withdrawal??
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi. I have stopped citalopram after taking it for a very short period of time. It did not agree with me. I started on 10mg for a week and then increased to 20mg for a further 9 days before the GP decided it wasn't for me. I then reduced back to 10mg for a week and then 5mg and have now stopped completely 10 days ago. I have a lot of pins and needle type feelings running through my body, most apparent when I wake up in the morning. I also have a lot of cramping in calves mostly and a lot of stiffness around my mouth which affects my speech a little. Are these potential withdrawal symptoms at this point and how long might I expect them to last or are they just anxiety symptoms. My GP is a bit confused.
0 likes, 6 replies
kostas61165 pat80430
Posted
It certainly looks like withdrawal, and those symptoms have been reported by lots of people when stopping them, even after a short period of talking them!
It's amazing how ignorant are the doctors on this subject.
Symptoms usually subside over time!
katecogs pat80430
Posted
Why did your doctor decide these weren't for you?
Doctors are too quick at increasing meds far too early before letting one dose settle first. That could be a month. If you race up through doses then you're sure to suffer - equally withdrawing too.
Each increase will cause side effects so if you don't let one dose settle before adding more meds in, then the side effects will double. You can't erase the side effects with more meds.
Yes you have withdrawal now and I expect still a residue left of when you started and increased too. They could last a good month, maybe less. They won't harm you and will disappear over time.
I'm surprised your doctor is confused by the effects of the meds - because they are typical of SSRI's. These meds really do work if prescribed properly and given much time.
K x
pat80430 katecogs
Posted
HI Kate,
A couple of reasons really, but mainly because they it was causing me severe constipation. As well as that I wasn't overly committed to taking them and as it was for anxiety, one of the major stressors causing the anxiety has resolved. For the most part I am in a much better place now than in the couple of months before or month during taking the citalopram. The only real issues that are left for me are the ones that I mentioned above. I am hoping its just a lot of residual stress in the body or withdrawal from the citalopram. This forum has been really useful in helping me.
katecogs pat80430
Posted
Sorry for the delay.
The meds can cause constipation as well as diarrhea in other people. I suppose if you’ve tried remedying that to no avail then I suppose coming off them would be wise.
The stress that caused my anxiety eventually went away but by then the anxiety had caused other fears / worries which prolonged the anxiety.
Are you still getting the pins / needles and cramping etc and are you still off the meds?
Wondering how its all going.
K x
lois95799 pat80430
Posted
If you didn't have any of those symptoms before the celexa they are definitely discontinuation side effects..
Paula2019 pat80430
Posted