I have been on celexa for about two years, and I recently ran out. So I decided to quit taking them all together. Its need about 6 days. I have had minor head aches, brain zaps, nausea and ocd. I was wondering how much worse its going to get and when with the withdrawal peek?
Hi you need to get the right advice on yours pills. You should never just stop. Your more likely to get withdrawal symptoms worse. 2 years is a long time then you take nothing I think your body will notice the difference. See a doctor for withdrawal plan for you. Take care
I'm familiar with the side effects and the risks, I was just curious if anyone else has quit cold turkey at the same doee, and what it was like.
Hi Johnny,
You really should not try to quit cold turkey - you need to wean yourself off of cit. I would see your doc and start taking a lower dose. A lot of people take a few months to wean off so you have fewer side effects.
Best,
Linda
Well I don't have insurance any more and I'm not about to get a $1000 bill from the ER for 30 pills. I don't really have much of an option, so I'm just going with it.
You can't put a price on your health. Cold turkey will cause me problems.
If you can't come up with the money, that's really all you can do unless you can borrow or go to a free clinic, but I was only on it for 8 days and I couldn't finish in bed if you know what I mean. It was great and lengthy, but when you don't get the ending it kind of sucks. So that was enough for me to change meds. I don't know if this helps but I'm just trying to support your decision. maybe you can afford a lower dosage and less pills, don't do anything until you've looked at all your options, bud.
Did you have side effects when you started on citalopram, if so how long for. Coming off will probably take the same time. I don't know why people are against cold turkey but, of course, once it has stopped balancing the chemical imbalance you obviously may regain the symptoms that caused you to go on it in the first place.
I didn't have any side effects at all when I started taking it, well I guess not being able to finish in bed if its within 12 hours of taking it. But when I stop taking it for more than 3 days I have side effects.
Well a little update. I came of ct about 2 months ago.
week 1. anxiety, moody, brain zaps and headaches.
week 2 anxiety, moody, nausea and brain zaps.
week 3 anxiety had worsened, moody,very very emotional, nausea and brain zaps have diminished slightly
week 4 sever anxiety, moody,very very emotional,some residual brain zaps and slight nausea.
week 5 less anxiety not noticing any brain zaps or nausea but still a little moody and emotional.
week 6 anxiety is manageable but does get bad on occasion still emotional
Crikey your brave! I was stupid and decided i feel fine so im not taking them! Big mistake!!!! I collapsed on my hallway floor, and had the biggest panic attack ever! i was on the phone to the ambulance screaming convinced i was going to die. I spent a few weeks out of it and had to go straight back on them as it had undone 3 years of work! but this is just my experience! oh and i got a massive bollocking from the doctor x
I don't get full on panic attacks, so i think that made all the differnce.
I was on 20 mg citalopram for 3 years went cold turkey 2 weeks ago, feeling ok but having strange dreams, night sweats and when I move my head I get a really strange feeling,I'm hoping these symptoms will ease of over the next few weeks I will keep u up to date weekly
I just went cold about a week ago. So ready for these symptoms to come and go. Want to be back to my old self again.
I'm trying to quit simply because I want to have something other than the numbness the medication brings. After a few nights of not taking them I just started having vivid nightmares. The chemicals in my brain are sloshing around so much it kind of makes it difficult to wake up, so sometimes I'm not sure whether it's a dream or not because it feels very real. In previous successful attempts to come off antiD's these dreams have been particularly scary and left me tearful, but on the plus side I now know what to expect and theat it will pass and I wont die lol
After a few days I became more emotionally sensitive, made the mistake of drinking alcohol which led to a full blown cry fest which took a while to calm down from, thank god for true friends.
It felt like there is a bath of electrified water in my head that moves around when i think or move lol. Almost like parts of my brain are sensitive and reacting. It's not so much painful as just a weird sensation, nice to know my brain still reacts to thing on a basic level.
After about 7 days I started having night sweats, and general hot sweatiness from the withdrawal. Anxiety started creeping back, have to keep telling myself that it's normal and it doesn't own me.
On the plus side, feeling less numb, being able to feel any emotion at this point is a plus, albeit mostly negative.
Saw the sun come up today and got a warm feeling which was nice. Maybe it's a start.
Ultimately if it all goes to hell I can just go back on them again, or choose something else to take via my doctor. I've been on citalopram 40mg for about 6 years, and lots of others before that. Coming off and on drugs can be very difficult, so be prepared for the worst but know that you can fight whatever comes. The only reason I cold turkey is because I'm relatively healthy otherwise and I'm too lazy/stubborn to cut down through tapering. Though tapering is probably the wisest option for most. Good luck everyone.
hi johnnybravo I have quit 40 mg cold turkey an feel ur symptoms the brain zaps am finding worse I all so have had belly cramps and leg cramps every day an feeling sick all the time
I've been on citalopram 40mg for 2 and a half years.
