☼ joy2730: withdrawing from citalopram, quetiapine

[Flowers]

22 minutes ago, joy2730 said:

Thanks Flowers

 

I hate that hot, sweaty, sick feeling - it seems to be something a lot of people get. 

 

When I withdrew from dothiepin I was the opposite, I was so cold I wore thermal underwear all the time and would put 2 hot water bottles next to me in bed all the time.  Now I sleep with af fan on and the window open - in UK!  I don't know what is worse, feeling hot or cold - I just want to feel comfortable.

 

Tomorrow I am only working 9.30 to 1.  I could have chosen a full day but decided to 'like and respect' myself.  I am learning all sorts.

 

Joy

I don't like the sound of being as cold as you were coming off dothiepin! I just feel like I am having a hot flush all day with the nausea thrown in and I haven't changed my meds since May.  It took me a long time to stabilise when WD first hit though and this time has been so much worse so I wasn't expecting a quick result.

 

I am glad you are putting yourself first and have cut your hours tomorrow.  I am sure it will help your recovery from this wave.

 

Flowers xxx

[joy2730]

That is terrible Flowers, not having cut since May and still having symptoms at the end of September. 

 

On the cold discussion, I couldn't bear to enter the freezer isles of supermarkets or even a chilled fresh fruit and veg area.  Morrisons at the time had started to put a jet of ice cold steam over their fresh fruit and veg, it looked good, although they have discontinued it now, and I couldn't bear that and my finger and toe nails were blue all the time.  I hated it, but I also hate the hotness.

 

Anyway, good news with me, I slept well, I did wake about 4 am for about an hour, but that was not too bad, and don't feel too sick or sweaty today so far.  I feel fine in mood, but I have what I consider to be a new withdrawal symptom - I feel like my blood is charging around my body at 100 mph.  I had this feeling when withdrawing from diazepam and it did ease.  I also have a bit more ringing in my ears than usual.  I think the shakiness I had is not just as bad.  So I am sticking this out further.

 

I so want to stabilise at 18 mg.  I have loved just working from 9.30 am this morning to 12.30, then I wandered around the local shops and did a little food shopping.  This is just a companionship call I am doing, so we sat and played bananagrams, a word game, together, very gently and quiet so suitable for me right now. 

 

This is so teaching me to look after myself.  I am hoping to take my accounts to the accountant next Tuesday or Thursday and see how my work looks on paper.  At least it is the type of job I can easily cut or raise the hours and as I am now self employed I have more flexibility. 

 

I can't get signatures on my laptop or mobile phone at present so I can't see what people are taking.  I sent a message to the admin team but they haven't replied yet.  It may of course be something I am doing wrong here myself, or it may be a general fault at present.

 

Flowers, you have great patience sitting all this out, more than me, I like instant results.

 

My updose is definitely working, but I do have the two new symtpoms of rushing blood (my blood should be fined for speeding right now) and tinnitus.

 

Joy

[Flowers]

Hi Joy

 

Wonderful that you have had a good day getting a balance with work and pleasure.

 

I don't recognise the blood rushing thing. Is it like palpitations? I have had palpitations but never blood rushing. Can you hear it in your ears?  Hopefully it  and the tinnitus will ease as you get used to your new dose.

 

I know it has been a long time since May but I don't think I ever get quick results with these drugs! I am grateful I am getting windows and sometimes the waves are not so bad. I can still get out and do things and work a little if necessary.  I have got used to the symptoms and how to manage them. It's only when my mental state is bad that it gets tough.

 

I like the idea of bananagrams! I nice easy game for your patient and you. 

 

Gosh the cold episode is very scary if you had blue nails. That must have been awful for you.

 

Flowers xxx

 

 

[Frogie]

3 minutes ago, Flowers said:

Hi Joy

 

Wonderful that you have had a good day getting a balance with work and pleasure.

 

I don't recognise the blood rushing thing. Is it like palpitations? I have had palpitations but never blood rushing. Can you hear it in your ears?  Hopefully it  and the tinnitus will ease as you get used to your new dose.

 

I know it has been a long time since May but I don't think I ever get quick results with these drugs! I am grateful I am getting windows and sometimes the waves are not so bad. I can still get out and do things and work a little if necessary.  I have got used to the symptoms and how to manage them. It's only when my mental state is bad that it gets tough.

 

I like the idea of bananagrams! I nice easy game for your patient and you. 

 

Gosh the cold episode is very scary if you had blue nails. That must have been awful for you.

 

Flowers xxx

 

 

Can I ask what bananagrams is? I've never heard of it.

 

Hope you feel better Joy. My fiancé is home sick today. So we are just staying in. It's a good day to put my foot up and love on my Brownie. It's raining and cold. I'm still in my pjs lol...

