joy2730 Posted July 28, 2015 Author Share Posted July 28, 2015 Thanks Flowers, she didn't give a reason for not giving me liquid. I told her I understood it was as cheap as the pills for the surgery to prescribe but she just didn't buy into the idea. Ultimately GPs seem to have an authoritarian hold on patients, after all we can't prescribe for ourselves. But she did listen to me more in general than previously, but I am still not impressed. By the way, just this evening the nausea is starting to go, but I am feeling boiling hot. My husband says I just feel normal to him, but I feel so hot you could fry an eye on my skin. Have taken painkillers for my headache and have drunk some extra water and eaten healthily, I think things are easy and this must be the fall out from recent reductions. A clear pattern of symptoms of withdrawal is now established for me. I don't think GPs like to have thinking patients, it makes their job so much more of a challenge! Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
joy2730 Posted July 30, 2015 Author Share Posted July 30, 2015 Update, feeling much better today, not as sick and less hot, in fact I felt quite cold in the night at one point, which was so welcome! I think my recent withdrawal symptoms were due to my recent drop down to 10mg and the chipping off of the citalopram was not relevant to this. To play safer I am no longer chipping at the 10mg pill but just settling at the 10mg dosage. It is such a relief to feel so much better today. I did feel a bit sick this AM, but so much better. Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted July 30, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted July 30, 2015 Good to hear you are feeling better, Joy. There is no doubt that doctors feel like the prescription pad is their last bastion of control over their patients. It's really a shame that most can't be more collaborative and willing to learn and entertain new ideas. It's very frustrating and something that I hope, over time, the new paradigms of health care that are developing will do away with. Hope you continue doing well, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
joy2730 Posted August 1, 2015 Author Share Posted August 1, 2015 Good news I seem to be over my recent blip, no more sickness and headaches, stiff neck and low mood. It seems to have passed and I am feeling fine now. Now established fully on 10mg and I am staying there for a long time. I still feel a bit sweaty, but not as bad. Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
Mitchie Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Joy, I only found this site yesterday, but I am in love with it already! I have read all your posts and want to give you a big HUZZAH! for traveling your journey in a brilliant way. You are willing to listen to others, but still make your own decisions in the end. You have learned from your errors and taken on the challenge of withdrawing gracefully. You are a great role model! I am also a Citalopram Survivor (ya, that sounds stupid to me, too, but I had to say it). Only, I did it too fast. I thought I was tapering slowly, but I didn't really understand how much the nervous system affects the whole body and how changes need to settle in gradually in order to not create earthquakes inside us. I wanted so much to get through it and pushed myself. I'm paying the price now. It has been 20 months since I completely stopped taken any and I still get brain zaps. Thankfully, I only get them at night a few times a week now, but they disturb my sleep. Also, I have days of depression that I think follow the brain zap days. I wish I'd known about the 10% taper concept and stayed at each level long enough for all my body, nerves, organs, etc. to adjust gradually. Even if you feel good, I encourage you to keep on how you are doing now. I think 10mg is a good place to stay for at least a few months. Let your body get used to this place before pushing on to the next one. I think you'll be able eventually to go down from 10mg, but that is in the future. Today is the day to pay attention to. When I have a good day, I say, "Cool, a good day! I'm doing great!" If I have a bad day, I say "Darn, it's a bad day, but this is only today, not forever." I am fairly certain that the only reason I'm still having withdrawal symptoms is because I tapered too fast. I say that so others might not make the same mistake and still have brain zaps over a year after being completely drug free. Good Luck! MITCHIE Celexa/Citalopram for 6 yrs. (20 mg 5 years; 40 mg. for last year). Tapered down over probably 6 mths, if that (can't remember), 1/2 every 2-4 wks. to zero in November 2013. Worst withdrawal condition: brain zaps that were incapacitating at first, but have slowly decreased and now occur only at night when I get dehydrated while sleeping, 3-4 times a week. Vicodin for 30 years. Stopped cold turkey 8 months ago. Many withdrawal conditions related to water retention changes in the body (ie. loose stools, sweating, sinus drainage). Set the brain zap recovery back a few steps. Completely off all Rx drugs now except Valium (10 mg) 1-2 times/wk. for muscle relaxation. Link to comment
