Celexa (Citalopram) is a drug used to help treat symptoms of major depression. It is considered an SSRI (selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor) which means it influences the serotonin in the brain to help ward off depressive symptoms. It is also used as an off-label treatment for anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). For many individuals, this drug is effective and serves the intended purpose of treating depression.
The problem with Celexa is that many people find that it leads to unbearable side effects including: weight gain and sexual dysfunction. Not only can this drug provoke unwanted side effects, in some cases it just doesn’t work as well as expected. There have also been disputes as to whether the R-stereoisomer of the drug has any effect. Some have argued that it is better to take Lexapro, which is essentially Celexa without the R-stereoisomer.
In any regard, most people that take Celexa will end up wanting to withdraw from it eventually. Most people do not want to be on antidepressants for life in order to cope with depression. There are simply too many side effects and most people notice that the antidepressant effects tend to wear off over time. In any event, if you withdraw from this medication, it is pretty much guaranteed that you are going to experience withdrawal symptoms.
Factors that influence Celexa withdrawal include…
There are various factors that play a role in influencing withdrawal from any psychiatric medication. These factors include things like: time span, dosage, your physiology, and whether you decided to quit cold turkey or conducted a gradual taper.
1. Time Span
How long were you taking Celexa? In general, the longer you take an antidepressant, the more difficult it will be to withdraw from. Your brain becomes accustomed to getting the extra serotonin activity as a result of the SSRI that you are taking. When you stop the drug, your brain isn’t get the extra serotonin that it was getting and may have a tough time readjusting to functioning without Celexa.
2. Dosage (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg)
Most of the time people are on a 20 mg dose of Celexa, but it can be administered at doses up to 40 mg per day. Some people may be on smaller doses than 20 mg, but in general, 20 mg is considered the standard dose. In most cases, the greater the amount of the drug that you have taken, the tougher it is to withdraw from.
3. Individual Physiology
In many cases, withdrawal symptoms are largely due to individual reactions to the drug. One person may experience extreme withdrawal symptoms that last months, while another person may feel back to 100% after a couple weeks of discontinuation. Many individual factors including: withdrawal sensitivity, environment, social support, and physiology can have an influence. If you experience a more extreme withdrawal than most, it could be largely due to individual differences.
4. Cold Turkey vs. Tapering
How did you quit taking Celexa? Did you stop abruptly without conducting a gradual taper? Or did you conduct a gradual taper over the course of a couple months? In most cases, the more slowly and cautiously you taper off of this medication, the easier it is to readjust to functioning without the drug.
If you quit cold turkey, it leaves most people in a state of mental disarray and chaos and the symptoms may be more severe. If you were on a high dose of Celexa (i.e. 40 mg), the weaning process should take longer than someone on 10 mg.
Celexa Withdrawal Symptoms: List of Possibilities
Below are a list of common symptoms that you may experience upon withdrawal from Celexa. Understand that you may experience a few of the symptoms, none of the symptoms, or most of the symptoms – it all depends on your individual circumstances. This list was created to help people so that they know what may occur during withdrawal.
- Anxiety: The anxiety that you experience during withdrawal may be pretty severe. It may be so severe that you feel nervous everywhere you go and/or have panic attacks. This is a result of your brain being left without reuptake inhibition of serotonin.
- Brain zaps: Most SSRIs can lead to a person experiencing “brain zaps” or electrical shock sensations upon withdrawal. These can be very uncomfortable and actually feel like your head is plugged into an electrical socket. Just know that these will subside the longer you are off the drug.
- Concentration problems: Many people report that they are unable to focus during withdrawal. It may be difficult to complete work-related tasks or school work during withdrawal. In many cases the concentration problems are due to the fact that physical symptoms distract our mental focus. Additionally a person may feel mentally slow and/or foggy when they stop the medication – this is likely due to changes in levels of neurotransmitters.
- Confusion: Your cognitive functioning can become impaired when you quit taking Celexa to the point of experiencing general confusion. This confusion may be a result of memory retrieval problems, but could also just be confused thinking.
- Crying spells: Some people report increased depression to the point of crying spells. Low serotonin can cause people to cry excessively. You may cry more than you have in your entire life during a withdrawal. Know that these spells will lessen in severity and eventually stop.
- Depression: Most people feel significantly worse when they stop taking Celexa in regards to depression. Many people feel as if their depression is actually worse than before they took this medication. This is a result of their brain no longer inhibiting the re-uptake of serotonin to the degree that occurred on the medication. It will take an extended period of time to fully recover from the withdrawal depression.
- Diarrhea: Some people experience an upset stomach to the point of diarrhea during their withdrawal. Â This is not as common of a symptom as others, but can be difficult to deal with if you are dealing with this. Â An easy solution for coping with this is to get some over-the-counter Imodium.
- Dizziness: Feeling dizzy is one of the most common symptoms to experience during SSRI withdrawal. If you suddenly stop taking Celexa cold turkey, the dizziness is thought to be longer lasting and more profound than during a gradual taper. Either way, you are likely going to experience some degree of dizziness when you quit. Â The longer you are off the drug, the more this symptom will improve.
- Fatigue: You may feel excessively fatigued for awhile after you quit Celexa. It may be difficult to get out of bed in the morning or even make it through a work day. The tiredness and lethargy may be pretty severe. Just recognize that this will gradually improve and your energy levels will start to return over time.
- Headaches: This is another classic symptom of SSRI withdrawal. Some people feel minor headaches for awhile, yet for others the headaches are pounding and feel more like migraines. Having a headache with dizziness is certainly uncomfortable – but both of these will gradually improve.
- Insomnia: Since some people take Celexa for treating insomnia, it is no wonder that they may actually experience insomnia when they stop taking it. Additionally even if you have never had insomnia before taking this drug, you may experience it during withdrawal.
- Irritability: Most people report a high amount of irritability in the first few weeks when they discontinue this drug. This is because the brain no longer is receiving the calming effect of the drug and it can be difficult to regulate emotions.
- Memory problems: It is common to experience memory problems to the point that you think you have lost your memory. Although you haven’t likely lost any memory, your thinking may be impaired so that your memory retrieval is impaired. As you recover during withdrawal, this will eventually heal itself.
- Mood swings: It’s very common to have bad mood swings when you stop taking Celexa. One minute you may feel pretty good, the next you may feel more depressed than ever. Just understand that these mood swings are all part of withdrawal. They may persist for a long time, but will eventually subside.
- Nausea: Some people experience nausea when they first quit this drug. You may feel nauseated all day and in some cases, want to vomit. Most people do not have nausea extreme enough to lead to vomiting, but it can be a tough withdrawal symptom to deal with.
- Sleep changes: It is very likely that your sleep cycle will be affected when you withdraw from this drug. You may notice that you have crazy dreams and/or that you aren’t able to get a good night’s sleep. You may sleep during the day and be unable to fall asleep at night. Just know that things will return to normal if given enough time.
- Suicidal thoughts: It is very common to experience suicidal thoughts when discontinuing an antidepressant. Any SSRI that is withdrawn from is likely to lead a person to feeling suicidal. Many doctors view this as a worsening in depression, when in reality it is a result of antidepressants causing suicidality upon withdrawal.
- Weight changes: Most people gain weight when they take Celexa – this is a result of serotonin changes. When a person stops taking this drug, they will likely drop the weight that they gained while taking the drug. Â For more information read about antidepressants and weight gain.
Celexa Withdrawal Timeline: How long does it last?
Most doctors will tell you that the withdrawal symptoms should subside within a few weeks of withdrawal. If your symptoms subside within a few weeks, consider yourself lucky and in the minority. Most people experience withdrawal effects over a month after they have quit their medication. I recommend giving yourself at least 90 days before evaluating the withdrawal symptoms.
I have gone through my fair share of antidepressant withdrawals – including that from Celexa and have found that three months time is good for re-evaluation. The problem for most people is that the symptoms are so severe in the first few weeks of withdrawal that they feel as if their life will never be the same. During withdrawal it is important to do your best not to get caught up in the symptoms – rather focus on what you can do to recover as fast as possible.
Things that will help you recover quicker include: eating healthy, forcing yourself to get some light exercise, and getting a proper night’s sleep. If you are struggling to come to terms with symptoms and/or cope, be sure to talk to a therapist or professional about what you are experiencing. It can also be very helpful to talk to others on forums that are also going through Celexa withdrawal – many people that have experienced it are better to talk to because they actually “get it.”
Feel free to share your experience with the withdrawal process in the comments section below. This may give someone else some reassurance that they are not alone in dealing with difficult symptoms. I personally have withdrawn from this medication and know that it’s not easy, but I also know that as enough time passes, you will eventually experience a full recovery.
I have taken Lexapro (10 mg.) and then Celexa (20 mg.) for the past 11 years. I retired a few years ago so stress has certainly eased. About 3 weeks ago I ran out of the meds and ordered a refill, but forgot to add it to my pill sorter when I picked it up. I realized I had not been taking it eight days later, so I decided to just quit. I didn’t really notice symptoms right at first. Then I realized the weird dreams I was having, the zaps in the sides of my head, the grumpiness, and the short temper, were probably withdrawal.
Then the sadness began and the tears that came easily. I think I was just a zombie for all those years because nothing seemed to bother me! I have dizziness, even just moving my head from side to side, tiredness, I don’t want to start back on it so I am hoping I can come to terms with this new self. I am so glad to have found this page so I realize I am not the only one. I really don’t want to go back on any of this stuff!!
I have been off 40mg Celexa and 75mg Topamax for 7 days now… I didn’t taper off… I am so happy to have found this page just to know more information. The hardest part of withdrawal is the zaps (full on zaps straight from head to toes – even throws my head back and body jerk)… the crying and paranoia is tough but the zaps and my sudden lack on self-confidence (can’t think or talk straight) are the worst… I know from past experience with other med withdrawal it goes away but WOW! Has anyone else experienced zaps this bad?
I have been on Citalopram 40 mg for 4 years and decided to stop cold turkey 5 days ago, bad idea. Today is the worst day: weepy, vertigo and dizziness. I did not tell my Doc I was going off nor did I read up on how to taper and I only have 1/2 a pill left. However, I just got off phone with doc office (he’s out til Tuesday – today is Thurs) and another Doc is going to (hopefully) refill my prescription and I can taper off the correct way. I am having to miss work tonight because of my vertigo and dizziness (I can’t drive).
I was put on zoloft for 6 weeks could not tolerate it, was off a couple weeks then on celexa for 20 days and had bad reactions from that. It has now been 25 days off the celexa. Things have settled somewhat, except for the anxiety attacks. I take visteril for that. Can’t say it helps that much, but takes the edge off. Was wondering how long these horrid anxiety attacks will last. When I’m sitting around I’m OK, but when I go to do something they start. As soon as I exert myself just a little they start. They get so bad I think I’m going to throw up.
I hope they go away. I was treated with antidepressants years ago, good old menopause. I did have high anxiety all my life and hope that this isn’t rearing it’s ugly head again. Although they were never anything like I am experiencing now. Any thought on this would be much appreciated. I went through lexapro withdrawal a year ago, and was treated with klonopin. Omg big mistake, had to go through withdrawal from that, it was nasty. Now this, I can deal with the dizziness, but this anxiety is driving me crazy.
When I think it’s all over it rears it’s ugly head. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Hope everyone out there get through this horrible situation. We just have to keep praying and hanging on I guess .
I have been taking Citalopram for about a year now and started weaning myself off off it and now I’m suffering from withdraws for about 4 days now and it’s hard to do anything without feeling sick and having panic attacks. Any advice on anything that will help with these withdraws?
Husband and I have low-paying jobs and in between paychecks I ran out of my monthly supply of 40 mg citalopram several days ago (been on 3 yrs). Got head zaps across my eyes when I turned my head or moved too quickly, dizziness and then depression sinking in/crankiness have been my symptoms. However, I appreciated feeling a full spectrum of feelings once again. Realized that this med has numbed me to certain circumstances in my life that has otherwise prevented me from getting serious/angry enough to do anything about them.
Had a good cry yesterday and felt a release of all those “sad chemicals” built up and finally released through shed tears. Nothing wrong with crying – tears actually have chemical compounds in them that when shed rid the body of those bad chemical compounds (my non-formal, un-scientific version of what happens). Well we put together $4 to cover the Walmart pharmacy charge for my months supply, bought script last night (its now almost 2am the next day) and took one at my usual time in the evening. Now I’m wired as all get out, can’t sleep, heart started started pounding, mouth has been dry and I got “itchy” restless legs.
I am thinking of doing the slow taper to come off of citalopram all together like many of you brave neighbors so that I can really feel again and get serious enough to do something about changing some pretty negative circumstances in my life once and for all instead of just simply numbing-out to them on citalopram. Thanks for all of your brave, heartfelt stories shared! God bless, comfort and heal us all I pray in Jesus’ Mighty Name. -Nita
Hiya everyone, can I firstly say how brave and strong you all are by coming off this horrible medication, it’s not easy as I well know, I’ve been off citalopram 30mg for 4 weeks now and I too am having horrible withdrawal symptoms, but I can cope with them privately. (Just about) what I can’t deal with is the unsociable feelings I have towards my family and friends, it’s horrible feeling like you just can’t be bothered to hold a conversation and just want go to bed and be left alone.
I can’t afford to feel like this when I have children to look after, it’s not fair on them to see their mom so quiet. I used to be a fun person but now I wonder what happened to my lust for life and sense of humor! I’m praying that this is down to the depressive withdrawal feeling and that in time I will be back to feeling happy and optimistic again. I explain to my family about the withdrawal symptoms and that I won’t be like this forever, but I’m so worried that I might be an unsociable old bag for ages!! LOL. Has anyone else felt like this? Any replies would be most thanked :) x
Feeling the same – can’t face people at the moment but forcing myself. Been off Citalopram for about 4 weeks now (20mg). Went cold turkey – I don’t think I would’ve had I known the withdrawal symptoms would be this bad. Dizziness (not so bad now) and real mood swings – I don’t usually have such a short temper, but it’s been awful :-( Taking comfort from other comments knowing that things will get better.
Hi all, I have been withdrawing from Celexa after a slow taper over a few months – completely off for about 2 weeks now, and feeling lots of anxiety and depression – I cried over a JC Penney commercial today… so obviously, I’m hitting a bottom here. :) Most difficult with my withdrawal is reconciling doing this to my family for my own, eventual, betterment.
Can I afford to do this to my family? – I have a devoted spouse and three young children, and I am nowhere near the mom I need to be right now. I am moody, irritable, nasty – my spouse/kids don’t deserve this… I don’t want to be this person. Do I go back and start taking the meds again to save my family the pain or ride it out without really knowing if there’s an end in sight?
Hi Gloom,
Been reading up on your articles and its good to get some advice off someone who “gets it.” I was on cipramil 20mg for 6 weeks and came off due to an adverse reaction. The doc said I could come off cold turkey because its not addictive and basically my world crashed (see my other posts on here). I’m on Day 54 all my symptoms seem to have gone but a slight head fog. I have been so fatigued I can barely get out of bed for the last week. Is this normal and if so, will it last? Just wondering if I should get some blood tests or something, considering I was back at work and things seemed to be going well? Anyway keep up the good work mate, people need to hear what you have to say considering the docs really don’t know much about the drugs they are prescribing. Also I have never had any issues with fatigue in the past.
Hi Lockie, it’s your call on the blood tests just to rule out other potential causes of fatigue such as hypothyroidism, etc. Fatigue is very normal and difficult to deal with upon quitting an SSRI, even at Day 54. I had fatigue for 4-5 months after quitting SSRIs to the point I thought I developed chronic fatigue syndrome. As long as you are getting enough sleep at night, perhaps the best remedy for the fatigue is to fight it by doing things, especially exercise – it should eventually improve. Wishing you the best in your recovery.
Went off Celexa due to a gut problem. After being on it and Lexapro for 6 years at 40 mg. Doc said take 20 mg for three days then stop. That was three weeks ago. Still lethargic, dizzy, and those damn dreams, hallo/dreams. Once in them can’t wake up. I can hear the phone ring, and alarms go off, but can’t get to them. Sleeping all night just fine but by 9:00 am I’m falling asleep again and not waking until afternoon.
Afternoons are disoriented, dizzy, headaches, and upset stomach. I get a couple goods days then back to crap. Jumping through all the hoops of conventional medicine and not going anywhere. Going to try functional Medicine and see if I can find relief. Family is at wits end – they never know who they’re going to see when they come through the door. Doctors need to be more informative when they prescribe these meds.
