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Help please..protracted withdrawal symptoms after 11 months off citalopram

Posted , 4 users are following.

pat97152
pat97152

i have good days and terrible days when I want to die..these withdrawals are called waves and windows in another group ..I can go 3 weeks and be ok..then out of the blue the anxiety ,fatigue irritability is back..then gone then back..they've really messed up my brsin

my libido came back for 3 days and disappeared ..it's not come back

Do you think going back on 10 mg will help?

im at my wits end ..we go to America next week ...please give me some advice 

I feel I've come this far sometimes ..is it worth giving in ....some phychiatrists America now are recognising protracted wd's in some people..some are still like me 5 years on 

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • pat97152
    pat97152

    Posted

    I never know how I'm going to wake up ..anxious or fine..I realise in hindsight that I rushed the last part of my withdrawal schedule... From 40 mg to 10mg was easy ..but not the last part to zero

    the fact that my libido came back for 3 days and then has disappeared completely shows that it is the withdrawal that has done this to my brain

  • lorraine52317
    lorraine52317 pat97152

    Posted

    Hi Pat

    I haven't gone through withdrawal but do you think a short course of diazepam will take the edge off those awful symptoms? I have been having a bad blip on citalopram and although I only got 14 tabs I'm using them only when I feel desperate. Hope someone responds who has been through the withdrawal process.

    Take care and wising you better

    L

  • Citaloman
    Citaloman pat97152

    Posted

    Hi Pat,

    I've not made it as far as you yet. Tried to come off for the first tme (2years on 30mg citalopram) a few weeks back. After a week I crashed. Went straight back on 10mg for a week then 20mg. Felt better after 2 days! It was like addiction. You can't live without them. Next time I'm comming off on my own terms over a year. Down to 10mg over 2 months, then onto 10mg for 6 months. Then 5 then very gradually off. Comming off as drs recommend over 2 months is no way enough time for the brain to start making its own seratonin to the levels it was accustomed. I think advising people to come off within 2 months or so is wholly unrealistic.

  • Richardt
    Richardt pat97152

    Posted

    Hi sorry to hear, why did u go on citalprom from the beginning, and why did u come off, as for sex Viagra is no longer on a patent, so your GP or a Pharmacist can prescribe sedelifal, different name but same as Viagra to help u through your holiday.
    • pat97152
      pat97152 Richardt

      Posted

      You miss the point ..Citalopram withdrawal does not mean your libido comes back ..it can go for good ..nothing helps ..btw I'm female ..
    • pat97152
      pat97152

      Posted

      I came off because cit gave me insomnia 
  • katecogs
    katecogs pat97152

    Posted

    I wouldn't say protracted withdrawal, but sounds simply more like a relapse of the depression.  Yes I'd go back on 10mg and get stabilised again.  Don't expect to be better by the time you go to America, as the medicine take a while to work and you may get side effects initially ..... but take comfort knowing you'll working toward recovery again, and it'll come in it's own time.

    K x

     

    • katecogs
      katecogs

      Posted

      And yes, coming off Citralopram does mean your libido returns for the majority of people anyway :-) :-). Being depressed often suppresses your libido.
    • katecogs
      katecogs

      Posted

      If you're off Citalopram, have you read my report on taking 5-HTP and l-tyrosine?  

      When you're off Citalopram try a natural SSRI called 5-HTP which needs to be taken with l-tyrosine.  Both can be bought from Holland & Barrett (if you're in the UK) and you need to take them both.  Read a book called 5-HTP The Natural Way to Overcome Depression, Obesity by Michael T Murray ........ it's a really interesting read.

      You need to be off SSRI's completely before starting 5-HTP as they mustn't be taken together.

        

    • pat97152
      pat97152 katecogs

      Posted

      Protracted symptoms are now being recognised in some people who may have a propensity towards sensitivity to these Meds.I an in contact with people who are still having symptoms after 7 years on different SSRI's..but they won't give in and go back on the Meds 

      a very interesting site is ..surviving antidepressants ....it's worth reasding

      Thankyou for your reply...I was never depressed in the first place..I was put on Citalopram for headaches ..I don't feel particularly depresses now ..just irritable and extremely exhausted

      i do feel Citalopram has messed up my brain ..I've tried the 

    • pat97152
      pat97152

      Posted

      ..the natural Meds with no success.....I'm not sure what to do with this holiday looming..I've put up with these symptoms for so long that maybe I should stick it out until I come back

      i do appreciate your reply..thank you 

    • pat97152
      pat97152

      Posted

      Also if you google protracted withdrawal..you may be amazed at the research done by pchychiatrists in Florida into people who are still suffering
    • katecogs
      katecogs pat97152

      Posted

      You were put on Citalopram for headaches?!  Really?  Jeez .... whoever prescribed them for headaches needs shooting!  These are serious meds and not something I'd have thought suitable for headaches, and if anything, they'd give you more headaches.

      Citalopram is a lifeline for many people who've suffered with depression and tried all sorts of other medications, self help, natural remedies before resorting to this.  I had depression for 15 long and painful years, and was eventually put onto SSRI's and I recovered.  I couldn't believe it ..... I had my life back.

      I've come off Citalopram before and after getting over the withdrawal symptoms, found my depression returning.  Without meds I'm flat, agitated, anxious, can't sleep, eat ...... all signs of depression, which I had before ever taking any meds.  The protracted withdrawal symptoms I read are similar to just suffering with depression.

      I'm so sorry for you having gone through all this unnecessary pain.  I really feel for you.

      I'd seriously take 5-HTP and l-tyrosine before and during your holiday - it can't hurt, and if anything will help tremendously.  Starting back on Cit at the moment won't give you relief before your holiday, as it works so slowly, and if anything you may suffer side effects during your holiday.  When you come back from your holiday and you still feel as bad then maybe start back on a small dose of Cit, 5mg or even 10mg.  Maybe just a small dose will do the trick.

      K xx

       

    • pat97152
      pat97152 katecogs

      Posted

      Thank you for your encouragement 😀😀...I appreciate it

      Pat xx

       

    • katecogs
      katecogs pat97152

      Posted

      Good luck with everything, and hope the holiday goes well.  Keep in touch xx
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