Citalopram

[cat]

A better question is also, does the drug prevent my own brain from finding its own way and is that 'way' not dependent on taking an SSRI forever?

That's a question I'd like an answer to as well, gamereign. I was told before i started taking Cit that it wouldnt be forever, that eventually I would know when i no longer needed to take them, but how can you find that out without coming off them?

I'd really be interested to hear from someone who has taken Cit long term & come off them or could answer my questions.
How different do you feel when not taking them?
Do you have more energy?
Have you been able to remain stable long term?

These may be difficult q's to answer as we all react differently to meds, but some general comments would be welcome. I've reached a stage of wondering if its better to stay on them rather than risk having to go back on them again.

 

[Che Guebuddha]

Thanks for the replies :) appreciated.

I started moving the intake time towards the evening but doing slowly so. Im now taking the meds with lunch and it already seems to feel much better with less sleepyness and almost no depression. After a few more days I will start taking it with dinner and see how it goes.
I see now that there is a big difference between taking SSRI at different hours.

I rather stay with the 20mg as long as possible without going higher and keep practicing daily meditation which is producing some interesting states of blissful equanimity :)

Be well

 

[Sazza]

Just a quick update currently at 30mg of the citalopram. Done alot of switching and messing with the times i take it with my GP permission i split the dose took 10 in morning then 20 in evening it felt ok seemed help with the daytime tiredness. However over last week i decided to go back to taking full dose at once in the morning, i have noticed a difference maybe its just i have adjusted to the dose. The first couple of hours i feel bit tired but if i get moving i am not to bad energy wise. Its 5 weeks since i have been on the 30. I have noticed the last couple of days while i feel stable i am not feeling as well, my sleep had gone downhill and i feel like i don't need to sleep mentally even though im tired. I still feel apathetic and am finding i feel quite numb, not really able tap into how i properly feel. I don't really want to increase but will talk to my gp next week as there is more stability in my mental health but still things could be better on the depression front.

 

[Che Guebuddha]

Thanks for the update.

While im here i could update as well :)

I felt preasure on the brain physicaly from taking 20mg and depression was evident even slight agitation and sleepyness. Moving the morning intake to the evening made me sleepless and the brain preasure was there.

I made a decission to cut it to 10mg in the morning and this is the third day feeling great in many ways; no preasure, sleeping well, gladness is present all day. Im able to sit and meditate for longer time since the restlessness is gone. This feels so extra calming. Even the procrastinating seems loosing its power and I cleaned the house today.
Overall Im finding it easier to be mindful of my thoughts and emotions and to calm them down through mindfulness of breathing.

Im will keep the dose at 10mg every morning, seems to be of great benefit at this time.

Sometimes Less Is More ;)

May we all be happy at heart.

 

[Gamereign555]

Yeah it shouldn't matter to the doc as long as you are taking it consistently. My mother also takes a smaller amount in the morning and then the rest of the dose before bed. I remember when I first started taking it, my system was pretty receptive and would feel the side effects the Celexa. The medication would make me feel sleepy for awhile after starting. If I moved around the time of day I took my dose and took it too late or early I would sometimes feel the tingling from the drug or elevated anxiety when taking it late. After awhile that sensitivity went away and it's not really a factor for me these days.

There is the factor of 'taking a pill', which can psychologically have an effect on people itself. I preferred taking it in halves, 20mg in the morning and then the other half of the pill before I go to bed. I did this for a long time. Taking the pill for me gave me a sense that some extra relief was on the way. Really it doesn't matter too much, just stick to a routine and don't over use any of the benzodiazepines or you won't be able to distinguish the withdrawl of anxiously waiting for the next Xanax, Ativan, ect. vs. the performance of the Celexa. They do help quite a bit but you want a baseline level of stress sensitivity ideally when you are first starting an antidepressant. Sometimes you just have to feel some of the ugliness, at least it works towards exposure.

 

[Sazza]

Dose now increased to 40 first day taking it and feel I'm crashing. Have been quite energetic of late bouncing around to point not being realistic. I am now not sleeping as well will see how this dose goes going ring ask something to help sleep on Monday as not hardly slept in week that can't be helping my mood.

 

[KP the nut]

(((Sazza))), do what you need to do. Do what is best for you sweetheart.

 

[Sazza]

Thanks KP, guess take week so adjust to dose. I have had really stressful week with benefits assessment that completely messed up and big work meeting heading my way this week, gone into dissiciation mood. Can see a big lengthy benefit appeal coming my way to. Thanks for your support I found a zopiclone last night had left from while back
So took half which helped sleep. Just hope new dose kicks in
Soon I still feel like need something to work in
Combination with citalopram.