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Citalopram and managing without it

Posted , 7 users are following.

dee35726
dee35726

I’ve been very interested to read other people’s experiences of anxiety and depression. I find acceptance that’s it’s just me really difficult . I’ve had a few challenges over the years but always feel everyone else’s is far worse and what am I making a fuss about? But I identify with so much of the feelings and reactions. I thought my latest need for help was bound up in menopausal symptoms and hormones as I started cytalopram around 50. A feeling of helplessness, tearful, shouting at small things, really intolerant, oversensitive to people’s comments ( lifelong problem that one!) when my lovely dog cowered from my shouting ... then I knew I needed help! My husband is kind (I think) and we’ve been together for 35 years - meeting at college. I have two lovely daughters and a nice home, a great well paid career . For goodness sake! I felt well  after finishing work in January and came off as advised. I did get the weird dizziness and vertigo almost for about a month. Four months later my symptoms are coming back. I’m sooooo disappointed. I’m blaming my husband again as I see the ‘faults’ - lack of empathy, oblivious to things around him that stare me in the face. I don’t want to ruin my life but I’ve lost my ability to assess what’s ‘real’ . After all life seems to be just a ‘perception’ I want to be ok without the citalopram. I no longer have physical menopausal symptoms so that’s can’t be it. 😥

0 likes, 23 replies

23 Replies

  • sue74917
    sue74917 dee35726

    Posted

    People who suffer from depression and anxiety usually fall into 2 broad categories, strong willed, self critical, like to be in control, cannot accept that their feelings are overwhelming and selfless to the extent that when they are not on top form feel they are letting family , friends and work colleagues down. Then there are those that have clinical / medical reasons why their brain sometimes needs medication to function properly.

    Why do you feel the need to come off of citalopram? As I was once told, if you broke your leg you would not continue to walk on it and refuse any medical treatment so if you need drugs to make you feel part of life again there is no shame in taking them

  • mike07300
    mike07300 dee35726

    Posted

    Hi Dee, have you tried a very small dose, instead of taking nothing, say 5 mg?   Certainly helps me out & I was getting similar problems.

    • dee35726
      dee35726 mike07300

      Posted

      Thanks for reply. I’ve tried HTP5 to give it a go. Also enrolled into a CBT course. I probably fit into Sue’s first category . Do we just have to recognise and deal with it on our own or medication or can we get our life partners to help us in some way? How to explain ...
  • mike07300
    mike07300 dee35726

    Posted

    Yeh it is hard to approach your partners sometimes, but just them knowing the truth about your own personal battle, should surely ease the burden, as they say a burden shared is a burden halved !
  • kelly58470
    kelly58470 dee35726

    Posted

    I like Mike's suggestion of trying a really small dose, and seeing if that will work for you.

    ?I think that, for many of us, when anxiety or depression symptoms show up for no apparent reason, it's that our brain chemistry needs a little extra help. I feel this is different than the person who has situational anxiety or depression, such as when a loved one dies, or some other sad/stressful life event. I think those people can often eventually get off antidepressants, and manage to stay off for quite some time; possibly, never going back on again.

    ?For myself, I have no issue with being on an antidepressant. I was 36 before I started taking one, and I actually regret I didn't go on one sooner. I've had anxiety all my life, and it wasn't until I went on medication that I realized what it's like to live a life without being nervous talking to other people, driving out of town, and without having many worried thoughts.

    I've had a taste of what life would be like for me if I went off my antidepressant; in April, Citalopram quit working for me after 5 years. It was like I was taking a sugar pill rather than actual medication. I was so nervous about switching meds that I limped along on the Cit for 2 months before switching to something else.; which still hasn't kicked in. Can I still function, yes. Have I been my usual happy and content self, no. The way I look at it is, life is so short, why make things even more difficult by not taking something to help?

    • lois95799
      lois95799 kelly58470

      Posted

      I think Kelly and Mike are correct about a small dosage...
  • will20275
    will20275 dee35726

    Posted

    Hi Dee,

    I was freaked out about going on a ssri. A friend of mine asked me. Was I afraid of the stigma of the drug? It then hit me yes I was and he said he was on an ssri. 

    I then started it and also found my friends here. I’m so much better. I couldn’t be without it. I also am like Kelly I wish I went on it earlier in my life. I’m only on 10mg and I agree with Mike try cutting the pill in half. I did in the beginning. Keep us posted of how you are. 

