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spooner
04-10-06, 19:32
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.

Dave777
04-10-06, 19:48
Hi, are you coming off gradually? maybe drop to 10mg. then one every other day?

Dave

spooner
04-10-06, 19:54
Hi Dave and thanks for reply.

Ive tried reducing the dose before but i just get similiar side effects and ended up going back to 20mg.
I want to live life now without taking these pills but i just need to get past these horrible side effects. Dont suppose you know how long they will last?

Rob.

anxious
04-10-06, 20:16
Hi Rob,

i was taking 10mg citroplram for about 6 months and came off them 3 weeks ago. As you say the side effects are awful and ive not been on them that long.
I get the head whooshes and dizziness. Ive also what i refer to as what sounds like blood rushing through my ears!
My anxiety is sky high and i feel very hot. BUT i am determinded to continue as they were making me paranoid.
So no advice, but you are not alone.
Oh i am taking herbal Kalms to try to reduce some of the side effects.
Good luck,

anx x

Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects

spooner
04-10-06, 20:22
[Thanks very much for your reply Anx.

Its nice to hear that im not alone with the side effects. I think i might giv the 'Kalms' a go. Ill try anything i suppose.

Good luck with your 'coming off' the pills and thanks again for your reply, very much appreciated.

Rob.

mandie
05-10-06, 11:01
Hi Rob

I have been on 20mg for 6 months now and 3 weeks ago i came down to 10mg.

I was ok for first few weeks, but now im feeling anxious, panicky, and generally crap. I keep getting these horrible hot flushes and slight pain in my chest.

Last year i was only on 10mg and after 5 months wanted to come off. i gradually came off them and felt great for a couple of months Then gradually the anxiety came back and i had to go back on them at a higher dose.

I will try and continue as I am and see how I am. I am taking Bachs Rescue Remedy as this seems to help me slightly.

Good luck

love mandie x

devon_guy
07-10-06, 14:27
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

spooner
07-10-06, 17:54
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.

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
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?

Hey i get the werid sensations in my head like im being electric shocked its awful

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

eternally optimistic
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
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

Can you let me know what effects they tell you to expect and how long and also what to do?

thanks :weep:

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!

Cookie
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

Cookie
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?!

Cookie
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
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:

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.

RubyWednesday
25-03-10, 07:15
Hi, I have been slowly coming off Cital for about 6 weeks now and took my last Pill on Sunday. It's been awful. Yesterday was a bad day. I actually threw my notebook at my boss in a meeting due to frustration of not being able to concentrate becasue of the dizzyness and head shocks. Luckily for me all my years of hard work and unpaid overtime means I have a very understanding Boss. I was actually driven home and told to take a day off. As much as the pills were great for the past 2 years I think more time should be spent by Doctors explaining symptoms of withdrawl. Had I know I would go through this I would have probably not gone on them. Is it normal to feel like crying all the time too? I have also become a superbitch as if all the anger I stored away over the past few years is coming out. Deep breath.

Katesh4
08-04-10, 08:21
Hi,
I have been on citalopram for 3 years (20mg) and I finally stopped them 5 days ago.
I have gradually come off them over the last 7 months or so and yes have had side affects normally between 4 - 7 days of lowering the dose.
I am so proud that I am now not on anything but am suffering from head wooshes/dizziness but I know that I just have to persist as it will get better!!
Fingers crossed :D
K x

Delirious
08-04-10, 09:10
Hi There!
I've finally joined something to help me through this!
I came off citalopram 5 days ago after taking it for 3 years at 60mg a day. I'm doing this cold turkey! Ye Gods! This is bad! I feel so ill but am smiling this morning coz I can see so many other people with the same symptoms I'm experiencing. I'm not alone! Yay!
I am cheered by those who have gotten through this and lived. Until this morning I was doubting that I would actually survive this experience. My Doctor thinks I shouldn't do this, I can tell why that is. The problem is I've tried to reduce and it just creeps back up again to the full dose. Doctor offered me some meds to help alleviate the symptoms but you can get addicted to those so, that's not an option.
I just want to be chemical free!

JT69
08-04-10, 11:06
Hi,
I have been on citalopram for 3 years (20mg) and I finally stopped them 5 days ago.
I have gradually come off them over the last 7 months or so and yes have had side affects normally between 4 - 7 days of lowering the dose.
I am so proud that I am now not on anything but am suffering from head wooshes/dizziness but I know that I just have to persist as it will get better!!
Fingers crossed :D
K x

Well done for coming off, the wooshes will go eventually so keep it up and you will be fine, its good you are accetpting them and getting on with it.

Good luck
Jo

stanley
08-04-10, 20:32
Hi. I am wanting to come off citalopram,1x20mg daily. What is the sensible way to come off these? Cut down to 1x10mg daily for a few weeks? Your advice would be most welcome :) Thank you.

stanley
08-04-10, 20:37
Hi. I want to come off citalopram 1x20mg daily. What is the sensible way to do this? This is the first time i have been to here and likewise so please bear with me if i seem a little lost. Could i cut down to 1x10mg daily?Your advice would be most appreciated,thank you.

Katesh4
12-04-10, 08:46
Hi,
I came off them by doing 20mg one day and 15mg the next day for about 1 - 2 months then did 10 and 15 then 10 and 10 then 10 and nothing then nothing.
Still got symptoms and feeling dizzy. Got to me last night and still feeling sorry for myself this morning but perservering (spelt wrong I think ha ha) as I know it will get better.
This site is so helpful as my doctor said the symptoms were in my head but reading things on here reconfirms that they are not!
K x

Katesh4
12-04-10, 08:53
I don't know how people come off these tabs cold turkey as I feel poorly just lowering by 10mg!
K x

Katesh4
13-04-10, 14:57
Just thought I would let you know that after 8 days of horribleness (great English) I am slowly feeling better and today is the best day so far - yeh!! There is a light at the end of the tunnel!
K x

martbarr
13-04-10, 15:02
Just thought I would let you know that after 8 days of horribleness (great English) I am slowly feeling better and today is the best day so far - yeh!! There is a light at the end of the tunnel!
K x

WELL DONE Kate.
Keep us up to date with your progress please.
This is exactly how we find out what works and what doesn't.
Beats reading the drug labels LOL

cheers
Martian

JT69
13-04-10, 21:36
Hi,
I came off them by doing 20mg one day and 15mg the next day for about 1 - 2 months then did 10 and 15 then 10 and 10 then 10 and nothing then nothing.
Still got symptoms and feeling dizzy. Got to me last night and still feeling sorry for myself this morning but perservering (spelt wrong I think ha ha) as I know it will get better.
This site is so helpful as my doctor said the symptoms were in my head but reading things on here reconfirms that they are not!
K x

Hi,

I cannot believe the GP said the symptoms were in your head!!! Blooming Doctors...some of them just do not have a clue what they are talking about!! They should try going through what we do and see how they feel.

Anyhow read your other posts and sounds like you are coming through at last so well done...let it please continue for you.

Take care
Jo.

mum to three
20-04-10, 19:59
Hi all, not posted for a while but would really appreciate some reassurance, i have been reducing my dose from 20mg for the past couple of months now and i am now on day 6 of taking nothing at all. My withdrawal symptoms are severe headaches (everyday) agitated, bit spaced out, slight tremor & dizziness, tingling sensation at the back of my head (lasts only a few seconds at a time) and silence is deafening sometimes if that makes any sense, its like a high pitch noise in my ears only noticed this at night in bed when the house is quiet. Thing is i can ride this storm if there is light at the end of the tunnel, but my gp is telling me that if i have any withdrawal symptoms then it means i should not be coming of them and it means i still need them. Any advice would be great. Also how long will these symptoms last ???
Take care all xx

Saor
20-04-10, 23:43
Hiya Mum to three, I'm reducing myself from 20mg, currently on my 3rd month of 15mg and have another 2 weeks before I reduce to 10mg for another few months. I'm having minor side effects with that slight adjustment but taking it very slowly to minimize these. My doc said there will be some but it can be managed and it doesn't necessarily mean you are relapsing.

I'm just wondering how fast you came off them? Most have withdrawal symptoms coming off them though so you're doctor is a bit wrong in saying that means you shouldnt come off them?? Strange thing to say IMO.

ke11yb
27-04-10, 08:03
Hi all my name is Kelly and i am new to the site, i found the site while looking for ways to come off citalopram. I am really upset to hear the problems that people have had coming of this medication. I started suffering with depression after having my second child which was not picked up on until a year later in 2007 i was put on 10mg and when i started to feel better a year later so i came off cold turkey which was okay for a few months then i hit rock bottom in the summer of 2008 which was awful. Having then going back to the doctors i saw a very special lady doctor which helped me through the hard times but i was put back on citralopram again this time 20mg. I have currently been on this now for over a year but having decided to try for a baby with my husband i read into it a bit more and was shocked at the health issues this drug has to a unborn child i would greatly appreciate talking to people for advice on how to come off this drug as i am not prepared to put an unborn child at risk. I feel strong enough to come off this drug and would love to hear other peoples ideas how to do it by using natural methods not drugs.
thankyou and good luck to everyone x x x

JT69
27-04-10, 20:44
Hi

If you came off citalopram previously without any withdrawal effects you may be o.k The only thing I would say is 10mg is a really low dose so that may have been why. In my personal experiences with cit (I have previously taken it on and off for around 9 years) I have reduced the dose very slowly and weaned myself off that way and suffered no withdrawal effects. On 20mg I would probably start reducing to 10mg 3 times a week and then slowly reduce more. The main withdrawal effect I ever felt was zaps through the body, which can be reduced somewhat with a slow tapering plan.

Hope that helps you.

Good luck and I hope all goes well for you.

JO.xx

bexy983
29-04-10, 20:40
Hi all, like many of you i found this site when looking up withdrawal effects of Citalopram as doc said i can come off them. Have only been on them for 6 months due to post natal depression (well hidden by me until i really could no longer cope) and general depression concerning my personal situation, started on 20mg and then up to 40mg after a month, stayed on 40 until i went to docs about 2 weeks ago. He gave me a months supply of 20mg and told me to take 20mg a day for a week, then 20mg every other day for 2 weeks and then 20mg every third day for a week and then stop. Also to go back to him if i have any probs.
Dropping to 20mg every day was ok, i'm now doing 20mg every other day and it is a nightmare. I'm all over the place, up one minute and floods of tears the next, i accidentally missed one and ended up going three days instead of two and i was a real mess, so angry and emotional.
I had been warned that coming off them is not pleasant by a friend and just to stick with it.
I really don't want to drag this out for months, if i'm going to feel awful i'd rather do it and know that for 6 weeks i'll feel terrible and then come out the other end. But i also work and have an 18 month old child and don't want to be a raving loony whilst coming off them.
These tablets have helped and made me feel normal (! in an out of body kind of way!) again but i really need to know if i am ok again or just relying on these tabs now. I don't want to take these for the rest of my life, i never needed them before.
However, they have a tendency to really knock me out once i get to sleep and waking up in the morning seems to take forever, also since dropping to every other day i've had the headaches etc.
From reading posts on here i'm going to try a week at 10mg and a week at 5mg and see how i go. I was going to go cold turkey but with having to go to work etc and reading how bad side effects can be i don't think its a good idea.
The only bad thing about being on these tablets, apart from coming off them, for me is that i don't know whether what i'm feeling is real anymore or are they just masking unresolved problems that i'm just putting off facing????

