Slowly come off citalopram and my head feels broken
Posted , 10 users are following.
I'm not sure what I'm asking for really, maybe just someone to tell me they've felt what I've felt.
I was on citalopram for 5 and a half years, increasing to 40mg just over a year ago. Originally it was for anxiety, then depression aswell. I decided that this increase had severely impacted on my ability to function in life, particularly at work. I resigned from my job 6 months ago and haven't been able to find a job since. I don't even know what I want to do. I don't feel capable because my mind hasn't felt right for so long. I agreed with my doctor that I'd reduce and come off the tablets, and had my last tablet 5 days ago.
The last 3 days have been a fuzzy dizzy blur. My head feels like there is a clamp inside it behind my eyes, I can't focus on anything, I need to nap a lot, and getting out of bed feels almost impossible. Aside from random crying for no particular reason, I haven't had any noteable emotional reactions, no more than when I was taking the tablets. The only thing I do feel is guilt because I can't spend time looking for a job and I can't see friends because my head is spinning so badly.
Can anyone tell me this won't last?
0 likes, 25 replies
david72166 lisa83739
Posted
You do have to be careful coming off medication like this. With Paxil (?) I did it in liquid form, reducing by one mg a day.
I've been on Citalapram 20 mg for years and every so often I ask my GP about coming off them but he always recommends staying on them.
Gerrymoo lisa83739
Posted
hi, it took me 8 mths to reduce from 20mg. I was terrified that I would have withdrawals but as it happened, it went pretty good. i think you withdrew too quickly in the same way that you probably increased up to 40mg too quickly. i think perhaps you had some poor advice from your GP which has left you in this awful position. you will get right again so try and hang on in there, itll just take time. could you not have had sick leave rather than quit, it sounds like its put you under enormous pressure which wont be helping. Hope each day is a little easier for you.
rob37052 lisa83739
Posted
hi lisa
wow 4 weeks!
bless you no wonder you feel awful
ive reduced from 20mg to 10 mg and its taken me 7 months......nice & slow, take your time.
Listen to katecogs, her advice is spot on!
hope you feel better soon
shane66622 lisa83739
Posted
Hi Lisa, stay the course. Prepare yourself for some rough days, maybe even weeks ahead but know you will survive. One day at a time. I promise you will come thru this. Just except it. Some coping skills I used;
Sleep if you can, as much as possible.
Practise yoga breathing techniques.
Hot bath with Epsom salts.
Walk. Even around the block. Good weather, bad weather just walk.
Talk about it - reach out here or to a friend, spouse whomever.
Take magnesium and fish oil supplements. Good for the brain.
Know that as bad as you feel this is just for now not for ever.
I survived and you will too. Promise.
toria_07298 shane66622
Posted
hi shane, good coping methods, i do all that 😃 ive been in this withdrawal for 2 years and still on 6mgs 😦
shane66622 lisa83739
Posted
Fantastic that you are down to 6mg from where you started. That took a lot of strength and determination. You have proven to yourself that you can do it. Not a race just slow and steady and in time you will be done. Keep on chipping away (actually!) Good days and bad but eventually this will be behind you.
You've got this! All the best! Shane
toria_07298 shane66622
Posted
aw thank you shane 😃 that means a lot!