hi guys, I was on cita for over 8 years for anxiety not depression, my life had calmed down, daughter teenage years were over, and she got her own place with her little boy, so thought it would be a good time to come off them, came off about 4 months ago very slowly, but my anxiety is back with a vengeance, and I am so irritable, tight chest, having to take deep breathes, feel that my body is all shaky inside etc, I have bought so many natural herbs/ pills to try to overcome this, could it just b that my body is still adjusting, or is the anxiety just me and will have to feel like this for life? I have been to docs so I do have more cita sitting in my draw, but do I or don't I start them again, I am worry about the side effects, and being in pills again for the rest of my life, and I will have no downs but no ups either, I have also lost a stone in weigh since I have come off them and know I will put weight on when I go back on them, and obs the anxiety is worst because I can't make the decision whether to go back on them, help please guys xx
Hi dawn
I came off mine 6 weeks ago and still suffering badly with withdrawal symptoms.
I think you should do what's best for you in the long run. Have you had any counselling as I found that helped me alot.
I came off mine as it made me feel so numb that all.my emotions were like being a robot, gained weight, couldn't get stimulation when being intimate with my partner which was down to citalopram and also would get blurry vision too from the meds.
The fact that I'm still quite ill from coming off makes me realise how much my body and brain relied on this drug which isn't good at all.
If it made you feel better being on them then maybe consider it but personally with me I will never go back and will have more counseling if needs be. Good luck hun 
I really do not want to go back on them, but also don't want to live like this, I get so irritable with family members, patience levels are zero, and I don't want my little grandson growing up hating me because I am a miserable person, I am waiting for cbt, but there is such a long wait 😢
Hi Dawn
Your dilemma is a tough one. I have heard that it can take quite some time for your brain to adjust with no longer getting the top up of serotonin. I imagine it must be just as hard withdrawing as it is first taking cit. Can your doctor give you something to help alleviate the withdrawal symptoms? I was given a good document from healthy Minds which is all about minimising relapse. I would be happy to email it you if this would be of any benefit to you.
It will be interesting to hear if someone on this site has been through the withdrawal process. Really think your doctor is key to giving you something to help with withdrawal given you have been on cit for so long.
Let me know how your doing
L xx
Awww hugs. I understand what you mean as I can get really snappy too. Maybe try a low dose of citalopram and see how you go. When I feel low or anxious I go for a walk or listen to meditation. x
My doc is useless, no help at all 😢 but yes that document would be a great help, do I put my email address on here ? X
Hi Dawn
Email me
Xx
Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the email address as we do not publish these in the forums. If users wish to exchange contact details please use the Private Message service.
http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages
Hi Dawn I tried to give you my email but the site won't permit me to do so.
Such a shame as it's a good doc.
L x
Hi Dawn
If you want to try something over the counter, then before you restart Cit try 5-HTP.
When you're off Citalopram try a natural SSRI called 5-HTP which needs to be taken with l-tyrosine. Both can be bought from Holland & Barrett (if you're in the UK) and you need to take them both. Read a book called 5-HTP The Natural Way to Overcome Depression, Obesity by Michael T Murray ........ it's a really interesting read.
You need to be off SSRI's completely before starting 5-HTP as they mustn't be taken together.It is for depression, and though you have anxiety not depression, they both are relatively close and maybe worth trying. They work like SSRI's.
I took 5-HTP for a good year and found my anxiety and depression didn't return, but unfortunately went back on Cit due to the stress of family illness. I'm back down to 5mg and will return to 5-HTP next year.
Other than that, if you need to start Cit then why not. I've found I can maintain my wellness on them on a really small dose of 10mg, and even 5mg during the summer (winter months make me gloomy).
I need something, whether it's Cit or 5-HTP as my anxiety and depression always return.
Hope le that helps.
K x
You can message Dawn privately on this site. You can swap emails that way too. Look for Messages top right of the screen.
K xx
Hi Kate, I think you have messaged me before, I did buy the 5htp and I-thyrosine, but I have bought so many natural stuff I don't know whether I am coming or going lol, but if you really think they helped you, I am going to religiously start taking them x
I thought we'd talked before :-D
They did help me. Everyone is different of course, but give them a few weeks to see, and if you find they don't help, then take Cit again, but maybe a smaller dose?
Anxiety is such a pain isn't it. :-(