I was originally diagnosed with some panic anxiety 4 years ago which resulted in a dual prescription for atenolol and citralopram 20 MG each. This seemed to ease my classic panic attacks and life went on as usual. Until a few months ago, I felt great but I noticed I was very apathetic about everything and seemed disconnected in general. Wanting to have some feeling and emotion back in my life I went off citralopram six weeks ago. The first two weeks went great. Then my friend (whom I wish I could have a relationship with) moved away for the summer and I had an uncharacteristic response for a 30 year old male. I felt weepy and cried a lot thinking about it and as a result felt very depressed. I then did well for a few weeks but my mind keeps getting stuck in depression mode. I just focus on how lonely and sad I feel (when I never had those thoughts before the medication). Sure I would allow myself to have a sad response but not like this and not with thoughts that take over my entire day. Do I actually have depression or is this a side effect of citralopram withdrawal? I go to the doctor this week but I really don't want to go back on the meds and feel apathetic but I also can't keep feeling this way. I see my doctor on Thursday but I don't want to go back on the medication. Any advice?
Hi BrownJD1.. after reading through your message, seems like you are dealing with the upset of your friend moving away.. understandable why you would be feeling depressed if you felt so connected to this person.. You could also be going through the horrid withdrawal effects of citralopram - Its good that you will soon visit your Dr.. if you would prefer to try different meds, be upfront with your reasons.. BEST OF LUCK xx
I think it is more the side effects of the meds. I feel like I am on an emotional roller coaster. One hour good. Two hours bad it seems. Lets try and feel sorry for ourselves and then laugh about how silly that seems later. Is depression a common citralopram withdrawal side effect?
citralopram is prone to the depressive withdrawal & on off mood swings.. not a nice drug to come off at all.. Some people do well coming off it & people like us.. hmmmmmmm different experience riding the 'crazy train' I hope your GP will find an alternative if he feels that you are suffering a bout of depression..
Thanks for your help Deb. Always good to know it's not just "me"
Sooooo welcome.. xxx
Personally I think its feelings over the friendship you are experiencing. Probably normal depression over it and a sense of loss. Sometimes there needs to be a grieving period for things like that. Normal to have ups and downs as you try to normalise your life again. The longer it gets the more the tendency towards mixed feelings and hopefully soon acceptance. Just remembering what I went through when a relationship ended or didnt work out like I had hoped. Only you know. Xx Hope you feel better soon.
You certainly could be right. It's just such a change for me since I felt like an.emotional robot on citralopram. I literally felt nothing on the meds
I was just reading today on the withdrawals for this as I'm going through the same thing.. They say that the depression feeling is usually your withdrawal finally coming to an end.. Last step of it I guess you could say.. But of course its normal if it isn't just the side effects, don't be ashamed that you're 30 and weepy if a person extremely close to you just moved away.. That's common to feel depressed especially when you're trying to regain your life back.. I'm only on day 7 of my withdrawals and I feel like I got hit by a truck lol
Thasks for the support! I guess I am lucky that I didn't have any withdrawal symptoms before this at least ones I noticed. I am happy to have regular digestion back being off those horrible pills.
I'm not an expert, but I think some of us just have to accept that anxiety and depression can be something we will be vulnerable to throughout life and that head medicines need to be taken moreorless constantly like insulin for a diabetic rather than occasionally like antibiotics for an infection. If you had hopes of a relationship with your friend and now you're lonely and heartbroken, don't underestimate how awful this would make any of us feel, let alone someone with anxiety and depressive tendencies.
Go and see your doctor, maybe you do need to go back on citalopram, I'm just facing up to this reality myself. There are side-effects from long-term citalopram use but if it stops us spiralling then we need to weigh up which is the worst scenario.
Sorry I can't offer any real help, but I am thinking about you and want you to know you're not alone. Kind thoughts, Sara X
.You should never go cold turkey on anti-depressants. Part of what's going on is that you'rre having withdrawal symptoms, and because you're not taking the medication the depression has returned. See your GP
I wasn't really dexpressed or at least I didn't think I was. And maybe I do need it as a daily maintenance drug. But I just didn't like haven't no emotional responses whatsoever