Sonia009: Citalopram discontinuation/reinstatement

[Sonia009]

19 minutes ago, BaccatePlayer said:

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

@BaccatePlayer Thank you for that. Not sure why this is happening, maybe it's because I stopped taking my dose for a couple of days a week ago.

[FireflyFyte]

5 hours ago, Sonia009 said:

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.

 

This could be related to your recent changes and after reading through your logs, it does not appear that you are having an adverse reaction to the Citalopram (if you were, we would expect to see an increase in symptoms shortly after the dosage) so I would recommend holding to see if you stabilize. As mentioned by Emonda, stabilization can often take time but continuing to make changes could further de-stabilize you so I think a hold would be beneficial.

[Sonia009]

19 minutes ago, FireflyFyte said:

 

This could be related to your recent changes and after reading through your logs, it does not appear that you are having an adverse reaction to the Citalopram (if you were, we would expect to see an increase in symptoms shortly after the dosage) so I would recommend holding to see if you stabilize. As mentioned by Emonda, stabilization can often take time but continuing to make changes could further de-stabilize you so I think a hold would be beneficial.

@FireflyFyte@EmondaThank you for your advice, I very much appreciated it. I agree, I seem to be ok after taking Citalopram. My symptoms seem to come any time of day and sometimes are affected by stress and anxiety. I will continue with the 0.5 mg dose and take more care in measuring it also.

Regards to you both and best wishes with your own healing.

[Sonia009]

On 3/25/2024 at 2:08 PM, BaccatePlayer said:

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

@BaccatePlayer Thanks for your support, much appreciated. Seem to be going through a fatigue phase again, tummy upset and constipation.  Roll on better days for us all!

[BaccatePlayer]

18 minutes ago, Sonia009 said:

@BaccatePlayer Thanks for your support, much appreciated. Seem to be going through a fatigue phase again, tummy upset and constipation.  Roll on better days for us all!

Yes, we will eventually get there! At least you can have a mental connection to the idea that it's going to pass because fatigue and digestion issues are so natural that it shouldn't cause panic on its own. In my case those would be memory issues that simply don't feel like immediate threat, just a symptom. I hope you can allow yourself to rest and make it to a better phase.

[Sonia009]

@BaccatePlayer Yes, if they were the only symptoms I would agree with you but there are other symptoms too unfortunately.😊🙏

[BaccatePlayer]

1 hour ago, Sonia009 said:

@BaccatePlayer Yes, if they were the only symptoms I would agree with you but there are other symptoms too unfortunately.😊🙏

Ah, alright. I reacted just to those you mentioned. Sorry to hear that. Yes, that's sadly our reality that it's not just for example headache and nausea, but a bunch of symptoms at once with our fragile mood being ready to panic and detoriate to helplessness any moment. Not to mention there's barely any relief from that. It's a true challenge to navigate ourselves when it's literally causing suffering at all fronts and we can't even think what we want on top of that. Do you also sometimes need a shock phrase during a wave? I found out that often we don't even notice how there's some phantom bubble of symptoms that grows more and more occupying our perception until we realize it's just a wave and reject it as being in command. There are some missed messages during waves smoothly hidden that we may start each day with. For most it's about reminding that it is not dangerous no matter how it feels, that withdrawal eventually ends or even just that wave eventually ends, some need to be reminded that it may be just panic and that correct path is distraction and relaxation and not rummination and validating symptoms. It may sounds obvious during windows, but when pushed to extreme by peak of wave, it seems like a real plot twist. What do you think?

[Sonia009]

@BaccatePlayer The problem I have is accepting these symptoms as being a wave. I'm always thinking what if. They are so scary, for instance I just stood up and felt like I was going to collapse with weakness, feeling hot, weird head sensations. I just had to lie down. I get hot after doing very little but then I can get too cold. I have no appetite, I worry about my weight loss and what other people are thinking. I have dizziness, headaches, nausea, stiff neck, tinnitus, ear fullness, constipation often, aches and pains that come and go, visual disturbances, anxiety, panic and to some extent depression. I just generally feel unwell. I realise these are all possibly symptoms of withdrawal but I constantly need reassurance of that fact. I watched Dr Mark Horowitz interviews on youtube today and I was reassured by that. It all sounded so familiar. If I presented all of these symptoms to my doctor he would not believe they were to do with withdrawal. I should be reassured after having spent 18 hours in A&E a few weeks ago where I had a full body and head scan, x ray, ECG, bloods etc but I still cannot accept all of these symptoms. I have always had health anxiety probably because I did some nursing years ago and as they say, a little knowledge is dangerous. I try to stay positive but it's not easy.😊🙏