 

I answered you Flowers, when you get time.

 

Was just curious about the bananagrams thing.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[PinballWizard]

Joy/Flowers/Frogie/Others,

 

Thank you for all the great information and for writing about your experiences.  It helps me understand what I am going through and give my wife some piece of mind.  She keeps asking me what is wrong, and I tell her it is the withdrawal from Celexa.  She believes me, but like most people it does not seem plausible because it is such a small change.  I lowered my dose of Celexa from 20 mg to 19 mg on 9/16/2017 (or 16/9/2017 if you prefer).  I had my first really bad day of withdrawals on 9/24/2017.  I'm not sure how to explain it.  I felt like my brain was waging a battle with itself while joining forces to battle another foe at the same time.  I felt like banging my head into the wall until it stopped. 

 

I started taking liquid Celexa on 9/25/2017.  I take it at 7 AM each day.  I started feeling much worse on 9/27.  The last three days have been difficult.  My symptoms include nausea, headaches,  mood swings, change in appetite, fatigue (especially in the afternoons), trembling in my hands, clenched teeth, flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, dizziness, hung over feeling, etc.  I have been keeping track of my symptoms using Dr. Glenmullen's checklist.  My plan is to stay at 19 mg until my symptoms subside, then wait a week or two before reducing to 18 mg.  My doctor is skeptical, but he is willing to let me give this a shot.  All the reasons for me being on Celexa for the last 10 years have been eliminated, so why do I still need to be on it?

 

I want to thank you again and tell you how much I appreciate your sharing.  I have learned so much on this site and from your experiences.

 

Best of luck,

PinballWizard

[joy2730]

Hi Pinballwizard

 

Just because you have no withdrawal symptoms doesn't mean that you are in the clear because your brain and body will still be re arranging themselves, just that are aren't noticing it.  This can be a trap and lead people to cut dose again too soon.

 

So remember that being without symptoms does not necessarily mean it is a good time to drop.  However you still need to make progress so it is a difficult decision.  If you reduce too soon there can be a build up of symptoms which all of a sudden appear quite dramatically.

 

However, don't look for trouble, it might be easier than you think.  My own daughter said it was easier to get off sertraline than adjust to her contraceptive coil with hormones in. 

 

All your above symptoms so far mean you will have to take care.

 

Anger is another common reaction and false up and down emotions which can really throw people.  Irritability and tenseness of muscles seem very common.

 

Changes of appetite seem common and may be due to the fact withdrawal seems to affect blood sugar stability.

 

Hope it goes well, but don't beat yourself up if you struggle, because many many people do, and some choose to stay on meds at a reduced dose or the same dose.  That is such a personal decision and one that isn't for the doctors to make but yours only and perhaps after talking to your wife.

 

Joy

 

 

[joy2730]

Hi everyone, my updosing to 18mg has been highly successful, my aches and pains have gone completely as has my nausea and ringing in my ears, I just have the odd foot pain stab left and the odd hot flush.  I am so relieved, but saddened that I had to updose.  I am such a wimp at times! 

 

It must have been withdrawal symptoms rather than my original condition returning, because within a few days nearly all has been resolved.

 

For anyone in the UK or watches British TV abroad there is a soap called Coronation Street which I used to watch but don't now as I read a lot more now and blog on here, but in the soap there was a woman who played Deidre Barlow but who has died now.  She was dependent on SSRIs and couldn't get off them even though she kept trying. The problem is not unusual these days I am afraid.

 

Hope everyone is having a good day, I wonder how PinballWizard is doing? 

 

I am low on willpower when it comes to antidepressants and non healthy type food.

 

Joy

[PinballWizard]

Joy,

 

Thank you! Makes me feel better knowing what I am experiencing is not unique. I am on day 17 at 19 mg and will not reduce to 18 mg until I feel I am ready. The last week has been difficult, and I do not want to go through that every month. I plan to give my body plenty of time to adjust. I already feel more energy being on 19 mg even though my brain is going through a major change.

 

I will keep reading you posts and continue to root for you. I believe you are doing great! I'm proud of you for not giving up. I am also rooting for you.

 

To health and happiness,

PW

[PinballWizard]

Joy,

 

One more thing. I have always loved British television. Weird for a kid from California. I will have to check out Coronation Street.

 

PW

[wantrelief]

Hi Joy,

 

I just read some of your thread and your experience resonated with me as I have had a lot of trouble trying to get off of Citalopram (and before that Zoloft) and have had to updose now a couple of times.  Currently I am trying to stabilize at 25 mg but it may be that I have reached tolerance and the increase isn't going to help.  You are lucky you feel the effects from updosing so quickly.  In the past it has taken me months to stabilize. 

