I don't know if this will help anyone else, but I wanted to share my experience after weaning off from 40mg of citalopram. It took 6 weeks to go from 30mg to 0mg and I did reasonably well even during the process of going from 10mg to 0mg. The weeks after that, when the citalopram was gradually leaving my system, were incredibly difficult. I've kept a mini diary that I thought I would share.
Background: I decided to stop taking citalopram as I had gained so much weight that I was unable to lose despite never having weight issues before going on it. I was put on it for anxiety and depression after my twin sister died of lung cancer aged 30. I was on it for 2 and 1/2 years and I didn't have as many anxiety issues, but did become quite distressed at the weight gain (12kgs at my worst). Bizarrely about 3 weeks after my beloved father died of skin cancer I had an epiphany that I was finally ready to wean myself off, so I did!
Captains Log - Citalopram Withdrawal - My Experience
Week 1 - no more Citalopram - Not too bad. Not as bad as going cold turkey as I had accidentally done before but towards the end of the week i have started getting an antsy feeling that won't go away. Outbursts of anger that I wouldn't normally have. General feeling that coming of Citalopram won't be so bad! Pleased!
Week 2 - Antsy feeling escalated to the point I often can't stay still. Mainly at night time lying in bed ready to go to sleep. Want to yell and scream and peel my skin off. Even typing it now makes me feel a little like that. The first couple of times were unbearable but after that I knew that it would subside after a while so I started to try to trick myself into focusing on other things. Taking Nytol has really helped.
Week 3 - Extreme nausea, vomiting, hot sweats and general flu like feeling. I ended up sleeping for a couple of days solid. (note written 3 weeks later: As I had just come home from holiday in malarial area became paranoid that I had malaria but it was in fact just withdrawal symptoms from the pills. Definitely the lesser evil!).
Week 4 - Migraine and then lingering headache. Bouts of nausea and a general feeling of being drained and very very sensitive emotionally and physically. No more hot sweats but sometimes burning hot face (think incredibly rosy cheeks like sunburn) even in the cold weather (bad spring this year!).
Week 5 - I realised that I have been walking around with a permanent hangover these past few weeks - fuzzy head and general desire to hibernate at home. Solpadeine has really helped with the lingering migraine. I have stopped taking it now. Just taking paracetamol at first sign of headache. Weighed myself and lost 3 kgs without any effort. Woo hoo!!! People are noticing that I am thinner now so I am going to try again to lose weight. Never had difficulty before but on citalopram exercise and healthy eating had no real effect and I put on 10kg in the 2 and 1/2 years I was on it. Side note - I was pregnant for 9 of the months I was on Citalopram - baby girl died at birth so no breast feeding and the weight didn't shift after that - before pregnancy I had been putting on weight despite no change in my diet and exercise regime. With exercise I got more sculpted but no thinner.
Week 6 - Minor headaches but that could be because it is spring and I get hayfever/sinus issues. Starting to really get more energy. No longer exhausted when I get home from work. Feeling more - as in feeling more happiness, laughing more but also more sensitive to events around me. Some colleagues driving me potty at the moment whereas before I was more indifferent to them and their bad behaviour, language and pranks. Also feeling more motivated to look after myself, do the things I have been putting off and get out and about. Citalopram really blunted me I think - made me calmer but also far less driven. More contented but far less interested in the world around me.
Anyway - that is very wordy but thought it might help others who are wondering about Citalopram withdrawal issues and annoying weight gain.
It has been a though journey so far - harder than going on Citalopram was but so worth it. I feel more capable now of addressing my demons and empowered that I am taking control for myself. Also incredibly relieved and excited to know that the weight gain was not permanent. I know I'm going to have to make some effort to lose it but as it stands it doesn't seem it will be effort in vain. I'll write again in a few weeks with updates on how I've done since this post.