Mitchie Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 P.S. I thought of a simple way to explain why it is important to taper slowly: to enable the body to get back to neutral before it is challenged again. If the body system is challenged too much or too fast, it will whack out. Challenging it in small increments, and then allowing it to go to neutral before tapering again, will increase the likelihood of a smoother withdrawal process. MITCHIE Celexa/Citalopram for 6 yrs. (20 mg 5 years; 40 mg. for last year). Tapered down over probably 6 mths, if that (can't remember), 1/2 every 2-4 wks. to zero in November 2013. Worst withdrawal condition: brain zaps that were incapacitating at first, but have slowly decreased and now occur only at night when I get dehydrated while sleeping, 3-4 times a week. Vicodin for 30 years. Stopped cold turkey 8 months ago. Many withdrawal conditions related to water retention changes in the body (ie. loose stools, sweating, sinus drainage). Set the brain zap recovery back a few steps. Completely off all Rx drugs now except Valium (10 mg) 1-2 times/wk. for muscle relaxation. Link to comment
joy2730 Posted August 4, 2015 Author Share Posted August 4, 2015 Thanks Mitchie, your contribution has really helped my thinking already. Today has been a really good day for me, I feel I am now settled on 10mg and my recent set of symptoms is now history. Interestingly, today, my cognitive abilities are the sharpest I can ever remember, I am texting and typing faster and more accurately and carrying dates and details in my head with greater accuracy. I don't feel this is coincidence, I feel it is that I am getting my brain back, and I didn't know what a good brain I had lost or how much of it I had lost. This site is really great, I don't think I would have achieved so much without it. Sometimes I think I will turn my contribution into a book, but using the information of others could pose real problems with such a venture, but a mainstream book on this subject would sell I am sure in this age of mass use of SSRI's. Take care Mitchie and everyone else. Overwhelming the message seems to be SLOW, SLOW, SLOW is faster in the end! Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
Flowers Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Glad to hear you are feeling so much better Joy. I will take my taper at a snails pace when I start next month. I have learnt so much from you for which I thank you. Best Wishes Flowers xxx 15 yrs on 20 to 30 mgs CITALOPRAM. MAY 2014 Increased to 40 mgs per day.SEPT/NOV 2014 tapered in 6 weeks down to 10 mgs as per Dr instructions due to violent nightmares/palpitations.Given Noctamid (lormetazepam) to help with anxiety. On average took 2mg per day for 8 weeks.No taper was advised.DEC 2014 WD severe. Nervous tic in eyes and limbs, muscle pain,fluct temp, weakness, dep and anxiety, nausea, giddy, unstable when walking. Different Dr suggested taking 20mgs CIT. BROMAZEPAM 3mgs up to 3 x daily for anxiety.DEC 9 2014 Updose CIT to 30mgs. Only taking BROMAZEPAM in emergency.DEC 31 2014 Settling at 30mg CIT - helping with depression. No Brom for 2wks.Found SA.APR 2015 Trying to stabilise on 30mgs CIT. JAN 2016 Started Cit Taper reducing by 5% per month. 28.5 mgs FEB Taper held bereavement. APR Taper resumed 27mgs . MAY 25.50 mgs . JUNE 24 mgs . JULY I stupidly mixed up my BP meds with CIT. Consequently took no CIT for 3 days and doubled my BP meds. Waiting for the fallout....Holding for a while until any chance of repercussions have abated. SEPT taper resumed to 22.5 mgs . OCT 21 mgs .NOV 19.95 mgs DEC crashed. 2017: FEB 3rd updose to 20.5 mgs to try to stabilise.FEB.switched over to 75mgs of Venlafaxine XR for 3 weeks.Too stimulating so switching back to Cit. 12 March 37.5 Ven and 20 Cit. 21 March 18mg Ven 20mg Cit. 4 April 9mg Ven 20mg Cit. Xanax .50mg when needed. 13 April 0 mgs Ven, 20mg Citalopram. Xanax .50 mg per day. 5 May reinstated a small amount of Ven to stabilize 1 mg twice a day. 20 mg Citalopram at night. Xanax .25 mg twice per day.Other Meds: Losartan (BP)Started 1993 at 50 mgs at night. Seretide (Asthma) Started 1996 at 1 puff twice a day. Jan 2019 Antibiotic Ceclor 500mgs twice a day for bronchitis and Atrovent 2ml capsules twice a day for asthma. Finished the course of both Jan 17. XANAX Jan 27 - Feb 3 2019 Failed Valium Crossover. Feb 14 2019 Updosed Xanax by .0625 Feb 17 2019 Decreased Xanax by .0625. Back to .50mg daily. Update Xanax 28.2.20 tapered to .1250 mg 8am .25 mg midnight. Update Xanax 11.8.21 tapered to .25 mg at night. Current Meds 28.2.19: CITALOPRAM 20mg taken at midnight. VENLAFAXINE .9 mg twice a day at 8am and 10pm. XANAX .50 mg split into 4 doses per day. 10am .0625mg / 2pm .1250mg/ 6pm .0625mg / midnight .25mg.Update 10.8.22 .25 mg at night. LOSARTAN 50 mgs taken at midnight. SERETIDE 1 puff taken at 8am and 10pm. 7.7.19 VENLAFAXINE UPDATE: Started tapering 10% every 4 weeks. Currently .4 mg twice a day at 8am and 10 pm. 2.9.19 .36 mg x 2. 1.10.19 .32 mg x 2. 26.11.19 .29 mg x2. 26.12.19 .26 mg x 2. 23.1.20 .23 mg x 2. 20.2.20 .21 mg x2.20.3.20 .19 mg x 2. 21.4.20 .17 mg x 2. 19.5.20 .13 mg x 2. 18.6.20 .11mg x 2 .18.7.20.10 mg x 2.1.9.20.09 mg x 2. 30.9. 20 .08 mg x 2. 1.11.20 .07 mg x 2. 2.12.20 .06 mg x 2. 8.1.21 .05 mg x 2. 4.2.21 .04 mg x 2. 9.3.21 .03 mgx2. 7.4.21 .02 mg x 2. 9.5.21 .01 mg x 2. 21.6.21 .01 mg x 1. 11.8.21 ZERO! Link to comment
