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Coming off citalopram. :(

Posted , 299 users are following.

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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  • maria0101
    maria0101

    Posted

    hahahaaa... Ms Mac... now That is a mean Smiley wink
  • Ms_Mac
    Ms_Mac

    Posted

    My doctor told me one every second day wasn't enough to do anything for me. I believe that, in the long term, but think it's ok to use that small dose to withdraw. It's all in the mind, really. I was a bit up and down but had a lot of problems going on, at that time.

    Now, I am so glad to be FREE! Can't believe I've done it as been on SSRI's since 2000. If I can do it anyone can. Believe me and, more important, believe in yourself.

  • MetteM
    MetteM

    Posted

    Hi all, I've gotten off cit over a period of two months - I've been on 40 for just over five years. It's crazy how many side effects I'm having - been completely off for a week now. The brain zaps, dizzyness, flu-like, itching, sleeplesness....boy oh boy...and my irritability thresh hold is LOW....

    Will you (I'm new to this place) please share how long your side effects took to go away? I know it varies....but if I just have a ball park idea.....Can't even begin to think about loosing the weight because I'm feeling so wacked out.....

  • Ms_Mac
    Ms_Mac

    Posted

    Hi Mette

    I'm off them 2 months now and feeling fine. Had a lot of problems so it was a roller-coaster ride for about 6 weeks. I refuse to blame any symptoms I now have, on the drug but I don't have any of your symptoms. Dizzyness gone. Shows how different we all are.

  • MetteM
    MetteM

    Posted

    Thanks. And yeah I know...just kind off desperate for that ball park coz I'm finding it so hard to do my job with all that wackiness goin on :-)
  • Ms_Mac
    Ms_Mac

    Posted

    The withdrawal symptoms just seem to disappear overnight so good luck and I hope it's not too long until you feel better.
  • MetteM
    MetteM

    Posted

    Thanks :-) can't wait. It's just good to be reassured that they DO go away....
  • Ms_Mac
    Ms_Mac

    Posted

    I thought they would never go away, Mette, so keep going and you will feel better than you have done in years.
  • MetteM
    MetteM

    Posted

    thanks :-)
  • Ms_Mac
    Ms_Mac

    Posted

    I would recommend telling people that you are coming off medication and might be a bit irate. twisted lol
  • MetteM
    MetteM

    Posted

    ha ha yeah prob a good idea....
  • Ms_Mac
    Ms_Mac

    Posted

    Good luck! Post when you are FREE!
  • Cuckoogoose
    Cuckoogoose

    Posted

    Hi I am now on day 16 I think of cutting a 20mg in half. Feeling ok, just a bit dizzy and fuzzy when I get up in the mornings which last until about lunch time.

    Don't know if I should cut down again? Any thoughts from anyone.

    People are doing amazing on here. xx

  • MetteM
    MetteM

    Posted

    cheers. will do fo sure :-)
  • Ms_Mac
    Ms_Mac

    Posted

    Go for it, Cuckoo! You have to experience the bad bits, for a short time, to feel the good bits for a long time. Well worth it.
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