Sonia009: Citalopram discontinuation/reinstatement

[Dahlia50]

Sometimes I have periods where I lie down and disappear into my head, fanit or feeling almost half unconscious. Sometimes it burns in the head. Anyone recognize it?

[BaccatePlayer]

1 minute ago, Sonia009 said:

zoloft

No, it's not a benzo. It's the SSRI I got my reaction from. Sertraline is prescribed for long term depression and anxiety treatment.

 

2 minutes ago, Sonia009 said:

They don't get withdrawal either.

I'm sorry you're facing it. My psychiatrist dismissed my withdrawal too and was willing to give me another meds right away.

[Sonia009]

5 minutes ago, BaccatePlayer said:

Yes, it is in Glenmullen's withdrawal symptoms list though sometimes they're described so briefly we can't exactly figure that we're having a variant of a given symptom. Obviously if you add panic, this may grow more intense, but false sensation of feeling like you're losing it can occur when you're seemingly composed. I think it may have started after initial hypersensitivity reaction went away and I was left with main instability symptoms, so January meaning 2-2.5 months ago.

@BaccatePlayerThat's a long time, I hope you get relief soon. It must affect your confidence, I worry about feeling this way if out and not being able to cope. I have terrible health anxiety, always have.

[BaccatePlayer]

1 minute ago, Dahlia50 said:

Sometimes I have periods where I lie down and disappear into my head, fanit or feeling almost half unconscious. Sometimes it burns in the head. Anyone recognize it?

Different states of mood or thinking happens to me as well. Sometimes it's my mind pushing me out of my thoughts seemingly having a void here, sometimes it drags me inside and I can't access the external world with my focus like during panic attack. It can be depersonalization or derealization. It can also be just a mood shift and neuroemotions messing with your sense of connection to the world. Brain burning is also a symptom and I also have it, sometimes to the point of it creating extreme pain. This will pass but understandably is very confusing, uncomfortable and frightening. If you have it, try some relaxation, focus on reconnecting with people around or maybe even stare at nature and let observing it occupy your mind. Brain burning can last a while and sadly you probably have to go through as many weeks as necessary before it's gone.

[Sonia009]

6 minutes ago, Dahlia50 said:

Sometimes I have periods where I lie down and disappear into my head, fanit or feeling almost half unconscious. Sometimes it burns in the head. Anyone recognize it?

@Dahlia50Yes that's how I feel. If I close my eyes I feel like I'm going to pass out so I keep them open and try distraction.

[Sonia009]

10 minutes ago, BaccatePlayer said:

No, it's not a benzo. It's the SSRI I got my reaction from. Sertraline is prescribed for long term depression and anxiety treatment.

@BaccatePlayer, Oh ok thanks. But why would they want to give that in hospital, it can take weeks to take effect.🤔

 

I'm sorry you're facing it. My psychiatrist dismissed my withdrawal too and was willing to give me another meds right away.

 

[BaccatePlayer]

2 minutes ago, Sonia009 said:

@BaccatePlayerThat's a long time, I hope you get relief soon. It must affect your confidence, I worry about feeling this way if out and not being able to cope. I have terrible health anxiety, always have.

Yes, it really makes me question my sanity. It happened when I was out sometimes (in the shop for instance) and I just kept going as I would normally do. Avoiding rapid movements, not looking around in panic, leaning against something, closing eyes and breathing in slower tempo is usually all you can do in such moment. It's absolutely a normal reaction to care about your health and listening to your self-preservation instinct. Just remember it cannot harm you and you won't go crazy because of it. Even if someone collapses outside which won't happen to you, that person couldn't prevent it and people will see and react to it.

