success Purplestars22: celexa withdrawal

[Purplestars22]

Hello everyone so I am new here but was referred here by paxilprogress. My celexa timeline is: Started Celexa 20mg February 2008 for anxiety
Started one month taper in August 2012
Reinstated Celexa 10mg on November 2012
January 2013 5 mg every day for two weeks
5mg every other day for two weeks
5mg every 3 days for one month
5mg every 4 days every 2 months
5mg every 5 days for one month
5 mg every 4 days for one month
2.5mg every 3 days for one month
2.5mg every 2 days for one month
2.5 mg for every to days and a half for one month
Celexa free since 12/2013
Last year and this year has been the hardest for me mentally. I have been suffering from extreme debilitating brain fog, head pressure, strange irrational thoughts, I have lost all my social skills, forgetful on finding the right word when conversations, insomnia, withdrawal crippiling anxiety and loud thoughts when falling asleep. I have tried reinstating for 5 days this month but then quit bc it was not recommended after so long being off of it. I work a couple days a week at a store and it is hard for me bc of all the symptoms that I have. I don't know what to do if I just should wait it out or maybe reinstate at 2.5mg then stabilize at 5 or 10 then taper by the 10% methods. Someone please help....

Edited July 19, 2016 by scallywag
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[Frustrated]

Alot of us were also on the other site before it closed. Welcome. I like this site very much and find it comforting at times. I hope you will find it helpful as well.

[Purplestars22]

Alot of us were also on the other site before it closed. Welcome. I like this site very much and find it comforting at times. I hope you will find it helpful as well.

Thank you

[Purplestars22]

I don't know what I should do does anyone have suggestions?

[Frustrated]

I don't think I should be giving advice but I do know that the longer you are off meds the less likely a reinstatement will work. I was off paxil five months then reinstated 1.2 mg which so far has not done me much good. I also suffer anxiety, intrusive thoughts, pain and brain fog. I think it is all part of the withdrawls and noone can even predict how long it will last. You just have to keep your chin up amd know that it will eventually pass. I am sure others will be along to offer advice and encouragement.

[Petunia]

Welcome Purplestars22,

 

I'm sorry you have been feeling so unwell since coming off Celexa a year ago.  As you may already know, skipping doses is not a recommended way to taper off these drugs, but I'm sure you were doing what you thought was best at the time. 

 

Unfortunately, at a year out, reinstatement doesn't usually go well.  I tried to reinstate when I was over a year off Lexapro, I also tried to take Prozac, but both times it made my symptoms much worse.

 

The best I can offer by way of advice is to listen to your body and avoid those things that set off symptoms as much as possible. Aside from a high quality fish oil and magnesium, avoid supplements. (See King of Supplements: Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil) and Magnesium, Nature's Calcium Channel Blocker). They've been helpful to many of us. 

 

Here is the link to our symptoms and self care section, you may find some useful ideas to help manage symptoms as you recover.  Especially read the topics pinned at the top.

 

You will eventually get better.

 

Please put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature.  Putting a short version of your drug and tapering history in your signature helps people understand your context, it appears below each of your posts.  Here are instructions for how to do it:

 

http://survivinganti...your-signature/

 

You can use this thread as your ongoing journal to track progress and communicate with the community, add to it whenever you want.

 

Petu.

[Songbird]

Hey Purplestars, I remember you from pp.  At a year off I would not attempt a reinstatement unless symptoms are really unbearable.  There is a high risk of it not working or making things worse.  Your brain has probably done a lot of rebalancing work in that time, even if it doesn't really feel like it.

[Lookingforhope55]

Purple stars I'm dealing with CELEXa withdrawals and reinstated to 10mgs five weeks ago. I'm sleeping better but tired a lot. Waiting for my brain to wake up. All I can add is there is some great advice here from caring people. Hope you find what you need.

[Purplestars22]

Thank you all for your replies. I just regret not reinstating sooner when I was off the drug. I am just tired of the waiting game and being like this with zero quality of life.

[Purplestars22]

I am wondering since I skipped dosses for a year will it take longer for me to heal from withdrawal? And how will it effect my nervous system?

[bubble]

Hello Purplestars,

 

it's hard if not impossible to answer your question. And what would the answer mean to you? Would it help you in a constructive way? It's always best to let the bygones be bygones. Easier said than done...

 

Skipping doses is not good but if we want to compare ourselves, you have been on only one drug, you didn't get switched between drugs and you didn't take multiple drugs. These are all things that were very good for your nervous system so I would rather focus on those

 

Have you notices that your symptoms have been reducing in intensity over time, however slightly? Loud thoughts as you say when falling asleep are definitely not pleasant but it's great that you can sleep. It's also great that you can work a couple of days a week. Many people can't do either. Try to focus on these positive aspects while waiting for things to get better. They will and they are.