[BaccatePlayer]

10 minutes ago, Sonia009 said:

@BaccatePlayer The problem I have is accepting these symptoms as being a wave. I'm always thinking what if. They are so scary, for instance I just stood up and felt like I was going to collapse with weakness, feeling hot, weird head sensations. I just had to lie down. I get hot after doing very little but then I can get too cold. I have no appetite, I worry about my weight loss and what other people are thinking. I have dizziness, headaches, nausea, stiff neck, tinnitus, ear fullness, constipation often, aches and pains that come and go, visual disturbances, anxiety, panic and to some extent depression. I just generally feel unwell. I realise these are all possibly symptoms of withdrawal but I constantly need reassurance of that fact. I watched Dr Mark Horowitz interviews on youtube today and I was reassured by that. It all sounded so familiar. If I presented all of these symptoms to my doctor he would not believe they were to do with withdrawal. I should be reassured after having spent 18 hours in A&E a few weeks ago where I had a full body and head scan, x ray, ECG, bloods etc but I still cannot accept all of these symptoms. I have always had health anxiety probably because I did some nursing years ago and as they say, a little knowledge is dangerous. I try to stay positive but it's not easy.😊🙏

I get it, they just don't feel like symptoms, more like something posessing us inside able to do anything at whim with our body and it's just kinda our whole perception and some clear intrusion simultaneously, but no link to it being a single symptom in the moment. It simply doesn't make sense and just turns into one big out of character experience that cannot be muted and lives its own live inside us. Thinking what if and generally trying to capture some eternal or philosophical meaning rarely work well as you're activating the system that is already oversensitized and (likely unknowingly) add more panic to the experience (more stimulation = more adrenaline rushing through system) which is probably even more confusing when you realize it works slower and with more delay during waves, so you may be feeling worse because a while ago you felt like you're getting worse and pump it over and over again. I also worry about my weight loss, but this seems to be common. Sometimes I can't even bother to name these symptoms, it's just like someone dropped a bottle of chemicals on my brain and now there's some turmoil, suffering from somewhere and not feeling myself in short. Your concerns are definitelly understandable, it feels so unintuitive that the only way to cope is telling yourself that your whole body is lying and no collapse is underway. I'm definitelly on the paranoid spectrum, but even if someone isn't, anxious and depressed people have huge trust issues. Now how are we supposed to trust that it will pass if the message from our bodies cannot be more convincing that it's something very serious? You're a brave hero, Sonia. I'm sure you will find peace soon.

[Sonia009]

@BaccatePlayer Thank you, you have a unique way of describing situations but very accurate. I know I am my own worst enemy, I wish I could think more along your way of thinking and reasoning.  Very reassuring, thanks.😊🙏

[Sonia009]

Hi, didn't want to come back so soon but today I've had a headache, a heavy head feeling, felt like my head was full of gunge, tinnitus loud, extremely fatigued all day, felt like I was going to pass out so went to bed. Is this withdrawal? I'm only on 0.5 mg citalopram for around 14 weeks and I haven't felt great since reinstating. Really confused as what to do for the best. I cannot function, can't even cook now. Spending my days in bed mostly. My husband thinks I should stop taking Citalopram. I wasn't getting these symptoms before reinstating. Any advice welcome. Thanks.

[BaccatePlayer]

7 minutes ago, Sonia009 said:

Hi, didn't want to come back so soon but today I've had a headache, a heavy head feeling, felt like my head was full of gunge, tinnitus loud, extremely fatigued all day, felt like I was going to pass out so went to bed. Is this withdrawal? I'm only on 0.5 mg citalopram for around 14 weeks and I haven't felt great since reinstating. Really confused as what to do for the best. I cannot function, can't even cook now. Spending my days in bed mostly. My husband thinks I should stop taking Citalopram. Any advice welcome. Thanks.