[Dahlia50]

@BaccatePlayer thanks for your explanations. Good that I'm not alone with brain burning and that it can go away, because it actually feels serious and dangerous. Doctors have been worried about my pain in the head and sent me for MRI that showed nothing. Then why can't they understand WD…

[BaccatePlayer]

2 minutes ago, Sonia009 said:

@BaccatePlayer, Oh ok thanks. But why would they want to give that in hospital, it can take weeks to take effect.🤔

I think that's because she mentioned withdrawal, so they thought reinstating it would solve her issue. Most doctors follow the reasoning that you treat withdrawal with taking the med back and then tapering. What we all face now is what they don't understand and would probably treat individual symptoms with different meds without taking into account we are very sensitive to any substance now.

[Dahlia50]

@BaccatePlayer Have you taken any other medication for pain, anxiety or sleep? I don't dare take anything, but sometimes wonder how I could stand this.

[Sonia009]

4 minutes ago, BaccatePlayer said:

I think that's because she mentioned withdrawal, so they thought reinstating it would solve her issue. Most doctors follow the reasoning that you treat withdrawal with taking the med back and then tapering. What we all face now is what they don't understand and would probably treat individual symptoms with different meds without taking into account we are very sensitive to any substance now.

@BaccatePlayerok thanks for explaining that.

[BaccatePlayer]

3 minutes ago, Dahlia50 said:

@BaccatePlayer thanks for your explanations. Good that I'm not alone with brain burning and that it can go away, because it actually feels serious and dangerous. Doctors have been worried about my pain in the head and sent me for MRI that showed nothing. Then why can't they understand WD…

If that's any reassuring, brain burning is a symptom in panic disorders, anxiety disorders, OCD and various phobias. Might be because... well, you know inside you are not perfectly yourself now, so mind is in constant alerted state. It feels dangerous, but if test show up nothing you are absolutely sure now it's just your withdrawal symptom. It is serious technically, because you are facing iatrogenic injury, however it will not be able to harm you in any other way than making you suffer this symptom for some time. I wish I knew doctor or hospital that could help you, but I guess if you really want medical help you have to spend time looking for a specialist in your area that knows about dealing with withdrawals. Maybe look for someone specifically dealing with such cases cause chances a random psychiatrist or hospital staff will help you with it are very low.

[BaccatePlayer]

3 minutes ago, Dahlia50 said:

@BaccatePlayer Have you taken any other medication for pain, anxiety or sleep? I don't dare take anything, but sometimes wonder how I could stand this.

I would be totally scared to take anything now. Because my case is immediate adverse reaction it means I couldn't even taper, I just dropped that one sertraline that did that to me and taking it back would only worsen my state as I got a signal from my body it is simply not accepted by it. I went to my psychiatrist three days later and she told me to take bupropion and buspirone but after four days my condition worsened even more (kindling), so I dropped it all (no point in tapering 2.5mg buspirone and that bupropion pill couldn't be cut in parts anyways because that would change its release time) and took nothing since 21.01. I only had like a week long insomnia, so I didn't take anything for sleep. Pain is completely related to brain burning in my case, so painkillers only make it worse (tried once) and I'm not feeling anxious most of the time, at least it's not a symptom that I urgently need relief from when it happens cause it ceases within hours by itself and rarely comes back unless I react with panic to a symptom which lately I don't let myself do.

[Dahlia50]

@BaccatePlayer I understand. I am also afraid of reactions and now 6 months off, it is likely that the body does not tolerate it even if Im thinking about reinstatement. Agree with the brain burning and headache, headache pills don't help get worse. I sometimes have anxiety but more panic and the pains and nonc-functional are the worst.

[BaccatePlayer]

9 minutes ago, Dahlia50 said:

@BaccatePlayer I understand. I am also afraid of reactions and now 6 months off, it is likely that the body does not tolerate it even if Im thinking about reinstatement. Agree with the brain burning and headache, headache pills don't help get worse. I sometimes have anxiety but more panic and the pains and nonc-functional are the worst.

