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Coming off Celexa

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Posted 4/8/2009 3:45 PM (GMT 0)

I am going to apologize ahead of time if this is a duplicate post.  I looked through the older posts and did not find what I was looking for, so I am posting my own.  Okay, with that said, here goes...

I was on 60 mg of Celexa for a llittle over a year.  I felt it wasn't working for me anymore so I told my Dr. I wanted to switch back to Effexor XR which I had taken before and have been off of for quite a while.  (I have been on antidepressants for over 10 years due to anxiety and depression).  So I started weaning off of the Celexa 10 mg at a time...slowly, I want to add.  I have had to withdrawal symptoms that I couldn't handle and I am down to 10  mg of the Celexa, which is basically nothing at all.  I was supposed to start taking my Effexor XR at 20 mg along with the Celexa, but I have not started to do so yet.  Reason being, I have not had any anxiety and no depression since tapering off to 10 mg.  I would like to not be on anything and see how my body responds without medication which is why I have not started the Effexor XR again.

The only thing is, I get agitated easily and the smallest things tick me off anymore.  My patience doesn't seem to be there and I am wondering if it is because I have been on medication for so long that my body needs to readjust itself or do I need to start the Effexor XR or is it just that it is a withdrawal symptom of the Celexa?  I am confused and really don't know what to do...Dr.'s just seem to want to keep you on medication and let you go.  But as I said before, I haven't had any anxiety attacks and haven't been depressed, just get upset over stupid things. 

Any input from you guys and gals here at healing well will be greatly appreciated...I haven't posted in a while but you are all so great on here!!!

Thanks in advance...I hope my post makes sense!

Posted 4/8/2009 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sylknmyst!!! I am wondering if it might be the lingering side effects of trying to get off the med causing your agitation. I know there are other members weaning from AD's and they have spoken of having increased anxiety as they were weaning off. Maybe you need to try to wean a little slower??? Just a thought.

Hugs
Gail *Nanners*
Posted 4/8/2009 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for replying Nanners! I want to try to go without them...after 10 years of being on them...I thought I would give it a go!

Again, thanks for your quick reply!
Posted 4/9/2009 12:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sylknmyst!

I'm coming off of Lexapro, which is essentially the same as Celexa - they are mirror drugs of each other, except that the dosage for Celexa is double that of Lexapro for the same effects.

I went from 10mg to 5mg in late January (would be equivalent to going from 20mg to 10mg of Celexa). I really didn't notice any negative side effects. In fact, I felt a lot better!

BUT then I just went from 5mg to 2.5mg - 1/4 of a tablet - which is basically nothing - on Sunday. I have been extremely irritable and have lacked a great deal of my usual patience. I also have had strong heachaches, which I never have. I'm planning on not taking any tonight. I fI am noticing some unpleasant withdrawal symptoms anyway, then I might as well get it out of my system. I am upping my therapy, alternative techniques this week to balance it out.

Like you, I'm not having any strong panic/anxiety attacks, so I'm attributing these symptoms to withdrawal. I would give it a bit longer and see how you are faring - but don't let yourself be miserable!

Hard to believe that I'm down to just .25 to .5mg of klonopin a day! No hurry to completely get off that one...I've been off of SSRI's several times (for pregnancies and a few other times), so I know that I can do it. The benzo is another story - I'm not confident in my alt. techniques enough to attempt that one for awhile :)

Let us know how you are doing!
Posted 4/9/2009 2:50 PM (GMT 0)

Hello to you, Long time since I have seen you.  Good to have you  back.

I weaned off Cymbalta as I wanted to try going without AD after some twenty years on an AD and I did not feel the Cymbalta was helping me alot.

I have started Buspar which covers only anxiety and I have been using that for probably 5 months now...........I find it helpful for the anxiety. I take it twice per day.

You may want to discuss using a med such as Buspar to cover the anxiety and see how you do.  Always keep an open mind and if AD meds are what you need in the future you may always restart them.

Remember I am not a physician...........  :-)

Hugs
Kitt

Posted 4/14/2009 6:50 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you for the encouraging words and responses.  Also, thanks Kitt for welcoming me back!  It has been a while for me since I have been on...my 2 year old boy keeps me VERY busy!!!!

I have been feeling a little better...taking deep breaths when I start to feel irritated and it has been seeming to pass.  Thank goodness. 

I am hoping it was just the drug coming out of my system since I have been on them for so long...so this is what it feels like to be "Normal" without medication...not sure if I prefer being on the meds or without!  lol

Thanks again guys...

Posted 4/14/2009 8:31 PM (GMT 0)

I am 3 weeks off of the Cymbalta and I am feeling good.  I don't feel the urge to want to just nap the afternoon away to get the day over with.

Went to lunch with my daughter and then we walked 3 Doberman puppies, 14 weeks old.  It was just plain fun.

The temp is 69 degrees outside today and along with 12 puppy paws all over me I had a great time.

Hope your feel a bit more frisky each day............

Hugs

Kitt

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