1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Citalopram

Withdrawing from Citalopram over one week

Posted , 11 users are following.

carnaby07
carnaby07

Hiya,

Feeling pretty ill and lost right now. I saw my Dr last week who has told me to go from 40mg to 0mg of Citalopram in a week. I've managed it and it's now been about 60 hours since my last 10mg dose. She said this week I need to have off and then go onto Sertraline from next week.

I feel horrendous, sweating and then freezing cold. My brain feels like its floating in water, I'm exhausted and one minute I am seriously wanting to jump in front of a train and writing my suicide letter. Next minute I am sat here feeling tranquilised and horrible but able to cope. How long am I going to feel like this? it's getting too much...

When I started on the Cit the first week was hell on earth and I thought I was dying, will the Sertraline start like this too?

Would love some responses to this, got no one else I can talk to x

0 likes, 49 replies

49 Replies

Prev
  • carnaby07
    carnaby07

    Posted

    Another update: my usual GP called me instead of another one about 5pm. She thinks the Propranolol I've been taking for 2 weeks ish is causing the problems not the withdrawals... I'm not convinced but have not taken any more pro tonight so let's see if it makes a difference. Feeling physically sick tonight and can't stand up for long without feeling sicker. Laid in bed now and just trying to wind down and shut off. Thanks for your support, will update again tomorrow x
    • katecogs
      katecogs carnaby07

      Posted

      I think you'll find it's the Citralopram - everyone gets withdrawal symptoms even when they wean slowly. I've missed tablets once or twice before and I got sick just doing that.  When I came off before I weaned very slowly and still had some withdrawal symptoms, I had a lot of nausea and one weird one was brain zaps :-)  Other than that,I didn't do too badly.

      Glad you've been seen and sorted for now.  Sleep well and hope tomorrow goes smoother.

      K x

       

    • carnaby07
      carnaby07 katecogs

      Posted

      Feel really dizzy and drunk this morning. I've decided that I am going to take the sertraline tomorrow morning and not Monday morning as I'll be at home tomorrow so will be easier to deal with any side effects and judge how I feel. Supposed to be meeting a friend in a little while, going to go but I'd rather lie down and let the room stop spinning
    • katecogs
      katecogs carnaby07

      Posted

      Yes that's definitely withdrawl symptoms feeling dizzy/drunk.  Good idea to be at home when starting the new meds too.  Remember to give it lots of time before you feel the slightest benefit.

      Being out in fresh air might help plus also socialising.  You can always go home if you don't feel none too good.

      Hope you feel a bit more comfortable today.

      When you next see your doctor please, please tell her about this site.

      K x

    • carnaby07
      carnaby07 katecogs

      Posted

      Just taken my first sertraline, I cut it in half so just having 25mg today. I learnt my lesson the hard way with cit when I went straight onto 20mg. Side effects from the Cit are still very much here and I'm wiped out. So anxious about work tomorrow because I'm of no use to anyone. There's a little part of my brain telling me that the sertraline might lessen the withdrawals but it's probably not even true!!
    • katecogs
      katecogs carnaby07

      Posted

      Good to wean onto them, especially as you're still having withdrawl effects of Cit too.  Yes, takes a lot out of your body when withdrawl isn't done properly ..... something to remember for next time too :-) xx

      You should tell your works you're having difficulty at the moment - they should be informed for your safety plus they'll understand if you're struggling.  Remember, you're not well and nobody would expect someone with a broken limb to struggle at work, and what you're going through is no different.

      The new meds should help to lessen the withdrawals, but of course they'll take time again.

      Hope you have a better week ........ things should start to lighten soon.

      K xx

    • stevo1975
      stevo1975 katecogs

      Posted

      Hang in there Carnaby the meds do weird things like make you dizzy and other side effects all of which I have experienced kinda sucks but for me I felt mentally stronger thankfully so stuck with it! Keep talking to Kate she is an absolute angel xx if you need to call the emergency services you wont be wasting their time remember that you are as important than the others! 
    • carnaby07
      carnaby07 stevo1975

      Posted

      Hi Steve smile this forum has been amazing for keeping me going. Had a huge argument with my family this morning as they just don't understand how I'll I am feeling. I hope tomorrow the withdrawals will of lessened a little again. I have come very close to suicide several times this week, today included but I have to say I'm actually kinda proud at how long I have managed to keep going. Day two of the Sertraline tomorrow. My manager is aware of my MH issues however the others aren't really but by the time I've flown off the handle over nothing or cried because someone ate the last biscuit I'm sure they will know something is not right!!
    • stevo1975
      stevo1975 carnaby07

      Posted

      Hey Carnaby,

      The forum is a life saver Kate and David lifted me back into a space that gave me hope and god only knows what would have happened if not finding this!! I hear you when it comes to people understanding even my doc took a while to put me on citalopram and once finally did I started feeling better up until that I was day by day struggle!!! I'm proud of anyone that can fight thru this illness they are my hero's I have learnt so much about depression and anxiety disorder and am glad I started seeing the light the feeling of hope being lost was terrible everyone gets there they just have to hang on and keep fighting which is what you are doing Carnably smile take care!

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.