Coming off medication
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Support
Forum Name: Living with Post Natal Depression
Forum Description: Around one in ten NZ mothers will be diagnosed with PND in the first year of their babies life. Find support and encouragement and share ideas for coping here.
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=41867
Printed Date: 22 December 2024 at 11:56am
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Topic: Coming off medication
Posted By: snugglebug
Subject: Coming off medication
Date Posted: 09 April 2012 at 9:19pm
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I am in the process of weaning myself off citalopram. I have been on antidepressants since Jan 2011 for PND, and I was first on loxamine which was really hard to get off the withdrawals were terrible, so my doctor put me on to citalopram instead and I am now in the process of weaning off that. I feel ready to wean off as I'm not depressed anymore.
I am down to half a tablet a day now and feeling mostly ok, have some head buzzing at times. But the thing I have noticed both times when I've been trying to come off medication is that I rark up really easily, like I will overreact to things or get angry more easily, just have bigger reactions/shorter fuse. And I had a bit of a panic attack over something that wasn't really a big deal. Im also very tired. Is it normal to feel a bit over the place like this coming off the meds, or do I take it as a sign I'm not ready? I have felt like this coming off both loxamine and citalopram so I'm wondering if its just a withdrawal thing and it will get better? Any advice/experiences appreciated ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: Kellz
Date Posted: 09 April 2012 at 9:24pm
| I think u might need to slow down- the process can take quite a while- I think the recommendation is at least 2 weeks on the reduced dose will u start to reduce further. I would ring your GP for guidance. |
Posted By: Free2BeMe
Date Posted: 10 April 2012 at 7:58am
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I agree. Slow it down. I weaned off Citalopram, and from 40mg, it took me about 6 months to go off it completely. You really need to read your moods, and see how you are going, you may simply need to reduce the dosage, rather than go off it completely?
All the best. :) |
Posted By: Kellz
Date Posted: 10 April 2012 at 8:47am
| Yep 6 months to wean off sounds right. I know off lots of people who have tried to come off them heaps quicker then ened up back to square 1. |
Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 10 April 2012 at 9:00pm
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I have been on one tablet daily since I've been on citalopram, at first I tried taking it every second day as the doctor suggested, but then noticed the things I have described above. So for the last few days I have tried taking half a tablet a day, that seems to be going a bit better. So perhaps I should stay on the half for a while? My GP had said to do it over about a month. Am going to see my GP for something else so I will talk to her about it too ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 10 April 2012 at 9:02pm
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I am going off it because I don't feel like I need it but also because it is making me put on weight which I know shouldn't be a reason to come off but yeah ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: girly_girl
Date Posted: 12 April 2012 at 2:18pm
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I came off venlafaxine in January, and that last pill is the worst to come off. My advice to you is to do it super slowly, and stay on the new dose for at least 4wks before you drop again. Headaches, fuzziness are normal signs weaning off. Just make sure your eating properly, drinking plenty of water and getting lots of sleep, because you definitely need it when going through this. Good luck hun x
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Posted By: chontz
Date Posted: 16 April 2012 at 7:46pm
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i had horrible/severe withdrawals from loxamine and the doctor had to put me on to fluoxetine to get me off it..i had no problems with stopping with the fluoxetine, only took a couple of weeks once i was on that. (cant use it whilst bf though)
When i had to go back on to something after my 2nd bout of PND with my 2nd child, my doctor told me that since i had withdrawals with the loxamine then citalopram would probably be similar (though not as bad) so im back on the loxamine with the view to go on to the fluoxetine when i stop bf. Would suggest you go back to the doctor and discuss symptoms and options as the withdrawals are nasty! |
Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 16 April 2012 at 8:20pm
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Im feeling pretty good on the half a pill now, have been doing that for a couple of weeks and I feel my body has adjusted. So Im now wondering when I should take the final step and drop the half pill and whether I should just stop or say phase it out by taking it every second day etc? ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Free2BeMe
Date Posted: 16 April 2012 at 10:19pm
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Personally I'd phase it out by taking it every second day.
All the best :) |
Posted By: ProudMum165448
Date Posted: 25 November 2014 at 5:04pm
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I have been on Loxamine since 2008/2009 for PND, I was so hesitant to start taking it but my doctor said to give it a go do I did. Over the last 3 years I have slowly reduced from a tablet a day to 1/2 one day and 1 the next and then to half a day, with no real withdrawals or side effects at all and have remained mainly happy. Just recently I have been reading up on weaning off and withdrawals etc and have reduced to 1/2 a tablet every second day, I have started having the typical side effects and withdrawals on the non tablet day and then they ease on the day I take 1/2, I get fuzziness, nausea, short temper, up and down moods and I have been worrying more than normal that when I come off completely I will relapse....I am concerned mostly about this because I am now with an amazing partner who supports me 100% and is by my side to get me through this, but I am getting more and more concerned that I could fall apart again at some point and it will effect our relationship. I wonder if it's just the withdrawals and hoping it's just temporary....I am off to see doctor tomorrow so hopefully I will feel better after telling her how I have been feeling and maybe get to the bottom of it!! All round I am happy with life, I just hope that coming off will make life better as I will no longer have to reply on such an addictive medication!! I'm determined and hope that others can benefit from reading peoples stories like I have :-) |