Stopping Citalopram - withdrawal symptoms - how long (ball park figure)?

[marthamoo]

I've been on Citalopram (Cipramil) since ds2 was born - 3 and a half years - and it's taken me the last 18 months to wean off, I've found it very hard. I was on 10mgs (original dose 40mgs) every other day and I stopped altogether 5 days ago.

I'm suffering quite badly with feeling very dizzy, light-headed and spaced out. In fact, it seems to be getting worse rather than better. If anyone has experienced this, how long did it last?

I'm also a bit weepy and bad-tempered today but I'm hoping I can just put that down to PMT and school holidays.

any anti d's should be reduced slowly. the trouble with some of these oills is that you build up to a dose that helps, then your body adjusts and you start to need more. Citalopram should really only be used short term as the body gets used to it very quickly. from 10mg to nothing was a big step, too big for my liking, 10 to 5 then to 2.5 would have been far better and from 40 to withdrawal should be around 3 months at least I have been told previously.
I don't like drug anti d's but they are effective and useful, and when used to treat PND they are of serious use as if PND is not treated properly, the a host of other psychological problems can develop, a serios one is borderline personality disorder which is often linked to untreated PND. But PND should not be treated without proper reassessment for more than 6 months, and a further assessment at 12 months with withdrawing from the anti d the main goal at 12 months. withdrawal from these pills is no different than other withdrawal symptoms as the same neuro transmitters are involved in most withdrawal situations. I can't say how long it will last but the dizzy ness etc is the brain reacting to the neurotransmitter activity in response to not having anti d's any more. if you feel it is getting worse after more than 3 days go back to the GP straightaway and talk it through and to reassure you and maybe look at going back on a low dose to get you through this. if not, go see a qualified experienced herbalist for a natural ''remedy'' to get you over this of which there are quite a few but is dependant on your personal circumstances.

I'm so glad you are all honest on here. I have been on 4omgs for a couple of years. Went down to 20mg 3 weeks ago. After 1 1/2 weeks I felt really anxious for a couple of days then was ok again. The 3 days days ago I started to feel funny again. Today I'm very anxious, sweating, feeling very tired and very moody. My poor dh got it full barrels yesterday.

I'm realy not sure whether to persevere or go and speak to my GP. Is 3 weeks normal to still have side effects etc?

I have been on Citalopram for about 6-8 months and have just about weaned off them - next monday is my last one.

I haven't been feeling depressed but I've been feeling strange little...sparks. Thats really the only way I can describe it!

It feels like little electric volts running from my brain to my finger tips, only every now and then and very quickly. Its not neccersarily uncomfortable, just dis-concerting when you're walking around! Has anyone else experienced this?

My advice for everyone is stick to citalopram until you feel the benefits but try to get off them as soon as you feel ready, because obviously the longer you take them, the harder to stop.

I am weaning off them now and have had my 'down' days and anxious moments but generally feel much better so think they have worked wonders. I think they are just there to help you have confidence in yourself, and confidence to HELP yourself so if you do feel bad you can then combat those problems on your own

Hi,

I,ve not taken Citalopram before but have been got the 10g from my Doctors over 2 months ago. I am really scared of taking them as I don't know If I'll beable to come off them. I don't get anxiety every day as some days are better then others but have had the symtoms for the past 3 yrs and thougt I'd gradually beable to get over them myself, as noone know's apart from my counceller. Sorry I would just like to know If anyone thinks I should start taking them,and If I do will I ever have to go back on them.

Thanks

Hi,

I,ve not taken Citalopram before but have got the 10g from my Doctors over 2 months ago. I am really scared of taking them as I don't know If I'll beable to come off them, and have also seen posts where some people have said that the tablets have made them worse. I don't get anxiety every day as some days are better then others but have had the symtoms for the past 3 yrs and thougt I'd gradually beable to get over them myself, as noone apart from my counceller know. I would just like to know If anyone thinks I should start taking them, as Im not as happy as I used to be and know that it's my anxiety and self confiedence that holds me back, as I always used to be confortable around people and would always know how to make people feel better about them self's, but as long as I've had this problem my moods have totally changed I get bas socail anxiety and feel that when people are talking to me they are attacking me. If I start taking them do you think I'll get addicted as I've been told that anti-depressants are not always the best root to go. I would really appreicate your help as I'm really scared of taking them.