10 days ago I went cold turkey too.
Reasons being that, I can't lose weight even through diet and exercise, periods have stopped and also got a cyst on my right ovary.
Sensation in sex has completely gone that I was numb down there.
Also couldn't cry properly, when my grandad died I had some sort of block that wouldn't allow me to cry and felt like I had a block in my chest.
Also got blurry vision too and was told by the optician that it was citalopram causing it. To be honest I think that's way too many cons for a pill and im never going on it again
I'm feeling very sicky and light headed and certain smells make me feel like I want to vomit. Kind of reminds me of my first pregnancy lol...and no I'm not pregnant lol.
I don't really get the brain zaps anymore I have been experiencing tingling sensation in my fingertips and mouth if I over do it and also sweating alot too like I've done an hour workout. I'm hoping this will pass soon as I decided to do this during the 6 week holidays as it gives me time to get better ect.
I've already lost 4 pounds of weight which I'm happy about. I've had mood swings but don't feel depressed just a little iratable that I can't get on with things without wanting to throw up.
Is anyone else feeing this and how long till it goes?
Hey Tren,
I was on Citalopram for about 10 years....my dose was 40mg.
I stopped taking it, basically cold turkey in April. So, it has been almost 4 months.
it was quite difficult. I definitely had the nausea that you are having. Every day, all day. I also had a headache all the time.
My emotions were off the charts.....I was so irritable, paranoid and angry. I also got sad and cried easily.
I was embracing the tears....because , while on the medication, it was nearly impossible for me to cry. But I was so very, very agitated.....it was horrible!!
I had to try extremely hard not to do or say things that I would regret. It was a huge struggle.
I learned, from another forum, that this was a common withdrawal and I worked at recognizing that my emotional reactions were in hyper mode.
I also was sensitive to smell, like you are. I did get brain zaps, dizziness, and had a waterlogged sensation in my head for a few months.
I was getting really bad hot flashes up until a week ago. But, I am 50 years old and not sure if it was from menopause.
I had had some weird, bad dreams. I also became very antsy and not able to relax.
Coming into August, I am starting to feel much better! The nausea, headaches, and waterlogged sensation is totally gone.
My irritability is better too....thank goodness....because it was so severe! I still have to keep myself in check because I can over react to something and the emotion comes over me very quickly, intensely....and sometimes, out of nowhere (unexpectedly).
I also experienced a symptom of withdrawal called PGAD. While on the Citalopram, I basically had the opposite of that disorder.
PGAD can be very, very uncomfortable, unwanted, and just terrible. It was very, very bothersome to me. But, it is so difficult to explain it to someone that has never had it. You don't unspderstand it until it happens to you.
Thank the good Lord that it has gone away....mostly.....it comes back fairly mildly here and there. Some people have it so severely that they consider suicide....from what I've read.
i am so happy to be off the Citalopram...although, I do admit that it really helped me a lot for a long time. I was a basket case and needed this drug really calmed me down and helped me to cope when I didn't think I could.
Hope you're feeling good today so far and that you keep getting better.
I have hope that, in time, my nervous system will calm down .....I find it hard to relax in withdrawal. I think that it might be a shock to my system coming off the drug so abruptly after 10 years.
Most people highly reccommend a proper wean from Citalopram.
I made my own decision to stop. My hair was falling out and I think, after ten years....my body started to reject the drug and it became toxic to me.
Hi I am weening off of Celexa 40mg. Been on antidepressants since 2001. Just 3 mths ago went down to 20 mg, doing okay not to much trouble. But now I was forced to be without for 5 days and crap is hitting the roof. I told people it was like brain shocks lol...now I know to say zaps. My problem is I guess terrors? Nightmares and not sleeping. Marijuana usually helps me at night but I don't know what to do, any suggestions
I've been on citalopram (UK name) for 2years I was originally on 20mg and was upped to 40mg after 6 weeks. I asked to be dropped down at the beginning of the year I'm now on 10mg. Me and my wife decided I should try coming off as we have been trying to have a 3rd child but have not conceived in 12months the Dr is 100% sure the pills aren't to Blame but I have spoken to many people who are in the same boat many said after coming off they conceived.
Any way iv missed pills now and then and not had many effects but I'm currently 7 days cold and I'm feeling bad not many side effect. Occasionally when walking I feel like I'm in the sky and feel like I suddenly drop to the floor and feel my knees give. But the worse side effect is I can't stand my wife. When ever she gets close I feel suffocated. I'm also incredibly agitated I just want to hit every body in the street for no reason at all.
Last night when she was in the bath I thought I could so easily kill her now. Obviously I didn't but not nice thought to be having about a loved one
Also Ive been constantly hungry and feel sick immediately after but 10min later I'm hungry again