Head zaps withdrawing from Citalopram

[Star8181]

I've been so slow at reducing my dose from 20mg to almost crumbs of a 10mg pill over 8 months. I have been on crumbs for 2 months, so I have decided to stop altogether now. I feel awful! Head zaps / electric shocks and dizziness every time I turn my head. As much as I needed this pill, I can't believe how it is making me feel!
Anyone? Would love to hear...

just to check if this may not be caused by the medication withdrawal, as i have similar with no medication being used at all.

Speak to your gp. Coming off is hard but this might be normal.

I had these for about 8 weeks after totally coming off them (I too reduced them slowly). They gradually reduced in severity and frequency but it took a while.

I went to my gp and she it was quite common and that they would eventually stop.

My thinking was that I could either put up it with it or go back on them but I'd have to go through the withdrawal at some point.

You have my total sympathy, they are awful and I found it difficult to concentrate because of them but they did stop.

Once you stop try Omega 369, an anti histamine (cetrazine) and b vitamins, they will reduce the symptoms. I've withdrawn from lots of ADs and even my doctor recommends cetrazine for the brain zaps.

You can use promethazine at night but it will make you very drowsy (it's the stuff in Night Nurse that makes you sleepy). Take it 45 mins before bed, it's used as a travel sickness tablet and stops dizziness. Ovbiously check with your pharmacist if you are on any other meds for interactions.

You can do it, there are OTC meds available that are non addictive and will help. I'm shocked at the number of GPs who are unaware of this.

I have been reducing from 10mg to 5mg over 2 months. Have been a little up and down but overall ok. My main symptoms have been dull headaches, some dizziness and being quite emotional. My psych did warn me about the head zaps. Do they start once you've totally stopped or did you get any before?

It took me ages to come off the last little bit, alternating days and cutting tablets down into quarters!

I still felt a bit zappy for a couple of weeks afterwards.

I have been off them now for 3 months and feel so much better.

Good luck.

I had the zaps for about 2 months after coming off those meds, very annoying but they did pass eventually. Common side effect apparently

Thanks for the replies, they are very much appreciated, and sorry for the general reply to all.

I really am determined to come off them this time. Ive had a few zaps when I reduce the dose but it's only when I stop it gets so bad. So bad by last night that I took a quarter of a 10mg because I couldn't cope any more. It's almost like its addictive! Now, it must be wearing off because it's getting worse again. How can such a tiny dose have such a big impact?!

It's so hard when I really need to be on top form for work.

Anyway, I have cetirizine, I'll try that for now. I've read that omega 3 is good so I'll go and get some at the weekend. Thanks all.

Does any antihistamine help (e.g. piriton) or does it have to be cetirizine?

Piriton will probably do the same job. I usually start with the max dose of antihistamine on my first day off the ADs then slowly reduce to nothing over 10 days and I double dose my Omega 369.

It works for me, it doesn't totally stop side effects but it certainly helps and I can function. Good luck to all withdrawing, but as I said, I'm no doctor. Check with the pharmacist if you're taking anything else.