If you have consistent day by day med routine (especially if it's taking nothing) your brain already has a baseline and an idea of what it should adjust itself to. The longer you don't change that, the more likely your system is finding stability. The whole pain and neurotic reactions like anxiety or anger are just symptoms. Yes, it's very difficult to bear it, but you really have no better choice. I wish I had something helpful, but all I can think of is rest, try not to rumminate about it, save stress for what's absolutely necessary and do your best to strengthen affirmations like "it will pass" or "it cannot damage me" so much that even during waves they stay in your head convincing enough to give you some hope to hang onto.

[Dahlia50]

@BaccatePlayer You write and explain so well.

I'm normally good at it but feel so bad it's hard to put it into words. Sometimes it hurts so much that I wonder if you are doing the right thing. Today a doctor said that reinstate can help WD and here they say the opposite (at least late in the process).

Right now I have extreme brain burning. It’s frightening. Good that you describe it as a symptom. If you took one pill I worry that I will have brain burning for years as I took zoloft for 13 years.

I'm jealous of everyone who are delighted by the spring sun. I see it but can't participate. I guess depressing mood is a symptom as well. Sometimes worry that it's my depression, but it doesn't feel like normal depression. But I've tapered off so fast, so I guess I don't have my own serotonin. 
I’m having a really hard time now, I'm suffering and I'm sad because I hardly understand what I'm into. So this really means a lot to me, thank you  🙏

[Sonia009]

Hi, I stopped taking 0.5 mg Citalopram two days ago but felt so dizzy this morning I started it again. I feel so weak, it's scary, should I continue or stop, anyone? Thanks.

[FireflyFyte]

19 minutes ago, Sonia009 said:

Hi, I stopped taking 0.5 mg Citalopram two days ago but felt so dizzy this morning I started it again.

 

Why did you stop taking the Citalopram?

 

19 minutes ago, Sonia009 said:

I feel so weak, it's scary, should I continue or stop, anyone?

 

Did you feel worse on, or off, of the Citalopram?

[Sonia009]

49 minutes ago, FireflyFyte said:

 

Why did you stop taking the Citalopram?

 

 

Did you feel worse on, or off, of the Citalopram

Hi, thanks for replying. I had been on 0.5 mg citalopram for around 10/11 weeks but was not feeling any better, worse if anything. That's why I stopped taking it to see if it made a difference. I was doing ok but was dizzy this morning and I panicked. I think I should have stayed off it.. your advice would be much appreciated.@FireflyFyte

[FireflyFyte]

23 hours ago, Sonia009 said:

Hi, thanks for replying. I had been on 0.5 mg citalopram for around 10/11 weeks but was not feeling any better, worse if anything.

 

During these 10-11 weeks did you do anything that could have disturbed your system - drinking alcohol, strenuous exercise, excess caffeine?

 

23 hours ago, Sonia009 said:

I was doing ok but was dizzy this morning and I panicked. I think I should have stayed off it.. your advice would be much appreciated.

 

I would continue taking your dose as going on and off medication only further de-stabilizes your condition.

 

I believe we asked before but it would be helpful to get a journal of your symptoms to better illustrate if you are having an adverse reaction or not. This journal would include when you take your medication and any symptoms you notice during the day.

[Sonia009]

3 minutes ago, FireflyFyte said:

 

During these 10-11 weeks did you do anything that could have disturbed your system - drinking alcohol, strenuous exercise, excess caffeine?

 

None of the above.

I would continue taking your dose as going on and off medication only further de-stabilizes your condition.

Yes, I am doing so again. Only two doses missed. No new affects apart from tiredness after each dose and headache.

I believe we asked before but it would be helpful to get a journal of your symptoms to better illustrate if you are having an adverse reaction or not. This journal would include when you take your medication and any symptoms you notice during the day.

I did one back then but each day was the same so I didn't repeat it. It's the same now but I'll start making a log. Many thanks.

 

[Sonia009]

15 hours ago, Sonia009 said:

 

 

15 hours ago, Sonia009 said:

 

@FireflyFyte Thursday 21 March

7 am.  Awake but stayed in bed, thinking.

