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Original poster

Citalopram Withdrawal

21 replies

mummmypirate · 14/10/2011 15:57

Hi Mums, I stopped Citalopram 4 days ago after 12 months on it for PND. I've tapered off from 40mg over 5 months and found every reduction pretty straightforward except this final 5mg to 0mg step. My brain feels like it's rolling around in my head and I'm getting electric zap sensations behind my eyes all the time. In every other respect, I feel great. I've changed my lifestyle in lots of ways so I feel confident the depression won't come back, but am wondering how long I'll have to put up with these horrid physical symptoms? Anyone been through it who can share their experience?

OP posts:
strawberry17 · 14/10/2011 19:16

Hi I think we spoke ages ago, sounds to me like your best bet would be to go back to the 5mg and come off that a lot slower to mitigate the horrible withdrawal effects. The last bit can the hardest bit, because it's a steeper drop if you see what I mean.

PassTheTwiglets · 15/10/2011 07:55

I didn't get the zaps that people get but I felt weird for about 2-3 weeks, I think. I did go from 5 to 2.5 though.

BrokenBananaTantrum · 15/10/2011 08:02

The electric shock things are horrible. I got these with each stage of my reducing the dose. I think maybe going to 2.5 might be a good idea. However I found the shocks went away after about a week. Good luck.

Original poster
mummmypirate · 15/10/2011 17:03

Thanks for your replies. Have to say, I really don't want to take anymore. The shocks don't seem to be geting any worse, I'm trying to think of it as a bout of flu that will pass in a week or so, but they're bloody weird feelings aren't they?

OP posts:
gigglepin · 15/10/2011 17:05

Hi, i had all of these symptoms when i weaned myself off.
Unfortunately lasted for about 3 weeks. I did go actually take half a tablet for a week then stopped.

That was about 5 eyars ago, not needed them since Grin

Original poster
mummmypirate · 24/10/2011 13:08

Well, thought I should update: it's now 2 weeks after stopping altogether and all the nasty side effects have gone. Hooray.

OP posts:
Ormirian · 24/10/2011 13:10

Good news mummypirate. But please don't be shocked if you start to suffer mood dips. I found that the horrible physical symptoms disappeared after a few weeks, as you have found. but my mood took a good few months to properly stabilise. In fact I am 5m down the line and just about 'normal'. I don't regret it at all though. Good luck.

BrokenBananaTantrum · 25/10/2011 15:16

I'm really pleased for you. Have you noticed that food tastes better, smells are stronger and colours are brighter? I did but maybe that was just me?

Vicster34 · 26/10/2011 18:31

Evening all!
Have just read with great interest the discussion board and am keen to find out if I'm normal too!

I've been on Citalopram 20mg on and off since the birth of my daughter who is now almost 6. Before her, I never suffered anxiety/depression.
I recently found out that I'm pregnant again, only very early and my GP told me to stop taking my meds, which I did straight away.

However, I have felt some odd things since, hot/cold flushes, mood swings, tiredness, the problem is I don't know if these are withdrawals/pregnancy symptoms! I had a down day yesterday, and because I was so upset, the anxiety kicked in again, as I begin to worry that the depression is coming back! I've been OK again today, but I just wondered if anyone can give me an idea about how long the withdrawals can last? I've been off the meds for 3 weeks now...please tell me that I'll start to feel right again soon?? Thanks guys x

BrokenBananaTantrum · 27/10/2011 18:57

I'm surprised the doctors just said stop vicster. If your anxiety is bad go back and see if they can give something else. I found the withdrawal worse for the first month and then it was easier. Hth

Vicster34 · 27/10/2011 20:54

Thanks BBT, I'm sticking with it coz I know it's the best all round, it's probably given me the kick up the bum I needed to get of the meds! But I was surprised that I wasn't advised to reduce or something, but there is a slight chance of slight heart defects in baby, so that must be the logic. I'm doing OK, feeling better ach day and am over 3wks in now, so gonna ride the storm.
It really helps reading other people's experiences though, thanks x

BrokenBananaTantrum · 27/10/2011 21:53

Good for you vicster. I had a couple of set backs and had to go back on them twice but I have now been off them for 2 years. It's possible. Day at a time eh?

Clarabumps · 02/11/2011 16:40

i'm just back from the doctors and she suggested that i reduce the dosage i'm on. I've been taking 50 mg since april..although been on Citalopram for nearly three years.
How did everyone find reducing dosage? To be honest i'm pretty petrified of taking less. I just don't want to go back to the dark thoughts and rage again. I want to reduce but i'm so scared I wont be able to cope. Sorry for the hi-jack but I was just wondering how everyone else coped???

liveinazoo · 02/11/2011 20:05

was wandering the boards n saw your message.i currently taking 20mg citalopram.take your time,reduce it slowlyand if life giving you a hard time and have to adjust dosage dont worry.i was bit jittry initially,but think lot that was blind panic how would cope!try and manage yourself[get enough kip,eat properly etc],i did relaxation c.d got from wellbeing via doctors.good luck and hang in there!

Madondogs · 02/11/2011 22:53

Have been on Citalopram 20 mg since June. Stopped last week.

Symptoms last few days making me feel quite I'll.Very dizzy, and extremely tired,some mood swings,but dizziness worst symptom.

Madondogs · 02/11/2011 22:54

ill not I'll ..stupid iPad

eaglewings · 02/11/2011 22:59

Seen advice on here to go from 5mg every 24 hours to 5mg every 36 hours r a few weeks before the jump down to every 48 hours to then stopping

It would seem that if you've only been taking them for a few months it is easier.

I'd been on them for 3 years when I was told to stop as ttc. Went from 40 mg to 20 fine, but the 10mg to nothing left me dizzy, ill and suicidal

Would rather be a better mum to my kids and take the minuscule supposed risk at 20 mg

strawberry17 · 03/11/2011 07:36

HI eaglewings, you could switch to a liquid (which is what I did) and taper a lot slower. Long story short this is what I am doing and you don't get the withdrawals that way, here are some links that might help:

prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/p/basic-guide-to-withdrawing-from.html

www.amazon.co.uk/Coming-Off-Antidepressants-Successful-Withdrawal/dp/1845292561/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320305638&sr=1-1

www.benzo.org.uk/healy.htm

prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/p/symptoms-of-antidepressant-withdrawal.html

prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/p/distinguishing-psychiatric-symptoms-of.html

I've been there, done that, worn the t shirt with antidepressants and for some people they are extremely difficult to get off, any info on my web site I have gleaned from the book by Joseph Glenmullen and other experts on tapering safely off antidepressants.

WallowedInFlies · 03/11/2011 07:38

was about to add but looks like it's already been alluded to that if you have real difficulties coming off they can switch you to liquid prozac - prozac has the longest half life so is easiest to taper on and liquid allows tinier changes in dose. may be worth it.

strawberry17 · 03/11/2011 12:06

That's exactly what I mean WallowedinFlies you put it better than me Smile

eaglewings · 03/11/2011 14:22

Thank you for telling me about the liquid, I'll ask the dr about that in the spring, November to jan is never good for me so would be silly to try now.

I don't think I would have needed to return to 20 mg if I'd been on MN soon enough last time

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