Coming off citalopram. :(

Hi Ms Mac,

I approved your link re grapefruit juice further up the discussion but other sites do not say it it an issue like our medicine leaflet https://patient.info/medicine/citalopram. There is a link at the bottom of this to the manufacturer's information which also doesn't say do not take grapefruit juice. Looking in Google the grapefruit juice warning seems out of date but you should check with a pharmacist if in doubt.

Regards,

Alan

I had gon Statins for a while they say that so asked pharacist at hospital.She said try it. I was Ok for me

Hi there, I've sought out this forum today because the withdrawal symptoms from citalopram are quite bad at the moment and I wanted to know what other people's experience has been. What I find hard is that the doctor's are like 'yeah, just come off it', with some recommending coming off it slowly and some confident coming off it immediately won't be a problem. I feel that this drug is very powerful. I feel like I have 'messed with it' and I almost regret ever doing so. I tried to come off initially this summer, after to years. My mood plummeted and the doctor said maybe I couldn't cope without it, so I went back on (20mg). I tried again to come off at Christmas, but felt dizzy, sick and low. I was working through the holiday period as a waitress and I just didn't want to be there, due to feeling so uncomfortable. As I noticed my mood had plummeted again, and I felt I was being 'odd' around my friends and thinking negatively all the time, I went back on to 10mg. A month later, I forgot to take it a few times so just thought I would try stopping again. I haven't really slept properly since last Friday night (four nights ago). Last night I lay awake virtually the whole night and had to call in sick. It's like all the negativity held back by the drug has rushed in and filled my brain.

I feel like I no longer know what my biggest problem is, citalopram or depression.

Hi, nicola58, I've only got as far as your post on what appears to be a very long thread. Your post was over a year ago now so I hope you're feeling better? It seems from what I've read so far that you're definitely not alone. And maybe feeling alone is in itself a side effect of the withdrawal. I hope to hear about your welfare later in the thread

Thank you Emis. I know orange juice can interact with a lot of medication but first time I'd read anything about grapefruit so, yes, best to check with pharmacist.

* Alan that should be

Hi Battle, I'm now wondering if symptoms I had before were due to Citalopram or 'just' my depression. I'm now off the drug and the best I have felt in years and, hopefully, will never go on any antidepressant again. I think it has messed with my brain because I was on various ones far too long. I will look for an alternative, in future.

I just wrote a reply(that got lost) to the effect of: went on C for panic attacks and low mood. I thought there was something wrong with me, I thought drugs were the answer - a chance to live a 'normal' life. They did work, in a way. Still panic and have low mood occasionally but overall felt better. I just struggle with the experience at either end. I think anyone who's been through it will know what I mean when I say you feel like a full blown drug addict, unable to look after yourself, completely stark raving mad. Nobody needs that in their life. I am hoping that I have learnt enough about coping with stress, to not need the drugs. And I think that should be my choice. Anyway..

Hi all,

Just catching up as haven't been online for a few days.

@Beverley10109 - so sorry to read your posts - as others have mentioned, you are not alone and this forum is great, everyone understands some of what we are all going through and everyone is so supportive, that in itself is a tonic Hope you're feeling better soon. Re your nerve pain, I have the same but lower back and i have to say it's the worst hell i've ever known so i feel bad for you - coming off the drugs can make that worse but i'm told it's only temporary, so amen to that!! Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

Sandra - thank you for the article, it's really interesting!!

Sophia

You're welcome, Sophia. I'm doing great (so far!) since stopping the pills. There's light at the end of that long, dark tunnel. Never thought I would say that, as I've been to hell and back, many times.

Glad to hear some success stories - much needed. Another month here @ 2.5mgs and I want to be done with this drug! I have noticed that I am getting very impatient with little things - doing a lot of deep breaths and taking a step back to look at the situation before throwing a tantrum. Plus I am way too flipping old for a

tantrum..

For the love of this forum!!! I am so thankful!

Michelle

Hi Mrs Mac

I liked your 'save yourself' article. My doctor said the same to me last year. Basically we are just throwing a drug at the brain with out really knowing how it works etc. A very inexact science. Thank you.

Hi Marbel

Not many doctors would say that - pity. They just throw pills at you because there isn't much more available and it's an easy way out. They can't measure your brain in any way to find out what it is lacking. Most people, including myself, are just so desperate to feel better, that they are just glad to take anything they think will help. It's a desperation. Depression is such a terrible illness but you CAN get better, I thought I would be on pills for life, I really did but can't believe how much better I am without them.

Firstly though, your life has to be better. You have to feel better before trying to cut them out.

S

Michelle, my doctor said that a very low dose would not do any good so, perhaps, is just knowing that you are still taking something to help that is doing the trick. Lowest I was on was 10 mg every second day for a week or two.

We are human guinea pigs.

Hi girls,

I am a patient and a mental health clinician and i was on citalipram for 15 YEARS at very high doses. Orifginally put on for an auto immune disease and the physical pain I go through. It appeared to work and relieve the pain. But, than 15

years later Im ready to come off soooo while I was in the hospital for pneumonia, they told me to get off

citalipram while on an antibiotic it did not agree with. This was the Beginning of my nightmare. I decided to go cold turkey

against advice of my doctor. They wanted me to tytrate off. I had every indication that I felt like I was either going insane or dying or both from brain zaps to temper to physical pain to black outs nausea dizzyess etc.

No one in my professional school talked about ssri discontinuation syndrome. I researched it and realized I was not insane or going to die. Thia was a real ligitamate physical withdrawl. I even went one day to an outpatient facility for emotionalsupport which I got none . Everyone there was med complient boy was I embarrassed angry and did not go back the next day. Noone there even the doctors and nurses understood what I was going through. This is scary.

SOOOOO I have some how come off of this alone Its been 1 month and I am starting to feel better although

my temper is still to be tested. But all in all its been a slow path back to health. I am starting to feel better and the weight is coming off. I also recently decided to go gluten free wheat free which has really helped my brain and physical health.

regards from the U.S.

j