Coming off Citalopram [Archive]

spooner

07-10-06, 17:54

spooner

10-10-06, 20:45

This is now my 10th day since i went cold turkey from being on 20mg Citalopram for 2 years.

FINALLY the symptons and side effects seem to be wearing off. The head whooshes have calmed down a lot. Im still getting them but only around evening time instead of all afternoon and evening. Still feel a bit stressy sometimes but to be honest i dont know if thats a side effect or just me!!

Anyway, thought i would let you know incase you are in a similiar sitiuation. Will post again in a few days with another update.

Rob.

nomorepanic

10-10-06, 21:41

bad news coming off cold turkey like that - big shock to the body!

Nicola

NicolaCurrie

12-10-06, 10:37

Hi Rob - like you i went cold turkey a few years ago coming off seroxat. I had tried it slowly - measuring it out in small amounts - reduced it, increased it - you name it i did it! Anyway decided to go cold turkey and felt crap for a few weeks, but was glad when i got through it. Looks like you are starting to feel a bit better already. I coped for two years without medication but have crashed again - tried citalopram for a fortnight and couldn't cope with feeling crap with the drugs. Stopped them after two weeks and am finding other ways of managing. Anxiety is not nice and is very scary but i keep telling myself it is just a feeling - as is happy, sad angry! I am doing relaxations tapes lots and giving myself a goal every day - lots of praise too. Surround yourself with lots of support - this site is a great place to start. Try not to give into taking the meds again just now you have come this far with the withdrawal - WELL DONE!!!!

Nicola

spooner

12-10-06, 18:44

Thanks Nicola for your supportive words. Im determined not to go back on the pills, ive come too far now. Im fortuanate to have a very supportive partner and like you said, this website has been great to just find out that there are so many other people in the same situation.
Well done to you too for managing without your medication-i know how hard that is. Its great that you are using other methods to relax and cope with the stresses and strains in life. Keep up the good work.

All the best,
Rob.

spooner

15-10-06, 22:07

It is my 15th day since i went cold turkey. It has been hard work and i hope to never go through having to try and cope with the side effects again but it has been worth it. The effects are very slight now. I get periods of feeling stressed and very slightly down but they do not last long.
No longer being on Citalopram is a relief beyond words and it feels great knowing that i have my own brain back now. I am still very cautious that i may experience further side effects but if im honest i feel great.
If you consider going cold turkey have a chat with the doc first. It can be done and you may not have any side effects like i did as will effect everybody different. I have to say though that if you give it a go and struggle like i did, just keep going. the effects dont last too long and it is so worth it. Use this website as it is full of people in the same boat and it is always reassuring to know that you are not the only one going through it.
Good luck to everybody whatever problems or worries you may have and thanks to all those who helped me during my 'cold turkey' adventure.

Rob.

spooner

26-10-06, 15:39

It was going so well. The past few days have not been very good. I havent been able to cope with anything and feel quite down. I feel guilty because i have been taking my moods out on my 3 year old son and my partner and i wish more than ever that i could just be as happy as i was last week!
Im very lucky as my partner is very supportive but i can tell that it is very hard for her living with some of the misery i am bringing into the house.
Right now i feel like giving up and goin back on the pills. I have never felt so frustrated and just want all of the rubbish feelings i have to go away. I think its nearly 4 weeks since i came off Citalopram. I dont know whether im showing signs of being depressed again or whether these are just side effects of coming off the pills.
i dont know what to do.
Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Rob.

hopeful

26-10-06, 16:52

Hi Rob,
Sorry you're feeling so bad at the moment. You were happy last week and you will be again. Have you read Claire Weekes book,self help for your nerves? Lots of ppl on here go on about it and it is very good.She talks about giving things time,letting time pass.You were on these tablets for 2 years and have only just come off them.
You are bound to have good days and bad at the moment.Try not to feel guilty,easier said than done I know,but its really not your fault.This anxiety/panic/depression is a pain but we'll get there in the end.
Take care
julie x

kitty24

26-10-06, 21:39

Hey Rob,

I came off of Citalopram about 3 months ago (20mg) BUT the doc took me off of them gradually, down to 10mg then 5 mg till eventually i was on half a tablet every 2nd day then off completely. I think if you come straight off of 20mg you might get some bad side effects. Do check this out with your GP.
I got those 'head wooshes' even when i missed the odd one when i was on 20mg a day so i know what you mean. Could be different depending on the person!?
I do hope you feel better soon:-)

spooner

26-10-06, 22:06

Thanks Julie. I know that eventually things will be OK, Ive just had a real bad day. Ive decided to just get on with it tomorrow as ive been feeling a bit sorry for myself. The last thing i want to do is get depressed. Time to beat these effects i think and get on with life how i would like it to be.
Thanks very much for replying, it always cheers me up when people take the time to have a chat.
Take care,
Rob.

spooner

26-10-06, 22:10

<b id="quote">quote:</b id="quote"><table border="0" id="quote"><tr id="quote"><td class="quote" id="quote">Hey Rob,

I came off of Citalopram about 3 months ago (20mg) BUT the doc took me off of them gradually, down to 10mg then 5 mg till eventually i was on half a tablet every 2nd day then off completely. I think if you come straight off of 20mg you might get some bad side effects. Do check this out with your GP.
I got those 'head wooshes' even when i missed the odd one when i was on 20mg a day so i know what you mean. Could be different depending on the person!?
I do hope you feel better soon:-)

<div align="right">Originally posted by kitty24*-*26 October 2006*:* 21:39:00</div id="right">
</td id="quote"></tr id="quote"></table id="quote">
Thanks Kitty. Ive tried gradually coming off the tabs before but i still got side effects so had to give cold turkey a go. My doctor doesnt even know im off them yet! Those head whooshes are a nitemare huh? Anyway, i hope youre coping well now that youre off Citalopram.
Take care,
Rob.

Sin

27-10-06, 04:14

Hi everyone
I am about to go on Citralopram but I am wary. Has anyone found that it has really helped with their depression or is it a waste of time? I have been addicted to cannabis for about 10 years and want to quit as it has made me paranoid and depressed. Is it ok to mix cannabis with Citralopram? I want to quit cannabis but its hard.
Can anyone help?

Pfer

11-10-07, 15:43

Hi all.

I just went from 20mg to 10 for 2 weeks, then one every other day but found that taking a tablet after not taking one was worse!

I've been on Venlafaxine (ouch) and other stuff before for 4 years.

These flu symptoms are a nightmare but luckily I feel quite calm - though sleeping is a problem.

I don't recommend Kalms or anything like that until the Citalpram is out of your system completely.

I've only had one bad emotional moment (just crying for no damn reason!) but know I just need to ride things like that out.

Luckily I'm not working at the moment otherwise I don't think I could cope.

Tom_M

11-10-07, 23:00

I'm a great believer in drinking plenty of water and going for long walks, to help with depression. Apart from walking taking your mind of things, it does help to flush out those nasty chemicals that make you feel irritable and depressed.

Tom

leanna

29-10-07, 15:17

Hi Spooner, I came off Citalopram one week ago and the side affects are indeed AWFUL
The electrical impulses and dizziness are so weird, along with headaches, nausea etc.
The think is the tablets gave me headaches and nausea too!
Its really nice to hear that the symptoms are fading, how long have you been off them now?

JenM

30-10-07, 11:18

Hi there,

I came off Citalopram almost 3 weeks ago now and i still dont feel any better. I was on 30mg, down to 20mg in a month, then down to 10mg within 1 week and came off the meds completely.

I am having problems falling asleep, upset tummy, whooshy head (which has only just started to happen over the past few days), bad chest pains, shortness of breath, sometimes i feel that my heart is going to burst through my chest because i am so anxious. My anger is a real worry, i am snapping at my husband and have a really SHORT FUSE. I'm finding that I am suffering from road rage, having arguments with complete strangers on the street. I am crying constantly and literatually have to drag myself out of bed to go to work everyday... Will this ever end? :-(

aropax.vs.citalopram

09-07-08, 08:26

hi there everyone,
wow this site is great, sometimes i think half of us could be smarter than our doctors. Anyway my story starts like this, I was 18 when i had a pretty major car crash. I was the driver and was in a rural artea where i didnt know the road. NO not driving fast actually driving 90kph where the limit was 100kph. Anyway the accident was so bad everyone said i should be dead. From the minute i woke from my unconsiouness till this very day, not rewally something you should say to someone who now suffers from a phobia of dieing due to the anxiety and panic attacks related to my accident. At first i was diagnosied with post tramatic strees but now that im 21 i have looked into this and i never had PTS i was slowly but surely getting into deep anxiety and panic attacks. People say how can you be effected by your accident sill you should just be happy to be alive but its not like that. So at the age of 18 i went to see my doctor, but he wasnt there that day a locum was. After telling her my symtoms she priscribed me AROPAX (Paroxatine). I didnt know what this was but it was going to make everything better, and after a week it did i was feeling like a normal teenager again and was happy, I couldnt cry though even when our dog died it just wouldnt happen the tears wouldnt flow. After 3.5 years on aropax i desided this is stupid my origanal symtoms have gone and i desided to wean myself down. Thats when it all hit i had heart pelpertaions when i missed a pill or lowered my dose (i had discussed this with my doctor first) I wanted to harm myself. Long story short i got off the aropax on the 17th march 2008. This was great i did have the very scary side effects (yes they are real) but once they went away approx 4 weeks after last pill and i had no major panic attacks but then approx 3 weeks again it all came flooding back i have tryed to fight it for the 3 weeks but finally went to the doctor today and was priscribed Citalopram. Great I cant even live a real life without an SSRI. For those who are trying to come off citalopram i wish you luck and just want to say (AND I KNOW THIS NEVER HELPS) that it does get better at least for a couple of weeks anyway, and if not we can always live the rest of our lives on these drugs, cant we??? From what i have read from people on Citalopram it is alot easier to come off than aropax so maybe thats one thing to be greatful for. I am not completely bad mouthing SSRI's either though. They saved my dads life and for that i am greatful. Anyone out there who is trying to give up an SSRI try a therapy called CBT or NLP. I have used NLP and it worked great and i have just started CBT. Just look into it you cant loose more than you already have.
I hope i have not board you all with my story and info but at least i feel a bit better even if no-one reads it i can tell myself you have all read it.
hope you all get well soon!!!!!!

sunbeam

14-07-08, 12:29

Hello all, I am new to this site and I have been on Citalopram for 6 months due to depression.

