Will: been off Celexa for 2-3 months

[Will]

Hi all,

 

After 18 years (yes, 18 years!) and about three unsuccessful attempts, I'm finally Celexa free! It took me about six months to wean off but I did it. The real struggle started after I was completely off of it.

 

Now I have good days and bad days. Some days I have minor anxiety that passes in time, and other days, like today I'm an anxious mess in a low mood. It's a horrible feeling. I'm just wondering if this is my brain re-adjusting to being drug free or a return of my anxiety and depression. It's very hard to tell and disappointing. I thought the hardest part of weaning off was behind me but apparently it's just beginning.

 

I do not want to go back on any meds. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks in advance- Will

[Gridley]

Hello, Will, and welcome to SA.  Anxiety and low mood are typical withdrawal symptoms as your brain adjusts to being drug free.  

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list.

 

When we take medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.  

 

These explain it really well:

 

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

   On 8/30/2011 at 2:28 PM,  Rhiannon said: 

When we stop taking the drug, we have a brain that has designed itself so that it works in the presence of the drug; now it can't work properly without the drug because it's designed itself so that the drug is part of its chemistry and structure. It's like a plant that has grown on a trellis; you can't just yank out the trellis and expect the plant to be okay. When the drug is removed, the remodeling process has to take place in reverse. SO--it's not a matter of just getting the drug out of your system and moving on. If it were that simple, none of us would be here. It's a matter of, as I describe it, having to grow a new brain. I believe this growing-a-new-brain happens throughout the taper process if the taper is slow enough. (If it's too fast, then there's not a lot of time for actually rebalancing things, and basically the brain is just pedaling fast trying to keep us alive.) It also continues to happen, probably for longer than the symptoms actually last, throughout the time of recovery after we are completely off the drug, which is why recovery takes so long.

 

These links explain very well how long withdrawal takes and what happens after "zero."

• How Long Is Withdrawal Going to Take? (this post - see below)
• It doesn’t end at “0”
• Things to do Along the Way
• So, When Will We Get There?

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Please research all supplements first and only add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

Please add a drug signature, including drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements in the last 12-24 months. Also include supplements. This will help us give you the most accurate advice we can. 

• Any drugs and supplements prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years. 
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ag 
• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses. 
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 
• This is a direct link to your signature:  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions,  post updates and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 1, 2019 by Gridley

[Will]

Thank you so much for all the info and advice.

[Carmie]

Hi Will, 

 

Welcome to SA from me as well. Gridley gave you some excellent links about what to expect after you’re off the meds. Our brains heal by going through windows and waves. I’m still tapering and every drop I make I go through this process, our brains are trying to find some kind of equilibrium. 

 

Personally I find that when going through waves distractions have been the best thing to help me cope. I do all sorts of things: arts and crafts, get out in nature, DVD and Netflix marathons, music etc etc etc. 

 

Please keep us updated as to how you’re doing. You can use your thread here to journal your journey or ask questions. You can also interact on other people’s threads so you can get some encouragement. We are all in the same boat here. 

 

Sending hugs🤗

[Will]

Hi Carmie,

 

Yes, I too try to keep my mind as occupied as possible whilst not focusing on my ADWD. Sometimes I have to actually force myself to get involved in activities. Slow days at work can be torture, which fortunately is rare. I didn't expect it to be this difficult, but here I am, determined to be drug free.

 

Thanks for the support! 👍

 

 

[ChapNasty]

I wish you the best of luck during your withdrawal process. My story is very similar. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions. You CAN do this!

[Will]

Thank you!

[Will]

Hello all,

 

I'm back for my 6-month check in. I had been making good progress up until about late August, then a wave hit. It was really bad for about three weeks but it's starting to subside now. It literally tricked my mind into doubting everything in my life, catastrophizing, snowball thinking, etc. I thought I was loosing my mind! I'm not back to feeling as good as I did before the wave but I'm getting there.  I've been going to the gym almost every day since my original post and actually lost about 15 pounds in the process. Also started meditation classes this week to help with the anxiety. The wave hit me like a ton of bricks. Fortunately no panic attacks, but I came close a few times.

 

That's it for now. Here's to an easier 6 months ahead!

 

- Will

 

 

[Healingnow]

Sorry you had a bad wave after so much time but glad to hear the trend is toward healing.  Please keep us posted.  

[Will]

Thank you, I will!

[jozeff]

Hi will, how are you doing?

 

I hope your windows have returned and that the skies are clearer for you these days!!

 

Good luck and keep up the spirit

 

Jozeff

[Will]

I’m doing better, the windows are longer and the waves are shorter. Stressful situations are still a challenge but otherwise I’m making progress.

 

Thanks for asking!

[Healingnow]

So glad to hear you're doing better, with longer windows and shorter waves!  Best wishes for continued healing!