 

Michele

[joy2730]

Thanks for your comments Michelle.  Yes, I am lucky that I feel the benefits so quickly.

 

I am really glad I updosed as I feel so much better, but I am running out of hope that I can get any lower than 18 mg.  I can't see how I can do it.

 

I hate being defeatist and that is how I feel, defeated, but I need and want to enjoy my life and not struggle so much.  I have also become obsessed with reducing citalopram and that is not healthy.  I spend too many hours reading and thinking about citalopram.  It is wrong that reducing from a drug can be the main focus of life, and how I feel on a daily basis.

 

For me I hate the weight gain issues, but I have to be honest, I haven't lost much by reducing.  I am weak willed with food and over eat a lot, which is probably related to anxiety/depression.  I am afraid I can't tease that side of things out, whether my depression/anxiety causes me to overeat or whether the citalopram causes my weight problems - it is probably both really!  My local leisure centre is now allowing individuals to self refer for diet help if they have a BMI of over 25, whereas previously this was a GP referral only service, and it is free, so I may try that.

 

I am now thinking that if I stay at 18 mg and continue to feel better this may be my way forward.

 

I had a lot of start up symptoms when I went on citalopram, and apparently that is a warning that withdrawal can be difficult too.  I believe my brain and body had to make many adjustments to accept the citalopram and perhaps just can't make them back.

 

In the past I have felt the weight come on and start to reduce again, so I just yo yo, it is hard, but I have never really sorted out my food/diet issues and need to work on that too. 

 

I remember listening to a bariatric surgeon saying all of his obese clients had mood issues and were on mood elevation drugs, but the question is which came first, the obesity or the depression.  I would love to know of individuals on citalopram and with a normal body weight.  I know I have let myself 'go' over the years weight wise.  The other weekend when I was struggling on 17 mg citalopram, I ate everything in sight, and lots of it, and of course I am paying the price of that.

 

So I have two things I am unhappy about, citalopram withdrawal and weight issues, but the rest of my life is OK, so compared with a lot of people, I have a lot to be thankful for.

 

I am ordering my citalopram from my GP in a few minutes and once again I will have to type to them that I have been having problems, oh dear, but I want them to know how difficult I find it, I have to be honest, otherwise they will never know.

 

I will read some of your story Michelle.

 

Joy

[Flowers]

Hi Joy

 

Good that the slight updose did the trick for you.  

 

You are taking a whole lot less in dosage than you were and able to stabilise. That is good.

 

Hope you are having a good weekend.

 

Love from Flowers xxx

 

 

 

 

[joy2730]

HI Flowers 

 

Yes I am doing well now b it disappointed to be b on 18 mg.  All my symptoms have gone except for the odd stabbing in my feet.

 

My eating is back under control and my weight is back down to where it was before 13 1/2 stone.  It was horribly out of control when my withdrawal symptoms were really bad.

 

I am worried that one day I will try to reinstate and it will not work and I will be left feeling awful for a long time.  That seems to happen to people on this site.

 

So I am just staying where I am for now - I feel stuck but grateful at the same time.  

 

I am visiting my mother today with my daughter and granddaughter so that will be 4 generations all together.   Work is going well and my husband is fine but now has withdrawal insomnia from the tramadol. 

 

I am now going to concentrate on my weight for a while.   the fitness centre I go to for my fitness classes is offering free diet advice to anyone with a BMI over 25.  You used to have to have a GP referral for this help but they have just changed it so you can self refer.

 

I once thought about doing a proactive bridge but to do that I need to see my GP quire a bit and I don't think I can manage the worry surrounding doing that.   I do feel that my citalopram problem is taking over my life and that isn't right.

 

Are you any more stable Flowers or are you still having waves.  Drogue - hope Brownie is fine and your work is helping you still.

 

Joy

[Flowers]

Hi Joy

 

Don't worry too much about the future. Take one day at a time and enjoy feeling better. You have a busy life so hopefully that will distract you a bit from Cit and tapering. 

 

I hope your visit with your family went well. I am glad your husband is doing well but how awful to have insomnia from coming off the Tramadol. Is he just going to stick it out or take something 'natural' to help with the sleep?

 

Good for you for concentrating on your weight and fitness. It is always good for our well being and self esteem to weigh a bit less on the scales. I am trying to get some weight off too but it is a constant battle when I crave sweet things a lot of the time.

 

I have been in a wave for a few weeks now but it has been a fairly light one - the first few days were awful then it started to ease. Today I felt the symptoms had improved a lot and managed to do a fair bit today.  Hope it is a sign that  a window is coming!

 

Take care.

