How long do the withdrawls last? Desperate wife and mother

Treatment and medication
1

My husband was on citalopram for 9 years and 5 months ago took himself off of it cold turkey.  his withdrawl symptoms have me feeling terrified.  when will they end?  help!  please! anyone??????

2

Hi Suz,

What kind of withdrawal symptoms is he having and has he been completey off for 5 months.  What was he initially taking it for?  5 months seems like a long time to be having withdrawal symptoms.

Best,

Linda

3

Hi suz

I am so sorry to hear about your husband. I am in the same postion. I came off sertraline over 3 months ago, after a severe adverse reaction, and am still having horrific withdrawal. I am mostly bedbound.

Has your husband tried omega 3 fish oils? They are meant to help with brain zaps, etc. also nytol..it has the same ingredient as the US benadryl which is also meant to help.

there are two websites your husband could look at..Paxil Progress and Surviving Antidepressants. They may suggest your husband goes back on a really low dose (much lower than the usual lowest dose) and slowly titrates off. They know much more than I do.

You and your husband have my deepest sympathy. The withdrawal, if you're unfortunate enough to get it, is mental torture. And five months isn't a long time.

4

By the way, paxil progress isn't only for people who have taken paxil, it's for all antidepressant users.

5

I'd say 5 months later is quite long to be suffering withdrawls. I managed come off a very high dose of venlefaxine which is one of the worst anti-d drugs for withdrawls but did it slowly and took nearly two months, but side effects were lessened. If he is still suffering withdrawls maybe he should go back on the citalopram, at a low dose then gradual taper off as he is supposed to.

What are the symptoms? Maybe it's not the withdrawls, but underlying mental/medical condition that is causing them

6

Suz, this link may help you:

http://mentalhealthdaily.com/2014/05/21/celexa-citalopram-withdrawal-symptoms-how-long-will-they-last/

7

Hi what meds was he taking and how long for. With all drugs it a slow rd to feel normal, agree tske a low mg go back 2 your gp and explain all the withdrawal better. All they is other meds which can help with his side effects