Started on 10mg then 20mg, then to 40mg.

I know everyone is different and these drugs have helped lots of people. I just wanted to share my experience.........

Since taking the tablets I have gone from mildly depressed to exstemely depressed. I have not been able to function, cry at every juncture, had nightmare, lost my appetite and have lost lots of weight.

At one point I felt so desperate I walked into a hospital and said 'Help Me!'

I decided to drop from the 40-20 and had terrible withdrawal. Manic crashes of insecurity, no positive outlook and a constant feeling of negativity.

Since going down 20 and getting over the withdrawal, I have been a different person, it was almost like coming out of a drug coma. I went from seeing in black and white to glorious technicolor. I have continued to drop to 10mg after 2 weeks of 20mg and again there has been a massive improvement in my moods.

I have put in place psychotherapy and have had a couple of sessions and so glad I am coming off these horrible pills.

On research of citalopram withdrawal and other such issus with the drug, it has become clear that the pharmasutical companies have not put adequate warning of withdrawal on the leaflets and the emphasis of suicidal thoughts have not been made of which I had plenty while being on the tablets.

Doctors also seem to have very little knowledge of the very dangerous side effect of the tablets, so do not advice sufficienty.

This article is a very good example of the terrible withdrawal one can experience with this drug.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2007/jan/30/post1022

I am very happy for the people that have had good experinces on this drug, but want to make others aware that it is not like this for all and they put me through hell and made me feel I had nothing to live for. If it wasn't for my partners amazing support, well put it this way if I had been on my own they would have finished me!!!!!

Please be careful people!!!!!

sunbeam

simon1976

15-08-08, 05:46

Hi guys. Been on citalopram for 2 years now. One thing is clear to me about anti depressants and that is they do help but they are not the cure. Its like having a labourer assist you on a job (it just makes it a little easier to cope).
The hardest thing about depression as you all know is the lack of positive thinking and total lack of motivation and feelings all twisted. I cope and I have faith that this is all in my own mind. With the pressures of modern society anyone could be prone to it. Heres some good things to think about.
Positive vs negative in a boxing match..who wins..none of them win cause they both fight for dominance...the conclusion is.....be neutral cause you are not affected by either then and you can cruise through life without a worry.
Neutral thinking neutral eating and neutral exercise are the way for me but is hard to achieve. Ask your inner self for peace not war and drink a nice cup of tea in the morning and neutralise everything around you with comedy laughter. Hey guys and girls soon you will be better just hang in there ok!

love simon xx

Lonley231082

18-08-08, 10:07

I had really bad head zaps when I came off the pills and had to cut down very slowly, but even then still had head zaps. I guess they symptoms lasted for about a week - 10 days after I stopped taking my last tablet.

Face, accept, float, let time pass

Hiya I have been on citrapram for over a year and have decided to come off and its only my 5th day but i feel like i get these electric shock sensations go through my head

are you still having symptoms

Lonley231082

18-08-08, 10:38

smokingjax

19-08-08, 21:40

Hello guys, I've just joined this site as I was browsing to see if anybody else had problems coming off citalopram. Well it seems I'm not alone.
I've been on citalopram for about 2 and a half years for anxiety and panic attacks. I went from 5mg to 10 mg to 15mg over about 3 months.
I had to go on the sick at work for 4 months but fortunately I got paid and went back eventually.
I have to say these tablets DO WORK. I have had less panic and felt less down since I have been on them.
After about 2 years I decided (off my own back) to reduce to 10mg and I did it with just a couple of anxious moments within one week.
Then again a few months later I decided to drop to 5mg with not too many problems.
3 weeks ago I asked my doc if he thought I should come off them altogether and he said give it a go. He said it will take a couple of weeks before I would notice any side affects.
The first 2 weeks I got tingly face and hands and kept spinning out at work. It didn't bother me too much because I told myself it was the drugs (not a stroke), honestly, the way you think when you're sensitive!
So now i'm into my third week of coming off them, and all over a sudden I've had two massive panic attacks (in work, great), cried in the toilets for no reason, cried on the way home. I feel really quite down and anxious, oh and very snappy.
I thought it was going ok, then this!
Anyway, like you guys I WANT TO KNOW WHEN IT WILL STOP!
I have considered going back on them as it doesn't seem worth the agony. I can't be off work again, I'll get sacked, (not really, but I will get into trouble!)
Oh what to do??
Is there anyone out there who's come off them and feels reasonably ok...? How long did it take?
HELP!

ok, ok....it's just a feeling, humph.....

Thanks for listening, J x

monkey-marc

30-08-08, 00:51

hey smokingjax (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/member.php?u=14858)

Im just coming off of citalopram myself. I was on 40mg, down to 20 now, and to zero next. All the side effects you guys are going through are similar to what i have had in the past. They are horrible and may make you feel like givin in and going back on the pills, but believe me, when your system is flushed out, you will feel so much better, and like your old self again

good luck to all

monkey

Jay ann

08-09-08, 07:29

:scared15:

Oh dear, have been reading the side effects of coming of citalopram and am wondering if I am doing the right thing in trying to wean myself off. Doctor
has advised me how to do it.

I am only on 10mg but hate the idea of feeling worse, when at the moment
I feel quite strong.

I get headaches at the best of times, so I can deal with that, but the effects sound a bit "iffy" to say the least.

Has anyone come off them and been pleased with the result??

Jackie

catmccabe

10-09-08, 14:25

Hi everyone

I've been on 20mg citalopram for over a year and have just decided to start coming off them. With the advice of my doctor I've lowered my dose to 10mg a day for a month, then 10mg every other day and so on until i naturally forget to take them.

It's been about a week since dropping to 10mg a day and i have been feeling awful. The worst symptoms being dizziness and shortness of breath. I have also been short tempered and emotional!

It's a bit of a busy time at the moment anyway, so that probably doesn't help. I'm just hoping that my body will get used to the 10mg a day pretty quickly before i drop to every other day...

My loved ones have just advised me to keep going, keep in touch with my doctor about symptoms and believe in myself that the life changes I've made have been enough to make me better in the long run. And that as soon as the withdrawal symptoms die out, i will be back to my old (pre-depression) self again! Just with a little more experience i suppose!

So my advice to you is the same. Make sure you talk to your loved ones and doctor about how you're feeling, just to keep reminding yourselves that you're not alone and they're completely normal symptoms.

Good luck all, you are NOT alone xxx

cedlong

10-09-08, 14:33

I stopped Citalopram completely about 2 weeks ago, but I am still feeling sick every day. Is it normal to feel this way after 2 weeks?

Thanks,
Chris

Calmcat

12-09-08, 12:01

Hi Everyone

I have been on Citalpram twice now both times for panic attacks and all the awful anxiety/depression that come with them.

I took 10mg daily and am currently weaning myself off, so i am down to 10mg every other day. I forgot about side effects until they hit me after about a week, I feel so dizzy and a bt clumsy, but I know i am stronger because the dizziness is not sparking panic, i am calm and know it is just a side effect.

This time around I had CBT with a local charity so I had as many sessions as I needed and paid what i could afford. The combination of the CBT, understanding myself better, how my mind works and taking the citalopram has made a huge difference and I can't wait to be off them. They worked last time so I think they will work this time.

So what i would say to anyone who is coming off, do it slowly, reduce your dose and stay on the reduced dose for as long as you feel comfortable and then drop down again. Last time I dropped to every other day then every third day then started to forget to take it, it felt natural.

Also check out th epossibility of local charities which provide councelling as an NHS referral will often only give you 6-8 sessions and for me that would have made me more stressed as I would feel I had to get better in a set time. It is honestly the best thing I ever did.

Good luck everyone and don't give up, just take it easy and keep talking to your doc and loved ones.

Sarah

lisanelson1234

24-09-08, 10:15

hi every one i am tring to come off citrapram aswell the effects are horribull i feel as i am getting electric shocks when i turn my head i am so glad all you lot have the same as i thought i was cracking up!!! now i am having 10mg evry other day then a month i will go every three days i hope it works as i hate being on them. very emabressing but i have no sex drive because of them and my marrige is falling apart because of it wish me luck anyome want i chat who is going through the same please please get in touch xxlisa

xenafan40

27-09-08, 23:57

Hi folks, I found this site by searching about citalopram, so i joined, I'm more worried now about these things, 20mg did buggar all for me in 2 weeks now im on 40 for another few weeks and i feel no way uplifted but from the start i was always against medication, but as my doctor says they can take 4 weeks 2 kick in i force myself 2 take them or i cannot honestly tell him they do not agree with me.
After reading only a couple of posts my fears are confirmed that there will be problems getting of these nonsense tablets, man made medication is not the way for depression / anxiety, even i know that, but i'm now 46 and cant always rely on hard physical training to alleviate my condition, life has always been a struggle and i have been reluctant 2 take part, i read in another post that one should focus on what you want, not the negative, but i have never realy wanted anything, simple fact and i do know that unless you realy want something so utterly and completely then you shall not have/achieve such, so pointlessness reigns.
not a very uplifting first post, but it can only get better:) best wishes 2 each and everyone, things can and will improve for you.

steven AIC

07-10-08, 18:47

Hi.

I am a 33 year old bloke and i have been taking citalopram for 9 months. I have been under the cloud of depression for over 10 years, but felt embarrassed to admit that i was suffering with depression to friends and family and generally had the opinion that it was just the way i was anyway, everybody has their problems, why should i burden someone with mine, until I had a mental breakdown last year and just had to do something about it. My employees were really understanding and sent me to a psychotherapist and after opening up to my G.P, he started me on 10mg then up to 20mg and then up again to 40mg.