joy2730 Posted August 5, 2015 Author Share Posted August 5, 2015 There is no need to feel anxious about starting to taper Flowers, feeling anxiety will only make any symptoms worse, because you can control it yourself. Just go slowly, any problems go back to a slightly higher dose, stabilise and then start again. Take as long as you need and don't let anyone, especially not a GP, imply that you could go quicker. Don't worry about any odd sensations in your body or head, it is just adjusting to the change. When my symptoms were really bad after a very quick initial taper - I was so hot when I looked in my car rear view mirror to head off for the GP, the mirror steamed up and I threw up in reception at the GPs and he had to talk me down through my severe panic attacks, one after the other, I was still smiling because I felt better in my cognitive thinking, even though I felt physically rotten. It wasn't like being depressed, it was more like having bad flu. When I have suffered low mood it has only lasted a day or two at most. Take care. Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
Flowers Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Thanks Joy - you give good advice which I will pay attention to during the long road ahead! I am in no hurry just want to stay as well as possible while tapering. Flowers xxx 15 yrs on 20 to 30 mgs CITALOPRAM. MAY 2014 Increased to 40 mgs per day.SEPT/NOV 2014 tapered in 6 weeks down to 10 mgs as per Dr instructions due to violent nightmares/palpitations.Given Noctamid (lormetazepam) to help with anxiety. On average took 2mg per day for 8 weeks.No taper was advised.DEC 2014 WD severe. Nervous tic in eyes and limbs, muscle pain,fluct temp, weakness, dep and anxiety, nausea, giddy, unstable when walking. Different Dr suggested taking 20mgs CIT. BROMAZEPAM 3mgs up to 3 x daily for anxiety.DEC 9 2014 Updose CIT to 30mgs. Only taking BROMAZEPAM in emergency.DEC 31 2014 Settling at 30mg CIT - helping with depression. No Brom for 2wks.Found SA.APR 2015 Trying to stabilise on 30mgs CIT. JAN 2016 Started Cit Taper reducing by 5% per month. 28.5 mgs FEB Taper held bereavement. APR Taper resumed 27mgs . MAY 25.50 mgs . JUNE 24 mgs . JULY I stupidly mixed up my BP meds with CIT. Consequently took no CIT for 3 days and doubled my BP meds. Waiting for the fallout....Holding for a while until any chance of repercussions have abated. SEPT taper resumed to 22.5 mgs . OCT 21 mgs .NOV 19.95 mgs DEC crashed. 2017: FEB 3rd updose to 20.5 mgs to try to stabilise.FEB.switched over to 75mgs of Venlafaxine XR for 3 weeks.Too stimulating so switching back to Cit. 12 March 37.5 Ven and 20 Cit. 21 March 18mg Ven 20mg Cit. 4 April 9mg Ven 20mg Cit. Xanax .50mg when needed. 13 April 0 mgs Ven, 20mg Citalopram. Xanax .50 mg per day. 5 May reinstated a small amount of Ven to stabilize 1 mg twice a day. 20 mg Citalopram at night. Xanax .25 mg twice per day.Other Meds: Losartan (BP)Started 1993 at 50 mgs at night. Seretide (Asthma) Started 1996 at 1 puff twice a day. Jan 2019 Antibiotic Ceclor 500mgs twice a day for bronchitis and Atrovent 2ml capsules twice a day for asthma. Finished the course of both Jan 17. XANAX Jan 27 - Feb 3 2019 Failed Valium Crossover. Feb 14 2019 Updosed Xanax by .0625 Feb 17 2019 Decreased Xanax by .0625. Back to .50mg daily. Update Xanax 28.2.20 tapered to .1250 mg 8am .25 mg midnight. Update Xanax 11.8.21 tapered to .25 mg at night. Current Meds 28.2.19: CITALOPRAM 20mg taken at midnight. VENLAFAXINE .9 mg twice a day at 8am and 10pm. XANAX .50 mg split into 4 doses per day. 10am .0625mg / 2pm .1250mg/ 6pm .0625mg / midnight .25mg.Update 10.8.22 .25 mg at night. LOSARTAN 50 mgs taken at midnight. SERETIDE 1 puff taken at 8am and 10pm. 7.7.19 VENLAFAXINE UPDATE: Started tapering 10% every 4 weeks. Currently .4 mg twice a day at 8am and 10 pm. 2.9.19 .36 mg x 2. 1.10.19 .32 mg x 2. 26.11.19 .29 mg x2. 26.12.19 .26 mg x 2. 23.1.20 .23 mg x 2. 20.2.20 .21 mg x2.20.3.20 .19 mg x 2. 21.4.20 .17 mg x 2. 19.5.20 .13 mg x 2. 18.6.20 .11mg x 2 .18.7.20.10 mg x 2.1.9.20.09 mg x 2. 30.9. 20 .08 mg x 2. 1.11.20 .07 mg x 2. 2.12.20 .06 mg x 2. 8.1.21 .05 mg x 2. 4.2.21 .04 mg x 2. 9.3.21 .03 mgx2. 7.4.21 .02 mg x 2. 9.5.21 .01 mg x 2. 21.6.21 .01 mg x 1. 11.8.21 ZERO! Link to comment
joy2730 Posted August 11, 2015 Author Share Posted August 11, 2015 Had a brain zap in the middle of the other night which woke me up, but the main reason I am writing this is that it felt like a brain convulsion and I wondered if anyone had heard them likened to convulsions before? Still doing well, but my brain is obviously still adjusting. Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted August 11, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 11, 2015 Bizarre, Joy. I just yesterday posted about my brain doing what was, in essence, a flip-flop in my head. Laura1981 said she had something similar and likened it to "a convulsion." So, you are not alone and there are others feeling convulsed from these medicines as well. Hope that helps, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
