☼ Fromthenetherlands: cold turkey citalopram brain fog / concentration problems

[Fromthenetherlands]

Hi @jozeff and @Greatful,

 

Thanks for your responses. My main problem are cognitive issues. I have had some windows and it seems that there is improvement in my cognitive abilities. I am now able to read at some level. A few months ago i could not even look at a book. It was so bad that I have lost my job. I am living with my parents again. Processing information is going a bit better also but it is still far not what it was. Especially my short term memory is awful. I gained a lot of weight during the use of citalopram and I cannot loose the weight which is very frustrating. It is as if my metabolism is damaged. My energy leven is also very low and I have no motivation at all. I am also very very sensitive to sugar and caffeine. I am very thankful that there is improvement, but also very frustrated that it is improving so slowly. I am in my mid 20-ies. Is being young an advantage for healing? I also sleep a lot. Sometimes it feels as if I have a (light?)version of hypersomina. I havent written it in my former posts. After i quit citalopram CT I have been suicidal for a very short period. It was very very strange and frightening . I have never been suicidal in my hole life, never even depressed. These pills are no joke. 

[Fromthenetherlands]

I got the flu which made me feel very bad this week. Can such a thing erase any improvement I made till I got the flu? Anyone experience with it? I feel very ill, especially a lot of headache.  

[Greatful]

@Fromthenetherlands

1 hour ago, Fromthenetherlands said:

I got the flu which made me feel very bad this week.

I am sorry that you got the flu😥

 I can't imagine the flu erasing any of your improvements.  The flu might send you into a wave. 

I really think you will be fine.

Be extra kind and patient with yourself😊  

[KenA]

1 hour ago, Fromthenetherlands said:

I got the flu which made me feel very bad this week. Can such a thing erase any improvement I made till I got the flu? Anyone experience with it? I feel very ill, especially a lot of headache.  

@Fromthenetherlands I just got over being sick for 3 weeks with Coved. It did cause me to have some mild waves, but once I was healed the waves have gone away again. It didnt set me back at all Hope this helps

[Fromthenetherlands]

Thanks guys!

[Heinz1903]

Hallo, i'm also from the Netherlands. What you wrote i kind off can relate too. Only i did it with tapering. Please don't go to elite psychiators and mental doctors, they are lying lobbying *******, who actually try to buy over or silence smaller critical thinking ones. Big Pharma is really large in holland especially in the mental health part.

 

What i have noticed in myself is that i'm very sensitive for stress that causes my completly blown away from reality and causes brainfog for a couple of days. What you feel is a logical reaction of your brain correcting itself and not a issue of itself. (i'm not a doctor but i have feld it myself and talked to a few.)

 

It is basically this what causes brainfog. sensitive for stress, Alot of dopamine release and Caffeine. which are my triggers.

 

Basically avoid caffeine, Funny vids on the internet, Endless scroling, Overworking. I don't know the work you do, but i do recommend is going to a medical proffesional that works with stress or stress related problems. If you could get that on paper you have proof and have to worry less in the near future..

 

Try to implement working out, Meditation and reading into your life. Wim hof method does work also but that is a more personal thing.

Get that serotine flowing, best is lifting weight or running. Find a hobby. don't see this as a bad time but as a opportunity to get you life together in the way you want it. For me the **** i have gone trough is actually a spiritual awakening for me(but not the tree hugging type). Enjoy the ride, step out of your comfort zone. Rise above! If you could endure what you have gone trough which most of us here do. You can endure everything.

[Fromthenetherlands]

Hi @Heinz1903,

 

Thanks for your encouraging message and your tips. 

[Fromthenetherlands]

After my last message/the flu i”m in a very bad wave it seems. It is as if I have lost all cognitive progress and I feel a lot of pressure in my head. This whole journey has really cost such an amount of energy. I”m really tired and fed up with it…  

[DutchMaddy]

Remember. Recovery is not lineair!

Hold on. This too shall pass!

[Heinz1903]

@FromthenetherlandsI noticed i got the flu too especially after a moment of intense stress. You are very sensetive for stress when being clean or still tapering. There is a connection between the flu and stress and the other way around.  Remember after wave there is always a window. So it always becomes better.

