Withdrawal from citalopram

[000xxx]

Okay, so I never get involved with online chats or threads or anything but right now I am just so desperate for some help or advice or even just reassurance.

I’ve recently gone cold turkey from citalopram due to an O.D - and my symptoms are horrendous.

I’m sick, I’m dizzy I’m angry my skin is sensitive my head is pounding, I’m confused but the one thing I can say is that I don’t feel anxious anymore & that’s why I was put on them.

I dont want to go back on them god awfully tablets because I feel myself for the first time in so long, and I’m so determined to stick this through but I just feel like it’s never gonna end. Has anyone got any experience or advice on when these withdrawal symptoms will stop.

Thank you X

Also, the weirdest parts of my body are going numb & tingly like my tongue for example? All so strange

It's a tough withdrawal, it's really normal to struggle a lot with the symptoms you describe. It's much preferable to do a phased withdrawal over a long period of time if possible.

Would it help the symptoms if you took a dose and then started to titrate slowly? I came off it incredibly slowly and didn't have those symptoms, though everyone reacts differently, I know. Hope you feel better soon. I know that feeling of being yourself again is so appealing, it starts to feel like poison to take them, but a slow withdrawal is easier on the system.

Thank you for your response.

Due to what has happened i think that’s why it’s come for a sudden cold turkey. Mentally I feel great, I feel so strong it’s just these symptoms, I feel like people think I’m being lazy but I physically can not get myself out of bed because I am so drained & I’m so dizzy, I don’t trust myself to do my usual daily tasks because of how physically drained I am

I am on Citalopram, but not for very long, so I can't really comment.

However, can I ask you if you are more awake? It has totally exhausted me and I worry that I'll become an insomniac without it.

Good luck with your withdrawal.

@dollydayscream - tbh I feel like the whole time I was on them was I was an anxious mess, they certainly eased and calmed me from how I was before I started, but personally looking back now I wish I used other methods. I can’t explain how great I feel within myself mentally. I’m still getting a bit weepy and a bit sad but it’s so strange because it’s like a different kind of weepy and sad, I honestly can’t explain it, I just want all the citalopram out myself and just be back to myself again

What do you mean by OD?

I think you need a tiny amount a day to take the edge of the withdrawal. What dose were you on. Maybe half a 10mg tablet?

@dollydayscream I completely missed the point of what u asked, with my withdrawal I currently can not stay awake. When taking them I would nap every afternoon but I don’t no if that was due to early starts with work, but I wasn’t like that before

@headinhands - An over dose & I was on 20mg

As I said, I’ve not been using it for very long. However, it has definitely helped to take the edge of my anxiety, but with the unwanted effect of wiping my energy out. I’m gong to speak to my (very wonderful) GP about my options, but I definitely don’t feel ready to go cold turkey.

@Headinhands - ever since I’ve come off them tho, I don’t feel like the person I was when I was on them. I was scared and so anxious, but I couldn’t dream of doing anything like that now - it’s just these withdrawals

How much did you take when you overdosed?

Is your GP /HCP managing your withdrawal, ie have you been told to stop suddenly rather than reducing your dose?

Are you coming off them under medical supervision? Your Dr should be able to advise you about how to come off them. It’s really not advisable to come off them so quickly.

Sorry x posted with Tatter

@dollydayscream - we all have our own personal reasons as to why we need to take them.

I can 100% say they helped me at the beginning, but then I started to dip, so I upped my dose, felt great and then dipped again, and then it all came to a head when I took my OD, before then I never dreamed of coming off them, they were my life line almost, but now I see it all very different. My gp is great but feel very much like I have been left to my own devices, I’m going & it’s very scary. I don’t want to lose how I’m feeling right now, I want to feel like this when the side effects stop.

I wish u all the best, always do what’s right for u x

@tatter @lizzie

It was 280 mg in total I believe, I was in resue for a while but only as precaution I believe. My dr advised not to go back on them straight away due to the amount already in my system. Then I make the choice when going back to see him that I didn’t want to take them anymore and he was in agreement but I’ve kinda been left in limbo and basically been told to get on with it with the side effects, not really had much advice when it comes to that x

I loved citalopram, and didn't have any side effects coming off them. Venlafaxine however.. that was painful. No advice OP, although you sound like you're being strong and I know you will get through this, but didn't want to read and run without reassuring PP that it isn't always bad, and if you haven't been on them long that helps, so try not to expect bad withdrawals, as it can be a self fulfilling prophecy. I also was a little sleepy on them to start with but quickly adjusted and of all the meds I've been on, citalopram left me feeling the most "normal/unmedicated in a good way".

@mrsrubymonday - I’ve been on them little under a year, irs so strange cause like u said I loved them at first, but slowly that started to change.

I’m being as strong as I can be, I’ve let people down enough with the stupid thing I did so I just want to get this over and done with, maybe being too hard on myself in the process x

I think you are being too hard on yourself. Be kind to yourself, you’ve had a horrible time. Just be reassured that any withdrawal symptoms shouldn’t last very long. If the withdrawal symptoms do get too much, please go and see your dr.

@lizziesiddal - thank you, it’s been one hell of a rollercoaster but hopefully I’m reaching the end now, just got to ride it through now.

Thank you for ur kind words x

Ho ware you doing today 000xxx?

Sorry! That should be How are