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should I go onto citalopram again

Posted , 6 users are following.

Lifechanging
Lifechanging

hi, I was on citalopram for nine months approx. I felt better so weaned myself off them very very slowly following the advice on this blog. Now six months later and due to a lot of family problems I'm starting to experience the same symptoms of anxiety, sleeplessness and generally just being flat. Are the side effects just as bad second time around if I go back on them?

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • betsy0603
    betsy0603 Lifechanging

    Posted

    Before you jump back on them, consider the fact that you are probably in protracted withdrawal from coming off of them, and the stress of the family problems has brought symptoms to the surface.  

    Doctors fail to recognize protracted withdrawal and declare it "relapse," but if you do some research on the matter you will find that anxiety and depression are common features of the waves in the windows and waves pattern of psych drug withdrawal, and can go on for months and years.  

    If you were to go back on at the start-up dose, yes, the symptoms would be just as bad.  If you are having a lot of difficulty, you could try taking a fraction of the start-up dose to see if it alleviates symptoms.  The reason is that you nervous system has been doing some adapting back towards the undrugged version, so a small amount may be all that is needed to get you stabilized without causing a bunch of start up side effects.

    You are likely in a wave due to the stress.  Also, the time frame of 6 months is spot on for a wave, anyway.  But the waves end and windows reappear.  It just takes understanding what is happening, being kind to yourself, and taking steps to alleviate stress.  

    It is helpful to take 2 g of fish oil a day, and to take a magnesium supplemement.  You can also take epsom salt baths which are a way of absorbing magnesium, which helps with anxiety and sleep.

    I'm also sending you a message

    • Lifechanging
      Lifechanging betsy0603

      Posted

      Thank you, I do hate the thought of going back on them, I'd rather use natural methods. It's the lack of sleep that starts my chain reaction. I really appreciate your advice, I hadn't thought about the withdrawal still happening after six months
    • beth02382
      beth02382 Lifechanging

      Posted

      Hi, I also went off anti deppressants, and don't want to ever go back on them! Katecogs, who is on here had said try 5- HTP and L-tyrosine, they can b bought at places like GNC! But u must make sure you are off anti deppressants and are out of your system. I have been taking L-tyrosine only for now and gunna start 5-HTP next week.its been a month since I'm of anti deppressants. And hopefully mostly out of my system. Read up on it and read reviews, I can't say how it works yet but since off of anti deppressants I feel so good, still have some days of course but everybody does!! Stay in touch!! Best of luck😀
    • betsy0603
      betsy0603 beth02382

      Posted

      I hate to say that 5-htp probably won't make much difference, since I tried using it and tryptophan and Sam-E after coming off Effexor, and none of them prevented me from going into protracted withdrawal for 10 months before reinstating Effexor - couldn't take WD anymore :-(   When these drugs block serotonin receptors, the nervous system pushes back in two ways.  I increases the number of receptors and reduces the production of serotonin to make up for the artificially increased amount of serotonin in the neuron gap (that's what the drug is doing, causing an increase in the gap by blocking re-uptake). So, when you remove the drug, the excess receptors are sucking up the lessened amount of serotonin being produced, contributing to the withdrawal symptoms.  But how do you know how much of these supplements to take to make up for that?  And how much of the ingested supplement makes it into the bloodstream?  How much of the 5-htp gets converted into serotoin?  I'm guessing by my results,  not nearly enough!

      I do think those supplements have a place for people who are not on these drugs and not in withdrawal from these drugs.  I wish it were as simple as taking supplements to stop the tide of withdrawal.  Really, the best way to lessen the likelihood is to do the very slow, careful 10% taper.  That's what I am doing now.

    • beth02382
      beth02382 betsy0603

      Posted

      When I went off escitalipram, I went off cold turkey, I was on it for 2 months and then Doc said to increase, I then broke out in a rash, and while nothing else changed, it almost had to be the Escitalapram, it was over the holidays and couldn't get in to Dr so just stopped taking it, best thing ever. Being off of it for about a month and started taking L-tyrosine and next week starting 5-HTP, from what other people are saying that by taking L-tyrosine it helps with withdrawals from anti deppressants, and you have to kinda experiment what dosage it right for you. I've just incorporated these into my system so I don't slip into my ( I don't care about anything moods) like everybody says everybody is different. Throughout the last year and a half I've been on sertraline, Wellbutrin, Celexa and now Lexapro, never had side effects starting them but also they made me feel ok but I just never thought they were really helping. And every time I went off of them I never really had any kind of withdrawals which was good but makes me wonder if they really helped in anyway, so everyone is truly different, what's good for one is a nightmare for another! Good luck with getting those drugs out of your system😀
    • betsy0603
      betsy0603 beth02382

      Posted

      Beth, I think you were very lucky and it was probably a blessing they never worked for you and you never got stuck on them!  I'd be curious to see if you are a fast metabolizer (cytochrome p450) because those who are metabolize these drugs so fast that they never have a chance to do their thing, AND that means that they never had a chance to modifiy your nervous system such that you then have withdrawal coming off!  I think the supplements would be the way to go for you (I don't think they utilize those enzymes in the liver but not sure).  That, and alternative methods such as CBT, mindfulness, Grounding, Emotional Freedom Techniques, and the like.  
    • michelleNorth_America
      michelleNorth_America betsy0603

      Posted

      As we know this drug is so difficult to come off of. I am now about to begin year 3 (without this drug or any others) and still have some brain blocks and anxieidous periods accompanied by now mild itching. I will say sleep is so much better now, that really was the worst aspect initially ( well and the severe itching) and after a cold turkey stop went back on and thanks to the kind contributors within this form, came off ever so slowly over a 9 month or so period after taking this drug (10 mg. Dailey) for about 13 years. Again, thank goodness for this forum, as dr's at least in my case were not helpful. I would like to add that I now am congnizant of everything I consume and feel that at least for me a healthier diet has contributed to my increased well being. And yes I drink alcohol in moderation. HTH  and sending everyone Hope.
  • KevB5
    KevB5 Lifechanging

    Posted

    I have been completely off citalpram for a short time after years on it. I think with all the stress in my life and possible withdrawal still from it I'm still learning. Seems to me it changes the brain big time for me. Stress I know is impossible to completely avoid but am working on that. I think it does work but with for me alot of 0 feels and side effects I'm just tired of. I'm going to give myself some time and may up my new alternative, fluoxetine. I do know for me to work on getting rid of my stressors or atleast working on has really helped
  • stevo1975
    stevo1975 Lifechanging

    Posted

    Hi Life changing why give it the chance, I would go back on and deal with side effects make things easier on yourself ! I would never compare to the symptoms I was feeling with anxiety and depression! I'd take anti-depressants anyday smile take care get yourself back 
  • Lifechanging
    Lifechanging

    Posted

    Hi all, I talked to the Doctor and we decided that going back on the antidepressants is the right thing to do as the sleeping tablets and bisprone weren't working. I'm in day four and the side effects have kicked in big time. Anxiety, nausea and not being able to sleep. Has anyone discovered something you can take to help either the nausea? Can you take indigestion remedies. I'm using the sea bands someone recommended to see if they help. This is the stage when you wonder are you wise!
    • stevo1975
      stevo1975 Lifechanging

      Posted

      Hi Lifechanging, I think thats a great idea fix the problem instead of manage the pain from the problem. smile not sure about nausea mine didnt last too long hope your coming good smile 
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