2 months ago i told my GP that i did not really think citalopram was doing anything and i wanted to just come off the tablets. He set me on a program to take 40mg/30mg alternatively for 2 weeks, then 30/20mg for the second fortnight etc etc until i ran my course of tablets out. I find myself getting angry and disillusioned with many aspects of life/people again but i am determined to beat this by more natural means which some people have mentioned here (exercise, eating better etc)

It has been 2 weeks since my last tablet and i am starting to get the "electric pulses" that many people here have mentioned and temporary dizziness. Does anyone know of any positivestories of getting off citalopram? I just don't want to end up going back on medication again.

jellybabies

09-10-08, 11:08

I have been on 20 mg for two years and then dropped to ten for four months and then 10 mg every other day

ive been ahving weird head swooshes i was told were my inner ear ive just come off them compeltely and the head swooshes are constant

Thanks for letting me know its a side effect I had decided i had a brain tumour (yes anxiety is right up)

keep fingers crossed i can do this cause currently i am struggling

bottleblond

09-10-08, 11:47

I came off my meds cold turkey before and have to say, after a few weeks of struggling, my anxiety hit me worse than it ever had before and i was straight back on meds. I have to say, i would rather be on mediacation and know my anxiety is being managed rather than having to struggle on a daily basis.

Good luck to you huni and i hope it works for you.

Love Lisa
xxx

nickywillow

14-10-08, 11:54

Hi,
I've been on citalopram for 5 years, started at 20mg every day and over the last 2 years dropped to 20mg three times a week (mon.wed,fri), i tried dropping to 10mg daily but found this worse to cope with, am defiantly better on 20mg. Just seen my doc about coming off them, so gonna drop one 20mg to 10mg and try it really slowly, i'll let you know how i get on. How is everyone who has gone cold turkey getting on, no-one seems to continue posting once things get bad, does anyone finally get there? Is there any hope?
Good luck guys

DebraC

14-10-08, 15:30

I weaned myself gradually from 40mg per day by alternating the dose. 40 one day, 30 the next. Did that for a while then dropped to 30 then 20 and carried on until I was down to 2.5 a day. Having had a bad experience a few years ago going cold turkey coming off seroxat I definately didnt want to repeat the experience. "cotton wool" head and ringing in my ears were the worst for me.
Debs

byronhinson

14-10-08, 20:39

Hi everyone. Ive decided to go cold turkey and come off my anti-depressants (Citalopram 20mg) after being on them for 2 years.
The side effects are terrible!

Im fine in the morning but when i get to the early afternoon i get really bad 'head whooshes' and feel very tearful. Also (and this is weird), sometimes when i move my eyes i get a weird whooshing noise in my ears. I feel sick sometimes and very stressy.

Im absolutely desperate to get off of these pills and lead a normal life.
Is anybody else out there in my position? If so i would love to hear from you.

Thanks for reading,
Rob.

Sorry to pop in this thread - but I've managed to forget to take my citalopram for a week or more and I've noticed this strange thing like you did where when i move my eyes the pitch in my ears changes - very weird and it makes me feel a bit like i'm not there - would this be a withdrawal effect?

nickywillow

07-11-08, 10:31

:) Hi all just an update, i'm now down to 50mg a week, 20mg on tue, 10mg on thursday and 20mg on sat, fantastic way of coming off them, you just feel a bit strange for a couple of days about 2 weeks after dropping a tablet by 10mg, i'm going to continue trying this way, i'll let you know how i get on.

Asha1979

12-11-08, 02:06

Hi all just to say I was on citalopram for chronic anxiety which led to severe depression. I initially took 10mg for 10days, 20mg for 3 months and 30mg for 4 months. I have just gone down to 20mg for 1 month and 10mg for 3 weeks and am 4 days into withdrawal. I didn't cut the tablet in half or switch to alternate days as I just felt ready to stop completely and have to say I have had no side effects at all. I just feel more alive than ever and am seeing things more clearly. Even though I'm 4 days into withdrawal I feel very hopeful that I will be successful. Just thought I would write this to give people inspiration as I know how frightening the thought of coming off these can be. I once was a nervous wreck at the thoughts of getting withdrawal symptoms as I went through hell with side effects at the start. x

missymoo

13-11-08, 00:19

That is wonderful to hear Asha!!! I'm coming down off my citalopram right now. I wanted to go taper off slowly but I ran out of my perscription and can't get hold of my therapist. I cut my 20mm pills in half and took one every other day for about 4 days but as soon as they were gone I started having withdrawal symptoms. My husband (who is a very patient, kind and supportive) told me that my attitude STINKS lately. I know I've been irritable, but it's hard not to be when you feel like poop! I feel fuzzy, disconnected, sleepy and just plain icky. Oh and today I've started feeling jolts that feel like little nerve twitches, it's really annoying! I'm hoping and praying that this doesn't last much longer, I don't want to feel like this through the entire holiday season!

Asha1979

14-11-08, 00:23

Hi Missymoo, sorry to hear about the withdrawals. I took the 10mg for 3 weeks before I stopped completely so going from 20mg to 10mg at one every other day for 4 days may have been a bit rushed. Anyway a friend of mine did the same as what you are doing and had the side effects you mention but they left after about a week and now she is doing great, so just keep strong and remember that its only temporary and its just your body and mind adjusting. Get plenty of rest, don't do anything too strenuous and try reading if you can. Doreen Virtue was my lifesaver! x

nickywillow

16-11-08, 13:58

Hi, i think the answer to coming off these tablets is very very very slowly, stay on a lower dose for a couple of weeks then drop a tablet, with me i takes a couple of weeks for the affects of dropping a tablet to hit me and they only last a few days (feeling a bit strange, bit dizzy kind of hungover)
The book that finally helped me was At Last A Life by Paul David, but i was also so determined to do this, i must admit hearing about the side effects coming off these tablets had me scared stiff which is why i was on them for so long. I started these tablets because i was a panic attack sufferer who became agoraphobic, i still suffer from panic attacks sometimes but i feel the tablets stopped helping me, i think in the end only you can help yourself. Good luck

ch33kychops

23-11-08, 12:10

Hi All ..

I came across this site when I googled, Side Effects of coming off Citalopram ..

I got put on these 2 years ago at 40mg for panic attacks about being sick, which started when I was sick aged 16 (9 years ago).
I found these made me gain lots of weight and I gradually weaned down to 10mg, but never thought I would get out of the 10mg stage as the nausea from it would happen (which is what I fear)

BUT last week, I decided enough was enough ...

I am on my 6th day, I feel sick yes but I know why and that it isnt a bug etc .. the dizziness and short attention span is not great but I know it will subside. I am struggling to concentrate on certain things for a long period of time and my goodness I am a moddy mare BUT I k ow I will feel great once they are out of my system!

Coming off them cold turkey is the best thing I did (at the moment I say that)

GOOD LUCK ALL XXXXX

befuddled1

23-11-08, 13:50

I don't know.
I have been on citalopram for years and have just kind of come off it cold turkey. I never really think it does anything. I am more tearful than usual but I am also having a hard time. How can I tell which bits are me and which might be the result of having come off the drug?
I keep getting this pulsing feeling in my head. Is this what others are talking about?
I feel stupid for having done it and I don't know why I have but I hate hate hate the thought that none of my feelings are actually me right now, but are the effect of coming off a drug. How am I supposed to know what's what with the world, what I think and feel if it's all controlled by something chemical.
I am probably so stupid for having done this. It has happened more than once that things have been disrupted in my life and I've started missing doses and then I think I might as well come off since I've messed it up so much. I don't want to be on these drugs forever (been on over 7 years when I don't really know if they are doing anything). How come other people seem to be able to see themselves better from the outside and I can't? What I mean is, they seem to be able to say that increased anxiety or tearfulness even feeling sick is noticeable since coming off the drug, whereas I can't get a hold on what's normal for me and what's not, I just don't know.
And I keep thinking I might be having moments where I switch off. Like when I move my head.
Do I sound like a complete fool who clearly should not have come off her meds cold turkey?
Or am I just a lot more careful about making cause and effect connections than other people are and others are too keen to make life make sense?
Tomorrow I am having an important meeting because I am failing the placement I'm on. I don't know if I can manage to do the work for it. I can't seem to care about it right now. I'm always saying things like that mind.
Would I have experienced this placement differently if I hadn't done what I had with my anti-depressants.
I feel like everything I really really care about, I'm not able to on this placement somehow. I'm seeing people who are elderly and losing sense of self, losing cognitive abilities, or at least that's how I percieve it, and I'm not meant to care or something. But if I ignore that stuff than who the hell am I? Maybe I'm just being too self-righteous.
Sorry to go on and on. Couldn't seem to stop. Am interested in responses particularly re. citalopram thing.

angeltears

23-11-08, 21:21

Hi I'm new to this site. I'm in a desperate situation, I've been on citalopram for over 4 years now, having increased the dose from 30 to 40 then back down etc, it changes depending on how well i do, however i am now in the process of reducing them to change to another anti depressant, mirtazopine. I am currently just down to 10mg/day but am having the worst time, constant crying, anger, paranoia, sweats, claustraphobia. I'm having such mood swings that i take it out on all my nearest and dearest and push them away almost so i can turn around and say, see told u so, u don't care about me at all! Its ruining my life, I don't want to be here anymore and don't want to feel this way. I'm having to take diazapam just to get me thru the day, so i'm going from one extreme to the other, spaced out to psycho, i can't handle it anymore, i need the support of my friends and family but the way i'm acting i'm just pushing them away. Has anyone else experienced this? I just need to know i'm not losing my mind.

sweetpea24

29-11-08, 14:50

Hi everyone

Just wanted to say thanks for responding to my post and i'm so glad this site exists!!!

Basically just wanted to update everyone from my previous post a couple of weeks back...

So i stoppped taking the 20mg after having severe side effects such as stomach discomfort nausea and tiredness amongst others. I has been taking 20mg for 3 weeks before which i was on 10mg for 3 weeks without sideeffects...I stopped taking it without advice 2 weeks and the news isnt good.....around 2 days after i stopped i felt as though i was in cold turkey, the sickness and stomach discomfort got worse, then severe headaches, then dizzyness and the feeling of being withdrawn and spaced out, all were severe i couldnt move out my bed!!! This lasted around 5-7 days then they all eased....no headaches etc.....but i'm still far from 100%. Still off work, still have a discomfort feeling in my stomach, some days feel spaced out.....but the worse is the nause...its still there!!!! after 2 weeks!!! I thought this pill would be out of my system in 2 weeks!!!! Well no!