joy2730 Posted August 18, 2015 Author Share Posted August 18, 2015 Sad news today I feel really depressed, if I am not honest on this site there is no point in writing it, will keep you all informed. It is a profound sadness and a distinct loss of appetite, also I ached as if I have flu. Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted August 18, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 18, 2015 Sorry to hear that, Joy. Hopefully, it will be a short-lived blip and you will be back in a window in no time. Yes, you have to be honest. Nobody would expect you to not tell us how you are really feeling. Hang in there, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
Wingbatty Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Joy, I hope you will give yourself a day of just being kind and patient with yourself. Lexapro/Escitalopram - many attempts at taper were unsuccessful until I stopped taking hormonal birth control - successful taper & Lexapro-free as of Dec 2015 Link to comment
joy2730 Posted December 21, 2015 Author Share Posted December 21, 2015 To update my blog - I have to be honest. I went back to taking 20mg citalopram, and now four months later approx. I feel slow, cognitively dull, fat and lazy, but am not depressed. So I am now reading this site again and looking for ways to do this again! I am currently biting off a bit of a pill for 2 or 3 days and then taking a whole one. I have failed previously, but have at least gone from 30 mg to 20 mg but I need to explore this more. It is difficult to tell when you get to feel ill again if its withdrawal or the original condition. I am going to have a renewed read of this site. Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted December 21, 2015 Administrator Share Posted December 21, 2015 Please do not taper by biting off bits of a tablet. That is very inaccurate. .... Here are our tips for tapering off citalopram if you are looking for any help: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2023-tips-for-tapering-off-celexa-citalopram/ You will find a lot of friendly help and support here. Petu. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
joy2730 Posted December 31, 2015 Author Share Posted December 31, 2015 My new year resolution is to be taking 10 mg in one years time instead of the just under 20 I take now by harnessing all I have learnt through experience and this site I used to have a hear come the sun sign on my profile and that had now gone I am determined to get it back again Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
joy2730 Posted January 1, 2016 Author Share Posted January 1, 2016 What a start to the New Year, severe withdrawal symptoms last night and in the morning, abating now following taking 20 mg dose again, I am so not impressed with this, I am going to abandon biting off bits of pills and start with liquid again, not giving up, but believing now that I have been sensitised to the citalopram while trying to decrease before, perhaps I have been harmed for ever, but even with a small reduction I feel so much more alive and ME that I am willing to persevere. Has anyone got any idea where I am going wrong. I have read in a Briggins book recently, to do a few days of reduced and then a day of full dose, has anyone any thoughts on this. This is his strategy for people struggling. I do believe anything is possible if you have the KNOWLEDGE. Take care everyone. I am also going to look at BeyondMeds to see if they have any ideas. Also going to do a lot of self care over next few days, so I am going to re read that section. I work where there is no wifi so have to rely on mobile phone data which makes it harder. Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
joy2730 Posted January 1, 2016 Author Share Posted January 1, 2016 Can anyone also tell me if you have a bad spell of wit drawl symptoms is that when the progress is being made and to go back to a higher does then would undue that progress Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted January 1, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 1, 2016 Hi Joy, Chopping and changing doses is not a good idea, although I think many on here have been guilty of that, including me Not sure if you have seen this but suggest you check it out if you haven't Keep it Simple, Slow and Stable. And check out my 2 favourites to understand what is happening: Video: Healing from Antidepressants: Patterns of Recovery & Brain Remodelling CC * 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 Link to comment
