Withdrawal symptoms of Citalapram
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hello
I am desperate for advice and support. I have been taking a concoction of tablets very long term, but had many issues with side effects. The main tablet I wish to discuss now is Citalapram. I used to take Prozac for around 15 years and I was like a zombie most of the time, really tired and drowzy. I was put on them as an anti depressant, but also for pms symptoms, in addition to Elleste Solo (HRT) and having the mirena coil fitted. I felt much better.
More recently I was taking Citalapram 40mg for 2 years, then 30mg for 4 months, then 20mg for 3 months in addition to Celebrex as an anti inflammatory, Gabapentin for heavy calcific tendonitis and Colofac for IBS. All these tablets have been greatly reduced over the last 9 months with my GP's knowledge and support. For the last 9 days I have not taken any tablets whatsoever, I'm quite proud to say. I was fairly ok most of the time whilst reducing the meds, and for about 5 days with no tablets at all. But now I feel terrible. I feel very nauseous, sensitive to light, shaky, very tearful and cry at short notice, my stomach is in knots, I feel so terribly frightened to be alone or to go out. I feel very suicidal too. The negative thoughts won't go away. I can't cope. I really do not want to go back on any tablets. It was so hard and long winded coming off them. I saw my GP'S yesterday and he wasn't too pleased that I'm taking zero pills. Yet he's known that is what I wanted to achieve due to the horrible drowsiness. I've been paying to see a herbalist for the last 2 months who couldn't treat me, other than accupuncture, until I was completely off the meds. Therefore I had little choice. My only regret was stopting at 20mg of Citalapram and not trying 10mg then 5mg before stopping. I've only started herbal medicine 2 days ago which won't be in my system yet. Please help me.
Will these awful withdrawal symptoms pass? And if so, when? My partner works loads of hours which means I'm on my own a lot. I'm ashamed to feel so needy right now. Are there any self help groups where people actually meet to come off pills in the Staffordshire area? If I was a heroine addict I would get checked into rehab and be looked after, but because I'm a tranquiliser sufferer I am on my own with no help.
Thanks. Lisa Xx
0 likes, 23 replies
katecogs lisa99763
Posted
Agree, withdrawl was too quick. I've just come off Citalopram and have taken a year reducing from 20 / 15 / 10 / 5 / 2.5 / minuscule grains / stop. I've had no withdrawal symptoms at all doing it this way.
Though you're reluctant to restart this medicine it at be wise to reintroduce a small amount and wait for your body to settle. Once on an even keel, then reduce properly ie by 5mg at a time.
Your symptoms may well be with you for some time, but they will ease eventually.
Please see your doctor if you're having suicidal thoughts. You don't need to be doing this on your own.
K x
lisa99763 katecogs
Posted
Hello
Thank you so much for your kind and helpful words. I feel quite well today so fingers crossed. I'm glad that you didn't experience any nasty withdrawal symptoms.
Lisa Xx
Gerrymoo katecogs
Posted
Kate hope you don't mind me asking you again about this but I can't find the thread.
I've been 3 weeks on 10mg and almost 4 weeks on 20mg. It was increased due to some breakthrough anxiety and I did get the awful side effects again. Last few days I can feel the anxiety again, not enough to have to take anything or I'm not sure if it's nausea it's a strange feeling. Do you think these small flare ups die down of their own accord and what would be the indication to feel that another dose increase may be needed?
I'd rather stay on 20mg but don't want to feel like this every day if it won't settle. I am better in myself and appetite is better and I'm trying to be as active as possible. I had a couple of reasonable days but still having awful problems with insomnia . Thanks
katecogs lisa99763
Posted
Hi Lisa
Glad today was a better day for you. Do keep in touch with your doctor too for regular check ups. The withdrawal will wear off in time xx
I came off these meds once before which took many months, but still had some withdrawal symptoms. Wasn't severe but still wasn't very pleasant. This time around I did it much slower.
Hoping tomorrow is a good day for you too.
Take care xxxx
katecogs Gerrymoo
Posted
Hi Gerrymoo
Sorry, it's taking so long to reply - laptop is in the menders and the iPad doesn't like this site. I keep losing my replies and having to redo them.
Yes increasing the dose does cause side effects again, and in my experience it doesn't matter what dose you're on you'll still get to the up / down phase where you'll feel good sometimes and anxious other times. Seems it can't be avoided. It's normal and will even out in time. Increasing your dose won't stop it. I recovered on 20mg.
Expect the downs, and when they come, try and let them be there and relax towards them. They'll pass in time, and they can last a few days or even weeks, but let them be, and the relaxing helps them to pass a bit quicker. In time the downs will stop coming. They're just blips and often seem an expected part of recovery.
You shouldn't feel like this every day, for the time being yes, but they will wear off. Recovery often creeps up slowly, and you've said you already feel better in yourself and appetite too - small happenings already.
Insomnia mmmmm. The meds cause that, though it should wear off in time too. Has the doctor suggested anything for that?
Gerrymoo katecogs
Posted
X
katecogs Gerrymoo
Posted
Personally I'd stay on 20mg and stick it out, mind you that's only because I know that dose works for me. It's hard to tell how long to wait - for me, the first time it took 6 months and the second time on these it took even longer. I wouldn't take anymore than I'd need to.
I suppose I'd give it longer than this if I ever thought of increasing.