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Anger issues with Citalopram Withdrawal

Posted , 5 users are following.

bob45964
bob45964

I was on 20mg Citalopram for about 10 years.  I tapered off over the past 4 months.  I have been off of it for about 5 weeks now.  The brain zaps were bad for the first 3 weeks but are getting better now.  My main issue is with Irritabililty and anger.  This started 2 weeks ago.  I get angry at the drop of a hat and I don't know why.  Normak things that I would shake off before now make me angry.  I'm taking it out on my family which is killing me after the fact,  My question is to those of you that experienced the irritability and anger.  How long did it last for you?  Did it get better over time or did it simply go away?  Are you still dealing with anger issues and if so how long has it been since you withdrew from Citalopram?  I do not want to go back on Vitalopram and I'm not sure if there are other drugs out there that ease the symptoms.  Thank you in advance for any info you could provide.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • alex70088
    alex70088 bob45964

    Posted

    Hi Bob

    Can you tell me what symptoms to had. Thx

    Alex

    • bob45964
      bob45964 alex70088

      Posted

      Alex,

      I had horrible mood swings, brain zaps, fatigue, irritability, and brain fog.

    • alex70088
      alex70088 bob45964

      Posted

      I started taking get 10mg from 15th August. I see my doctor tomorrow for my 8 week review. I already want to stop taking them. I do feel much better than I did. My symptoms were fatigue, nausea and just feeling ill. That has all gone now but I still don't feel like my old self. I don't know if the Citalopram had chief this or whether it is the CBT. Ideally I would like to get well sub free. Apart from anything else, I miss my sex life.

      What do you think?

    • john_30086
      john_30086 alex70088

      Posted

      Hi Alex

      What is the issue with your sex life?

      I stopped taking Cit after 7 days nearly 4 weeks ago and things still not right.

      Although I did have issues before I started taking them.

    • alex70088
      alex70088 john_30086

      Posted

      We spoke earlier John. Basically the Citalopram zaps your libido. Started of with no erections whatsoever. Then it eased with morning erections. But as you know, just because you can get it up doesn't mean you enjoy sex. Orgasms take an absolute age and it's not that enjoyable when you finally get there. I love sex and just want that back to normal. Sorry to be so blunt but this is how it is.

      From past experience I know it will get back to normal but it's just reminded me of what you miss while on it ( Citalopram).

      Will discuss with the doctor tomorrow.

    • bob45964
      bob45964 john_30086

      Posted

      Sex life almost dissappeared.  That's another reason I wanted off of the Citalopram.  I felt like it helped in the beginning and then I felt as though I didn't need it anymore.  I've tried to get off of it 4 times over the years with no success.  Withdrawal symptoms were to bad.  Depression was gone but WD symptoms sucked.

    • john_30086
      john_30086 alex70088

      Posted

      Yes, I remember now.

      4 weeks after taking my last cit still no movement at all. Think I'm just worried it's a permanent side effect of the drug but I did have the same issue before I started taking it

      I've read rapid onset of permanent issues online but this seems rare and things usually normally go back to normal over time. GP thinks this too, seen him today.

  • john_30086
    john_30086 bob45964

    Posted

    I was only on citalopram 10mg for 7 days and stopped nearly 4 weeks ago.I don't have anger issues but my anxiety has got worse, still get hot flushes and terrible insomnia.

    Can I ask if you've had any sexual dysfunction issues since being on citalopram or coming off?

    • alex70088
      alex70088 john_30086

      Posted

      John, even though you can feel side effects after just 2 or 3 days,I don't think 7 days on cit would be the cause for any long term effects. It takes 2 to 4 weeks for neurotransmitters to settle into their new rhythm. With the extra serotonin flowing within the synapse. Don't worry about it. Also, wait until you get it on with someone. Maybe a little Viagra will help.

    • john_30086
      john_30086 alex70088

      Posted

      Alex, I already have a partner. Things were working ok before I had the panic attacks which led to the ed retuning and then me taking citalopram. I've tried viagra a couple of times over the last 2 weeks but nothing. No I've got no movement at all. Doctor seems to think it's all the anxiety not the citalopram but now I'm obviously starting to worry about permanent damage which is probably making it worse

  • katecogs
    katecogs bob45964

    Posted

    Hi Bob

    I've just come off Citalopram too, taken a year reducing by 5mg at a time and had no withdrawal symptoms doing it that slow.  However I've just started noticing that I'm more irritable and am not as calm as I was, finding things annoy me more.  I think Citalopram helps calm and soothe the nerves as well as making you happy by hanging onto your Serotonin, so when you haven't got that working your nerves return to normal and your body is more tense than normal.

    I'm taking 5-HTP (a natural Serotonin) so am hoping that'll ease this irritable feeling.  I'm also trying to relax towards this and will start going out for a walk / run as know that helps calm things.

    Other than that, I've no anxiety or depression ... but still annoying  isn't it.

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