shannonjoyjoy: Withdrawing from Celexa, need hope

[shannonjoyjoy]

Hi all,

 

I am currently withdrawing from Celexa 10mg after 9 years on, and Latuda 10mg after 1 year on. I had an episode (panic attack that put me in the ER) back in June that my psych doc suspected was being caused by these meds and we had to stop them. I went from 10mg Celexa to 2.5 abruptly. It was very rough for a week or so and then I started to feel a bit better and could return to work. Then, this past week I was hit so hard. Unbearable panic and anxiety, nausea, no appetite. I was encouraged to get off Celexa completely. Now the brain zaps are back and the anxiety is off the charts. I take Propranolol, 10 mg three times a day to help with the symptoms but there are times like right now where it’s not touching it. Lab work is all good except progesterone was a bit high… getting that checked out tomorrow.

I’m wondering if anyone on here can give me some hope about this ending at some point. I know it’s a process and is going to take awhile, especially after being on it for nine years, but I’m really worried that this is going to last forever. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Onmyway]

Welcome to SA, Shannon! 

 

I am sorry you are going through all this but know that there is an end to this. It is not permanent.

 

You may want to check the Symptoms and Self Care forum for help in managing some of the symptoms.

 

Have you considered reinstatement or, in your case, a small updose?

 

Can you pls put your drug signature in your profile so we can have a look at it at a glance to better advise you? You can find the instructions at the top of this forum.  Or go to your profile, settings and you will find the link to the signature there.

 

Hope you get some respite soon but know that this will get better

OMW

 

 

[shannonjoyjoy]

Thank you so much for your reply. I was taking 2.5 mg every other day and my doctor has had me stop all together as of last Friday. I am re-experiencing the pure hell that I already went through and wasn’t finished with, all over again. The amount of anxiety and sensory disturbances I have is unreal. Sure hoping this ends soon, not sure how much more I can take. I am currently

off work on FMLA, but not getting paid and need to get back!! I will try to figure out how to add my meds in my signature. Again thank you for your kind words

[Strugglingmama]

@shannonjoyjoy

 

i just wanted to check in to see how you are doing? I myself am struggling with withdrawal as well. I was recently taking some propranolol to see if it would help. 

[shannonjoyjoy]

Hello! I am doing so much better. Not 100% but not the crippling anxiety I had for over a month.. Just in the last 3-4 days things have improved quite a bit. I took two weeks off of work. And actually went back today. I have slowly lessened the Propranolol to bedtime only. (I was taking 4-10mg pills a day) I am SO sorry you are going through it too. I really thought that it would never go away and though I am feeling a lot better, I still have ups and downs and days where I feel like those uncomfortable sensations will come back. I am still getting some brains zaps in the evenings but they are tolerable. The anxiety is what I feel will be my biggest struggle. After all it’s what I went on Celexa for in the first place!
I honestly don’t know how I would have gotten through any of it without Propranolol. I hope you have some and that you find peace in this battle soon. I’m starting to finally believe there is an end to all the misery. When did you come off? Please reach out if you need anything or have anymore questions!! xx

[Beautifullady8]

Hello

Glad you are doing better how long you’ve been off med? 
mom struggling it’s tolerable but It’s annoying Im on day 25th

[shannonjoyjoy]

Really needing some hope right now. I have been off Celexa 10mg, after 9 years, since July 23rd and it is NOT going well. I have had a handful of days that were tolerable but I am usually an anxious mess. I wake up to immediate anxiety and panic and barely make it though the work day. I come home and usually have more anxiety, crying spells, extreme panic. Things just feel so off. I am taking 10mg Propranolol 3x a day, and klonopin at night (weaning). 
Is this all normal? This week has been especially awful, and I feel like I am going backwards. Does anyone have a time frame for how long these symptoms

last? I feel like it is never going to end and it is unbearable. My psych doc wants me to try Clomipramine for panic disorder, and I am terrified to start and yet can’t take another day like this. I never had panic disorder before Celexa. Just GAD and an occasional panic attack. Does anyone have any advice or similar story? Any help is so greatly appreciated. 

[shannonjoyjoy]

I went from 10 mg after nine years, down to 2.5 mg for two weeks and then cold turkey on July 23. It’s interesting reading my reply to you because this last week has been absolutely awful. I feel like I have taken a giant step backwards. How are guy feeling?

