Cold turkey on citalopram

it could take anything up to 3 momnths

How long have you been on them ?

i was on them for years as well went cold turkey was awful ended back on them i am coming of them again now but reduding them on 8mg at the moment doing fine wouldnt advice going cold turkey charlie but you my be ok

Hi Charlie, 

Well, I hate to tell you, going cold turkey is a bad idea, especially for how long you have been on Cital.  You really have to go off of them slowly, with your doctor’s knowledge and assistance.  Cital is a very powerful med, and has to be dealt with carefully.  I’m sure you remember all the side effects you went through as you started them, well it’s the same going off of them, and must be done slowly as it is a shock to your body and mind.  I don’t know how long you have been off of the Cital at this point, but I would absolutely give your doctor a call today to see what they recommend for you at this point.  After 6 years, you don’t want to un-do everything now.

I wish you luck!  If you would, keep us posted as to how you are doing, as it would be valuable information for the rest of us on Cital too!    

 

People run into all kinds of trouble trying to medicate withdrawal symptoms with other drugs, ie. for the anxiety at night.  All of that is a sign that your nervous system is hugely destabilized due to it having down-regulated to take citalopram's action into account.  These drugs create an artificially high level of serotoinin in the gap between nerves, and the nervous system wants homeostatsis so opposes the high level by down-regulating serotonin production and pruning back receptors.  When you yank the drug away, all you are left with are those oppositional changes which sling-shot your nervous system too far the other way.  Though you may feel the physical symptoms are subsiding, withdrawal has only just begun and the emotional symptom upheaval is yet to come.  Extreme anxiety and night-time cortisol surges are just the beginning. 

There is a reason the package insert for these drugs says DO NOT STOP TAKING THEM SUDDENLY or you will experience discontinuation syndrome!  Medicos and the drug manufacturers don't recognize protracted withdrawal, but that is why Rangers3131 ended up back on, no doubt.

You would be wise to reinstate a small amount, perhaps half or even a quarter of the starting dose depending on how long you have been off now.  After stabilizing for a few weeks, you can then resume tapering off by very small increments.  That is the best way to get off successfully, and done properly, you shouldn't really notice withdrawal as you come off.

Hey Charlie, couple of questions please how long were you on Citalopram before stopping I would suggest weaning off reduce the amount and gradual as I have done that and had minimal issue one bad night insomnia mild anxiety heart palpatations, manageable you dont want to just stop I also had really bad head ache for days trust dont go there!!!  

Thanks for all your input i appreciate it. Im having a bad day today and yes you are all correct in me not quite realising how powerful this drug is. Im going to call my doctor tomorrow and see what he suggests i have deffo done this the wrong way. The thing that bothers me the most is the brain zaps and shakes also feeling very light headed. I find keeping busy helps but i cant seem to relax and have lost my apoetite completely. Xx

Hi all just wanted to update you on how im feeling. My brain zaps are not as bad and deffo getting less each day. I feel really good during the day very active. My only issue is night time when i go to bed i get the most awful anxiety and cant get to sleep, i was up intill 3am this morning but feel good now even after such little sleep. Im goin to speak with my doctor today so il fill you all in on wats said later x