Jane44:Citalopram withdrawal

[Guest]

Hi all.

 

I was on Citalopram 30mg for 13 years and came off them recently. Came off them too quickly and stupidly reduced them over 3 weeks. Went from 30mg daily to 20mg daily the next week, then 10mg then 3rd week did 5mg daily before nothing.

 

Have been off the medication about two months now(meds free from 24th April 2023) and suffered horrendous withdrawals. I could cope with the physical but the mental torture was unbearable and I have a 7 month old baby to look after. So I gave in and re-started on 10mg which I’ve taken for three days now. I really regret this and have to get off this medication. Is it too late? Can I just keep off them even though I’ve taken three lots of 10mg(Citalopram).

 

Now I have found this group and I realise it was withdrawals I want to stay off them and have so much determination to stay off them.

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  I'm very sorry to hear you are going through this.  I hope you have some help and support, especially with the baby.  Please rest assured, there is a way out of the psych drug trap.  The secret is extreme patience, and boatloads of time.  

 

How have you felt since you went back on 10 mg of citalopram?  Are you still taking this?  

 

Can you please give us specific information in your signature about your drug history for all drugs and supplements you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  Please read the link below for instructions.  

 

How to List Your Drug History in Your Signature

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications, and why it's so important to taper slowly and carefully, and be very cautious about changing our doses: 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

If you are improving on the 10 mg, I would suggest you stay on this for a while, then when you stabilize and your nervous system settles down, you can do a very slow and careful taper.  I will give you more information about this in the future.  In the meantime, please keep us posted on how you are doing.  Be sure not to skip doses, or vary your dose, and take it at the same time each day.  Please keep us posted, and let us know how you are doing. 

[Guest]

11 minutes ago, getofflex said:

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  I'm very sorry to hear you are going through this.  I hope you have some help and support, especially with the baby.  Please rest assured, there is a way out of the psych drug trap.  The secret is extreme patience, and boatloads of time.  

 

How have you felt since you went back on 10 mg of citalopram?  Are you still taking this?  

 

Can you please give us specific information in your signature about your drug history for all drugs and supplements you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  Please read the link below for instructions.  

 

How to List Your Drug History in Your Signature

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications, and why it's so important to taper slowly and carefully, and be very cautious about changing our doses: 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

If you are improving on the 10 mg, I would suggest you stay on this for a while, then when you stabilize and your nervous system settles down, you can do a very slow and careful taper.  I will give you more information about this in the future.  In the meantime, please keep us posted on how you are doing.  Be sure not to skip doses, or vary your dose, and take it at the same time each day.  Please keep us posted, and let us know how you are doing. 

History: I was prescribed Citalopram back in 2010 for low level/mild anxiety, mainly stress around work.
 

Was not made aware of any risks of withdrawal or how to properly taper off. Was left on the medication for about 13years.

I decided to finally come off the medication at the start of April 2023 over a 3 week period and by the 4th week I had taken myself off the Citalopram. I realise this was stupidity fast. I went down from 30mg, to 20mg for a week, then 10mg, then a week of 5mg before completely stopping. 
 

Many thanks. Now I realise it’s the medication drug withdrawal I have stopped taking the 10mg Citalopram(I had only had 3 days worth of the reinstatement of 10mg after being Citalopram free for 2.5 months. I felt 100% worse when I reinstated the Citalopram so I’m staying clear of this now. Now I recognise it as withdrawals rather than a mental illness I feel I can keep going through the withdrawals which come in waves. 

 

I am glad I found this support group.

[getofflex]

1 hour ago, Jane44 said:

I felt 100% worse when I reinstated the Citalopram so I’m staying clear of this now.

You probably had an adverse reaction to it.  It's not uncommon to have an adverse reaction to a drug after going off abruptly, and then reinstating at a high dose.  

 

What symptoms are you having now?  How is your sleep, eating, and basic functioning?   

 

Here are some links that can help you cope with withdrawal.  I know there is a lot of information here.  Take you time going through it.  

 

Here is a link with checklists of common WD symptoms: 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen Withdrawal Symptom Checklists

 

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

Please let us know how you are doing. 

Edited July 3, 2023 by getofflex

[Guest]

Many thanks. I have now actually requested an account deletion please. Now that I have found this page I feel reassured and comforted that I can read and use the advice and support in here. I had no idea it was actually withdrawal so I was initially terrified of what happened to me. I feel a lot better now I know and have insight. 
 

I agree that I likely had an adverse reaction to the reinstatement of Citalopram 10mg which the Dr did not warn be about. As I only took the 3 doses I have stopped taking them again and really believe I can do this. My main symptoms are anxiety, panic, feeling of dread like something bad is going to happen and low mood. Physical symptoms include ringing in my ears and sensitivity to sounds. Otherwise I am managing to function day to day. As soon as I started taking the Citalopram again I felt myself starting to spiral down and it was scary. I can only imagine if I went back to the GP they would have just put me on another antidepressant with little or likely no understanding or withdrawal effects or risks. 
 

If you would kindly be able to delete and deactivate my account and not publish this post but know that this sight as given me the light which is exactly what I needed in my hour of darkness.

[getofflex]

It is my understanding that another member of the staff has sent you a private message regarding account deletion. I'm glad we were able to help and reassure you. 

[Altostrata]

Hello, @Jane44 I'm glad we could help you. We ask that members add their stories to Introductions as a way to give back for the support they get from the staff and community.

 

It's a way for members to show their gratitude. The case histories here have been invaluable in educating the medical profession.