Coming off citalopram. :(

I've not had ANY side-effects - so far!!! Will post my journey, in a few weeks time.

S

Sandra,

wow, that's great! I was only on 10mg but the side effects have been fairly bad (at first anxiety and dizziness, and now, 3 weeks in, headaches, tiredness, pain, sleeping lots).

All - does anyone know how soon the side-effects from sudden withdrawal usually kick in? Can it really takes weeks for it to get really bad? I came off another drug at the same time (Amitriptiline - any know anything about withdrawal from that??)

Thanks and best wishes

Sophia

Jeezo! It's the Amitriptiline that's causing those side-effects! That's a strong drug. My cousin was on that and never again. You, usually, have to have a drug like Citalopram to ease the side-effects. I would have taken that withdrawal VERY slowly.

Sandra, thanks, that's interesting - and a bit scary! no wonder things are rough right now!! I'm not sure if I'm glad I'm off it, if it's such an awful drug which it definitely sounds like it is - or whether i've done the wrong thing since I was on it for my CFS and the nerve pain that that brings with it ..can those side-effects take so long to kick in though? it's been about 3 weeks since I stopped the Amitriptiline too!

All I know is from others who have taken it and it's not given easily but, as far as I know, only on severe cases of depression. Personally, I would never touch it.

My cousin was, also, on Zispin (think that was the one) and to come off it she had to be put on Pozac. She found it horrendous and would get buzzing in her head.

I have a friend with M.E. and she is taking Amitrip. Just read into it and what about starting a new post on the subject, if there isn't already one started?

i was taking amitriptline 50mg for nerve pain (they think i have CRPS - complex regional pain sydrome)

i found it very useful. i was taking this as well as citalopram (which i was taking because of knee pain caused by the CRPS and was so depressed as i couldn't stand never mind walk) the citalopram really helped my mood during that period. my mother however who suffered from bipolar disorder was taking amitriptline (300mg or so - quite a high dose) for depression. this worked for her but unfortunately she had a heart attack and could no longer use amitrip.

hope this helps in some way

Interesting, Sandra.. yes, might be worth starting a new thread, it sounds like this can of worms is as nasty as the CItalopram!! Thanks for your advice

There's an answer already, Sophia.

I think they are all the same. A necessary evil, sometimes though.

Hi Susan,

Thanks for your post. Have you experienced withdrawal symptoms from either of those two (those are the 2 drugs i've just stopped taking) - and did you withdraw from them gradually? Yes they are useful for pain and I'm hoping that i won't be in pain because of not taking them as i don't want to live on them forever

Sophia

http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/healthadvice/treatmentswellbeing/antidepressants/comingoffantidepressants.aspx

Hope you find this of interest.

i stopped taking citalopram cold turkey last year. i found that i was tearful and snappy but this didn't last for too long. probably only a few weeks. i haven't tried to come off amitrip. the consultant dealing with the CRPS wants me to reduce the 50mg and i did try to reduce to 40mg for a couple of weeks but i went back up to 50mg as i was really concerned that it might affect the pain. i wasn't willing to take the risk.

why did you stop them both at the same time ?

Sophia, i also meant to ask what is CFS ?

Hi Susan,

Yes, you're right not to take the risk.. my reasons for ceasing both simultaneously are very silly - i simply forgot to take the CItalopram for a few days over Christmas, and, because I didn't even realise it, I thought that maybe the 10mg was having no effect and as so far there were no side-effects, I assumed there wouldn't be any at all. Then I ran out of Amitriptiline a few days later, again right over Christmas, and instead of making a doctor's appointment, I decided to try and come off that one as well (again on 10mg). But the pain has been awful and the fatigue just as bad. I guess I'm trying to get back to zero drugs and see where i'm at with the CFS (which is chronic fatigue syndrome - similar to Fibromyalgia - which isn't strictly the same thing in some doctors' opinions but the doctors treating me haven't determined which condition it is as they produce such similar fatigue and pain symptoms). I am really hoping that, once my body gets used to taking no drugs at all, the pain may reduce and i'm hoping that changes to my diet and lifestyle may help as I want to try more natural approaches and just feel 'alive' again, if that's possible!!

I see. well good luck and i hope that the pain doesn't return as i know how awful it can be and how absolutely draining it is living with pain day after day. it really does take all your energy. don't think that you have failed if you do end up deciding to take one or other of the meds.