I was on Lexapro initially. Was amazing. About 6 mo later the pharmacy issued me “citalopram 40mg”…not so good. Recently, I weaned myself from 40 mg-20 to taper. About 3 weeks ago I stopped all together. After reading, I found a combo of St John’s Wort, Magnesium, 1000mg of fish oil, B12, and a multi-vitamin. No more brain Zaps!! I feel so much better! Number one, I’m free from the dangerous medicine I no longer need. Two, it has helped with all the small issues like anxiety. Antidepressant meds are NOT meant to be taken forever. 6 months tops is called for.
My gp gave me citalopram 3.5 weeks ago as I was extremely anxious about my health (which turned out to be fine). The first few days on 10mg of this drug I thought I was having a breakdown, out of control shaking, nausea and extreme anxiety like I’d never had before. I stopped for a couple of days then decided to try again through desperation. A week later I was put on 20mg. Since I started Citalopram my life has been turned upside down and I can’t function at all with day to day life.
I have 3 kids and my fantastic husband has now been off work for 4 weeks to look after us all. I feel so much worse than I did when I believed I was seriously ill! I told my GP this week that I had to stop them and she said after only 3 weeks this should be fine. I’ve halved to 10 mg for last 3 days and I feel terrible. Sooo anxious, not sleeping, no appetite and nausea. Today I’ve decide enough is enough and I’ve stopped completely. I just hope this nightmare ends soon, I wish I’d never started taking them!!!
Wow, thank goodness I found this website. I decided to go cold turkey during the summer and It couldn’t possibly have been at a worse time either. I moved, and my financial situation changed dramatically for the worse and trying looking after 3 kids alone. I thought all my symptoms of severe anxiety, nausea and insomnia were down to my circumstances. At least I now know there is a good reason for these bloody symptoms. Thanks
I am so glad to find this website. I came off Celexa about two months ago and I just now started feeling a little bit normal. I still have good bits of anxiety but when I first came off the drug, I was throwing up for ten days straight. From there it has been a mix of tears and anxiety and no sexual appetite what so ever. It has slowly been going back to normal but its been a miserable few months, and its sometimes hard to remember that this too shall pass. I forget a lot that it’s not my circumstance it’s the medication withdrawals. I just want to feel remotely normal again.
Darn right, Myra! That’s par for the course with SSRIs. I had brain zaps with lip tingling too. It went on for quite some time, but it gradually decreased. I suspect the same thing will happen to you, so rest assured that it will go away. Patience is key, but it’s certainly not easy. Hang in there!
Have taken myself down from 30mg over about 6 months. Took my final 15mg tab (taking every 3 days) about three weeks ago. Have been looking for something to explain what’s happening to me and I think that I’ve now found it with the ‘head zap’ comments. Very sudden and shortlived dizziness plus a sharp sensation of tingling numbness that crosses my face esp. my lips. This is increasing to the point where I can’t count how many times. This is ‘normal’, right?
Hi Guys! you need to change your diet while getting off antidepressants. The first thing you need to do is buy yourself a juicer. Juice raw fresh carrots, celery, apples, etc. Every single day!!! This will help the effects of the withdrawal symptoms. And you’ll be on your way to healing.
Also get a good dose of probiotics supplements. The Flora brand is really good that’s what I take. 2 pills a day is fine.
This supplement is a great anxiety and depression healer …. It has helped me tremendously. Our gut needs good bacteria and when the bad over powers the good bacteria depression and anxiety arise. Eat as much green vegetables as possible the more the better, green salad, Kale, broccoli, Spinach etc. These are great healing foods that your body needs. Stay away from alcohol and any drugs.
I was literally considered dead with major anxiety and depression and insomnia I would go 5 days without sleep. If I can heal myself than you guys can do this!!! Nutrition is medicine. Anyone that needs to contact me helping and guiding them through this process can email me personally. Healingfromwithin2000(at)yahoo.ca
Be strong !
God bless
Tony
Thanks for your advice. It helped me a lot in the weaning process from 15 mg citalopram which I was taking for 3 years. I highly recommend the probiotics in everyone’s recovery and plenty of exercise. I take our dog to an “off leash” park daily and walk 2-3 miles. This has made a huge difference in my recovery. I feel more energized and have even shed a few lbs. Fight the good fight everyone, you’re worth it! Peace.
Been on 20mg citalopram for about three years and I just felt like it might be a good time to stop. Been off it for about a week now, and emotionally, I’m about as stable as I was while on it, which is a welcome change from the occasional downward spiral I’d go into from missing a pill or two, but I find myself severely dizzy with any movement of my body or limbs, and I get tired within two or three hours of waking up, which is inconvenient.
There doesn’t seem any concrete data on how long this lasts, but I’m hoping to be on the shorter end of the withdrawal spectrum – I’ll come back and update this when things are looking better so people have some kind of idea of how long this might last.
Good luck mate , everyone is different . Some people a few weeks some months. I was unlucky 5 months and still get the extreme fatigue once or twice a week but definitely getting better. Hope you are on the short end of the scale!
I have been on Citalopram for the past 8 months and also the side effects was fatique, lethargic and tiredness. It has helped with the anxiety but due to the side effects I no longer wanted to take it. I have been off the medication for almost 2 weeks and the symptoms include dizziness, vertigo, insomnia, night sweats, bad body pain and migraine headaches. My anxiety has also started but not as bad as it was before and I am also battling to eat or stomach anything.
I am withdrawing myself from people and I am not sure if it is the depression that is starting again. I do not want to go back onto this medication as it has affected many aspects of my life whereby I do not have energy to do much and do not want to become dependent on any medication. For the past week I have been taking Adcodol which contains codeine and am unsure if this is also adding to what I am currently feeling.
Hi everyone,
I have just recently come off citalopram 40mg, and just wanted to say that it actually does get better, although I never thought I would say that. I was on citalopram 40mg for almost 3 years, and decided I wanted to try rid myself of anxiety and depression naturally. I experienced the worst withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, headaches, vivid dreams, dizziness, severe mood swings, irritability, suicidal thoughts and constant body jolts. I did everything the Dr said and weened off them slowly, but this did not make it easy like they say it will.
Even then the body jolts continued for a couple of weeks once I was finally off them. I felt so hopeless like I needed the tablets to feel normal again, but luckily my friends around me told me I had to keep pushing through. Just over a month from being completely off citalopram 40mg, I feel normal again!! (I never thought I would say that).
I have moved overseas to a completely foreign country and stood in front of full classrooms of students to teach English, with no tablets to ease the anxiety, just a new mindset. So to those who are reading this and feeling hopeless like it will never get better, it will! Those awful body jolts and all the rest will subside. Keep going!
Thanks!! I was trawling these stories of people sharing my symptoms hoping desperately for a success story. I realized when someone has cleared the symptoms they probably aren’t here because they are not looking for answers! So Thank you, thanks for coming back to share you are OK and came through it!
Oh, thank-you so much for sharing!! I have just done a slow taper, after 2 years on – to now off by reducing 20mg to 10 to 5 to 2.5 to nothing over a month. Day 6 with nothing and the last 3 weeks have been especially hard. Sleep is horrible, the hot flushes come day and night, but at night they wake me and I can’t fall back asleep. Also have itchy feeling all over my skin, it’s really weird.
All my sensations are stronger! I hope it evens out soon and am so encouraged to read your have after a month. I am living/teaching abroad too. The process going off has been lonely in a new city, new job without friends yet. But I am determined! (Also was on Wellbutrin for 15 years and tapered off that at the same time).
I am so glad I found all of you. I have been on celexa 20mg for over 13 years. Plus Wellbutrin 300mg for the past eight years. Everything was going fine. But lately I’ve come to realize that I am numb. Apathetic, dead inside, and my libido left many years ago. I started cutting back to 10 mg every second day, staying with 20mg in between. I did this for two months without any problems. I saw my psychiatrist and told her I was finally ready to change something. I was tired of feeling dead.
She recommended I quit the celexa and begin taking aripiprazole (Abilify) 2mg along with the Wellbutrin. I am now on day 6. The “brain zaps” started two days ago. I had no idea. My psychiatrist told be about possible aripiprazole side effects to watch for but didn’t mention celexa withdrawal symptoms. I thought I was going crazy with these electrical shocks in my head. I started Google-ing, and here you all are. I wish us all luck in this journey of ours.
My questions-has anyone else stopped celexa and started another kind? Should I stop taking aripiprazole until the withdrawal symptoms of celexa have diminished? Will the addition of aripiprazole with the deletion of celexa help reduce the withdrawal symptoms? Any thoughts or ideas? What would you do?
I am surprised your doctor tacked on Abilify… somewhat odd. Personally I’d think twice about going on Abilify (an antipsychotic drug used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder). The side effects from Abilify are likely to be more severe than those from Celexa… and the withdrawal will be just as (if not more) difficult. I’d consider asking about non-antipsychotic options and think about using a different antidepressant. Best of luck.
I’ve taken celexa for 4 years, from 20 mg to 30 to 40, down to 20 and now I’ve been on what I thought was a slow taper and stopped taking 10 mg this last Sunday (so I’m 6 days out). Symptoms started on Thursday – brain zaps, difficulty concentrating, irritability, general fog. This sucks! I’m just glad my husband suggested that it might be withdrawal symptoms.
He was starting to freak out when I described the brain zap sensations – he’s a doctor and he was concerned I was showing signs of MS. I feel so weird, like I’m here, but not at the same time. I hope this doesn’t last too long. I started my taper because I wanted to be drug free and start trying to conceive and I really want to stick with it, but I hope these feelings stop soon.
It’s so comforting to know I’m not alone in this. Like most of you, I don’t know if I would have stayed on Celexa as long if I knew about the withdrawal symptoms.
I’ve been on 40 mg for about 10 yrs. Prozac for the 10 before that. I attempted to wean off Celexa a while ago, down to none the last week or so, but the symptoms got so bad I took a dose yesterday and today. Full doses. I felt like I was dying. Or would suddenly die. The electrical stuff is just too crazy. Tight chest, out of breath. Crazy head (bobble brain), and I can’t take it. I’m isolated and I guess I may resign to having to stay on it at some reduced level perhaps. Being depressed and suicidal is much different than feeling like I’m going to keel over and die any minute!
I am in my second week of withdraws. I never had brain “zaps”, but rather more of a whooshing sensation like getting off a small boat on big waves. That along with plugged ears and high blood pressure have subsided. I tapered off for 2 months, but have been done for 2 weeks. I have evaluated my stress level, because I am very sensitive and irritable. I am back to shutting down when confronted, and it’s OK. On the Celexa, life was great!
I was back to my happy-go-lucky, optimistic self the first day I took it. I needed to use it to cope with complicated grief from losing my house and everythig to a fire, last year. I began in November, but in July of this year, the side effects were unbearable! I suffered constant nightmares, suicidal thoughts (especially while driving), lowered average body temp. 96.4° which made me sweat excessively, diarrhea, confusion & lack of concentration. I called my doctor and proposed a step-down method of one every 2 days for 2 weeks, one every 3 days for 2 weeks, etc.
I got down to one every 5 days and noticed it didn’t benefit me to take it, anymore. I still have the bottle with some left, but it reminds me I am strong! I have people I can talk to. I try to remain busy with my family, church and gym time. It’s when I am ” resting” when I feel down. Right now, when I make bad judgement calls, I beat myself up, mentally, because the idea is blown up in my head. I hate to think I cause others to be upset. I don’t deal well with negativity, and I personalize, too much. I tell myself I am doing the best I can.
I tell myself I am not responsible for other people’s feelings and problems. It is hard to let go, to breathe without crying, to be free like I used to be. But, again, this is only week 2. There is a light, and it will shine brightly after this storm passes.
I have been on citalopram for about 5 yrs. The last two were increased to 40 mg. I have recently decided I was tired of being so numb and not participating in life that I quit cold turkey 3 wks ago. Nothing could have prepared me for the hell these withdrawals have been putting me thru. Extreme nausea, head aches, brain zaps, diarrhea, stomach cramps, anxiety, mood swings, muscle aches..general flu symptoms all the way around! I don’t know how much longer I can do this!…. what really has me baffled is even though I am extremely nauseous I am starving constantly! I eat all day just to feel the emptiness and nervous feeling in my stomach. I was really hoping to lose some weight after getting off these. But apparently that is not going to happen. Don’t know how much longer i can keep goin!
I have been taking celexa only 10 -20 mg almost 8 years now. I just started to stop celexa a couple days ago. Yes, I can tell difference, extremely tired no reason, pain my neck area ( stiffness), vertigo, brain zap, head ache, feel so sensitive, cry, depressed no reason. I usually work out at gym, like any physical activities, martial arts, etc.
It’s tough to withdraw from any SSRI. My historical drug history was zoloft, effexor, and celexa for long time. Zoloft was awful, I lost sexual drive, none, feel zombie. effexor was OK but it was tough to withdrawal too. I think I will be OK. just hard to get rid of it. While I am working it big time. Not sure how long it duration for that symptom.
I’m so glad to have found this website! I had carotid arterial surgery a month ago and was told to quit smoking, and so I tapered off my 20 mg of citalopram so that I could consider taking Champix at some point to help with the cig addiction. I took half a pill for 2 weeks, (10 mg per day) and then quit the citalopram from there. It’s been about 2 weeks since I quit them and for the last week I have been so very ill … and just as I was beginning to feel better from my surgery!
I am so tired I can hardly move, weak and dizzy – the dizziness is so bad that if I simply raise my eyes from my computer screen to look up the room begins to spin. I’ve been worried all week long, thinking that these symptoms are indicative of more TIA’s – which is very scary after what I’ve been through with a 90% blocked carotid artery and a 6 inch incision that is still sore and healing. So I’m getting out the pill bottle again and going to start taking my citalopram again, starting at 10 mg per day and hope that makes the difference … champix is going to have to wait!
Hi. I have been on this drug for 6 months and gave it up cold turkey beginning of September. I have massive crying situations with aggressiveness as well. I get very dizzy and gave constant diarrhea. I have just lost my job and I think it has to do with the mood swings. Please help feeling lost. I am also currently studying and can only seem to do two hours at a time.
omg! I am so glad I found this website! Had a really horrible day today. I first ‘met’ citalopram about 5 years ago after I had a bad relationship break up. I was on 20mg then down to 10mg for about 18 months, came off gradually and had no side affects at all! This time (after another break up, sad isn’t it lol), I have been on just 10mg for about 8 months and came off gradually again and have been off them now for about 10 days.
Thought I’ve been going mad! That’s why I am so glad I found all you guys! But feel a bit guilty now, cos my symptoms have been mild compared to some of you others. I have been eating more, but that is good because I’ve lost a lot of weight this last 12 months due to my personal problems. But very very fatigued, and last week felt really achy, all my muscles just felt tired. The thing that frightened me at the beginning though, was when I felt any kind of emotion, anger, excitement, sadness, even good news, I would get this weird sort of feeling like a couldn’t take a breath, so difficult to explain, not painful, didn’t hurt my heart of my left arm or anything like that, just a very strange feeling, but then I thought it must be withdrawal symptoms, so that’s why I decided to have a look on line and see if anyone else felt like me.
So here we all are, and I am so comforted by the fact that there are other people out there who feel like me. This year has been so horrible for me. I just feel ‘stuck’ really. I don’t regret going on anti depressants, I think they help, but they are definitely not the answer, you do need some kind of therapy or counseling too. Trouble is not much help on the NHS. I got 3 telephone counselling sessions free, and on the third telephone call, my therapist basically said ‘yeah you’re doing fine, we don’t need any more sessions’.
So I thought ok fine lets see if I can do this. 3 months later was still feeling very low, so tried hypnotherapy. It was great but because I’m still feeling crap now, I’m thinking did I waste my money? Don’t know now. But after reading other peoples stories today, I’m thinking, if it is the citalopram withdrawal then thats great because maybe by christmas I’ll be feeling great! Which is good because I hate Christmas really (bar humbug), hate that whole time of year really Christmas, New Year, then bloody valentines day!
Sorry, I’m really having a good old moan aren’t I? But thank you , everyone on here you’ve all really cheered me up actually! Well I’ve stopped crying anyway! OMg you should of seen me the other night watching that thing about Cilla on ITV, I was bawling by the end! And I don’t even like Cilla Black!