 

Love from Flowers xxx

[joy2730]

Thanks for your support Flowers, it means a lot.  Today, 2 weeks after my updose I am starting to feel a little sluggish and slow, as if the citalopram is taking a hold once more.  Which I truly think it is as I slept very well last night, and didn't get up til 11 am (I wasn't working today).  So it is just the same as previously really, updosing and then noticing the effects.

 

But I do need to stop obsessing about it all.  So Flowers, you are now taking 20 mg, so pretty similar to me in that respect.  I took Esme to Pram Praise today, a little service in church for the little ones, and there were many people there who have known me from when I was very ill and two commented that I now look years younger and much healthier, which did me the world of good to hear.  So I have made progress.  Of course, I couldn't say 'But I am struggling to get off my AD and my weight/appetite is out of control'.  It reminded me of how far I had come and how perhaps I should count my blessing for that.

 

Tonight I am sitting in with my husband, he is reading the paper, no TV on, and I am catching up on my laptop.  Thursday I am away from home for 11 nights in a row, which is unusual but I am covering for my colleague who is heading to Tenerife on holiday and my client does not do well with strangers in, nor does her family.  I love my care work but can see the benefits of taking time out more clearly than ever before.  I woke up this morning and had nothing pressing to do, and that felt great.

 

So I feel well, a bit more drugged, and thankful to be where I am in life.  Glad you are doing a bit better Flowers, and 'holding your own' in some sort of stable way.

 

Joy

[Flowers]

Hi Joy

 

Lovely to hear things are going well and you are feeling better.

 

11 days is a long time to be working - I hope you get some sort of break in the day.

 

How nice that people noticed you were looking better and healthier. That is a great compliment!

 

I just live pretty much in the moment now which is strange as I have always been a planner. I count my blessings for each day I feel well and try to enjoy it to the full. I understand what you are saying about obsessing in coming off Cit but you must be able to enjoy your life too.  You don't want to be putting yourself under a lot of pressure which will make you feel stressed and that is not good when tapering.  Of course it is a different story if the drug no longer works or is giving bad side effects.

 

You may carry on with your taper once you have recovered from this blip. We don't know how we will feel or what is going to happen in the future so just relax when you can and think about something else for a while. 

 

You will know when the time is right to carry on or not. We all want to get off these drugs but keep a reasonable quality of life whilst doing so. 

 

Love from Flowers xxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[joy2730]

Thanks Flowers 

 

My mood is fine - I am.just getting the odd palpitation and have some inner body trembling but other than that am fine. 

 

I am back to reading about mindfulness.   It seems to have helped block out mindless mind chatter a but already.

 

I guess it will  be a number of weeks before I will be completely stable.

[Frogie]

56 minutes ago, joy2730 said:

Thanks Flowers 

 

My mood is fine - I am.just getting the odd palpitation and have some inner body trembling but other than that am fine. 

 

I am back to reading about mindfulness.   It seems to have helped block out mindless mind chatter a but already.

 

I guess it will  be a number of weeks before I will be completely stable.

Hi Joy:

 

I'm sorry you aren't feeling well.

 

I have strep. No fun at all. Missed my Volunterring yesterday, because I went to the dr. He said everything is going around. It's that time of year. Have an antibiotic, cough syrup when needed, and an inhaler, when needed.

 

Hope you feel better soon.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

 

P.S. Hi Flowers!

 

 

 

 

 

[Flowers]

5 hours ago, joy2730 said:

Thanks Flowers 

 

My mood is fine - I am.just getting the odd palpitation and have some inner body trembling but other than that am fine. 

 

I am back to reading about mindfulness.   It seems to have helped block out mindless mind chatter a but already.

 

I guess it will  be a number of weeks before I will be completely stable.

Hi Joy

 

Things are settling down then if you just have the odd palpitation and inner body trembling. 

 

I love mindfulness - it takes me to a place of peace and calm and I never thought I would be able to do it.

 

You are on the right road to get stable now.

 

Love from Flowers xxx

[Frogie]

Hi Joy:

 

I'm glad you are feeling better.

 

I hope your husband is doing well, especially from the tramadol.

 

I have strep, so I'm just taking it easy.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[joy2730]

Hi Frogie

 

The good thing is that my husband is doing really well with the tramadol, he hasn't taken any for nearly 6 weeks now, and hasn't really suffered at all, apart from a few nights of really bad insomnia.  He asked me the other day about how to come off his gabapentine.  I suggest he wait another 6 weeks before starting on that.  He was given codeine to ease the tramadol withdrawal and hasn't really used any.

 

This is really good for him, but awful for me because I struggle so much.  All I can think is that his personal CNS is much more stable than mine, which it will be because he has never taken any psychiatric meds, but did take tramadol for 6 to 8 years?  There I am still using my syringe to measure out minute dosages and there he is not taking any!