[Purplestars22]

Bubble, thank you so much for your reply I really nedded this right now since It has been so difficult. I will look at the positive from now on.

Since the last two months I have been getting a whole set of wave symptoms such as not being able to socialize, intense brain fog, loud thoughts during the day, being on the edge and negative, irrational thoughts. I have noticed some symptoms disappeared or lessen such as brain zaps and headaches. However with all this I feel that I will have better days and will get better.

[Purplestars22]

I would like to vent about my feelings for a bit since nobody in my life understands about wd. Last week I had sort of a window that lasted for a couple of days which helped me out a bit. During the window I had no intrusive negative, irrational thoughts, no anxiety,akathisia or head pressure. What I did have was brain fog, annedhonia and memory problems. What surprised me was that in that semi window I was in pms and usually I get some wave symptoms during that period. I couldn't fully enjoy the window because I knew that it was going to be temporarily and was scared of how I was going to be the next day. I have to learn on being present and not be preoccupied on the future. I can't believe that I have been going through this for two years now I just hope that I keep being strong and not let this affect me since sometimes I am scared but I am hopeful. One thing that happened that was strange today(wd is overall strange) is I had thoughts then I answered or my thoughts answered automatically. Like I was talking to myself automatically I hope that is only a one time thing. Has anybody had this before?

 

 

For me it's really hard posting here because Its hard for me to share my thoughts or feelings but I know that It helps to continue my healing. Also it's hard for me to post when my brain fog is debilitating and can't understand or explain myself correctly.

[mammaP]

Hi Purplestars, I'm pleased to see that you had a window of sorts, any improvement, however fleeting is

a sign of healing.  It is impossible for people to understand what we go through if they haven't been there.

It's even harder for them when everywhere they read and hear about how marvellous these drugs are. 

 

Don't worry about explaining yourself properly, writing about how you are feeling is good for you, and is a 

way of journalling your progress. One day you will be able to read back and see when things changed, and

sometimes will see what  triggers waves. It helps us to make some sense of the nonsense too at times. 

 

I have experienced what you are speaking about, answering myself! I used to cry to my doctor that there are

2 of me and they are always arguing! It still happens but not as often. I think for me now it is because I spend 

a lot of time alone with only myself to talk to, if that makes sense. But it is different to the experience when I 

was suffering badly with drug reactions and withdrawal.  

[summer]

 

For me it's really hard posting here because Its hard for me to share my thoughts or feelings but I know that It helps to continue my healing. Also it's hard for me to post when my brain fog is debilitating and can't understand or explain myself correctly.

Hi Purple... want to tell you that I understood every word you said perfectly!  Also, I agree with the others... reinstating is prob not the best idea.  In a recent post you were asked if you feel a "little" better.  In other words, when you look back over the year is it a bit better than it was a year ago?  I hope you can say yes to that... even if just a whisper.   You will get better.  You are getting better every day!

[Skylarblue75]

Hi PS, ivd been going through protracted wd from 10 years use of celexa for 28 1/2 months. I didn't realize what was happening to me and ended up being hospitalized several times and given fist fulls of pills. The things that im experiencing i didnt have prior to ever going on celexa, only when I stopped. Your not alone,if you have the time and feel up to it read my post. Just wantes to say hi.

[Purplestars22]

Hello mammaP, it is tough to try explain what is happening since there is not a lot of information out there of wd. Some people think I should be over it by now and that it is just depression.

 

It's comforting that I could write here anything about what I am feeling and not be judged. I will forever be grateful for this site.

[Purplestars22]

Hey summer, thank you so much for your reassurance that I am healing and all this will go away. I do feel like I am better than I was last year just different set of symptoms.

[Purplestars22]

Hey skylarblue75, I had no idea that stopping Celexa would make me worse and cause a whole lot of problems. I also had no problems while being Celexa. It's crazy what these meds do to the nervous system but we live and learn. I wish you the best in your healing and thanks for reply and to all.

[Purplestars22]

I have been having a wave these two last days and its hard. They are not as bad as they were last month but still very bothersome. I am having irrational thoughts that I can't overcome and I am afraid that I will start believing them. I am just inside the house but plan to get out tomorrow. I just hope that when all this is done I could still be strong and does not leave me weak and frightened. I just that I could be productive and not be so disabled.

[Purplestars22]

**I just hope**

[Purplestars22]

Last Saturday I had to attend a family's member party which was a tough thing to do. I was there for a couple of hours and left me exhausted and drained. It was tough for me because the wdl has left me with no social or communication skills. I have a hard time being with a lot of people because it leaves me with a horrible state of mind. I am scared that people will judge me but i have to accept others people perception of me and cant control it. After a social event what I get is wdl/wave symptoms such as rumination, irrational, loud thoughts, brain fog, memory problems, scarred and anxiety ridden. Lately I have been getting flashbacks of the past and it is strange. I feel like I am getting worse and feel that this is the toughest thing to deal with that I am loosing it but I know it's wd but still does not help.

