Hi, I have been on citalopram for a number of years and was greatful for there help to recover out of a very bad situation. I was diagnosed as having clinical depression due to suffering from crohns over the last 52yrs and all of the problems that that illness brings. To be honest at the time I did not see it as depression I just felt really ill, But my doctor persuaded me to try citalopram. Although it took around six weeks before improvemnent in my condition was evident I dont regret taking this antidepressent. But after taking it for a number of yearsI have decided to see if I can come off them.
One of the reasons for this is a common side effect, That being depressing and negastive dreams. Now you might say that this is nothing to be concerned about but when you wake up feeling really low due to these unnatural dreams it does not help your recovery. I came off them around four weeks ago and did this gradually by reducing the strength of the tablets. Now ever since coming off them I have felt very fatigued, tired, weak and light headed. It is difficult to establish whether this is due to withdrawl symptoms or not since one of the side efects of the crohns that I also suffer from is fatigue and tiredness. Although this has become much worse since coming off the citalopram. Could any one who has stopped taking this drug after a similar period of time inform me if they to have suffered similar withdawl symptoms and also how long it took them to recover from this. I dont want to start taking them again unless it is really necessary. Buit at the moment this is making me feel really low. So I would appreciate some advise. Thank you.