On Citalopram 10 years off them 4 weeks.....

I've been on various doses of Citalopram over the last 10 years too, perhaps a bit longer.  Currently I'm on 40mg daily and I've tried several times to unsuccessfully come off it.  I was under the care of a Phychaitrist who then retired and I've never found anyone else since and just used various GPs for advice but I don't honestly think they know just how addictive these pills are or how hard it is to come off.  I really want to stop taking them but there doesn't seem any support or guidance out there.... How are you getting on ?

The doctors don't really seem to have much idea if u ask me, which is why I would rather come on here and speak to other people who actually have experience of being on the drug. Have u tried using magnesium or niacin? These helped with my withdrawal from venlafaxine, I also used kalms to help me sleep and they were great x

Hi lee, sorry to hear your having a bad time....it took me about six months to come off Citalopram , I did it much slower than the Dr said to do and it was ok. I was on 20mg so started taking 10mg every other day for a few weeks, I mean with 20mg on alternate days, before going down to 10mg , stayed on that for a while then cut it down to every other day again....i think it takes some time to get used to having actual emotions again, I found it difficult to cope with tears and sadness but have to remind myself that these are normal for most people and nothing to worry about. I managed three years without them and was fine but unfortunately I'm back on them now as suffer with severe anxiety on and off . Good luck getting off them...take it slow

Hi leebee

3 months is too quick to withdraw from these meds.  I spent a year reducing by 5mg each time lasting 1-2 months and didn't have any withdrawal effects.  I came off them once before by dropping by 10mg each time and though I spent some months doing it, it was still too quick and I had withdrawal.

Doing it as slow as I did the second time you gradually ease off, avoiding withdrawal and your body isn't shocked either.

So your doctor didn't mention any withdrawal???  Absolutely blame the doctor - how irresponsible.  I read about this all too often.

You could reinstate a small dose ie 5mg for a week then 10mg ..... but don't do this alone - you need to see your doctor.  And do it slowly too with this minimal dose.

K x

Hi leebee72

I am having similar problems.  Been on anti depressants 23 years, after my husband's tragic death. Began to come off Citalopram Sep 2016, finshed Jan 2017.  Very irritable, angry and tearful, crying every day.

I told the GP that I think the tearfulness has built up over the years, from citalopram masking emotions for all that time.  She said that I was right.

With hindsight, I feel that it is better to deal with your troubles, grief etc. without the help of these drugs, as it is really awful coming off them.

I would never advise anyone to go on them if they can do without, as I am still having these withdrawal symptoms 2 months after finally stopping them.

Now I think I am going to need bereavement counselling.