 

After a heavy bout of exercise the other night I had a sudden surge of withdrawal symptoms, which was horrible, so I will have to not do this as much.  I really pushed myself and felt a lot better for it physically but it did trigger withdrawal symptoms, and I was with a client at the time, which I hated as I want to keep this problem of mine confidential, but I am only human.  I had nausea, dizziness, sweating and a huge sense of panic.  I have googled this issue and looked on this site and it is quite common that exercise can trigger w/d symptoms.  However, on the other hand the exercise really helps me sleep and I think it helps with w/d in other ways.  It is all about balance once again, finding the right balance.

 

Sorry you are in the wars again with your health a little, it must be so hard to have other health issues and deal with withdrawal at the same time. 

 

I have had a bit of a breakthrough with my son, now that I have decided my husband and I will leave the farm when I am 60, he has lost all his animosity towards me, and my daughter.  I think he was terrified we would never leave.  Isn't life strange,  the longer I live the less I seem to know and the more I realise new things all the time.

 

How is Brownie, enjoying her elderly years I hope, and still eating well?

 

Joy

 

 

[Flowers]

Hi Joy

 

Thanks for visiting my thread.

 

My back is better and I am in a window at last! Been out with my visitors today and it was so good even though we had a big storm and it was pouring. 

 

How are things with you? Are you feeling a bit more stable?

 

Love from Flowers xxx

[Frogie]

On October 14, 2017 at 2:38 AM, joy2730 said:

Hi Frogie

 

The good thing is that my husband is doing really well with the tramadol, he hasn't taken any for nearly 6 weeks now, and hasn't really suffered at all, apart from a few nights of really bad insomnia.  He asked me the other day about how to come off his gabapentine.  I suggest he wait another 6 weeks before starting on that.  He was given codeine to ease the tramadol withdrawal and hasn't really used any.

 

This is really good for him, but awful for me because I struggle so much.  All I can think is that his personal CNS is much more stable than mine, which it will be because he has never taken any psychiatric meds, but did take tramadol for 6 to 8 years?  There I am still using my syringe to measure out minute dosages and there he is not taking any!

 

After a heavy bout of exercise the other night I had a sudden surge of withdrawal symptoms, which was horrible, so I will have to not do this as much.  I really pushed myself and felt a lot better for it physically but it did trigger withdrawal symptoms, and I was with a client at the time, which I hated as I want to keep this problem of mine confidential, but I am only human.  I had nausea, dizziness, sweating and a huge sense of panic.  I have googled this issue and looked on this site and it is quite common that exercise can trigger w/d symptoms.  However, on the other hand the exercise really helps me sleep and I think it helps with w/d in other ways.  It is all about balance once again, finding the right balance.

 

Sorry you are in the wars again with your health a little, it must be so hard to have other health issues and deal with withdrawal at the same time. 

 

I have had a bit of a breakthrough with my son, now that I have decided my husband and I will leave the farm when I am 60, he has lost all his animosity towards me, and my daughter.  I think he was terrified we would never leave.  Isn't life strange,  the longer I live the less I seem to know and the more I realise new things all the time.

 

How is Brownie, enjoying her elderly years I hope, and still eating well?

 

Joy

 

 

I'm sorry you had a rough time the other night , especially with a client. I know how confidential you are with your clients.

 

I've got strep. On my 2nd round of AB. I knew I was going to get sick Volunterring, just didn't expect it this soon. But that's ok, I'll be healthy for the holidays.

 

I will write you later, when I feel better.

 

Brownie is eating better, and begging to go outside. That's a good sign (I think).

 

Thanks for thinking about her.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[joy2730]

HI Frogie 

 

Isn't that good about Brownie -that must make you feel better.

 

I am feeling a lot better on 18 mg now - it is taking more of a hold with each passing day.  I had got deep into withdrawal really.

 

I having been looking back on my psychiatric history and have decided my years trying to withdraw from dothiepin resulted in a long protracted withdrawal syndrome which I only came out of with two mood stabilisers and cit as Lopham and very high doses of diagram and seeing meds.

 

So I am  planning on resting at 18 mg for ages now but I am still going to be on this board.  I have lost soany years to withdraw from do thiepin in the past.

 

Is your doctor still suggestin you go back to 10 mg Frogie?  Do you feel you are doing OK at your low dose now.  I am particularly interested in the way people struggle with these drugs - probably because I have struggled so much myself.

 

Always great to hear how you are doing - sorry you have an infection - touch wood I keep quite well physically but not in withdrawal.  I hate withdrawal.

 

Joy

[joy2730]

Hi everyone

I have been feeling much better on 18 mg than 17 mg which doesn't bode well for the future.  So today I have reduced by .2 to 17.80 mg citalopram as a test really to see if I get a reaction.

