Citalopram withdrawal - help?

Treatment and medication
1

Dear all,

I had taken Citalopram for 14 months following a traumatic incident when a man broke into my apartment while I was taking a shower. After the event, I suffered severe anxiety, panic attacks, and was diagnosed as suffering from PTSD. My GP put me on Citalopram, I (very!) gradually began to improve, and 14 months later decided enough was enough; I felt sufficiently recovered to wean off the medication.

I did everything the "right" way, and discussed a withdrawal plan with my GP.

I was on a 20mg dose, which we reduced to 10mg, and I took those every day for 4 weeks. Then, I took them every other day for 3 weeks. The next stage was to take one every three days, but due to family events and occasions, I missed one of my days of taking it, and before I knew it, I'd gone a week without taking any.

After consulting the internet and the NHS helpline, the general consensus was that, once I'd gone a week without them, just carry on not taking them.

I have now been without the medication for about two weeks.

I found the initial decrease in dosage difficult, but managed to avoid the major side effects mentioned on these forums. The most distressing symptom for myself was severe mood swings, which have only worsened since coming off the drug completely.

Usually a calm person, I am now incredibly short-tempered and irritable. I can snap at the drop of a hat, and just become a completely different person. I am overly emotional, feel like I could burst into tears at any second, and am so not myself. I find I am arguing more with my partner, because I am over-sensitive, often read too much into things he says and completely overreact to things which ordinarily wouldn't bother me. During an argument I am unable to remain calm (as I usually would), and end up shouting and saying very hurtful things. This is incredibly out of character for me.

I am trying to control these symptoms by telling myself that it's just the medication and not really me... and my partner is being as understanding as possible. He claims he feels like he is walking on eggshells, and that I'll either start crying or have a temper tantrum at anything he does. Typically, we take things out on the people we love the most, but I'm worried these symptoms might have a really negative effect on our relationship. He also claims that he can almost see me "switch", and I become a completely different person.

I understand that since coming off the medication completely, my body is "re-learning" how to make its own serotonin etc... and hasn't quite got it right yet, which is causing these effects.

My question is: how long can I expect this to continue? And when will I be "back to normal"?

I read on websites that this depends on how high your dosage, how long you've been taking them etc.... but with all the details I've given I hope that someone far more knowledgeable than I am will be able to give me some more specific guidance on when I can expect to feel more like myself again.

Thanks in advance to anyone who has read all this (apologies for the essay, I thought it important to be as detailed as possible), and I look forward to reading your responses.

Laura.

2

Hi Laura,

I read closely you post and this reply is not very late. That's said I am interested in knowing how you feel now, as few weeks have passed already. I have been on Citalopram for 4 years. I started with 10 mg and worked my way up to 30 and about a year ago I started decreasing it. on Thursday 05/07 I stopped completely after taking 10 mg every other day.

So far I have been having the following

Rare suicidal thoughts

Stomach ache

Changing moods from euphoria to complete sadness

3

Maybe you should go and talk to a Therapist about the experience, try the BACP site or you can get one through your GP. CBT is a type of treatment for trauma. Good luck and don't let bad people beat you. You are the winner they are the loser scum.

4

Hi Everyone

I had been going through divorce with many other complications when I found myself driving 12 miles to work in my van at 60 miles an hour in second gear thinking there was a funny high pitch noise coming from the radio. It was my engine screaming to death. As soon as I realized I turned of motorway and went straight to the doctors. After a consultation he prescribed me 60mg citalopram. Almost within 3 days my problems seemed far removed. Within a week I had severe indigestion, no concentration and just about got up to go to work to fall asleep in my van for ages when I got there. I am self employed so not good. I also work at dangerous heights but have done so for 30 years. Because of my range of issues I needed the extra dose but I went back within 2 weeks and it went down to 40mg. This carried on for another 18 months in which time I lost all sex drive all interest in a project I intended to do and still bad indigestion.

Memory is another thing it almost couldnt be bothered. My doctor described citalopram as an umbrella in a rain storm. You are in a field and the higher the dose the less rain you feel. I'd say thats pretty much it.

The dose was reduced to 20mg a short while ago and I kept that up for about 6 months and when I ran out I stupidly stopped taking them.

I didn't check with my Dr because I know best, well I am a manly man. Big mistake. First week not much difference just a small anxiety hike. Loss of appetite slightly. Second week I'm really feeling down. Have big highs when a tune comes on the radio its fantastic to hear don't know why cos it wasn't that good in the first place. I'm now visiting my friend in tears and I'm having the most horrendous nightmares about issues I thought were long gone. Not sleeping at all well because of anxiety over nightmares. Not eating properly and feeling light headed too often to go on high chimneys at the moment. Is there anyone who can advise me when the light headed feeling stops its very disconcerting. Done the same job for years and meet people every day I pride myself on politeness and doing the best for my customers. if theres a problem I will move heaven and earth to sort it for them at my expense. I was reported yesterday for being aggressive to a customer over the smallest detail which was fixed in 10 seconds. I didn't realize I was being like that as it is totally out of character for me and I'm devastated by that.