Yesterday for around 3 hrs was the first time in around 2 months that i actually felt physically and mentally like myself, the by the afternoon i was back to feelin like crap again....

I went back to my Dr's on thu and she really didnt have a clue to be honest, its really becoming clear that not many Dr's have done there research when it comes to SSRI drugs! She adviced that these are all textbook side effects as with the withdrawal symptoms.....i asked her again is it normal to still feel nausea and have this life halting stomach discomfort even after 2 weeks of not taking the pill??? Then came a glimer of hope, forgive me cos i cant quite remember her exact words, but she said that these tablets are a GASTRO somet somet....(sorry i did try to memorise her exact words but i forgot) meaning they do tend to effect or aggitate the stomach and when this happens it can take a while for the stomach to get back to normal.........anybody out there if you can understand that or extend further it would be much much appreciated!!!!

Anyway she then went on to prescribe me 10mg of the same pill...the wonderful CITALOPRAM!!!!! I asked if this was a good idea, i mean i dont wanna undermine my DR she's the Dr here ofcourse and she said that as i had no side effects with taking 10mg i should continue on these and come back in 2 weeks to see how its going!!!

But i'm unsure???? I really dnt wanna take any more pills!!! I'm on anti sickness and diazipam....and i dnt wanna go through any more side effects!!

To be honest how i'm feeling now is much worse than how i was feeling when i was taking them!!! But you know the really ironic thing here??? They did exactly what they were supposed to do!! Psycologically i felt better than ever!! no more panick attacks or intense anxiety....but that just wasnt worth the side effects i'm affraid...so i'm at a cross roads....i feel more depressed than ever purley due to me stressing about my health.....

Is there anyone who has had similar effects when withdrawing???

sorry for the long msg, i'm just at my wits end....i wish i'd never started taking these pills!!!!

blackwatch1981

01-12-08, 17:02

Thanks everybody for your advice. Im 1 week into going cold turkey and so far things the symptons have not got any better. Im absolutely determined to not let the effects beat me into going back onto the pills but i have to be honest and say that ive had thoughts of going back on them.
I do feel now that going cold turkey is not the answer to come off Citalopram but i hope that these symptoms will not last any longer.

I know everybody is affected differently but I will keep this forum updated with my progress so anybody else considering the cold turkey method can have a bit of info on what possibly to expect.

Rob.

" I think you're foolish if you go through life doing the same thing everyday and expect something to change" - Noel Edmonds.

hi folks i came off citalopram 4 weeks ago and i thought the side effects were going to last longer but they went within about 2 weeks i am now taking kalms these citaloprams almost had me sign into a nut house after ten weeks of taking them my nerves were about 5 feet above me it was like i was on speed not that ive ever taken speed but if i did i would imagine thats what it was like .prozac saved my life once but palpitations at start are too much for me now so kalms it is, and if you look for any one saying anything bad about them you wont find it yet go see what they say but these citaloprams the best thing you can do in my experience is stop taking these and try kalms and read up on panic attacks and anxiety etc you are not going off your head there are plenty of people suffering the same the only good thing is we are here which means we are learning and understanding what it is that we have and that is our advantage good luck everyone .

blackwatch1981

01-12-08, 17:11

quotedont take them you almost have them out your system dont put them back in go get some kalms from chemist and try 2 weeks of them also read up on panic attacks and anxiety once you understand what it is you have you will have it half beat ive had all this gumf going on for 8 years now

sweetpea24

02-12-08, 07:32

Hi Eleven, yes i did expereice a tightness of the throat almost like i wouldnt be able to swallow but it passed farely quickly...

Just an update from the last post....it is the 16th day of not taking Citalopram and i'm starting to feel (touch wood) better....the sickness is very little and same with dizziness....but my stomach is still feeling sore probably from shock as these are Gastro intestinal pills...and still a little tired but i think i can finally see a way out now, there is light!!!!

I wont be taking these tablets nor any other AD again, im currently in the process of receiving therapy which i find is working really well, im learing how to gain my confidence back, not feel like a failure, value my life and most importantly how to keep my panick and anxiety under control. I have a wonderful therapist who supports my decision to stop taking these pills.

And that would be my advice, if there is any way you can get some great therapy/councilling and stay on a low dosage of AD or none at all go for it.....pills arent the way to go.....whether they work for you or not. also websites such as these have been such an amazing help!!!

if the NHS and the government spent more on Specialist therapy rather than AD things could be different for the better...

I'm still a long way from being me but i can finally see me getting there, and without pills!!!

Please dont think i am condenming anyway who chooses to take AD, I have a family history of mental health problems currently with 2 amily members in institutions so i no full well that tablets can work.....but i'm proud of myself for taking the scary decision to stop taking them and to only stick with the therapy...Mind over Matter....

But last night tragedy struck in my family, My gran died in hospital peacefully with all the family by her side...she suffered with Alzheimer's and got worse very quickly, i thought this may send me back into a depression however i took strength from family and friends...and im ok....

RIP Gran..i will see you when i get there....xxxx

Anna78

03-12-08, 17:36

Hi

I posted earlier today about coming of citalopram thought i was going mad but after reading this thread its made me see sense that its just coming of the pills. I feel awful. I have had the wooshing feeling for nearly a week now and the feeling of haveing no blood in my arms and legs i just wish they would stop. My anxeity has got worse over the past week as i thought there was something wrong with me but im so pleased other peoples symptoms are the same as mine. Please can anyone tell me how long this lasts for

ch33kychops

05-12-08, 14:42

Hello One and all ..

Well I did post as I was in process of coming off citalopram and I can safely say I am through all side effects ...

The ones I suffered were -

Fuzzy head
Nausea
Panic Attacks
Not feeling well
Tired
Achy

But it was so worth it to come out now and say I am off those drugs!

Guys hang in there it is worth it!!!

elmarcos

10-12-08, 20:00

Hi Guys, my first post :) I've stopped taking them after 2 weeks because I dont think they are agreeing with me. The head zaps that people talk about. Can they make lines on a computer screen, for example the vertical lines on this screen seem zig zagged for a split second?

L011ip0p

12-12-08, 19:45

from all the research ive been doin into citalopram, Dr's advice and experiences from a few people i know who also have taken it its definatly better to 'ween' yourself off it rather than go cold turkey!
it reduces the risk of side affects so that u wont end up feeling worse than before you started taking it!:D

nickywillow

17-12-08, 13:24

Hi everyone, I'm down to 40mg a week now but I've been feeling nauseous and I'm feeling exhausted, have done for the past week, i was also very tearful for a couple of days, hope this passes before christmas, will drop another 10mg after christmas i think as i don't think i can cope doing it before,
good luck x

Mully

17-12-08, 16:19

Oh my word!!!.. well I surely do feel a whole lot better since reading everyones post here. For 8 years I've been on Citalopram 20mg and I tried to come off cold turkey 5 years ago and was fine for about a month then it hit me like a brick.. frustation and loosing my temper was the worst and I remember wondering around the shopping centre willing people to bump into me so I could have a fight!.. then I would just burst into tears... I was a mess. So, I went back on them.

6 months ago, I decided I wanted off these pills and after my last experience made sure that I would take it sloooow... I halved my dose to 10mg and had the usual funny bone zap in my head and weepyness after about a month but then I was fine.. or so I thought..I had managed to cut down to 10mg every other day, but I was not sleeping properly.. I noticed I was easy to anger..memory was poorI and felt more insecure and those other dark feelings were rising up again. I put it down to withdrawal and tried to ' get on with it' also things were happening in my life which were quite stressy so I was just assuming that it was a combination of all these things. I kept my positve streak and was adamant that I was going to succeed.
After facing a couple of demons and beating the crap out of them and coming out on top.. like getting on a train again.. going out to watch a local band play.. staying away from home ' my security Zone' and some other issues I had had problems with over these last few years, I was feeling good and confident. I had a few blips during those times.. but like always whenever I have an attack or feel anxious I dealt with it and coped and accepted that it wouldn't be easy but i would continue to soldier on...

However, after all that.. all the accomplishments the drug has beat me to submission and I am now back on 20mg..

I was coping up untill 3 weeks ago then all hell broke loose.. not only were the physical symptoms horrendous but the depression basically turned me into somebody I did not like.. and to feel so close to loosing the plot completely frightened me.. as that is not me has never been.. I was loosing the will to fight this illness anymore and the thought that I could hurt someone or myself with either my words or actions..and the lack of sleep.. the onslaught of severe attacks etc.. I had to finally admit to myself that I just cannot cope being like this any longer.

This realization cut me deep.. I felt like such a failure, even thought I knew there was side effects to coming off the drug.. I didnt truly know to what extent those side effects would be..or whether is was just that and not that me failing was of my own doing .. that ' im just not as well as I thought' etc.. and up untill I read this thread I still felt like part of me was responsible for the defeat.

However, now I think different.. and just want to say " I am so proud of all of you here that have tried ..".

To think we have to live with our illness and deal with all that it entails .. and when eventually we achieve something positve and finally feel strong enough to move on we are then faced with another mountain to climb in getting off the drugs that helped us in the first place..

vhid

29-12-08, 20:28

Hi there.

I'm from amsterdam, and I got a map of all effects I'm gonna get if I stop using them, how long it's gonna take, what to do about it, and when to call the dockter, and most important... HOW to cut down on them.

you don;t get that?

I don;t understand some peoplen who are saying " it saved my life" and still they wanna stop taking them. I mean... if it works...why stop using them?

tell me. I wanna know.

helen

EvilCaz

31-12-08, 00:11

Hi, i have been on Citalopram for about 6 months, over christmas i failed to get my new pills, i haven't taken them for a week or so and i have had the worst flu of my life... or what i have thought is flu!

Until i found this forum i though i had some serious heart disease or something!

I have Sweats, Chills, Fever, Electrical shocks, I fel like sometimes my heart beats so heavy it literally shakes my body - mood swings are awful, anxiety is sky high...