joy2730 Posted January 2, 2016 Author Share Posted January 2, 2016 Thanks to Cheshire cat for directing me to thesites above am feeling better today the symptoms seem to be easing and I am doing a few days of self care as I never really look after myself my gp gave me diazepam pills to help with the most severe symptoms but I am going to avoid that if I can has anyone else been prescribed diazepam for ssri withdrawal have been using this site for about 18 months andvurv just gets better Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
joy2730 Posted January 2, 2016 Author Share Posted January 2, 2016 Feeling much better this afternoon without having to updose will report again tomorrow as I have always panicked when symptoms have hit and updose or up dosed to too large amount so hindering progress Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
Flowers Posted January 2, 2016 Share Posted January 2, 2016 Hi Joy So sorry things have not been easy for you recently. I was prescribed diazepam to 'help' and other benzos by my ex GP when I started reducing Citalopram (too quickly on his instructions). To be honest, I took them for about 6-7 weeks until I found this site and realised how powerful these drugs are and the damage they can cause. It certainly gave me the added burden of having to get off them as well as the Cit and unfortunately I couldn't tell which drug was causing me the most problems. My advice would be to not take them. One can become so very quickly dependant on them and then have to taper off them as well. Do you have any coping techniques to help you if things get bad? Best Wishes Flowers xxx 15 yrs on 20 to 30 mgs CITALOPRAM. MAY 2014 Increased to 40 mgs per day.SEPT/NOV 2014 tapered in 6 weeks down to 10 mgs as per Dr instructions due to violent nightmares/palpitations.Given Noctamid (lormetazepam) to help with anxiety. On average took 2mg per day for 8 weeks.No taper was advised.DEC 2014 WD severe. Nervous tic in eyes and limbs, muscle pain,fluct temp, weakness, dep and anxiety, nausea, giddy, unstable when walking. Different Dr suggested taking 20mgs CIT. BROMAZEPAM 3mgs up to 3 x daily for anxiety.DEC 9 2014 Updose CIT to 30mgs. Only taking BROMAZEPAM in emergency.DEC 31 2014 Settling at 30mg CIT - helping with depression. No Brom for 2wks.Found SA.APR 2015 Trying to stabilise on 30mgs CIT. JAN 2016 Started Cit Taper reducing by 5% per month. 28.5 mgs FEB Taper held bereavement. APR Taper resumed 27mgs . MAY 25.50 mgs . JUNE 24 mgs . JULY I stupidly mixed up my BP meds with CIT. Consequently took no CIT for 3 days and doubled my BP meds. Waiting for the fallout....Holding for a while until any chance of repercussions have abated. SEPT taper resumed to 22.5 mgs . OCT 21 mgs .NOV 19.95 mgs DEC crashed. 2017: FEB 3rd updose to 20.5 mgs to try to stabilise.FEB.switched over to 75mgs of Venlafaxine XR for 3 weeks.Too stimulating so switching back to Cit. 12 March 37.5 Ven and 20 Cit. 21 March 18mg Ven 20mg Cit. 4 April 9mg Ven 20mg Cit. Xanax .50mg when needed. 13 April 0 mgs Ven, 20mg Citalopram. Xanax .50 mg per day. 5 May reinstated a small amount of Ven to stabilize 1 mg twice a day. 20 mg Citalopram at night. Xanax .25 mg twice per day.Other Meds: Losartan (BP)Started 1993 at 50 mgs at night. Seretide (Asthma) Started 1996 at 1 puff twice a day. Jan 2019 Antibiotic Ceclor 500mgs twice a day for bronchitis and Atrovent 2ml capsules twice a day for asthma. Finished the course of both Jan 17. XANAX Jan 27 - Feb 3 2019 Failed Valium Crossover. Feb 14 2019 Updosed Xanax by .0625 Feb 17 2019 Decreased Xanax by .0625. Back to .50mg daily. Update Xanax 28.2.20 tapered to .1250 mg 8am .25 mg midnight. Update Xanax 11.8.21 tapered to .25 mg at night. Current Meds 28.2.19: CITALOPRAM 20mg taken at midnight. VENLAFAXINE .9 mg twice a day at 8am and 10pm. XANAX .50 mg split into 4 doses per day. 10am .0625mg / 2pm .1250mg/ 6pm .0625mg / midnight .25mg.Update 10.8.22 .25 mg at night. LOSARTAN 50 mgs taken at midnight. SERETIDE 1 puff taken at 8am and 10pm. 7.7.19 VENLAFAXINE UPDATE: Started tapering 10% every 4 weeks. Currently .4 mg twice a day at 8am and 10 pm. 2.9.19 .36 mg x 2. 1.10.19 .32 mg x 2. 26.11.19 .29 mg x2. 26.12.19 .26 mg x 2. 23.1.20 .23 mg x 2. 20.2.20 .21 mg x2.20.3.20 .19 mg x 2. 21.4.20 .17 mg x 2. 19.5.20 .13 mg x 2. 18.6.20 .11mg x 2 .18.7.20.10 mg x 2.1.9.20.09 mg x 2. 30.9. 20 .08 mg x 2. 1.11.20 .07 mg x 2. 2.12.20 .06 mg x 2. 8.1.21 .05 mg x 2. 4.2.21 .04 mg x 2. 9.3.21 .03 mgx2. 7.4.21 .02 mg x 2. 9.5.21 .01 mg x 2. 21.6.21 .01 mg x 1. 11.8.21 ZERO! Link to comment
joy2730 Posted January 2, 2016 Author Share Posted January 2, 2016 Thanks for that flowers in my own mind I know that is the right thing to I don't have any coping strategies in place so I am going to start and plan some how ate you doing with your own taper I have just made some liquid up ready fir tomorrow Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