N

5

I found taking it at night is best. But yeah it's an ssri so good things make you happy but depending on your dose minor things can make you drop. My mum was being argumentative on holiday and I was getting annoyed and found my self thinking of blowing my brains out. However, that was normal to my depression... I went back to the doctors to up it to 40mg.

IMO don't rush to get off them, you use them as a crutch then you have to get used to walking without the crutch so it will take time to readjust. However if you are not getting any help via CBT etc then coming off them may just return you to the state where you thought you needed help.

6

Hi Smurflbws

I was told to read the CBT literature which didnt help. I also had counselling which I did for a few times but I think I'm just too closed. I felt at no point that I could really open up to the counsellor because I had nothing I could say. In private I'm too introverted.

I will be coming to my third week without the tablets and as much as I dislike the symptoms I will stay off them. Don't like feeling emotional though it's not what I'm used to. Tends to get me in the afternoon when work is winding down.

N

7

Hey folks.

Have to say I don't feel anti depressants are the answer any more. Have struggled in and out of depression since I was 15 (now 28) I was prescribed fluoxetine for a few years when I was a teen and it drove me off my head, they eventually changed me to citalopram which I have ben taking on 6 months, would wean off and the 6 months later I'd be back at the doctors. I have been finding life very difficult lately and they have referred me to psyhciatriSt and not giving me pills, they want to get to the route of the problem. I feel it's a vicious circle. I think my gp feels if she puts me on pills I won't open up the same to the psychiatrist and there wont be as true a picture.

Shall see

L

8

I'm twenty eight(not 20)

L

9

Hi Laura,

I'm wondering how you got on with things after coming off the tablets.

I've been taking 20mg Citilopram for 6 years after my mum died - it was the straw  that broke the camel's back so to speak and I needed a prop for a while.

I don't like the flat feeling that Cit gives me, along with heartburn, excessive sweating and frightening dreams, so decided to come off.

Saw the doc - he said go down to 10mg for three weeks and then take 10mg every other day for the last five tabs. Last one was four days ago.

I feel rubbish - shaky, dizzy, headachy & nauseous and very tearful.

I wonder if this was too quick? 

I'm tempted to go back to see him again but am worried that he will just say go back on them. :-/

I'm going to try to stick it for a while.............

Amanda

 

10

Laura  - I am just coming off 10 mg of the drug after 5 years on . . the dizzy feeling is really bothing me . . so I hope you are starting to feel back to normal!  How are you now and if the side effects left how long did it take?

11

Laura,  i have been on citalopram for 4 years. i didnt see the need to stop taking it since my anxiety issues were compleyely gone and life was so much easier. however a few months ago i decided to stop taking it and see if i could handle things myself. i slowly went off the meds 20 mg every other day for a month then every three days for a month then 2 a week for a couple weeks. my withdrawel symptoms were mainly dizzyness and headache. then the anxiety came back with a vengance!  i was not brave enought to fight it. i went back on the med 20 mg every other day.  i do feel defeated and wish i had given it a few more weeks, it may have stopped   but the anxiety which was totaly debilitating before just makes me crazy!!  if you or anyone have a word of encouragement i could sure use it.  i dont want to be dependant on a drug    thanks

 

12

I reduced my Citalopram dosage by half to 5 mg 8 days ago after taking 10mg for most of the 5 1/2 yeare I have been on it. Your discription fits mine to the letter. In addition my motivation has reached zero and I feel exhausted, slept 12 hours last night and the night before! I don't much like the person I have become in just a few days.

I commenced a 8 week Mindfullness course yesterday which is why I have decided to to this. While I was at the course I felt great and decided this was the righ thing to do. Today I am head achy too and right on the edge of reaching for the pill packet. It feels awful. Very confused. Glad I am not alone in these feelings but don't know whether to persevere or go back to my old dosage.

 

13

There seem to be plenty of folk out there struggling to give up Citalopram. Has anyone out there come off them successfully and still feel in control of their emotions and anxiety?

14

Hi I was on 30mg for close to three yrs. I quit cold turkey 10wks ago. I was so emotionless, in a daze all the time didn't care what was going on around me. Zero sex drive the list goes on. The first couple wks after stopping was a bit difficult I was sick to my stomach, had the shakes couldn't sleep. Ten wks later I am very emotional something I'm not use to I could cry over anything. Feel a lot of anger and sleeping at night is very difficult. 

15

I was on Citolopram for about 6 years started with 20mg and went on to 30mg. I had taking therapy and group therapy before this. I took he medication for  severe anxiety and panick attacks. I didn't take it for depression. Don;t get me wrong the therapy with a psychologist have done me the world of good and I advise any of you to do this as well.

