Citalopram withdrawal, any advice?

[hiddenhome]

I have withdrawn gradually from 20mg of Citalopram to zero. I've been off them for about a week. I'm am SSRI regular, so know how to do it and I've managed okay.

The trouble is, I can't tell if my irritability and low mood is withdrawal or depression returning. I'm still experiencing 'brain shocks' every few hours.

I've had to withdraw due to it causing severe sinusitis which has now gone, so I can never go back onto Citalopram. It's a shame as it worked very well.

How long before I know if the Black Dog is back?

That is a bit like how long is the string in my pocket? You are not sure and no one else can see it.

Sorry that is not much help but you are asking a difficult question. One thing is certain. If you need the meds, the black dog will come bounding home at some time.

I was given Vaoproate semi sodium as I am a mNic deperssive, (mild). It is a mood stabiliser and seems to work well on both keeping the highdays und control and black dogs at bay.

Good luck

Thanks. I do experience mood swings, even on the Citalopram. Sometimes I become quite high. I have often wondered if a mood stabiliser would help.

I miss the Citalopram, it worked very well.

hidden I was on citalopram for approx. 2 years after a bit of a meltdown. I experienced the brain shocks you talk of but they did help me, although I felt spaced out. I came off citalopram myself when I felt ready and gradually lowered the dose. I take the view if it takes X weeks to get in your system, it takes the same to get out.

I am now back on them following the birth of my son and do find if I have missed a dose, I can be very moody so perhaps thats the beginning signs of your reduction.

FYI - Some people react differently to mood stabiliers and SSRIs. My Mum cannot take SSRIs as they make her extremely dopey and not with it.

Good luck

I don't have any personal experience but I'm currently supporting DH coming off of Citalopram which is why I clicked on your thread.

I went with him to the doctor last week and he was told that the withdrawal symptoms often present in the same way as the initial reasons people started on them. But the withdrawal symptoms would only last "a number of weeks" sadly the particular number is unknown as it varies per person.

Can I just ask the time frame you took going down to nothing? The advice for decreasing dosage seems to vary wildly. Thank you.

It's taken me around a month to go from 20mg to 0. I halved the 20mg tablets, then cut them into halves again. I didn't notice any effects going from 20mg to 5mg really.

I did some research on the 'net and you're supposed to do it over several months, but I had to come off them quicker than that due to the severe sinus pain - I was risking getting getting hooked on codeine as they were the only analgesics that worked.

I'm taking 900mg of St Johns Wort now. I was feeling bad yesterday, but took 300mg of SJW before work today and I've been fine. I'm also taking a lot of lemon balm and Passiflora at night.

Thanks for your reply hidden.

How are you feeling today?

I have managed to get from 60mg of citalopram down to 10mg every second day but due to horrendous side effects I cannot come off this drug at all at the moment.
The only thing my consultant could recommend was a week or so stay in a ward to over come this- no thanks.
I have serveral other health conditions- renal transplant included and feel staying on this low dose is better than trying to come off it. X