Flowers Posted January 2, 2016 Share Posted January 2, 2016 Hi Joy Yes I think you are right to stay away from diazepam! I have surprised myself with trying out all sorts of things to get me through the bad times and have found some things that really work for me. Anxiety is my biggest enemy! My taper is a big thing for me and I wanted to start it now with the New Year. I am taking it really slowly and will hold for a long while if I have to in between drops. I think it is when you get down to the lower doses that the trouble can start. Be gentle with yourself - I hope you get a bit more stable soon. xxxx 15 yrs on 20 to 30 mgs CITALOPRAM. MAY 2014 Increased to 40 mgs per day.SEPT/NOV 2014 tapered in 6 weeks down to 10 mgs as per Dr instructions due to violent nightmares/palpitations.Given Noctamid (lormetazepam) to help with anxiety. On average took 2mg per day for 8 weeks.No taper was advised.DEC 2014 WD severe. Nervous tic in eyes and limbs, muscle pain,fluct temp, weakness, dep and anxiety, nausea, giddy, unstable when walking. Different Dr suggested taking 20mgs CIT. BROMAZEPAM 3mgs up to 3 x daily for anxiety.DEC 9 2014 Updose CIT to 30mgs. Only taking BROMAZEPAM in emergency.DEC 31 2014 Settling at 30mg CIT - helping with depression. No Brom for 2wks.Found SA.APR 2015 Trying to stabilise on 30mgs CIT. JAN 2016 Started Cit Taper reducing by 5% per month. 28.5 mgs FEB Taper held bereavement. APR Taper resumed 27mgs . MAY 25.50 mgs . JUNE 24 mgs . JULY I stupidly mixed up my BP meds with CIT. Consequently took no CIT for 3 days and doubled my BP meds. Waiting for the fallout....Holding for a while until any chance of repercussions have abated. SEPT taper resumed to 22.5 mgs . OCT 21 mgs .NOV 19.95 mgs DEC crashed. 2017: FEB 3rd updose to 20.5 mgs to try to stabilise.FEB.switched over to 75mgs of Venlafaxine XR for 3 weeks.Too stimulating so switching back to Cit. 12 March 37.5 Ven and 20 Cit. 21 March 18mg Ven 20mg Cit. 4 April 9mg Ven 20mg Cit. Xanax .50mg when needed. 13 April 0 mgs Ven, 20mg Citalopram. Xanax .50 mg per day. 5 May reinstated a small amount of Ven to stabilize 1 mg twice a day. 20 mg Citalopram at night. Xanax .25 mg twice per day.Other Meds: Losartan (BP)Started 1993 at 50 mgs at night. Seretide (Asthma) Started 1996 at 1 puff twice a day. Jan 2019 Antibiotic Ceclor 500mgs twice a day for bronchitis and Atrovent 2ml capsules twice a day for asthma. Finished the course of both Jan 17. XANAX Jan 27 - Feb 3 2019 Failed Valium Crossover. Feb 14 2019 Updosed Xanax by .0625 Feb 17 2019 Decreased Xanax by .0625. Back to .50mg daily. Update Xanax 28.2.20 tapered to .1250 mg 8am .25 mg midnight. Update Xanax 11.8.21 tapered to .25 mg at night. Current Meds 28.2.19: CITALOPRAM 20mg taken at midnight. VENLAFAXINE .9 mg twice a day at 8am and 10pm. XANAX .50 mg split into 4 doses per day. 10am .0625mg / 2pm .1250mg/ 6pm .0625mg / midnight .25mg.Update 10.8.22 .25 mg at night. LOSARTAN 50 mgs taken at midnight. SERETIDE 1 puff taken at 8am and 10pm. 7.7.19 VENLAFAXINE UPDATE: Started tapering 10% every 4 weeks. Currently .4 mg twice a day at 8am and 10 pm. 2.9.19 .36 mg x 2. 1.10.19 .32 mg x 2. 26.11.19 .29 mg x2. 26.12.19 .26 mg x 2. 23.1.20 .23 mg x 2. 20.2.20 .21 mg x2.20.3.20 .19 mg x 2. 21.4.20 .17 mg x 2. 19.5.20 .13 mg x 2. 18.6.20 .11mg x 2 .18.7.20.10 mg x 2.1.9.20.09 mg x 2. 30.9. 20 .08 mg x 2. 1.11.20 .07 mg x 2. 2.12.20 .06 mg x 2. 8.1.21 .05 mg x 2. 4.2.21 .04 mg x 2. 9.3.21 .03 mgx2. 7.4.21 .02 mg x 2. 9.5.21 .01 mg x 2. 21.6.21 .01 mg x 1. 11.8.21 ZERO! Link to comment
joy2730 Posted January 3, 2016 Author Share Posted January 3, 2016 I don't know why she won't give me liquid citalopram I am thinking of rediscussinf this with her I have actually lodged a formal complaint about the lack of reviews and support from surgery over years and they have been given a day 22/1when they have to have a reply. I have mixed what should be 18mg citalopram today but I think I have to be very accurate and careful when doing it perhaps gp will prescribe a liquid now she realises I am serious about b trying to hey off this last drug in last b3 years I have got off 3 and this is my last one I have complained through NHS england Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted January 3, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 3, 2016 Hi Joy (I've just copied this from what I posted to someone else here on SA), There are some good ideas in this topic how-do-you-talk-to-a-doctor-about-tapering-and-withdrawal especially this post # 39 I can't find it at the moment, but someone was advised that when talking with their doctor they need to remain calm otherwise they will be seen as needing the drug or need a change or addition of drug. Also, you may want to consider changing doctors (if that is possible - I'm not sure what the situation is where you live). All doctors are able to write prescriptions so it might be better to find one who is willing to listen to what you want to achieve. CC * 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 Link to comment
joy2730 Posted January 3, 2016 Author Share Posted January 3, 2016 To cc thanks fir the links we need to be up front with our difficulties and let the GPS know it can be difficult to withdraw my gp is actually pretty good but I feel she could be a lot better and listen better and give me a liquid. I have a client of my own at work who has liquidied proactive because she has v high dose and she is 41 and has been on benefits fit most of her life whereas I have worked and paid taxes and still work while suffering withdrawal symptoms Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
