Coming off citalopram. :(

Thank you Tigertea.

it's just nice to know that we are not alone and not going insane.

We will get there. Happiness awaits - never thought I would say or even think that. Here's to a great 2014.

x

Hi everyone

I feel like such a fraud as i have reduced from 20mg to 5mg over the last 3 weeks and have not had many withdrawal symptoms, only a couple of slight headaches, and been a bit snappy for a day, mind you i think that was just my hubby getting on my nerves lol.. Had a lot of negative thoughts coming back but am dealing with it ok.

Its not the case that i havn't been on them long either as they where an emotional crutch for 10+yrs!!!!

I have tried to come off them several time before, but had to many side effects so went back on them, thinking i was one of those people who needed them for life.

No sure why its working for me at the moment , but i am preparing myself for when i finally come off them that i will get withdrawal symptoms, luckily enough having experienced them in the past i know what to look out for rather than it being a relapse of depression.

Trying to get out as much as possible, taking the dog for walks again every day, so he is happy lol, am sleeping a lot better although am having very vivid dreams, now dont laugh everyone but i dreamt that i was with david beckham, and that he ditched victoria for me omg, i dont even like tattoo's lol

Hope eveyones doing good

Juliex

Hello everyone,

Have been reading through everyone's posts the last 3 days and I'm very relieved. I've been on citalopram for almost 2 years, have tried a few times coming off, then going back on due to the horrible side effects. Originally my gp told me to wean off within 2 weeks, which I now know is totally wrong. Tried again twice without weaning properly, and again went back on again. This time however I took every other day, then every three, but decided 3 weeks ago to stop. I felt fine at first, but this weekend just gone the foggy head started, dizzy spells, and I also have pins and needles in my right hand and left side of face. Fortunately I'm not too low, have cried a lot, but more over looking at old photos and memories, it actually feels good having some emotions back as I didn't cry or have any feelings while taking the drug. It's such an odd feeling as I feel energetic, have been going to work, which is a physical job too, but at the same time having these awful withdrawal effects. At times I feel like I have been walking on air, or seeing everything through a pane of glass, anyone else felt this? Good luck to everyone else going through this, and I hope you're all feeling more positive x

As they say Julie - in your dreams!

I'm feeling 'normal' today and don't feel any withdrawal symptoms at all so hope that the drugs are finally leaving my body.

I love having my energy back, Robyn. The effects of the drug won't last forever so just keep persevering.

Another good day.

S

So I am on day 13 now without the "cit". On day 11 or so the leg cramps started just like the last time I tried cold,

but this time they are manageable. I am still tired as well, but can feel like I am sleeping better - if that make

sense.

I continue to feel high anxiety at times and then focus on "calming" thoughts and deep breathing - which does help. I guess I was too much of an optimistic, thinking that since I stopped at 2.5 mg's and very slow that I would have none - so obliviously my expectations were off.

We just had another snow storm here in the States yesterday that dumped 6 plus inches of snow - that is so very depressing in March.

Ms. Mac - you lift my spirits that you're having a good day!

All the best - Michelle

Thanks Ms Mac, I'm determined to stay off them now. This afternoon has been fine, took my daughter and her friend to the park, got some sunshine. X

Hi everyone

Its so positive to hear that you are all doing good, especially ms mac as i know you where struggling after stopping so quickly, its great that your having a good day today!!!

I cant wait to finally say that i've stopped taking the cit, my hubby also says that he hasn't really noticed that i am reducing the doses, the only difference i can say between now and the last few times that i tried is that i am taking omega 3 capsules, just the supermarket ones nothing expensive at all, think there 99p for 50.

Even if its not helping at all then the placebo effect works for me lol,

Its miserable where i live, no sunshine and rather cold today, but thats the uk weather for you lol

Juliex

Cold in miserable in Scotland too.

I said to the doctor that I had extremely bad times when I was taking pills so why take them? I appreciate though that some people must take them for life.

My doc. is quite happy if the placebo effect from other things does me good. I think a lot of feeling better has to do with that.

What I can't understand is why my doc was willing to dish out this medication for over 13 years but refuses to prescribe any Diazapam even for an emergency.

One day at a time.

S

Thanks Michelle!

Jeezo - more snow and 6 inches of it!!!! BRRRRR!!!!!

I am sleeping much better too. I, also, had a cough that drove me nuts, especially at bedtime. Strange that it has disappeared, eh?

Keep going Michelle - you are doing great. I hope we all find a better 'crutch' for the hard times that life throws at us. It won't all be plain sailing but we CAN ride those waves.

S

I agree ms mac one day at a time

maybe ur gp wont prescribe Diazapan even for short term use as they are so addictive and they dont want you to go from on thing to another

when my daughter was ill, i had a fabulous gp, my anxiety levels where through the roof as you can imagine, he prescribed propanolol which helps reduce the adrenaline in the body which is the main cause of anxiety and i can say that worked.

I do think that we all need to re-learn our coping strategies when we come of the cit, i used it for an emotional crutch for such a long time that my feeling became so flat that they where none existent.

