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Citalapram discontinuation

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paddy22311
paddy22311

Can people supervise me for awhile please.? It seems like an unknown journey for me X quite scary.

After long term use of Citalapram( 15 years X getting up to 60 mg X they ceased working ) I tapered off far too fast X I,VE ended up with extreme stress symptoms like heightened anxiety, lack of sleep X even some obsessive compulsive stuff I,VE never had before. Also lack of appetite , increased constipation, eyesight problems, brain zaps . I over react to anything X i,m not too nice to my husband at times with my irritability.

I use vitamins X eat well X enjoy daily exercise. The only relief to have noticeable effect has been having a long shower with warm water on my head. Also occasional use of an antihistamine called Restavit to help sleep. It has worked occasionally.

Today I reinstated with 2.5 mg. but maybe I,VE already stuffed up my central nervous system by being enduring withdrawal symptoms for too long. That is my fear.

i have a supportive husband who ,with me ,  felt  great disappointment at my going back on Cit.

Up until I got so stressed , my husband Michael was enjoying the drug free me , saying I was more " real".

i appreciate you reading this X maybe making comments.

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • katecogs
    katecogs paddy22311

    Posted

    The maximum dose for Citalopram in the uk is 40mg.

    How long did it take you to reduce?

    • paddy22311
      paddy22311 katecogs

      Posted

      I started in May this year X ended on Sept 16th.  Evidently nowhere near long enough, so I,VE really learned a lesson the hard way. 

      How are we to know these things? These days there,s so much info given out but I,VE not seen anything on AD discontinuation.

      l just hope my 2.5 works.

    • betsy0603
      betsy0603 paddy22311

      Posted

      Give it a little time.  You were off for about 7 weeks?  Still may be early enough for a small reinstatement to help, but it should help sooner than later.  When I reinstated Effexor after being off for 10 months, I felt it within an hour!  I'd been on it 12 years when I went off, so clearly still very dependant on it!  

      What are your primary withdrawal symptoms?  Going back on a smidge won't take away all the positives such as being more "real."  I've read of many people feeling more "themselves" as they have tapered but aren't all the way off, yet.  

    • paddy22311
      paddy22311 betsy0603

      Posted

      Feeling stressed X anxious X at night not being able to stop focusing on feeling stressed. I get wet with sweat .

      I actually felt really good X happy on 

      Citalapram.  I never felt unreal. The only reason I ceased was that it stopped working for me.

      However last  night I slept alright X now that I,m back on even a small dose I hope tonight goes well.

    • katecogs
      katecogs paddy22311

      Posted

      So around 4 months you withdrew?  Is a little quick.  You say you stopped because the meds stopped working for you?  How long did you start feeling unwell again ...... was it occasionally or did it last for months?
    • paddy22311
      paddy22311 katecogs

      Posted

      About a month after my last dose , I started feeling fearful without anything to be frightened of, along with over reacting to everything with irritability etc. t

      The fear episodes have gone now. My current symptoms are feeling stressed X anxious without overt cause as I have a happy life now.

    • betsy0603
      betsy0603 paddy22311

      Posted

      All withdrawal symptoms and I'm glad that the small dose seems to be helping, sounds like.
  • Richardt
    Richardt paddy22311

    Posted

    How are u different, when not taking citalprom to your self and to your husband.
    • paddy22311
      paddy22311 Richardt

      Posted

      Michael says I am more direct in my responses to him, that I don,t filter with so much kindness or consideration, I think he means. He appeared  to tolerate my irritability with him then.

      My current stressed state is another thing though X I know it concerns him.

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