Thanks

Dear All,
sorry this message is late to the thread but I feel I would like to add my own experience to the discussion;
After 6 years on Citalopram 20 mg per day I asked the doctor if I could come off the medication. The doctor agreed that this would be a good thing considering that my private life had settled somewhat. A slow reduction was suggested over many weeks. I decided to make a foolish decision to stop altogether and very much regret the effects that I bestowed on myself. Initially after 1 week I could feel no ill effects. In fact I actually felt better in many ways. Much of the blurred vision that had blighted me as a side effect of the drug all but diminished and I had some clarity of mind; I was no longer slurring speach when tired etc. Though, after a few days I noticed some strange withdrawel symptoms such as vivid, peculiar dreams. Waking at around 4am. Strange nerve feelings in my top lip which would come and go. Eventually I started noticing a strange perception, much like moving a limb but seeing several moving behind. Pretty much like being part of an old movie where you can see the gaps between the clips. This was the same about walking around etc where is felt that you were actually moments behind yourself. Needless to say that I was horrified at this rather frightning development and have since decided to do the intelligent thing and reduce the medication gradually.
My advice; please, please do not try going cold turkey with this drug. The effects can be too strong and more scary than you can possibly imagine. After 48 hrs of taking the medication again these very strange perceptions have thankfully subsided. I will now continue with a slow and careful reduction plan.

WOW ! am i glad i found this website.
i was on citalopram for 4 months and only finished on xmas eve since when I have been totally light headed and dizzy and feel out of it - and I was frightened.

Now that i know that this is a side affect of withdrawal I feel comfortable with it.

I feel so much stronger for having taken the tablets thst I would say to anyone that is prescibed them --- take them, they do what it says on the packet and whilst there are some wierd side effects, that is all they are, no more, just a bit worrying at the time.
I hope you ladies dont mind the site being gatecrashed by a man but your site has reassured me and I wanted to share my experience and if i can, help others through it.

HI
THis if first time on here for me as I have just found this site when desperately searching under Citalopram withdrawal. Amazed now to find my symptoms are listed here by so many others. I was on 20mg for about 12months and then went down to 10mg for 4 weeks and then left them off 3 weeks ago. I feel awful and withdrawal symptoms seem to be getting worse not better. Going back to doc in a week. Will she even agree I have withdrawal symptoms? When I told her they were making me put on weight she said I was wrong but I now see others saying that on this site so at least I feel I was right about that. Feel really worried at the moment because of how ill I feel. Can anyone help who has been through this?

Suzanneamy you went from 10mg to nothing? I'm coming off them now and was told 10mg for 2 weeks then 10mg every other day.

I'm glad to hear they put weight on others as they have me. I do have a good appetite but always have had.

THanks for reply jumpingdizzy. Glad someone else had weight gain as makes me hope i can lose it again. Yes doc told me to reverse process when i went on them which was 10mg for 2weeks then onto 20mg. Dont know whether i misunderstood her as i should have gone back to see her in dec but didnt because busy at work. now having to wait until 9th jan to get an appointment. I would be interested to know if you get withdrawal symptoms coming off more slowly. I still feel dizzy and have constant palpitations and irritability.

I haven't noticed any withdrawal symptoms Suzanne. I have been on them before and tried to withdraw faster but didn't feel that good.
I think it's best to alternate taking them one day then not.
Only 6 days for you to wait to see dr so not so bad. Can you ring the surgery and try to talk to her? Or even ring nhs direct they'll help.

Hi jumping dizzy

Good idea about nhs direct as hadn't thought about that. Felt a bit better yesterday and today as dizziness seems a lot less and I don't feel as tired and irritable. I have been taking it easier to give myself a chance. Hoping I have come through it - the test will be when I return to work on Monday. Hopefully you won't have side effects with coming off slowly this time.
Did symptoms return for you when you came off them before? I was on them for moderate depression which I am hoping will not return but it's difficult to judge at the moment with the withdrawal problems.

My symptoms did return but I had a lot of stress at the time. I get panic disorder.
Glad to hear you're feeling better though, keep looking after yourself

Hi,

I am hoping one of you may be able to answer my question as you all seem to know so much about Citalopram and withdrawal. I have been taking 40mg for 6 months now as have PND. We are wanting to try for another baby soon but I am worried about how long I should wait after coming off the Citalopram? Hope someone can help

I have been on citalopram for a year and have now, too, come down to 10mgs every other day. I have trid to come off a couple of times but not succeeded - I think becasue i did it too quickly and also becasue I find winter time harder anyway.

