LostSoul32: citalopram withdrawal symptoms

[LostSoul32]

Hello! Citalopram Long-Term Discontinuation Symptoms

 

Hi everyone 

 

I am 32 years old and I have been on various anti depressants since age 14. I developed post-natal depression in Dec 2018 and was put on 30mg Citalopram - no issues with them at this point. 
 

In April this year (2022) I stupidly stopped Citalopram abruptly. I realise now that I should not have done this.

 

One month after stopping, I developed muffled hearing in one ear, and a sort of whooshing/buzzy tinnitus. Over the next few months, more symptoms developed;

 

Muscle twitching from head to toe (eyelid, nose, cheek, chin, ear drum….you name it, it twitched) 

 

Internal tremors (constantly on edge and nervous)

 

Popping/tingling sensations in scalp and back of neck 

 

Diarrhoea 

 

Sweating then freezing 

 

Pounding heartbeat felt in chest, back of head and neck 

 

Sensitivity to light and sound 

 

Head pressure (feels like a balloon is being blown up in my head when I stand up) 

 

Does this sound like discontinuation/withdrawal symptoms? Some of these issues have went away but 7 months after stopping, I am still left with pulsatile tinnitus, ear fullness, head pressure and muscle twitching. After numerous blood tests all coming back “normal” and discussing my symptoms with my doctor, they have prescribed me….10mg Citalopram “for anxiety”. 
 

These symptoms have led me to develop health anxiety - something I’ve never had before. Many Google searches have thrown up “6 weeks maximum” for discontinuation symptoms, but is it possible I’m having them 7 months down the line? 
 

Thank you. 

 

Edited November 19, 2022 by ChessieCat
added topic title

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @LostSoul32

 

Yes, your symptoms may very well be withdrawal syndrome. What we often see works to stop it is very low dose reinstatement of the drug, in your case, perhaps 2mg citalopram to start. A liquid is available by prescription for this, or you can make your own liquid, described here Tips for tapering off citalopram (Celexa)

 

You might try just this little bit to see if it will help. Please let us know how you're doing.

 

[Jake22]

I have had many of the same problems, the popping in my neck has been going on for almost a year now and I’ve been off everything for a year. I’ve tried to talk to doctors about it and they all just say that’s weird.