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another newbie with a question about meds

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Posted 4/12/2015 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
ok...I've been taking a Bupropian (generic for Wellbutrin) 12sr 200 mg tab 1x a day & a Citalopram (generic for Celexa)10 mg 1x a day also. I've been on these pills for about 10 years now. I went to se my psychiatrist last month & asked about trying to get off these pills. Just thought maybe it was time??? Anyway, she said to stop taking the Citalopram & see how I feel. Now, first of all, I would have thought she would have weaned me off of it. But, hey...I'm not a doctor so what do I know. rolleyes
Since stopping the Citalopram, I've become much more agitated & emotional. My poor husband has been the brunt of my "moods". Even my good friend has noticed a change in my usually wonderful personality. wink
I've been taking care of my daughter's 2 dogs & 2 cats since Thursday while they are on a little trip. I sleep there then come home in the morning after letting them out & feeding them, go back at noon to let them out, leave & go back at suppertime to repeat, then just stay there. My husband stays home at night with our 2 cats. Anyway, of course things are different over there....trying to get online..they couldn't remember the password shocked (I was ready to throw the @#!&*&% IPad out the window....grrrrrrrr then finally they remembered. Other things like not knowing where things are & them texting me asking how the animals are for the first 45 min they were away. I know lots of this was aggravating me because of withdrawal.
ok...so I came back home this morning & just looked at my husband & burst out crying saying that I felt like I was going to jump right out of my skin & don't know what to do about the Citalopram. I mean it's been a month off of them. Should I wait it out? how long does it take to stop feeling like this? By the way, my husband gave me 1/2 of a colonopin (sp) & I feel a little better.
My thoughts were is it ok to stay on antidepressants for your whole life? Should I get back on them & then try to wean of myself? I don't know why I'm paying this doctor to have to come to my own decisions on how to get off of meds. Oh yes...then there's the question about getting off Bupropian!
What are your thoughts about this mess???
Thanks,
Clara
Posted 4/12/2015 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
It sounds like you need the medication. If you are feeling bad when you go off, it means it was working for you. I will be on meds the rest of my life. I have accepted that.

I think that your best bet is to call the doc. Remember you were the one who wanted to go off. They can't stop you so she just did what you wanted to try. Try not to blame her. It is the depression making you feel this way.

It sounds like you are very agitated at this time. Calling the doc and asking for advice would probably help you.

I would say two weeks on withdrawals, but that doesn't mean you are going to feel good after with the lack of the medication.

Some meds you can stop, some you need to taper. It sounds like the Celexa was helping in my opinion.

I hope you feel better soon.

Hugs, Karen...

Oh, welcome to the forum Nanauzz...
Posted 4/12/2015 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Karen.
I think I'll give her a call tomorrow & see what she says. I just know I can't keep feeling the way I have been lately.
I'll let you know what happens.
Thanks again,
(((HUGS)))
Clara
Posted 4/12/2015 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi nananuzz. Welcome to the forum. I agree with Karen/getting by. Call your doctor. I get that you don't want to have to be on meds indefinitely but sometimes that's what we have to do. I'm back on meds after 6 years without. Things just got to be too much for me, so I am trying my third one. Paxil and Cymbalta both gave me vertigo in the past. I am now on Welbutrin. It's only been about 2 weeks so far. The vertigo didn't start till about the second month with the others so, I have a way to go before I'll know if this is going to continue to work for me.

Diabetics need their insulin. Heart patients need their meds. Why should we deny ourselves what we need to keep living? I hope thing improve soon for you. Keep posting. Let us know how things go.

Oh, and you are a good cat and dog nana! Bless you for looking after them for your daughter! Lucky you have such a good hubby who is supporting your attempt to modify your requirements!
Posted 4/13/2015 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
Nanauzz, I am glad you are going to call the doc. If the celexa was helping, I would go back to it apposed to trying a new one if she mentions it, as there can be side effects with different types of medication and it doesn't sound like you had any with the celexa.

I hope you feel better really soon.

Pitmom, we have a lot in common I have noticed. I get the side effects a couple of months into the medications too. It is so frustrating.

Have a good night both of you...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 4/14/2015 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi....
I called my doctor & she called me back later today. I told her how I was feeling & that I didn't think I could stop the Citalopram. She said that was fine & that I'm only on 10 mgs. & just go right back on it.
I called my friend & she said she was glad I was going back on them too.
Thanks, ladies, for your help with this.
(((HUGS)))
Clara
Posted 4/14/2015 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
Yay Clara,

Thanks for posting. I hope you start feeling better real soon.

Keep us posted...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 4/14/2015 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
PS... I did the same thing with Effexor...
Posted 4/14/2015 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
I am late to this thread, but I am glad you are feeling better.

FWIW, withdrawal was/is likely not the issue here. It was the lack of a stabilizing medication that your brain had been using. Your dosage is 10 mg, and the initial loading dose is 20 mg, to be raised to 40 after one week. (drugs.com)

So stopping 10 mgs was the easiest reduction possible.

Feeling well is better than feeling poorly. Glad it's better!
Posted 4/14/2015 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there...Glad things are looking UP for you.  I've taken Zoloft for over 15 years.  I suffer with anxiety and depression, along with lifelong pain due to a saga of injuries and disease.  I surrendered to pain management over a year ago.  My GI issues seem to TRUMP all opiates thus far.  I just weaned myself off Fentanyl 25 mcg patch after 6 weeks of a horrid trial.

These pain meds trials (though necessary...um...yea...tough choices) have truly dragged me through the bowels of HELL with sadness.  I mean truly vulnerable, weak, needy, crying til I throw up sadness.  I can't seem to control it.  My Zoloft was increased to 150 mg, but no improvement.

I realize it's darker now due to my PM situation, as I can't seem to tolerate pain meds.  I've hurt most of my life, broken (literally) and battered.  I always survived with Zoloft, Ativan and Donatal.  I took Darvocet for pain for many years until it was discontinued. BOO-o-o-o and bull crap IMO.  No, it didn't relieve ALL pain...nothing will, unless I'm willing to exist in a comatose state...not.  I must maintain a sharp mind though my body has failed me.  I have a highly competitive career that I am not willing to compromise.

Sadly, if we are unable to establish some protocol of pain management and get my face out of my tears and vomit...I may have to scale WAY back on my contractual obligations. 

All that garbage to say this...I think it's time for me to try a new AD.  I fear change, there for many reasons.  I refuse to gain weight as SE.  I DO need stimulant rather than sedate.  My PM is not what he needs to be...comprehensive.  He's overbooked and under-attentive.  I'm basically screwed.

I'm happy for your improvement.  Better is GOOD!

~~Dixie

Posted 4/14/2015 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
It sounds like the AD was working for you, I would try it again before going to another one.

Hugs, Karen...
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