I was thinking about stopping completely again but will take it mroe slowly having read that article so thanks very much

I have treid to halve the 10mg tablets but they are so small i have struggled - they just disintegrate so i like the sound of liquid prozac if I have trouble in coming off

This is my first post on Mumsnet adn I joined after reading this thread.
I am currently transitioning from Citalopram (30mg) to Imapramine (will eventually be on 100mg).

I'm now at my 4th day off citalopram and 3rd day on Imapramine and I just keep crying and crying and crying.
I've had nightmares too.
I've gained a lot of weight: I am now size 20 and find it very upsetting because I can't find any clothes to make me look human. Dieting is just too much for me to contemplate right now. Last year I lost 2.5st but I stopped the diet in September when I realised there was no way I would keep weighing out my bread everyday for the rest of my life. I spent so much money losing that weight! (paying for meetings, books and especially diet yogurts!). The money aspect is also why I stopped.

I'm breastfeeding my 2 boys and I sometimes wonder if things would be more manageable if I weren't breastfeeding them but I can't bring myself to wean them as they are so attached to 'num-num'.

I'm seriously beginning to wonder if it's even worth taking the Imapramine.
I'm seen by a fab psychiatric nurse every week who has been there herself and has 30 years experience.

I don't really know what I'm asking for in this post. Perhaps I'm just reassured that I'm not alone.

Hi there,

I too am trying to come of Citalopram. I was on 20mgs a day for about a year now and started by halving them, then taking 10mgs every 2-3 days, now I'm quartering them and taking 5mgs every couple of days. I just can't seem to get a clean break. I can't bear the pins and needles feeling and the wooshing in my head.

I went back to the doctor and she said that they normally recommending coming off them within 4 weeks. Mine has been 3 months so far. She said I was really stringing it out and just had to be prepared for the withdrawal symptoms but I can't.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.
x

Hi

My GF was on these for about 3 months.

She has com off them by halving them and then one every other day.

She is also quitting smoking currently.

She is having few issues tho, she not sleeping well at all, so tried and feels run down.

She had a cold still (had a chest infection before christmas) but is still coughing.

Are some of these things to do with coming off the Citalopram??

Thanks

Phil

Hi, I was on citalopram for six months, the drug wasnt helping alot, plus I was putting on weight because of the medication. I decided to stop taking them two weeks ago. And like you I was feeling really dizzy, spaced out and very down with my moods. I was also feeling sick. Any how, today is the first day that I have felt ok, no sickness, dizziness or feeling irritable, so I can say that my withdrawal symptoms lasted two weeks.

I hope that this has been a help. I am just very angry that my doctor didnt mention when prescribing the drug to me that there was going to be so many horrible side effects.

Bear with the withdrawals they will go, and hopefully you will feel a lot better.

Dawn

Hi all
I hope someone can help me with this issue. I have just registered on this site and would like to share my withdrawal symptoms from Citalopram. I was on this drug now for 4 years for panic disorder until I recently discoverd 'THE LINDEN METHOD' on Google, bought the package and decided to withdraw from this drug., to my phsyciatrists' dismay. He reckoned I was denying my 'condition', but I simply finally discovered the ANSWER to my panic disorder, and thats that.So i am withdrawing under phsyciatrists supervision now for 5 months and reduced 40 mgs to 20 mgs being on the latter dose for 2 mnths now.
side effects: dizziness, migraines which last for 2 days at a time, aches and pains in my legs and allover(generally feeling unwell),soreness and sensitivity of breasts(have anyone experienced this or is this jus t my age (44)?(hmm) abdominal cramps, imsomnia(i take sleeping tablets(zopiclone occasionally), anxiety, facial pains, stiff joints and back.(i must emphasize that none of these effects are severe! and thx to THE LINDEN METHOD I know to just cope with that and distract my mind/thoughts because these are simply sensations and nothing more. To all of you out there, take care, and hopefully someone will reply.
PS: I have definitely lost some weitht, was always a slight size 6 and now back to size 8. this drug has definitely added a lot of weight on me altho my phsychiatrist also deny this.sadly.

Hi everyone. I am so glad that I stumbled upon this site. I am in serious need of some advice.
Here's my story: After the birth of my daughter I was suffering from slight post-partum and anxiety so my doctor put me on Prozac. I started on 20 mg and within a year was up to 60 mg. Every time I would visit my doc she would ask how I was doing on the medication and I would tell her that I was worried about falling into a depression again she would increase my medicine.