Thank you everyone!
I was on C for 3 years I decided 12 weeks ago to go cold turkey and it has been horrible, I had no idea of the side effects, I thought I was going crazy I just about drove my husband up the wall with my rages and anger, will this go away and all the other symptons? I want to be back to my normal self
My friend has also been on these pills. The problem is that she thinks that the withdrawal symptoms are going to last. The reason why I’m worried about it is because she has been having withdrawal symptoms for 9 months. Should we consult a specialist?
So glad to find this blog. I had been on celexa for 15 yrs. for deep depression. Started to realize that I was just feeling dead inside so new Dr put me on Effexor and quit celexa. Decided I wanted to be “drug free” so tapered off on my own for 2 wks. Ended up in the hospital for two days. I thought it was the effexor but sounds like it may have been the celexa too. Went back on effexor and tapered off of that over a 2 month period. I have been sitting here sobbing and trying to decide how long I should wait before just going back to antidepressants.
I have experienced all the same things as the rest of you including the total self loathing, total b*tch to everyone and just plain misery. I wondered how long it might take to be “normal” again. To hear that 90 days is about average to give your brain a chance to recover is so helpful. Now I know what to shoot for and that I need more patience with myself before making any other medical decisions. Good the hear there is light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. I just thought I was nuts and needed more drugs!!!
hello Kathy you are not alone – no one is, we are all in this together. I was on celexa for 8 years and now getting off of it is horrible… the crying all the time and the anxiety. I’ve almost lost my job beause of it, but what is helping me is herbs like ashwangandha. Have you heard of it? It really reduces the symptoms… and of course prayer.
I’m really glad I found this website..thank you! It makes me feel a little less alone. The descriptions of withdrawal are spot on. It sucks. I’ve only been on celexa for 3 months at 10 mg and it’s hell trying to get off it. Seems strange with such a relatively low dose, but I guess it’s just my body :( The celexa at first got rid of my anxiety, which was nice– I was never that depressed, but at 3 months I didn’t feel like it was helping with the anxiety that much and I was now super depressed.
It made me not care about anything. So the Dr rec that I try 20 mg and omg that was a mistake. I’ve never had diarrhea that bad in my life and I’ve never been that extremely depressed in my life. It gave me really dark thoughts. So I’m over it and want this crap out of my system, but it’s proving very difficult. I’m getting terrible diarrhea, confusion, zappy/dizziness, crying spells, fatigue and just overall feel bad.
I’m trying to taper off it by taking 5 mg. I’m wondering how long this will last. I’m also feeling guilty and sad that I’m finding it next to impossible to parent my 2 kids and they are concerned about me. Any words of encouragement or prayers are much appreciated. My heart goes out to all of you as well….I hope we all get past this soon.
Hello Mar. You are not alone on this your story has related to me the most out of all because I to was on Celexa for 3 months at 10mg. I am around day 47 or so of my withdrawal and some days are good and some are bad. After I first stopped the pills I went through a stage of physical symptoms including a lot of anxiety attacks, muscle aches, joint pain, headaches, diarrhea, hand numbness, muscle spasms, heart palpitations, and more that I can’t think of off the top of my head.
Then suddenly most of those symptoms stopped and I went through a mental phase of withdrawal for about a week where I was severely depressed, had a ton of crying spells (Ive never cried that much in my life), depersonalization, brain zaps, and again more but these were the most frequent. Now a week removed from the mental phase I am for some reason back in the physical phase where I’m having a few panic attacks, aches, and headaches.
The symptoms I have had throughout the whole process is constant diarrhea, a lot of headaches, and panic attacks. I’ve also gotten the flu like symptoms on two different occasions throughout. BUT after all of this bad news I will say that almost at day 50 I am improving still with diarrhea and depersonalization but I am improving. I wish you luck on your recovery. Just wanted to relate and let you know your not alone.
Thank you Nick! I’m sorry I didn’t see your writing until now. Life has been crazy…you know. I hope you’re now past all of that. I totally understand what you are talking about when you say it went back and forth between the physical and mental symptoms….yes. I also figured out that during that time my kids and I contracted giardia and cryptosporidium so I have no idea how much of the diarrhea and fatigue was that and how much of it was the withdrawal since it all hit at once. But I’m feeling ALL better now!!! Yay! So overall I think it took about a little over a month to feel completely better (no more balance issues/zaps etc.)
I’m around month 2 of celexa, and I’m seriously looking for ways to taper off. I have read most of these testimonials and I’m so very fearful of this journey. Last night was my first night experiencing the zaps and nausea and panic! I felt as if I were falling apart. I hope I am able to manage the challenge and get off this stuff :(
Ugh— 90 days huh. I’m on day 9 and am nauseas, dizzy, and have a headache every second of the last three days.
No way I can make it 81 more days. I quit cold turkey from 40mg that I was on for a year and a half.
Had I been told about coming off the med when I went on the med– I would have never started. I was really depressed but I would have found another way.
F
I totally agree! If I had know how terrible this is getting off the meds I NEVER would have gone on them. Hang in there.
I would recommend a slow taper. I was on 40mg for 10 years and it took me 6 months to taper. I’m 6 weeks CIT-Free and am feeling pretty good. Only one or two brain zaps here and there but the rest of the side effects have disappeared. The worst is over and it can only get better! Hang in there
Exactly! I would’ve never started on these pills had I been told of the withdrawal symptoms!
Hi! I am so glad to have found this website, read the comprehensive lisy of withdrawal symptoms and, of course the posts, which I found encouraging. That being said, however, I am fighting my own battle with Celexa withdrawal. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with PTSD and severe panic disorder (panic attacks occurred at least once daily, they were debilitating, and lasted anywhere from 45 minutes to 2.5 hours). As a result, I was initially prescribed Klonopin and Paxil by my cardiologist (whom I visited at the advise of my neurologist in order to rule out any cardiac issues).
Two months later, I started seeing my psychiatrist who changed me from Paxil to Sertraline (I believe it was 100 mg/mcg?), which I took for about 8 months; I remained on a low dose (.5 mg ) of Klonopin as I still experienced panic attacks – albeit at a much gentler level). The side effects of Sertraline (extreme fatigue, inexistent libido, etc) made me ask my psychiatrist for a different medication, which could possibly relive some of the side effects I experienced on Sertraline. She then prescribed 20 mg of Celexa, which I was on for another year. Celexa, although working on the depression side, came with weight gain and less fatigue, but no changes with libido.
One month ago, I asked my psychiatrist if there was anything else I could try as I had gained 20 lbs and felt like I had absolutely no control over my body despite vigorous exercise 4-5 times per week and a diet no exceeding 1000 calories per day. She then agreed to let me try Vybrint (spelling unsure) and instructed me to take 10mg of Celexa and 5 mg of Vybrint for one week; I should then completely stop Celexa and continue with 10mg of Vibryint.
On the seventh day, when I only took the Vybrint and no Celexa, I could not function at all. The dizziness was excessive, my vision was blurred, anxiety up, continuous brain zaps each time I stood up or tried to move my head, etc. So, I thought it may have been side effects from Vybrint. During the next week, I kept taking 0.5 mg of Vybrint (instead of the 10 prescribed by my dr) and each day I started feeling better.
During my last appointment with my doctor on Sept. 2nd, I communicated to her that I was feeling much better and I expressed my desire to discontinue Celexa and Vybrint permanently, while still maintaining the same dose of Klonopin (which I intend to stop and take as needed – in an ideal world). We both agreed that I would no longer take Vybrint as I had been off Celexa for approx. 3 weeks by then. She also said that, if I experienced any symptoms, to take Vybrint every other day.
So, here I am: the day after my last appointment with my doctor, all symptoms came back with a vengeance: I feel like I am on a swing the entire time (unless laying down), the brain zaps are unbearable, I have crying spells, and a general feeling of discouragement that this will never end. The worst part is that my 6-year old daughter demands my attention and the guilt kills me. Yesterday, as I was trying to somehow relax and hope that the symptoms subside, she came and told me that I haven’t spent time with her in the past week and that she is upset.
That just turned into a long crying spell in the shower (hubby is gone on a business trip for 3 weeks and I also care for my ill mother who resides with us). Guilt or not, I really could not wait for my daughter’s bed-time story time so I can be done with the day. And then I lay awake until 1:00AM unable to fall asleep and woke up at 7:00 am to make breakfast and prepare for the coming week.
I apologize for the long post, but it was much needed and that you all in advance for reading. I am sad and discouraged, but DO NOT want to go back on meds. The only positive experience I have had so far is a 3lbs weight loss since quitting Celexa without making any changes in diet – I have not been able to exercise all past week because of the severe dizziness.
Any words of encouragement or any new information is greatly appreciated. I know I am not the only one going through this, but I feel alone within my own family who has never experienced my situation. I understand them and I feel enormous guilt for putting them through this – which is the hardest thing of all to bear. Thanks again and I wish all of you to be well and get well! -Delia
Delia, Your posting was over a year ago and I am wondering how you are doing? I had taken Citalopram for several years and took 2 years to taper off it. I am 4 months past the last 5mg dose and suffer major depression still. Terrible crying fits and anxiety. I sympathize with your story and am interested to know what has happened since 1 year ago. -Veronica
Please help !! I am on day 12 of being off this horrendous drug cold turkey and my mental state is falling to pieces. I had a bad reaction to the cip when It kicked In, heart racing, dizziness, Vision flashing, uncontrollable shacking and feeling freezing cold plus anxiety. My doctor told me to persevere so I did for 2 weeks but suffered major anxiety and could feel my body telling me to stop so I did .
The doc said I could stop cold turkey no worries. Now I can’t remember much hour to hour, massive headaches, cloudy head along with occasional suicidal and aggressive thoughts towards other friends and family who I love to bits. How long will this last and I’m scared of losing my rational train of thought and lose the plot completely. I’m sacred I’ll hurt myself or someone I love. I’m fine for most the day up and down but every now and then I hit a massive low which is when these nasty thoughts occur. How long till it starts getting better and will I fully recover? Any recommendations and advice would be much appreciated
Hi…. I, too, tried to quit cold turkey a couple of years ago and thought I was losing my mind a week into it. When I consulted with my doctor, he really read me the riot act about quiting cold turkey. I tapered off over the course of about 6 months. I’m 6 weeks off of it and the withdrawals have pretty much disappeared. I occasionally get a “brain zap” when I’m looking around but they are far and few between now. I would recommend seeking a 2nd opinion because I think your doctor telling you “quit cold turkey is fine” is out of their mind!!!!! They probaly have never had to quit this med cold turkey so they are unaware of the side effects!
Hi Tamara thanks for your reply, its given me some hope as feeling this crap for so long makes you wonder if you are damaged for life. Most of the symptoms are now gone (I suffered EVERY single one on this blog) and had a pretty good week but last 2 days feeling really tired, depressed and occasional bad thoughts again. I’m hoping its one of my last waves and was a bit of a let down as I thought it was over. Hope your doing well and keep me posted on your progress!
Lockie. I have had to also stop citalopram due to side effects . I was on 20 mg dropped it to 10mg for 17 days and then had to stop… I am experiencing every single withdrawal symptom. Also scared I’m losing my mind! My memory loss is actually frightening me! How long did all of this last?? Please tell me you are back to your normal self. I’m only on day 15 since I stopped it.
I am so glad I found you people. I have been off Cit for a couple weeks and feel like I lost my brain. Can’t think straight and can’t remember anything. My dr told me to get off of Cit due to huge weight gain. I am suffering through the withdrawal, but it’s hard getting through my work day in this fog. Hopefully, a few more weeks and maybe I will see an improvement.
Hello… I’m at the end of week 2 in being totally off Citalopram. I’ve been on 40 mg for 10 years and started the taper process about 6 months ago. My doctor took it down to 20mg. Then I started cutting the pill in half approximately 4 weeks before I quit. In the final 2 weeks of tapering, I was taking 10 mg every 3 days, then every 4 days, etc until I finally swallowed my last pill forever!
The worst symptom for me for the first week was the “head shutters”… That’s how I’ve always described them. They are starting to happen less frequently this week, which is good but now the AGITATION AND IRRITATION has set in. I’m bitchy and seem always ANGRY at my boyfriend and my kids. I have shared with all of them about my discontinuation of the Cit in hopes they don’t take anything personal.
I, too, feel lethargic and tired all the time, but don’t exercise as I should. Nighttime is a hit n miss. Some nights I sleep fine. Others, I’m restless and cannot lay still! My legs are fidgety and I sometimes feel like I have “creepy crawlers” on my face. I sometimes wonder if this is what a tweaker feels like! LOL I’m tired while in bed but can’t seem to “stay asleep” some nights.
I’m determined to get through this because 10 years was long enough. I just got done having a good cry while reading through different websites on Citalopram Withdrawal Symptoms, because I know there will be a light at the end of this tunnel of Citalopram Hell!
Hang in there everyone!
I have been on these types of medicines since 2001. Do any of you guys seem to notice, that you feel like you forget alot? Or even feel like you don’t remember alot of things over the years? I seen a tv episode about how anti-depressants have been believed to cause alzheimers! Any input please.
Jay, I am in the process of tapering but have been forgetful for a long time. I also take other meds but hope the forgetfulness and confusion will lessen once totally free from citalopram. But the forgetfulness is probably pretty common. Hope this helps answer your question.
Hi everyone,
It has been so saddening to hear of people’s struggle coming off medication. It is also wonderful to witness a clear sense of support and encouragement for those going through similar experiences. I don’t usually write on blogs but my story may be of help and so I will… I came off citalopram 7 months ago and I came off very slowly. Final dose was 5mg (I broke 10mg in half). This process took perhaps 3 months all in all to completely come off, however I felt there was no clear science, just knew I should take my time and listen to my emotions.
I went much slower than my GP advised as I feel they don’t fully appreciate the dangers through no fault of their own. Not many GPs have insight when it comes to depression. We often know more than they do. I had no symptoms what so ever. In fact I felt somewhat empowered to be off them and my family even commented on my mood being very stable. What I was doing at the time was therapy called ‘the journey’. I managed to clear some issues for me (loss of a loved one when I was a teenager) that I never believed could have created such a depression.
However after doing the therapy I felt significantly better and clearer. More importantly, as a result of the therapy I felt empowered to come off the meds as I felt clear of the root cause of it. Now 7 months along and I feel anxiety creeping back. I also have moments of despair. What is different this time is although I experience these dark moments and feel powerless at those moments on the whole I am much more able to discuss these issues with loved ones and I am seeking therapy (journey) again as I am hoping that there is more I need to resolve in order to clear the negative feeling I am having.
I will let you all know how it goes. Fingers crossed. Lots of love and hope to all those struggling right now. We will beat this! x Molly
It’s great to hear some good news from you! It must be so encouraging to see some positive changes. I think good feeds on good, so hopefully, you’ll continue to feel better as the days pass. Congrats!
Hello! :) I believe I am now on Day “49” since my symptoms of withdrawal had kicked in and I am now finding my head is starting to “clear” of the fogginess. I am now gaining my sense of humour back which is a huge relief for me. I still have headaches, exhaustion and shortness of breath off and on, but I do note a huge improvement from what I have already experienced in the past. Again, I am still being cautious and find the need to take one day at a time. All in all, I am getting better and would like to stress to others who feel they can’t cope to really hang in there. It does get better. :)
Thank you for your very encouraging post!
Celexa was a God send that helped me through severe acute panic attacks. But after 7 years of 20mg, my Dr. at my request placed me on a three month weaning process. I have been off for a month now. The first two weeks were hell. Brain zaps, mood swings, uncontrollable crying (I am a male police officer, never cried like this before) aniexity, depression, severe carb cravings, insomnia, and unbelievable fatigue.
Now at a month the fatigue, insomnia and anxiety continue. Sometimes my brain is racing so fast,
I need to just get out and drive so I can regain control. Pre celexa I never experienced any of these.
I have been told that in some it can take up to 90 days before your brain gets back to normal. I guess I am one of those lucky ones. Doing it one day at a time. Hang in there everyone- no one wants to be on meds forever.
JoJo, I COMPLETELY sympathize with where you’re coming from. I’ve been trying to taper off Celexa over 5 months from 40mg after about 4 years of being on the medication. Things went well for the first couple months until I got to 5mg every other day. Now I’m suffering unbearable fatigue where I can hardly get out of bed in the morning, even with 10+ hours of sleep. Add to that anxiety, depression, mood swings, low self confidence, difficulty concentrating, etc.
