 mg ai = 0.0204 mg powder

      4.375 x 0.0204 = 0.08925 mg powder

 

Week 3:              3.75 mg ai x 0.0204

 

Week 4:              3.125 x 0.0204

 

Week 5, 6, 7:       2.5 x 0.0204

 

Week 8:               1.94 x 0.0204

 

Week 9:               1.375 x 0.0204

 

Week 10:             0.815 x 0.0204

 

Week 11, 12, 13:  0.25 x 0.0204

 

Week 14:             0 mg powder

Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others

Lyrica 2003-14

Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg

         taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg

Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2

         taper 2022  Jan - May to 25 x 2 

Citalopram taper

         2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg,

Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0

Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium

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On 9/23/2022 at 2:45 AM, ChessieCat said:

Q:  Have you seen Post #1 of this topic?

 

Tips for tapering off buspirone (Buspar)

 

The drug has a very short half life, only 2-3 hours, which is why it needs to be dosed 2-3 times a day.

Thanks ChessieCat for confirming that.

I will try crushing tablets this time, that way I don’t have to do any measuring in the mornings!

Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others

Lyrica 2003-14

Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg

         taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg

Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2

         taper 2022  Jan - May to 25 x 2 

Citalopram taper

         2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg,

Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0

Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium

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  • 1 month later...

I had my buspirone taper all planned and prepared, but then I got scared again and changed my mind, and decided to taper the Citalopram instead.

I had a good plan, two weeks with the same dose only half liquid and half a tablet, and then starting the brassmonkey taper.

But I made the same mistake as last time (only worse this time), got the numbers wrong and instead of 20 I started at 12 mg.

I only realized it after five days, so since it had been that long I decided to stay on the dose and try to handle it. 

I switch between wanting to kick myself for being stupid and blaming the meds for my messed up brain. I’m not as scared as I was the first time it happened though, this time I know what to do thanks to all you that gave me advice last time!

The first two weeks I was ok, but then I started getting more anxiety, having worse problems falling asleep, lots of self-doubt, and ruminating thoughts. 

 

The last maybe five days I have had bad body anxiety, it feels like my insides are shaking or I’m having a constant adrenaline kick. It lasts around five hours, then goes away for a couple of hours, and then I get a new wave. Today it got so bad I couldn’t work. I have never had this before, well maybe during my burn-out years that I dont remember, but not the last 15 years.

Since I have to work, I think I’ll updose to 13 mg, and see if it helps.

 

I havent felt this bad in a long time. I feel weak, lonely, empty, and sad. It is so true what I have read in many other threads, wd brings back old problems you thought you had dealt with.

The only thing I can do when the anxiety gets bad is breathe and wait for it to pass, so that’s what I do. 

 

 

 

Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others

Lyrica 2003-14

Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg

         taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg

Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2

         taper 2022  Jan - May to 25 x 2 

Citalopram taper

         2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg,

Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0

Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium

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  • Moderator Emeritus
33 minutes ago, Zim337 said:

I started at 12 mg.

 

33 minutes ago, Zim337 said:

I think I’ll updose to 13 mg

 

Only making a small reduction is what SA recommends when changing dose.  It takes about 4 days for a dose change to get to the full level/steady in the blood and a bit longer for it to register in the brain, so that is helpful to keep in mind.

 

The extra 1mg might bring the symptoms to a tolerable level.  Please be aware that some SA members have tried to find the "perfect dose" and ended up making things worse; and they post saying that they regret not being satisfied with how they had felt because it wasn't as bad as how they ended up feeling.

 

Remember to compare how you feel with how you felt at your worst, not how you felt at your best or how you want to feel.  Getting the symptoms to a level that you can live with at the minimum dose and then give the brain time to adapt is the better way to do it than to keep tweaking it.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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Thanks ChessieCat,

The way I feel now, with 5-hour long anxiety attacks 3 or 4 times a day, is nearly as bad as I ever felt, except for a short period a few years ago when I had 24/7 anxiety and got suicidal because a doctor gave me an additional AD medicin to take   ”when needed”. I don’t remember the name of it, but when I looked it up it said to take daily at the same time just like citalopram and so many others. 

