Coming off citalopram

[talkingnonsense]

I've just come ( gradually) off citalopram, and while I feel mentally ok- ish, I have got a weird half upset stomach, and I'm getting some spotting - has this happened to anyone else? Everywhere I look only seems to mention electric shock type zaps and headaches.
If it helps, I seemed to be somewhat constipated on citalopram, and also, possibly coincidentally, developed a gluten intolerance.
Would love to know its not just me. Thanks.

Hi talking, I'm on day 2 of not taking them. I found it hard to sleep last night, but I haven't had any other symptoms yet...

Oh I hope I don't put you off! I had a killer headache on about day 4, and a few weepy moments, but I'm a bit worried about the stomach/ bleeding thing.

I'm not put off at all, no need to worry. :)

I hope you start to feel better soon?

Hi all, I have stumbled upon this website as I wasn't able to sleep and was wondering why. After reading some of the posts on here it is nice to know that I am not alone in how I am feeling. I have gone cold turkey coming off Citalopram. I was taking 10 mg a day and dropped it down to 10mg every other day, but due to life in general I found I was losing track of what day I had/hadn't taken a tablet on so decided to bite the bullet and stop! Its nearly a week since my last tablet and I have to admit that the side effects are not great. Have had trouble sleeping the last two nights,head feels funny, the electric shock info I have read is me down to a tee at the moment!!!! Having grumbled about this I am determined to stick it out. I am happier knowing that what I am experiencing is withdrawal symptoms and nothing more serious as I was getting a bit worried! I am hoping that as more time goes by I will feel better.

It's never a good idea to cold turkey off these drugs (been there done it worn the t shirt several times), you can end up feeling really bad, toughing it out generally doesn't work. Although having said that we are all different and you might get away with it, but I know many many people who have struggled. I think the best thing would be to go back on the citalopram and ask to have it prescribed in liquid form so you can taper off it slowly. If you click on my profile you will see I have a blog with tons of info on this subject and links to web sites/books with useful info. I am currently tapering off liquid Prozac.

I've gone back on the AD's, largely because of low mood. I don't think that I'm quite ready yet.

Reckon you made the right decision sunnywithachanceofshowers, just remember when you do feel ready, no cold turkey, take it slow!

I thought I was doing ok but I have spent the whole day screaming at dh and the dc. I don't know what to do- I really don't want to go back on, but I'm so angry at everything.

I think you have come off too fast, you really have to think of it as a long game coming off antidepressants, (slowly slowly catchy monkey). See if you can get your doctor to prescribe citalopram in liquid form, if your doctor doesn't know, pharmacists can be a lot more knowledgable, find out the equivalent dose in ml e.g. for me 20mg Prozac = 5ml liquid Prozac, and taper extremely slowly with a medicine syringe from Boots. To give you an idea here is my tapering timeline:

My tapering timeline

I'm a bit rubbish at links here so hope it shows alright, feel free to pm me if you like.

I womder if strawberry17 is right - What time frame have you stopped taking them in? I've taken them 3 times three time periods and stopped taking them without major side effects. I found I was quite emotional simply because I was feeling emotions that had been numbed by the medication.
I like strawberry's time line. My approach was from taking 20mg a day, i dropped to 10mg a day for two weeks, then 10mg every other day for two weeks, then 5mg every ther day for two weeks! Seems to take forever but aside from acutely feeling emotions I had no ill affects. I'd suggest you go back to your GP than suffer with this, they might suggest taking it at a lower dose or offer you liquid as strawberry suggests. You will get there, but it takes time.

Hi

Im really interested to read your post. i have been slowely coming off citalopram for what feels like months. I was taking one to two tablets a week but was forgetting to take so stopped completely about 2-3 weeks ago.

i have had a terrible day today really low, was really upset on friday also but I feel like I can actually cry after two years of feeling unable to cry and a bit numb about things. In a way this felt like a bit of a relief but I am really struggling mentally this week.

I find it impossilbe to concentrate my brain feels like mush. I am so quick to lose my temper shouting at the kids and feeling irrationally angry and upset about minor things.

I have had an upset stomach for about 2 months or so now and hadnt really related the two things but it seems quite concidental I thought I was just getting one stomach bug after another feeling quite nauseas a lot of the time. I had some blood tests this week after seeing the doc about being constantly tired as I dont know whether this is a side affect of coming off the citalopram or something else.

I just want a normal brain!

havealittlefaithbaby, you may be one of the lucky ones who is able to go on and off SSRI's fairly easily, I found I was one of the ones who just could not get off them and eventually I found a book called "Coming off Antidepressants" by Joseph Glenmullen which I can recommend, and a lightbult went on in my head, I realised it wasn't "me" it was the "drug", hence me starting my long slow tapering programme, and coming from a family of diary writers it made sense to track my progress in a blog.
For many many people the alternate day thing just does not work, it confuses the brain, tapering is much gentler approach.
Here are some links you may find useful to read if you're struggling, I've done a lot of research due to my own struggles so I'm happy to share what I've found with others:

basic guide to withdrawing

Psychiatric drug withdrawal why taper by 10%

Distinguishing psychiatric symptoms from drug withdrawal

Symptoms of antidepressant withdrawal

Dr Healy protocol for withdrawing from SSRI's