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Stopping citalopram

Posted , 3 users are following.

jac98562
jac98562

Hi, was on 20 mg for 7 days felt awful after discussion with GP advised to stop.  GP said to take 20 mg every other day for 7 days then just stop.  Is this ok?  I missed yesterday and so am due to take 20 mg tonight but am scared because of the side effects but also worried about withdrawal effects.  I know citalopram works for lots of people and I should have stuck with it but already I feel more myself, able to eat, get out of front door which I couldn't when on meds.

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • mark16290
    mark16290 jac98562

    Posted

    Hi Jac. I recommend sticking with the advice from your GP and keeping them advised of how you are feeling.  You haven't been on it for that long so holpefully withdrawal won't be bad for you.  Anti-depressants don't work for everyone. It's important to trust your instincts with this, which it sounds like you are.

    Hope you feel better soon.   

  • katecogs
    katecogs jac98562

    Posted

    Hi Jac

    The first few weeks on this medication is really tough, and people do give up too easily because of the side effects.  It takes about 3 weeks for things to start settling down, and a few weeks after that for improvement to start happening, and the same with each dose increase.  It always surprises me that doctors don't seem to discuss what to expect with their patients.  Once through the side effects this medication works really well.  I recovered from long standing depression on these.

    As you're stopping them, yes that's a good idea to take one every other day, and I'd have taken them a third week every 2 days.  But of course, best to discuss with your doctor.

    You might get a few side effects, but you haven't taken them for long.  When I stopped once I had a heady feeling, a tremble and a buzzing in my head - it wasn't unpleasant :-)  just a little odd.

    The slower you stop taking them, the better.

    Hope it all goes well for you xxx

  • jac98562
    jac98562

    Posted

    Thank you katecogs for your informative reply.  I was suffering from stress due personal circumstances and had really bad headaches as a result that's why my GP prescribed citalopram, he didn't tell me what to expect but I found this forum to be very helpful.  Just took my every other day dose so fingers crossed I'll be ok.  I just think that citalopram was not right for me at this moment in time.  Hope all goes well for you too smile
    • katecogs
      katecogs jac98562

      Posted

      Sorry to hear that.  Stress isn't very nice.  Think you're right though, that Citralopram isn't for you at the moment, and am sure you'll be fine coming off them.

      K xx confused

       

  • jac98562
    jac98562

    Posted

    Took every other day dose last night went to bed.  Woke up with the awful side effects I'd been having.  Huge pressure on chest, stomach in knots, no appetite.  Don't understand, yesterday despite no meds and a traumatic event I was ok, good appetite  energy.  Missed family occasion today because couldn't get out of bed.  No meds tonight will be interesting to see how I feel tomorrow.  So tempted to just stop altogether sad
    • katecogs
      katecogs jac98562

      Posted

      Mmm sounds like side effects of the medicine ....... you could just stop but it's usually recommended not to do that because of withdrawal symptoms.  You haven't taken them for long, so am not sure.  How about taking half a dose?

      Sorry you're having this problem - doctors should be more careful and give full instructions.

      K xx

  • jac98562
    jac98562

    Posted

    Thank you Mark and Kate for your replies and support. Spent most of the day in bed feel such a wimp!  The anxiety has subsided a little but terrible stomach upset.  Wish I'd done more research before starting this med.  Will ring my GP tomorrow if I don't feel any better. Hope you are both well and thanks again for replying. x
    • katecogs
      katecogs jac98562

      Posted

      Yes can cause an upset tummy too.  It'll all pass soon ...... just take one day at a time.

      Oh ...... tell your doctor to read this web site too lol

      K xx

  • jac98562
    jac98562

    Posted

    Thanks Kate will do lol x
  • jac98562
    jac98562

    Posted

    Just a quick up date.  Couldn't sleep last night, fell asleep at around 5 a.m. and woke an hour later feeling very anxious.  Took until 11 a.m. to motivate myself out of bed.  Spoke to my GP and told him I was not going to take any more meds, he agreed with this and said I had had an extreme reaction to them and there is no way of knowing how each patient will react.  He offered me a different type of med and he is adamant I have an underlying anxiety disorder.  He understood when I declined and gave me a sick paper for a week but left he door open to go back for other meds.  I have been through a lot the last few years (5 bereavements, family, work, caring for parents) and it understandable I am stressed, anyone would be.  I asked if I was experiencing withdrawal symptoms and how long they would last, he said I most probably was and it shouldn't last too long as I'd not been on the meds that long.  Just posting as it may help someone.  I am not running down citalopram I know it works brilliantly for a lot of people just not for me.
    • katecogs
      katecogs jac98562

      Posted

      Hi jac

      I feel for you.  I know exactly the stress you're talking about ....... I've also had bereavements in the last few years, including my beloved parents who passed within weeks of each other, other family bereavements, recent child illness, and work bullying which caused me to eventually quit 2 years ago.  It seems as if you pass one thing, then something else hits you, so it's bound to build up.

      Citalopram isn't for everyone, and sadly people do stop because of the side effects.  Going through the them isn't an easy ride at all, in fact it's quite horrendous for most.  But, it's everyone's choice if they feel they want to push through with it to the other side, or stop and try something else.