Any thoughts most welcome!!
Thanks
xx

spiral
01-05-10, 07:28
bexy that sounds a good plan. I have just come off 20mg - i did one week at 10mg and then one at 5mg.
Many drs seem to be saying take a tablet one day and not the next etc - very bad idea as citalopram has a short half-life.
I barely had any symptoms coming of the way I did. Felt a little bit like my brain was full of static electricity for a few days but was ok. Just trying to get used to my own brain chemistry now - i've been very unemotional the 3 years i was on cita and suddenly i'm often very happy or a bit tearful! It's nice not feeling like a vulcan tho :-)

bexy983
02-05-10, 21:18
Hi spiral,

Thanks for the words of encouragement, i'll let you know how i go. Hope it goes as yours did.

Bex

ke11yb
04-05-10, 19:17
Hi all just a little update i work for a retired doctor who looked up all the symptoms of this drug and what happens when you come off them he has encouraged me to do 20mg one day then half the next for a week then next week 10mg each day then the week after 10mg every other day slowly but surely weening me off them. Like most the tablets did work to improve my mood but the weight gain was awful which put my mood down and also i have other symptoms such as lack of sleep which all affected my mood so when i get a headache or low mood i tell myself its the pills and i will get through it, going for a walk helps. Good luck everyone keep fighting it does get better x x

Sox88
05-05-10, 00:50
Salve a tutti! Innanzitutto chiedo scusa in anticipo del mio inglese non perfetto! Sono stato molto sollevato a trovare questo sito dove ho potuto trovare altre persone con il mio stesso problema, dove in italia se ne parla davvero poco di questi sintomi di astinenza dal farmaco.

Hello! First, I apologize in advance for my English is not perfect! I was very relieved to find this place where I could find other people with my same problem in Italy where he speaks very little about these withdrawal symptoms from the drug.

Sono in cura con il citalopram e lo xanax dal agosto 2007 per un attacco di panico. Non ho più avuto ricadute e a inizio dicembre 2008 ho iniziato a ridurre i farmaci sotto la prescrizione del psichiatra. Partendo da 20mg di citalopram e xanax alla sera ho iniziato la mia diminuzione di 2mg di citalopram al giorno per 4 giorni per poi prendere tale farmaco un giorno sì e uno no per 3 giorni. Finito questo ciclo in totale assenza di questo farmaco ho iniziato a sentirmi male, nausea, mal di testa, vertigini e soprattutto le tremende scosse elettrice chiamate anche brain zap. Preso dalla paura ho sentito il psichiatra e mi disse che l'astinenza di questo farmaco non esistesse e se stavo male il motivo e che non stavo bene io e mi fece riprendere il farmaco subito ai soliti 20mg

Are being treated with citalopram and xanax by August 2007 for a panic attack. I have not relapsed and early December 2008 I started to reduce the drugs under the prescription of a psychiatrist. Starting with 20mg of citalopram and xanax the night I started my decline 2mg of citalopram daily for 4 days and then take this drug one day and go off for three days. When this cycle in total absence of this drug I started to feel unwell, nausea, headache, dizziness, and especially the tremendous electric shock also called brain zap. Taken from the fear I felt the psychiatrist told me that the withdrawal of this drug did not exist and if I was wrong and why I was not feeling well and had me take the drug once the usual 20mg.

Febbraio di quest'anno ho deciso di riprovare a toglierle a modo mio, affiancandomi con della psicoterapia una volta a settimana (iniziata a novembre 2009), partendo da 16mg ogni due settimane ho tolto una goccia ovvero 2mg, ed è andato tutto abbastanza bene. Lunedì 26 aprile sono sceso a 2mg (premesso che continuo a prendere tutte le sere 20mg di xanax) e venerdì 30 aprile ho tolto definitivamente il citalopram. Quasi in contemporanea sono comparsi di nuovo i vecchi sintomi, mal di testa, vertigini, nausea e scosse elettrice che giorno dopo dopo si sono sempre più intensificati. Fortunatamente al momento sono disoccupato (visto anche il mio prossimo intervento al ginocchio la settimana prossima) perchè proprio non riuscirei davvero a lavorare in questo momento, mi sento sempre stanco, sento sempre il bisogno di riposare e queste scosse che sento partire dalla testa mi preoccupano davvero molto. Ma perchè se ne parla così poco di questa astinenza? Io negli ultimi mesi sono stato benissimo, mai avuto attacchi di panico (preciso che ne ho avuto solo uno) ne stati di ansia, se dovessi togliere gli effetti negativi di questa astinenza potrei dire di stare bene, io so che posso stare bene senza questo farmaco ma è davvero dura farne a meno.

February this year I decided to try to remove it my way, siding with psychotherapy once a week (which started in November 2009), starting with 16mg every two weeks I took a drop or 2mg, and everything went pretty well. Monday, April 26 are decreased to 2mg (provided that I continue to take 20mg of xanax every night) and Friday, April 30 I removed permanently citalopram. Almost simultaneously appeared again the old symptoms, headache, dizziness, nausea and electric shock after that day have become increasingly intensified. Fortunately I'm unemployed at the time (since my neighbor knee surgery next week) because I could not really working right now, I'm always tired, very irritable and I always feel the need to rest and feel that these shocks from head bother me really. But because he speaks so little of this withdrawal? I in recent months have been fine, never had panic attacks (specifically that I only had one) they were anxious, if I remove the negative effects of this withdrawal could say feel good, I know I can be comfortable without this medication, but is really hard without it.

Katesh4
18-05-10, 15:56
Hi,

I cannot believe the GP said the symptoms were in your head!!! Blooming Doctors...some of them just do not have a clue what they are talking about!! They should try going through what we do and see how they feel.

Anyhow read your other posts and sounds like you are coming through at last so well done...let it please continue for you.

Take care
Jo.

Hi, I have been off of Citalopram now for 6 weeks and feeling fine! Yeh!
Just thought I would let you know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and the tunnel may not be as long as you think.
Kxx

JT69
18-05-10, 18:43
Thats great news....well done. Jo.xx

samvi
21-05-10, 19:57
I can so relate the head whooshes, just a sharp suddent pain and then a feeling of overwhelmingness (not a real word) but i hope you understand where i feel like i could faint it is making me lose my confidence a little bit but i have also been off citalopram for 6 days now it is the side effects that are actually getting me down.
Anyone know how long it actually takes to get out of your system?
I have also been trying to have a glass of wine just to chill out but i am very neurotic and guess it is probably not helping, oh well got to have some life.
For the record i have been having psychotherapy and it has really given me some insight into the condition but also that pannick attacks are believed to be a result of repressed anger. Giving me something to think about and challenge.
Acupuncture also been quite good as it has helped me sleep because all this stress and worry must unbalance the system
Chins up been great to see not alone
Sam

Clarissa83
28-05-10, 21:54
Hi Everyone, I am new to this site. I am thinking of coming off Citalopram, but a lil scared after reading some of the side effects. I suffered really badly when I started taking them, so started taking them at night to sleep through the side effects. I have put on weight since I started taking them and now want to come off them for many reasons. Please can anyone offer me some advice.

Thanks

C.xx

NatalieK
07-06-10, 09:19
I too have just gone cold turkey after being on 20mg for a year. It wasn't intentional - I ha been thinking about it as I have put on 2 stones and this is making me REALLY depressed! It just kinda happened as I forgot to take my tablets because I was so busy and before I knew it i'd done a week.... It's now been 10 days. I feel ok, sometimes feel a bit panicky, can i cope?? But if I don't think about it i'm fine. Very few side effects and the big bonus is I can feel my sex drive returning! I tried to do this before and the side effects were awful so maybe the time wasn't right??

I am 40 in 5 months and determined to have lost the weight I have stacked on over the last year as well as being happy. Daily I am taking a broad range multi vitamin, 2000mg of omega 3 oils and a 5HTP from holland and barratt. So far so good.....:yahoo:

JT69
07-06-10, 10:51
Hi Clarissa,

My only advice if coming off citalopram is do it slowly...some people and you might be one of them suffer no withdrawal effects at all, I suffered from the brain zaps and they are not very nice. I took cit on and off for around 9 years and found the more time I took in reducing the dosage the less the side effects were. What dose are you currently taking?? I tended to be on 20mg. When coming off I would do 10mg one night then 20mg the next for a couple of weeks then do less and less of the 20mg until I was on 10mg then again with that I would drop one night out each week until I came off, it I felt any of the zaps I would just increase slightly again until it subsided. All sounds a bit complex but it worked for me.

Hope you get on o.k. support here for you when you need it hun.

Take care.
Jo.xx

Clarissa83
08-06-10, 23:24
HI Jo

thanks for the advice, much appricated. I have been on 20mg, but for nearly 2 weeks now been on 10mg. Doc said if i feel low for a period of time then i need to start taking 20mg again. touch wood no side effects yet apart from being tired and a few headaches. will keep you up dated thanks

C.xx

nutcluster
09-06-10, 14:19
Hi all, this is my story :emot-rolleyes: I went on Citalopram 9 months ago. I was feeling fairly precarious.. not bursting with self esteem or confidence and probably thinking far too deeply about everything. My friend said she was on them and she described it as general emotions being like a wavey line and citalopram giving you a glear route through the middle, cutting out the highs and lows. I probably started on 20mg, then went up to 40. I had a very demanding job at the time and I felt I needed to be on top form and not have anything i.e. personal life or emotions get in the way. Although I have had ups and downs during this 9 month period, recently I have felt so happy. I have not been working as I am between jobs and have just felt quite blissful doing my own thing every day in the sunshine. I've also met someone really nice and that's made a lot of difference to my outlook. A family member has also moved a bit closer. Anyway, I have found with Citalopram that it kind of numbs your libido. I didn't really want to spend my sex life with my new partner wondering if I could feel everything.. I wanted to be able to have orgasms. I know that being sane and happy is also pretty important... anyway, about 10 days ago, I started only taking half my daily dose. I felt fine for the first week. Maybe a bit snappy but this was when map reading in a hot car so could have just been standard! However, on Sunday, my moods took a major nosedive. My partner said he was gonna pop round and see a friend and I lost it! Still felt rubbish for next couple of days. I now feel that my insecurities and stuff are probably because of the withdrawal. On the physical side, I have flu-ey like symptoms, and totally knackered, no sex drive, and have headaches - yuck! I am hoping these will die down. I start a new job Monday so I want to feel relatively normal for that. And I want to stop picking fights with my man. But just writing this note has reminded me of the positive in my life, and it's all about focusing on that. Always remember that song.. show choirs sing it.. so get your jazz hands out..

You've got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between

You've got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Have faith or pandemonium
Liable to walk upon the scene

(To illustrate his last remark
Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark
What did they do
Just when everything looked so dark)

Man, they said we better
Accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between
No, do not mess with Mister In-Between
Do you hear me, hmm?

