Posted , 6 users are following.
Help ! Have weaned off citalopram with taking the last 2.5mg dose just over 2 weeks ago
I have been suffering since I stopped. Bad anxiety , crying , bad stomach , feel like I've got flu
Has anyone else experienced this for more than 2 weeks ? Please tell me it gets better 
0 likes, 9 replies
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weenett kathkat2016
Posted
Im guessing it might take that long to feel ok without it? Just guessing tho
Little_miss_sad weenett
Posted
Hi,
Curious to know how are you now? I'm weaning from 10mg, went to half, now on a qtr 2.5 by cutting the tablet into quarters. Felt fine going from 10-5mg, however it's been 2 weeks at 2.5mg and really struggling. Nausea, panic attacks, crying and anxiety! And oh the lethargy!!!! Really want to get off the meds! But would love to hear how your journey went?
katecogs kathkat2016
Posted
How long did you take in total to wean off it?
I've come off before and remember I could suddenly cry for England - I'd weep at the stupidest thing for a while. It did wear off.
During my time off Citalopram I took 5-HTP and l-tyrosine which is bought over the counter. 5-HPT is a natural SSRI and works quicker with no side effects and you can start / stop with no weaning on or off. Worth trying to help relieve the symptoms. You can't take them if you're still on Citalopram though.
K xx
kathkat2016 katecogs
Posted
Thank you , I was only on a low dose so weaned down to 2.5mg over the course of weeks. I feel like I've got flu , shaking , anxiety and very emotional . It's awful
CanadianCAT kathkat2016
Posted
I had to wean off very slowly, over about two months, and the last 5mg was the worst. I had bad anxiety and paranoia for about a week, but it eventually ended and I felt fine. You just need to determine if it's the withdrawal, or if you still need the citalopram. It's tough to know.
katecogs CanadianCAT
Posted
I've come off these before (doing 20 / 10 / 5 / off) and had withdrawal and stayed off for a year (in that time I took 5-HTP and l-tyrosine as I do need something) but sadly had to restart due to family illness. This last year I've been withdrawing again but this time done it by 5mg at a time and have had no withdrawl at all as I've done it much slower. The last 5mg I've crushed an am currently on 2.5mg and still doing ok.
Withdrawl the first time lasted about 6 weeks (I think) and it was different to needing to be back on Cit. Withdrawl gave me a headache, brain zaps, irritability, crying (oh the crying)!!! whereas when I needed Citalopram after a year I became depression and anxious again. Could be different for other people though.
When I'm off Cit soon I'll be returning to 5-HTP etc and this keeps me on an even keel ..... but I'll have no hesitation at all in returning to Cit if the need arises again.
Citaloman kathkat2016
Posted
Hi KathKat2016,
This sounds all too familiar. I've tried twice before to come off citalopram and ended up in the same situation as yourself. Realising that the method of withdrawl favoured by doctors (who are not in the know), doing the for e.g 20/10/20/10 then 10/0/10/0/10 alternate days etc over a few weeks doesn't work. (too severe and too quick) What I have learnt is unlike other ssri, citlopram is very powerful and very, very difficult to come off when you have been on longer than a year or more. I approached a charity that used to specialise only in citalopram withdrawl, they sent me a booklet which made it quite clear that if you are struggling to get off citalopram, then you need to be using the drops and coming off by e.g 10% per month. For me that has meant going from 20mg down to 0, by reducing by 2mg per month over almost a year. Each drop of the citalopram drops is dosed at 2mg per drop. I am currently down to 15mg using a 10mg tablet and 2.5 drops of citalopram (5mg). I get the half a drop by putting a drop in a glass and emptying out half the cup. I'm reducing by 1mg every two weeks. I can honestly say this is the first time I feel that I've got a good chance of finally getting off citalopram. I've had a bit of a lowish mood and some flu like symptoms, but very managable and it hasn't stopped me working. Anyway if you need to go back on to your typical dose, next time try comming off using the drops, if your doctor, like mine wouldn't prescribe them (becasue they know best) change your doctor to one that has some idea about citalopram withdrawl.
sarah88369 kathkat2016
Posted
Hi
I just wondered how it getting on. I have weaned myself off citalopram and took my final dose about 10 days ago. I feel terrible and my anxiety is through the roof.
Are you any better ? I hope you are ??
Little_miss_sad kathkat2016
Posted
Hi,
Curious to know how are you now? I'm weaning from 10mg, went to half, now on a qtr 2.5 by cutting the tablet into quarters. Felt fine going from 10-5mg, however it's been 2 weeks at 2.5mg and really struggling. Nausea, panic attacks, crying and anxiety! And oh the lethargy!!!! Really want to get off the meds! But would love to hear how your journey went?