[shannonjoyjoy]

 

•  

Really needing some hope right now. I have been off Celexa 10mg, after 9 years, since July 23rd and it is NOT going well. I have had a handful of days that were tolerable but I am usually an anxious mess. I wake up to immediate anxiety and panic and barely make it though the work day. I come home and usually have more anxiety, crying spells, extreme panic. Things just feel so off. I am taking 10mg Propranolol 3x a day, and klonopin at night (weaning). 
Is this all normal? This week has been especially awful, and I feel like I am going backwards. Does anyone have a time frame for how long these symptoms

last? I feel like it is never going to end and it is unbearable. My psych doc wants me to try Clomipramine for panic disorder, and I am terrified to start and yet can’t take another day like this. I never had panic disorder before Celexa. Just GAD and an occasional panic attack. I don’t feel that adding in another med is a good idea, but don’t see these symptoms ever going away. Does anyone have any advice or similar story? Any help is so greatly appreciated. 

[runningthestreets]

I am not a specialist but I wouldn't try Clomipramine to fix your problem. I am taking Clomipramine right now and my life has been ruined.

 

I think that taking Clomipramine in your condition is like play Russian roulette. There's a chance to be a good decision but there are a million of possibilities to be a bad decision. But after all, its up to you!

[shannonjoyjoy]

2 minutes ago, runningthestreets said:

I am not a specialist but I wouldn't try Clomipramine to fix your problem. I am taking Clomipramine right now and my life has been ruined.

 

I think that taking Clomipramine in your condition is like play Russian roulette. There's a chance to be a good decision but there are a million of possibilities to be a bad decision. But after all, its up to you!

Thanks for responding. I decided to wait and not take any meds for a couple months and see if this fades. I am not feeling very hopeful.

[lucidity]

I also developed panic disorder from AD withdrawal.  The best non-drug treatment I've found in the midst of an attack is cold water.  I've tried cold showers, cold baths, and keeping a large bowl of ice cold water in the fridge to submerge my face in. The showers worked really well, but I would always get nausea several hours later. Now, I keep cold water in the bath tub and lay in it for a minute or so when I'm in trouble. The theory goes, that the CNS chooses to deal with the cold rather than keep the panic state going. It can be tough to do, but I don't know of a worse feeling than a panic attack. Best of luck 

 

[shannonjoyjoy]

I’ve been reading about this! I’ll have to give it a try. It makes sense. Can I ask if the panic disorder faded over time or did you have to go on another med?

[lucidity]

At the moment I've been sleeping a little better with higher dose phosphatidyl serine and dayvigo ( it's supposed to be non-addictive, but have serious doubts about this).  Since sleep deprivation is responsible for ~90% of my problems the panic has died down ..for now. 

[shannonjoyjoy]

1 minute ago, lucidity said:

At the moment I've been sleeping a little better with higher dose phosphatidyl serine and dayvigo ( it's supposed to be non-addictive, but have serious doubts about this).  Since sleep deprivation is responsible for ~90% of my problems the panic has died down ..for now. 

I hope it continues to get better for you. I am hoping with time my symptoms dissipate. Sleep definitely plays a role in the panic!

[Rusty1]

On 8/27/2021 at 4:07 PM, shannonjoyjoy said:

 

•  

Really needing some hope right now. I have been off Celexa 10mg, after 9 years, since July 23rd and it is NOT going well. I have had a handful of days that were tolerable but I am usually an anxious mess. I wake up to immediate anxiety and panic and barely make it though the work day. I come home and usually have more anxiety, crying spells, extreme panic. Things just feel so off. I am taking 10mg Propranolol 3x a day, and klonopin at night (weaning). 
Is this all normal? This week has been especially awful, and I feel like I am going backwards. Does anyone have a time frame for how long these symptoms

last? I feel like it is never going to end and it is unbearable. My psych doc wants me to try Clomipramine for panic disorder, and I am terrified to start and yet can’t take another day like this. I never had panic disorder before Celexa. Just GAD and an occasional panic attack. I don’t feel that adding in another med is a good idea, but don’t see these symptoms ever going away. Does anyone have any advice or similar story? Any help is so greatly appreciated. 