(Oh, listen to me children and-a you will hear
About the elininatin' of the negative
And the accent on the positive)
And gather 'round me children if you're willin'
And sit tight while I start reviewin'
The attitude of doin' right

(You've gotta accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between)

You've got to spread joy (up to the maximum)
Bring gloom (down) down to the minimum
Otherwise (otherwise) pandemonium
Liable to walk upon the scene

To illustrate (well illustrate) my last remark (you got the floor)
Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark
What did they say (what did they say)
Say when everything looked so dark

Man, they said we better
Accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between
No! Don't mess with Mister In-Between

x

JT69
09-06-10, 15:04
Hi Nutcluster,

Love the song....very positive!!! I can totally relate to your story...I took cit for a number of years and I suffered so much with loss of libido. When I changed over to Mirtazipine it was like all the time I had taken cit built up and then just all came out...very wierd, especially some of the dreams I had!!! Lol!!! It has all settled down again now (unfortunately lol!!) but the libido has returned to pretty much normal.

I wish you well with coming off the meds, just be careful as in my experience with cit the slower you come off the less withdrawal effects you will have.

Take care
Jo.xx

steveo1980
09-06-10, 15:27
Hi, I have been off of Citalopram now for 6 weeks and feeling fine! Yeh!
Just thought I would let you know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and the tunnel may not be as long as you think.
Kxx

Great news. Those are the posts I look towards :yesyes:

bexy983
12-06-10, 18:14
Hi all,

Just a quick update, i have come off them. I did a couple of weeks at 20mg then got gastroenteritis and didn't take them for a week as i couldn't keep anything down at all. The first few days were ok without any noticeable side effects at all (Not that i was in any fit state to notice anyway!) but the last few days i did notice the dizziness and also everytime i stood up or moved my head it felt like it took my brain a good few seconds to catch up, very strange feeling. One i'd recovered from the stomach thing i started taking them again but dropped to 10mg. Took one everyday for two weeks and then stopped taking anything at all 2 weeks ago.
I did get some minor dizziness and had a few of days where my brain was out of time with my head everytime i moved, also i was extremely tired all the time. These all seem to have passed now and am feeling ok.
I will say that the issues that were troubling me with my situation before i went on the tablets are still there and i have to sort out some way of dealing with these, but taking tablets was never going to solve anything. However i am now in a state where i can think clearly and make some real decisions without feeling like the whole world is falling down around me.

I will have down days when everything feels terrible and i feel awful but that is the same for anybody regardless of whether they suffer from depression or not. Its my life and i make my own future in the choices that i make. If i don't like the way my life is, guess what i'm the only one who can stand up and say No this isn't what i want. And that is exactly what i intend to do.

I hope all who read this take something positive from it. You are your own person, you make the rules, no-one is stopping you but you. Go out there and do it!!

good luck to all and take care xxx

Vakas
12-06-10, 23:31
Hi

I havee on Citalopram for about 2 years now started with 40mg then 20mg and now on 10mg,

I am now plannig to come off them and my doctor said to take 1 tablet every other day for a month and see how I feel. It is going to be 3 weeks tomorrow and since yesterday I have been getting the awful side affects alot of you are getting.

I think I have been taking the tablets like this for too lnog that is why I am getting side affects I think I should have been off them or nearly off them by now.

From now I will take 1 tablem every 2 days and see my doctor as well

what do you guys think...

suzy-sue
12-06-10, 23:57
Thats not a good Idea .It takes 36hours for half the dose to be out your system .Doing it that way will give you a yoyo effect .Try taking 5mg every day for 2-3 weeks then take 5mg every other day .You can buy pill cutters from the chemist but can bite them in half just as easily ..Dont reduce till you feel stable on the 5mg each day .It will just give you more withdrawal effects otherwise ..Slowly does it ..Youve done well but dont rush the final hurdle Sometimes the last little bit is the hardest to conquer but you will do it ....All the very best of luck ...Sue x

Vakas
13-06-10, 01:30
Thats not a good Idea .It takes 36hours for half the dose to be out your system .Doing it that way will give you a yoyo effect .Try taking 5mg every day for 2-3 weeks then take 5mg every other day .You can buy pill cutters from the chemist but can bite them in half just as easily ..Dont reduce till you feel stable on the 5mg each day .It will just give you more withdrawal effects otherwise ..Slowly does it ..Youve done well but dont rush the final hurdle Sometimes the last little bit is the hardest to conquer but you will do it ....All the very best of luck ...Sue x


What if I just contunued taking 10mg every other day will the situation fradually improve edo you think?

suzy-sue
13-06-10, 12:24
Keep taking the 10mg every other day until you feel stable and the withdrawals have subsided .This can take up to 6weeks .If you feel ok sooner ,reduce again to 5mg every other day .The same ammount of time will apply for the drug withdrawals or discontinuation syndrome effect to gradually stop .Like I said the last ammount is sometimes the worst and can last even longer .It will all settle eventually ,there will be good days and bad ,until you are only having minimal effects .There is no quick fix im afraid .Some people feel worse than others ,like when you start on them .Its the same ,but the other way around .If you get the head zaps ,avoid caffeine ,it makes it worse .Also drink plenty of water it helps flush the drug out your system .You will be ok and there is plenty of help on here if you need it .Take care Sue x

Vakas
13-06-10, 18:34
Thanks alot for the advice Sue I really appreciate it. It's great to know there are people out there to help and your not alone especially in a situation like this,

I will carry on taking my 10mb every other day and see how it goes, will keep you posted.

Thanks again

Take care

Vakas

seasider
13-06-10, 20:29
I have just got in contact with my kids again, and tried to come of 40mg Citralopram, within a week, I am very happy, but having some real mad loose it effects just for a split second, and today i have been so confused it's really upsetting me, I dont feel in control, have I come off the pills to fast, I feel so wierd, and its getting worse :weep:

Vakas
01-07-10, 23:54
Hi guys

Just wanted to give you an update, 2 weeks ago I ran out of tablets and went to my doctor for some some but he said I should stop taking them now s I was feeling better and he thought continuing would not be a good idea.

So it's been 2 weeks and what can I say I have been feeling great up until this morning. I woke up and I felt terrible from head was aching and I felt empty from inside and all de-hydrated. I felt very angrey too I don't know if this is normal or not.

I have been taking pain killers to ease the headaches but soon as they wear off am back to normal.

What I want to know is this normal? I have not taken any tablets for 2 weeks and was great what has happened now?

Is there still someting in my system that needs to be cleared out that will take time?

Hope you can advse I'm kind of worried

Thanks

Vakas
07-07-10, 22:18
Hi

It's been a week since i got all the terrible side efeects and there were showing now sighns of improving or going away. I have tried many pain killers but they didn't help.

Today I felt really bad and could not take the head pains and it brought tears to my eyes.

I went to see my doctor today and he said it's very unusal for this to happen but it does happen to a minority of people who come off the tablets.

I am now back on the 10MG 1 a day until things improve.

I think I shouls have cut down more slowly and then let go but my doctor said that was not a good idea.

I guess I was right because I was the one who knew how I was feeling

As things improve over a month or so I will try to cut down more slowly and thingas will get better.

georgina20
07-07-10, 23:33
hi ive been off cits for about 4 -6 weeks the first 2 weeks hell crying tired mood swings galore then felt fine for about a week .oh my god then the tirdness moody cant think properly blow smallest things out of context panic! feel like i need a booster of vitimins or something ! in my head i want to do things just simple things like making a phone call is sometimes an effort its like something stopin you wierd and depresing feeling .i no that exercise will help that another effort!just waana get back to me not sure where thats gone ! why the gp never told me the side effects when i came off them ?????????? Ahhhhh sorry going on a bit! Georgina20

blueangel
08-07-10, 09:07
Must admit I didn't have too many problems when I came off citalopram, and previously I've had withdrawal symptoms with a number of different medications.

If I remember rightly, I stopped taking them about 4(?) years ago, and I had been on 20 mg daily. I dropped this down to 10 mg for about 3-4 weeks, then to 10 mg every other day for another 3 weeks. After that it got slightly more complicated, as first I tried 10 mg every 3 days, but that made me feel quite twitchy, so I changed that to 5 mg every other day, then 5 mg every three days before stopping them altogether.

I did this phase-out on the advice of my GP, who said it was better to reduce them gradually.

I really didn't have that many problems, other than the one bout of "twitchiness", where I felt sort of hyper-aware of everything, which was a bit unpleasant.

When I stopped taking them completely, I did find for a little while that I felt very alert (which was actually quite pleasant) and found I was doing things more quickly than usual, but this wore off after a couple of weeks.

What probably also helped was I was going to the gym about 3 times a week then, and I found the exercise burnt off some of the excess energy. I wasn't doing any really heavy exercise though, just some time on the treadmill and exercise bike and a few weights. Which reminds me, I really ought to get off my butt and do a bit more of that....

Sax
08-07-10, 10:07
My advice for what its worth regarding Citalopram withdrawal :flowers: Vakas mentioned about being the only one who knows your body, this is totally correct and remember Drs have experience as in books and other patients reports but you know your body!
However :blush: that said I would NEVER :scared15: advise going cold turkey especially from an Anti D. Remember when you start them you often build up from a small dose to get your body use to them and for adjustments to be made and we all respond differently because we are individuals with size, weight, reponses etc.

This is basically how I did it and yes I still experienced side effects but if bearable then perserve and ride em out!:wacko:

I tried a few times but each time I ended back on 20mg because I tried too quick and didn't stabalise!

I withdrew from 40mg down to zero and from what I remember took about 4 months in total.
40mg down 30mg for at least 4 weeks
30mg down 20mg for 4 weeks
20mg to 10mg for about 3 weeks
10mg to 5mg (snapped in half) for 2-3 weeks
then to Zero which I still am 6months later :yahoo:

I totally appreciate its not easy and I don't remember all the side effects I had but they varied at various intervals. I remember for no particalar reason from 20 - 10mg was the hardest drop!

I had head whooshes and what felt like fireworks exploding in my head and twitching which wasn't visible but i thought was! That was the worst side effect because to function its hard if your head is twitchy and like fireworks exploding.

I now feel normal and its totally worth it! I also had to withdraw diazepam and zopiclone within that period but its the citalopram I really needed to cos that really doesn't help if you want to function normally again!:shrug:

I don't know if this is of any help to anyone but just to empathise and sympathise what people are going through but believe me when I say its worth it for sure sooooooooooooooooooooooooo just to encourage :bighug1: and say keep going lovies and pm if I can be of any encouragement or help to anyone.

Much love Sax xxxx

Vakas
08-07-10, 14:42
Thanks alot for the advice...

I started back on the 10MG yesterday feeling a bit better but not much guess it will take time,

Will take 10mg for a month or so see how it goes and then cut down very gradually according to how I feel.

Thanks

Linus
11-08-10, 21:27
Hello all, I'm keen to stay in touch and let you know how I'm progressing- and I am progressing!

