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Coming off citalopram. :(

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smallfry
smallfry

I've been on 20mg citalopram now for just over a year. I decided to come off about 3 weeks ago as I had

started to feel so much better, which I put down to a combination of counselling and the drug which really did do wonders for my depression. I actually hadn't realised quite how bad it was till I started taking citalopram and I felt normal!

I've come off it properly, one every 2 days, then half every 2, then quarter every 2/3 days. The whole process took about 3/4 months. Now I'm on nothing. The physical withdrawl hasn't been too bad. I've been dizzy and kinda sick for the first week or so and that's starting to go now. However I've been feeling awful emotionally. I feel just as bad as I did before I started the medication, worse even! I feel incompetent at my job and I've even started wondering if it's right for me, I'm a teacher and I've always loved my job. I'm becoming paranoid about my relationship and tearful at the slightest thing.

I feel very depressed and unstable if that makes sense. I almost feel suicidal. Is this normal?? I really need some reassurance that I won't need to be on this for the rest of my life. sad

23 likes, 1894 replies

1894 Replies

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  • Ms_Mac
    Ms_Mac

    Posted

    Oh, no, Dancer, you can't take them at the same time! I've chopped and changed through the years and always had to wait 2/4 weeks in between different tablets. All SSRI's cause weight gain, I was told so don't expect miracles on Sertraline.
  • Dancer123
    Dancer123

    Posted

    Thanks for the reply. I thought it was odd that he said to take them at the same time. Tbh the weight gain wasn't the main reason for changing, the first doctor and I discussed that the citalopram am might not be the best one for improving my mood. I think I will have to make another appointment then.
  • Ms_Mac
    Ms_Mac

    Posted

    I always had to keep changing over the 13 yrs. I was on them, as they seemed to stop working. Maybe all in the mind but, when you are depressed, you will try anything to feel better.
  • ben15759
    ben15759

    Posted

    Hey Guys, I'm on day 18 cit free now.....and I think the last couple of days ive really turned a corner.....no more tears or emotional see-sawing.....feeling my old energy returning......still having the odd electric type feeling but the nausea has mostly gone......

    I didnt think I was going to be able to do it.....but for anyone who's struggling....it definitely does get easier.....just hang in there :0)

  • Ms_Mac
    Ms_Mac

    Posted

    Great to hear that, Ben.

    I'm now free of them since the beginning of Feb. and haven't felt so well in years AND the main thing is - I am LESS emotional. SSRI's messed with my brain, instead of helping it.

  • maria0101
    maria0101

    Posted

    Congrats Ben smile!.... Day 9 for me : D ...so far so good.
  • Ms_Mac
    Ms_Mac

    Posted

    Congrats to you too Marie. It gets better and better. cheesygrin
  • maria0101
    maria0101

    Posted

    And u too Ms Mac. Must be like 2 months for u now. smile ... It's great to hear u feel better. That is what I'm aiming for as well. It is just like, I need to get this stuff out of my body/system. On Thursday I'm seeing my doctor, new doctor, cuz I want him to know about it and I'm very curious what he has to say about it. At the pharmacy they told me once u r on those pills, u never come off them. I did not think this was a very positive comment lol.... However I'm even more determined to Do come off the Cit!
  • Ms_Mac
    Ms_Mac

    Posted

    I think they do believe that. Why else would doctors keep dishing them out to you? They don't know enough about the damage they do. I truly believe they upset the balance of my brain.

    Yes, TWO months and it feels wonderful. Hopefully, I will keep climbing up. I feel life changing for the better. Fingers crossed.

  • maria0101
    maria0101

    Posted

    Wow .. and wow again sad ... not giving up or anything but I can not believe how I woke up this morning, and Im only on day 10... shaving the tablet... Did not think at all, it would give me the effect that I have now.

    Maybe it is just one of those days ... Mad because my blouse did not turn inside out quick enough this morning, Mad because people keep bugging me, upset over I don't know what, ... overall just very bleh sad

    However,... i will pull up my socks and keep going. Im going to paint the living room this week. Get a fresh bright new color smile .. those things help smile

  • maria0101
    maria0101

    Posted

    I just look at that smiley i use so often ... but i think even that laughing smiley looks mean LOL .. he does.

  • Ms_Mac
    Ms_Mac

    Posted

    Maria - just life events that we have to put up with.

    I honestly believe that if you are shaving tablets so small, they are doing nothing for you so, you are, in effect off them. smile

    Thanks, Bday.

  • Ms_Mac
    Ms_Mac

    Posted

    biggrin cheesygrin lol

    not twisted Maria

  • maria0101
    maria0101

    Posted

    I know ... I know you are right Ms Mac smile .. thank you !! smile ... I am on 20mg and shaved it down to almost 10 but now quite. Maybe a bit to fast, not sure however, ... It is okay .. I just took a deep breath and reading your post, Im almost good to go again :D
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