What do i do, get my pills or sweat it out?! I'm not sure which is worse as i know i will have to go through this at some point anyway when i come off them!

How long will the feeling last? It has been about 12 days since my last pill.

EvilCaz

31-12-08, 00:19

nickywillow

06-01-09, 13:46

Hi everyone, just an update, am now on 10mg every other day, feel like rubbish all the time but trying to ignore this, not going to drop another tablet just yet, will try and get my body used to this dose before i lower again. haven't had any more crying, depressive fits i had last month so that's got to be something right? Let me know how you are all coping :)

honeybunny

23-02-09, 00:15

hi, im new to the site and im going through the same as u.
ive been on citralopram for a few years on 40mg, and 2 weeks ago i went cold turkey.
i must admit, its the not the best thing in the world to do, coming straight off, but im glad i did it, cos i dont want to take them anymore.
i feel ok emotionally and feel i made the right choice. but the side effects ive had and still having are awful.
for the first week, i was sick with an upset stomach, dizzyness, felt like fainting, infact i couldnt leave the house because i was that bad.
2 weeks on. i still suffer with dizzyness and the headaches and feel really sick sometimes, but the other symptoms seem to be a bit better now.
i hope i never have to rely on anti-depressants again, because coming off them is the worsest thing to have to go through.
if any 1 out there is wanting to come off then cold turkey, please dont. the side effects and illness you have to go through is just not worth it. im hoping all the side effects clear up soon, so i can get back to normal day to day activites.xxxx.

nickywillow

14-03-09, 14:15

Hi, it's been a few weeks since i last posted, but i wanted to be in a better frame of mind before i wrote :) , Still on 40mg a week, and i'm feeling much better, gonna stick on this dose for a while, there's no rush right? I think your body & mind just needs to get used to an altered dose, a few weeks and i might drop another, will let you know x

maxi1

30-03-09, 13:28

Ive Been Of Citolopram 20mg For About About 2 Weeks Now But Am Still Feeling Dizzy And Getting The Head Wooshes. Also Very Tired All The Time And Finding It Hard To Concentrate Or Have A Conversation...seem Worse In The Morning. Does Anyone Else Know How Long These Symptoms Last? I Will Persevere Put Need Assurance Im Not Going Crazy...lol:)

ferret

06-04-09, 12:00

Just started to reduce dosage and getting all the symptoms mentioned above. It's horrible but not as bad as why I started on them in the first place. Got to keep up with the relaxation techniques etc and recognise that it doesn't control you...
Anyway, here we go...!

laila

15-06-09, 21:16

Well i,m not a happy bunny......just got over a PA the first i had in months due to bein on citalopram,,,,but have been weanin myself off them....but today well made me relise i do still need them at mo...i know its most probably side effects of comin off them,but due to go on holiday in 13 days so dont want to feel like i feel now AGAIN!! So at the mo i'm a bit disheartened as i thought i was on the mend ;-((( Why cant i be like i was b4 i got stupid PAs. Hate them soooooooooo much!!!!

Linus

18-06-09, 11:48

Hi, I've read this thread with great interest... I'm 6 days off citalopram... I was on it for approximately 2 years and prior to that escitalopram for about 3 and before that sertraline, I've been on anti-depressants for 6 years

I was down to a 10mg daily dose before stopping completely at my GP's request... I'd been endeavouring to quit for the last few months and was supposed to go to one every other day but didn't... my GP was aware of this and warned me of the 'shock to the system' I'd feel this week... I wasn't unprepared for that anyway as in those six years there had been occasions where I'd run out and experienced the side effects mentioned throughout this thread

I was fine for the first 3 days until Sunday night when I woke at 2.30 in the morning and stayed awake, wide awake, head racing (about nothing and everything) until morning... I had a day off anyway which was entirely wasted as I attempted to calm myself (my brain) down- the 'brain zaps' began and I felt sweaty (although it was pretty muggy), I just chose to go with it: aware of what was happening and why, even so I felt 'wired' and whenever I spoke out loud I felt the need to apologise for speaking nonsense even though I was being articulate and rational (just very chatty)

I was exhausted come the evening and did manage to sleep but it was pretty fitful... the last two days I took off work (who were very understanding and supportive, thank god) and although feeling wired and experiencing 'brain zaps', dizziness and ear whooshes I tried as best I could to go with it

Leaving the house was odd, not an ordeal as such, but I felt acutely self-conscious and strange

I believe I behaved 'normally', I didn't attract any strange looks, although the bloke in the newsagent looked at me a bit funny when I, unsolicited, began telling him about my Grandmother's birthday

I'm back at work today and feel I'm improving although I have felt moments of dizziness, nausea and even something akin to vertigo

I knew it wasn't going to be easy but I've attempted to be matter of fact about it with myself and those around me... it's odd I can discuss my depression and all my meds online with total strangers but some of my nearest and dearest are entirely unaware anything's been up and probably never will know

My partner is being lovely but I have said some things that were thoughtless as a result of feeling stressed (snappy things) and I worry about the effect my behaviour and concerns are having on her- being at home on my own and left to my own devices was a real comfort but I can't function like that every day... coming to work, attempting 'normalcy' has been a real boost for me

I feel like I'm rambling... coming off citalopram is uncomfortable and potentially troubling and I think a forum like this is a real boon, it's good to know others have experienced what you're feeling and that you're not alone

I've only just begun, I don't believe my GP that it will somehow get better within a matter of days, but I refuse to be 'reduced' by the waning half life of this drug however long it lasts

Compared to where my head was at 6 years ago when the depression was diagnosed I feel a completely different person: driven, determined, able and self-sufficient... I mustn't lose sight of that

Anxious-in-Canada

18-06-09, 12:47

Hey Linus,

Hang in there, and the positive attitude you have will bring you through the ordeal. I am reading a book called "Mindfulness & Acceptance workbook for Anxiety" which is very helpful in knowing that fear and anxiety/depression will be with everyone, it is part of the human experience. It is how we accept them that matters.

Linus

19-06-09, 14:12

No sooner had I posted here yesterday morning than I went 'all wrong' again... I'm determined not to go back to my GP saying I can't cope but I am having trouble

I find I've become almost 'obsessive': I enjoy comicbooks and old movies and over the years I've collected both the artefacts themselves but also images online and this last week I've been doing that almost obsessively... I get a sense of comfort from it but it's a wholly unnecessary endeavour (in the grand scheme of things), it brings pleasure certainly but I'm almost compulsive about it

What's ridiculous about all this is my current job comes to an end in over a week's time and I have no job to go to, rather than surfing the net to find artwork and pictures, I should be applying for jobs and so forth

This morning I went to buy my Dad a Father's Day card and in the shopping centre I was in I suddenly became extremely dizzy, nauseous and then that passed and I was suddenly 'brain zappingly' euphoric and then I started sweating profusely (you might argue this is how most shopping centres and 'malls' make any sensible person feel, but...)

I got to work late, discovered I'd missed the application due date on not one but two jobs and then later bought myself a lunch only to suddenly remember I had one I'd brought in with me

Do I sound irrational or whiny? I feel like I'm making excuses and using coming off the drug as just that, an excuse for a lot of forgetful, unreliable behaviour... last night I managed to make my partner cry as I went from being 'high and silly' to 'angry' within seconds... I seem to be losing control not gaining it

She deserves better and I feel like I'm sinking, in just over 24 hours I seem to have lost all my confidence

It's enough to send me sinking back into depression

I refuse to let my life be controlled by that again but I feel very low, very despairing, angry and disconcerted by the whole experience I'm going through

Earlier today I went from feeling very aggressive at those around me (co-workers, visitors to where I work) to nearly bursting into tears (as a colleague gave me a big smile hello)

Is there anyone here who's 3/6/12 months or longer down the line from coming off citalopram to give me (and anyone else) some assurances that things improve?

When should I admit defeat and go back to the doctor? If I'd come off medication and the withdrawal was adversely affecting any other part of my body than my brain I'd be in to get medical advice immediately

I'm sorry for banging on... is there anyone who's been on citalopram who's now been off it for a significant period of time and what is their experience since stopping?

bcr

19-06-09, 19:11

I've been off citalopram for nearly a week. I was on 20mg and spent a month taking it every other day (was seriously tired for the whole month!) then I dropped down to 10mg every other day - the first two days I was shattered and needed loads of sleep, but the rest of the week seemed ok so decided to come off them completely.

Have been very tired this week and the worst of it is what I can only explain as pulses/surges through my body lasting only a split second each time. I feel a bit disoriented and not totally with it, but at least I don't seem to have any serious depression symptoms (seems like the work I've been doing with my counsellor has paid off)

As emotionally I seem to be coping I'm just going to keep on riding through the withdrawal symptoms. Even having a couple of stressful situations going on this week hasn't broken my resolve to come off citolopram completely.

Does anyone have any experience of the strange pulse/surge feeling and how long did it last for you?

Linus

23-06-09, 02:07

it's 2 in the morning and I'm wide awake and still experiencing most of the withdrawal side effects I've mentioned previously...

I can relate to that 'surge/body shock' thing you mention

I wonder if once you're over something like this it's only natural that you don't frequent forums of this type? maybe the lack of response from people who've been off citalopram for a meaningful length of time is an indication of just that

bcr

23-06-09, 23:23

That is interesting Linus. I have previously stayed away from support groups forums because it makes me focus on my illness and I wondered if that made it worse. But I've been ill on and off since I was 13 so as I was coming of Citalopram and needed advice I thought I'd try and participate. I wonder whether once everything is ok I will stop posting?

Anyway reading through this thread the main things I've picked up on are:
Herbal Kalms (once the Citalopram is out of your system)
Essential Help for Your Nerves - Claire Weekes
Lots of walking
Keeping hydrated (water etc)Since I've been coming off them - almost two weeks now my anxiety has returned and worse that it's been for a while but today when I got home from work I meditated for half an hour (using a CD) and felt so much better after it. Going to try and keep that up as it's the calmest I've felt in weeks!