Hello, it's been over a year since I last posted, I did say I'd keep in touch... well, here I am

I think the thing I'd most like to share is that I've had no relapses of my depression, there have been plenty of times where I felt 'tested' and under duress but I coped and despite some short term after effects from coming off the citalopram (for a few months after, more acute in the immediate aftermath) I'm ok

Life throws stuff at me but I seem to find the resolve to carry on, sometimes I can feel a bit bleak but I seem to have found a reserve (of experience, I suppose) to call on to help me through

That period in my life, the after effects of coming off my meds, the six years prior to that of being on A-D's, the period of depression and anxiety that led to that is a memory now, but I learned so much from it

It's a difficult time right now, my job is temporary and looks like it's coming to an end in the next few months, money's tight, the employment picture where I live is pretty bleak... but I'm not despairing, perhaps I'm a bit foolish not to be, but I do feel ready to take life on, more so than I ever did back then

I hope this isn't too self-indulgent but I did promise an update

Thank you and best wishes to all

mm1u1
17-08-10, 16:23
i have been taking 20mg citalopram for the past 6 months i have just stopped taking them and i have to say the side effects are horrific! my brain feels like its wobbling in my head! the second day i stopped taking them i kicked off with a migrane - which i get anyways but this was by far the worst it lasted for nearly 2 and a half days and just wouldnt budge :ohmy: i am now getting realy bad irratic heart rhythm, dizziness, disorientation, hot sweats and i feel as though i havnt slept in weeks! in the passt 6 months i have gained nearly 2 STONE in weight! :mad: the doctor didnt tell me of any of these horrific side effects before i started taking them his comment was '' half of america takes them - there harmless '' alls i can say is no wonder there obese! these tablets pile the weight on you! 4 days after not taking them i could see a huge difference in the shape of my body already! my waist is actually visible again! these tablets also messed up my menstrual cycle and made me extremly bloted at one point i looked about 6 months pregnant! and burp! i couldnt stop all day every day! i wouldnt recomend them to anybody!

steveo1980
18-08-10, 13:39
Hello, it's been over a year since I last posted, I did say I'd keep in touch... well, here I am

I think the thing I'd most like to share is that I've had no relapses of my depression, there have been plenty of times where I felt 'tested' and under duress but I coped and despite some short term after effects from coming off the citalopram (for a few months after, more acute in the immediate aftermath) I'm ok

Life throws stuff at me but I seem to find the resolve to carry on, sometimes I can feel a bit bleak but I seem to have found a reserve (of experience, I suppose) to call on to help me through

That period in my life, the after effects of coming off my meds, the six years prior to that of being on A-D's, the period of depression and anxiety that led to that is a memory now, but I learned so much from it

It's a difficult time right now, my job is temporary and looks like it's coming to an end in the next few months, money's tight, the employment picture where I live is pretty bleak... but I'm not despairing, perhaps I'm a bit foolish not to be, but I do feel ready to take life on, more so than I ever did back then

I hope this isn't too self-indulgent but I did promise an update

Thank you and best wishes to all

Overall, good news then! How long was it until you felt yourself again after stopping the tablets?

I stopped last week and am pretty up and down... crazy!

feelgood54
30-08-10, 17:49
i have been taking 20mg citalopram for the past 6 months i have just stopped taking them and i have to say the side effects are horrific! my brain feels like its wobbling in my head! the second day i stopped taking them i kicked off with a migrane - which i get anyways but this was by far the worst it lasted for nearly 2 and a half days and just wouldnt budge :ohmy: i am now getting realy bad irratic heart rhythm, dizziness, disorientation, hot sweats and i feel as though i havnt slept in weeks! in the passt 6 months i have gained nearly 2 STONE in weight! :mad: the doctor didnt tell me of any of these horrific side effects before i started taking them his comment was '' half of america takes them - there harmless '' alls i can say is no wonder there obese! these tablets pile the weight on you! 4 days after not taking them i could see a huge difference in the shape of my body already! my waist is actually visible again! these tablets also messed up my menstrual cycle and made me extremly bloted at one point i looked about 6 months pregnant! and burp! i couldnt stop all day every day! i wouldnt recomend them to anybody!
i stopped taking them 4wks(20mg) ago and am feeling great only the odd vivid dream.my doc suggested alternate days taking 7 tabs over 2wks but after 3 days i just stopped completely.I was on them for just over a year and thought I woulnt be able to control the panic attacks without them but I am fine and able to get on with work and everything else in my life.plus my wife is happy again because before i was on the tabs i was using drink to cope with the panic attacks and now i dont need either but can still enjoy a beer whenever i want.hope others can do it my way:)

zeb
30-08-10, 19:22
Haha I do laugh when I remember coming off citalapram, I was getting all the mood swings really bad then one day I went to the post office to renew my car tax, the Que had about 20 people in it when I got to the counter she refused my insurance cert as she said it was only a cover note, I screamed like the devil at her and told her I was insured but she still refused. I walked out passed the Que of people all looking at me in horror and burst into tears outside the shop, I felt as if I could have murdered someone, I eventually calmed down found my insurance cert and went back with my tail between my legs, I got the same women at the counter and could not stop apologising to her for my bad behaviour I felt so embarrassed. I think we should wear some sort of badge or something when coming off these tablets to warn people of what to expect and to take no offense if the devil does appear.

madcow
04-09-10, 19:46
Hi Dave and thanks for reply.

Ive tried reducing the dose before but i just get similiar side effects and ended up going back to 20mg.
I want to live life now without taking these pills but i just need to get past these horrible side effects. Dont suppose you know how long they will last?

Rob.

hi there, i am finding this forum really helpful as stopped taking my 20mg of citalopram about 2 weeks ago. i have felt constantly sick, headachy, dizzy and tearful but am determined not to go back on them. i read somewhere on here that these effects may just last a couple of weeks - hope so. i dont think people are going to be able to cope with me much longer. thanks for all the great info folks. it does help knowing that the effects are normal and that youre not the only one going through it xx

nyvelocet
20-09-10, 02:14
Hi guys,

I found this forum a month or two ago when I was thinking about coming off citalopram. I cut down from 20mg to 10mg thanks to all the advice I read on here, so cheers for that.

I'm now onto my 2nd day of taking nothing so I've got the lovely dizzy/weird focus symptom again. Great stuff.

I've smoked on and off for a while but when I cut down to 10mg I found that smoking again really helped take the edge of the symptoms. Anyone else found that, or is it just me?

learningtodeal
12-10-10, 20:15
many of you have described the need to get off citalopram because you want to get back to normal...can anyone describe to me what citalopram has made you feel? how it makes you feel abnormal, specifically?

thank you,
~Learning

hannahed
13-10-10, 14:44
I have been on 20mg for 10 months, I decided to come off them they were giving me headaches and making me a bit hyper.

Ive been suffering with severe 'dizzyness' when I focis myeyes on something that thing seems to move to the right .. very odd. Feeling completely not with it.


Slowly getting better but now feeling as bad as I was before taking them- panicky, depressed. Ive missed five days from work consecutively and now looks like im losing my job. I dont know what to do and I dont want to take them again!!!

Hannah x

natalier
17-10-10, 14:15
was on citalopram for a year, started with 5mg, then 10, then 15 then 20. then a month or so bk, i went down to 15mg for2/3 weeks? then 10 then 5 for a few week now completly off it. I have been feelign all dizzy and didn;t relate it to the tablets. i thought there was somehtign wrong. also been all panicky today so i went on this website to find that these are all symptoms of coming off so feel a bit better. been off a week so will keep you updated but its you do it as slowly as i have done it does help cause i have not been as bad as some of the people i have read above! xxxx

California Girl
22-10-10, 14:26
I have been withdrawing from Cit for nearly 3 weeks, the head shocks have gone but the dizziness and feeling anxious is still there. Hopefully it will pass soon. Hugs to those going through it, it is horrible.

nuxsy1983
28-10-10, 11:43
many of you have described the need to get off citalopram because you want to get back to normal...can anyone describe to me what citalopram has made you feel? how it makes you feel abnormal, specifically?

thank you,
~Learning

Hi, i been on citalopram for about 3years now, as far as anxiety attacks go they appear to happen less frequently then they do when i'm taking nothing. my experience is that they don't eliminate the problems/symptoms but make you feel detached from them or 'take the edge off' so to speak. I was alcohol dependent before and the relief that comes from citalopram, to me, feels like the confidence boost you get after a couple of drinks. still I don't like the way they make me feel.... being detatched from my feelings isn't something I like especially when I feel like I need a good cry... it's like they stop u feeling, stop you crying, and make all ur feelings a bit numb... even the good ones... I would not recommend them.

This is my first day of no citalopram. I was on 20mg and not liking the symptoms, the doc said to DOUBLE MY DOSE. so i halfed it lol
i did 10mg for a few months and then 5 mg for the last couple of weeks...
I've heard that the mineral Lithium Orotate is really helpful for panic etc, has anyone had any experience with this please??

Joexgee
28-10-10, 16:09
omg i shouldnt of read this thread :( was all geared up to start my cit today, now i feel massive fear:scared15: is this the best med for panic/ depression or it the worst! it seems to have alot of horror storys.
my heart is thumping thinking about it :blush:

ladybird64
28-10-10, 22:44
Hiya :)

I don't know about if it's the best as I understand different things work for different people.

However..I took it from March this year until 3 weeks ago when I decided to stop it, not from bad effects but because I felt I didn't need it anymore!

I had minimal side effects when starting it (slightly raised anxiety for a few weeks) and it worked extremely well for me, giving me the "step-up" that I desperately needed.

I am now better through a combination of medication and lifestyle changes and feel fine.

I had no experience with any other medication of this type.

There you go..not a horror story!

Good luck :flowers:

suzy-sue
28-10-10, 23:40
Worked for me too ..Increased anxiety to start but well worth the initial feelings to get back to the old me ...Sue x

nuxsy1983
29-10-10, 12:41
omg i shouldnt of read this thread :( was all geared up to start my cit today, now i feel massive fear:scared15: is this the best med for panic/ depression or it the worst! it seems to have alot of horror storys.
my heart is thumping thinking about it :blush:

Soz i dint mean to scare anyone.. this is only my experience of citalopram and i was taking a high dose for a long time.

They now think I could be bi polar as well as the things they put me on cit for so it could just be that citalopram isn't good for people with bi polar symptoms..

citalopram duz take the edge off of panic.. it wasn't all bad... just not my cuppa tea :)

bluejeans17
29-10-10, 15:08
I have been on 20 mgs for the past 18 months and must say that they have been fantastic. I am due to go back to the doctor on Wednesday with a view to coming off them now that I am feeling back to normal. I am slightly concerned about coming off because they feel like a safety net and I don't want to go back to that black hole! Some good advice in this thread so fingers crossed!

BJ

Beeble
29-10-10, 23:02
:ohmy: Ohhhhh have to say all that has scared me a bit......I have only been on cit for two months, but if coming off is that bad. Ohhhhhh dear.