I have been thinking about my past and have decided that I had a very rough time getting off dothiepin which was diagnosed as depression and bipolar and ultimately arrived at me taking citalopram, at one point 40 mg. 

 

However, I recognise that I have probably had an anxiety depressive illness on and off, but not bipolar illness.  I recognise that the citalopram may have helped me at various points and been a positive at times.  It is just that I had no idea withdrawal was a problem for anyone until I tried about 4 years ago.

 

I am shocked by what we don't know, why some people can't withdraw at all, others with great difficulty, and others with no difficulty or very little.  I am also concerned that no one knows how many times you can go up and down dosages before you are 'stuck' and left with nowhere to go?

 

However, if I had known this much when withdrawing from diazepam I would never have carried on, so in that respect too much knowledge and thought can be a bad thing.  Reading this forum is excellent but scary too.  I wish now I had kept paper notes of all my withdrawals over the years, it would have been a wealth of information.

 

I am going home on Monday after 11 days at my live-in work and thankfully I have been well during this time due to the updose mainly I think.  The amount I have reduced this morning is so small compared with how I have reduced previously.  These small drops are clearly what I need to do.  This is something else I hadn't realised.

 

I continue to learn while keeping well.  My trouble is I want to see how I am without citalopram but don't want withdrawal symptoms, so I guess the only way is these small drops as the larger drops seem to always catch up on me.

 

My thoughts are with anyone struggling, whether with withdrawal or anxiety and depression or both.

 

My wide reading has led me to discover that very few pharmaceutical companies are now willing to research into new psychiatric meds because of fear of being sued.  Well that is a double edged sword because this may stop a new treatment that would really help and be easier to withdraw from.  Oh dear.

 

Joy

[Locke]

Hi 

 

i just read all of your  messages i'm also tapering citalopram. I am on 0.6mg now.  What really helps me is magnesium every day. And Being outside a lot.

Do you use any vitamins or herbs? 

[joy2730]

Thanks Locke

 

I have never tried magnesium properly, I bought a bottle a while ago and took it haphazardly, I have also never tried Epsom salt baths which some people find helpful.  I don't take vitamins or minerals either, but I do take Spirulina daily which is meant to be Vitamin B12, magnesium and protein.  I tried fish oil but it made my facial skin very oily, which together with the sweating of withdrawal made it impossible to keep makeup on my face and the total look was a mess.

 

You have done so well - I can't see signatures on this site presently, sometimes I can and sometimes I can't and I keep trying to adjust the settings but it doesn't work.  What dose did you withdraw from and how long have you been doing it, how long did you take citalopram for and how have you found the process.  I will look your content up.

 

Thanks for thinking about me and suggesting magnesium.  We all need to share information.

 

Joy

[Locke]

Hi joy,

 

im having the same problem with signature. I dis make my signature but i cant See it. And i. Cant See others. I startes Citalopram 3 uears ago. After a year zoloft. Ever since i started ad. I wanted to quit. A lot of failures later i found this site. I guess im tapering 2 years now. With Very small steps and long times in between dose change. 

i also use spirulina. When i feel i need it. But it has not the same effect as magnesium for me. Good luck finding your way out! Hope i can be of help

[joy2730]

Hi Locke

 

I will try magnesium, how much do you take and when?  I would hope one day I will find a way out but it is not going to be easy, and I am starting to accept that.  On the whole though I have felt well during my 4 years of trying, I have only been really ill on a few of those days.  I am trying to maintain my employment at present as I enjoy my work and have had many years of living off benefits in the past.  So I would endure symptoms that might keep me off work or embarrass me, which explains why I keep updosing instead of sticking with the symptoms.

 

I think the regular doses of these antidepressants are far too high, most people would probably do well on 10 mg citalopram, and then at least there would be less to get off, but doctors seem to put people straight onto 20 mg.  I have a neighbour though who has just been put on citalopram for grief - her husband has just died - I didn't say anything to her, but at least she has only been put on 10 mg.  She said it was helping her sleep better than the sleeping pill she was given.  Why oh why are people put on these meds for social reasons, surely it is natural to grieve, why is grieving seen as a depressive illness these days.  I have always thought grief was a natural process and only became depression if someone was stuck in grief 2 years later and had not progressed through the journey of bereavement at all. 

 

I think prescribing pills is done to make the work load of the GP easier.  After all it would be time consuming to listen to someone's experience of grief, but quick to give a medical diagnosis of depression and a prescription.

 

I will contact the site and explain about the lack of signatures. Without the signatures it is very difficult to make sense of the stories.

 

Have you listened to the James Moore podcasts, I think they are brilliant and hearing people's voices is great compared with reading posts?