8.15 am. Washed, dressed. Heavy head/eyes, tummy ache. Ate cereal.

8.35 am. Back to bed with decaf tea, headache, feeling hot, tired, anxious. Did a crossword puzzle.

10 am. Took Citalopram. Cooked breakfast, did housework.

10.50 am. Felt exhausted. Rested on bed, feeling hot, sleepy, fan on. Took one paracetamol for headache. Watched tv on tablet, mostly anxiety videos youtube.

12.30 pm. Took in a grocery delivery and put away. Made a sandwich for lunch.

13.30 pm. Rested on bed, a little lightheaded crossword puzzles. Stayed on the bed, washing machine repair man called to sort out washer, remained out of the way. Too tired anyway.  New machine needed. Husband ordered one. 

17.00 pm. Cooked dinner. Showered and washed hair. Headache, weird head and eye feelings, little light headed. Took one anadin extra ( paracetamol, aspirin, caffeine), it helped with headache but I think it causes light headedness.

18.30 pm. Husband went to therapy (man club) tidied around house.

19.00 pm. Bed, watched tv on tablet, crosswords, phoned mum.

21.30 pm. Headache, light headed, stiff neck. Feeling anxious.

23.00 pm. Listened to White Christmas movie, very low volume, I find it a good distraction, therapeutic, calms me, familiar voices and music. Sends me to to sleep.

Woke up around 2 am, reflective numerating thoughts, managed to get back to sleep around 5am. Awake at 7 am.

Thanks.

[Emonda]

On 3/22/2024 at 4:49 AM, FireflyFyte said:

I would continue taking your dose as going on and off medication only further de-stabilizes your condition.

 

I agree with FireflyFyte. Going on and off is unhelpful. 

 

Some people take a long time to stabilise after reinstating. LostinCanada took at least 6 months to stabilise after reinstating. Koala is many months into reinstating and still waiting for stability.

 

I dropped my AD by 3% the other day, and the increase in dizziness and tinnitus has been quite noticeable. 

 

A doctor would say that dropping from 0.5mg to omg is a non-event, but that doesn't match up with the experience of so many on this site. OMW has been holding at around your dose of the same AD, for sometime from memory.

 

Time and patience are often the answer. It's a horrible process and experience.

[Sonia009]

1 hour ago, Emonda said:

 

I agree with FireflyFyte. Going on and off is unhelpful. 

 

Some people take a long time to stabilise after reinstating. LostinCanada took at least 6 months to stabilise after reinstating. Koala is many months into reinstating and still waiting for stability.

 

I dropped my AD by 3% the other day, and the increase in dizziness and tinnitus has been quite noticeable. 

 

A doctor would say that dropping from 0.5mg to omg is a non-event, but that doesn't match up with the experience of so many on this site. OMW has been holding at around your dose of the same AD, for sometime from memory.

 

Time and patience are often the answer. It's a horrible process and experience.I

@Emonda @FireflyFyte Thank you Emonda for your very reassuring reply. I will continue to hold as advised. I'm not sure how many days I need to journal my activities for, I have recorded my activities today and I will enter them in tomorrow. I wish you and FireflyFyte well with your healing also. Regards.😊🙏

[Sonia009]

@FireflyFyte Friday 22 March

7 am. Awake, reflective ruminating thoughts.

8 am. Wash, dress, feeling some anxiety, inner nervousness, jelly legs, nausea, tired. Not enough sleep last night.

8.30 am. Ate cereal. Took a decaf tea back to bed.

8.45 am. Housework.

9.10 am. Back on bed, feeling hot, fan on.

9.20 am. Attended to dog walker.

9.45 am. Typed up journal on SA for yesterday. Headache, eyes feel strained.

10 am. Citalopram.

10.30 am. Cooked breakfast, ate little, cleaned bathroom, not feeling good.

11 am. Back on bed.