You went off Celexa very quickly. I would recommend reaching out to a moderator for advice. 

[SeekingAnswers]

On 8/27/2021 at 3:57 PM, shannonjoyjoy said:

I went from 10 mg after nine years, down to 2.5 mg for two weeks and then cold turkey on July 23. It’s interesting reading my reply to you because this last week has been absolutely awful. I feel like I have taken a giant step backwards. How are guy feeling?

I read your thread and wanted to reach out. I hope you are doing a little better today. My son was also on Celexa for years and tapered off too quickly under psychiatrist's care (completely off by end of July). I think it took about 6 weeks for him to taper off. Definitely not enough time. Like you, he is having a lot of anxiety. I hope both of you recover quickly. 

[shannonjoyjoy]

1 hour ago, SeekingAnswers said:

I read your thread and wanted to reach out. I hope you are doing a little better today. My son was also on Celexa for years and tapered off too quickly under psychiatrist's care (completely off by end of July). I think it took about 6 weeks for him to taper off. Definitely not enough time. Like you, he is having a lot of anxiety. I hope both of you recover quickly. 

Hey there, I am doing quite better today and hoping last week was just a bad wave. The Propranolol taken three times a day does help some. Thanks for checking in on me!

[shannonjoyjoy]

2 hours ago, Rusty1 said:

You went off Celexa very quickly. I would recommend reaching out to a moderator for advice. 

Yah unfortunately I didn’t have the option to taper as the Celexa allegedly caused some nasty side effects suddenly after 9 years! It landed me in the ER. Very shocking, but apparently it can happen with long term ssri use. Definitely the worst thing I’ve ever gone through in my life. Hoping that my symptoms slowly start to subside.

[SeekingAnswers]

That's really good to hear and I'm so happy you're feeling better today. 🙂

[shannonjoyjoy]

I am 6 weeks off Celexa after abruptly ending it due to side effects. So I met with my psych doc today and she basically said if I choose not to try the Clomipramine she recommended that she won’t really be able to treat me as the Propranolol is just a “band aid” and I won’t truly feel better until a new anti depressant can help “heal the damage” She also thinks my 1 Xanax a day for the last 3 months has contributed to withdrawal of the ssri. I feel almost forced to take the new med or I won’t have a doctor! Does this make sense to anyone? Do I need to find a new doc? 

[Altostrata]

Hello, @shannonjoyjoy

 

Yes, you need a new doctor. Any doctor can prescribe these drugs, it doesn't have to be a psychiatrist.

 

How are you feeling now? How often are you taking Xanax, what dosage and what times o'clock?

[shannonjoyjoy]

4 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Hello, @shannonjoyjoy

 

Yes, you need a new doctor. Any doctor can prescribe these drugs, it doesn't have to be a psychiatrist.

 

How are you feeling now? How often are you taking Xanax, what dosage and what times o'clock?

I am doing a bit better. The last 3 days have been the best since I came off the Celexa. But there are small waves are anxiety still. My doctor put me on klonopin last week to wean off Xanax. (Longer acting) I was taking one .5 tablet daily before bed for 4 months. So hopefully it will be a quick wean. I have been sleeping good with the .5 klonopin and Propranolol 10mg 3x a day. But lastnight was rough. I woke up every hour and had extreme anxiety. Hoping it was just an off night and not a full blown wave coming through. 
I decided not to take the Clomipramine and try to ride this out. I am worried about what my body will do when we begin to taper the klonipin though. Thanks for responding. ❤️

[Altostrata]

When did you start Klonopin? For what symptoms are you taking propranolol?

 

We can help you taper Klonopin. Please update your signature with drug dosages and this new development.

[shannonjoyjoy]

Hi, I started .5mg klonipin one week ago, she wanted me to take one nightly for 30 days and then begin taper. 

The Propranolol is for the heightened anxiety during withdrawal. I will update my signature now. 

[Altostrata]

It's likely you were getting interdose withdrawal from taking alprazolam. It makes sense you feel better with clonazepam, it lasts longer. 

 

However, you may get interdose withdrawal from clonazapam as well. If you start getting "panic" attacks during the day, that would be interdose withdrawal, which means you need to take clonazepam twice a day, 12 hours apart, then stabilize and taper off by tiny amounts. 

