I have been taking Citalopram 20mg for over 10 years. Approximately 10 weeks ago, I was in such a good place in life that I thought I would try coming off it. I cam off very quickly and felt fine, other that a little dizziness at times.
I have had some enforced changes at work in the last couple of weeks and it has hit me like the end of my life is upon me. I an quiet, reclusive, distant, vacant, needy of affection and hugs, tearful, low, frightened anxious, don’t want to see or speak to anyone.
I have seen my GP and been given back Citalopram, which I started around 10 days ago. I was even given Diazepam 5mg, but that isn’t touching me. I’ve added Omega 3 capsules.
Is there anything else I can to to boost my feelings back to being a sparky, jolly person, like I normally am?
I hate feeling this low and reclusive, I am such a bright and enthusiastic person, who is always the person others come to for support, advice and help, but I feel so flat and useless to myself and everyone around me. This is not me.
Can Citalopram really make such a difference to mental health, or am I suffering a longer term mental health crisis?
Please help.
You came off far too quick - it took me a year to withdraw. Doing it slow allows your brain to adjust better - too quick and you can get delayed withdrawal symptoms.
I also swear by learning about anxiety and how to help yourself., preparing yourself when you become meds free. We recoil at the first sign of anxiety which then triggers other symptoms which we also recoil from.
Restarting meds is good and it might take a long time yet to feel well again as it can take longer second time round. It did for me. The meds worked before so they’ll work again. Just lots of patience xxx
I think that is partly how I got back in the situation im in. I started citalopram back in 2012 and this past year I got really bad taking my pills. I didnt quit cold turkey but I was only taking them like twice a week. After doing that for a few months and going through a few stressful situations my anxiety came back full force. I made an appt with my doctor and she told me to take 20mg everyday instead of the 10 I was taking and make sure I take them everyday. I have been taking them since Aug 6 and it took a few weeks to get rid of the side effects again. I am feeling better than what I was and hoping it only gets better. Ive heard it could take a while to get your system sorted out again. Youll got back to how you were. I think it will just take time. Im so ready to be back to how I was. I will feel like me self one minute and then back to anxious another. Im hoping its just my body adjusting to everything.
you should only ever come of citalopram or any anti depressant gradually as I have personally felt extremely negative frightening side effects. my advice is if ur well on it then stay on it
I think, for once in my life, I have learned from a BIG mistake. I need that little bit of seretonin, more than some people. If only there was a seretonin pill. I’m staying on it for good now. The sudden slump is absolute hell. I have been at one of the lowest points ever, in my life, mentally, despite a fantastic family, home life, work mates, and friends, all giving me their enormous care and support. I am very lucky, which is why I am so upset with myself.
sounds like withdrawal symptoms rather than relapse, i know as im going through it xx
It’s definitely due to coming off too fast. You must wean yourself off slowly… Don’t worry, it will take a while but you will stabilise again. Myself been back on 10 mg for 8 weeks now and it has taken this long to even feel remotely sane again. Still having extra anxious days, and waves of being down, but am tons better, and looking forward to being recovered. You will settle again. Hang in there.
I am still so low and only want to shut myself in a room in the dark and sleep. I don’t want to speak to anyone. It’s not like my general personality, I’m the cheeky, bubbly, fun one, but all my spark has gone, and so suddenly. My mood has dropped off a cliff, rather than a gradual decide.