[SoupDragon]

I have been on this for about 4 months. Initially 20mg and for the last 2 months 40mg. I have felt better taking it, but don't want to take it long term. I have been reading about effects of stopping and it sounds pretty unpleasant and just a return of all those horrible things that led me to starting it.

How can I stop it and stay well? I'm fairly terrified of going back to that dark place.

[Loial]

I'm glad you've got some improvement from your Citalopram...

I understand you don't want to take it long term, but if you've only been taking it for 4 months, you'll only have been getting the full benefit for a short time. Ideally, you'll want to stay on it a while longer... I think most medical professionals would say at least a year.

Personally, I was on 20mg of Citalopram for anxiety. I ended up coming off it after 10 months or so.

To come off it safely, you will have to taper down gradually. You'll want to talk to whoever prescribed it to you to discuss the best way to do that. Whatever you do, don't stop taking it abruptly.

When I came off, I had some mild anxiety for a few days but nothing major. Generally it's people who have been on SSRIs longer term that get problems coming off, but you are at higher dose than I was, so may find more difficulty.

Best of luck but as I said, I'd give it a bit more time before coming off the Citalopram.

[SoupDragon]

Thanks Loial. Once the side effects passed, have you been OK. Was it worthwhile taking them?.

I take it and have not had any side effects at all. My son takes it as well.

[Loial]

Originally Posted by SoupDragon

Thanks Loial. Once the side effects passed, have you been OK. Was it worthwhile taking them?.

Yes, after a month or so, it was almost like I wasn't taking medication at all side-effects wise. I just got all the benefits.

It was definitely worthwhile taking them, they reduced my symptoms to manageable levels & along side some talk therapy I managed to get my anxiety almost completely under control. I'd really recommend doing some therapy too if you can.

Personally, I gave it a couple of months of being essentially anxiety-free before I talked to my GP & tapered off.

[SoupDragon]

Thanks Loila, glad to hear that you sound like you are doing well. I see a T, so hopefully we can do some useful work before tailing it off.

[ManOfConstantSorrow]

I have been taking it for 18 months, first 20mg daily, but cut down to 10mg a few months ago, without consulting my doctor (three week wait to see him for heavens sake) and no real problems. After a year at 20mg I felt it made me unusually tired and halved the dose. No problems at all, less tiredness and still some anxiety calming effect (I had by then my CBT to fall back on). In the spring I will stop completely, perhaps going down to 5mg for a few weeks first, all being well.

[SoupDragon]

Originally Posted by ManOfConstantSorrow

I have been taking it for 18 months, first 20mg daily, but cut down to 10mg a few months ago, without consulting my doctor (three week wait to see him for heavens sake) and no real problems. After a year at 20mg I felt it made me unusually tired and halved the dose. No problems at all, less tiredness and still some anxiety calming effect (I had by then my CBT to fall back on). In the spring I will stop completely, perhaps going down to 5mg for a few weeks first, all being well.

Sounds like you have a good thought out plan to come off gradually. Hope you are able to stop and keep well.

I'm just so scared of going back to that dark place, but maybe I just need to commit to taking it for a bit longer.

Reassuring to know you haven't experienced any major withdrawal symptoms so far.

☺

[ManOfConstantSorrow]

Is this not a bit black and white - you can cut down/stop while retaining the option to restart/up your dose depending on how you feel? You have a tool to use as you feel fit (and your doctor agrees).

I don't think there is much risk in taking citalopram for quite a while and the withdrawals symptoms are uncomfortable but not life threatening:

Since withdrawal reactions may occur when the treatment is stopped, it is advised to reduce the dose gradually at intervals of 1-2 weeks. Withdrawal reactions include: dizziness, pins and needles or numbness, headache, nausea and anxiety. Most of the withdrawal reactions are mild and self-limiting in nature. If treatment is being stopped, it is advised that the dose is gradually reduced over 1-2 week periods.

Source: Citalopram 10mg/20mg/40mg Tablets - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (eMC)