Anways, two months ago, after having the same conversation about me being worried about my medication not working, the doctor decided to take me off of Prozac and put me on Celexa. We did this gradually and I had no trouble with the switch over. My moods were normal and everything felt the same. Then, after being on Celexa for a month I gained 12 pounds!!! When I told my doctor about the weight gain she dismissed it as weight gain caused by stress or other factors. After some soul searching I decided that I don't want to spend my life on anti-depressants. I want to FEEL every moment (good and bad) with my daughter. I truly don't think I need the anti-depressants anymore and I am wondering if I ever needed them increased to the amount they were.

A week and a half ago I started taking half of my prescribed amount of Celexa. Then 4 days ago I stopped taking it all together. The past three days have been completely awful!!! I have been extremely dizzy, disoriented, light-headed, exhausted, and unfocused. I didn't tell my doctor that I was going to try going off of the anti-depressants (stupid of me, I know). I have this fear tha my doctor will just want to prescribe something else for me.
I really want to stay off of the Celexa (and ant-depressant in general) but I am worried about these withdrawl symptoms I am having. I can push through them if it is only for another week or so but I can't handle this dizziness and whatnot forever.
Thank you taking the time to read my post. Any advice is much appreciated!!

Hi

As like others I'm glad that I also came across this website.

I too was prescribed citalopram after returning from my holiday last year with depression.

For no particular reason I went into depression on my second day of my holiday and after spending all night and most of the day crying we decided to head to the hospital.

Unfortunately my spanish was very limited and the nurse prescribed me with tranquilisers which did help a little.

I couldn't wait to get home as I spent a lot of my time on the phone to my mum and sister and without them I would never have made it thru my holiday. I was unable to get a flight back without having to either leave both my husband and 6 year old daughter or my husband. It would also have cost a fortune so I decided to remain in Menorca.

On my return to the UK my doctor prescribed citalopram and after just 3 months I decided to come off them..big mistake.

I soon realised that I still needed these antidepressants so immediately went back to see my doctor. I also registered with postive steps (a charity) as they run self help groups and teach you techniques on how to deal with it. I found this very helpful and have agreed to take to representatives from the government as this is in it's first year of trial.

I have now developed side effects and have been taken off them immediately and have been sufferig from dizziness and disorientation and can see that others have also suffered these withdrawal symptons.

Now to make matters worst I have discovered a lump in my breast and have given an appointment at my local hospital to have an examination, mammogram/ultrasound and biopsy. Not a good time as I'm trying to deal with coming off my antidrepressants.

I would be keen to hear from anyone who has been through a similar experience as I am scared to death of what the results might tell me.

hi all, i'm a house husband and been in this position for over 11 yrs, so i feel i can be here.
My oldese child is close to 20 and i have never been able to see her down to a quite nasty partner.
This is a lot down to my depreshion.
I now look after me 2 younger kids 8 and 11 and trying to keep up with working from home too.
I do 90% of the house work inc all kitchen duties.
I love my wife to bits but i feel she does't give me the support i need, so this in turn doe's not help.
after going to the doc i was given citalopram, i'm a little confused as to how it will react with me, do i really want to live in an un reall world?
as life around will still be the same, will this drug help me and in turn help my family as my depression will go?
help

Hi I'm new here too.
.
I don't normally go on messagey things like this either. But I'd like to add my positive experience of citralopram. My eldest daughter was put on this a year or so ago when she kept of getting overstressed at exam time. She encouraged me to go on them as she says it lets you be who you really want to be without affecting the real you.

I think that makes sense. My son has been on ritalin for ADHD and that does alter him quite signifcantly, but dd said it was nothing like that. After 10 days of some not so nice headaches/migrines my husband said that I was becoming like the woman he married. He also knows when i miss days as I become grumpy. Today it occurred to me that my stabbing headache was due to the fact that I had forgotten to take it for three days! Now in bed waiting for painkiller to kick in.

I'm a bit concerned about the side effects of coming off this medication, but on the other hand I don't see why I would. My body doesn't do something quite right so why would it start doing it? Not really au fait with the exact science, but something to do with missing chemicals. My fear is that the doctor thinks that therapy will help. Been there done that. Total rubbish (for me).

Now my worst day is like the best day of my monthly cycle 5 months ago. I can cope with so much more, more even tempered. Even with pmt. But have noticed that I eat more, but curbing my eating has always been a problem for me. Also another side effect I have noticed and don't know if it is related and haven't seen anyone mention it is that I don't suffer from constipation anymore (yay)

I was going to stop there, but didn't want constipation to be my last word

Actually thinking about it, apart from when I forget to take it my monthly migraines are gone too.

hope my ramblings help someone.