They told me this would happen...
June 24, 2010 3:20 PM Subscribe
YANMD-filter: I've been stupid. I realized today that by inconsistently taking my SSRI I have unwittingly caused SSRI withdrawal syndrome. Now what?
I have been taking 20mg of celexa daily to treat post-partum depression. Things have been beyond crazy recently: new house, total renovation, 17 month old twin daughters, full time job as a high school teacher, husband lost job then found another, etc. As such, and mostly due to the move, I have inconsistently taken my medication in the morning. Today I was struck with some pretty intense dizziness and nausea, sweating, etc. After some google-magic, I realize that I'm undergoing withdrawal syndrome. I just came home and took a pill...does anyone know how long the symptoms will last? Should I take more than one pill? Can I take my next pill in the morning as usual? Yes, I will see my doctor, but I'm concerned in the meantime.
I have been taking 20mg of celexa daily to treat post-partum depression. Things have been beyond crazy recently: new house, total renovation, 17 month old twin daughters, full time job as a high school teacher, husband lost job then found another, etc. As such, and mostly due to the move, I have inconsistently taken my medication in the morning. Today I was struck with some pretty intense dizziness and nausea, sweating, etc. After some google-magic, I realize that I'm undergoing withdrawal syndrome. I just came home and took a pill...does anyone know how long the symptoms will last? Should I take more than one pill? Can I take my next pill in the morning as usual? Yes, I will see my doctor, but I'm concerned in the meantime.
Best answer: Now what?
Buy one of these and keep it on the nightstand with a bottle of water.
posted by griphus at 3:30 PM on June 24, 2010
Buy one of these and keep it on the nightstand with a bottle of water.
posted by griphus at 3:30 PM on June 24, 2010
Don't take more than one pill.
Those symptoms shouldn't last too long (calmed within a day, fixed within several, IANAD).
Yes, pills need to live on your bedside table, or failing that, your pillow.
posted by westerly at 3:37 PM on June 24, 2010
Those symptoms shouldn't last too long (calmed within a day, fixed within several, IANAD).
Yes, pills need to live on your bedside table, or failing that, your pillow.
posted by westerly at 3:37 PM on June 24, 2010
Got a mobile phone? Set a daily alarm.
I've seen the symptoms last three days.
posted by Leon at 3:51 PM on June 24, 2010
I've seen the symptoms last three days.
posted by Leon at 3:51 PM on June 24, 2010
I would get this everytime I missed a dose of Pristiq. It would last a day, at most, so long as I made sure I got - and stayed - consistent with it.
posted by LOLAttorney2009 at 4:20 PM on June 24, 2010
posted by LOLAttorney2009 at 4:20 PM on June 24, 2010
I think the instructions for Citalopram say to take one when you realize you forgot, and then keep to your regular schedule otherwise.
I've tried to dose down off of celexa half-heartedly, had dizziness and weak-feeling. It usually takes more than one-missed dose for it to hit me, though your mileage may vary.
posted by rubah at 4:28 PM on June 24, 2010
I've tried to dose down off of celexa half-heartedly, had dizziness and weak-feeling. It usually takes more than one-missed dose for it to hit me, though your mileage may vary.
posted by rubah at 4:28 PM on June 24, 2010
Do not take another pill. Go back to your normal dose schedule. Unless you start experiencing severe affective symptoms, you don't really need to see a doctor. Things will go back to normal within 12-24 hours.
posted by dephlogisticated at 4:30 PM on June 24, 2010
posted by dephlogisticated at 4:30 PM on June 24, 2010
Got a mobile phone? Set a daily alarm.
I do this for medication. It works wonders.
posted by dagnyscott at 4:35 PM on June 24, 2010
I do this for medication. It works wonders.
posted by dagnyscott at 4:35 PM on June 24, 2010
dagnyscott: "Got a mobile phone? Set a daily alarm.
I do this for medication. It works wonders."
Me too. I actually have it on my Outlook calendar which is mirrored on my mobile so it reminds me in two places.
posted by radioamy at 5:07 PM on June 24, 2010
I do this for medication. It works wonders."
Me too. I actually have it on my Outlook calendar which is mirrored on my mobile so it reminds me in two places.
posted by radioamy at 5:07 PM on June 24, 2010
Nthing phone alarm. When I was taking medication where the timing mattered, setting an alarm on my phone was the only way I could make it work.
posted by Lexica at 5:52 PM on June 24, 2010
posted by Lexica at 5:52 PM on June 24, 2010
Also, don't freak out too much about OMG MISSED PILL WITHDRAWAL AAAAGH. It's easy to psych yourself out in situations like this but that just makes it worse. You'll be fine. And congratulations on what sounds like a full and exciting life :-)
posted by clockzero at 6:32 PM on June 24, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by clockzero at 6:32 PM on June 24, 2010 [2 favorites]
Phone alarm, and carry your meds with you. Migraine sufferers have to learn to do this; it's a survival skill that will take you far.
If you require a portable pill container that's cute, these always amuse me.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 6:50 PM on June 24, 2010
If you require a portable pill container that's cute, these always amuse me.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 6:50 PM on June 24, 2010
Best answer: Don't take an extra pill, and resume your normal schedule as soon as possible. I was on anti-depressants for a while and found that my withdrawal symptoms lessened soon after getting back on schedule (as in, a few hours) and disappeared within 24 hours
I found that I need to do three things to take pills on time: cell phone alarm, email notification, and taking them at a time when something else happens (i.e., I arrive at work at 8, therefore I take my pills at eight when I get into work.)
posted by punchtothehead at 5:24 AM on June 25, 2010
I found that I need to do three things to take pills on time: cell phone alarm, email notification, and taking them at a time when something else happens (i.e., I arrive at work at 8, therefore I take my pills at eight when I get into work.)
posted by punchtothehead at 5:24 AM on June 25, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks everyone. I feel much better. I called the pharmacist and she was very helpful. I also bought a pill container that reminds me loud and clear to take my pill in the morning.
posted by ms.v. at 7:51 AM on June 28, 2010
posted by ms.v. at 7:51 AM on June 28, 2010
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posted by corey flood at 3:22 PM on June 24, 2010