 

Joy

[Locke]

13 hours ago, joy2730 said:

 

Hi joy

 

I use 2,5 gr. Magnesium citraat powder. 

You are right about doctors prescibing. Especially gp's . They should not. Only psychiatrists should. And only When your in a Very bad place. 

Sadness or grief is something completely different from depression. Zoloft took me out of my lowest point in depression but it didnt dissolve it. 5 years of therapy did. And i think incouldnt have done it without meds but they are awfull. 

Good to hear you have a job. I understand you cant have withdrawal. 

I had a job. I was fired After 2 years sick leave. After 6 months working again they fired me. I just cant handle stress anymore. I now have my own business. Sort of. Sometimes making a bit of

money. It is hard, and i feel mentally crippled. But  i am a better person with lesser ad. 

I only use Seroquel in a Very low dose sometimes 3mg. Just to take the edge of. And thats working fine right now. Its a bad drug i know but not taking it every day. And its better then xanax. Where can inrijd the podcast? I like listening to podcasts! Thx

 

 

[joy2730]

Hi Locke 

 

You think along the same lines as me.

 

If you put Let's talk withdrawal James more it will take you straight there.  They are very well done and listening to them you realise there are a lot of people with just the same thoughts as us and nor really getting off but still trying.

 

They are so good.  I haven't listened to b them all bur want to.  They are weekly.  I think a lot of people access themail via iTunes.

 

Apparently losing your job due to withdrawal is quite common but I can't take that risk.

 

Take care.

 

Joy

[joy2730]

Hi everyone I am doing fine so far, nice and stable.

 

Something has been whizzing around in my mind - when I had the telephone consultation with my GP the other week she suggested something, which is not missing doses or skipping doses, but if I was struggling, to go back up very slightly for a few days or for a few weeks take eg 17 mg and then 16.75 alternately and then go back to all the same dose.

 

At least she is taking on board how difficult this all is, I did do something similar to this suggestion when withdrawing from citalopram and it worked.  However, for me, withdrawing from citalopram is worse than withdrawing from diazepam.

 

Just had a bit of a runny nose and a very very slight headache, but mood good.

 

I have returned home now after my 11 days at work, which I really enjoyed.  Heather, Esme and I went to my mother's again, which we enjoyed.  It is a 45 min journey one way and we use that time to talk about things that we don't really get the chance to do otherwise. I brought up my citalopram difficulties and she agreed with me it wasn't worth jeapordising my life for, but it was worth giving a go even though I am not very successful at it.  Also went to Legs, Bums and Tums class today, which I found incredibly boring today, but my body and mind is so much better for it.

 

Citalopram has been making me look bloated in the past, especially my hands and feet.  Just dropping the amount I have shows that up clearly.

 

I seem to be noticing a patter on this board, people getting down to just below 10 mg and then disappearing off the board.  Is this what my GP means when she said I will get down to 10 mg but no further.

 

I have today treated myself to professional tooth whitening from my dentist.  There is nothing I need to buy for myself at all, I have too many clothes that need wearing up, too much makeup etc, so it is a little reward to myself.  People have been saying I look well and today someone said I had lost weight (I haven't very much at all, but I do feel and look less bloated.

 

Take care everyone, has anyone any thoughts on why I can't see signatures on here anymore.  I could, then couldn't, then couldn't and now can't again?  Has anyone any thoughts on my GP's suggestion of varying doses.

 

I am back in my own bed tonight, and usually have a bit of a disturbed night while orientating myself again, and need to be up at 6.15 in the morning to babysit for Esme for a few hours.

 

I hope the world gets it act together re antidepressants before Esme growns up, I hope there is something better if she does suffer, but hopefully she will be fine.

 

Joy

[Frogie]

1 hour ago, joy2730 said:

Hi everyone I am doing fine so far, nice and stable.

 

Something has been whizzing around in my mind - when I had the telephone consultation with my GP the other week she suggested something, which is not missing doses or skipping doses, but if I was struggling, to go back up very slightly for a few days or for a few weeks take eg 17 mg and then 16.75 alternately and then go back to all the same dose.

 

At least she is taking on board how difficult this all is, I did do something similar to this suggestion when withdrawing from citalopram and it worked.  However, for me, withdrawing from citalopram is worse than withdrawing from diazepam.

 

Just had a bit of a runny nose and a very very slight headache, but mood good.

 

I have returned home now after my 11 days at work, which I really enjoyed.  Heather, Esme and I went to my mother's again, which we enjoyed.  It is a 45 min journey one way and we use that time to talk about things that we don't really get the chance to do otherwise. I brought up my citalopram difficulties and she agreed with me it wasn't worth jeapordising my life for, but it was worth giving a go even though I am not very successful at it.  Also went to Legs, Bums and Tums class today, which I found incredibly boring today, but my body and mind is so much better for it.