Until mods reply, please Sonia try to calm down. Your tone suggests you are panicking about your symptoms. Don't worry about it now, you don't have to decide within minutes. You have support here and you're not in danger. Yes, it's scary to go through such symptoms and knowing that you're immobilized, but you'll help yourself best by accepting what you're dealing with now. Symptoms are always temporary and there's always an option.

[Sonia009]

@BaccatePlayer Thanks again. I'm so uncertain now if reinstating is the way to go. I wish I knew for sure. Thank you for your wisdom and support.

[Sonia009]

Hi, so I did a few positive things today, firstly I visited my mum who lives a 40 minute drive away (my hubby drove), took her a few things for Easter and it was lovely to see her after two weeks. Secondly I bought two plump pillows and what a difference they make, thirdly I bought mixed seeds that includes omega 3 and pumpkin seeds for the magnesium content. I had the usual stuff going on but it's a step in the right direction. Thanks to you @BaccatePlayer, I think the advice you gave struck a chord. 

Much obliged.😊🙏

 

 

 

 

[Farm24]

On 1/31/2024 at 11:36 AM, HelenR said:

@Sonia009 sad to hear you've had another day of fatigue. Hopefully reading other people's experiences this will eventually lift.

I get a really heavy body as if someone is pushing me down but I'm fortunate I don't get the tiredness only the weakness. I'm at the stage of eating a lot of small meals a day. I can only eat certain foods due to severe gastritis but I do find if I keep eating little and often I can retain a bit of energy.

I know it's hard to eat with nausea as I had that in December but I'm managing now to retain the weight. Last year I lost all body mass and muscle, it was horrible and I couldn't even get in a bath. I'm refusing to get like that but it's a struggle.

Hoping you can get past this awful stage soon.

I get this heavy body feeling. Any idea what it is?

[HelenR]

2 hours ago, Farm24 said:

I get this heavy body feeling. Any idea what it is?

@Farm24 I've absolutely no idea. I'm fortunate as I haven't had it in a while. I assume it's part of withdrawal symptoms.

[Sonia009]

Today has been a horrible day. Woke up 6am with a headache, feeling dizzy and short of breath. I'm still short of breath 11 hours later. The mixed seeds I started using yesterday I wonder? Anyone have problems with sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, with omega 3?

[Farm24]

15 hours ago, HelenR said:

@Farm24 I've absolutely no idea. I'm fortunate as I haven't had it in a while. I assume it's part of withdrawal symptoms.

I've started to have days without it. But I think almost the entire month of December I had it.  It is my most prominent symptom. 

[HelenR]

3 hours ago, Farm24 said:

I've started to have days without it. But I think almost the entire month of December I had it.  It is my most prominent symptom. 

@Farm24 I used to get a similar thing when I had a bad bout of Menieres in the inner ear. I assumed it was that when it came back but I do feel it's a withdrawal symptoms. When I've over done things it happens to me. Last year one of the worst symptoms was pressure in the back of my head. I hated that as it was such an unnatural feeling. The list can go on and on with withdrawals it's very scary but certainly makes you stronger .

[HelenR]

3 hours ago, Sonia009 said:

Today has been a horrible day. Woke up 6am with a headache, feeling dizzy and short of breath. I'm still short of breath 11 hours later. The mixed seeds I started using yesterday I wonder? Anyone have problems with sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, with omega 3?

@Sonia009I'm sad to hear you're still having a rough ride with horrible symptoms. I will mention that when my gastritis is bad I can't tolerate many varieties of nuts/seeds. They caused so much acid it felt like I was having an asthma attack and a heavy feeling in the chest. I can only eat almonds in small quantities. It could be acid you're experiencing. Stop the mixed seeds for a few days just to see if you improve.

[Sonia009]

16 minutes ago, HelenR said:

@Sonia009I'm sad to hear you're still having a rough ride with horrible symptoms. I will mention that when my gastritis is bad I can't tolerate many varieties of nuts/seeds. They caused so much acid it felt like I was having an asthma attack and a heavy feeling in the chest. I can only eat almonds in small quantities. It could be acid you're experiencing. Stop the mixed seeds for a few days just to see if you improve.