I see you posted about a month ago. How are you doing know? Wishing you all the best.
hello jojo I’m a corrections officer myself and I was on celexa for 8 years and now I’m off the drug and I can’t work because of the withdrawl symptoms. I’m on medical leave now and I don’t know when I will be returning back to work. How have the symptoms effected your work life?
Not sure how long ago this comment was posted, but wondering how it’s been going so far? I’m 11 days off 10 me and feel like I’m going crazy. Horrible headaches, fogginess, irritability and crying spells. Went on BC of horrible anxiety attacks and depression, but it’s been 7 years and I don’t feel as though it’s helped that much; but am terrified to go back to a worse place. Any suggestions from your experience with going off? Thanks!
I have mostly been on citalopram for 5 years. I was on 20 then 40 then 20 again, I stopped cold turkey almost a month ago. It seemed like the worst of withdrawal symptoms happened about a week after stopping. I had even more vivid dreams that had an underlying sinister feeling to them, sleep started getting worse, crying spells and extreme anxiety. After a few days my condition seemed to improve a bit so I felt a little bit hopeful like the worst was over and it will just get easier from now on. I started taking 5htp two weeks after I stopped citalopram.
Just 50mg as I read about it and thought it could help but I’ve been on it nearly two weeks and I don’t know what affect its having. I am now feeling extremely tearful and fatigued, the autumn air creeping in is adding to my anxiety. I haven’t been able to get out of bed today and I’m so overwhelmed. I don’t even have the energy to cook anything so I’ve only had a couple of wraps filled with spread.
I also have emotional intensity disorder which I found out last October and I’ve been having dbt so that has helped me progress a bit in last 9-10 months but I just want to be off these pills and progressing in a more natural way. It’s interesting that some people on these comments have said 90 days as a time frame of withdrawal, I really thought it wouldn’t take that long and now I’m really scared that I can’t cope with anything and I’m starting another group therapy module in a week, a college course in a few weeks and moving in a month..
Hi! I read your post, and I was wondering if adding another serotonin-type thing into your regimen (i.e. the 5-HTP) might be making things harder rather than easier. When you come off the anti-depressant, your brain and body need to adjust to the change in serotonin levels. Maybe it makes things rockier to take something away and add something else in.
Do you have support from a family physician or a psychiatrist?Why did you go cold-turkey instead of tapering? I’d be checking in with the doctor and asking for help to do a slow taper. Cold turkey is very stressful.
Are there any distress-type hotlines in your area that you could call? It’s good to reach out and talk to someone. And please make sure to eat enough healthy food and drink enough water, get exercise and sleep, etc. You have to help your body as much as possible.
You know? When I read others’ posts, I think it’s so sad that so many are struggling with the effects of these medications. If you can get your hands on the book I mentioned above — The Antidepressant Solution by Joseph Glenmullen, MD (of Harvard) — then do. It’s informative and will explain why cold-turkey is not the way to go. There’s a 5-step program to go off the medication slowly and carefully — and only when it’s not a hugely stressful time in your life. If you’re moving and starting courses, perhaps it’s time focus on those things and do your medication taper when you’re settled, relaxed and ready.
Take good care of yourself, okay? I wish you well, whatever you choose to do. Just know that there’s another way. In the meantime, reach out to someone nearby, okay?
I stopped 10 years of Cit on July 10,2014. I did a small taper from 20mg to 10 mg for one month prior to stoppage. I seemed to have no withdrawal effects at all. Then, a chronic rhinosinusitis exploded to an infection stage. Miserable week. I went on Sulfatrim for the infection. With that, non-nasal symptoms started in earnest. Mild nausea and bloating are attributable to the antibiotics but not the brain zaps. Today seems better than a week ago and I have only one day left on the antibiotic. I am irritable and sleepy. I have taken oxazepam without any relief of symptoms but it helps me sleep. Really hoping that everything is finished when the last of the sulfatrim is gone.
I chose citalopram because it had helped me in the past and I was able to taper off of it with no side effects. This time after being on it for a year and half I decided to taper off again because of weight gain and sexual side effects. I took my last pill 3 days ago and I am already having the electric shock feeling. I feel great in the morning and then the later it gets in the day the worse it gets. I hope it doesn’t last long it is enough to drive me back where I was when I started. I was on 20mg once a day. I am praying for all of us to recover from this.
Hi Dusti!
I am going through the exact same thing – to include the reasons for my decision to get off Celexa (20 mg). My bain zaps also started right away and are also accompanied by severe dizziness. I thought it very strange that I woke up with no symptoms in the morning and, with each hour that passed, they appeared and got worse and worse. I am praying for both of us that we can be rid of this soon – although I am reading that we would need at least 90 days before symptoms may subside. I am going on 4 weeks and they are just as bad as at the beginning.
Hi. Not sure how long ago you left this comment. I too came off 20 mg. It’s been two weeks since no pills. I have been on and off celexa for 15 years and never had withdrawal until this go around. I thought I had a freakin brain tumor! So scary! After reading all the comments I now think I can handle this a little better.
I’m going to the pharmacy today to see if they can provide help ‘naturally’ for the symptoms. My irritability sickness dizziness bloating feeling like my brain is swollen and lethargy is just way toooo much to handle. I am so hoping the pharmacist can help. Take care and resist the temptation to go back on the drug!
The whole reason I got off of celexa is because it simply stopped working for me. The reason I started taking was because of anxiety and my bad temper. When I started celexa every thing went away – bad temper and the anxiety, it was all smooth sailing. Then after a year or two I started feeling anxiety again, and I went to my doctor. He told me I would have to up the dose because my body was getting use to it, so I agreed to up the dose and I started to take a pill and a half but it still didn’t do any better.
And the time I was on celexa I had gained over 90 pounds and developed sleep apnea and became a diabetic. Since have stopped taking celexa I have lost 25 pounds but I’m still going through the withdrawal symptoms and they are bad. But I feel with each day I’m getting better because I’m taking herbs to minimize the symptoms and I feel that they are working.
What herbs are you taking? The brain zaps are killing me
Hi guys, its been nearly five weeks now since I stopped citalopram. I’m better now because the dizziness has stopped, the brain zaps are better, but now I always feel tired. I have serious back pain especially the shoulders, I went to my dr, they gave me pain killer, but it’s not working. The insomnia is still there. Is the anything that can help with the pain?
Willis, what type of herbs are you taking? I’m open to anything that helps.
Same exact thing!! I wake up and think I feel pretty good!!! By the time the sun goes down, I’m laying down!! I just keep telling my self one day at a time!!!!
I’ve only been on celexa for a couple of months. This weekend I accidentally skipped my dose and had the worst night ever. Insomnia, restlessness, nausea, panic attack, and then the brain buzz. I thought I was losing my mind. I couldn’t pull myself together so I missed work. I did some research and found this website, and spent all night reading through the comments.
I’m afraid to start the journey through the withdrawal process, but I see so much strength here that I’m sure I can do this. My doctor insisted that I was depressed and anxious after a recent break up. And now, after last night, and reading all your stories I feel like I have dug myself I into a mental hell pit. I’m not one that scares very easily, but this has situation has me so wound up… and I haven’t even started withdrawal.
Hi all again, weaned my self off 10mg a day took it really slow like a bout 3 months with the one every other day then cut in half and did same, its now nearly 4 weeks since I stopped and I have hit a brick wall feel as if I cant breathe head in a mess very frightened by all this, this morning I have picked up the tablets and keep looking at them thinking do I take one put them down again, just had a lousy nights sleep or lack of it in turmoil I know they say panic cant hurt you but this feels real enough to me, up to know had a good time, really felt really proud, just wondering how long others took to stop and feel normal well just half normal would be nice at this moment so I can get on with my day
Hi David. I am now on day “44” and from what I understand it can take up to 90 days. I have the exact same symptoms as you do and find myself in the same situation. I am not going to lie to you. It has been hell for me as well, but we just have to remember that this awful travesty that we are experiencing won’t last forever. Feels like it so far. I am not sure if you are keeping up with the comments, but “C” has recommended to me to purchase a book by Joseph Glenmullen called; “The Antidepressant Solution”. I have one on order at the moment. Maybe this might be helpful for you too. I guess our best bet is to embrace the good days and endure the bad. One thing I am finding for myself right now is going on to this site to at least know there are others like me who are trying to get by as well. This has helped me greatly so far. Just hang in there David, you are not alone and remember this does not last forever. It will one day be a bad memory for us and only that. :)
Hi All! I read the book a couple of weeks ago now, but I do remember the good doctor saying that it’s not a great idea to take the drug every other day, since it makes the adaptation process more difficult. Your brain is trying to adapt to life without the medication, so it may cause the withdrawal effect to be worse….Wait! Just found it….Page 97! He says the only SSRI you could try it with would be Prozac due to its longer half-life.
The decision, of course, is do you want to go back on the medication at the last dose you were on, and then taper slowly from there? Or can you bear the symptoms for as long as they might go on? That’s an individual decision, of course. I think if I’d read the book earlier, I’d have gone back on and gone more slowly at the end. Despite my deepest wishes, there’s no section in the book that talks about what to do if you’ve come off the medication and still have lingering symptoms. He appears to have had great success with his particular method of tapering patients.
What can I say? Breathe deeply, do whatever you need to do to stay calm and positive. Try music, exercise, friends, family, herbal stuff, whatever works!
Hi all so glad I have come across this forum. I decided to stop [well not actually]… sort of forgot to take them for a couple days and then thought hey I might as well come off of them completely. Feel like crap very sensitive, headaches, argumentative, not sleeping not to mention the confusion and dizziness. My poor partner is getting the brunt of it. Life is not too bad at the moment… new job, planning my wedding for next year, so no excuses other than the withdrawal. Just need my sex drive to come back and be able to focus on task without feeling dumb and incapable. Was on and off of it for about 4 years now so time to take my life back, but it’s damn hard. Gonna keep going and stay in touch with all you lovely people on here. Take care M
Great news! Not only do you have a supportive doctor, but you also have a supportive husband!
I hope you find the book helpful. I think it’s pretty cool that a Harvard prof/practising psychiatrist has put out a handbook on this topic. And yes, I’ve definitely heard about Prozac being used as an SSRI for tapering purposes. It has a long “half-life” and therefore, should give the body a bit of an easier ride as you come off it. I tapered from 20 to 15 to 10 to 5 then off (with help from a compounding pharmacy to make up the 5 mg capsules) in about 6 weeks. I had a slew of symptoms but they didn’t start until the end of the taper, which is apparently common for Prozac due to its long half-life. Dizziness/vertigo/unsteady gait was/is still number one, plus insomnia, night sweats, bad dreams, diarrhea and weird “head shocks” with lip tingling, most of which have lessened over time. I’ve been told numerous times that I’m “sensitive” to medications, so I’m not the best example of what’s “average”. That’s why I ended up on this forum, searching for others’ experiences! What I learned from the book is that it’s important to taper slowly and only drop the dose if your symptoms are “mild” and/or you can handle them. There’s no prize for doing it faster, and one example in the book features someone who took 8 months — with a number of long holding periods in the midst of it. As for me, I’m at 14 weeks off (let’s see….that’s 98 days, I think). The doc said, “Prozac withdrawal is not permanent,” so that’s what I’m basing my hope on for now. I’m also checking online for anything that provides solid info.
Anyway, thanks for your good wishes too, and take care. Enjoy the book, and I hope it provides you with some useful, evidence-based information that you can use to approach this situation calmly and confidently.
It is great news and I am very grateful. I will keep you posted on how I am doing and I wish the very best for you as well. I am also very fortunate to have found this site and has become a great inspiration for me. :)
Hi. I had been on Citalopram for about 10 years mostly at the dose of 40 mg for my ongoing depression. I was booked for a sleep study as a few years ago I was clinically diagnosed with narcolepsy. For this sleep study, I needed to be off of the Citalopram 1 month before. I had just under a month to taper off.
Once I was completely off of the Citalopram, I started to spiral downwards. My symptoms included: anxiety, nausea, major irritability, severe lethargy, shortness of breath, fever, dizziness, stilted walking (gait problems), abdominal cramps, crying spells and of course whatever else that is involved with depression. I have been off of my meds since July 4th and I feel like my whole life is crumbling down around me. I have finally had my sleep study and I am free to go back on the Citalopram, but I am deathly afraid of the medication now.
The years before when I was on the Celexa I did feel it had helped me, but did not like the weight gain or low sex drive just the same. I have also been told I may also have ADD (ADHD) which was around the time I was put on the Dexedrine for my narcolepsy. I found the combo with the Celexa and Dexedrine worked okay, but as time went on I found I became even more distracted and that time was speeding up. I felt very unproductive and had poor time management skills and was really not participating in life as a whole.
I guess you could say in a “nut shell” I am severely “messed up”. I just wish someone could say to me; “I know exactly what your problem is, and we can help you with that.” Of course with my “perception” and “frame of mind” at this present time, I highly doubt anyone can help me and truly feel at a loss. I have to admit it does help to read about others going through this because as we all know “misery loves company”.
I am doing everything possible to be patient and to have a positive outlook, but some days it takes every bit of strength not to give up and feel there is no help for me. Today is a better day as I am participating in this forum. I can only live day to day and hope for the best. Thanks for reading. :)
Hi! Have you thought about going back on the medication and then doing a proper, slow taper? A book I read called “The Antidepressant Solution” by Dr. Joseph Glenmullen suggests a 2-4 month taper, depending on how the symptoms are for the individual. Of course, you’d have to have a caring doctor to take you through — or at least, enough medication to allow for a slow taper. It sounds like you’re suffering a lot, so perhaps some of that could be minimized. I just came off Prozac and had a very rough time of it. I read the book after I went off it, not before, but I would have tried the slow-taper method if I’d known at the time. Take care of yourself and don’t give up! I’m trying to do the same.
I really appreciate the reply back and am very grateful for it. I did think about going back on the medication and tapering off a lot slower than the time I was afforded, but I truly am afraid to try again. I did check my calendar and I am on about day “43” out of 90 of how long the discontinuation syndrome could take. I know my doctor would definitely agree with you though. I was thinking I should make another doctor’s appointment and see if I was placed on some anti-anxiety medication to help me with the “really bad” days until then. It may help…..possibly. I am just so relieved to find this blog to know there are others like me and it truly does help wonders. I think I am going to keep in touch with this blog as it is a useful lifeline. Again, thank-you so much for responding to my comment as it does offer a bright spot to my awful dilemma. :)
You’re welcome, Stacey! And I agree that it’s good to know there are others out there going through similar things. It’s great to hear that you have a supportive doctor too, since that can make a huge difference. Be careful with the anti-anxiety medications, though (also know as “benzodiazepines”), since they can cause a physical dependency and also have a horrible withdrawal syndrome (trust me, I know!). Short-term, once-in-awhile, they’re okay, but do a little bit of online research to check reputable sources for info before you add another medication. From your first post, it sounds like you’re dealing with so many withdrawal effects from the anti-depressant, and it’s sad to hear that you’re suffering. Maybe a slow, controlled taper might change that and you won’t feel so down on yourself. Be gentle with yourself since these drugs have real and strong effects. Personally, I’ll be staying away from them. I’m just hoping the rest of my symptoms leave soon. Solid information and hope are my best tools to get through this intensely unpleasant time — plus support from wherever it comes. I’m sending some to you!
Thanks again so much C! :) My husband has just gone to the book store to pick me up “The Antidepressant Solution”. You are most likely right about the anti-anxiety meds. I have just read up on possibly being prescribed “Prozac” at a small dose to help take the edge off of the withdrawal symptoms. Have you heard about this? What have your days been like trying to cope and how long have you been off of your meds? I am sending some positive energy your way too, it may not be much, but it’s yours to have. :)
I had been on Celexa for 13 years. Last year I tried to get off it. By the time I got down to 5 mg a day I was miserable so I went back up to the 10 mg a day. I bought The Mood Cure Book by Julia Ross and this time when I went down to 5 mg I had NO withdrawal symptoms. Get the book. You need to replace the Celexa with Amino Acids and St. John’s Wort or Rhodiola Rosea. I take Rhodiola and Trytophan and Tyrosine. After the holidays I am going to get off it completely. This works. I thought I would be on Celexa for the rest of my life. -Judy
Stacey, I’m glad you mentioned the sex drive thing as I was reluctant to bring it up. I had horrible sexual side effects so I am coming off of it now. I’ve been tapering for 3 weeks now from 30 mg. initially. I thought my sex drive would get better now that I’m down to 10 mg, but it hasn’t and I am real frustrated and am concerned it won’t straighten out. I’m hoping this is just a mood side effect causing the sex drive problems.