 

Take it easy don't put to much pressure on yourself. Flu symptoms are very common in severe waves. The heavy head can be Sinus issues. which is linked to the immune system. That has been weakend by the stress in my case.

 

If it gets unbearable i recommend calling a doctor, especially because you don't have to think about selfcare. if its okay, just make yourself some hot chocolate and watch some long classic movie. You are in the netherlands just like my right now, it's not the best weather either. So lay the pain/cause on external factors instead of yourself.

 

Recommend to stay away from coffee,Alcohol, caffeine and certain supplements basically anything that can trigger a wave. Waves will be triggered by dopamine or foods that influence the nerve system.

[Sunnylight]

Good morning, I have been reading your story and was wondering how you are doing?

 

[Fromthenetherlands]

Hey @Sunnylight,

 

Im still in a bad situation. My cognitive problems are severe and I have food sensitivities. I started trying a low carb diet which helped me somehow with loosing weight. My concentration, especially processing information, reading is still very bad. I don't know how long it will last, somedays it is unbearable…

[Sunnylight]

Hi @Fromthenetherlands I am so sorry to hear you are still suffering so bas. It is astonishing how much impact these medicines have on us. Especially when you have used them for such a short time. I understand it is difficult to cope. What do your days look like? And do you have some support? Is there any difference in how you feel compared to when you just stopped? I am in a bad place myself as well at the moment, for about almost three weeks now, hoping for some relief to come soon. Best wishes for now!

[Fromthenetherlands]

Update: This month I have started with neurofeedback. I did  6  sessions in total. Now I am really suprised by the effects. I immediately started noticing improvements in my memory after the first session. The improvement seems to get better after each session. I was pretty sceptical at the beginning, but am very happy by the effect i gained. I wanted to share this experience with people here on SA. I am doing the SMR-protocol. I first did a qeeg-scan, but nothing strange appeared on the scan. Then the center decided to apply the SMR-protocol. My memory isnt what it was still, but the improvement I gained is very precious for me. I now can enter old memories and associate better therefore. I also can communicate on a better level since I can keep up with what my counterpart said. Before even following that could be difficult. The advice is to do at least 30 sessions. I will try to finish this. It is important that I am going to a well known center in my country where they have good experience with neurofeedback. my cns has calmed also immensely. Don’t have the daily suffering from chaos in my cns anymore. 

[DutchMaddy]

So happy for you, keep is updated!

[CeruleanSea]

Hi @FromthenetherlandsI’m following you as the brain fog/memory issues are a big concern for me.

 

The neurofeedback sounds promising!! I hope it continues to have good effects for you. 

[Fromthenetherlands]

Update: as I wrote before I visited a neurofeedback specialist in my country. They did a QEEG-scan and told me nothing strange was seen on the scan and advised me a general therapy. The therapy helped in some way, but I still struggled with problems afterwards. I had a feeling there still was something wrong with my brain waves. I wanted a second opinion, so I did a research for a good specialist. I found another specialist in NFB and QEEG in another country. So i made an appointment with him. He did a new QEEG-scan and it was clear that I had serious deviations in my brainwaves. Apparently the scan made first wasn’t that accurate. This specialist told me that the deviations can be caused by medicine and he has helped many others suffering from this. One of my main problem was my reading problem. My therapy of around 4 weeks just ended and it seems my reading problem is cured. Also there is a more healthy balance in my brain ( no zaps, and frustration feelings anymore). We did a a new scan an the end of the therapy and it was seen that the deviations are corrected for a major part. There is however left some deviation, for which I should apply a an extra therapy. Since he lives in another country, I cant do it immediately. I really have the impression that these meds can have serious effect on our brainwaves. For healing in these cases an non-invasive therapy as NFB can be helpful and even necessary maybe. The nice part of this therapy is that its pretty save. I think it would be good to have more attention on the effect of these meds on brain waves. For people thinking of applying this therapy: find a good therapist, not every therapist (even with certificates etc.) is really truely knowledgeable.  