@HelenRHi Helen, I've been wondering how you are, are you still in a window? Thanks for the advice, yes I'm not going to take the seeds tomorrow, it only started after taking them. I think they upset my stomach too. I try to do something to help and it all goes pear shaped.😒

 

 

[HelenR]

9 hours ago, Sonia009 said:

@HelenRHi Helen, I've been wondering how you are, are you still in a window? Thanks for the advice, yes I'm not going to take the seeds tomorrow, it only started after taking them. I think they upset my stomach too. I try to do something to help and it all goes pear shaped.😒

 

 

@Sonia009 sadly it is trial and error isn't it. I would try anything to feel better.

I'm still in a window but I'm slowly getting a few odd symptoms rear their ugly head again. Mainly when I'm tired or stressed and it starts the anxiety to kick in. Windows are great and a relief for us but after a window the symptoms feel worse because we have a break from them. 

My joints are incredibly painful at the moment due to my cleaning job and I have a few bouts of depression here and there. I can cope with that so long as my window allows me to function and be there for my parents if they need me.

I'm happy to read you visited your mum. That's a big step forward for you.  These small achievements get bigger and bigger further down the line.

I had a coffee then other day that wasn't decaf, I always try to stick to decaf, I ended up feeling "wired" so it shows how sensitive our systems are months down the line. It's hard to be strict if your in a window as it feels as if everything is Normal once again but I doubt it ever will be Normal for a long long time so I learnt a lesson and stuck to what my nervous system copes with.

Hope you soon stabilise and get a window of relief .

[Sonia009]

@HelenRHi, thank you for your kind wishes. I'm so pleased for you that you are still in a window but sorry to hear you are still getting familiar symptoms that seem to come back to haunt you. It can't be easy doing your job and being in pain. I agree, stress makes it all worse but it's difficult when we have so much stress in our lives that makes it even harder to cope with withdrawal. I try to eat regularly and healthily but it's so difficult when I haven't much of an appetite, I drink water throughout the day, try to carry on with my routine but it's tough. I'm waking up with morning anxiety these days and feeling hot and sweaty. It's hard to stay focussed. My husband has decided to stop taking his Citalopram so that's another worry. 

So lovely to hear from you, let me know how you get on when you decide to reduce your dose further. Sending my best wishes to you and your family.🙏😊

[HelenR]

3 minutes ago, Sonia009 said:

@HelenRHi, thank you for your kind wishes. I'm so pleased for you that you are still in a window but sorry to hear you are still getting familiar symptoms that seem to come back to haunt you. It can't be easy doing your job and being in pain. I agree, stress makes it all worse but it's difficult when we have so much stress in our lives that makes it even harder to cope with withdrawal. I try to eat regularly and healthily but it's so difficult when I haven't much of an appetite, I drink water throughout the day, try to carry on with my routine but it's tough. I'm waking up with morning anxiety these days and feeling hot and sweaty. It's hard to stay focussed. My husband has decided to stop taking his Citalopram so that's another worry. 

So lovely to hear from you, let me know how you get on when you decide to reduce your dose further. Sending my best wishes to you and your family.🙏😊

@Sonia009thankyou. You're husband is being brave in stopping altogether. I hope it doesn't have awful effects on him.

I'm too scared to start reducing yet as I just can't afford not to work and I would have to make up the liquid form of citalopram myself. All too tricky at the moment.

Hope you have a better day today.

[Sonia009]

1 minute ago, HelenR said:

@Sonia009thankyou. You're husband is being brave in stopping altogether. I hope it doesn't have awful effects on him.

I'm too scared to start reducing yet as I just can't afford not to work and I would have to make up the liquid form of citalopram myself. All too tricky at the moment.

Hope you have a better day today.