 

See https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1687613/

[shannonjoyjoy]

Hi everyone,

 

I am 7 weeks out from stopping cold turkey Celexa due to some sudden akathisia/extreme panic side effects. I feel I am on this site  approximately every other week lately. I will feel a glimpse of hope for for four or five days, and then it seems a brand new, or familiar symptom will creep up and shatter my weekend. Or week. 
I guess I am wondering if other people experience this. Last week was ok. I was able to go to work, come home, have dinner with my family, and feel somewhat hopeful for the future. In no way did I feel like my old self and  I had to push  myself, but I did it.  Then suddenly Friday I am hit with some residual brain zaps, (haven’t had these in a month) extreme nausea, physical anxiety and I am thrown right back where I was two months ago. Friday and Sat evening were spent in bed bawling, scared, sick, avoiding the 4 family members we had invited over for dinner; embarrassed. Trying to hide my tears from my sons.
I know I am fairly fresh into withdrawal, but this is so scary. I truly feel I have lost myself and that I will never have the old me back again. The future has never been so frightening and uneasy feeling.

 

 I have avoided going on another med as I feel that would be a bad idea right now. My goal is to not be on any psych meds but there are days when I want to just give in because the withdrawal side effects are so unbearable. I’m currently taking Propranolol 10 mg three times a day for anxiety symptoms through withdrawal and I feel it’s causing extreme nausea. I also take Klonopin .5mg at night for the last two weeks and will begin taper 9/21. I am at a loss lately.
 

I am  wanting to hear from some others that have experienced this so that I don’t lose hope all together. Will it slowly get better? Do I just need to have faith and keep pushing through? Or are some destined to feel this way until another med is introduced? Any help is greatly appreciated ❤️

[baderaalfaydi]

There is always hope.

I think our body need to calibrate it self and the world is not perfect for this process to be smooth. 

Stay away from meds and alcohol and avoid to much physical and mental stress..

And dont lost hope no mater what.

 

[Onmyway]

On 9/13/2021 at 7:36 PM, shannonjoyjoy said:

Hi everyone,

 

I am 7 weeks out from stopping cold turkey Celexa due to some sudden akathisia/extreme panic side effects. I feel I am on this site  approximately every other week lately. I will feel a glimpse of hope for for four or five days, and then it seems a brand new, or familiar symptom will creep up and shatter my weekend. Or week. 
I guess I am wondering if other people experience this. Last week was ok. I was able to go to work, come home, have dinner with my family, and feel somewhat hopeful for the future. In no way did I feel like my old self and  I had to push  myself, but I did it.  Then suddenly Friday I am hit with some residual brain zaps, (haven’t had these in a month) extreme nausea, physical anxiety and I am thrown right back where I was two months ago. Friday and Sat evening were spent in bed bawling, scared, sick, avoiding the 4 family members we had invited over for dinner; embarrassed. Trying to hide my tears from my sons.
I know I am fairly fresh into withdrawal, but this is so scary. I truly feel I have lost myself and that I will never have the old me back again. The future has never been so frightening and uneasy feeling.

 

 I have avoided going on another med as I feel that would be a bad idea right now. My goal is to not be on any psych meds but there are days when I want to just give in because the withdrawal side effects are so unbearable. I’m currently taking Propranolol 10 mg three times a day for anxiety symptoms through withdrawal and I feel it’s causing extreme nausea. I also take Klonopin .5mg at night for the last two weeks and will begin taper 9/21. I am at a loss lately.
 

I am  wanting to hear from some others that have experienced this so that I don’t lose hope all together. Will it slowly get better? Do I just need to have faith and keep pushing through? Or are some destined to feel this way until another med is introduced? Any help is greatly appreciated ❤️

Hi Shannon, 

this is what we refer to as the Windows and Waves pattern of recovery. Withdrawal is not linear, unfortunately. 

You can read more about this here. The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization - Symptoms and self-care - Surviving Antidepressants

 

I am going to move your post to that thread so others can find it easily when they read about the windows and waves as well. 

 

Hope you get some respite soon, 
OMW

[shannonjoyjoy]

Thank you! 