Its years since i have cried, or felt any real kind of emotion, i was functioning at one level, there was no up or down parts in my life which at the time is what i wanted and i thought that it was fantastic.

But now am ready to feel again, be me again, and to be honest with you all, i even i dont know the real me as its such a long time ago, i dont know if my hubby will like the real me as we only married 5yrs ago when i was on the 20mg, so its a great worry to me, but now is the right time to do this

My gp offered my some CBT counselling, but there was an 18 month waiting list for a first appointment, so i thought right i'll be off them before that lol

Juliex

I would never ask my GP for Diazepam as she gave me TWO 2 mg when my mother died. I would never have abused them, I know people who are given 15 for emergencies. I did ask for some more Propranolol and she gave those. I had them many years ago for stress, when I worked.

I will be phoning to go on the CBT waiting list too. You will have to do a lot of work and write diaries but that's fine. I just need to think differently and stop being hurt by people. My mind goes into overdrive.

I'm sure your husband will love you more.

Hi everyone

I've tried reading all your discussions but I'm in a 'buzzy' state of mind at the moment so am having difficulty holding all your thoughts. Please excuse me if I repeat any points already made..

I was a long term Citalopram user however I had a LOT of stressors over a two year period and became very anxious so they switched me to venlafaxine. Although this solved the anxiety problems the withdrawal and side effects from forgetting even a single pill were really bad. Hallucinations, shakes etc. I eventually managed to get off it after 6 months and vowed never to go back on antidepressants . BAD IDEA... After 6 months and yet more stressors I ended up in hospital. This time they put me on 20mg of Escitalopram. This worked well for 6 months until I gradually became so tired and had such bad concentration that I started having to cut back my work hours. I then started having wakeful myclonic jerks as I kept trying to keep going; Apparently a VERY rare side effect. Many various specialist visits later they more or less stopped me cold turkey and put me on Diazopam to stop the jerks (Lorazepam didn't work)

It's 6 days later and the second day with no Escitalopram but I'm now on: 3 x Diazopam daily, Zoplicon for sleep, Panadol, metaclopramide and Sumatriptan for migraines. The jerks and body 'freezing' have stopped. So I'm feeling good about that but I now have to wean myself off the other drugs and hope the migraines go away...

The Psychiatrist is only interested in my drugs, plus he's going away for two weeks with no 'plan' as to what I should do. (I MAY get an appointment sometime next week with someone but it doesn't sound that hopeful)

I'm really concerned about how buzzy I am (you'd think the diazopam (5mg 3 x daily) it would have me knocked out!) I REALLY couldn't coped with myclonic storms or freezing again as my body aches all over. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to stop this buzzing or do you think that after all this time of being practically bedridden with exhaustion that maybe it's just 'me being me' ?

I've been searching for private psychiatrists and hopefully a psychologist as well but they have long waiting lists.

BTW: Thank you Fitch for the link. I found this very useful as an answer to my venlafaxine problems.

Hi I'm new to this board.

I'm waiting for my previous reply to be approved as I was unaware that I shouldn't repost a link from a previous discussion.

If it does get approved you'll be able to see my various rare side effects, the main ones of which were Myclonic Jerks and also Voluntary Movement Difficulty. After several ER and specialist visits it was decided that I should come off my 20mg daily Escitalpram over as short a period as possible (in my case 6 days) I now take 15mg of Diazopram daily for the movement problems and various migraine meds.

After 2 days of no Escitalopram the only side effect I have had is one of 'waking up'. I am now able to function again and feel 'buzzy'. This was concerning me as it is such a change from my bedridden condition.

I was unable to find a doctor to listen to my worries however I now feel a lot better after talking to a nurse who tells me that even though such a high doze of diazopram should have me sleeping the day away and not 'buzzy'. The fact that I am awake and functioning so well means that I REALLY need it. In her opinion when it does start to make me feel sleepy is when the Escitalopram has started working it's way out of my system. At that point I should have no difficulty weaning myself off the Diazopram - fingers crossed

As my side effects are so rare I am still in need a either a Psychiatrist of knowledgeable GP's opinion. Unfortunately it seems I will have at least a 2 week wait for an appointment... But, at least at this point I am feeling relieved of my concerns about feeling so well. I'm still a little concerned but I'm thinking that at this point all I can do is wait and hope that I really am as well as I feel.

What horrendous side effects, Philippa! I do hope the go away soon.

Thanks. With those side effects there is absolutely NO WAY I am going back on Citalopram !!

I actually read through a list of possible side effects today. (I'm afraid I used to be one of those 'trust the doctor people...) There is at least 50 side effects on the list. Ranging from common, unusual to rare which are rated as, less severe, and severe. I was surprised to find that over the last few years I've had at least half of them(mostly the severe ones) but NO doctor EVER asked if I'd had any of them! It wasn't until I got to the REALLY bad ones that they even considered it. I've been told by no less than 5 doctors (in various ways) 'It's all in your head' i.e. psychosomatic !

My main worry now is how I'm going to get through any withdrawal symptoms. Got to look on the bright side though. I'm hoping to be one of the lucky ones