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**Posts:** 6 · by **tara** » Thu May 20, 2004 10:32 am

I have a 13 year history of panic attacks and anxiety with occassional depressive episodes. Recently I reduced my citalopram from 40mg to 20mg I have had three and a half weeks of terrible anxiety with a number of panic attacks, in the last week this has been at least one attack a day. I have been preoccupied with my health - which is quite common - but have not managed to employ my normal coping strategies effectively. Yesterday I threw in the towel and took the other 20mg citalopram, now i have to play the waiting game for about a week until my levels even off. Anyway, now that I have bored whoever has read this, please feel free to give me any tips.

**Posts:** 2821 · by **Roger Elliott** » Thu May 20, 2004 10:43 am

Hi Tara

Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry to hear you have had such an unpleasant reaction to reducing your dosage. You'll find many people here on the forum with experience of treating anxiety and panic attacks, so any questions you might have should get attention.

In the meantime, you may find it helpful to read our site on panic attacks. It focuses on giving you information, which many panic attacks sufferers find helpful.

All the best

Roger

**Posts:** 6 · by **tara** » Thu May 20, 2004 10:46 am

Thank you, by the way this is a good site. I happened to stumble across it.

**Posts:** 2821 · by **Roger Elliott** » Thu May 20, 2004 11:09 am

Thanks! How did you find us Tara?

**Posts:** 6 · by **tara** » Thu May 20, 2004 1:01 pm

I just did a search on panic attacks last night and found you.

**Posts:** 2821 · by **Roger Elliott** » Thu May 20, 2004 1:41 pm

Well I hope we can be of some help.

Roger

**Posts:** 6 · by **tara** » Thu May 20, 2004 2:02 pm

The thing with me is that I have a 2 week episode every three months or so. But this is something else, I spoke with a pharmacist today and she feels the 20mg reduction may ave been too much so to go back up to the 40mg. My fear of course is being stuck at that, although until 2 years ago I was on 60mg. Fortunately (or not) for me I tolerate high doses of medication and they keep me well, once I drop down a bit things start to go wrong.

As for the site, other peoples experiences and tips are always helpful, especially as i am not thinking straight.

**Posts:** 2821 · by **Roger Elliott** » Thu May 20, 2004 2:27 pm

Yes, a 50% reduction in any medication is a lot, and will often cause side effects that makes the person think they are 'relapsing' when in fact it is just a side-effect of the reduction.

We generally counsel people to come down by 10% of the total dosage per week, but this is something you should discuss with your doctor.

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