 

I hear what you’re saying about updosing, it might make me worse. I guess I’m thinking that it helped to go up 0.5 mg last time I got the measures wrong and tapered 25% in five weeks. This time is different of course, 40% taper in one go, 3 weeks ago.

Omg I feel ashamed writing about it, it’s so bad.

I can’t work like this though, so thats why I wanted to try to updose. 

Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others

Lyrica 2003-14

Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg

         taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg

Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2

         taper 2022  Jan - May to 25 x 2 

Citalopram taper

         2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg,

Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0

Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium

Link to comment

I'm so sorry you're going through this Zim.  It's so awful and unfair.  I hope you stabilize on a stable dose and your symptoms settle down soon.  You'll get through this.

My anxiety has been revved up since I tried to start my taper off bupropion a month ago.  It's still surging a few times a day but it's gotten less severe.

 

I really hope you feel better soon.

 

Stardust

Current Taper  Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg 

Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks;

Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering;

6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg

Other meds, supplements & previous tapers:

buspirone  plan to taper off after bupropion taper

citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering 

clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. 

Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil

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Thank you for your kind and supporting words, Stardust!

Today was a better day, probably because I slept 7 hours last night. My insomnia has been bad for a while. I read that vitamine D can give you those problems, so I stopped taking it. Fingers crossed that it helps!

 

I hope your anxiety keeps going down and you feel better soon as well Stardust! Our journeys continue to be similar, last year we both did good and now we hit a bump at the same time. 

 

Zim

Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others

Lyrica 2003-14

Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg

         taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg

Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2

         taper 2022  Jan - May to 25 x 2 

Citalopram taper

         2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg,

Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0

Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium

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Thanks Zim - someday we'll both be free of this burden.  Until then, we'll soldier on.  I know we're both determined.

Current Taper  Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg 

Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks;

Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering;

6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg

Other meds, supplements & previous tapers:

buspirone  plan to taper off after bupropion taper

citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering 

clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. 

Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil

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  • 4 weeks later...

It’s been almost 8 weeks since my miscalculation and 40% cut of citalopram. I am feeling a lot better physically, the body shakes and heart palpitations are a whisper compared to what they were. Mentally I’m still struggling, with rumination, self confidence problems, and old bad memories coming back, of failures and things that I’m ashamed of. 

 

I am not convinced yet that I’m out of the woods. When I tapered on my own, before finding SA, I’d feel fine for weeks (months?) after a cut, and then crash. I will definetly hold where I am a couple of months longer.

 

I keep thinking of Churchill’s words:

”When you’re going through hell, keep going.”

Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others

Lyrica 2003-14

Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg

         taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg

Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2

         taper 2022  Jan - May to 25 x 2 

Citalopram taper

         2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg,

Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0

Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium

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  • 1 month later...

Him @Zim337

 

How are things? Hope that you have seen a steady progress.

 

Kind regards

2010/2011-?: Citaloprapm 40mg, 30 and 20 mg, and 10 mg the last couple of years.

Beginning may 2021: After advice from GP skipped doses (10 mg)

Mid may 2021: Went to 10 mg on one day and 5 the other day due to withdrawal

End may 2021: ~7,5 mg (Started cutting 10 mg in quarters to keep track of when to take what)

Beginning of june 2021: 7,5 mg (started on homemade liquid)

2021: Jul 7,5 mg

2022: 26th july 7,25 mg, 26th aug 6,75 mg, 24th sep 6,5 mg, 30th oct 6,25 mg

 

Suppl AM: Fish oil, NAC, Vit B Complex, multivitamin, vit D, ashwagandha

Suppl PM: Magnesium 200 mg, L-theanine 400 mg

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/24975-jutland86-advice-for-a-guy-from-denmark-wanting-to-taper/

 

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Hi Zim-

 

Wondering how you're doing - I hope things are going well.