 

I know that I should avoid stress but there was no way that I couldn't go to the party or else my family would have been upset over it and tell me that i need meds to be normal. I have a sister that I don't get along with and feel is impeding my healing process. She is very negative, toxic, combative and has no sympathy for what I am going through. I know that I should limit my interaction with her and not let her affect me. I have to focus on myself and don't care what she thinks about me but its easier said than done with all the neuro emotions.

[Purplestars22]

Does anyone know how to deal with social situations?

[Lookingforhope55]

For me, I try to avoid or limit exposure to stressful relationships. I want to be around uplifting people if I can.

[Purplestars22]

Currently had a couple of good days but now to a wave for the last 3 days. I have just been watching yt videos to not think about it. I am living in the moment practicing mindfulness and accepting everything that comes up.

[Wildflower0214]

Mindfulness is really really hard for me. maybe I'm doing it wrong. Lol

 

I'm sorry to hear about the wave. I hope it ends very soon. Just stopping by for support.

[Purplestars22]

JDM1984 thanks for your reply, my therapist referred me to Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) last year and that is where I learned it. It takes a lot of practice and patience. It basically is being in the present moment watch thoughts come and go without bringing any judgement and focus on breathing. There is guided and information on mindfulness on YouTube. Hope it helps for you.

[Purplestars22]

Today has been one of the hardest day I enrolled in college for a couple of classes and my wd symptoms when through the roof. I was not able to sleep so may had an affect. I had irrational thoughts that was hard to control and caused me hard to concentrate. I felt extremely out of it I thought I was going to loose it and i was afraid that i was going to believe them. Wow it was a tough day to say the least. I just don't feel normal that causes me a hard time to communicate with people.

[Lookingforhope55]

Maybe tomorrow will be better. I hate stress but maybe something good will happen to you soon

[Purplestars22]

Lookingforhope55, thanks I hope so.

[Petunia]

Are you taking any supplements purplestars?

 

Many people find  fish oil and magnesium helpful, see King of Supplements: Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil) and Magnesium, Nature's Calcium Channel Blocker

[Purplestars22]

Hey Petunia, thanks for your post I am currently taking Magnesium and plan to take fish oil.

[Martina23]

I also have these irrational thoughts and all the time when have them i am observing myself if i do not start to believe on them. It is scary, that simple little changes in neurotransmitter can bring you feel the reality other than it really is. I am also then scared that i might consider these thoughts real and act upon them. Till now i never did, but it is terrible feeling. I completely understand what you feel. Sometimes I think how could it be nice to vanish from my current life and maybe live somewhere like in the film "dances with wolves", there would not be possibility to do anything inappropriate and also not such a pressure to behave according to our expected normes in so called modern world

[Purplestars22]

Hey martina23, irrational thoughts is one of the hardest symptoms to have to endure. I just have to to be aware of them and let them pass. I found a quote about this, 'What you resist persist Don't try to resist or control the thought just be aware'. Wish you well...

[Purplestars22]

-Self Reflection-

One of the things that I wish had done differently was how I tapered because that is having a prolonged effect how I am living my life right now. I tapered 1 year 5 mg then to 2.5mg the whole year skipping doses. At the beginning I had no idea that was not the route to go. But then the process impaired my cognition greatly and I signed up on Paxil Progress on August of 2013 and didn't change my method of tapering. I am thinking know of why I didn't do it of what I was thinking and it took me one full year to post on that site. Since I have Social anxiety it's harder for me to express my thoughts. But I have to accept that it was my wd mind (intense brain fog) that could not comprehend things even though I was during that time I was suffering I thought that it was only temporary. I feel that i have many points against me such as took ad when i was young, c/t one time, skipped dose the next, took ad for six years and feel like i destabilized my ns. Now my symptoms are much worse than tapering and affecting my whole life it's so debilitating. I have had a couple of windows this month so that cheers me. But this whole week has been acute wd with fear terror that I was not going to make it. I never thought this amount of suffering was going to happen by taking ad. But I have to have hope that this will pass and I will get better.

[ladybug]

Yes, you have to hold on to that hope. The fact that you are already having windows is a good sign.

 

I also was put on at a young age (17-18) and have been on for almost 17 years! When I get hopeless I feel those are huge strikes against me, but when in a window I have more faith that healing can and does happen for everyone eventually, no natter how long you were on, etc. And don't beat yourself up about how you tapered. Many people do tapers like yours and are okay. I have met them. The evil thing with these drugs is that you never know if you are going to be one of the unlucky ones who doesn't get off so easily.

 

You are healing every day. You will get there.