24-06-09, 09:29

Hi all,
I've been off citalopram for 5 days now after being on them since 2005. My side effects have been horrendous and I've almost gave in and gone back on them.

It's hard to tell yourselves that it will pass, but it will. Keep going to all of you who are coming off them. It will get better.

My symptoms have been,

Dizziness, really bad,
Every time I move my eyes quickly I feel like I'll pass out,
Trouble sleeping,
Hot sweats,
Groggy head,
Upset tummy,
Twitching legs in bed,
Chest pain,
Extreme tiredness.

To name but a few!!! It's the groggy head and dizziness that's been the hardest to cope with as that makes me panic. But I just keep telling myself this is temporary and it will get better.

I've found reading a magazine, talking to someone, anything to occupy your mind, can really help you forget the symptoms for a little while.

I'll update in a week or so, and let you know how the side effects have been. Good luck to all.

Shelley. x x x

Linus

24-06-09, 13:46

Hello everyone... yesterday following a pretty relentless day at work I got home and it was everything I could do to stay awake so by the time I did go to bed nothing could've prevented me from falling asleep and it didn't... for the first time since coming off Citalopram I've had a full night of quality deep, restive sleep

I can't say I woke up feeling refreshed, I could easily go back to sleep now sat here at my desk but- and it's only been six or so hours since I got up- I have had none of the 'withdrawal symptoms' I've previously described

I've been eating well and keeping a steady uptake of fluids and, well, the sun is out, I've been walking wherever I need to go to and really pushing myself when I'm walking taking routes that are uphill, a little more demanding on the legs- it feels good to do that

I'll keep you updated every few days... I don't want to get my hopes up yet, it's still early

As recently as yesterday I was contemplating revisiting my GP and getting back on Citalopram, maybe I will feel like that again, but right now I feel pretty good, I'm relieved to say and much more determined

Good luck to all

24-06-09, 20:23

Hi Linus,
Just read through your previous posts. Glad to hear you're doing ok, apart from the exhaustion. I know what you mean by that by the way. I'm absolutely shattered. Having a real bad night tonight with the dizziness and everything, but reading your posts saying how your symptoms have allieved makes me feel hopeful.

Stick with it, you'll get there. As we all will one day.

Luv Shell.x x

Mama TJ

25-06-09, 18:05

I'm so glad I've stumbled across this thread, it's great to know I'm not the only suffering with awful withdrawl symptoms.

I had been on Citalopram since May 2007 (only 10mg a day), my anxiety was really high and I was going through a bit of a rough time with my health and felt a bit low. I came off them about 2 weeks ago, might be 3 weeks I can't remember (my memory is bad). I went cold turkey, now while I understand I shouldn't have done this I felt that I had to just stop them. They were causing me to be extremely paranoid which scared me.
I'm still having withdrawl symptoms and wondering when they will stop. I'm very grumpy & snappy to everyone around me, I've even been telling my boss what for! ooops. I'm on edge constantly and I can't settle, getting dizzy spells which make me feel like I'm having an out of body experience or something. I still feel like I can't cope with everyday things and I'm either crying or I just feel angry all the time.
I went back to the doctors yesterday, he made me fill in one of those questionairre things to measure my anxiety/depression. Took one quick look at it and said it's stress I've got not depression, prescribed me more Citalopram and sent me on my way! I'm even more confused now because I'm not sure I should go back on them if I've got stress and not depression :S

I'm at a bit of a loss of what to do now. I really don't feel like I can go back on the tablets again after the side effects I starting getting towards the end. Has anyone else stopped and gone back on them?

cpt

26-06-09, 22:41

Hi guys, citalopram is an old friend of mine so thought id share my experiences.

I have been off citalopram now for about 6 or 7 months after being on it for 11-12 years!

i took it in varying doses mainly 20mg and for a couple of years 40mg.

i took it for generalised anxiety which when really bad progressed into social anxiety.

for years i would be stuck in a loop of feeling really well for a year or so, then thinking i shall come off the tablets. never sharply just halving the dose then halving it again over say 3 months. i always thought this was reasonably slow.

every time 3 or four months after starting to reduce i would relapse.

i say relapse because thats what i assumed. the anxiety had "come back"

its so simple now, but it took years for me to realise the relapses were due to my tapering and weaning to quickly. the symptoms were horrific, i always thought i could battle it out against the headachs blurred vision anxiety etc etc. but there was not a chance.

so for about 3 years i thought, im just going to stay on the drug. its a better quality of life.

after 3 years of feeling pretty much 100% i decided it was time to try and come off them.

this time i came of them slowly and i mean slowly.

in my opinion from my experiences with this drug there is no such thing as too slow with these things.

i used to cut them with a scalpel. a week would be like:

20 20 20 20 20 20 15 for a month

then 20 20 15 20 20 15

and so on so so slowly. even right down to the end it was

- - - - - - 5

so my advice to any one is SLOW think gradually then think slower still. it took me about 2 years of tapering but it was worth it.

now i was on them a long long time so i think 2 years may be ott for guys whove been on them for only 6 months obviously.

life after citalopram is a strange one.

im obviously a little anxious a little more on edge and a little down sometimes. but thats me. i think clearer and strangely remind my self of a younger me personality wise.

i guess really citalopram just kind of numbs everything good and bad.

anyway hope this helps someone as i know how crap GP's can be.

So get a good chunk of well being behind you then come off uber slow!

king regards

Bob47

27-06-09, 09:12

In hindsight I think I was mis-prescribed Citalopram. I had a big breakdown due to PTSD at work about 10 years ago - Citalopram eventually pulled me through it but it is a medication that has its own issues and coming off was almost as traumatic as going on them!

In December when I started a new job I got stressed out due to the whole new environment thing and a rubbish boss and anxiety kicked off out of the blue. My GP put me back on Citalopram on the basis of "it worked last time" - but these were different circumstances. Ok to condense this tale down - going on 20mg sent me into orbit - increased the anxiety, enduced PA's and a whole raft of disturbing side effects that weren't in place before. Changing meds was discussed as was coming off but I kept getting told you need to persevere to get the full benefit. 4 months later I was feeling better but mainly because the circumstances at work had improved - the medication was still reaking havoc. You know the score, tinitus, derealisation, strange episodes of spaceyness and after time even an anxiety of health and mortality crept in! So...I came off, reduced by 5mg every 4 weeks or so til zero. The first 10 days or so was ok - then the withdrawl side effects started...
Its now about 7 or 8 weeks since I stopped and my Seratonin levels have been on their own person roller coaster ride - I can see why people run back to meds but it IS getting better week on week, its just an occasional minor irritant now rather than thinking that I am completely relapsing. Coming off was the right thing to do but everyones journey is different

Linus

29-06-09, 15:42

Hello all, I'm keen to stay in touch and let you know how I'm progressing- and I am progressing!

I'm really relieved to say that, since I last posted my sleep is largely uninterrupted and if I do wake I get back to sleep pretty quickly... I have been waking earlier (and staying awake) but I'm putting that down to the sun rising earlier and it being summer

In a way that's better too because by the evening I'm ready to sleep

The worst of the symptoms have gone

I get the occasionally mild wooshy head feeling but I've figured this is occurs when I'm tired and that's it's a sign I should be turning in

I'm still a little crabby and snappy at times (when I'm tired or if the situation is stressfull), but I tend to recognise that and correct myself... however, on Saturday night I enjoyed a couple of drinks (alcohol) and being a depressant that made me tired, I should have gone to bed, but I didn't and I was in a foul mood as the night wore on... a big mistake

I did go out last night though and (don't get the wrong impression) enjoyed a couple more drinks- this time in company- and I went to bed feeling fine, relaxed, contented and with no ill effects today (I don't drink that much!)

Generally I feel upbeat and self-assured, I'm expecting to have a downturn but I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and keeping my moods and behaviours in check

I must say that I do wish I'd cut down in the manner described by cpt, the abrupt stop didn't do me any favours

I'm also feeling a sense of achievement that I didn't go back to my GP and request I be put back on Citalopram, although there were times initially where I felt that might be the only solution

I don't feel there's a blanket method or process as to what to do when coming off Citalopram, it's what works from individual to individual- and there's no shame in prolonging the treatment if it helps you come off (should you choose to) in the long term- so please don't take my story as a step-by-step guide, it's purely mean't as an anecdotal explanation of what happened to me and how I've coped with the withdrawal symptoms

I'll stay in touch

Best to all

poppyclare

30-06-09, 15:29

I have just been to the doctors today to talk about coming off Citalopram. Ive been on them for about 12 months now on a 60mg dose after being on fluoxetine for about 5yrs on the same dose. I have also experienced the same side effects people are talking about after missing a tablet here and there. But

poppyclare

30-06-09, 15:30

now im really worried coming off them is going to be a battle?! Especially at such a high dose?!

03-07-09, 19:47

Hi all,
Just an update on my experience with coming off citalopram. I think it's been about 3 weeks now since I cold turkeyed (the days are a blur!), the first week was horrendous and I really didn't think I'd get through it. But I persevered, and I'm pleased to say IT DOES GET BETTER!!!!

Having an off day today, but in general, I'm having more good than bad days now. So to all of you feeling really crappy at the mo, hang on in there, the side effects are only temporary.

Good luck everyone.

Love Shell.x x

sharona

03-07-09, 20:31

Hi All

Just thought I would add my symptoms coming of AD,S. I have been on them sice March this year for anxiety. I tried 3 different sorts including citralopram but could not get on with them due to the side effects. I had head rushes, electric zaps running through my head and body, bruises on my legs and arms and it made my anxiety worse.

Anyway I am now 4 weeks off them, cold turkey which my doctor advised. I have had electric shocks through my head and body every minute of every day, blurred vision and feeling shaky. I do feel a lot clearer in my mind and more myself. I have been taking B6 complex, calcium and magnesium and lemon balm and they seem to help.

Does anyone know how long these withdrawrul symptoms last for? I wish they would go.