Rushy
15-11-10, 20:36
I lost my repeat script and due to stuff getting in the way I had 3 days without Citalopram. Was thinking I was coming down with something nasty until I googled 'coming off citalopram' and found the exact symptoms I've got.
I'm on 40mg and can't believe how terrible I feel after only 3 days without them.
Got some more now and am scared because I just can't wait for them to be back in my system.
That can't be good, can it?!

natalier
18-11-10, 22:20
After coming off for a bit I could not cope and went back on but only up to 5mg. My doctor said that was nothing anyway and should come off again but take 'Kalms' instead. They are natural tablets, so from plants and stuff and you can buy them anywhere. they are for stress,, anxiety etc.... It made me not have nay of the symptoms that I had when I first came off citelopram and I really recommend you go on it if you want to come off as they help too

Dougall
22-11-10, 01:50
Hi everyone, I came across this site when looking on goggle for the side effects of coming off citalopram and found it very useful to read everyone's experiences with the medication.
I went on 10mg of citalopram about 7 months ago after experiencing days of being extremely down and tearful for no particular reason. When i spoke to the doctor about it he recommended this medication and put me on a 10mg dosage. After reading a lot of the comments posted on this website I would like to think my side effects were quite mild compared to some, but within the first few weeks of being put on the medication i had constant nightmares and felt nauseous throughout the day. I got terrible headaches and for the first five weeks felt absolutely no benefit. After about two moths of being on 10mg i went back to the doctors to be taken off as i felt no improvement of mood and he recommended i move up to 20mg. I felt immediate effects with the increased dosage and began to feel much better, but was now unable to cry. I have been on 20mg for 5 months now and although I do believe it has improved my lows, it has resulted in my moods being pretty static with not many highs. I feel that my feelings are not my own and i have now decided to come off. I cut down to 10mg for a month and then to 5mg for about a week and have just decided to stop altogether. My side effects have not been too bad although i have been feeling nauseous throughout the day, been constantly hungry,can feel my heart beating through my chest, and get a hot tingly sensation in my face. It has been about 7 weeks since cutting down from 20mg and can feel my old self coming back. Of course I have had some days where i have not felt brilliant and felt as if i could cry, but i have come to the conclusion that that is OK.

From my experience with citalopram, i would like to tell people that although these medications may seem like the only option to feel better, and i myself believed that at first, just trying to make yourself happy is the best solution. It is the outlook on life that makes all the difference. I have come to the realization that no one can fix me or make me happy I have to do it myself and by finally taking initiative i have begun to feel a lot better. I keep myself extremely busy and around close friends and a supporting family which gives me not much time to feel down and depressed.

Sorry for writing such a long entry, got a little carried away, but these are just my experiences with the medication and i hope it can help some people with some of their questions, but i just want to say you can feel better. Get out there, involve yourself (even when you cant be bothered or don't feel like it at all) you will feel much better afterwards for having done so and you know that YOU are in control so think Positive and one day you might wake up and feel like your old self! xxx

jodeyg
29-11-10, 18:08
hi, i have been on 20mg of citilopram for last 7 months and recently stopped taking them as i dont like being on them even though they make me feel better. i have started feeling sick in the mornings, almost in a dream like state, weak, heart feels like its pumping out of my chest and very sensitive the smallest thing can make me cry. should i start taking them again? x

shortstuff
29-11-10, 22:37
I've got a docs appointment in the morning to suggest that I come off Citalopram. I'm on 40mg and am simpy exhausted all of the time. In my last medication review the GP said the excessive tiredness was probably a side effect of the meds. Whatever I have in store, it can't be as bad as living in a complete fog.

suzy-sue
30-11-10, 00:28
JodeyG Its best to cut down very slowly when you want to come off them ,iI would take 10mg until you feel ok abt 2-3weeks .You dont want to feel bad for christmas do you ? Cut down by 5 or 10mg at a time and dont cut down again until you have stabilised .This way the side effects wont be too bad until you get to the last dose . Then its prob best to do it by 5mg ...ALL THE BEST sue x

suzy-sue
30-11-10, 00:31
Shortstuff I cut down from 40mg to 30mg I felt a lot better on a lower dose .I did it in two steps 5mg at a time .My side effects going on them was bad .So I did it this way to avoid bad side effects .See how you get on and please dont just go cold turkey .T/C sue x

shortstuff
30-11-10, 09:59
Just got back from the doctor's and am reducing from 40mg to 30mg over a month. I was also told that I find the effects unbearable to try 40mg one day and 30mg the next. Not looking forward to the possbilities but I am looking forward to being able to function again!

Trundler
19-01-11, 21:28
I reduced from 40 to 20 then stopped completely as I thought I could handle it. I could for a while.

I had no side effects apart from a few bad nightmares but now the anxiety and self hatred is coming back with a vengance.

Having problems now big ones but dare not go back to the GP to get more as I've told him I'm off and OK.

For personal reasons I really don't want anymore 'depression' stuff etc to be listed on my medical records in case it causes me problems later on.

Does anyone know if Citalopram is available from online overseas pharmacies without prescription? That way I could get the meds I probably need but without compromising my future by going to the GP and having the details on my records?

bertie24
20-01-11, 17:02
Absolutely, I have been on and off Citalopram for a year and been having one every other day for 2 weeks. I have had several nasty migraines and feel anxious ands tearful most ofb the time.

Think a trip to the bahamas may help......

Skyman
28-01-11, 20:16
Hi, I have posted on another area about Citalopram and sexual dysfunction, anyhow I am looking to come off as I simply have no sex life anymore...

I have cut the tablets in half for past few weeks from 20mg to 10mg, I am more tired it would seem late afternoon, however no other side effects except maybe a more dry mouth (even though lesser dose?).

I am going to stay on this dose til next week then cut to one every other day @ 10mg.

I did do this a while back, and found that it made me very down again, my main issue for going on them was divorce, however that was 3 years ago and I am over that now, and everything else seems ok.

I hate to say it but Citalopram does work, but the zero sex drive is causing me relationship issues, which makes me down on another level!

Greenman50
28-01-11, 20:47
Off topic slightly , i,ve been on the cit for 15 days mine still works but doesn,t fire . Sex drive isn,t what it was though , i,d sooner have an extra roast spud to be honest , good job the missis an,t to bothered .

Barbaramay
03-02-11, 19:36
My advice for what its worth regarding Citalopram withdrawal :flowers: Vakas mentioned about being the only one who knows your body, this is totally correct and remember Drs have experience as in books and other patients reports but you know your body!
However :blush: that said I would NEVER :scared15: advise going cold turkey especially from an Anti D. Remember when you start them you often build up from a small dose to get your body use to them and for adjustments to be made and we all respond differently because we are individuals with size, weight, reponses etc.

This is basically how I did it and yes I still experienced side effects but if bearable then perserve and ride em out!:wacko:

I tried a few times but each time I ended back on 20mg because I tried too quick and didn't stabalise!

I withdrew from 40mg down to zero and from what I remember took about 4 months in total.
40mg down 30mg for at least 4 weeks
30mg down 20mg for 4 weeks
20mg to 10mg for about 3 weeks
10mg to 5mg (snapped in half) for 2-3 weeks
then to Zero which I still am 6months later :yahoo:

I totally appreciate its not easy and I don't remember all the side effects I had but they varied at various intervals. I remember for no particalar reason from 20 - 10mg was the hardest drop!

I had head whooshes and what felt like fireworks exploding in my head and twitching which wasn't visible but i thought was! That was the worst side effect because to function its hard if your head is twitchy and like fireworks exploding.

I now feel normal and its totally worth it! I also had to withdraw diazepam and zopiclone within that period but its the citalopram I really needed to cos that really doesn't help if you want to function normally again!:shrug:

I don't know if this is of any help to anyone but just to empathise and sympathise what people are going through but believe me when I say its worth it for sure sooooooooooooooooooooooooo just to encourage :bighug1: and say keep going lovies and pm if I can be of any encouragement or help to anyone.

Much love Sax xxxx


I could sure do with some of your help to get rid of this citolopram invading my brain! I am at my wits end. I just want rid, but it is soooo difficult, have tried many times, but the side effects always get their way, and then I give up again.

Barbaramay
03-02-11, 19:56
hi there, i am finding this forum really helpful as stopped taking my 20mg of citalopram about 2 weeks ago. i have felt constantly sick, headachy, dizzy and tearful but am determined not to go back on them. i read somewhere on here that these effects may just last a couple of weeks - hope so. i dont think people are going to be able to cope with me much longer. thanks for all the great info folks. it does help knowing that the effects are normal and that youre not the only one going through it xx

Hi, after reading most of these comments here, I know I am not alone in feeling the same side effects as everyone else, as I didn't know the side effects were so horrendous I just wish my GP could have told me this prior to mashing my brain up, I feel very let down and am suffering so much in the process. I don't know whether I will stick it out or not, can't handle it at all. Very very sad at the moment.

James2k11
04-02-11, 20:52
Hey there, Ive been on citallopram for about 15 months, been 30mg-40mg then down to 20mg and for the last couple of months ive been on 10mg. Now im trying to come off because i feel its not helping me anymore so doing 10mg every 2 days, have been for about a week. This is really making things hard, i can't concentrate as good, feel sick, more stressed and anxious and tired. Everyone has good days and bad days but i have more bad then good, usually feel worse on the day i take the tablet for some reason. If i drink a fair amount of alcohol, the next day i feel very depressed and the hang over is worse then normal so have cut down drinking a lot.

I used to do drugs such as cannabis, speed, and mephedrone last year but havent touched anything for a few months now so im clean from them and turning my life around but citallopram, a legal drug seems to give a lot worse after effects when breaking the habbit and doctors should make people aware how bad you can feel before allowing patients be on these for a long period of time, some days feel like hell even when nothing goes majorly wrong. Any memory of bad thoughts will break me down such as ex gf. I wonder if its better for me to just go cold turkey rather then 10mg every 2 days cuz knowing my doctor he will prob want me back up to 20mg every day! :shrug:

jeanettek
06-02-11, 18:43
hi ya. you really should chat to ur doc b4 coming of ur meds, there are different methods and you need to come of them slowly so ur body and mind can adjust, im coming of mine but im taking my time and setting realistic goals, side effects will happen, but not as serious this way i feel :doh:

susan shgni
07-02-11, 00:16
hi mandie.. i jus came off them tablets last week n i feel bloody awful

trooper
09-02-11, 07:30
Cold turkey is def. a bad idea.

The brain is the control centre for the whole body, and you've been using a drug to support some vital chemical functions of it. Suddenly stopping is going to throw everything out of sync.

The way my doctor once explained how the part of the brain that moderates the mood chemicals works, he suggested it was like a thermostat for your heating. It has a range of high and low, and obviously the ideal position is in the middle from which point you can go up and down.

Any kinds of extreme actions tend to force the dial one way or the other.

I have come down 20mg this year from the dizzying heights of 50mg by 10mg every two weeks.

The step from 40-30mg has given me the same sort of sysmptoms of everyone else. The head zaps only really lasted for a few days though.

I have been stupidly tired, at night for some reason I wake up every 30m - 1hr very hot, sweaty, sometime soaking bed, despite its winter. I have to leave my window open and let freezing air in. And I still wake up regularly.

Then I end up sleeping most of the day. Yesterday I had four naps in the day for up-to 2 hours. I'm worse than a teenager :)

I also get diarrhea which really isn't nice.

I'm into the second week of 30mg now and apart from the sleeping, I'm feeling ok emotionally and whilst the side effects are uncomfortable its nothing I can't cope with.

Although, if I had a job where I couldn't work from home and disapear off com's for a few hours here and there, I'm sure it would be hell.