I do feel irritable and anxious. I’m dealing with those side effects, but my girlfriend and I are just both frustrated over the sex drive, however she overall is very understanding and supportive. Can’t wait to get back to normal. Sort of feel bad about being short with my granddaughter. She’s a precious girl and shouldn’t have to deal with MY side effects. I wish you all good luck.
I’m so glad I’m not alone in this. I had a sex drive, but couldn’t ever really have an orgasm. It was like the sexy side of me was just numb. I’ve been celexa free for one week. I’m already feeling better. The numbneas is fading. Push through. It’ll be ok. You’ll get your mojo back.
For me the worst part has been the brain zaps. It seems like they’re getting worse as the come down progresses. I’m going to try exercising today and see if that helps like some suggest. There IS a light at the end of the tunnel. There IS relief. I’ve stopped this drug before (due to pregnancy, just like now) and I usually start to balance out emotionally within three weeks.
The problem is that leading up to the three weeks is hell. Literal hell. The best thing I’ve found is to just press through and say this mantra, “It’s just the drugs.” It brings me peace of mind, and reminds me that it’s temporary and WILL subside!
Stacey, I know exactly what you mean. Last night I woke up and found myself feeling terribly alone and defeated. I’m a single mom and have been feeling like a loser because I’ve been looking for a job for so long and haven’t been hired. So last night I came to a breaking point. I cried like a baby and boy was it liberating! The Citalopram has been helpful but it made me incapable of crying. I’ve been off Citalopram for two weeks and am going through the withdrawal symptoms. They’re horrible.
In my effort to “feel” again while on Citalopram, I’d watch depressing movies but somehow I found ways to reason through them and not crying. Yesterday I watched Interstellar and cried so much. Then went home and cried some more. Sometimes, you just need a good cry and forget about the possibility that maybe no one know what is “wrong” with us. Maybe we’re not “messed up” and maybe we are a different kind of normal. I recommend you watch Garden State. It’s a powerful movie and eye-opening if you haven’t already watched it. I’m here for you Stacey: mamirumbera[AT]yahoo.com.
Hi been off 10mg of citalopram now whew this is hard tight chest feel as if I cant breathe, electric shocks tight muscles feel like dipping back into them this is hard just how long does this go on for
I was on 10 mg for a year and stopped “cold turkey” a week ago – I am having all of the same symptoms! I keep thinking I should go right back on but I’m trying hard not too…
I’ve been on 10 mg for about a year and a half. 20 made me feel loopy so I’ve only taken 10 mg. I’m weaning off so I’m on a half now for a few weeks I have very bad muscle pain in my hands and back of my calf and my knee. I can’t even walk.
David, I was on Citalopram years ago, then went off… Withdrawals lasted about 2 months, but got gradually better. Went back on to desk with pressure and was on 60mg a day. Haven’t read that anyone was on that much. I was acting without thinking and behaving badly. I switched doctors and my new doc started reducing my dosage… Been reducing it for a year. Now I am not taking it at all, but am having all the same reactions. I know the symptoms will be over… I am just sticking with it, taking naps after work. It will get better!!! One day you will realize that the withdrawal symptoms are gone. I won’t take this drug ever again.
I came off of Celexa (cold turkey) after having been on 20mg for one year. I have been experiencing severe pain in my right knee & hip. Also horrible pain in my back, neck & right shoulder. My mouth (gums) are killing me and am now unable to chew anything of substance and am unable to tolerate hot and cold. It’s only been 2 weeks but the withdrawal is bad enough to never want to take anything like Celexa again. I’ve started taking Mega-Mag, Plain Coconut Kefir, a green smoothie every morning with ground flax seed & flax seed oil.
I also soak twice a day in Ancient Minerals magnesium bath salts and use magnesium snow to make a paste to put on painful areas. I spray magnesium oil on the bottom of my feet. I intend to try 5-HTP among a few other things to see if this creates a shift in my body’s withdrawal symptoms. I never thought these symptoms could have anything to do with coming off of the Celexa until I found this site.
I was first prescribed celexa in 2000 I believe I was started at 20mg. In the last 15 years my dosage has been changed numerous times going up to 60mg. After a while Wellbutrin XL was added and my dosage reduced to 30mg which is what it has been at for probably about 5 years. A few months ago hubby and I decided to at least cut back on prescriptions (he was on Wellbutrin XL also). We were taking 300mg and went down to 150mg for 2 weeks then to 0.
About the same time I cut back on my celexa by a third, since I was prescribe a pill and a half daily it was easy to accommodate this. I took 20mg for 3-4 weeks then dropped to 10mg. Stuck with 10mg for 2 weeks and am now at 0. Day three and I mainly notice dizziness and anxiety. I’ve only seen a couple of others who have been on celexa as long as I have, and I think one other besides you and I has mentioned a 60mg dose. I just hope it doesn’t take a year or more got the side effects to subside considering the length of time I was on it!
I’ve been on 10 mg for almost 4 years now. Today is day 6 of only taking 5 mg a day and yesterday my headaches started, crying spells, back pain, tight chest, feeling alone, tired… I am hoping this doesn’t last long :( I still have to take 2.5 mg after 7 more weeks and then get off completely so I am definitely scared of what is to come…but I’m glad I’m not alone with my symptoms.
Please help! I have been on citalopram for three years now at 40mgs. I ran out a week ago and this is so bad i cant even function. The zaps run through my whole head and go all the way to my toes. Several years ago I was on Lexapro and it did the same thing but the zaps lasted up until i was on the citalopram. Is there any hope for me, that they stop? is there anything i can do? I cant keep my family going through this. Another article said take Diphenhydramine to help… I cant function. What do i do? The zaps the headaches, severe anxiety that i cant breathe at moments, light headed so bad i hit the ground and nothing stops spinning, I want to cry. I feel helpless. What do I do?
Hi Shay. I am saddened to hear what you are going through. I can also empathize as I am in the very same situation you are. You are not alone in this. It is truly horrific and there are days where you wonder if you will ever survive. This is said to be normal. Like you, I have to ride it out and hope for the best. If ever you need to vent, please do. I will be try to visit this site everyday if I can and you are welcome to vent to me and I will be suffering along with you but yet at the same time encouraging you to get through this long drawn out battle. Please try and find your strength and hopefully we can persevere through this together. :)
hello shay, I’m going through celexa withdrawal symptoms and they are very bad. I was on celexa for a long time I can’t really remember how long I was on it, I guess for about 8 or 9 years. I started tapering off celexa in early august of 2014 and finally stopping in late august of 2014; that may not have been enough time but now it’s October 5 2014 and my is it taking a toll on my life.
I had to go on medical leave from my job cause the symptoms are so debilitating. Sometimes I feel that nothing feels right and never will feel right again, and I have times of anxiety, nausea, extremely vivid dreams and I wake up feeling sick and just not right at all, I’m also having dizzy spells and obsessive compulsive symptoms too, and sometimes everything is very sensitive like I’m very sensitive to smells.
Like they overwhelm me and sights to, and when I get excited in any way like getting happy or angry it turns in to anxiety. I want to be happy again and I know I will but I guess it’s just going to take time – I just didn’t think this long.
yes, same here. I had crying fits and felt like I was all alone. I went back on citalopram, because I couldn’t deal with the depression. I tapered off, doctor directed, the dizziness was horrible. Took about 2 weeks for that to go away. Thought I was feeling really good, then the depression hit and boy did it hit!
How are you feeling now? I’m going through withdrawal as well…
I came off Paxil about 10 years ago cold turkey. it started with a week of me being in my room in the fetal position while my mom took care of my kids. Now I’m doing the same w/ Celexa. the reason i decided to do cold turkey is it seems no matter how slow i see people taper…even when they hit 5 mg…when they go off the withdrawls are still HELLISH…so why prolong the agony? This is MY opinion for myself anyway…and in no way am trying to say that’s what’s right for others. But I’m a week in and I have severe dizziness and brain zaps every time I move my eyes…I haven’t been depressed or too anxious, but of course that may change too.
Melissa, I am right there with you. I have tried to taper off in the past but felt just as bad, so finally I just went cold turkey. I am close to two weeks off right now and was dealing pretty well, but my female cycle completely threw me for a loop and the zaps & nausea are back in full swing today. Until my cycle came, I was already feeling better and that makes me feel hopeful for the near future of getting this shit out of my system. I have a few more days off work thankfully, so just trying to use the time to take care of myself and chill.
It helps me to know (and keep reminding myself) that it’s all just temporary. I am now down to just one anti-depressant, which is how I’d like to keep it. That’s not to say that I didn’t need the celexa when I started taking it either. Now, I’m in a different place and feel that I no longer need it, or want it, in my system. Hope you’re doing better with each day that goes by.
Hi. I have been on Zoloft/Celexa for 20 years. Yes that is years! I am on 40mg and I’m trying to wean off now. Stomach cramps, diarrhea, all over aches and nausea are hitting me hard. I don’t know how long this will last. I have tried to come off this before but I can’t deal with the withdrawal symptoms. I’m hoping this time I will be able to hang on and still go to work. Don’t mean to scare you… but be warned this is not fun.
Hi Shay I’m going threw the same thing you are. It’s been 4 days now and I can’t function. I’m sick to my stomach, headache, bad anxiety, can’t sleep, no appetite. You’re not alone. I just want to sleep all day and feel normal.
Hi Shay, Just came across this website on the internet, as I am trying to get off citalopram myself. Not sure how you’re feeling now, as you wrote your post back in August. I have read a lot of information about withdrawing, plus different forums. It is recommended to gradually reduce the dose, preferably over a long period of time. Some people even take many months to come off it. I myself have been on Citalopram for over 4 years.
I was taking 30mg, and then reduced to 20mg a year later (by taking 30mg one day and then 20mg the other day for a week and going down to 20mg every day). Then I started reducing to 10mg for a month or so, I was on 5mg for about 3 months and now reduced to 2.5 mg, which I have been on for 3.5 weeks now. Even though the dose is very little, I tried to completely stop 1.5 weeks ago and started getting terrible panic attacks, which I have not had for 8 years!
This was the most horrifying experience as I felt like being literally in hell for a few days. That’s why I decided to go back to taking 2.5 mg again and wait for a bit longer. I try to keep very positive and believe that it will take time, but eventually we will all go through it. Experiences like this will only make us all stronger, so please keep positive and believe that with God’s help we will all get better!
Wow… I’m not alone in my struggle to get off Citalopram! I ran out for 2 days last week and had the worst symptoms, pretty much all of what has been described here. I just want to get this over and done with. I wish I would have known before I started on it! I had crying fits and horrible depression the first day and no one seems to understand how bad the symptoms are and I truly feel alone. I have been on 40mg for 13 years.
I cut back to 20mg for the last few nights and already find my old sarcastic self coming back with a vengeance! I am trying to keep to myself so I don’t hurt anyone’s feelings. How are others coping with this? I have the feeling I’m in for a really bumpy road. I don’t want to take another medication to get off of this one! Any suggestions on helpful herbs would be greatly appreciated!
I have been slowly withdrawing from Celexa for 3 weeks now. I had been taking 20mg for 4 years and it just stopped working. I dropped to 15mg for a week, then 10 for a week, now I am at 5mg and only have 2 left to take. The major side effect I have had it diarrhea it has been horrible it has been off and on for over 2 weeks now. No I am not sick they have tested all my stools and there is nothing! I am hoping it stops soon anyone else had this side effect? Other than that a few high and low days but nothing I cant handle.
Sorry to hear about that Jessica. I’d look into taking some Imodium to help with that symptom. Sounds like you conducted a pretty fast taper. Withdrawal can drive anyone crazy… you experience physical symptoms and there is (usually) nothing medically wrong. Wish you a quick recovery.
I have been off 40 mg Citalopram after 4 years on for appx. 2 mos. Whew! Those first weeks were horrific: Brain zaps, sleepless nights and nightmares, sweats, gritting teeth, irritability, food tastes metallic (ongoing). Have to say it’s much, much better. Feeling about 95% which is something I would not have thought a month and a half ago. Every day I’m feeling more like a human being – not a robot. The few symptoms I think I have are nothing compared to what it was. Keep going – you will feel better.
Thank you for this bit of hope. I feel horrible right now and am wondering if I will feel well again. Had no idea it would last months, was told days. Reassuring, yet upsetting all at the same time. Thank you for hope.
I am on day 34 of NO celexa! The first 2 weeks were definitely the worst! I started feeling much better and had some really good days! As I went on a spring break cruise with my family and 7 other families, I contracted a horrible stomach virus and an upper respiratory infection. I have been down for 5 days now and hoping all of this will soon go away so I can get back to normal. I am so proud to say I am off of this awful drug that simply covers up symptoms; it doesn’t treat them. I am taking different vitamins and herbal supplements to combat the anxiety… There is hope for everyone – just take things one day at a time!
Thanks for sharing… I was on 30mg for years and I have been off of it for a little over a week. I have been so sick. The dizziness and nausea are so unpleasant. Praying to feel better soon!
I’m working on withdrawal now. I’ve been at 40mg, cut down to 20mg, and then 20mg every other day. Now I’m at 15mg every other day, and I am having severe mood swings, nausea, etc. I can’t wait to get off this stuff, but I think I will be tapering over the course of months, not weeks!
Don’t skip! Gradually taper off. Take something every day for sure but lower the dosage every couple months at least. I quit Paxil cold turkey in 2006 and lost my mind. Literally. I’ve been on 20mg citalopram for over 8 yrs and started tapering last year. I was on 10mg for several months and was down to 5mg for a month. And some point you will stop altogether but please decrease gradually and take your decreased dosage every day.
Any ethical psychiatrist will tell you that being on medication your whole life is not the answer, so you are doing the right thing withdrawing. Withdrawal is a nightmare but nothing that’s worth it comes easy, right? I’ve been on ssri medication for half my life (I’m 31). I barely remember who I really am without it. Don’t let it define who you are. Enduring the withdrawal will give you strength. You can do it, nothing lasts forever.
Your comment is so comforting. I am 31 and have also been on celexa 40mg for almost half my life and have been tapering down for a year now. I one more month left at 5mgs and am nervous. I have already had some withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, body aches, headaches, slight anxiety. I’m nervous to be done for good, but I know that I’m not the only one struggling. I can’t wait to be freed from this drug!
Ron, I have been reading all these comments and it is very helpful. I have been on Cit for about a year due to depression. I have Sleep Apnea which is my root cause. After 3 months of being on 50 mg. I wanted off so I went to 20 mg and it was not a good idea. However at the 6 month mark I tried it again and all was well.
I then gradually decreased by just a couple of mg. About every 2 to 3 weeks. It was like clockwork. I would lower my dose and 2 to 3 weeks later I would get a severe headache, get tired, then cry some. Then I would lower my dose again. When I got down to the 2.5 mg point the doctor said you may as well just stop. But I told him I want to decrease my dose even lower before I stop.
That’s when he had to prescribe a liquid form that I could decrease to such a low amount. I was down to 0.8 mg. for 3 weeks when I began to be tired all the time. That is when I decided to stop 2 days ago. So far it is not horrible, but I have to remember that the drug took 3 weeks before it affected me so the next. 3 weeks will be the lead time to what happens.
I wanted to share this because the skipping days was also told to me by the pharmacist that it was not a good idea. She also told me that they admire me for getting off the medicine but have never heard of anyone going to such a low dose. They had to order the medication in liquid form in order for me to dose it that low.
I have been taking this medication on and off for a few years. After suffering from a bereavement in May this year, my dosage went up to 40mg. In October I found that I was pregnant and although extremely happy about this, I believe I came off the drug to quickly and for the last 5 weeks have been experiencing major dizziness to the point where I have been unable to drive. Nausea is bad too, but the worst symptom for me is dizziness. I’m hoping to see an improvement as I need to get back into a routine and back to work! Are you feeling any better Darlene??
