Coming off Citalopram

[Bindom]

hi All I have been on Citalopram for 7 years!! I have weaned very slowly from 40mg to 10mg I have been on 10mg for about 4 years, I then started cutting the tablets in half, when I told my GP he said that 10mg is the lowest dose and that this was not a good idea. It was then suggested that I come off all together, I chose a month with no extra stress in it and went cold turkey, the first week I was great, then on day 7 I hit the big brick wall Went to my GP to get signed off as I couldn't even drive myself to work and was advised that on day 7 the drug leaves your body, so this was actually my first day drug free!! I have had all the side effects mentioned whilst my body realises that it has got to make its own seritonium and that there is no drug doing it. It is now week 4 and the headaches are crippling. But I think the best advise I can give, is plenty of sleep, the body really needs rest at this time. All the best to anyone out there struggling at this time.

Bel X

Hi Bel

I wasn't on it anywhere near as long as you last time (and am back on it now so reading with interest.) But I stopped by taking 10mls a day then every other day then every three days then only when I felt bad. It sounds erratic and the doc thought it couldn't work, but I had no strong side effects, and the stable mood that Citalopram brought lasted for another couple of years, which was bliss.

I'd say don't listen to the doc - they only know the theories. If you feel bad take 10mls. Then have a day off and see how you go. Let your body very gradually get used to kick starting its own seratonin (or whatever it is we lack - can't remember - sorry) and give it a nudge if it needs it. That was the way I saw it and whether it 'works' or not according to the medics, it worked for me. Must be horrible going cold turkey like that. Take care of yourself.

I came off it suddenly feel terrible