I'm considering staying three weeks on 30mg before descending to 20mg.

If you read the guide at the top of this forum, it does say 5mg drops every two weeks, so I may go and see my GP and request some of those.

Cheers,

T

bengalbabe
14-02-11, 13:13
Hello everyone, I am new to this forum, which is strange that I would be joining as I am now feeling strong enough to come off my citalopram 40mg daily for the past 6 years.

The bit I have decided is not right for me is the lack of emotion, I don't get excited, sad or angry and I enjoyed my emotions even if PA were scary, at least it was a feeling, I have none.

I use to feel so proud of myself if I had betten an attack, walked further rather than run away, stayed in the shopping line, from there it made me feel stronger, I don't get that any more...the pride has gone, my strenght has gone, I am just here going through the motions of a life, not really living it.

So I have decided to live again !!!:yesyes: sometimes it's going to be hard and scary but altleast I will be feeling something.

Well 6 days ago i went from 40mg to 30mg, just a few dizzy spells, but I think my propanalol helps with the control of the side effects...so here gose, I'm comming back to life....watch out world:yahoo:

Tammy....XXX

myles1976
14-02-11, 23:14
Hi Tammy

I took citalopram 20mg for over 2 years to deal with anxiety attacks which was brought on by real panic attacks.

I have been off them now for about 2 weeks and i can honestly say the withdrawal symtoms are horrific, i thought i had a brain tumour as the feeling in my head was terrible. The good news is that they take three weeks to come out of your system and i have started to feel great once again.

Tammy, Please remember that its fight or flight when you get an anxiety attack and fight the attacks with all you've got, fight it like another person and dont let it win. When you feel an attack coming on sip some water and get up and walk about.

I used to say you aint ****ing beating me today, if im having a heart attack - bring it on!! DONT LET THEM WIN!!!

With a positive outlook you will be fine, i wish you the very best of luck.

Myles

bengalbabe
15-02-11, 00:47
Thank you Myles, Your words have given me hope, and I am a fighter... I know it's going to be hard, the panic attacks I suffered from were horrific, I must say I haven't had one since being on the citalopram, but I do not enjoy life either, due to the non pluss way I feel about EVERYTHING.

So here goes, going to try and get off the chemicals and do it myself.:yesyes:

bengalbabe
18-02-11, 10:03
Hi all, 2 weeks ago I went from 40 mg to 30 mg, with no real bad side effects, I have now gone down to 20mg and things seem to be going fine.

I do belive being on the propanol helps alot, as it takes away the symptoms anxiety, so I am able to cope better when lowering my dosage, feeling more awake now, and my brain actually feels like my own.:yesyes:

I am going to keep this up, as 6 years on these meds for me is way too long.

I will keep you posted , and fingers crossed..XXX

James2k11
24-02-11, 19:37
I decided to cold turkey it, been doin 10mg every 2 days and to be honest i feel like im coming back to life, still feel shit at times but not worse, i think the days i was takin it made me feel worse. Not taken any for a week now. Feel a bit dizzy sometimes but apart from that the feeling is so much better. I think being on it for a year was too long but doctors just give u drugs and say bye cuz they dont really give a shit, if it wasnt for me stopping myself id still be on them

Jannie2948
24-02-11, 20:16
Evening, I too am trying to come off of citalopram 40mg. I have been on them for about 16 months going from 20mg first 3 months to 40mg. Am trying to do it gradually going from 40mg to 30mg for a couple of weeks then hopefully down to 20mg and so on. Been on 30mg for a week and still feel ok. I hope I will be able to get through this without too many side effects and I hope for all of those trying to come off of their meds the very best.
Jannie x x x x

UrbanMark
26-02-11, 10:31
Hi,
I've been on Cit 20mg for two years, it's been fantastic for me.
I have a hypersensitive personality, so Cit dampened my emotions and feelings as well as stopping me constantly thinking about all the bad points of me and my life.

I think I'm ready to come off them. The main thing I've learned from reading this thread is that I'll be coming off them very gradually.
First week 20-20-20-10-20-20-20
Week two 20-10-20-20-10-20-20
Week three 20-10-20-10-20-10-20
Week four 10-20-10-20-10-20-10
Week five 10-10-20-10-20-10-10
Week six 10-10-10-20-10-10-10
Week seven 10-10-10-10-10-10-10
Week eight 10-10-10-5-10-10-10

And so on, very slowly, it makes sense I think as a gradual comedown is always better than cold turkey.

Take care x

chrissie T
15-03-11, 03:15
I was taking 20mg for 4 months and came off cold turkey. I was fine for the fisrt 2 weeks but over the past 3 weeks i have felt really sick, really bad stomach aches and tearfulness etc. Keep strong. i agree that lowering the dose is probally alot more sensible but coming off is never easy. I suggest that you speak with your doctor and alert them to your cold turkey as well as have some people you can speak to when you feel morose and down. the physical symptons will dissapear eventually! hang in there!!!

avasnana
15-03-11, 08:36
Withdrawal sounds awful but I want to give it a go. I have only been on 10mg of citalopram for 4 weeks for anxiety. I have gained nearly a stone and feel really tired all the time so want to come off them and either try something else or try and manage.

Does anyone have experience of withdrawal effects from such a small dose in a short time?

This is a great site with great support:yesyes:

Linzi77
15-03-11, 22:47
Hello

I am new to this but need to share that this site has helped me a lot. I have only been on Citalopram for 14 days, 20mg, felt awful for the whole 14 days, from day one!! I went to my GP with stress related symptoms and just felt down and he prescribed me these. I stopped taking them 5 days ago now and I have never felt like this in my life. I have had 3 panic attacks, banging headache from the day I stopped taking them, banging that much that I walked in A&E and asked them to do a scan of my head. I am having manic thoughts, which I think are down to the panic attacks, shivers all over my body, twiching and feel confused. Whilst taking them I was sleeping contstantly, people in work said I am sat there in body but not in mind, I have had a lack of concentration, irritable, short tempered. I was not like this before hand and I am totally scared I am not going to get myself back...

What have I done to myself, when will this stop and is it normal that such a small dose after such a short time can cause your body to withdraw.

I would not recommend anyone take these tablets, but thats my personal opinion.

please someone tell me I have not done any lasting damage, telling your husband you have irrational thoughts and hysterically crying is just not good....

Linzi

andrewc
15-03-11, 23:41
Hi Linzi
Sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with Citalopram. Before I suggest anything I do recommend that you go back to your GP and tell him first of all that you stopped them cold turkey and secondly about how you are feeling.
It is quite "normal" to feel a bit sleepy when you first start these tablets but the side effects do go away as your body adjusts. They can take up to 6 weeks before you get the full benefit.
Perhaps your doctor should have started you on 10mg and then step up to 20mg.
Please dont worry they dont leave any long term side effects after you stop them.
I again stress that you should go back to your GP.

Hope this helped a bit.

Andrew

Linzi77
16-03-11, 09:05
Hi Linzi
Sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with Citalopram. Before I suggest anything I do recommend that you go back to your GP and tell him first of all that you stopped them cold turkey and secondly about how you are feeling.
It is quite "normal" to feel a bit sleepy when you first start these tablets but the side effects do go away as your body adjusts. They can take up to 6 weeks before you get the full benefit.
Perhaps your doctor should have started you on 10mg and then step up to 20mg.
Please dont worry they dont leave any long term side effects after you stop them.
I again stress that you should go back to your GP.

Hope this helped a bit.


Andrew

This has been a great help, Andrew. I have made an appointment this morning to see my GP. I feel that I am not ready to go on any SSRI and maybe I was just having a real bad day when I went to see hiim in the first instance.

This site has been a massive hekp also, without sounding awful, it;s good to know that other people are going through the same thing as yourself and that you are not alone or 'going mad'.

The panic attacks are the most horrible feeling I have ever experienced in my life and hope that noone has to go through this on a daily basis. I hope these do stop.

Good luck to anyone reading this that have gone cold turkey, I can see why a lot of people decide to re-take after trying to come off but i am going to keep strong, with the love and support of a great husband and family. I shall keep this updated.

Linzi

bengalbabe
17-03-11, 00:10
Hi all, Just an update, I have been reducing my dosage over the last few months,dropping it by 10mg's every 2 weeks, I have now been chemical free for 5 days, I do get dizzy spells, but I look at them as my brain recovering and the sparks starting to flow again.....always look on the positive side, get excited :yahoo:that you are gaining back control.
We can do it !!!, I would rather have these feelings than none, which was how I became after 4 years on this medication.

Good luck all. X:hugs:

lior
17-03-11, 00:19
Congrats bengalbabe! I've been off citalopram for... 4/5 months now!! The fact I've lost count I take to be a very positive sign :)
I'm not depressed or as anxious any more, so I think they worked their magic on me, hopefully for good.
Good luck everyone! Beating the bad stuff is possible! You can do it :)

Eternity
17-03-11, 20:13
Hi everyone
I've been on citalopram for about two years, I've been on 60mg (highest dose) for the last few months, I suffer with severe pms. Recently they haven't been working well so the doctor is changing me to venlafaxine. I'm in the process of coming off the citalopram at the minute, have just finished a week on 40mg and will be dropping down to 20mg tomorrow for a week, then a week on nothing before starting the vensir/venlafaxine. So far I've had headaches, tiredness and a little nausea but nothing major. Maybe it will get worse, I don't know and I'll let you know. I'm not sure if this will help but it helped me. My doctor is lovely and warned me about the withdrawal effects. but he also said to remember that they would be temporary and would pass, I've been keeping this in mind and it does help a lot. Good luck to everyone else who's in the process of changing meds or coming off them x
Tina x

G3MFP
18-03-11, 13:07
Hi everyone :) I wanted to share my story if I may and ask some advice! I am 21, and have a 2 year old son who I am a single mummy to! I first experianced anxiety/agorophobia when I was 14 after having glandular fever for the third time, they then diagnosed me with chronic fatigue syndrome. There was no mention of anxiety! I had a home tutor and managed to get 4 GCSE's. It started to get a little better when I was 16, and by 17 I was able to do my driving lessons and passed my test 8 weeks after my 17th :yahoo:! After then I was ok (ish) and managed to go out regularly without constant anxiety until I had my son at 19! I had an awful birth and since he was about 2/3 months old I found myself back to square one stuck in having up to 10 panic attacks a day!:weep: I was put on 20mg citalopram, I have to admit I wasnt very good at keeping them up and stopped completely when he was 4/5 months. After a while the world closed in on me big time and I had to admit defeat, eventually I ended up on 60mg and stayed on that does until valentines day just gone, whilst it took away the depression if anything I felt the anxiety was WORSE! My doctor tells me this isnt possible?!

I asked to reduce them and was told no, have some busperone as well, I took a days worth and was in a worst state than with just the C, on 60mg of C I couldnt function very well at all, I would sleep a good 2-4 hours of the day, didnt really go out unless I HAD too, wasnt able to 'feel' anything, I didnt cry over anything for months, and still the anxiety was running wild! SO on VD I took things in to my own hands and went down to 50mg, 3 weeks later 40mg and plan to reduce to 30mg in another week or so! I can stay awake all day now :yahoo: I have NEVER slept in the daytime, even when pregnant or with a newborn! I also invested in the 'linden program', have tried hypnosis but I feel for any of these to work I need to be off the drugs! I am supposed to be having CBT but making it to an appt with a baby in tow isnt ideal! So that is on the back burner for the time being!