joy2730 Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 Doing well now making liquid really accurately and doing micro reduction since the start of reducing citalopram I have been mitted probe to car sickness when someone else driving and have found kwells really good I took one Yesteady to help with nausea and it worked really well any thoughts from anyone on using travel sickness pills Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
Flowers Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Glad things are sorting themselves out with the liquid. Don't know much about kwells but if you want to try something more natural I would recommended the wristbands you can get in Boots. They have worked for me with any kind of travel sickness! xxxx 15 yrs on 20 to 30 mgs CITALOPRAM. MAY 2014 Increased to 40 mgs per day.SEPT/NOV 2014 tapered in 6 weeks down to 10 mgs as per Dr instructions due to violent nightmares/palpitations.Given Noctamid (lormetazepam) to help with anxiety. On average took 2mg per day for 8 weeks.No taper was advised.DEC 2014 WD severe. Nervous tic in eyes and limbs, muscle pain,fluct temp, weakness, dep and anxiety, nausea, giddy, unstable when walking. Different Dr suggested taking 20mgs CIT. BROMAZEPAM 3mgs up to 3 x daily for anxiety.DEC 9 2014 Updose CIT to 30mgs. Only taking BROMAZEPAM in emergency.DEC 31 2014 Settling at 30mg CIT - helping with depression. No Brom for 2wks.Found SA.APR 2015 Trying to stabilise on 30mgs CIT. JAN 2016 Started Cit Taper reducing by 5% per month. 28.5 mgs FEB Taper held bereavement. APR Taper resumed 27mgs . MAY 25.50 mgs . JUNE 24 mgs . JULY I stupidly mixed up my BP meds with CIT. Consequently took no CIT for 3 days and doubled my BP meds. Waiting for the fallout....Holding for a while until any chance of repercussions have abated. SEPT taper resumed to 22.5 mgs . OCT 21 mgs .NOV 19.95 mgs DEC crashed. 2017: FEB 3rd updose to 20.5 mgs to try to stabilise.FEB.switched over to 75mgs of Venlafaxine XR for 3 weeks.Too stimulating so switching back to Cit. 12 March 37.5 Ven and 20 Cit. 21 March 18mg Ven 20mg Cit. 4 April 9mg Ven 20mg Cit. Xanax .50mg when needed. 13 April 0 mgs Ven, 20mg Citalopram. Xanax .50 mg per day. 5 May reinstated a small amount of Ven to stabilize 1 mg twice a day. 20 mg Citalopram at night. Xanax .25 mg twice per day.Other Meds: Losartan (BP)Started 1993 at 50 mgs at night. Seretide (Asthma) Started 1996 at 1 puff twice a day. Jan 2019 Antibiotic Ceclor 500mgs twice a day for bronchitis and Atrovent 2ml capsules twice a day for asthma. Finished the course of both Jan 17. XANAX Jan 27 - Feb 3 2019 Failed Valium Crossover. Feb 14 2019 Updosed Xanax by .0625 Feb 17 2019 Decreased Xanax by .0625. Back to .50mg daily. Update Xanax 28.2.20 tapered to .1250 mg 8am .25 mg midnight. Update Xanax 11.8.21 tapered to .25 mg at night. Current Meds 28.2.19: CITALOPRAM 20mg taken at midnight. VENLAFAXINE .9 mg twice a day at 8am and 10pm. XANAX .50 mg split into 4 doses per day. 10am .0625mg / 2pm .1250mg/ 6pm .0625mg / midnight .25mg.Update 10.8.22 .25 mg at night. LOSARTAN 50 mgs taken at midnight. SERETIDE 1 puff taken at 8am and 10pm. 7.7.19 VENLAFAXINE UPDATE: Started tapering 10% every 4 weeks. Currently .4 mg twice a day at 8am and 10 pm. 2.9.19 .36 mg x 2. 1.10.19 .32 mg x 2. 26.11.19 .29 mg x2. 26.12.19 .26 mg x 2. 23.1.20 .23 mg x 2. 20.2.20 .21 mg x2.20.3.20 .19 mg x 2. 21.4.20 .17 mg x 2. 19.5.20 .13 mg x 2. 18.6.20 .11mg x 2 .18.7.20.10 mg x 2.1.9.20.09 mg x 2. 30.9. 20 .08 mg x 2. 1.11.20 .07 mg x 2. 2.12.20 .06 mg x 2. 8.1.21 .05 mg x 2. 4.2.21 .04 mg x 2. 9.3.21 .03 mgx2. 7.4.21 .02 mg x 2. 9.5.21 .01 mg x 2. 21.6.21 .01 mg x 1. 11.8.21 ZERO! Link to comment
joy2730 Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 To be fair to my GP she rang me tonight to see how I was getting on but still recommended I took 20mg one night and 10 mg the next night. She also discussed the syrup Citalopram with me and said the trouble was I would have to measure out such small doses as 5ml of syrup was 40 mg citalopram. At least she was discussing it with me, and has finally got the message that I am seriously wanting to reduce the citalopram and is willing to take that on board. I said to her 'I can't see the sense in taking an antidepressant when I am not depressed, just because the withdrawal is horrid. This GPs husband is a farmer, as mine is, and they live a few fields from us. She is the head of the local practice, but I don't feel guilty about complaining about her and her colleagues to NHS England at all, as I don't think she has ever taken me seriously until now. I like her and respect her as a woman and doctor but she has failed her duty of care to me. She has caused me a lot of harm, particularly the double incontinence from the lithium/epilim combo. All of a sudden I have gone up in her estimation, but only because I have complained. I wish she and her fellow GP colleagues had taken me seriously a few years ago. I have had to do all my withdrawals without their support or even blessing. Dear Flowers, how is reduction going or have you not started yet. I have had a 'window' day today and have felt very well. I am going to carry on making my liquids as carefully as I can, today I bought a pill crusher to help crush the tablets before dissolving them. Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
