Citalopram, Has Coming Off Restored Your Energy Levels

[cat]

I've been taking 40mg Citalopram for 21/2 yrs and i'm considering reducing the dose with a view to coming off them altogether. I've been discharged from therapy & am in recovery, although still having a few 'blips'.

I have already spoken to my gp about this & we will work a plan to reduce them very gradually & she has made me aware that I may need to stay on them.

Does anyone have experience of this, did coming of Citalopram restore your energy levels, i have found this the most frustrating side effect.

 

[KP the nut]

((Cat)) I am still on 60mg, I don't think I could do without it. Maybe a reduction in a couple of months, I don't know. I will wait and see how I cope with therapy ending.

Listen to your GP and more importantly, your own body. Please let me know how you do.

Linking arms
KP

 

[Gamereign555]

I also have a hard time without it, I think it's going to be awhile before I try to reduce my dose.

 

[freakofnurture]

A friend of mine had so much trouble with low energy on citalopram that she changed meds after only two weeks. I don't know if the effect is more lasting when you've taken citalopram for a longer time but I don't see much reason for it to be the case.

If you're feeling stable and want to get rid of the side effect yet your gp is reluctant to take you off meds completely, maybe a change in meds might be an option.

 

[Sazza]

I recently had my citalopram increased to 30mg at first my appetite was still poor, however over the last week it has gone huge and piling weight on. This along with apathy and lack want to do anything has made me wonder if it is worth it. I have to admit the last 2 days i only realised earlier that i have forgot to take my citalopram, strangley i feel more energised and have no effect of withdrawl as of yet. I am currently debating if to restart it tomorrow at 20mg rather than 30. For me the energy could just be a coincidence but i found citalopram i am most awake at night when need be asleep and then cant sleep.

I am sure with help of your Gp you will be able to work out a plan that suits you, good luck with it.

 

[reallydown]

For me the energy could just be a coincidence but i found citalopram i am most awake at night when need be asleep and then cant sleep.

I was on this med very briefly a few years ago and it made me sooo loopy...It'd make me "hyper" for a while and then I'd crash down worse than before...ANd yea, sleep was still a problem. I talked to the doc and got off it.

 

[kimba]

I am on 40 mgs. now (started in July). It did take a while for my body to adjust to it. Sometimes sleep is an issue and sometimes it isn't. Erratic enough that I am sure it is me and not the meds. GP not thrilled with doing a sleep med so I take Unisom evry three or four nights to get a solid nights sleep and take my chances the rest of the time. Not perfect but I am getting some sleep, though not always restful each night.

 

[cat]

HI Everyone
Thanks for your replies.
It's a tricky one this. I have spoken to my GP & she's agreed that reducing my dose will improve my energy levels. She knows how much I hate taking meds and has been a great support in understanding why. I will start to reduce by taking 40mg/30mg on alternated days then the following week drop down to 30, she is sure I wont have any difficult side effects but of course I'll have to wait & see, going to do this during half term week, I dont want to be facing my class of 30 feeling like I've got a hangover!

I'm also hoping that it may help me to feel more secure about my recovery, I feel so much stronger now & able to manage my anx & dep. My other reason is hoping for some weight loss, as with many of us citalopram has increased my appetite & therefore my weigh which is making me feel unhealthy.

I'll keep you posted!!

 

[Sazza]

Good luck with the reduction cat, I am no longer on Citalopram Gp switched me to sertraline which was big mistake went through hell on it wish never changed from the Citalopram. Currently on Nothing and weary trying anything as I am Finding the SSRI have helped anxiety wise well Citalopram did but made things worse for me depression wise. I to did not sleep well on Citalopram kimba

I haven't noticed the apathy had on SSRI fading yet so maybe it was the depression and not tablets. Hope those you tweaking with medication find right dose soon.

 

[kimba]

Hi Sazza,
The citalopram helped immediately with the anxiety but took alot longer to help with the depression. I see my T twice a week which helped alot in the meantime. Up until the beginning of September I had a suicide plan in place with a date of 9/28 (you guessed it, an anniversary). As you can see I am still here so something is working!

 

[hoping-to-heal]

I started on 20mg and went up to 30mg. I found that things wern't 100% better, but it did help me focus a bit more and not cry all day. I also had much more tolerable dreams and I even slept better for a while. But I was hyper, and a little too lethargic at times.

I recently went straight off the meds because of a lack of caring on my part for my mental health again i guess.
I had been on them for about 4 months and then just ran out and didn't bother to refill my perscription again, quit going to the doc and just...plain old quit. I feel horrible now, like I have to start all over again and just rather wouldn't.

The thing is though, I have my kids. I feel so ashamed that I am not taking care of myself well enough for them and can't seem to get myself to the doc. I just don't like having everyone knowing about it and I can't get anyone to watch my kids so It's hard trying to keep up with the weekly appts to the shrink.

I am so confused, I feel like I just don't want to deal with it anymore...like i could go hiking in the mountains or something (but would be too chicken to go) But I know if I don't, pretty soon i'll be back to where I was. When I go back, hopefully I'll have a better doctor too.