@HelenRI completely understand that. If I could stabilise on 0.5 mg I too would be happy to stay there after all these withdrawal symptoms. I don't want to go through this ever again, I just want to survive it at the moment. My husband is going cold turkey, maybe he'll be one of the lucky ones.🙏😊

[HelenR]

51 minutes ago, Sonia009 said:

@HelenRI completely understand that. If I could stabilise on 0.5 mg I too would be happy to stay there after all these withdrawal symptoms. I don't want to go through this ever again, I just want to survive it at the moment. My husband is going cold turkey, maybe he'll be one of the lucky ones.🙏😊

@Sonia009 oh I do hope he is lucky. I'm sure you don't need the added stress of him in severe withdrawals. I shall keep everything crossed for you.

[FireflyFyte]

On 3/31/2024 at 11:58 AM, Sonia009 said:

The mixed seeds I started using yesterday I wonder? Anyone have problems with sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, with omega 3?

 

Many people have reactions to supplements while in withdrawal. Are you feeling any better since stopping the seeds?

[mariamisery]

Hi . I am impress by how you are handling everything in such a positive way. Do you get windows and waves ?How do you do it?

[Sonia009]

11 minutes ago, FireflyFyte said:

 

Many people have reactions to supplements while in withdrawal. Are you feeling any better since stopping the seeds?

@FireflyFyte Hi, yes I am thanks, thought I was doing something positive but it wasn't to be.

 

[Sonia009]

13 minutes ago, mariamisery said:

Hi . I am impress by how you are handling everything in such a positive way.  How do you do it?

@mariamiseryHi, I wish I was more positive, I try but some days it's not easy. I think I have been in a wave for weeks, can't remember having a window, maybe several weeks ago which lasted for an hour. 

How are you, is your breathing any better?

[mariamisery]

Thanks. yes it is getting better. Yesterday had a window. Today I am in a wave.  Are you better after trying the seeds?  How do you manage your painful times? Are you almost done with tapering?

[Sonia009]

12 minutes ago, mariamisery said:

Thanks. yes it is getting better. Yesterday had a window. Today I am in a wave.  Are you better after trying the seeds?  How do you manage your painful times? Are you almost done with tapering?

@mariamiseryI'm pleased for you that your breathing has improved. It's good you are having windows, that's a good sign.

I stopped the seeds because they were making me short of breath unfortunately.

I have been on 0.5 mgs Citalopram reinstatement for around 14/15 weeks, not sure, I was hoping to have made more progress by now but still waiting for that magical moment. When I do eventually🙏 stabilise I will hold for some time because I need a break from all of this. How I cope, I just do what I need to do to be honest, there's so much I want to do but just cannot. When things are bad I just rest and watch tv on my tablet or do crossword puzzles if my brain allows it. How do you cope? The thing I miss the most is walking my dog, it breaks my heart.😊🙏

[mariamisery]

HaCoping is very difficult in the wave. My waves me feel awful emotionally.  I try to watch TV which is difficult in a wave because the sensitivity to sounds,etc. I have to talk to myself to keep from losing it. Waves are awful! . Didn't know that reinstating would cause problems.  I know so much I want to do and can't.  Hoping it ends soon

[Sonia009]

7 minutes ago, mariamisery said:

HaCoping is very difficult in the wave. My waves me feel awful emotionally.  I try to watch TV which is difficult in a wave because the sensitivity to sounds,etc. I have to talk to myself to keep from losing it. Waves are awful! . Didn't know that reinstating would cause problems.  I know so much I want to do and can't.  Hoping it ends soon

@mariamisery I'm emotional too, I think many people here feel this way in a wave. When I feel like I'm losing it I use distraction as best I can. I try to focus on good times like holidays, good memories. I sometimes recite a poem or sing a song.  Sometimes I watch tv and turn the sound down really low or even off if my hearing is sensitive and I just watch the screen. Sometimes I just listen to it on low volume because I cannot watch it.😒I tend to listen to the same movie over and over on low volume just before sleep, this helps me sleep. I like the sound of familiar voices and music from the movie and I can picture each scene without watching it because I've seen it so many times before. I think we all of our ways of coping. Hope you feel better soon. Best wishes.🙏😊

[Sonia009]

On the tv news today in UK, there are 450,000 prescriptions for antidepressants prescribed each year for children in England alone. Unbelievable!

[mariamisery]

So  horrible. Unbelievable!! Has to stop! For myself I am sorry I took an antidepressant.  With the reinstatement will you avoid the worst part of withdrawal?