11.30 - 12.15 pm. Online CBT therapy course with NHS. Felt too tired and restless to take it all in. Had a decaf tea and bun, no appetite.

12.30 pm. Tired, light headed, weak. Slept until 1.30 pm.

1.30 pm. Workman came to fit new washing machine. Still feeling tired and tummy and ache. Ate a banana, watched tv.

14.40 pm. Changed bed linen and cleaned two bedrooms. Sweaty.

16.10 pm. Cleaned kitchen after workman left.

16.25 pm. Exhausted, lay on bed.

17.00 pm. Made dinner, appetite back. Showered and washed hair.

19.00 pm. Bed, tea and toast with marmalade, phoned mum.

20.00 pm. Took one anadin extra for headache.

21.00 pm. Felt light headed, balance off going to bathroom. Watched tv until 11.30 pm. Slept until 6.30 am.

Drinking water throughout the day. Tinnitus always with me. Feeling weepy at times throughout day.  Seemed to make more of of an effort to do things when there was another human in the house. 

Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

[Sonia009]

22 hours ago, Sonia009 said:

 

@FireflyFyte Thursday 21 March

7 am.  Awake but stayed in bed, thinking.

8.15 am. Washed, dressed. Heavy head/eyes, tummy ache. Ate cereal.

8.35 am. Back to bed with decaf tea, headache, feeling hot, tired, anxious. Did a crossword puzzle.

10 am. Took Citalopram. Cooked breakfast, did housework.

10.50 am. Felt exhausted. Rested on bed, feeling hot, sleepy, fan on. Took one paracetamol for headache. Watched tv on tablet, mostly anxiety videos youtube.

12.30 pm. Took in a grocery delivery and put away. Made a sandwich for lunch.

13.30 pm. Rested on bed, a little lightheaded crossword puzzles. Stayed on the bed, washing machine repair man called to sort out washer, remained out of the way. Too tired anyway.  New machine needed. Husband ordered one. 

17.00 pm. Cooked dinner. Showered and washed hair. Headache, weird head and eye feelings, little light headed. Took one anadin extra ( paracetamol, aspirin, caffeine), it helped with headache but I think it causes light headedness.

18.30 pm. Husband went to therapy (man club) tidied around house.

19.00 pm. Bed, watched tv on tablet, crosswords, phoned mum.

21.30 pm. Headache, light headed, stiff neck. Feeling anxious.

23.00 pm. Listened to White Christmas movie, very low volume, I find it a good distraction, therapeutic, calms me, familiar voices and music. Sends me to to sleep.

Woke up around 2 am, reflective numerating thoughts, managed to get back to sleep around 5am. Awake at 7 am.

Thanks.

Meant ruminating thoughts

[Sonia009]

@FireflyFyte Saturday 23 March

 

Today has been the worst day I've had in a while, I've been in bed most of the day.

6.30 am. Woke up with a heavy head, headache, blurry vision. When I wake up with blurry vision I know I'm in for a bad day.

Yesterday I was stressed just because a stranger was in the house for a few hours fittings new washing machine, it wasn't straight forward, he had problems fitting it. Normally this wouldn't bother me but in my current sensitized state it caused me stress and anxiety. I also did too much housework, usually I pay for it the next day and this is what has happened, I think.

8.30 am. Typed my journal for Friday on SA. My eyes felt strained, my glasses are broken, optician appointment next week.

Remained in bed, didn't want to get up. Weepy, stiff neck, headache, feeling depressed.

My daughter texted to say she was wasn't well, another worry.

9.50 am. Forced myself to get up for breakfast cereal, back to bed with decaf tea. Took one paracetamol for pain.

10 am. Citalopram

12.30 pm. Washed and dressed, tidied up around house, felt really horrible, back to bed. A little light headed.

2.45 pm. Got up to make a late lunch, managed to eat a meal.

3.15 pm. Back to bed, watched tv. Felt washed out.

5.30 pm. Took one anadin extra for headache and stiff neck.