 

Citalopram has been making me look bloated in the past, especially my hands and feet.  Just dropping the amount I have shows that up clearly.

 

I seem to be noticing a patter on this board, people getting down to just below 10 mg and then disappearing off the board.  Is this what my GP means when she said I will get down to 10 mg but no further.

 

I have today treated myself to professional tooth whitening from my dentist.  There is nothing I need to buy for myself at all, I have too many clothes that need wearing up, too much makeup etc, so it is a little reward to myself.  People have been saying I look well and today someone said I had lost weight (I haven't very much at all, but I do feel and look less bloated.

 

Take care everyone, has anyone any thoughts on why I can't see signatures on here anymore.  I could, then couldn't, then couldn't and now can't again?  Has anyone any thoughts on my GP's suggestion of varying doses.

 

I am back in my own bed tonight, and usually have a bit of a disturbed night while orientating myself again, and need to be up at 6.15 in the morning to babysit for Esme for a few hours.

 

I hope the world gets it act together re antidepressants before Esme growns up, I hope there is something better if she does suffer, but hopefully she will be fine.

 

Joy

Hi Joy:

 

I'm glad you are home and got to see your mom, daughter and granddaughter.

 

I am below 10 mg, and haven't left. That's when I need the most help. As I get lower.

 

I bet you look nice and trim after going to all these workout sessions.

 

That's great that you got your teeth whitened. I wanted to do that for my birthday, but got a new sewer instead lol...

 

I hope they find something that anyone can take, that don't suffer like we do. I see you are down a bit in mg. congrats!

 

I don't know why you can't see signatures. I'm not very computer savy. But has to be something in the settings. I know you can't see them if you are on a phone.

 

I think I'm actually starting to feel better. What a surprise! Brownie is doing good right now.

 

Have a good evening. And have fun watching your granddaughter, what a treat.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[joy2730]

So true frogie   just how low care you in dosage now - I can't see signatures at present.

 

You are the exception to the rule.  How is Brownie today.  Tooth whitening is going  well - and I feel well in myself.

 

Are you feeling better re your throat and mood and stress

 

Always great to hear from you low dosage members 

[joy2730]

Hi everyone

 

I am treading water at 18 mg, wondering what to do next, but am well.  I am still reading bits of this forum and gaining knowledge, but I am trying not to obsess about withdrawal and SSRIs, which I do a lot.  I think I am more hungry now from going up in dosage, I would love to be at a dosage that doesn't inflict unnecessary hungry on me, however I recognise that I may in fact have a separate food issue.

 

However, in my heart I know the citalopram causes me to eat more.

 

I am writing about a personal experience this morning.  One of the young carers came this morning to help me as usual, but Sophie looked unwell and she immediately confided in me that she has not taken her 10 mg or 20 mg fluoxetine for 2 nights now and had been out drinking last night, she doesn't normally drink.

 

She woke in the night with a panic attack and all its attributes and nearly rang in sick today.  Her family nearly called an ambulance.  She has been on fluoxetine for 8 years now, before that she was on citalopram, which she managed to get off but 4 months out from being off citalopram completely had massive panic attacks and then was prescribed fluoxetine.  She is thinking about a pregnancy in the next few years.  She has one child already but suffered PND and ended up on the citalopram.  She is thinking about pushing herself at the moment to try to withdraw.  She doesn't know I struggle in this way.  Isn't life strange?  She is so young, about 26 I think, to have these issues.  From the way she is talking she is basically clueless as to what coming off an antidepressant will be like and needs to keep her employment (as do I).  She said her stomach also felt weird but she didn't mention dizziness, but she definitely looked unwell. 

 

I hope she can find a way to resolve this.  What amazes me is the way people's stories are remarkably similar when stopping these drugs.  I will listen to her story, she is the first person I have met in the flesh who has withdrawal symptoms.

 

Joy

[Locke]

Hi joy

 

you mentioned treading water? What do you mean?  Bloating?

 

my experience is that i gain weight alittle bit dropping Mg. But After 2 weeks my body is Settled and i lose the weight. What i notice is blood glucose levels alter When going up or down. Maybe thats What you feel. You get hungry on low glucose.. What Maybe can help is more proteine . Anyway. Thats What i feel. I have had an eating disorder in puberty. And i still am Very obsessed with food and weight. And Will make sure i dont gain weight.  

I am currently on 0.5mg cipramil. And i can yell you it really gets tough Below 2 Mg. 

 

What about the girl you are talking about? Does she know about this forum? Can you Maybe tell her about this site?