Hey everyone,
I was on Citalopram for 5 years and came off it about 7 weeks ago after weaning from 10mg to 5mg then zero over a period of one week. Thought I didn't need it any more.
After stopping my anxiety returned, I think I was anxious about not taking it, sounds ridiculous I know.
So I've been back on 10 mg for about 6 weeks but my anxiety is as bad as ever. I'm getting panic attacks too which are pretty scary particularly the palpitations.
My question is, how long will it take for me to feel the benefits again? Should I ride it, increase my dose, something I don't really want to do because of the side effects or should I ask my doctor for something else to take with it.
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks
if i was you i would definitely ask your doctor for something, maybe just 2mg of diazepam a few times a day for a few weeks or so, just to take the edge off. What dosage of citalopram did you used to take? Was it just 10mg?
Thanks for replying. I was on 10mg and I'm back on 10mg.
With taking Diazepam, does that have an immediate effect of does it take weeks to feel the benefit? Also, do you have to wean off it?
It takes a good 6-8 weeks to get the full effect of the medication in your blood stream. I would think that soon you should start to feel a bit better; and, if not, it's probably time to make an appointment with your doctor and see about upping your dose.
Although people have recovered on 10 mg,, you probably know it's quite a low dose :-). If you google it, you'll see that 20 mg and up is considered a therapeutic dose, for what it's worth.
I've read quite a few posts on this forum now about people who really have a hard time re-starting these meds; either the side effects are worse or it takes longer to kick in or they have to go up to a larger dose than they were on before.
You could see if your doctor would prescribe a benzo, which is what diazepam is (same family as Xanax, Klonopin, etc.). It does work right away. It can be addictive, and it you take it for too long in too high of doses you do have to wean off. My doctor is reluctant to prescribe it unless absolutely necessary. Since you're six weeks in already, I'd probably just try to power through without a benzo, unless it's to the point you are unable to function in your everyday life, in which case it might be a good idea :-).
Thanks for all that useful information.
I don't really want to up my dose if I can help it. I could hold out for another week or two to see how it goes if it takes 6-8 weeks to feel the benefits again. If not, I'll see if my doctor will give me diazepam. The thought of something working straight away is very tempting. Not sure whether my doctor would give it to me though.
Thanks once again.
Hi Sharlie, I’m ten weeks in on restarting after a year off citalopram. I’m back on the 20mg which I was on at my worse last time which I reduced down to ten for five years and had no anxiety. I just wish I hadn’t stopped taking it and I wouldn’t be where I am now, I too let things get to me which made me panic and then my anxiety crept back in. It can take a bit longer the second time round but hang in there if it’s worked before it should work again. Like Kelly said though, if you’re struggling see the doctor about gettting some diazepam for a week I had to do that. Unfortunately I got insomnia with mine so I have to take zoplicone to help me sleep but I will have to come off it soon. I think it’s just going to take time to settle back into your system and for your body to adjust but you’ll get there.x
Hi Gemma,
Thanks for replying. So sorry you are going through this too, I wish I hadn't stopped mine also. I think I am an anxious person because I worry about everything, family, health and even upsetting things on tv. I think I am going to have to accept the fact that I will have to take this forever.
I have family coming for Sunday lunch because it's fathers day, I didn't invite them, it's just an accepted fact that they come and I am worrying if I am going to be able to cope. I've been thinking all ways of making it simple like buying prepared veg, roasts etc and I keep going over things in my head. The worse thing is hiding my feelings from everyone. Perhaps once Sunday is over I will start to feel better, hopefully.
Thanks for your reassuring advice. I hope you feel better soon too.
Sharlie
Sharlie, you came off it too quickly, thats why you are feeling like this, then going back on them is going to mess with your brain and central nervous system. Try not to be anxious about feeling anxious. Try to accept that you are going to need time to settle again, then when you want to wean yourself off again, do it slowly over weeks rather than days. I have read often that the experts recommend 10% tapers and have learnt on this forum that when you come off the final dose its the hardest.
