Hypomanic from titrating off Celexa

Interesting. I titrated from 40mg if Celexa to 20mg last Thursday morning and by Friday, I was feeling pretty good, although I didn't sleep, but didn't mind. From then on, I have had to medicate more just to get a few hours sleep, but oddly enough the lack of sleep isn't bothering me much. Lot's of energy, very positive. I feel great. I read where hypomania can be a rare side-effect of titrating off an AD.

I really wish this feeling wouldn't end. Has anyone else had this experience? How long did the hypomania state last for you

I stopped an AD a while back because I wanted to try another one. I felt really good, really alive for a very short period of time. 2 or 3 days. Then I crashed hard. The other med never kicked in and eventually I went back on the old med.
I hope you won't be discouraged by my answer because I'm sure everyone has different experiences.
I hope things go well for you

Thanks. Did you slowly titrate off or stop suddenly? I know this is temporary, but I'm hoping it will be okay and I'll adapt as I take less.

It's not a rare side effect of stopping/ weaning an AD; it's a pretty common one. What was described as feeling very alive is common for maybe the first half week, and then it can go back to blankness/ apathy or rebound depression. For me, I felt really good (albeit very dizzy when stopping), but it was a shallow, tunnel-vision like happiness

If you're worried about not sleeping, you can try the otc anti-histamine--benadryl.

It was a slow process. Can't recall specifics but Effexor isn't something you want to just stop taking suddenly
Are you going to stop completely? Maybe 40mg was just too much.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, you do not.

You're right. I recall being told that Effexor is something that you have to take for life. As far as my Celexa, I plan on going completely off eventually. I have been in hospitals as often on meds as off of them. I never believed and still don't think they've ever helped me. I think the therapy I've gotten has done me more good than any med (except for sleeping). I have had a positive (for the most part) attitude for quite some time and really want to know if therapy or meds are doing it.

I've heard that for depression meds are just to lift you up enough for therapy. I'm not sure that's true. There are so many forms of depression. I've stopped Effexor twice. The first time was very tough. The second time not nearly so bad.
Therapy is great when it works. It's def preferable to dependence on meds. For some, meds are the only thing that works. I hope it works out for you.

Thanks. I hope it works as well. I don't want to get too much into what I've researched and there are probably many people who would and could disagree with me, but I've not only read, but been told by my doctor that AD's do not do much if any good on mild to moderate depression and only occasionally works on people who are suicidal. I know this seems to be true for me. YMMV. Some people seem to benefit and I'm happy for them, just not for me.

A lot of truth there. I've read that in most studies placebos were as effective as the AD being tested. But AD's obviously have a good effect on a lot of people.

Yes, if it works for them I'm happy for them. Guess because they never seem to work for me, finding research that has supported my viewpoint has only made me more determined to prove my point. I hope not to my detriment. My therp told me to journal what's going on, not just feelings as she said this could be inaccurate as to how I'm really doing. Thanks for your feedback.

Hey reesecups-for me AD's are a must and are life saving! But it's all about finding the right one and right DOSAGE! I love Lexapro, Cymbalta and Welbutrin...you can actually take any SSRI with Welbutrin. Since I'm bipolar, AD's tend to keep me a little above normal but not hypomanic! Often I tweak my med cocktail to avoid hypomania and depression. For me lowering an AD makes me depressed! Everyone has a different experience! Best of luck!!

I'm very happy they work for you. I've been hospitalized as many times while taking AD's as when I wasn't. For over a month now, I've been doing pretty well and I think it's therapy and until I totally go off AD's and see what happens, I'm just not convinced it's the right path for me. Good luck and congrats for finding the right combination.

Well still a little hypomanic, but not too bad. I think I'm not as bad right now because I forgot my thyroid med this afternoon and it's making me tired. I had promised my outside therp that if my case manager, group therp or pdoc asked me outright while I was at the PHO, I would tell them the truth.

Today was my first day going for the week. My case manager and I spoke and I told her I was a little hypomanic. She asked if there had been any med changes and I immediately said "no". My instant reaction. Then I returned to group and reminded myself what I had promised. As much as I hated to do it, I left group a few minutes early, found my case manager and told her about the decrease.
She had me and her go to the nurses and tell them. They said now I MUST see the pdoc tomorrow because I shouldn't be playing doctor. I knew they would make a big deal out if this and I guess I'll just have to prove I'm right. But I am not looking forward to group tomorrow and talking about it to pdoc. I hate confrontation. Stressed a little now.

You really want be careful with how much you decrease by and how often. You need to give yourself time to stabilize after each decrease. Rushing off will increase your chances of rebound depression.

Also, when talking to professionals, you might want to be careful about how you word you reaction to the decrease. When you say you are hypomanic, it implies a certain state and will provoke a certain response from your doctor. Maybe try simply describing your emotional state/ energy level without relying on the term? Be honest about your experience with the drug and be clear with your hopes and goals (but also open to change),

Yes, thank you. Although my first titration was probably about 25% too much. I adjusted well.. I would have never mentioned the hypomania or would have worded it differently had I expected the question about medication from her. The last time no one asked me that, so I just wasn't expecting it.

Being open to change is something I'm trying to work on. I know I can be pretty stubborn. But I guess I've dealt with depression for so many years and never been helped with AD's that it's going to be hard to convince me I'm not doing what's best for me. I've done a lot of research, both in the past and present and I really think I'm doing a positive thing with this.

Thank you for your comments.

35 years ago I stopped Prozac dead, there was no info then just take 20mg start up and stay on it if it works because 40mg don't work much better, I sailed along great for 3 months then BANG rebound It was soul destroying but I learned then that im in for the long ride with meds.

I think mean be open to change in regards to medication, not trying to be condescending at all. I have a similar view as you. You directing and being comfortable with your care is vital to whatever happens. Don't be patronized by someone who "knows" they know best for you.

I have decided that I can determine my own meds needs. I do know that the mental health profession is riddled with people who think it's the answer to everything but, as I stated, it doesn't work for me. My outside therp is not trying to convince me I need meds, she has only asked that I document my actions and feelings while doing it to make me aware. That's the type of support I need.

Okay. I had an emotional day, but came home positive. Did a little marijuana, a Indica, to relax me. Gave me a headache and within a short time, I began to feel a little anxious and depressed. Don't know for sure, but maybe the Indica is not good for me right now either? Started ruminating over a situation that should have meant nothing to me today. For the first time in a while, I had a mild impulse to SI. I did do the CBD to aid sleep and yawned a few times and I think I'll try to sleep for a little bit. I surely couldn't have started crashing so quickly because the hypomania is gone at the moment. I guess I'll figure it out tomorrow when I wake up.

Weird.

Do you smoke skunk weed, then Pananoia is a great anxiety starter , I no my son flipped out it soon put him off and he is not ill.

Actually, I can't smoke it. I've got too many lung problems. I vape and normally use edibles. After what happened last night I'm sort of afraid to try using it again right away. I tried the CBD pen. Gave me a worse headache. Did not do very much. I have a very low tolerance. I did go to sleep, but, as normal, I woke up between 1:30am -2:00 am. Still depressed, anxious and wanting to self-harm. I'm assuming when I'm a little hypomanic it might not be ideal for me. Probably will try it again Sunday.