Side effects! Oh yes! Crushing headaches, dizzyness,nausea (not good as I am also emetophobic)lol and if I turn my head too fast it feels like its taking my eyes 10 minutes to catch up! Have also had some very odd and not very nice dreams!

Also forgot to add they tried to put me on venlafaxine about 5 months ago, I was ok for the 1st week, by the second I left my son with his dad and went to A&E because I truly felt like I wanted to die!! Thankfully they sorted me out and put me back on C!!

I hope this is the start of the end of this chapter in my life! I want to be normal again, no anxiety,no panic attacks! But who knows!! :shrug:

xx

billy.b.
23-03-11, 00:09
Hi,
I have been on citalopram for years, possibly about 5-6 years now. On many occasions I have tried to come off them or forgot to take them for a while and felt fine. However after about 6 weeks when they have completly worn off, that is when I have found I go down hill. I started off on 10mg then up to 20 and have been on 40mg for a long time.

By the way, being on citalopram can make you feel more anxious despite what your doctor says, it's even in the leaflet under side effects.

I'm now about a week into the start of reducing the dosage again, I'm currently on 20mg everyday. I am a bit worried though as over the last couple of days I've had a bit of an upset stomach. Now it could just be a bug but I think it's a bit of a coincidence. Other people have put about having nausea as a side effect from coming off them so wondered if maybe this was too? Any replies welcome!

I hope you are able to reduce your dosage right down soon, as although these tablets do make things easier I do also think it's not ideal to stay on tablets for too long, hence why I'm having another go to come off them.

G3MFP
23-03-11, 15:49
Hi, I am currently at 30mg, so half way there!!!!:D And yes today have had an upset tum too :mad: Still getting headaches etc but not TOO bad x

susieq
25-04-11, 17:50
I have been on citalopram for 5 years, to begin with the dose was 20mg a day but a year ago they upped my dosage to 30mg a day.Four weeks ago I went to my GP to talk about comming off them and she advised me to go down to 20mg a day for a month and then 10mg.... but I feel like i'm back to square one, i'm crying at the drop of a hat, my other half says a silly comment and any other time i would laugh it off i burst into tears and take it personally. the headaches are horrendous, hot sweats, feeling sick, pain in my chest. Its like being jekyll and hyde and i'm taking it out on my partner and kids i feel so tense and stressed. Could this be the withdrawal effects of the pills or am i loosing the plot again?:wacko:

salford-sean
13-05-11, 00:52
i have suffered with depression for about 20years now i use to take drugs and drink a lot i have never taken anti-depression tablets before due to drinking, iv had suicidal attempts before. Iv bin on citalopram for about 6/7 months now the other week i had a bad turn and ended up taking 28 tablets in 1 go so now i have stopped taking them but im having real bad head pains, im sweating alot and dont feel myself i have had to give up my job i dont want to go back on the citalopram. how long will the pains last i feel like drinking to take the pain away.

Sam.E
22-05-11, 15:47
I've come off Citalopram recently also, cold turkey.

I decided to half my dose of 40mg to 20mg for about a fortnight. Then doctor decided to put me onto Mirtazapine instead. So stopped Citalopram from a week ago. Took Mirtazapine for a few days and felt absolutely awful. Had a bad turn and took a whole bunch of Mirtazapine (about 26 tablets) as I was in a drunken state at the time - not good on these meds apparently! Following two days were hell. Having vivid hallucinations, hearing voices and being sick as anything. From that moment I just decided that I was sick of taking these tablets and being controlled by them. Citalopram also made me feel completely numb and lacking emotion for the entire time I was on them. I just want to feel again.

Also I've been offered counseling at last, for the past two years they haven't offered it in my area. So I figured that I can deal with things using that rather than numbing myself with medications.

So about a week since no tablets. So far my side effects are just feeling like I have flu. I've had a temperature for the last two days and I'm feeling shivery/hot/cold, really wobbly and generally unwell with a sore throat and unquenchable thirst. No nausea or dizziness though. Just a general spaced out feeling.

I keep doubting whether I'm doing the right thing, however I am just tired of these stupid tablets! Despite feeling God awful coming off them, I'm relieved to have a bit more enjoyment out of life already - silly things such as finding TV shows funny again and baking scones aha.

Also - first post! Whoo :blush:

Sam.E
23-05-11, 23:34
Just thought I'd update. After feeling terrible yesterday with influenza-like symptoms, today I'm feeling fantastic. I woke after 6 hours sleep naturally and felt wide awake (whereas usually I would need at least 10 hours to feel that)!

Also just feel much more alive and alert. My mind is very busy with thoughts which is hard to keep track of as I am used to citalopram preventing or dulling down the busyness! A little dubious now though and suspicious as to why my withdrawal symptoms have vanished today... Still, will see what tomorrow brings.

I hope everyone else is succeeding in coming off citalopram, with as little effect as possible xx

Loopy Lulu
04-06-11, 12:37
Hi - I am also coming off this drug as the night sweats were really screwing me up!! I tried cold turkey but was having scuicidal thoughts after 6 weeks so went back on it :weep:. I am determined so have slowly come off. I am so releived that the zinggy eye thing when I move them is not just me! I thought I was going nuts but the symptoms comin down this time are less extreme. I have taken 7 weeks to very slowly come off and stopped the pills altogether about 2 weeks ago. I am depressed tho and am thinkin about going back onto a very low does :blush:. I am either naturally a bitch or suffering, and so are my family, I don't take fools lightly at the best of times but I feel like walking out! Does anyone know how long should I persevere? Am I always going to feel like this?

I'm sorry for the sob story but I don't know who else to ask!

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks, Lu x

Nicky32
04-06-11, 14:38
I've been on these for like 6 years I need to come off them my sex drive is pretty dodgy haha now

Nicky32
04-06-11, 14:42
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

I found this works to help anxiety. A good walk in the forest or on the beach.

Tero
04-06-11, 14:51
Take care Lulu and Sam.

No plans to come off for a year, but I am looking for a smaller place to live, like a college town. That should relieve some daily anxiety.

tracey72
07-06-11, 12:55
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
Hi all
I 1st went on citalopram 10 years ago after a marriage break up,was in a right state at the time.was on it for bout 2 years then came off it when life looked better,,was off it for bout 3 years untill had real problems at work and went back on it untill august last year,everything in life was better, new job,getting married again so just done cold turkey and came off them.its a true saying when they say=coming off them is worse than before you went on them....i have felt ok..nowt dramitic that i couldnt handle,,now i am wanting to go back on them as always tired,,feel am passing life as all i want to do is sleep all the time,i let things get to me so easy..i have put on loads of weight....but i went to dr yesterday and he gave them to me..but after coming this far without them i dont really want to take them,,my partner pointed out i am still doing cold turkey and it will take up to 2 years for them to be out my body..am really trying to stay postive and not take them and i can see my partners point of view on it..hes known me nearly all my life as hes a friend of the family..he knows what i have went thru in life and i dont know what to do for the best????

MissyJ
07-06-11, 16:29
I thought I could wean myself off... but only today rang my GP crying because I feel so bad! It was stupid of me anyway.. just because I couldn't be bothered make an appointment...Thought 'I will be ok'....NOT! Go to your GP and come off them properly...For myself I realise my life is only normal with them!

MissyJ
07-06-11, 16:36
If it's working, why break it? What's wrong with having wonky SSRI's anyway? If we had diabetes we would never dream of coming off insulin!

suzy-sue
07-06-11, 18:18
Missy j ..It doesnt take 2years for these to get out of your system .They have a half life of 33 hours .It will take around 8 weeks to get adjusted and maybe longer for the Brain receptors to adapt to not having them .It is common to feel Low ,depressed .Tired .irritated .Naseaus .Aching ..Headaches .Mood swings &Head zaps .for a while when you stop them .Most people find they are ok after4- 8 weeks a lot say sooner .Its important to excercise ,get plenty of sleep .Keep hydrated .Practice relaxation and eat good fresh food which doesnt contain additives .This will all help you to adjust and feel better sooner .Also dont take supplements except for omega 3 ,until you feel well again .Sue

NellieS
07-06-11, 22:11
Missy j ..It doesnt take 2years for these to get out of your system .They have a half life of 33 hours .It will take around 8 weeks to get adjusted and maybe longer for the Brain receptors to adapt to not having them .It is common to feel Low ,depressed .Tired .irritated .Naseaus .Aching ..Headaches .Mood swings &Head zaps .for a while when you stop them .Most people find they are ok after4- 8 weeks a lot say sooner .Its important to excercise ,get plenty of sleep .Keep hydrated .Practice relaxation and eat good fresh food which doesnt contain additives .This will all help you to adjust and feel better sooner .Also dont take supplements except for omega 3 ,until you feel well again .Sue

Thankyou - I'm going to persevere x

katella
19-07-11, 07:09
Although your post was from quite a while ago, I hope you were successful in achieving what you set out to do and I had to also tell you that I know JUST what you experienced and I've been having a heck of a time with trying to get off of ADs. I've learned how careful I need to be about it after many attempts. And I"m learning now all about what causes those effects and how I've been poisoning myself with Mercury over the many years-which explains so much!! Oy!
Good luck! :)

fretty freda
30-07-11, 02:05
how have you poisoned yourself with mercury

Paulo
05-08-11, 18:28
Hi Spooner and all of you.

I have been on Citalopram 20mg for 2 years and am coming off. Doctor said take every other day for a month then stop. I stopped on Sunday and I am experiencing the typical whooshing or Brain Zapping as it seems to be known as. I haver tried previously to reduce the dose gradually but it would seem that 20mg is the minimum dose before you get the zaps.

I have had my first week of zaps and disorientation. It is a pain but I am determined to shake it.

I have looked on the web and there are many forums of people suffering the zaps with nothing to day how long they will last.

My doctor has not been helpful. GPS are very good and prescribing these temporay "non-addictive" pills. They are temporary but when I was given them there was no discussion about finishing taking them.

Anyway keep going - think positively- the zaps mean that we are not taking the pills any more.

jodstack
17-08-11, 20:44
Hey...kinda new to this so bear with me!

I've recently gone cold turkey! I've been taking it for nearly a year, was on 40mg at one point and I put myself back down to 20mg. I didn't intentionally go turkey but I ran out of my tablets.

I thought I was turning into some kind of hypochondriac when I sat down and wrote down all the things that felt wrong with me:

dizziness
whoosing sound in ears
feeling sick
very stressed
very snappy

I'm also feeling very flu like, totally exhausted and fed up. However, even though I'm feeling like this I am beyond determined to keep at it. I'm only 20, I do not want to be on these tablets all my life. My mum suffers with depression and she's the same when she runs out of tablets. I don't want to spend my life like that :lac:

Has anyone got any tips with how I can cope with these side effects, anything would be helpful. Thanks!