Sharona

poppyclare

06-07-09, 17:33

Ive cut down my tablets from 60mg a day to 40mg a day for about a week and feeling really good. No side effects or anything!:D
Does anyone have any advise as to how long I should stay at 40mg for before cutting down again?

suzy-sue

06-07-09, 17:40

Personally I would give it another 2 weeks and see how you are.It doesnt pay to rush coming off these type of meds.All the best Suex

bcr

08-07-09, 20:33

Hey,

After 4 weeks off citalopram I think the side effects have finally shifted! My sleeping has got more normal (not constantly tired!), the weird spasm, pulsing brain sensations have finally stopped and the long weekend of complete emotional breakdown I seem to have recovered from.

So glad I am off them now. I know I needed something to see me through a tough time of moving house and changing jobs whilst being depressed, but I would definitely think long and hard about whether I NEEDED them if I was prescribed them again in the future.

Good to be citalopram free... now just to work out the next step in the land of depression and anxiety!

Lois

13-07-09, 20:51

I have been on citalopram for 3 years. On advice from my doctor I started taking them every other day. That went really badly and i had not control over my reactions and contrary to everyone else's symtoms, my memory deserted me completely. Within a week i lost track of when I had taen the last one. I almost hurt my own pets and suceeded in scaring them. I lost tract of just about everything and most of it is just a blur now. As much as I'd like to come off them pills, my biggest fear is that would go through all that and end up back on them or something different or stronger. In reality, although I know I've had help via the pills, they have enabled me to sort things out this time around. They are the fourth pill I've been on and I can't really fault them. I just think it feels a little inauthentic to have you thoughts "managed" by chemicals. But i think I will stay on them whle I sort out my thought processes. I currently studying meditaton and I think this will guide me to dealing with my life without the pills eventually. I think the pills are just to keep us going until we find our paths.

PND

13-07-09, 21:41

I was on 20mg then reduced to 10 but taking one every other nite - have you tried therapy?? I had some lady come to my home and try to get down to the reason why I felt like I did. I had a really bad time during labour with my daughter and after spiralled into depression - we established that this was post tramatic stress from this and she did a relaxation class, this worked wonders for me. Like yourself I didnt want to be on tablets and now im not

Treadmill

19-07-09, 18:57

Hi, my wife has been on Citalopram for some time now. At the beginning she had a breakdown and 20mg a day eventually controlled it. The GP then decided to reduce the doseage to 10mg, and this caused major side effects as described in the other posts. She went back onto 20mg but this proved not to be sufficient, and could not control the depression, and so eventually was put onto 40mg. She had been on this doseage for about six months, and to be honest everything was fine, no problems what so ever. Because of this, the GP decided to cut back to 20mg, however the symptons returned again, and after a month she is back on 40mg. The question I have is she is now not feeling great, almost to the point where it does not seem to be working, how can 20mg, then 40mg, and now who knows possibly 60mg! not do the job? It is always after the GP tries to cut the doseage. Would it not be better to leave the doseage the same, and just keep on the drug if it is working. She would of still been on the 20mg, and not looking at a much higher doseage

nickywillow

23-07-09, 21:22

If there's one thing i have learned with these tablets is that it takes me a good 8-12 weeks for my body to adjust to a lowered dose. i was originally on 20mg a day for 6 years, and over the last YEAR (i know it's a long time) I've managed to get down to 5mg a day. But at times whilst reducing the dose I've felt like i was going mad and unable to cope. You just have to stick out feeling like you are going backwards, until you start to feel more comfortable again. good luck:)

0220Casey

09-08-09, 16:28

Hi everyone, I have been reading all the infomation here and I am so glad to know I am not alone. I am new to this site and I greatly appreciate any feedback.

I have been on citalopram now for 5 years, starting at 10 mgs, to to 20, back to 10. Then taking one 10 mgs everyother day for 2 weeks, now I have not taken any for the past 2 weeks.

I am also having the same side effects as everyone else has mentioned.
The "fuzzy head" I am finding every difficult to handle. The upset tummy started yesterday. The very vivid dreams are happening every night.

Has anyone been successful on being totally rid of this drug?

And if so, how long until the side effects subside?

Thanks for reading.
Casey :unsure:

butter

17-08-09, 15:37

Cor! What a lot of information!

I have a fairly positive story to tell (so far!)...

I've been on 40mg citalopram for 1 year now, following some disastrous personal and marriage crises - and at first it pretty much saved my life, since it damped me down so much that I couldn't be bothered to get too upset about things. So far so good. But about 4 months ago it damped me down to the point I couldn't even get out of the house - I wasn't distraught anymore, I just didn't 'exist' enough to want to move.

Only when I ran out of the prescription did I wake up after about a week - enough to be able to get out and to the GP and to put my foot down about coming off these pills quickly - better incapacitated through misery than not exist at all! And it was quick compared to some stories here - 30mg for a week, 20mg for a week, 10mg for a week, and then stop.

And good lord am I glad I did. No side effects whilst reducing at all; and apart from the odd weepy fit, all the fear and hurt and confusion had settled down to the point where I could look at it objectively and think: never again!!!

Admittedly, I only took my last pill ten days ago, but mentally I think it's going to be fine: if a quick cry is the worst that's going to happen I have got off so much more lightly than some of the people on here. Physically, however... :) Well, it's a good thing I've always liked to drink more than was good for me, because the dizziness is something else! Whichever way I look, my head seems to drift off in the opposite direction; I feel I'm wading knee deep through whatever surface I'm walking on; and I get little flashes of light if I move my head too quickly. And I think... good grief, the money I'm saving on not having to buy wine! :D . If anything it's got a little more intense over the ten days, but not to the point of keeping me off work for more than a day last week (because i couldn't stand up straight!).

So... the point of all that waffle... is that it IS possible to have an easy ride coming off these pills; you won't necessarily have to be one of the unlucky ones who don't. You might have my experience, and get to spend a few weeks feeling pleasantly woozy for free. :winks:

Good luck everyone.

Greenie

20-08-09, 16:42

Wow - I can't tell you all how comforting it is to know that I am not alone in what I am dealing with at the moment! :)

I was on paroxetine for a year, then switched to citalopram a few months ago - and have now stopped taking them. I cut down slowly over a month, but have stopped completely now. I am really feeling the side effects! And here I just thought is was the heat in London making me so tired! :blush:

Anyhow, I see that some of you have been successful - and that it can be done. I am going to keep at it - despite the sleepiness, crankiness, dizziness, ear ringing, etc etc etc. :wacko: I will get through it and once I do, I will post here and let everyone who is thinking of coming off the meds that it can be done. :yesyes:

So funny - an hour ago I was in tears! :shrug:

Greenie. x

scarecrow

22-08-09, 20:22

I've read all the posts in this thread and it's been very helpful. I've been on 10 mg of Citalopram for 3 months now but my dentist reckons the Citalopram is affecting the saliva in my mouth and causing a lot of sensativity with my gums and teeth so thought I would try and come off it. For the last 3 days I have cut it down to 5 mg but my sleeping hasn't been very good since reducing. I'm seeing the doctor next week so I'll have a word with her but I want to come off it. I'll probably be staying on 5 mg for a while before stopping it. Not looking forward to the withdrawl symptoms you've all mentioned. Good luck to us all coming off it :yesyes: .

youcandoit

24-08-09, 23:10

Please dont give up. I had been on citalopram for 2 years. I was taking 20mg per day. I upped this to 40mg a day myself for 6 months which was not a problem with my doctor, in fact, he really could not care less, he just signed the repeat prescriptions no problem!!! I got into the situation where I ran out of the tablets and then when I got them I took them when I remembered (which might sound strange but obviously felt better in my life) so when I ran out of them again in June 2009 I decided to stop taking them. OH MY GOD!!!!! Little did I know how I would feel. I didnt even think to look up the side effects until I felt very ill. I had panic attacks, going hot and cold like the flu, went very withdrawn from everybody including my children, felt very spaced out, life was not worth living, very very weak, and totally totally lot the plot. I endured this for 6 weeks, not really knowing what was wrong with me but since visiting this forum, I now know what was happening to me! I had no idea that these drugs would have this effect on me. I have now been clear of them for 8 weeks and feel fantastic. No kidding, I feel I see life very differently, I presume that the drugs made me see life with rose coloured spectacles. I admit I still sometimes have a slight mood swing (probably hormornal) but feel great. I feel that these drugs ruled my life which might work for some, but not for me.

If you want to go off the drugs, then try it. I went cold turkey, which will not be for everyone but I managed, and I have been a single mum for 8 years and struggle on a day to day basis, but at the end of the day I now see life very differently, it does not mean that I dont have down days, cos obviously everybody does, but you can do it without drugs. After what has happened in my life over the last 20 years, then anybody can do it, I PROMISE.

LIFE IS FOR LIVING - NEVER REALISED THAT TILL RECENTLY - YOU CAN BELIEVE IT, COS IF YOU DO, IT IS TRUE.

I am still alone with my children, it is what you make out of life and not what life makes out of you.

GO FOR IT - BE FREE - it feels good

Jane
x

sophielou

25-08-09, 01:22

i seem to get all these coming off citalipram symptoms, whilst just being on citalipram. if that makes sense?

anyone else feel the same?
sorry if ive missed someone saying this exact same thing, but its an awful lot to read through.
any advice would be lovely :)

frostydan

30-08-09, 11:50

:yahoo: hi there well its so good to see other people are out there like me coming off citalopram . i have been on it for a 11 years but now it was time me to come off . did i do the right thing .. i feel like crap and i see everyone else has to .
its been 5 days in coming off it . its hell:yahoo:
bet i hope it well get better over time as i do not want to go back on it .. so if any one out there can help me on this it would be great :yesyes:
cheers amy

serendipity

30-08-09, 15:58

Hi I am new to the forum. Started experiencing anxiety out of the blue three months after having a baby. Was put on citalopram and due to raised prolactin was told to come off early with no replacement cold turkey.

I reduced over a period of one week and I felt ok. For the first week without I was ok then by the second thought I had a stomach bug. This then followed by urges to cry, high temp and flu like aches. I am also getting body and head zaps and terrible stomach cramps. In all I feel rotten. Went to see doc and said it was likely to be a combination of withdrawl and a viral infection even though I havn't had a tablet for over two weeks. I am now worried anxiety may come back. would love to hear from people in same boat as I keep thinking i am dying or that its something else.

