Citalopram withdrawal.
Posted , 24 users are following.
I have been completely off citalopram about 4 months now. I tapered off from 20mg to 10mg and then 5mg for about a month. I didn't feel too much until I finally quit altogether and then had all kinds of problems. Dizziness, lethargy, sore joints. I felt lost, spacey and isolated. I just kept toughing it out one day at a time, sleeping a lot and having very limited physical activity. About two days ago I actually felt like doing some things and most of the symptoms have greatly subsided if not disappeared totally. At first I couldn't believe that the widely prescribed drug could do all those things. I figured it must be something else causing all my discomfort and was just about ready to go into the VA hospital for more bloodwork and counseling when it lifited. I see now that the only thing that could fit all the symptoms was the citalopram withdrawal. What a ordeal.. glad I'm seeing the sun shining again. A lot of people go back on the drug as they want the temporary pain to go away but I just took it one day at a time, when I got thru that day I chalked it up to one day closer to getting my health and life back...so hang in there... it DOES get better.
3 likes, 51 replies
Guest charles13800
Posted
1st abd 2nd weeks were not too bad, dizzy spells and feeling saved out.
2nd to 4th weeks symptom began to taper off slightly. I still get the odd day where I might feel a little down or a little dizzy but it does not last and passes quickly.
I expect to be dealing with the recovery for some time to come and have prepared myself for the long haul. After taking 20mg for 2 years I know that complete recovery will is a long way off but like yourself I take i day at a time.
I agree it does get better!
helena78890 charles13800
Posted
I just signed up to say thank you for this post! I slowly tapered off 20mg citalopram exactly as described by my prescribing doctor and 2-3 days after stopping completely the most debilitating dizziness/vertigo started, along with headaches and nausea because the whole room spins whenever I move my head. I'm barely getting through the day at work because I feel so unwell. All the professional sites I've read say that symptoms only happen if you stop cold turkey and that they stop a few days after your last pill, which isn't helpful as I'm a week on from my last dose and not feeling any better and didn't stop cold turkey. It really does help to know I'm not the only one feeling this way.
Elliejane44 helena78890
Posted
How are you now ? I am having similar symptoms but only from not taking my tablets properly !
I feel like I am swaying all time , queasy and tired
Ellie
dotty28 charles13800
Posted
patricia22438 dotty28
Posted
Dotty, I've been on 20mg for over 10 yrs. My taper formula is 20/10/20/10 ....... been doing this for a week. My body is very sensitive to drugs. I swear I was more anxious today and even depressed, down in the dumps as they used to say most of the morning. After lunch it was better. Could be I need to eat a better breakfast than just a piece of toast and a hard boiled egg. I'll carry on and see how it goes. Happy to see it's going well for you, Dotty!
dotty28 patricia22438
Posted
Hope you’re feeling better today patricia, I allowed myself 4-6 weeks before I tapered again, hopefully it’ll settle for you. I got some magnesium today to see if it will help with my taper. I’m feeling determined. Good luck 😊
patricia22438
Posted
Dotty, I'm still progressing with the 20mg one day/ 10 mg the next day/ and so on. It's been three full weeks now. One more week of this - - then I will begin just taking 10 mg each day for a month. After that I was thinking I could split it to 5mg for a month and so on. I notice more headaches but husband suggested I also take Sam-E each day. We already had some in the house, 400 mg. I believe it is helping me with the anxiety and depression I was feeling when I last shared with you. That's good because I do work work full time at a law office and have the normal stresses and deadline issues that go on for all working people. Switching my diet helps. Eating less and less packaged and processed foods - and a wheatbran waffle no honey or syrup for breakfast or a hard boiled egg. New positive changes. I hope you will have a more successful experience when you begin again. It's a long process but I believe it is much better to take time to do it as gently as you can. The brain is a very complex organ and I've fed it this drug for many years. Hoping I'll be able to regain my ability to remember bible verses and lyrics to songs again. Wishing you the best, Dotty. Stay in touch with me if you'd like.
gina38408 dotty28
Posted
mike38688 charles13800
Posted
Hello all
thank you so much for posting your experience with the withdrawal symptoms of Citalopram.
it helped me a lot as I am on my (week 4) without medication.
I'm having all the symptoms mentioned by the users of the site. Ibegan to have thoughts of going back on the medication untill i came across this forum.
the most difficult symptoms It felt like someone had hijacked my brain.
Hard to do exercise and training being constantly dizzy. Stiff joints.and very little drive to physical excercise.quickly irrtated.
I will keep you posted when symptoms subsides.
shane66622 mike38688
Posted
Hope you are having a better day!
Shane
dotty28 charles13800
Posted
Hi everyone I hope your taper is going well. I’m currently taking 10mg every other day for 3 weeks and I’m getting on fine this was recommended by my doctor, she said do this for 2 weeks and then stop, any suggestions how I taper from here, I don’t want to just stop now. Thanks in advance 😊
shane66622 dotty28
Posted
Take care and good luck!
dotty28 shane66622
Posted
patricia22438 dotty28
Posted
Hello, Dotty and everyone freeing themselves from Celexa...
I really experienced a weird thing yesterday. After working all day - typing, computer work - I came home and when I went into my room to change from my work clothes I felt like I was "in a dream" stance where your mind wanders about all weird things, one thing to another thing, and that lasted a couple hours. I didn't let my husband know, just tried not to think about the circles my mind was going into - and after a few hours it went away. Anyone ever experience this? Thanks for your input. Wishing everyone victory over this drug.
shane66622 patricia22438
Posted
Yes! Out of body & crazy thoughts! I know what you are referring to.
The sooner I am free of this drug the better!
lois95799 patricia22438
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patricia22438 shane66622
Posted
patricia22438 lois95799
Posted
Thanks, Lois and Shane - it was so weird. Like sleepwalking? but awake - hanging up my work clothes and as if I was dreaming because the thoughts were so crazy and random. Thanks to you both for your comments! I have never been on any drug other than this one - and for so long.......back to around 9-11 - the sadness really hit me among other things in my life - and I quit once but I wasn't working like I am now - attorney's office and lots of details! I can tell my brain has gotten lazy and doesn't retain facts/figures even for a short time lately. Hoping that will all improve! Glad I found this site!