I have been withdrawing off meds for 8 months and am in withdrawal now, am so used to it that I can keep my mind calm. My body has anxiety symptoms, have been in bed for days getting up briefly as have alot of withdrawal symptoms, its not easy. Its important to keep the mind calm thats what is getting me through it.
Well done for trying to do the Sunday lunch, but don’t hide how you’re feeling from others sometimes it’s best to be honest with those you’re closest to. You will get back to how you were before.x
Hi Paula
The withdrawal symptoms are horrid. I've been getting light headedness. Nausea, loss of appetite, sensitive to smells and noises too, stomach churns among others. I too have been spending more time on my bed, it's a safe haven for me. Anxiety is worse when I wake up in morning and evenings. Are these normal symptoms?
Thanks for the reassurance. I hope you get well soon.
Kind wishes
Hi,
I am really surprised with the ignorance still existing around these drugs, despite the thousands of testimonies /experiences in forums and media years now!
The consensus is, that if you're start taking them and proved effective for you, you have to try finding alternative ways to cope with your situation within a couple of years from starting them, and then gradually try to ween off very very very slow!
That could take sometimes a year or more, depending on your initial dose and duration.
This, if you want to minimize the withdrawal symptoms, which could be devastating.
If you take them more than five years, for the vast majority is almost impossible to stop them, and sooner or later you will be forced to go back.
Then you can only hope to work again, and not to have long term problems from being on them for the rest of your life, or for some reason stop working anymore, and start looking for alternative drugs.
This is my personal experience, and so be very cautious!
Best regards.
Hi Sharlie, this is very similar to my situation at the moment. I thought I was ready to come off the tablets so with my doctors advise I reduced from 20mg (which I had been on 4 years) to 10mg then eventually stop, this was all over a month. I didn’t really feel any different changing from 20mg to 10mg however once I tried to stop my anxiety came back. After a trip to the doctors they told me a month was far to short to come off the tablets all together & put me back on the 20mg. I may have only been on 10mg for a month but the increase in dosage has knocked me for 6. My anxiety has settled a lot compared to 2 weeks ago however I am still getting side effects from the increase - light headedness, fatigue, low mood. My doctor advised me to give it a little longer for the medication to start working fully. It’s amazing to realise how much these tablets help me & I am looking forward to feeling like myself again.
Hope you feel better soon. X
So hopefully you will stay on these tablets..I surely am.
Hi Sharlie, I have come off Amitryptline its not an ssri, and am still on 20mg of citalopram. Those symptoms sound the same as what I am going through. Right now I struggle to walk in a straight line, I feel permantly drunk, headache.g dizziness, bad stomach, nausea, parathesia, worsened tinnitus. Its horrible! Mornings are the worst for me, am getting wierd dreams and waking up often. My family have taken me to the coast for the weekend. I literally threw stuff in a suitcase and forgot to take lots of things. Have spent most time on bed. looking at my sea view, had a brief walk yesterday was wobbly and had to get back quick as stomach bad. Popped out again today and back again. Its really cheered me up, which proves to me how powerful our minds are. I am going to be fine, and know I dont need to be on meds.
I don't know who told sharlie to come off tablets in week..that's the only reason sharlie feeling this way..plus reinstating Medication is also playing into the drama..how you feeling Paula..?
I just wish doctors wouldnt advise quick tapers, crazy! Makes me want to make them take the meds then put them in withdrawal see how they like it.
I am feeling really bad Lois, but am stubborn and determind. I dont feel depressed or anxious in my head at all, am expecting that to happen anytime. Am very tetchy and jumpy though.
Hope all good with you.
Yes Paula all is good...just keep reminding your self that they are side effects ....you not feeling mentally anxious is a good thing..but those physical side effects are hidieus.
How long do they last Lois? Any ideas, have a horrible feeling its going to be a few months. I havent felt right since 24th April. I tapered too quickly at the end thats where I went wrong.