joy2730 Posted January 6, 2016 Author Share Posted January 6, 2016 I have had a good window day today at 18mg I just need to gain on confidence in my liquid making No bad symptoms at all and mood good Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus SquirrellyGirl Posted January 6, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 6, 2016 Hi Joy, I just popped into your thread since it was topped up on the forum, and I am so happy to see you are doing so well! I was glad to hear your GP was actually discussing things with you. Even though the liquid comes at that concentration, you can become a lab rat like me and learn to do serial dilutions if necessary! I ml is 8 mg Cit, so mx 1 ml with 7 ml of water and you have 1 mg/ml. Things like that. That's assuming it will dilute in water. I guess there is another product that is a suspension that can be used to mix powdered drugs in, but I'm sure it could be used as a dilution medium as well. All kinds of ways we can deal with micro-dosing! Where is Ripon, BTW? It's not the one in California, is it? Have a great day! SG Started ADs back around 1995 after bad break-up, starting with Prozac. Switched to Wellbutrin, and then to Effexor in 2002 Effexor XR 2002-2014 up to 225 mg at one point, down to 37.5 mg towards end but back up to 75 mg in 2014; now realize I had W/D as I dropped down, memory very poor about history. Extreme emotions, poor concentration as I stepped back down, didn't connect the dots! Summer 2014 reduced to 0 very quickly, was sick of anhedonia/sexual dysfunction due to meds, depression never controlled if not worse. Didn't recognize WD since symptoms built slowly (thought I had ADD! and menopausal on top of it), starting with severe sweats, very bad cog-fog and memory issues, culminating in weight loss, severe anxiety and depression, panic, severe apathy and insomnia by eight months off. Saw p-doc who put me on Remeron, increased from 7.5 mg/day to 37.5 mg by May 22, 2015; still doing very badly though able to sleep. June 1. 2015 Reinstated Effexor XR 37.5 mg, Remeron dropped to 30 mg PM. Immediate relief of symptoms, like nothing had ever happened! Joined SA and began on advice of friend who recognized it was WD all along! Began tapering in July 2015. Been tapering both meds ever since, focusing on one more than the other or doing no more than 5% of each per month. 12 mg Effexor and 5.8 mg Remeron (mirtazapine SolTabs to make a solution with OraPlus) as of 5/4/2017 Update 3/14/18: 2.9 mg Remeron and 6 mg Effexor; 6/10/18: 2.6 mg Remeron and 4.9 mg Effexor My intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9313-squirrellygirl-effexor-withdrawal-etc/page-2#entry196679 This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus SquirrellyGirl Posted January 6, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 6, 2016 I guess you mentioned the NHS so you must be in England, got ahead of myself! SG Started ADs back around 1995 after bad break-up, starting with Prozac. Switched to Wellbutrin, and then to Effexor in 2002 Effexor XR 2002-2014 up to 225 mg at one point, down to 37.5 mg towards end but back up to 75 mg in 2014; now realize I had W/D as I dropped down, memory very poor about history. Extreme emotions, poor concentration as I stepped back down, didn't connect the dots! Summer 2014 reduced to 0 very quickly, was sick of anhedonia/sexual dysfunction due to meds, depression never controlled if not worse. Didn't recognize WD since symptoms built slowly (thought I had ADD! and menopausal on top of it), starting with severe sweats, very bad cog-fog and memory issues, culminating in weight loss, severe anxiety and depression, panic, severe apathy and insomnia by eight months off. Saw p-doc who put me on Remeron, increased from 7.5 mg/day to 37.5 mg by May 22, 2015; still doing very badly though able to sleep. June 1. 2015 Reinstated Effexor XR 37.5 mg, Remeron dropped to 30 mg PM. Immediate relief of symptoms, like nothing had ever happened! Joined SA and began on advice of friend who recognized it was WD all along! Began tapering in July 2015. Been tapering both meds ever since, focusing on one more than the other or doing no more than 5% of each per month. 12 mg Effexor and 5.8 mg Remeron (mirtazapine SolTabs to make a solution with OraPlus) as of 5/4/2017 Update 3/14/18: 2.9 mg Remeron and 6 mg Effexor; 6/10/18: 2.6 mg Remeron and 4.9 mg Effexor My intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9313-squirrellygirl-effexor-withdrawal-etc/page-2#entry196679 This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. Link to comment
joy2730 Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 Yes it's England doing well today still in a window and haven't taken a travel sickness pill today Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now