Coming off citalopram. :(

What I can't understand as most of you seem to have withdrawl effects stright away but my first 2 weeks down to 5mg were fine, infact I couldn't believe it how good I felt but since I haven't felt so good and I am now in my 7th week, mainly it feels as though my nerves are on alert most of time and it is a job to relax, as I originally took the cit for anxiety I'm wondering if it is all happening again, my GP has told me I can go back on 10, just don't know what to do at the moment, most of the time I can live with how I am but it is not ideal.

Hi guys I have started a new discussion.the topic is citalopram. Im looking for the best advice. If any1 has some spare time. I would appreciate some advice. Thank you

Hi all I've been on 40mg of Citalopram for a year now. I haven't feel great for a while then the last month has been awful. I work with children and have done for 30 years now I feel like I can't cope with anything! Im weep, short tempered confused and suffering panic attacks.Doc signed me off for three weeks has now decided to change med. He said reduce to 30 for two weeks 20 for two then 10 for two then off. Then he'll look at something else. Have only started to cut down to 30 this week and already having headaches and can't sleep hence why Im on here at 3:30am! Is this going to get worse?

Hi Julie 33343

Bless ya, it's so difficult to say if the symptoms will get worse for you, I know it's of no consolence but it does get easier. I can say that you'll have good day, crap day. It seems like an eternity when your going through it. I used binaural entrainment for depression, and I do believe that coupled with vit b complex with b 12 has helped, and yes I had days when even putting my earphones in was the biggest ball ache! Am week three I think and it's settled down quite a bit..

I hope this helps you.

Stay strong

Xx

Thanks Kat 99794 Had a rough night but is good to know people understand because they've been through it. Thanks for your support will keep you posted. xxx

HI julie 33343, I also work with very young children and having had a bad time trying to come off cit previously was concerned at how I would cope. After a bad start reducing from 20mg to 10mg and feeling suicidal earlier this year I followed gillian's advice and cut down very gradually taking 20mg alternate days 15mg using a pill cutter.

When I felt balanced on a lower dose I then did another 5mg reduction alternate days. It took patience and determination but I am now off the cit for the first time in two and a half years.

In total the whole process from start to finish took 3 months, I did get some side affects but feel so much

better now despite a whole new lot of stressful situations having sprung up around my family I am determined not to go back on, they made me feel so much worse than I did before I started on them. There are much better ways to manage stress than taking drugs that make you feel like cit does, as I've said before it is not recommended as a long term treatment becos of the damage it does to peoples brain chemistry, groups of patients are now suing the manufacturers because of this, the manufacturers have known about the problems for a long time but sadly many family doctors are completely umaware and keep people on repeat prescriptions for years until there is so much damage to the brains ability to make seretonin the patience are told they have no choice but to stay on the drug for life.

My advice to anyone whose been on cit for over 2 years is reduce slowly but whatever you do don't just keep taking them long term . It is possible to come off and this forum has the best advice I've come across so well done to everyone it can bedone!

Hi - I have been on Citalopram for two years following a very difficult and distressing family situation. I was on 20mg and then reduced this after one year to 10mg, but within a few weeks I became tearful again. My Dr told me that the depression was still there so it was best to stay on them for a little longer.

In recent months I have been trying again to come off them - gradually, from 10mg, then to 5mg. Last weekend I took my last pill and have had an ok week, definitely no lowness, but the 'brain zaps' or electric shock feelings are not nice and I feel woozy, dizzy, tired and floaty for most of the time. I am hoping this passes because I know I don't need the tablets any more and I like the fact that my real emotions are coming back. I hadn't realised how masked my feelings and emotions were but now I am excited about things again - proper tummy tickling excited; I cried last night when watching the new about the little girl killed by her dog - I felt real emotion which, whilst terribly sad, shows I am getting back to normal. I have piled the weight on but I was fat to start with and I think my sense of giving a sh*t had gone for a burton whilst on the tablets so I hope I will get a grip on my weight in due course.

I am looking on this forum for any advice regarding how to cope with the symptoms of coming of the drug and also hopefully I can be of a little help to someone.

Well done Cindy 22901. It's interesting you mention about emotions as I've noticed myself regarding something as sad but feeling strangely detached.Never thought that it could be the drugs!

