tapering celexa

[Sue357]

Hi.  I have been suffering from anxiety for years, My pdoc is changing my diagnosis to a mood disorder/bipolar 2.  I am currently on 100 mg of seraquel at night and  1 mg of klonopin tid, 200 mg of lamictal, 100 mg of wellbutrin and now down to 40 mg of celexa, tapering slowing down from 80.  eventually off of wellbutrin as that and celexa do seem to be doing anything for me ( we think).  does anyone think that with the taper I could be having some rebound anxiety as my body is adjusting to less amounts of celexa?  thanks.  I have been doing really well but noticing a little anxiety creeping back in.  also, I am seeing a therapist for cbt.  thanks again. any feed back desired.

[Sue357]

thanks for the feedback.  No, I am not looking for a second opinion.  I was just asking if anyone experienced the same symptoms.  I did not think those are high doses just a lot of pills that I am trying to get off of if they are not working ( celexa and wellbutrin).  My anxiety almost always starts in the am and seems to get better as the day goes on.  My pdoc always tells me that this is not an exact science, just have to switch around until we find what works.  Right now, it seems like it is the lamical and seraquel, hence the new diagnosis.  Thanks again.

[Paxiled]

If it's a second opinion you're looking for you might want to post a question to Dr. Gould on the mental health forum.  You're on a lot of meds and very high dosages, so tapering is good, but with that many meds it's difficult for non-experts to help.  Also, the diagnosis of bipolar 2 really doesn't mean anything -- it may not even exist.  What is important is what you're symptoms are and how to deal with them.  If it were bipolar 1 that would be different, of course.  I would ask Dr. Gould what he thinks, maybe he has some input that might be helpful.  Continuing good luck and progress to you.

[cj29]

You are doing the right thing by working with your doctor and tapering down the Celexa.  For me when I came off of an SSRI like Celexa, I did have some side effects.   But by tapering slowly, I minimized them and eventually they went away.  I did have some rebound anxiety, headaches, and a little nausea for a couple of weeks, but I expected it and knew that they would subside.  Just keep working with your doctor and continue with your therapy....keep us posted!