Anjie
06-09-11, 21:17
I've come off my 20mg citalopram because I can't afford to get the prescription but I've been feeling really wired for weeks now. I felt like they weren't working anymore when I was on them, though having said that I've been increasingly anxious and paranoid off them.
I told my doctors how I felt about them not working like they did at the start meaning that I would like the dose increased but instead they prescribed me a lower dose. I know I should have said something at the time but I always get made to feel like such a druggie or hypercondriac that I never know what to say.

Should I just keep up the cold turkey or give in and buy the 10mg ones and then go back and say that I feel worse and then i can at least say I tried the lower dosage?

how long do the side effects last? is it normal to develop tingling in the ends of your fingers and tongue?

cathycrumble
06-09-11, 23:06
Yes tingly hands and feet I got that and really aching joints all over. It was just the pits but I stoped cold turky and i was on 40mg. I am back on them again 40mg I just didnt give myself a chance last time, as i started them last september and i came off them last april. I have been back on them 11 weeks now and I am still not getting back to normal but it took about 3months to feel myself last time. Good luck with coming off them.

Cathy xx

honeychild
29-09-11, 21:07
hi, i was on 20m citalopram for nearly 10 yrs with only a 3 month break, i was in such a state (withdrawal symptoms, i suppose that i had to go back on the damn things. For the last 3 months ive been taking 10m. 7 days ago i stopped taking them. now it feels as if i have a camera going off in my brain, i turn my head one way and my brain doesn't follow.. we've got a stupid heatwave in Dorset and the sweat is just pouring off me.
Is this normal? i really want a life without these pills

cathycrumble
29-09-11, 21:56
I was taking 20mg for 4 months and came off cold turkey. I was fine for the fisrt 2 weeks but over the past 3 weeks i have felt really sick, really bad stomach aches and tearfulness etc. Keep strong. i agree that lowering the dose is probally alot more sensible but coming off is never easy. I suggest that you speak with your doctor and alert them to your cold turkey as well as have some people you can speak to when you feel morose and down. the physical symptons will dissapear eventually! hang in there!!!

Hi Chrissie

Did they work for you after 4 months or did you come off them because they were no good for you xx

Cathy xx

milliemay
29-10-11, 18:27
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.
Hi Rob,
I am in the same boat as you, i've been on Citalopram 20mg for almost 3 years now, i've done the coming off them slowly well i was a nightmare, my moods were so much more up and down than normal, well 2 weeks ago now i just stopped them as i want to live a normal life, i'm not to bad in the mornings but by the afternoon it can get so bad i'm not sure if it's the tablets or what but for the last week i have done nothing but shake.
So your not alone i hope this is of help to you.
Julie

cathycrumble
01-11-11, 13:15
Hi Rob,
I am in the same boat as you, i've been on Citalopram 20mg for almost 3 years now, i've done the coming off them slowly well i was a nightmare, my moods were so much more up and down than normal, well 2 weeks ago now i just stopped them as i want to live a normal life, i'm not to bad in the mornings but by the afternoon it can get so bad i'm not sure if it's the tablets or what but for the last week i have done nothing but shake.
So your not alone i hope this is of help to you.
Julie

It's the tablets my gp put me on propranolol and I am fine. Hat citalopram. Cant believe how all my emotions have come back and my libido. I realize how they make you feel numb a nothingness I would say in everything not just libido I have been off them 3 weeks now. I just take 40mg of propranolol. in the morning and they seem to help with withdrawals

Cathy xx

kishi
04-11-11, 07:05
Im on my first day of coming off 40 of citalopram. my doctor told me to cut down to 30 for a couple weeks and then check in to see how im doing. Going off it cold turkey is gutsy! but if its working more power to ya!

cathycrumble
04-11-11, 14:15
Good luck Kishi, coming off it's not easy I am 2 weeks 2 days off them now. I thought it was 3 weeks as I said in my last post but just checked my diary lol. I feel very shaky and fearful of every thought. But I have to tell myself it is partly due to withdrawals. I hope so but I am determand to get through this. I feel i shouldn't have been put on them if the first place. I suffered worse with anxiety and panic through being on them there is no doubt about that.

I would like to know what it is that makes you feel so bad as now I am sure they are out of my system. Has anyone got any advice on this please? The last 3 days havn't been good.

Cathy xx

emu12
05-11-11, 02:24
I have only been on cit for 3 days but I feel its been the wrong decision for me and I feel I want to stop taking them as I just want to finish university (my final year) and then maybe try them again when I dont have much else to worry about.

Will coming off them completely after only taking 3 tablets, be really horrible? Everything is too much at the moment and these tablets I feel im not ready to take them yet.

cathycrumble
05-11-11, 13:10
Speak to your gp even ask for a phone consoltation. Three days is fine to come off them. I wouldnt think they would give you bad withdrawals. But as I say the gp will advise.

Cathy xx

frankie850
09-11-11, 22:17
Cathy

I'm about a week into coming of citalopram cold turkey and I have never felt so ill in my life! Nausea, wooziness, body aches, tiredness, insomnia, pulse going crazy and getting really hot!

However I completely agree with you that it has been an amazing and life changing decision. I no longer feel numb, I feel emotion and I feel human. My libido has instantly returned and I enjoy having sex again.

Citalopram doesn't suit everyone and doesn't help everyone. I think it helped me initially but then I needed a dose increase and I thought to myself that surely if it was truly working I wouldn't need to increase?

I feel let down and almost tricked by my GP and pyschiatrist who put me on them and increased my dosage. Not one explained possible side effects, not one explained that I may feel numb, and not one warned me that coming off them would be near on impossible to cope with.

I take comfort in the fact that I am not alone. Finding this site has given me the confidence to know that these effects are normal and they will pass. I can kick depressions butt better than this drug and that's exactly what I intend to do!

Good luck to everyone trying to come off citalopram x

emu12
19-11-11, 01:53
Speak to your gp even ask for a phone consoltation. Three days is fine to come off them. I wouldnt think they would give you bad withdrawals. But as I say the gp will advise.

Cathy xx

I stopped taking cit and didnt have any side affects apart from a little tired. Thank you for your reply, i feel so much better not being on this medication! :)

irvin
01-12-11, 15:42
Got put on cit after a crap time in my life. My doctor told me to take them for 6 months and then come off of them. She started me on 20s but they just put me on another planet and the side effects were unbelievable. So i went down to 10s. Doing this helped a bit but side effects didnt go away the worst was chest pains and dizziness in fact dizziness lasted 24/7. My 6 months are up so i am coming off of them. For a week i took one every other day but on Mon i decided to take one every 2 days. I took one Mon night Tues i felt ok yesterday Wed i felt better than i have done for ages however today Thurs it is awful. dizziness, feels like my head is being used as a washing machine, aches everywhere, chest tightness walking like a drunk. Phoned my doctor got a different one as you do, its the withdraw symptons he said and when he told me it could last up to 3 months well if i had been in the surgery i would have punched him in the mouth i swear. The only upside is that my sexual feelings have come back. tho yesterday i thought i woke up dead due to the fact that i woke up with an erection for the first time in months and i thought rigamortice had set in. Chest pains have subsided tho. These bloody tablets are evil all they do is dull your emotions and give you aches and pains. Why waste money on a space programme they only need to put astronauts on these evil pills and they will be on a different planet in no time.

Hanako
21-12-11, 05:00
Hi, I have been on Citalopram since the age of 18, 6years now... I have attempted to reduce many times in the past, and failed with no help from GP, mental health or hospitals... They usually just advise me to try other drugs or increase, feel like I am talking to aliens half the time! and the last time I received advice on changing medications I ended up in hospital.

The highest dosage I have been prescribed was 40mg... I then lowered to 30mg over a year period... I am now on 30mg trying to lower to 25mg... I am finding myself constantly feeling exhausted... to the point where I feel like I am on sleeping pills and unable to keep my eyes open. I have also begun to notice that about 30mins after taking my medication I begin to pass out... Has anybody experienced this before? this is usually when I wake up, I end up back asleep again within the hour, it really is terrible! been experiencing terrible headaches! worst ever, anybody had this???

Would appreciate any advice! Thanks :D X x x

---------- Post added at 04:00 ---------- Previous post was at 03:50 ----------

Haha! I Love you Irvin!!! These pills are Evil! & trust me I have wanted to punch my GP, Psychiatrist, Councillor you name it many times... They talk to me as if I have no brain, although half the time it feels that way! They have been incredibly patronizing and it is never their concern.

When I ask: Seeing as you put me on this medication, what advice can you give me on coming off it?

GP: It's up to you, you can decide how you feel... it makes steam come out of my ears... I am so tired, and spaced out, my memory is diminishing by the hour... & they really think a 23 year old who is drugged up to her eyeballs can get off this drug on her own??? it is crazy! but they make me so mad, I have decided to come off it without their "Advice".

irvin
21-12-11, 15:08
Hi Hanako i had same as you passing out feeling awful headaches tired all the time so i thought ******** to this enough is enough. I looked at it this way if you come off of them gradually you are still putting them in your system, you can go a month on 20s then a month on 10s then a month on 5s but all the time you are still putting them in your system. But you have to stop taking them at sometime even if its gone down to 5s so surely when you stop you are still going cold turkey. So i decided to go cold turkey 3 weeks ago. I dont mind telling you the first week was hell. But after 3 weeks i feel so much better certain symptoms i had stayed with me 24/7 but now i am getting long periods of relief. My main symptom was dizziness couldnt walk sometimes felt like i was drunk. now however getting long periods of relief from dizziness. You have to go with ya gut feeling Hanako. All doctors tell you different things anyway. i started taking kalms they help as well. The best of luck on yr journey keep in touch if ya go cold turkey stick with it it gets better. The best thing for me was when i flushed the bog pan and saw the pills disappear round the bend and i hope heading out to effin sea.:yesyes:

---------- Post added at 12:48 ---------- Previous post was at 12:25 ----------

Hi again Hanako i imagine that you are female and your name might be hannah. If you are on facebook be my friend there are one or 2 of us on there that chat we find it good to share our experiences instead of dwelling on them we turn them into a funny situation also if you want to know something it is better to get on instant reply on facebook than wait weeks on here. im on facebook as irvin phillimore you cant miss me im the only bugger with that name. oh if you are married tell your partner what you are doing. we are all in enough trouble with these bloody tablets without having an irate partner on our hands lol

---------- Post added at 14:08 ---------- Previous post was at 12:48 ----------

Bit dizzy today went up the shop to do a bit of staggering up the aisles as we do, bounced of the cornflakes and cat food thought i had got away with it but got the tea and coffee on the way back lol:)

Banter123
31-01-12, 23:06
Hi all, the pills will not cure you but they will help by removing negative thoughts and giving you more ability to deal with the problems.
The same is true of coming off them, the side effects are simply that and like those when you first started taking them will wear off over time. Use them for a reason and then come off them when ready and by doing it sensibly. Be aware that you will feel moody when stopping but that is caused by the pills and not the issues you had when you started to take them. Hopefully they will now be resolved and you can move on. I took them for two years. The side effects when I started were awful and lasted about 6 weeks. I am now off them, interestingly the side effects started about 4 weeks after stopping! I know though that what I'm feeling will subside. Don't give up! Good luck.