 

Stardust

Current Taper  Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg 

Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks;

Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering;

6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg

Other meds, supplements & previous tapers:

buspirone  plan to taper off after bupropion taper

citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering 

clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. 

Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil

Link to comment

Hi Jutland and Stardust, thanks for stopping by 🙂

 

I have stayed on the same dosage since november, and am feeling better. I still have problems falling asleep in the evenings, but the shakes are gone and the anxiety is a lot milder, plus I don’t get it every day. So I’m about to start tapering again.

Waiting three months was maybe more than necessary, but it felt good to pause a while and stabilize, to feel ok for a while before pressing on.

 

I hope you both are doing good as well!

 

Zim

Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others

Lyrica 2003-14

Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg

         taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg

Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2

         taper 2022  Jan - May to 25 x 2 

Citalopram taper

         2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg,

Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0

Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium

Link to comment

I'm so glad things have improved!  

As far as holding for three months - I think it was wise of you to be cautious.  I get it - I waited 3 months to switch to the immediate release form of bupropion after I was destabilized from trying to taper using the sustained release form. 

Take care,

Stardust

Current Taper  Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg 

Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks;

Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering;

6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg

Other meds, supplements & previous tapers:

buspirone  plan to taper off after bupropion taper

citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering 

clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. 

Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil

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  • 2 weeks later...

This Monday I lowered my dose by 2.5%, from 13 to 12.68 mg. I’m experiencing some wd; anxiety and restlessness, feelings of self doubt and old emotional pain coming back.

This is the first time I’m trying the brassmonkey microtaper. I was hoping that tapering 2.5% x 4 would give me less wd, but at least this first time it is about the same as the 10% tapers I have been doing in the past. It could of course be because I didn’t wait long enough after my catastrophy 40% taper, I don’t know.

 

I will try a 1.25% taper next week, to see if I get less wd. If that doesn’t work I’ll probably go back to the 10% a month taper.

Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others

Lyrica 2003-14

Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg

         taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg

Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2

         taper 2022  Jan - May to 25 x 2 

Citalopram taper

         2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg,

Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0

Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium

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I'm so sorry Zim - I hope your symptoms settle down very soon.

Current Taper  Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg 

Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks;

Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering;

6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg

Other meds, supplements & previous tapers:

buspirone  plan to taper off after bupropion taper

citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering 

clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. 

Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil

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Thank you Stardust. It’s ups and downs with tapering for sure.

I meditated before bed yesterday, and it was so relaxing.

How is it going for you, is it working out shaving the pills?

Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others

Lyrica 2003-14

Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg

         taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg

Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2

         taper 2022  Jan - May to 25 x 2 

Citalopram taper

         2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg,

Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0

Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium

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So far it's working well using a small hardware store file and weighing to get the dose right.  When I get to the smaller doses I'll probably switch to liquid.  

 

Glad meditation is helping you.  I find it very helpful too.

Current Taper  Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg 

Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks;

Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering;

6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg

Other meds, supplements & previous tapers:

buspirone  plan to taper off after bupropion taper

citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering 

clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. 

Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil

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  • 1 month later...

@Zim337 How are you doing?

Current Taper  Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg 

Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks;

Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering;

6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg

Other meds, supplements & previous tapers:

buspirone  plan to taper off after bupropion taper

citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering 

clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. 

Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil

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  • 2 months later...

@Stardust Hi, thanks for checking in and sorry I haven’t answered until now. I hope you are doing ok. Me not so much unfortunately. I have lowered and lowered my tapering dosage to find a level where I can handle the wd. But last time i tapered 0.2 of 12.4 mg - which if im not miscalculating is 1.6% (0.2/12.4=0.016), and my wd is really bad with almost continous anxiety, suicidal thoughts and panic, since day 3 after the taper if I remember right. 

 

I don’t trust my thoughts, logic, or memory when I am like this, but it seems like my wd is the same no matter how little I taper. 

 

I have had bad anxiety and panic in the mornings for a while. Then I read about morning serotonin spikes, so I started taking walks in the morning hoping it would help, but I’m not noticing any improvement.