Thanks Barbara. I have been on Celexa for a long time. I have tried in the past to slowly stop, but went back because of side effects. This time I’m gonna tough it out. I stopped slowly, went down to 5 mg. and last week stopped. A day or two after stopping, I had an attack of vertigo. Now I’m experiencing wooziness, some dizziness, and some of the other withdrawal symptoms. Your post is very helpful. I really want to stop this drug, so my plan is to cope with the symptoms and remind myself that this too shall pass.
I have been on citalopram for six months, after 6 months I was told to to start coming off it by gradually reducing the dosage every two weeks, 20mg to 10 and then 5mg. Now I’m having this withdrawals such as dizziness, brain zaps, insomia, mood swings, hot flushes and sometimes I feel like I’m loosing my mind. Reading your comments helps me a lot, now I know that no matter how difficult it feels, in the end I will be fine and be normal again. Since my husband passed away 3 years ago ,I’m staying with my teenagers (kids), I feel like they don’t understand what I’m going through.
I stopped taking this medicine only because my dr forgot to write a script for it and and I didn’t realize how serious these meds were. I just started my first job in couple years and now have horrible dizziness nausea waves of feeling zapped. I have never been overweight in my life and in one year of taking this medicine I gained 65 pounds. It’s crazy. But now I don’t know how to deal with feeling so sick all the time and dizziness all day.
All I want to do is lay down somewhere to try not to feel so horrible. I hope this goes away soon. It’s been a little over a week since I ran out of the medicine. And I’m reading on here it could last for months. I don’t know how I will get through this much longer and it’s only been a week. I will never again take a medicine without reading all the side effects and withdrawals. Because withdrawals are the worst.
Try soaking in a magnesium bath (Epsom salt). Eat a banana. I’ve experienced the same thing and found it was magnesium loss. Hope you feel better. The increased magnesium took away my headaches, exhaustion, and heart palpitations.
Magnesium? I take extra because of low blood levels. Maybe that’s why cutting back from 40 mg to 20 had little effect on me? I cut back several months ago because of episodes of heart palpitations, shortness of breathe etc. Had almost no withdrawal symptoms at all, except for a little mental fuzziness. Now going to eliminate all together, unless the severe insomnia returns which just lowering the dose hasn’t done.
I seriously hope that does it because it’s the headaches for me that have been the worst. I’ve been tapering off and have had the worst headaches and nothing makes them go away.
I am celexa free for a week now. I’m dizzy, and emotional (I take a half of a xanax to help with that), nausea, and diarrhea! Some of these posts are very encouraging! If it wasn’t for me wanting another baby I think I would stay on it. The first time I tried to get off celexa was too fast. It was terrible. Went back on it but with a lower dose (10 mg) for 2 months then went to 5mg for 2 months then went off of it. Hopefully the xanax helps BC boy I do not like these withdrawal symptoms. I went on celexa for postpartum depression.
I thought I was losing my mind until reading this thread today. I was on 20mg a day, but the past few weeks, kept forgetting here and there. Finally one day, I figured I kept forgetting to take it, I might as well just stop. I went to my doctor today to ask for a CT scan. I thought something was seriously wrong with me. I knew the panic attacks and mood swings were due to quitting. But I didn’t know about the debilitating dizziness, tiredness, and apathy.
I cant function at work. I’m afraid to drive. I cant play with my 2 year old son. I’m so dizzy and tired, it’s impossible to go to the gym lately. And that sucks because that was one really positive thing I was doing. I’m trying my hardest because I’m trying for a second baby. I too was prescribed Celexa for PPD. I’m scared of needing it when I can’t have it and scared of being on it forever. I’m also more discouraged now than ever. I can’t live like this for months to years.
After over seven years of taking both Celexa (40 mg) and Wellbutrin (300 mg), I made the decision to come off of my meds and try to use essential oils to control my mood, depression, anxiety, etc. The essential oils are another story (positive one)… I came off of the Wellbutrin first (cold turkey). I had a headache for about a week and then was fine. Next, I decided to omit the Celexa.
Having had such good luck nixing the Wellbutrin, with no knowledge of the pharmacology of either drug, I quit the Celexa cold turkey as well. That was stupid. I’ve almost completed two weeks without the Celexa. It’s the hardest thing that I’ve ever physically been through aside from childbirth. I am both encouraged and discouraged by this article. I am encouraged in that all the symptoms I have been experiencing are most likely related to the withdrawal and not the depression, anxiety, etc.
Maybe I’m not as crazy as I’ve been thinking I was the past two weeks. I am discouraged to learn that this process may take much longer. So, now to my conundrum… should I continue this process cold turkey? Or, should I add the Celexa back in and then gradually taper off of it? The stubborn person inside of me thinks I should keep on keeping on. Maybe the past two weeks have been the hard part.
I have been on celexa 20MG for 10 years and am JUST starting to wean off. I will be on 15 MG for 8 weeks, and then 10 MG for 8 weeks and then 5 MG for 8 weeks and then stopping. It’s best to come off Celexa with guidance of your doctor and very slowly so you don’t have side effects. Best of luck!
I have been off of Celexa about a month now. I’ve been so sick! I thought it was Mono at first because the symptoms fit. I had a very bad sore throat for the first two weeks and I think it was because of the withdrawals making my immune system plummet. My symptoms have been extreme lethargy, nausea, feeling like I could faint, crying spells, depression, headaches and diarrhea. It has been awful!
I haven’t worked in 2 weeks and really don’t want to lose my job. I will try to get up and do some cleaning but I tire very easily and become very nauseous. These comments are pretty depressing as well! I don’t want this to last for months! A few days ago I made a decision to have a more positive outlook on life and try to do something with my life. It’s been trying because of the withdrawals.
I was considering going back on them half a pill for awhile but it seems like eventually I’ll have to go through this again and I can’t do that! Someone commented that they take Magnesium and that seemed to help, so that is what I’ll do. I’m also going to try the “It works” Greens Detox. I started doing a little bit of working out last night so I’ll keep doing that as well. I’m going to do everything I can to get over this and be healthy!
Hi PJames, thank you for sharing your experiences- I wondered what essential oils you found helpful please? I’ve just spent a month weaning down from being on 20mg citalopram for the past 18 months. I managed to get down to only taking 10mg every 3rd day with just a bit if irritability and tiredness. Then I forgot to take my tablets on holiday with me. I’ve had awful, constant dizziness as well as feeling very lethargic/lacking energy. I’d love any tips on alternative therapies that might be helpful please.
Thanks for sharing – good to hear there is a ray of hope. Had the most awful nausea, dizziness headaches and I guess they are brain zaps – basically it’s when my brain suddenly feels like it’s too big for my skull continuously for the first 7 days after I stopped my 20mg/3years dose. For the last few days I’ve felt about 50% better. I have also had body aches, which I didn’t expect.
I totally related to your post. I have been taking 20mg of Celexa for 2 years. I’ve gotten sick of the weight gain and just not feeling like myself. I cut my doze in 1/2 for a week then decided to just stop taking it. It has been 4 days and the side effects suck! My joints hurt, feel like my brain is on a rollercoaster and the zaps are very annoying. I’m trying really hard to tough it out. The side effects don’t sound much different from those who taper off or stop cold turkey. Praying God will give me strength to get through the withdrawals. Good luck!
I’m going through the exact same thing, and am very relieved to know that this gets better.
I had been on celexa for a little over 3 years. I want to feel again and I want to try my best to not be on any antidepressants. I tapered off for 3 weeks. I am now 7 days with nothing. I have no energy, crying constantly from missing my family who me live very far away. Brain zaps, diarrhea, hopelessness, etc. I am determined to not be a slave to this, although right now the hopeless feeling is overwhelming. I would love some kind words from you to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you for reading.
I went off Citalopram almost a month ago when I ran out and my doctor was not available to prescribe more. Since I had been planning to stop taking the drug soon anyway, I just went with it. Cold turkey is a hard way to go! I didn’t realize what was happening until I thought to read up about the symptoms. I felt so relieved to know my symptoms are normal!
My worst symptom is the dizziness, but I am also having vivid dreams, many of them nightmares. But it is getting better! So hang in there, and take care of yourself. I try to relax every afternoon after work in order to get through the evening. It is helping so far. I’m looking forward to being without the symptoms and without the drug!
Hi. How do you feel now? I’m on day 7 without any medication and the worst symptom for me is the brain zaps. I just want to know that it will stop and it’s not permanent. Day 7 today has not been too bad to be honest. Please respond.
Hi HK, oh how I can relate to wanting to feel again. Hang in there! I successfully weaned myself Lexapro, which even while taking it I constantly experienced brain zaps as they’re being referred to under this topic of discussion. I also experienced quite a few of the other withdrawals symptoms mentioned, also while consistently taking Lexapro. I quit for approximately 2 years by weaning off in no particular order whatsoever really. I had no side effects that I remember. I wonder if having the side effects while taking the drug had something to do with this?
One year later during a devastating divorce that took 4 years to complete, I began taking citalopram, or celexa, along with adderall for ADHD. It’s been two years with a bunch of extreme highs and lows. I went through a real low right at 2014/2015 which resulted in hospitalization for suicidal thoughts. I’d stopped taking my meds for a few months before hitting an all time low where I didn’t cry about anything, or so I thought. I found that I did however care a great deal about my children, which is most likely the reason I’m still here today.
During my hospital stay, they took away my adderall, and added wellbutrin instead. A month later, my doctor added the adderall back, and didn’t take away the wellbutrin, and even later added two other drugs, abilify, and another that I can’t remember to put me to sleep, that neither he nor the hospital could ever seem to keep track of. It’s a year later now, and I’ve decided that I would like to feel again, so I’ve once again started the process of withdrawal.
I began by taking half doses, and now none. Within a week of stopping, I’ve felt like I have a severe case of flu for the past 4 days, experiencing nausea that includes vomiting, vertigo, vision problems, aches and pains, extreme fatigue, ect. I know it will get better, so I just have to stick with it, and so should you. You can do it! Take the best of care!
Thank you, Barbara. I am 75 years old, have quit Celexa 6 days ago, after about 12 years on it. The WD horrors are so unbearable. I refuse to go back on an SSRI (mood) drug, even if it KILLS ME. And at times I feel like I won’t get thru this. Can’t leave the house because the WD symptoms are so severe.
I’m eating a whole foods diet, mostly vegetarian. Hope that will give some help. Sleep is getting better, but zaps during the day are pretty unbearable. Sitting quietly helps somewhat. I really appreciate posts like yours, which give a bit of encouragement. <3
Ive been on cit 20 for 3 months. Now im 2months off and i feel sick, little fever, a lot nausea and im sooo tired. Beside this i feel depressed and i dont know if i will be my old self ever again.
I was on citalopram 20 mg for four months, then transitioned to half cit/half sertaline 50 mg for three weeks, then to just sertaline 50 mg for eight days–and what an eight days those were!! Did not go well and was told by my psychiatrist to dump the sertaline and taper off the citolpram. So at this point I am drug free but soooo tired and listless.
Actually my main complaint from the cit was no energy, blah, listless and tired all the time. My psychiatrist had hoped the sertaline would give me more zest but it turned me into more of a zombie than I already was plus having extremely self-deprecating thoughts all the time–not suicidal but very down on myself. So I’m very glad to be rid of the drugs but would seriously love to be rid of the symptoms as well.
I feel out of it, tired, have to force myself out of bed in the mornings and just generally out of it. Wondering what others have found as far as being symptom free. Almost forgot to mention the overwhelming dizziness I have been feeling for the past two weeks. Any clue on how long this continues?
I was taken off my celexa 20mg because of a rash. I have been having symptoms everyday. I feel like I have a cold I get motion sickness on the buses and trains lately, feeling warm or having chills, anxieties, insomnia at times. I’m talking to my doctor today about taking Trzadone 10mg to help with things because Ativan does not do it alone.
I was on 40mg of celexa for 3 years. I began it when I had post-partum depression. I have been tapering off the lay few months, from 40 to 20 to 10. I have been off completely for 5 days and after reading some of these articles I am feeling conflicted. I feel physically awful; dizzy, fuzzy, lethargic, confused, hard to focus, etc. I’m really trying to push through it as I really want to be off these meds. I had thought about going on 5 mgs before stopping but from the comments it doesn’t sound like I would be any better off. I will keep positive thoughts that we all get through this :)
I know you feel like that but you will feel better. I would really recommend some sort of exertion. It is hard to do that when you’re depressed but it helps with my withdrawal a lot. I have OCD and so I used to constantly clean. I was on celexa for support during chemo. Chemo is done and now I’m working to be med free. Anyhow, I don’t have a lot of energy because of the cancer and treatment but my OCD helps to push me to do just something. And just a little exertion goes a long way.
I am very emotional and cry easily but it is OK as long as I don’t go through the depression and the little bit of workout helps that drastically. You may wonder how it does or how I know and it is because I can sense the depression and I get angry with it. Then I start to clean something (sometimes it is just folding laundry) and I focus in it and then the next thing I know my mood is lighter and I find I’m smiling. I hope this helps a little. I’m praying for all of you that have to go through this. It isn’t easy especially if you are an anti-drug person such as myself.
I had started taking Citalopram in Jan 2015 and I stopped cold turkey about a week ago. Symptoms are so bad. I wonder how much more of my life is going to crumble while I’m struggling to get back to my old self.
I’ve been taking Citalopram for a year and have been weaning off for the past 2 months. Things have been pretty good so far. A few ups and downs. I took my last pill a week ago and since then I’ve had the brain zaps. Yikes. Very strange feeling and probably happens every 3 minutes or so. Hopefully it’ll taper off soon! Starting to feel like a light socket!
Celexa can make you feel good and hyper, it’s after all an anti-depressant, can you explain how it causes a lower sex drive, and the weight gain, if low serotonin is supposed to be the cause of weight gain for appetite and craving of sugar, then how does ssri’s cause it?
SSRI’s tend to lower sex drive as a result of increasing serotonin… this may cause inhibitory mechanisms to override excitatory mechanisms in the brain, thus causing sexual problems. These are only theories. I will write an article on the topic when I get the chance. The weight gain is due to a number of different factors, here is an article I wrote on the topic: https://mentalhealthdaily.com/2014/04/29/antidepressants-and-weight-gain-what-causes-it/. To find relevant articles for your inquiries, use the search box in the upper right corner of the website. Thanks.
I have just lost my job and insurance. I have been on 40mg of celexa for over 5 yrs. I started dropping the dosage to half for the past month. Now I am in my 2nd day of completely off the drug. I had brain zaps all day yesterday, but I continued on.
Today I am not feeling so well. Nausea and feel like I am coming down with a cold. I know it is the drug. So not much appetite today, and I’m not sleeping well at all. I have a few sleeping pills left (generic brand name is eszopiclone). I tried Melatonin and that did nothing for me.
So I will work through this as well. I really have no choice. So I will give myself a month or so to see how I do. I hope there is light at the end of this tunnel. I am also trying to get off my Thyroid medication at the same time. I cut that back to half a dose as well for the last month.
So my body doesn’t understand what the heck is going on. I have to educate myself to eat and exercise in order to get off all these drugs. I am on my SS check now. I am not old enough for the Medicare yet. I am 63 and will be 64 in two months. So I don’t qualify for the medical part for another year.
But money is going to be very tight. I have to learn to live without a great many things. Right now I am just trying to get through the withdrawal of celexa and my thyroid. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Another thing… if you are having anxiety while withdrawing from Celexa you may want to consider taking propranolol. It is used for treating high blood pressure in higher doses, but lower doses it is used for social anxiety. It is the ONLY med that has ever worked for me for this. It is also helping me now with the anxiety that’s coming with the withdrawals from Celexa and Depakote.
I find I have to take it 2 or even three times a day now that I’m cold turkey off of celexa, but I know it has no withdrawal symptoms so when I get off of Celexa I can stop using propranolol on a regular basis and only use it for social anxiety issues. Propranolol is a generic and should not cost you very much either.
Melody – I have done the same thing, the propranolol helps a lot, even with the “brain zaps” which make me tremendously anxious.
2 or 3 times a day keeps my heart rate down and helps me control the shocks going through my body. I recommend it to anyone who is coming off of Celexa.
Hang on my friend. Today is my 6th day without celexa, at the beginning felt really sick, nausea, pounding headache, dizziness, lightheaded. It’s getting better now. At least I don’t have the nausea which was the worst for me, but I know I can make it! You too! I’ve been on it for almost 6 years and for other situations I decided to quit taking them.