[Kat66]

On 9/13/2021 at 7:36 PM, shannonjoyjoy said:

Friday and Sat evening were spent in bed bawling, scared, sick, avoiding the 4 family members we had invited over for dinner; embarrassed. Trying to hide my tears from my sons.
I know I am fairly fresh into withdrawal, but this is so scary. I truly feel I have lost myself and that I will never have the old me back again. The future has never been so frightening and uneasy feeling.

 

 

Hi @shannonjoyjoy I just wanted you to know you’re not alone in this. Please lean on the folks on this site, we’re all going through it, or have been through it. Everything you’ve said rings true for me, especially the bit I’ve quoted above. Use the resources on this site, there’s so much useful stuff. Take it day by day, and above all be super gentle with yourself…xx

[shannonjoyjoy]

On 9/23/2021 at 9:40 AM, Kat66 said:

Hi @shannonjoyjoy I just wanted you to know you’re not alone in this. Please lean on the folks on this site, we’re all going through it, or have been through it. Everything you’ve said rings true for me, especially the bit I’ve quoted above. Use the resources on this site, there’s so much useful stuff. Take it day by day, and above all be super gentle with yourself…xx

Thank you so much. I just see no end in sight right now. Although my boyfriend has been beyond supportive, he keeps telling me to “think positive” and have a “different frame of mind”. I know he is right. But when I am anxious, nauseous, trembling, my surroundings look almost pixelated…. and my hope for the future is all but gone it’s very hard to stay positive. I am working a full-time job, and have children and just getting through the day is absolutely horrendous of times. I was NOT like this before. My doctor now thinks that the .5 of Xanax I took for two months at night is making things worse so put me on Klonopin to wean. 3 days ago was when I went from one pill to half and my world has exploded again with all new symptoms of withdrawal. I don’t know if I need to talk to a different doctor who’s willing to allow me these meds temporary while I go through this or if getting off is the right thing to do. Thanks for responding with your kind words it means a lot. 

[shannonjoyjoy]

Desperate advice regarding benzo??

 

Desperately looking for some advice right now. I hope I am putting this in the right thread. I  am 2 1/2 months out from stopping celexa cold turkey due to abrupt side effects after nine years and Latuda for 1.5. Throughout the worst of of this withdrawal I was taking .5 Xanax at night for sleep. I never abused this and always took as prescribed. My doctor thinks that my withdrawal effects are worse due to the Xanax. She put me on Klonopin to wean off. I was on .5 of that for 30 days, and three days ago was to start the half pill per night. If things weren’t bad enough before I am now dealing with a whole new set of symptoms due to this taper. Extreme nausea, a very strong full body tremble, agitation, derealization, heart pounding anxiety etc. 

My doctor is very stern about not allowing me to be on a benzodiazepine while I’m going through withdrawal from the Celexa. Though I don’t love the idea of taking it, it seems to be the only thing that’s getting me through the night and keeping me somewhat stable throughout the day when I take one .5 at night.
I’m wondering if anyone has experience with this and if getting off of it and riding out these horrible additional side effects is worth it, or if I need to talk to her more in depth about the need for one at night to get me through while I continue to withdraw from the ssri.

I am unable to pause my life. I don’t know how I’m going to go to work every day, be with my children, and make it through this. I’m so so scared I am going to lose everything. 

 

Edited September 30, 2021 by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with intro topic

[Altostrata]

@shannonjoyjoy, you are tapering Klonopin too fast and getting withdrawal from that. That is not good.

 

@Frogie will explain to you how to taper Klonopin.

 

If your current doctor won't help you taper Klonopin properly, you'll need a new doctor.

 

 

[shannonjoyjoy]

That’s what I think too. She made it very clear she wants me to take 1/2 pill for 30 days, I had to beg to take 3/4, then 1/2 alternating nights. She won’t prescribe me more than this taper. It’s very bizarre as I’ve never overused or had issues with Xanax or this. I think I need to make an appt with my primary care and see if she willing to supervise the taper instead. 

[Frogie]

That is way too fast to taper. I hope you can work with your primary dr to come up with a prescription. You don’t want to taper faster than 10% a month.

 

Keep me posted if you need help😊

 

Take care,

 Frogie xx