How many dosages of Celexa can I take AND STILL be able to get off Celexa COLD TURKEY without risking side effects?

[gitl]

Dear Dr., and anyone who might have an answer to this problem:

I have been prescribed Celexa to help me manage anxiety due to being 3 monthes in bed with excruciating pain due to multiple herniated disks.

I have ONLY taken 2 dosages so far (as of June 1st, 2009, 2:30pm EST): The first (10 mg) was taken 28 hours ago and the second (10 mg) was taken 4 hours ago (24 hours apart). My pain and anxiety have increased enormously since then, and I suspect Celexa because it was the only thing that changed in my treatment or conditions. So I want to get off the drug ASAP.

At this point, after only 2 dosages, can I just stop taking it (Cold Turkey), WITHOUT risking side effects?
Or do I have to go through the long process of gradual elimination (weaning off)?

I am experiencing a terrible burning sensation in addition to a significant increase in my otherwise contained emotional state and I cannot see my doctor for a few days, not to mention I won't be able to tolerate another day of this burning sensation and increased pain.

Could anyone help with this?

Thank you all,
Gitl

[Jaquta]

They would be reduced if you tapered slowly.  Not sure because you are taking a relatively low dose but have taken it for a period.  You could try posting a question which I'm confident the doctor will answer or you could try checking out old posts or the archives.

You should also do this (withdrawing) in consultation with your own doctor.

J

[beth715]

I have been taking celexa for about 6 years would like to get off of it. I only take 10mg once daily could someone help me would I have alot of side effects tappering

[Jaquta]

Sometimes a patient's anxiety (and pain perception) can increase due to a psychological response to taking medication and not as a direct result of the medication per se.

Sometimes we can be so acutely aware of side-effects that any physical, mental or emotional affect is attributed too or associated with the medication.
Sometimes this is not based on reality but on our perception.

I agree that two 10mg doses of Celexa could probably be stopped cold turkey without a taper.
I expect, if you are experiencing side-effects now, that there may be side-effects when stopping.  There shouldn't be more though.  (Or not too many more.  Two days is not a long time and 20 mg is not a huge amount of celexa).

Some medications for the treatment of anxiety or depression or sleep disturbance, etc can also cause those symptoms.

Perhaps the celexa is interacting with another medication.  You don't say you are taking anything else but ... it was just a thought.  Your doctor should have all this info though and will be making decisions based on that.

I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time at the moment.  Good luck for your doctors appointment.

J

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

You should be able to get off cold turkey, but be sure and tell your doctor what you are doing.