      I expect you are still having a few side effects plus withdrawl symptoms on top too, but these should all ease in time.

      I hope your stresses ease for you soon, and that you find something that will help you through all this.

      Take care xxx

       

  • jac98562
    jac98562

    Posted

    Hi Kate,

    Thanks for you reply.  I am sorry that you have had such a tough time too, life certainly throws some curve balls sometimes, not giving you time to get over one thing before something else is hurtling towards you.  I seem to lurch from one crisis to another!  Sometimes it's just the stage we are at in life.

    I just managed to walk to Drs , with hubby to hold hand, to pick up sick paper, he put anxiety on it, feel embarrassed about sending it to work now.

    Was thinking of trying St Johns Wort, or some herbal sleep remedies, have you heard how these go?

    Your replies have been really great, I've read some of the other posts.  Your comments are always supportive and spot on,

    Best wishes,

    Jac

    • katecogs
      katecogs jac98562

      Posted

      Hi Jac

      Yes that's so true ..... some times so many things happen, and yet other years go great.  Absolutely, we get to a stage in our lives when things start to happen ..... Life is so tough sometimes.

      Glad you have support from your husband :-)  I know what you mean about feeling embarrassed about having anxiety on your sick form ... we shouldn't though.  It's an illness, just as any other illness, though I know it's hard for others to see how you are inside.  Anxiety and depression used to have such a stigma, but barriers are being broken down now and people are much more open about it.  I used to be the same, but talk openly now.  Try not to be embarrassed by it ....... I'm sure there are many others at your workplace who've had it too xx

      Something I tried when I came off SSRI's once was 5-HTP which is bought over the counter.  You should take it alongside l-tyrosine (also over the counter).  This mimics SSRI's but with none of the side effects, expect maybe for a little tummy upset (hence taking l-tyrosine to combat that).  I had a year off SSRI's and found this was brilliant. Sadly I restarted SSRI's due to my son being very ill and I got too stressed by it all, and needed to be well for him.  I'll go back on it next year I hope.

      You mustn't take St Johns Wort or 5-HTP with SSRI's though.  Need to be completely off one before the other.

      Have a read of the book by Michael T Murray - 5-HTP The Natural Way to overcome Depression.  It's really good and he explains the background of 5-HTP and compares it to Prozac etc.  A great alternative, but more natural.  Buy it on Amazon.

      K xx

    • jac98562
      jac98562 katecogs

      Posted

      Hi Kate,

      Hope your son is on the road to recovery, it's awful when children are ill.

      Thank you for all the information I will certainly look into at the weekend and order the book from Amazon.  It's worth giving it a try.

      Today I woke up really anxious had to give daughter a lift to work didn't think   I'd do it but pushed my self and managed it.   Then thought I'm half way to work I could try going in,  I was really scared but put on my brave face (shaking inside) but went in and worked a few hours, the distraction made me forget about my anxiety.  Headache now though.  Think the withdrawal symptoms are lessening or going altogether, my appetite has returned with a vengence.

      Keep well and take care,

      Jac x

    • katecogs
      katecogs jac98562

      Posted

      Yes thanks, my son seems much calmer now and is hopefully returning to work soon after 3 months off.  It was bad enough when I was ill with this many years ago, but to see your own child go through it is absolutely heartbreaking.  I couldn't believe it when I found out he had the depression too - I just thought oh please god, not this for him!!  Parents feel their children's pain.  I certainly did, and that's why I restarted medication again as I didn't want to get ill too - I needed to be the strong one.  Luckily I'm fine again now.

      Glad to hear you went to work for a while.  It's tough isn't it, but it feels ok when you're there.  I used to struggle to work everyday, just wanting to stay in bed, but made myself go in.  I found the distraction was good, though had some tough times and often used to escape to have the odd weep in the ladies.

      Are you going to try again going to work this week?  Yes it can give you a headache ...... probably the tension of doing what you did.  But it's so great you did it!

      Oooh appetite returning with a vengeance?  Is that good or bad lol ;-)  It'll be good to get some nourishment and enjoy your food again mind ..... an empty tum can make you feel heady too.

      Glad to hear you'll try the book.  I found it very interesting and makes a lot of sense.

      K xx

       

    • jac98562
      jac98562 katecogs

      Posted

      So glad your son is well now, it must have been hard for you both. One of children has mild depression and has had over a years private counselling which seems to have helped her a great deal.  Had to pay for counselling as CAMHS did not think she was 'bad' enough.

      I did get to work today, still shakes, a bit jumpy and even a bit hyper!  Stayed whole day, bit teary at some points.  Return of appetite is good but need to eat more healthily and learn from this experience.   Had anxiety on waking but had subsided after a couple of hours.

      I think I know I will have to address the issues in future and that may take me down the medication route but for the time being will try to manage it through lifestyle changes and natural remedies.

      Wishing you all the best and thank you for you support,

      Jacx

    • katecogs
      katecogs jac98562

      Posted

      Yes my son is on the road to recovery, but still a little way to go yet. Counselling has been difficult from him too .... have to push to get it!

      Well done for sticking with work. It'll get better.

      Good luck with everything x

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