 

Plus the last week my ”spikes” have lasted all day. I’m having problems at work since my brain is not working right, and trouble focusing because of the anxiety. Which makes me scared of losing my job, and gives me even more anx and panic. Catch 22.

 

I will definetly pause my taper again, and perhaps give up the whole idea of getting off these meds. I am almost 60, and if I can’t taper faster than 1-1.5% per month, it could take the rest of my life. Considering my wd it’s just not worth it.

 

Take care Stardust, I hope your taper journey is going better than mine.

 

Zim

 

 

 

 

Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others

Lyrica 2003-14

Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg

         taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg

Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2

         taper 2022  Jan - May to 25 x 2 

Citalopram taper

         2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg,

Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0

Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium

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Zim - it's so good to get an update.  I'm sorry the taper has been so rough.  I understand about considering giving up.  Personally, I don't have a plan to get off the citalopram 20mg I tapered to.  I'm hoping to just get off the bupropion and after a while try to taper off buspirone.  Looks like I'm around 10 years older than you by the way.  I don't know how hard I can push my body and these tapers really put us through the wringer. So I'm seriously considering staying on just the citalopram indefinitely.  My anxiety disorder is just a fact unfortunately.

I recently moved from my home of over 40 years to another state to be closer to family.  The whole process has been unbelievably stressful.  My anxiety has been off the charts.  it's hard to separate out what's a withdrawal symptom and what's a response to a major life stressor like moving.  

I'm under 75mg of bupropion now - so it could be a factor.

I hope you'll stay in touch.  I really hope your symptoms ease up.  I know it's brutal.  I also know we'll both heal eventually.

Take care,

Stardust

Current Taper  Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg 

Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks;

Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering;

6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg

Other meds, supplements & previous tapers:

buspirone  plan to taper off after bupropion taper

citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering 

clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. 

Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil

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  • 1 month later...

Hi @Zim337 - I'm wondering how you're doing.  I hope you're doing okay - I know it's been rough.  I really hope things have eased up for you.

Stardust

Current Taper  Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg 

Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks;

Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering;

6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg

Other meds, supplements & previous tapers:

buspirone  plan to taper off after bupropion taper

citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering 

clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. 

Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil

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  • 2 months later...

Hi @Zim337 - Thinking of you and hope you're doing okay.  Take care, Stardust

Current Taper  Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg 

Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks;

Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering;

6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg

Other meds, supplements & previous tapers:

buspirone  plan to taper off after bupropion taper

citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering 

clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. 

Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil

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  • 2 months later...
  • Moderator

Hey @Zim337, how are your wd symptoms? I see you went down from 40mg citalopram to nearly 10mg. That's incredible progress! I understand not wanting to get off of citalopram. I hope your symptoms have subsided some.

2005 - 2016 on & off methylphenidate and bupropion; short terms trials of other medications; tried many supplements

2016 Nov - 2017 Mar citalopram ramp up 0-->30mg (4 months)

2017 Mar - 2018 Jan held at 30mg (11months); taking 1.5x 20mg tablets, cutting 20mg tablets in half. inconsistency in split tablet led to extreme side effects.

2018 Feb - 2018 May taper 30mg-->20mg (3months), ~2.5mg/month, cutting tablets; at 20mg side effects (vertigo, headache, etc) disappeared

2018 May - 2019 Apr held at 20mg (11months); attempted taper from 20mg; tried ~17.5mg cutting tablets but symptoms too strong

2019 Apr - 2021 Jun tapered 20mg-->10mg (26months); ~5%/month dissolving tablets in water and pipetting with syringe; min lorazepam 2-3x/mo to mitigate symptoms

2021 Jun - 2023 Nov held at 10mg (29months)

2023 Nov - Nov 7 10mg solid to liquid; Dec 7 liquid 10mg; Dec 14 9.9mg; Dec 21 9.8mg; Dec 28 9.75mg; Jan 27 9.65mg; Feb 3 9.53mg; Feb 18 9.45mg

 

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