I am coming off of Celexa (citalopram) right now. My previous doctor had me on 120 mg a day. I am down to 80 and will drop again in 5 days. I have so many of the symptoms that are referenced . I am in the brain fog and headache stage. They decided to get me off of it because it at the dose I have been on has caused what they call Prolonged QT Syndrome. It affects your heart. They say that it will improve and will no longer be a problem when I am off of this drug. Feeling very frustrated.
Did you quit cold turkey or little at a time? Thank you.
I wish you well, and also say hang in there. Do what you can about looking for new work and about those other things you can impact. Those things you cannot impact should be left to their own resolution, not added to your list of worries. I myself have just stopped Citalopram, after roughly 10 years at 30mg. I am also between projects and strapped for funds. So you’re not alone.
Just please do like I do: Keep your focus on getting back into focus, into work, into growing and continuing to make a stab at a good life. Remember who you are, that you have friends out there, family too, and the kindnesses of people yet to be met. You are NOT alone. Best regards and a hug, my friend.
It was brought to my attention by my Gastroenterologist the horrible and frightening side effects of Citalopram. I have candida in my esophagus and have to be put on fluconazole to treat the yeast and pantoprazole for my reflux. The interaction of these medications significantly increases the chance of torsades de pointes which is an electrical issue with your heart that can cause heart attacks.
After reading up on Citalopram, the chance of torsades de pointes increases with age, the dose that your on, etc. I am weaning off of it now and welcome the not so fun side effects in knowing I will be off such a horrible drug. I’m sorry for your misfortune but coming of Citalopram is a blessing in disguise!
I was recently prescribed 10mg citalopram for anxiety attacks which I took for 7 days. My last tablet was 4 weeks ago. I stopped taking them because of the side effects at the time. Over the last 4 weeks I’ve had terrible insomnia and have no erections at all. Is this normal and can I expect this to last for 4-12 weeks?
Yajaira, how many mg were you taking? I’m on 40mg and if without it for one day, by evening I have brain zaps, nausea, on edge, moody and just feel sick. I took cymbalta for 5 years and now celexa for 6 years. Not even 24 hours without it is too much for me… I can’t imagine days without it. I think I’m gonna taper off instead of cold turkey.
Yajaira, if you still are getting emails, can I ask you how long it took to get over the withdraws and are you back to normal now? I was only on 10 mg for 5 weeks and now 10 days off and it is kicking my butt to say the least.
I was on 40mg of celexa for quite some time and have been off the drug for approx. 1 month. How I got off this medication was I first prayed to God. I asked him to give me the knowledge, the understanding, and the strength to get off this. I leaned on the Lord’s strength – not my own. I tapered off the drug, first going to 20mg for a few weeks, then to 10mg, then to 5mg.
Most of the side effects listed above were present, yet do not be discouraged by this. These side-effects are a raw sign that your body is returning to the non-medicated version of yourself. I would always advise telling your doctor, or a walk-in clinic, of your choosing of getting off celexa. This is to ensure any health conditions that you have do not spike when starting the withdrawing process.
What helped me continue to be successful at this whole ordeal was knowing that there is always hope, there is always someone who cares, and there is always someone to lean on!!!! I am praying for you all!!! WE GOT THIS!!!! :):):):) All my love!!!!!!! – Dallas :)
I just started tapering from 40mg to 20mg 2days ago. I’m ready for the ride. Thanks for your prayers.
When Walgreens changed the manufacturer of my generic celexa I started having internal tremors HEADACHES and NUMEROUS heart palpitations! I was on 40 mg for about 3 yrs and was doing good. Every time Walgreens decide to go to cheaper generics I run into trouble. One med I was taking was actually pulled off the market by the FDA, so I lost trust. THIS time I have decided to save myself!
I had 20 mg tabs still from other manufacturer so I switched to that dose. I also researched CBD Oil (hemp oil). I started myself on Charlotte’s Web while on the 20 mg tablets for a week and a half. Now I have stopped the celexa completely and am treating myself with only Charlotte’s Web I am having GREAT success with this oil!!
I am experiencing headaches but have NO internal tremors OR heart palpitations since I started on Charolette’s Web 1 & 1/2 weeks ago!!! Please do your own research on CBD Oil. I chose Charlotte’s Web after studying. Charlottes Web is manufactured by the Stanley Brothers. I am feeling SO much better! I am telling everyone about CBD oil! It is costly but MAN am I feeling GOOD!!
Hi Dallas… I took one single 20mg & never took it again. I feel worse than I ever felt. Very nervous when I wake up, feeling drunk. I call for God every min. Of the day. I’m writing because you mentioned God & I would like for you to pray for me. It’s been a week now & I’m still feeling weird. I will also keep you in my prayers. Thank you Dallas & God bless you… Take care.
Thanks Dallas for your comment!
I was just in hospital for liver inflammation. When I went in, I was on 10mg citalopram, and I took 10mg of generic Ambien to sleep (well, I might add)…ERs have put me on a bazillion steroids etc to fight inflammation and took me off the citalopram cold turkey (thank god it was only ten), and cut my ambience to 5mg… I’m no stranger to what this stuff does, and add steroids, talk about anxiety!
It’s been two weeks…years ago, when I got my first computer, I found a site of folks who were getting off PAXIL, and helping others do same… thank GOD for those folks, I had no clue how slow weaning can be… and the zaps!! And getting confused and crying… ugh… took me four attempts to really cut it loose! So I had no choice to wean this time, at a most stressful point already with my new liver diagnosis…
And I’m also weaning myself off of the steroids, carefully, and with guidance… to the lady who is weaning this and her thyroid meds at same time, I say, don’t do this without a naturopath or knowledge or help of some kind… too much on you at once. Good luck all of you… Sooz
Your post above was very helpful… I am weaning and experiencing all of the noted symptoms. Feared that this was my “norm” off the drug and it scared the crap out of me. I will be patient and focus on the end result of being drug free and back to old self. Thanks!
Dollar you really want to make me keep going as I’m also a month off cipramil. Your words are inspiring. Big thanks to you.
Dallas, thank you for your encouragement. I’m also praying to God. It is my second day and counting off of this drug. At my highest, my psychiatrist had me at 60 mg. a day. After he retired, I got a new psychiatrist who worked with me to reduce my dosage. For the last year and a half, I have tapered down to between 25-35 mg, varying depending on my mood and the seasons.
Anytime, I went lower than say 30, I would be noticeably more depressed, so I always went up. I’ve been at 35mg for about three months. But this week, I finally made up my mind to quit this drug. I’ve been taking it since I was 19 – I’m 37. I’m so tired of being tired – I feel older than my age. My husband comments that for the amount I sleep (plenty), it’s got to be the drug that makes me fatigued all the time.
Plus, it has always negatively impacted my libido. I’ve decided to go cold turkey from this dosage… I know this is discouraged, but I’m determined. I want off of this drug once and for all. I feel the side effects mitigate the benefits and even the benefits seem to have worn off over the years. Thank you for your encouragement!
Dallas, it gave me a lot of hope reading your comment. I’ve been taking 20mg of Citalopram for over a year and a half. In August I lost my job and just didn’t get around to obtaining new insurance and decided to use it as an opportunity to try and get off of the medication. It was probably end of September or early October that I took my last dose and lately I’ve been experiencing terrible symptoms (withdrawal I’m assuming?).
My anxiety is so bad that I came to the conclusion that I would need to go back on Citalopram now that I have insurance again. I’m lethargic, depressed, fatigued, and I definitely experienced the dizziness this morning. But seeing this has given me hope to fight through the symptoms and give it more time. Thanks!
Cathy, I’m going to give the CBD Oil a try coming off 40mg. I just ordered the Charlotte’s Web as you suggested. I will start by going from my 40mg dose to 20mg. I’ve been on Celexa for about 2 years. My depression has been worse over the past month or so… I’m not worried about the withdrawals, I came off of Cymbalta and that was the worst experience of my life!!! I’ve come off of many other SSRIs without trouble… praying I have the same experience now. Excited to see how the CBD Oil works for me as a supplement.
THANK YOU, friends, for your information and for the encouragement to keep fighting the withdrawal nightmare. I’ve been on Celexa for years, and stopped cold turkey 4 days ago because it had stopped working. The withdrawal horrors hit right away. Along with all the terrible reactions I’ve read on this site, I also have severe night chills and shivering.
The worst thing for me is the Brain Zaps, with the dizziness. I re-read all the comments here, to get help in facing this terrible withdrawal. It is so frightening, and I get very upset. Thank you all for taking the time to tell of your fight through this, and for your wonderful words of support. You are angels for showing such love and care.
Norma, I found that when I added Chelated Magnesium with the Melatonin, I slept better.
Norma, You should get prices because I’ve found Celexa and the generic to be fairly inexpensive! :)
Also, check with any manufacturer of meds. They have programs for free or reduced price due to financial hardship. Different criteria for different companies.
I’m sorry for your situation. I hope it’s improved since you wrote that entry to now. I would suggest a couple of things. First, don’t go without meds. If you have a CVS pharmacy near you and you use a AAA card you can get a significant discount on Rx meds. Next, I would apply for Social Security disability.
This will allow you to collect your full 65 y/o amount as well as qualify for Medicare and the Rx plan that goes with it. You might have to appeal a decision but any money you would collect would be retroactive to the date of application. Again, I’m so sorry for your situation. I hope this gives you options. Good luck and God bless.
If you google blink health. Com then you can get any generic medication for dirt cheap. I believe 90 day Celexa was 5 dollars. And you don’t need insurance for this, it’s basically used for people without insurance. You pay online then take the printout to any affiliated pharmacy and they abide by your print out and give you your meds.
It has worked for numerous friends and I’m about to do this as well. Good luck. I’m coming off cold turkey Celexa 40mg and been 3 days and nothing yet but I know it’s coming. I say bring it on cause I’m stronger than some pill! And my God is always by my side!
Citalopram, the generic of Celexa is now a $4.00 monthly script in the UNITED STATES. Not sure where you live.
It was at Kroger and they dropped it from their $4 prescription list this summer and it went up to around $20 a month.
Why are you trying to stop your thyroid meds? You should never stop taking those. If you have Hypothyroidism, you need that medicine and it can really mess up your body and metabolism is you stop taking it.
Why in the world would you get off your thyroid medication? Most people are on it because you have to be. I am weaning off celexa after 20 years. With weight gain and dizziness. But I don’t have to be on it. Make sure you check with your Dr on thyroid medication. RN from Texas.
I’m so sorry for all of that. If we lived in a country that cared about all of its citizens, we wouldn’t have to deal with this. You shouldn’t have had to come off the Celexa abruptly and you really need that thyroid medication. I hope you’re hanging in there.
I have been on Celexa 20 milligrams for 5 years. I have been slowly withdrawing cutting my dose in half for a couple of weeks. I has been down to to 2.5 milligrams the last 2 days. I feel very tired and depressed. But I hope this is just a side effect and not going back to my original state of depression.
Hi Sue! Saw your post and recognized the situation. Not sure what you should do but perhaps you might find hope and get some ideas. You had the right idea, slow tapering reduces the side effects.
But… the thing is it takes time for the brain to adjust. Not sure how long it takes. But I stayed on the same reduced dose for 4-5 weeks sometimes longer. First weeks were always okey. At 3-4 week I started to feel tired and depressed. It was like that for 3-4 days… then I couldn’t stand it and took an extra dose.
Next day I was okey and later I could continue tapering. And eventually reach 0. Hope it works out for you!!
See if you can qualify for patient assistance for your meds, at least for your thyroid meds. I am on celexa forever now and also on nature thyroid and also Seroquel so I know about the expense of all of it. Also look into Rx outreach, they are great.
@norma, I am slightly concerned that you are weaning yourself off both your antidepressant and thyroid medication at the same time. I am a clinician myself and I hope you have been told that you should no longer be using your thyroid medication? Often problems with the thyroid, as you may well know, can lead to problems with low mood and anxiety. You may be making things a lot worse by coming off the thyroid medication as well.
It’s generally advised that if you have been on an antidepressant for more than 6 months you should come off very slowly in a step-by-step weaning way with regular follow up with your doctor. I would say for you at least 8 weeks, given you have been taking it for 5 years, note it may be much longer, perhaps several months. Sometimes during this time you may need to go up and down until you feel your body can adjust to the gradual reduction.
Ideally having to therapy as well, making sure you have a good sleep routine and exercising regularly all help. Obviously I know nothing about your past medical history but I really hope you get some advice from a doctor soon. I am a doctor working and living in the UK.
NEVER stop your thyroid medication!!! It is a must!
40 mg is a large dose I think reducing it to the half is not good idea, I think it is better to decrease 5 or 10 mg each time. This will make withdrawal symptoms less severe for you.
Please go back on your thyroid medication. It is essential for life. You will never be stable off the antidepressants. Your body needs the hormone. Explore with doctor ways to reduce cost.
I’ve taken myself off celexa with the help of my doctor. It took me six weeks of decreasing my dosage and am off it completely. The withdrawal symptoms I have are these irritating feelings of hearing my eyes move. Maybe it’s what is being called brain zaps. I feel much better physically, though. I still have a problem with constipation and have been working on eating better and taking a laxative when I have to.
Linda, you are lucky to have a doctor like that. I went to my PCP that switched me to 20mg of celexa from zoloft 2 years, and she told me to just stop taking it cold turkey. I’ve been trying to quit it cold turkey as well as tapering myself off of it for the past year (5 unsuccessful attempts so far).
That’s why I went to her in the first place. Didn’t expect that suggestion at all. It’s been seriously rough. I tapered myself down to 10mg with feeling ok, so I decided to stop it all together a week ago. Had a horrible meltdown and a crying spell yesterday, and having mad headache, concentration issues, and brain zaps today.
I am starting a new job in 2 weeks, and was really hoping to use this time window to get through this. I feel like I am losing this battle again. This drug is a pure nightmare!
Natasha, I have been on citalopram (celexa) since 2002. My body must have been getting use to it. It didn’t seem like it was working like it should. I was getting anxiety and panic attacks plus crying for know reason. I slowly went from 40 mg to 20 mg to 10 mg. Then I cut the pill in half and was taking 10 mg every other day.
I am still having anxiety, panic attacks and feeling funny at times. The Dr just put me on Venlafaxine (Effexor XR) 37.5 mg capsules. She said this should help with anxiety and panic attacks. Plus I take Xanax to help until the pills kicks in which is about 2 weeks. Hope this helps you. ?
Linda – I have the same issue with hearing my eyes move. It’s an odd a creepy feeling! Good luck with your journey!
Hi, You know that comment about the weird sensation when moving your eyes. I think I have this too. Had my last reduced dose a couple of weeks ago and feeing so lethargic and have that weird sensation when moving my eyes around almost like dizziness. I have started to think there is something worse wrong with me, but reading these comments looks as if this might be a withdrawal symptom. Hope it all goes away soon!
I have been on varying doses of Citalopram for 6 years. I have gradually been weaning myself off it since the summer and having got to 10mg every other day I stopped completely because I was literally up one day and down the next. I am now on week 3 and you have no idea how reassured I am feeling reading your comments.
I thought I was going mad because I could hear my eyes moving. My doctor clearly thinks so… I too am experiencing dizziness, nausea and stomach upsets, and I am also feeling very irritable, emotional and “foggy headed.” I hope these symptoms don’t last for too long as I have no intention of putting that poison back into my body again.
Oh my gosh, I am so grateful I read these posts today! That swishing sound my head and eye’s make is so scary! I thought something was happening to my brain! My Doc had me up to 80mgs of Citalopram! I told him I didn’t want to go that high! Since then I have learned how dangerous it can be to your Heart!
Needless to say I am tapering off and down to 20! I really had no idea I would have all these side effects! Thanks to all of you and what you have shared. I looked out the window yesterday and there was a beautiful woodpecker, so lovely I cried! God bless us all, depression and anxiety is a battle! Good support and good Docs make it a lot easier!
Linda, Thank you for saying that you can hear your eyes move!! I am having that symptom all day today. There is also buzzing in my ears. I feel feverish and like I’m coming down with a virus. How long does this last? I’ve tried weaning myself in the past, but never successfully. I want to get off of celexa and feel good again. Is this possible?
Hi I have been totally off celexa for 2 weeks. Was taking 20mg for probably 15 years due to peri-menopause. I slowly weaned my self off cutting back for almost two months. Now for a week I am getting constant brain zaps, buzzing in my head and eyes, and headaches. Ugh. I can’t stand it. Everything I read says that it will eventually go away. But I am currently at my wits end… please share your experiences. Especially if you have gone through this and are now on the other side. Thanks.