[Vega]

So happy to read that this therapy offered you some relief! Any improvement is something to be celebrated!

[Fromthenetherlands]

@Altostrata

[Robbiev1983]

Translated text:

 

Hi fromthenetherlands,

I'm Robert, live in the Netherlands and have been in withdrawal from lexapro for 5 months now. With me the withdrawals are already decreasing a bit, have had fitful months. I read that you do neurofeedback. I was also looking at that. Can you tell me about your experiences? Who have you been with and what tips would you like to share?

 

Thank you very much in advance.

 

Dear Robert

 

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

 

 

Hoi fromthenetherlands, 

Ik ben Robert, woon in Nederland en ben nu 5 maanden in withdrawal van lexapro. Bij mij nemen de ontwenningen al wat af, heb hefitige maanden achter de rug. Ik las dat je neurofeedback doet. Ik zat daar ook naar te kijken. Kun je mee vertellen over jouw ervaringen? Bij wie ben je geweest? en welke tips zou je willen delen?

alvast hartelijke dank.

vrgr, Robert

 

Edited August 1, 2022 by ChessieCat
added translation

[Altostrata]

Glad you're feeling better. Very dubious about this brain wave test.

[Fromthenetherlands]

Hello everyone, here's an update on my situation. The initial phase was a nightmare, especially due to cognitive issues. From being highly intelligent, I transformed into someone with a leaky memory, no analytical ability, impaired reading skills, and virtually no emotional life. Also libido problems were the case.  Thankfully, things have significantly improved. I can now say that my new baseline represents about 60% recovery, reaching 80% on good days. This recovery journey is marked by periods of progress and setbacks. Looking back, I can note that the recovery process accelerated significantly after the second year. My goal is to be fully recovered within the next five years. I hope this post brings hope to readers, something I desperately sought at the beginning of this ordeal. Recovery is a challenging journey with many ups and downs; perseverance is key.

I've found certain strategies beneficial, although they are highly individualized. These include following a low-carb diet (keto/paleo), engaging in physical activity despite the energy challenges at the beginning, and taking supplements like fish oil and vitamin D. Personally, neurofeedback with Vielight has been instrumental in my recovery. It's crucial to find a skilled practitioner, as not all are well-versed in this treatment. Neurofeedback aids in activating the brain, and I believe it has expedited my recovery.

Reflecting on dark moments I had, I'm glad I persisted. Now, I am reasonably functional, and I find moments to enjoy life as I continue moving forward. I hope that one day the system will recognize the impact of these meds. @Altostrata thanks for this platform. I would appreciatie if this message would be shared in the succes story posts. 

[DutchMaddy]

Good for you!!🌹

[Altostrata]

Because you're feeling better, I added our cheerful "here comes the sun" symbol ☼ to the title of your Intro topic, to show you're recovering.

 

Please continue to let us know how you're doing. I hope you will add your story to our Recovery Success Stories eventually!

 

Please see this topic:  How to write your success story

[guile2]

On 6/13/2021 at 12:47 PM, Fromthenetherlands said:

Update: I am in a very bad phase of brain fog. Drives me crazy. Anyone experience with same situation? Is this normal? Getting truely depressed can barely function at work.

I have found natural ways to help brain fog through a natural diet and natural plants (spices vegetables fruits roots seeds leaves teas ect) if you are interested in hearing just read some of my posts. I found your thread because I also recently cold turkeyed my western medicine but I didn't do it the way you might think. I had 6 months of monthly injections that linger in the body at half strength from 24-48 days and I am in the 55th day of not taking it. So there is still significant amounts in my body but I discovered a way to stop my withdrawal by about 95%. I posted the blog information on my website at friendsforpeers.angelfire.com after the picture. I also learned how to improve my brain fog over the years through diet and organic vegetable juicing. I also love your country I want to travel to the Netherlands one day. 

 

Edit: oops I didn't see that everyone from sa.org was posting here rofl. Now I feel like a fool. Oh well I'm glad you have recovered.

 

 

(i guess this is what happens when you use the search function and don't read everything before posting)