8 days free now...this week has been a whirlwind of emotions and side effects, but I've just been taking it day by day. Some days...minute by minute when the withdrawals were bad. Dizzy spells have subsided a bit and aren't as frequent but the headaches remain and usually come on in the early afternoon. I have been taking fish oil and vitamin B and I feel like this has helped some with the symptoms and energy level. As hard as it is, if you can find the energy to get out and do something active for at least 30 minutes, it seems to help. I know how hard that can be because I've literally had to drag myself to the gym everyday. I'm determined to get off this drug and will continue to deal with the symptoms as they come, I'm just hoping for sooner rather than later when I wake up one day and feel GREAT! Take care of yourself and allow yourself to feel all the emotions you are feeling. For a long time, these feelings have been masked by the drug. Just know that what you are going thru, we are all going thru and it's normal to feel like your feeling. Thank you to everyone for the advice and encouragement thru this site. It's been comforting to know I'm not alone.

Hang in there everyone!

Hi All.

I have been on citalopram since late 2009 and early 2010. I have suffered many side effects but mainly a huge tiredness all the time. At times I feel I can sleep for days but luckily I have had the will to keep going.

I started on a 30mg dose, which was upped to 40mg. It was then brought back down to 30mg, then 20mg and today my doc has finally reduced to 10mg in hope i will be Citalopram free in a month or so.

I have been following this discussion and I am just really hoping I dont have any major withdrawal issues. I am a full time secondary school teacher and I have to be on point every single day.

I guess Im just wanting to say that I am glad there are other people out there that are similar to me and my situation.

I will be praying for you all and wish you all luck on your 'Citalopram Journies!!!'

Has any one felt anger in there stomach and become short tempered from ciwalopram? Or is it me and not the meds? I was taking 20mg for a year, had a relapse, took 40mg for 6weeks felt way way worse than ever before. Im back on 20mg for 2weeks. It seems has the days go by the worse I feel. Its also been 2days of bad sleep. Any one have any ideas? Should I up the dose again to maybe 25,30 or cut down and come off them slowly and try different meds. Im feeling lost.

Try just cutting down slowly julzuk, the effects of not taking them are bloody horrid. But if coming off them is what is right for you then stick at it.. I have verrrry big angry blow outs, paranoia, sickness, vision problems alienating my family, no one seemed to understand even though I had warned them It is hell!!, but stuck with it and 3 weeks on feel great.. Still get annoyed upset etc, but on the whole it was worth it. I take a herbal tablet called quiet life, they're herbal and relatively cheep and not in anyway harmful, I also take vitamin B complex with B12, (B12 good for depression) I also have binaural entrainment app which basically stimulates one or two of the brainwaves, mine is for depression lol. I armed myself with as much info as I could and just persisted despite my kids seeming to forget and despite having crap from my two bosses, unbelievable events at work. It is horrid but your not on your alone with it.. Keep your chin up, stay strong and try not to worry. Loads of people on this forum have tried different ways to cope, so there is lots of advice.. Xx

It's been 10 days since I haven't taken a single milligram of Citalopram. Both dizziness and "brain zaps" have dissapated and I'm feeling great. I recommend making a list of all the things you did for enjoyment before taking Citalopram and committing to yourself to revisit those old interests. This is extremely therapeutic and will really make you get more enjoyment out of life. I also stress to you the importance of daily exercise and physical activities. Once off of Citalopram, you will feel more energetic and staying active and fit will help you cope with the seretonin withdrawal and fluxuations as well as limit the number of encounters of depression that most of us possess.

Well said STLScoop.

I am on a steady 5mg daily dose now. Have been for about 5 weeks.

I get out on my bike, even when I don't much feel like it, and what a difference it makes to my mind.

I am also with you on the enjoyment factor. Even the little things help...like lighting candles, taking time out to watch old films...

I took 20mg all of last year. I cut back to 10mg for one month, then stopped.

For the following 3 months I experienced alot of tearfulness but did not feel depressed.

I thought at the time it was a release of emotions Ihadn't much felt for over a year.

I was kinda releaved to have some emotion return.

At the end of a short romance, I experienced all the classic signs of depression.

Or heartbreak.

Staying in bed for days etc.

I saw the doctor and she recommended I go back on Citalopram and that I will probably need to stay on them for the rest of my life.

After 4 weeks they made me feel better and any side effects were better than feeling depressed.

It has now been eight months and I am sick of how they make me feel.

Tiredness, nausea, indifference to other people. Slight vertigo. Weight gain.

3 weeks ago I cut back to 10mg.

I experienced several occassions of sharp pain in my head, headaches, low mood, anti social, and in the first week

tingly fingers.

During my research about this medication, I came across this forum.

I am happy to say that I will follow other peoples recommendation and cut down very very slowly