J317B Coming off Citalopram

[J317B]

Citalopram 20mg for 4yrs. Dr increased it to 40mg and my heart was racing and I was super dizzy. He had me go back down to 20mg for one week then off. I've been off for two weeks now. Some parts of the day I feel the clearest I've felt in a long time but most of the day I feel dizzy/light headed, especially when driving. I just want to stick it out in hopes it eventually goes away. Any ideas on how long until I feel relief from side effects?

[J317B]

Citalopram 20mg for 4yrs. Dr increased it to 40mg and my heart was racing and I was super dizzy. He had me go back down to 20mg for one week then off. I've been off for two weeks now. Some parts of the day I feel the clearest I've felt in a long time but most of the day I feel dizzy/light headed, especially when driving. I just want to stick it out in hopes it eventually goes away. Any ideas on how long until I feel relief from side effects?

[Altostrata]

Welcome, J317B.
 
I moved your posts to an Introductions topic for you. This is your topic to track your progress. Please add your updates and questions to it.
 
Your doctor had you go off citalopram too fast. Withdrawal symptoms can last a few weeks, months, or years.
 
You may wish to consider reinstating a very small amount, such as 2mg citalopram. This can help resolve the withdrawal symptoms. Then, you can "do over" a taper by reducing by very small amounts. See
 
Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

What is withdrawal syndrome?

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms
 
Tips for tapering off Celexa (citalopram)

[JanCarol]

Hey J! 

 

You've come to a good place!  Like Alto says, that was awfully fast to come off.   I agree that you are better off reinstating a small amount immediately, to see if you can reduce your symptoms.

 

If, after a week or two, you still don't feel better, you can up-dose again (another tiny amount, like 2-3 mg) until you find the dose where your symptoms are stable, bearable.  Then, you hold there for a few months before trying to come down again.

 

Please be careful driving!  The dizziness may be your body's way of saying this is not helpful - the movement, the attention to traffic, signs, etc., may be difficult for you right now.  It's more important to be safe.  I understand - saying that to someone in America is like asking you not to eat or sleep, it's so ingrained.  But maybe ease off, do as little driving as possible?

 

Welcome to SA!