6.45 pm. Showered. Phoned mum.

8.00 pm. Small meal.

Back to bed for the night.

Today - Tinnitus, noise sensitivity, weird head and eyes feeling, tired, not much of an appetite, no interest in doing anything, not feeling up to doing anything, pretty much all day. I was hoping to visit my mum today but it was impossible. Hoping tomorrow will be a better day. My husband has been feeling the same today too, he's been on Citalopram for around three months after cold turkeying from sertraline. He found yesterday stressful too. 

Thank you

 

 

[mariamisery]

Hi so sorry to hear of the suffering.  I hope this does not last too much longer.  The body will heal. Stay strong and  encourage. You and your husband will get through this. From reading your posts you are strong and positive. Better days ahead. 

[Sonia009]

6 minutes ago, mariamisery said:

Hi so sorry to hear of the suffering.  I hope this does not last too much longer.  The body will heal. Stay strong and  encourage. You and your husband will get through this. From reading your posts you are strong and positive. Better days ahead. 

@mariamiseryThank you Maria, I hope things continue to improve for you too.😊🙏

[littlebird]

3 hours ago, Sonia009 said:

I also did too much housework, usually I pay for it the next day and this is what has happened, I think.

Makes sense! Overdoing it will cost. Hope you're able to relax in your nice, clean house and take it easy today. It's so stressful to have someone in the house when sensitized!

[Sonia009]

11 hours ago, littlebird said:

Makes sense! Overdoing it will cost. Hope you're able to relax in your nice, clean house and take it easy today. It's so stressful to have someone in the house when sensitized!

Thank you, much appreciated.😊🙏

[Sonia009]

@FireflyFyte Sunday 24 March ( day 4)

Slept from 11 pm Saturday to 6 am this morning.

6 am. Awoke hot and sweaty, lay in bed over thinking, not going to be a good day. Ear pressure changes, noise sensitivity, dizziness, anxiety. Stayed in bed.

10 am. Citalopram. Got up, washed, dressed, breakfast cereal. Pushed myself to prepare veg and cooked lunch early for later. Feeling heavy headed, heavy eyes, anxious, weak and unsteady. 

10.40 am. Back to bed with decaf tea. Took one anadin extra that helped with headache. Daughter still not well,worrying.

11.00 am took BP for reassurance, 119/80. Got up, did some ironing, cleaned bathroom, tidied around.

11.40 am. Back on bed, heavy eyes.

1 pm. Got up for lunch

1.30 pm rested on bed, watched tv, feeling dizzy, depressed.

4 pm Showered and washed hair. Nausea, headache.

5.30 pm ate small dinner, ready meal.

6 pm  back to bed, watched tv, phoned mum. 

Feelings have been the same all evening, symptoms making me depressed. Not sure if my doses are accurate, trying to measure as best as I can but wondering if there have been some  variations.

Wondering if I should continue with same dose, reduce, increase or stop.

I have a holiday booked in six weeks and want desperately to be able to go.

How many more days do I need to journal? Makes very boring reading I'm afraid.

Thank you

 

[Sonia009]

@FireflyFyte Hi, how many more days do I need to journal please, I've done four? I'm having a bad day today. Thanks.

[BaccatePlayer]

Just now, Sonia009 said:

I'm having a bad day today.

Hang in there, Sonia! A bad day means your body puts up a fight against symptoms. Sending lots of patience and strength!

[FireflyFyte]

8 minutes ago, Sonia009 said:

Hi, how many more days do I need to journal please, I've done four? I'm having a bad day today. Thanks.

 

Can you elaborate what you mean by having a day day?

[Sonia009]

24 minutes ago, FireflyFyte said:

 

Can you elaborate what you mean by having a day day?

Dizziness, nausea, feeling low, no energy to do anything, spent all morning in bed. Totally fed up and feeling hopeless. Headaches, head and eye pressure, tinnitus louder. BP ok.