Weight gain when coming off Citalopram

I have been on Citalopram for ten years, starting as a means against PMS and PMDD, but since it worked so well for me against depression, tiredness, poor concentration and lots of stomach pain, I decided to take it every day.

That worked well - almost no side effect - apart from the occasional dry mouth maybe (might have been nervousness as well).

I have taken 10mg, or 20mg/day the week before menstruation to alleviate the extra emotional rollercoaster/vulnerability.

It worke well, and also through therapy, my quality of life improved. I am active, doing triathlons back then to keep my mood stable.

So my therapist thought I could go off Citalopram (since 5mg/day might no longer have an effect anyway) - but at first I didn't want to (it totally helped my sensitive stomach which was great) but even though my therapist retired three years ago,

I weaned myself off Citalopram this spring.

I did it very gradually, taking 5mg every other day, then every third day, and so on over a few weeks. Went completely off last week of june.

Well - I have been gaining weight since then. I usually can gain weight when eating too much, but get rid of it just by eating a little less carbs and not drinking orange juice or so.

Not this time. Throughout july, I kept getting a bigger tummy.

And I still trained triathlon and ate normal!

I was confused.

At the same time, I got anxious and OCD, really irritable and aggressive (just like in good ol'days). Awful.

But I must admit, I am used to being mentally out of order, the weight gain on the other hand...throws me completely out of balance, and makes me panic!

I feel like I should eat, but it's as if my belly is getting more volume on it each day.

So I am also bloated, but usually I would be fine in the morning and be worse at night.

Now I avoid the mirror.

I am not fat, not skinny, I think I am just "right", athletic, but I am extremely sensitive to weight gain, and on my small 5'3" frame and a short back, every pound is HUGE and visible 😦

I want to know if anyone of you have experienced the same thing (and maybe other side effects when going of Cit) and what you did.

I will make a "status" and weigh myself at the gym tomorrow (incl fat-% and water -% and so on) - and definitely go back to Citalopram after that.

I just wanted my freedom back, like, going on a hike or vacation without bringing medicine, but now, I really don't mind, I just want my usual body back...

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