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Dr says 'no such thing as withdrawal from Citalopram'....

Posted , 7 users are following.

fraggle-1971
fraggle-1971

I went to see my doctor to discuss gradual weaning down from my current 40mg dose, which I've been on for 14 years.  She told me that because Citalopram is not addictive that there is no such thing as withdrawal symptoms and if I've had them before it's probably because I've gotten myself so anxious that the 'symptoms' have presented themselves....

From what I've experienced, and from what I've read on here, I don't think she's right is she??  She said if I get symptoms after lowering dose that I should just go straight back up to previous dosage, as this means I am not ready.  

So I'm a bit confused and wondered whether anyone else's doctor has said this? 

 

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • lois95799
    lois95799 fraggle-1971

    Posted

    Gp.doctors haven't a clue...they most certainly give you horrible withdrawal symptoms... specially after all those years you been on them....take care

    • fraggle-1971
      fraggle-1971 lois95799

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. That was my gut feeling, but I hate to question GPs so just went with it if that makes sense. Thanks again.
    • lois95799
      lois95799 fraggle-1971

      Posted

      I thought gp...where we'll inform..but I was wrong ..until I saw a phychiatrist..learn my lesson...coming down with these meds ...has to be done real slow....reach out to katecogs...she has all the information how to withdraw....take cate

  • Grunthos
    Grunthos fraggle-1971

    Posted

    Hi fraggle,

    I don't believe everything I read on the Internet but I can't believe Wikipedia is wrong when it says this about Citalopram

    "Withdrawal symptoms can occur when this medicine is suddenly stopped, such as paraesthesiae, sleeping problems (difficulty sleeping and intense dreams), feeling dizzy, agitated or anxious, nausea, vomiting, tremors, confusion, sweating, headache, diarrhea, palpitations, changes in emotions, irritability, and eye or eyesight problems. Treatment with citalopram should be reduced gradually when treatment is finished."

    Whatever you do, take it slowly.  Take care.

    • lois95799
      lois95799 Grunthos

      Posted

      Wikipedia is not wrong..these meds are not like taking an aspirin ...they are powerful drugs ...that act differently on every one... so what works for me might not work for you....
  • sarah48603
    sarah48603 fraggle-1971

    Posted

    That gp is very very wrong. I was on 40mg citalopram for 18 months. When I found out I was pregnant I came off them in 2 weeks, reducing by 10mg every few days. It was terrible. I had withdrawals for so long, the worst being head zaps randomly in the day. It was a terrible experience and one that put me off going back onto citalopram. The only reason I eventually decided to go back on them is because my friend told me about her very very gradual decrease of them no side effects at all. Take it very slowly indeed and try to avoid that dr x
    • lois95799
      lois95799 sarah48603

      Posted

      There was a study in the USA..that stated ssri does not cause harm to fetus...take care
    • sarah48603
      sarah48603 lois95799

      Posted

      I know. I did a lot of reading about it and have read also that its not harmful but I did read somewhere that there is a slight chance of the baby suffering withdrawal when born. I think a mother to be has to weigh up the potential risks to baby with the risks to them if they dont take the medicine
  • fraggle-1971
    fraggle-1971

    Posted

    Thank you so much to everyone for your replies. I'm so glad I asked, I kinda knew she was wrong but.... well how can a GP be so wrong?! Anyway regardless, thank you for all your help. I'm going to take it really slow. Take care everyone. 

    • gillian176
      gillian176 fraggle-1971

      Posted

      Your GP is wrong. I came off them 3 urs ago after a six month course and took a year to reduce by 2.5mgs at a time. Very slowly is the key

      No side effects at all

      Am posted under coming off Citalopram feed

      However I went on them again in January ! I need the drug 

      I am amazed at what you have been told. 

      Take care 

  • katecogs
    katecogs fraggle-1971

    Posted

    The doctor needs to be stuck off in my opinion.  Irresponsible and ignorant.

    No the meds aren't adictive - yes they produce withdrawl symptoms and are absoluely dangerous if you don't wean from them.

    After 16 years on the 20mg, I spent a whole year coming off these and did so by reducing by 5mg over 1-2 months each time.  This way I had no withdrawal at all.  I had withdrawn from these a few years earlier and thought I'd done it gradual, but had withdrawl.

    I'd like to see your doctor take these then just stop abruptly - then we can all say 'I told you so'.  

    I can assure you that you should never ever stop these abruptly without weaning off slowly.

     

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