I am now off the medication for apros. 7 to 8 weeks. First week there were no symptoms. Next I began to feel hazzy and foggy in my head. Then the irritebillity began and the anger, frustration, the miood swings. As this isn;t bad enough the depression has attacked me and I have reached rock bottom, including suicidal thoguhts. I know ti's my brain getting used to not having the tablets. But I wish they could cop on and get over it. Today I was finally able to cry and my appetide is also back. This is a good sign, because crying releaves the pressure. When you;re able to cry you have made progress. I know I have to give myself some credit.

What I realy like to know when I would feel good again.

16

I'm back after having a bout of depression.

I hope this can help you. As you can read from my other post I suffered from anxiety and depression. The two are closely linked. I noticed during the time I was coming off the tablets that peanuts helped me getting through the time my head was foggy.

I went through the  withdrawal symptoms: irritability, mood swings, loss of apetide, depression and some anxiety.

I wake up with a feeling of anxiety, but I know from experience that this is only temporary. It goes away by itself once I get up. Knowing this it doesn't bother me.

The depression is one of the last withdrawal symptoms (I hope)

What we have been doing is: we took the psycological wheel chair we used from under our behinds and now we;re on the floor, helpless.

First of all: don't be too hard on yourself.

Take small steps and akwknowles you did them or got there. Know nothing lasts forever.

We need to up our levels of Magnesium. Honestly having lack of this stuff is the cause of a lot of illneses, including anxiety and depression.

If you haven'd had talking therapy I recogment you to do this to. This brings you to a higher level of yourself and helps you to find coping mechanims.

These foods are good for us and have magnesium

Peanuts, spinach, mackerel, tuna, beans, brown rice, dark chocolate and other.

17

Hi Gena....I stoped taking it 3 weeks ago...I still feel horrible. ...but I can feel. It is getting better. 

3 yrs ago I starter taking it because ..economyc problems. ...the anxiety. .was to mutch. .

evrithing is better now...and I dont need it any more

.....all do it feel realy bad...to stop it.  

But ..see...if you still have a problem...or it could olso be. Hormonal....you may need it for good.

don't be afraid. ...of this

the benefit of feeling alive. ...is wey greater. .than. .any side efects..

with all my hart. .....I hope you feel better... 

18

Thank you so much for posting this Christine, I was about to cave in a dig out a 10mg tablet.

My doctor said that if I was on 10mg it doesn't really do anything so you may as well come off. So having reduced from 2 years on 20mg, to 10mg for a month and 10mg every other day for a week, I thought I would go for it.

Im taking fish oils, 5 HTP and multi vit but didn't know about the benefits of magnesium.

If I can I will try and stay off them until the weekend to see if this awfulness subsides. I cant stop crying, feeling parnoid etc which isn't good timing as I've just taken a promotion.

This is so much tougher than I ever thought it would be!

19

Hello Laura. Coincidently I found this post and I have the EXACT same symptoms (and my name is also Laura...spooky). Anyway, I have been off for about 2 weeks, following forgetfulness over the Christmas holidays. Yesterday I had a very bad spell of irritibility. I was snappy, angry and so p*ssed off with life. Today I feel a bit better but still on edge. Seeing as your post was a year ago...did these feelings change for you? Thanks.

20

Hi Christine

Thank you for your helpful and positive post. 

I am on my last days of Citalopram.  I have taken them for a year.  That gave me time to change a few things that got me down in the first place.

My only issue is dizzyness.  More like I turn my head and it takes 3 seconds and I hear duff duff duff popping sound. Sounds crazy but the best I can describe. I have had the excessive sweats but that I am blaming that on menopause and the fact it is summer here in New Zealand.

What I want to say here is that before I decided to come off this medication I took a good look at my life to see what still remained in it that put me on them in the first place. If any of that was still happening I knew it would just get me down again. So before coming off them I made an action plan.  Some of which are below which have helped me.

I am keeping a diary. This year it is a positive one.  This makes you think of the good stuff in the day not anything bad.  It will also show me patterns of moods and the things I did that made me happy. 

 I have learnt to say NO without feeling so much guilt. I have started up knitting, sewing, crafts etc again so it keeps my mind full.  I have allowed myself the right to not finish them unless I feel like doing them.

I have had a love affair with food on and off which gains the weight then I diet it off, yes a depressive thing in itself.  So I have decided to go on a no diet diet. I just changed to eating healthy and have been taking Fish Oil and will now add magnesium, multi vitamins to the list. So thank you for that advise.

I sometimes wake up with the Oh well here we go again another day!  But I know a lot of people who don,t suffer with depression have those days as well.  So I'm not going to worry about this anymore. I think it is better to jump out of bed do something you enjoy and not lay there thinking about it.

I have made friends and family aware that I am coming off the meds.  I have told them some of the withdrawal symptoms and have been looking for them in myself.  That's why  coming across forums like this is important.  The dizzyness had me wondering if I had something more sinister happening and now I know that it is just a small symptom of withdrawal. Relief!  

I do feel better.  Yes I am crying more, but to me that's great I have emotions back.  It is ok to get annoyed about certain thing, be sad over certain things and its great to find the good in things again. 

Take care everyone be good to yourself.