    Will😎

    • dee35726
      dee35726 will20275

      Posted

      Hi Will

      Yes I’ve been on it for about 4 years and it’s been miraculous - actually I think saving my marriage, my relationships with friends and myself. I was overwhelmed with work, house, children, Unwell parents. Now most of all that has changed/ gone/ grown up - I felt ready to stop. Today I feel great again but had a wobble over the weekend. I’m going to see how I go but I still have my 20 mg stash in the drawer and if needed I could go back on 10mg. I was just a bit shocked that my perception and my ‘rant’ were almost word for word what I used to say before I was on the tablets. So I guess I was hoping I might ‘heal’ (like a broken leg dies eventually) but it looks like the drugs give me a calm balance which I would like to try and achieve on my own... - and my risk is I will lose this artificial ‘balance’ if I stop taking it. But I will give it a go x thanks everyone- was great to share as you feel quite alone as people don’t really get it if they don’t feel it. Of course. 

    • will20275
      will20275 dee35726

      Posted

      Well spoken. I’m routing for you👼🏻👼🏻👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

    • will20275
      will20275 dee35726

      Posted

      Dee,

      Keep us posted how you are. I’m sure that will be me one day. I’m just so elated I do not have those horrific panic attacks any more. I’m so focused at work. I can multi multi task like I used to. My job is very stressful and I work long days which is a test on my body. I do notice my emotions are gone which bothers me. But time will tell. I’m still a newbie at 17 weeks. Have s great weekend. Stay strong! 

      Will😎

    • lois95799
      lois95799 will20275

      Posted

      Your emotions will come back..my emotions where numb fir about a year..now they are normal.
    • will20275
      will20275 lois95799

      Posted

      Thanks Lois.. I’m having that teeth nightmare again. Top left side . I did have the pain in my check and it was almost gone but today out of no where my tooth again. I saw the dentist just 6 weeks ago for the 2nd time he did exrays and checked thoroughly and now this 😬😬😬😬

      Will😎

    • lois95799
      lois95799 will20275

      Posted

      Unfortunately trust me is the celexa..the most weird and bizzarre feelings of side effects happen with this Medication for some folks..and you and I are those folks..
    • gill2581
      gill2581 will20275

      Posted

      Hi Will

      Im just reading your post do you grind your teeth? Im doing this too😏 I'm getting a mouth guard made to wear at night... I know this is an old post Im just wondering has this stopped... Im on this medication just iver 3 months!

      Thanks

      Gill

    • will20275
      will20275 gill2581

      Posted

      Hi Gill,

      Yes I was grinding my teeth for a while.. Ironically I also had in infection in my bone on the top left of my jaw. I was having bad headaches and jaw pain. Nothing showed up on ex-rays until i woke up with a swollen face. I went on antibiotics for 24 days and I had to have root canal. I'm much better now. I'm also going to have my Dentist make me a mouth guard. They are so expensive $800.00. Crazy money! I'm on 10 mg now for exactly 1 year. I'm doing great. So happy I found a neurologist that suggested celexa. Keep me posted how you are.

      Will

    • gill2581
      gill2581 will20275

      Posted

      Hi Will

      Thanks for the reply.... I actually thought the Celexa was causing the grinding & jaw pain! Maybe its just me 🤔... Luckily my partner is a Clinical Dental Technician (he make dentures!) he's making one for me and covering the cost 😊

      Every one has been telling me I'm a lot better than I was but I still don't feel myself... I suppose its still early days and I need to give it more time...

      Thanks again

      Gill 😊

    • lois95799
      lois95799 gill2581

      Posted

      the celexa does cause jaw pain and teeth grinding.it happen to me. lasted about two weeks.

    • will20275
      will20275 gill2581

      Posted

      Gill,

      I still feel the teeth pain I originally had was from the celexa. My jaw was really hurting me. It last about 4 months off and on. I also feel during that time the side effects of celexa was the cause of me grinding my teeth. It was a coincidence I had an infection. This was my 1st root canal. It just added more stress to me during the leveling out period. I'm so happy I stayed with this med. I had so many strange side effects that I thought I was losing my mind. keep me posted of how you are doing. Lois was a God send getting me through it.

      Will

    • gill2581
      gill2581 lois95799

      Posted

      Hi Lois,

      I've had it about 6 weeks now, I feel jaw neck and shoulder pain.. It feels so tense and unnatural.... Im constantly massaging it with massage oils and using bonjela!! Im also getting very breathless its so annoying!! My doctor says its side effects!! Im on 20mg for just over 3 months..... I do feel a lot better than I was but this is dragging me down...

      Thanks Will and Lois for the replys

      Gillian

    • lois95799
      lois95799 gill2581

      Posted

      your doctor is correct.i know the side effects are scary and annoying but they cant hurt you.

    • will20275
      will20275 gill2581

      Posted

      your lucky your Dr said its the side effects.

      My Dr couldn't understand all the side effects I was having. That had given me paranoia. But thats behind me now.

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