I am also waiting to see an endocrinologist about my hormones as they have been a bit all over place and thyroid now low.

:yesyes:

suzy-sue

30-08-09, 20:42

Hormones have a lot to answer for .It does sound
possible your Thyroid might be to blame .As it can cause Anxiety when its malfunctioning .Its usually a case of taking a tablet each day to sort it ..It can take a long time after having a baby to get back to normal so they will keep a check on you at regular intervals .Nothing to worry about ,All the best Sue x

0220Casey

31-08-09, 01:22

HI everyone, I took my last tablet on July 27th, so one full month. Feeling better, stronger, not as dizzy. Its coming and I am so glad I stuck with this.
Its been hard, but in the long run, very worth it. I am focusing, enjoying life and enjoying my family. My husband has been very supportive and I am lucky to have him. One step at a time, but its a step in the right direction. I am hoping by another month all the symptoms will be gone.

Stay positive everyone.

All the best, and all the luck to you.
Casey:bighug1:

0220Casey

31-08-09, 01:22

Intensive

31-08-09, 18:52

Finally, no more worries for me. I recently went cold turkey from Citalopram (about 3 weeks now) and I am also suffering from what isn't quite dizziness but like a thunderstorm going on in your brain.

Ive also noticed I get tired much eariler than normal but my required sleep is the same. This has lead to me going to sleep at very early times and waking up very early.

Its good to hear that these symptoms do subside. Once peace on advice I will give is this, an intensive work out seems to alleviate some of the side effects of going cold turkey. I dont know why, I assume it has something to do with either the adrenaline rush or feel good hormones released by a proper work out. Anyway I am spending 30 minutes a day of weights and rowing and i find that this seems to curb any brain weirdness for most of the day.

etanercept

01-09-09, 22:57

Hi everyone. Ive decided to go cold turkey and come off my anti-depressants (Citalopram 20mg) after being on them for 2 years.
The side effects are terrible!

Im fine in the morning but when i get to the early afternoon i get really bad 'head whooshes' and feel very tearful. Also (and this is weird), sometimes when i move my eyes i get a weird whooshing noise in my ears. I feel sick sometimes and very stressy.

Im absolutely desperate to get off of these pills and lead a normal life.
Is anybody else out there in my position? If so i would love to hear from you.

Thanks for reading,
Rob.

I'm experiencing it right now, but to me the most curious thing about that sensation is that i remember telling my psych since i experienced that when i was tapering venlafaxine and my doctor said: it must be psychogenic... it was 1998.
And yesterday I spoke to my new doctor and she said almost the same...

To me, its strange that is not documented on the adverse effects of the SSRIs, but I found this:
http://pb.rcpsych.org/cgi/reprint/29/6/219

Very interesting

bobbyjo

05-09-09, 10:35

Hey hey my :roflmao:
I 've been on 40 mgs for the last few months, although it seemed to help i've put on about 2 stone which isnt good i'm quite short, and turned into a total zombie, so have come off them about aweek ago. I feel sick as a dog, like i have a head full of concrete, and horrible vivid dreams every night, i woke up screamin last night, its awful. However i am gonna ride this, i'm not going on anything ever again. The cause of my depression is historical sexual abuse. I know there are other ways to deal with it. I'm not a chemistry set like the dr see's me.
I just really wanna know how long these withdrawal effects last. The dr wouldnt tell me coz he wanted me to go on e-citalopram instead straight away. But i'm just not, i dont hold dr's in reverence. Does anybody know how long the symptoms last? Thats all i want to know , because i'm never taking them again at any doseage.
:wacko:

scarecrow

05-09-09, 16:28

Just an update on how I'm getting on coming off Citalopram. I was on 10mg for 4 months then decided I didn't need to be on them anymore, so I went down to 5mg for a week and then came off them. I've been off them just over a week now and I feel fine, I don't feel any different actually. I must be one of the lucky ones. Mind you, the anxiety I had which is why I went on them isn't there anymore so that makes it easier for me. I'm determined not to go back on them again unless I get very bad anxiety again for any reason and it effects my day to day living.

My advice is don't just come off them, reduce the dose slowly.

scarecrow

07-09-09, 18:35

After reading all this thread properly I may be in for a bumpy road coming off Citalopram. I think I'm getting the head whooshes and dizzyness but I ain't gonna give in to it. There's no way I'm going back on them whatever withdrawl symptoms are thrown at me! Lets all stick together and get through all this :yesyes:

scarecrow

08-09-09, 17:51

Sorry, but it's me again. These last two days I've been having some funny symptoms (I mean funny strange). In the mornings I am really hot and sweat alot on my face and my Period comes on and then stops after some time. It's a funny sort of hot feeling, not a normal hot, and my Period is really heavy. I don't know if it's because I've come off Citalopram, or because I'm going through the Change, or my Cellulitis I get which I'm on antibiotics for at the moment. These symptoms only started a few days ago and I'm nearly a couple of weeks coming off Citalopram. Has anyone else had these symptoms coming off Citalopram?

I'll let you know how it goes.

scarecrow

15-09-09, 19:29

Well i don't know if anyone is interested but just thought I would update once more (incase anyone is interested :shrug: ).

I've been off Citalopram now for about two weeks and things seem to be going alright. My period has stopped now after coming on unexpectedly (I think that was too do with the menopause, sorry if chaps read that.) My sleeping is not bad. But all seems to be going well now so far. I'm not going back on them, whatever!

nickywillow

18-09-09, 20:35

:) Hi guys, I'm on 5 mg a day now and it's probably a year since I first started dropping the dose (from 20 mg a day). A few posts back I read someone had reduced their dose slowly over 2 years, and to be honest I totally agree with them. I have found it difficult coming off these dam tablets and can't wait until the day i can finally say i've succeeded . I've had a couple of big PA's since i last posted but i've got through the bad bits, still not ready to come off them completely, i still have difficult times so if it takes me another year, so be it. Good luck

nwjsh

12-10-09, 23:52

hi, been on citalopram 20mg for about 9 months stopped 7 days ago , I actually run out and made a decision to stop as i was feeling good. Starting to get these ''electric shocks'' in my head and was getting worried. now Ive read here and see other people have had similiar feelings which I guess is reassurance that it is normal and will go. In hindsight should have lowered the dosage slowly but now that I have stopped I feel like I just want to see it through now. Have been seeing a psychologist also which has helped infinitely so and cannot recommend it enough, taking medication on its own doesnt attack the real reasons.

Lindsey1987

15-10-09, 14:19

Hi guys,

I need some help and advise. I've been on 20mg for nearly a year now. The doctor has given me a programme to follow to get me off the tablets slowly by taking 1 10mg one week then the next 2 and then so on. The problem is i'm feeling so emotional and cry at the smallest little thing, My long term partner is (understandably) getting a little fed up with my continuous up and down moods which makes me feel even worse. The other day i got so upset i really wanted to hurt myself (something i have never done before). Should i go back to the doctors?

Any comments would be very helpful.

Lindsey :-) x

DomestosGoddess

15-10-09, 21:08

Im so glad i have read these posts. Was on citraloplam 20mg for 1 year, over the last week i cut down to 10 mg and Boy did i feel it! My head was going all weird as someone described perfectly "Head Wooshes" The doctor diagnosed me as having Vertigo but i now know its just the effects of coming off the tablets.

Had to go home from work as i was crying uncontrollably, and nothing had even happened me!! Was bit embarassed! But 1 week on 10mg citraloplam and im feeling normal again. By mood has stabalised. So next week im going cold turkey, Wish me luck and no doubt here will be few more tears to come! but will be worth it!!

x

p.s just wondering did anyone find their speech a bit slurred, as one of the side effects of coming off?

heather rose

15-10-09, 21:16

Hope citalopram is going to work for me and help me feel better! dont want to worry bout coming off them - course i'll worry what else!

Itsonlyme72

20-10-09, 23:31

Hi I started citalopram 20mg for about 2.5. Months after relationship breakup, went ok at first but just seemed to get intense thoughts. And seemed unable to move on. Got paranoid and mistrusting of people and so decided to stop them. After about a week totally flipped out in an arguement with family member, unable to control emotions breathing dificulties and terrible panic. It was like I just totally lost control of my emotions, for weeks after I felt sad and seemed unable to plan ahead or think straight. I feel I might not have let them run the course and start benefiting me, but my advise is definitely don't just come off these, especially if your going to face confrontation etc during the first few weeks of stopping them.

0220Casey

28-10-09, 03:03

Hi Everyone, I wanted to send an update to everyone. I took my last pill July 27th of this summer. And I am doing great. I am feeling better, I am clear headed, sleeping wonderful. I am so glad that I had decided to stop taking the meds. Please be strong, if you decide to stop taking the meds, just remember one day at a time. Reading the blogs help with knowing you are not alone on this journey. Wishing everyone the best.....Casey

lydiamcintosh26

07-12-09, 14:15

I've been on 20mg of citrilopram for about a year now and am coming off them as just found out I am pregnant with our second child. The doctor says it's fine to come off them cold turkey, as no matter how much you reduce the dose you will still experience the dizziness etc at some point. However, the dizziness is awful! If I'd of known that this was what it was going to be like coming off them, I'd never have started taking them....it feels like mini electric shocks in your head...I am going to ride it through though and am hoping that this will wear off soon. My anxiety is fine, it's just this dizziness etc I am finding hard to cope with. :)

jen31blok

26-02-10, 23:24

hey spooner, was just reading ur message bout cumn off the citalopram. i have been on anti depresseants 4 18yrs now, and decided 6wks ago 2 get off them. iv went from 20mg dwn to 10 and then nothing over 6wks. the feelings u are getn are exactly wot i am experiencing :-( i hope u tried 2 come off them slowly, as going straight off them can do u damage.

i rang my doctor 2day 2 tell him how i was feeling and he has gave me sum valium.. ONLY 2 take wen i REALLY need 2...and he only gave me 15, just 2 try and help over the worst of cumn off them, weaning urself is definatly the best way 2 do it. I just hope these feelings in the head and stuff go away, as i really dont need 2 b going back on them again.