Barb, you are definitely not alone in your suffering with these symptoms. The eye and ear problems are all a real part of these horrible “medicines”… (how can this stuff be called a medicine?). I encourage you to keep reading support sites like this one. So many good people are suffering the side effects and withdrawal horrors, (me too).
And we all need to let caring people help us through it. We WILL get through it. Everyone’s body takes the amount of time they need to come out of it, but it WILL HAPPEN. Be patient with yourself, do things that make you happy, watch comedy shows, read books that make you laugh, treat yourself to good food and comfort. You are strong and you’ll get through this. I’m fighting it with you!
I had been on 10 to 20 mg of Celexa for about 5 years. My doctor put me on 40 mg in January and within months I gained close to 30 lbs. I have been weaning myself off since May. The head zaps were the worst for me. Foggy feeling. Confusion. I would take 10 mg when I couldn’t function with the side effects.
It took until 2 weeks ago for me to take my last 10 mg tablet. I am so thrilled! I have still have very minor symptoms. I know I am still working it out of my system. Has anyone gained weight and then lost it once you stopped taking it? Thanks in advance!
I have been on the drug probably for 8-10 years. I was on 20-30mg at first then 40mg, as close as 2-3 years ago and then tapering 10mg every 6-9 months. I am proud to say that I’m currently drug free as of 4 days ago. It’s been ok as my tapering was very gradual, but symptoms are undeniably there: however I’m emotionally in a pretty decent place: not depressed (a bit moody perhaps), and I think I can lend that to support of my gf and Yoga and light excercise at least every other day and preferably every day.
The symptoms I am experiencing that are affecting me are dizziness, lethargy slight nausea, diarrhea, headaches (from minor to moderate and sometimes they go away), clouded and discombobulated and slow thinking. I however I’m confident in my journey and so proud of myself for starting on this new chapter and confronting head on (with emotional groundedness) these symptoms. Advice to all on here: the key is reminding yourself that these symptoms are not forever and with patience you will be back to normal and when you are back to normal you will appreciate your old self even more having gone through the rough patch of withdrawal. Stay strong y’all!
I too have been off celexa 40mg for 5 days now! I took it for 6 years. I was so scared to stop taking it that the fear and anxiety have stopped me from taking that step! So I decided it was just time to do it! I have had some mild headaches, a little upset stomach, bad dreams, and the worst is this dizzy feeling when I turn my head! I just know it will all be worth it in the end! Gaining 80 lbs and feeling miserable just wasn’t worth it anymore!! I know tomorrow when I wake up it will be day 6 with no harsh medicine and one day closer to feeling better!!! One day at a time!!!!
Great for you Stefanie! I am currently on day 3 without any celexa. Yes, the WD symptoms are absolutely horrible especially the dizziness, brain zaps, confusion, and headaches, but it will be worth it in the end.
I have been off 20mg of citalopram for approximately a month. At first the nausea was pretty bad, but it has lessened. It is still there, but not as bad. My main problem is tiredness and the brain zaps. I hate the brain zaps! They are frustrating! I was on citalopram for about 5 years. I am weepy and a little depressed, but the brain zaps are the worst things. I hope they stop soon. Oh, and my memory isn’t very well right now. Sometimes I have to search for words that I have known for ages. Come on 90 days, be done and over with.
Well done Stephanie. I’ve been tapering off for the last few months and decided to take the plunge and stop taking it entirely about 4 days ago. I think the dizziness is the worst thing, plus I’m irritable which is exacerbated by the dizziness as it’s annoying! I know what you mean, I was getting fed up with the effect on my sex drive and the weight gain was getting me down. Hopefully I’ve learned enough coping techniques to get me through any anxiety problems in the future without the need for antidepressants.
I am now 5 weeks off of a 7 year, 20mg/day dose of Celexa. The buzzing/shocks in my head have almost completely subsided. I had one tiny one yesterday. I, too, had strange dreams for about 3 weeks. I took the med for anxiety symptoms, not depressive symptoms. I have had no return of symptoms, but I have noticed that I cry easily – at Humane Society commercials, listening to friend’s difficult family issues, and while listening to my daughter’s high school senior class adviser talks about how wonderful and special the kids have been for the past 4 years! I’m a blubbering mess!!! When will this pass?
Wow, I have finally found somebody who understands that horrible feeling of your brain being left behind when you turn your head :-)
I totally understand that feeling! I had mild anxiety and have come off meds about a week ago. It’s so weird every time I get up to walk I feel as if my head has not caught up with me yet! I’m glad I’m not the only one! Good luck to you all. It’ll be worth coming off them I am sure!
I am so glad to have found this site – I’ve been feeling as if I am going crazy! This is exactly what I’ve been experiencing – brain zaps, and this feeling of “leaving your brain behind when you turn your head.” I love that description, as this is EXACTLY what it feels like :-) This is just my third day of no Cit at all – have been weaning down for a month now. I was planning on getting back on it when I went to the doctor today, but after reading this will discuss other options… :-)
I’m not glad other people are going through it but I am glad someone understands!! I thought I was literally going crazy when I would turn around to look behind me in the car or anything like that it’s literally like my brain is shaking.
I forgot to pick up my prescription 40ml citalopram and it’s been 5 days without it, I can’t even walk straight anymore, I heard a noise behind me, turned to look without thinking and thought I was going to pass out for a few seconds.
I plan to taper myself off this drug asap, this is not worth going through twice.
I have been off of 40mg for about a week and the dizziness is just awful. I’m so glad to have found this site which makes me feel better about it. I was wondering if this was normal. It’s really bad when you turn your head and your brain is left behind. ha! I love that explanation as it describes the feeling exactly. Good luck to everyone. Hope this doesn’t last too long.
I have been taking Citalopram for the last few months as I was anxious, suffered hot flushes & was feeling very depressed & found taking it made my hot flushes much worse & my sex drive went out the window! I also experienced ringing in my ears & decided to wean myself off. I reduced the dosage to half for a few weeks, then took the half dose every other day for a week.
It is early days, but already the hot flushes are lessening, but I am waking up at odd times in the night & finding if hard to wake up in the mornings. Not good as I have kids to get up for college. I have also put on nearly 20lbs & feel bloated & like I have fluid retention. I have in the past tried Prozac, Sertraline & numerous other antidepressants but the side effects all seem to outweigh the benefits. Good luck to all coming off Citalopram, I wish I had never started taking it in the first place.
You are the first person to describe it exactly the same way I do!!
LOL! That’s a good way to describe it! I also felt for several days like I’d just gotten off a roller coaster, then experienced your symptoms. Been off it for a month; still a little bit of the irritability. I LOVE the strange dreams.
Rachael, I also am experiencing that sense of leaving brain behind when turning head. That sensation seems like a better description than light-headedness. Also, irritability has been significant with my week of going cold turkey.
I started taking celexa 8months ago 20 mg/day for anxiety and I know I was on it a lot shorter than most of you guys, but I didn’t want to take it anymore because basically, life got a lot less stressful. I am on day 3 of being completely off of it and yesterday at work I had to go home because of the brain zaps but my doctor didn’t warn me about any symptoms so I had no idea what was going on!!
This morning I woke up feeling like I had a cold and could barely stand in the shower because the brain zaps were so bad. They happen about every 10-20 seconds and the zapping starts at my head and goes down to my arms, and I am wondering if this is normal? I’ve also been having diarrhea and getting very moody and sad.
Since I was on it for such a short time, will these side effects go away faster? I can barley get out of bed the dizziness is so bad, I could use some advice on if I can take anything or do anything to help this!!
I get that weird dizzy feeling when I turn my head too! I have been completely off my 40mg of Celexa (taken for about 7-8 years) for about a month. I have been super depressed, moody, angry. I was on Celexa for severe anxiety and that hasn’t fully returned, but it’s still there. I have been getting some queasiness and hot flashes the last few days. Hope this all goes away soon!!!
I know that feeling too! Almost makes me feel like I will lose my balance. I have been on celexa for a year. Just 10 mg but I have been weaning off and then went cold turkey. I began having heart flutters, followed by a quick sort of blip in my head, I can’t explain it well. I would just for a split second feel like I may lose balance then I was fine until the next flutter.
I have been very fatigued, huge headaches, all over crappy feeling. I find I am ok in the morning after sleeping but in the early afternoon completely crash. I think after three weeks of this now it is beginning to wane a bit. I feel nervous, like I should be supporting my ability to make serotonin better…something. Any thoughts? Thank you. Jenn
I’m so happy to hear others describing these symptoms! The dizziness, nausea, and brain zaps are awful! It was nice to hear people discuss the brain zaps. Every time I turn my head, I hear a wooshing sound. I liked how some said it was like they could hear their eyes moving. I’ve been off 20mg for about a week, and some days feel like the symptoms are worsening.
I’m a single mom, and ride horses for a living. I’m finding it very hard to cope with the withdrawals. I stopped because the only effect I noticed from the drug was weight gain. I think that depressed me more than anything. I’m actually upset with my doctor for putting me on this drug. I’ve never had withdrawals from any other antidepressant.
LOL!!! Exactly! I went to the Dr today (we moved across state so have to get new Dr) I thought for sure I had a double ear infection. Just feeling kinda lousy and moving my head makes me feel like my brain and eyes are sloshing around! I’ve been on 40mg for 2 years for PTSD depression and anxiety. I decided I’m sick of relying on meds and want to see how I am doing without them.
I decided to taper off… I cut my 40mg dose in half about 5 days ago. The dreams I find kinda interesting. Dizziness and tired are all I’m experiencing. Although I did start to tear up today… It’s funny though, I asked the pharmacist today how long between tapering down doses he thought. He said 3 days!!!! Yikes!
I don’t think my brain can handle taking all the serotonin away at once like that. I think I need to give it a chance to make more first! I’m going to try the melatonin and magnesium together tonight like someone suggested. I never know which night i’m going to not sleep or sleep to much. Stay strong everyone!! ??
Rachael, I am in my 5th day of withdrawal, cold turkey. The brain zaps, and eye movement noises and feelings of extreme dizziness are driving me nuts. I can’t function hardly at all, and don’t want to leave the house for fear of falling or passing out (although this probably won’t occur). The WD seems to be getting worse. Should I take something to help me through this? My doctor is no help at all.
I’ve been off it for 5 days, cold turkey, after taking 40mg for 2 & 1/2 years… Unfortunately, it hasn’t been by choice. I’m recovering from a third foot surgery and can’t drive, and simply ran out lol… I’m experiencing pretty severe nausea/dizziness, as well as an almost complete inability to focus on anything. I’ll load up a video game and lose interest before even starting… I’ll turn on the TV, and be unable to find anything I want to watch. It’s really frustrating.
I have been out of my Celexa for 4 days also not by choice. I have 3 refills just can’t afford to get filled for 3 more days. I’ve been nauseous for the last 2 days and then today I had a terrible headache and the only thing I had to take for it was some Theraflu, half the cup down I felt it coming I barely made it to the bathroom before covering the wall with vomit. I’ve been on Celexa for 3 years at 20mgs, it has been a life changer for me. I have lived with depression most of my life and have tried many different meds and this one works the best.
Well, it’s now Oct.-how’d you make out?
I took Celexa for 2 years and tapered off slowly, starting in January 2015. It’s now August 12th. I’ve been off for 3 weeks now. I’m experiencing a whirlwind of side effects. Nausea, diarrhea, depression, crying spells. I’ve had a few good days mixed in too. But, fell and broke my shoulder in June, now in PT for frozen shoulder. That is painful.
Was allergic to all pain meds they gave me so…nothing for pain. I also am feeling heart palpitations quite often. I don’t know if you went cold Turkey or not, sounds like it, but I did that once with paxil and wanted to die. I ended up back on it. I’m guessing I’ll be taking lots of Imodium. Good luck.
I have been off Celexa 40 mg for 3 months. After tapering off, I felt fine for the first 3 weeks or so and now my anxiety is so high again. I’m jittery and feel I’m losing my mind. I can’t cope with things well at all and cry constantly. My friends, coworker and boss have noticed the difference. I just don’t know what to do. I called my doctor today and am hopefully going to hear from her on Monday to see if there is anything I can do.
How did things end up going? You must be almost a year free now. Did it get better?
This is all so weird. I have been going through these same side effects after stopping Citalopram. One thing that has helped with the diarrhea is a probiotic called Florastor. That is the only good suggestion I have gotten from 3 different docs. Even though they all know that I stopped taking Citalopram, I have been diagnosed with stomach flu and/or norovirus.
I had to figure out for myself that all of the side effects of quitting 20mg after 15+ were due to just that. It’s been 3 wks now, and I still have nausea, insomnia, terrible fatigue and light-headedness. I guess it could be worse. My primary doc said to take 10mg. a day for seven days in order to wean myself off the Citalopram. Obviously, this was not slowly enough.
It upsets me that I had to figure out that my symptoms were from stopping the drug and NOT from a virus. I also upsets me that it took me weeks to figure out on my own what was happening. I am also experiencing waking up at night, shivering. I’d love to know how much longer I can expect this all to last.
Great job Stephanie! Your post was 6 months ago and I’m hoping you are doing well. I went cold turkey from Cymbalta in 2009 and the withdrawal was a lot worse than Celexa cessation. I just quit Celexa 5 days ago and I’m ignoring the symptoms. I read up on them and know they are going to happen, so I shine them on.
So far I’ve experienced the weird dreams that also happen when you miss a dose. Brain zaps, but I stay active anyways and ignore them. Lethargic, dim witted.
I too am looking forward to getting the 25 pounds off that diet and exercise could not touch.
Thanks for the encouraging post.
Just cannot believe what I am reading from these pages. Exactly what my I have been experiencing. I’ve only been off for about three weeks and the tiredness and insomnia not to say about the Brain Zaps. Well I’m so glad I’m not alone. I am so fed up with the bloatedness when I am eating healthy. And have gained weight over past Month since easing myself of citalopram 20mg till now. Over half a stone gain already. Hope it stops soon. Thanks to you all for your comments. I’m so glad I’m not alone. -Isabel
Hi Stephanie, I’m going on my 7th day with no Celexa. It’s been pretty rough. I too am having trouble with the dizziness. When I turn my head it feels like I’m on a roller coaster ride. I hope it gets better. Also, I’m having headaches too.
It’s so helpful to have found this site. I’ve been off celexa for 6 weeks now and it’s has been far from easy. Doing it in January probably wasn’t the best idea either. This past week has been really hard because I’m experiencing some pretty hardcore anxiety. I was on 40mg and tapered down to 10mg.
I was on it for 10 years. I was doing ok for about 4 weeks, but it’s bad again. I don’t know if this is still my brain going through withdraw or just how my brain works. I feel like I did 10 years ago when I went off. Has anyone else experienced this?
Hi Catherine, I am where you were at in Jan and wondered how you are now? I had no anxiety or paranoia for the first month after coming off 20 mg citalopram, but these symptoms are slowly creeping back in. My hope is that it is part of withdrawal but I just don’t know??
I have been off Celexa for 3 1/2 weeks after taking it for 16 years. My Dr. told me to taper off and gave me written instructions on how to. I was on 20mg and she had me decrease 5mg each month. I started this journey in May 2016 and it is now October. This has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done!! I am Celexa free at last but I am still having some side effects, zip zaps are number one but the intensity of them is less by far.
I think I had every listed side effect but all are improving as time passes so don’t give up or in because this too will pass. I am 61 years old and if I can do this so can you! My best advice is to be good to yourself and take your time, this is not a quick fix method but it is working for me and I know it will work for you too.
I promise that you will feel better with each passing day and the side effects will lessen with time. Hang in there my friends, YOU CAN DO IT!!
Stephanie you and I stopped on the same day! Same symptoms same everything you said! Reading your comments made me feel alot better! I just want to say thank you for posting that info. And wish you the very best!!!
My story is very similar. Started on Prozac 10 years ago and spent the last 8 years on citalopram with doses as high as 40 until I reached my stable dose of 20 mg probably for the last 4 out of the 8 years. January 19 I decided enough! Started going from 20 to 15mg then over the next 3 months I got down to 2.5mg. I started supplementing with 5-HTP, GABA, tyrosine, and did not struggle with the side affects of reduced dosage. But 1 week after the last 2.5mg dosage the dizziness started and that has been awful.
I am so lightheaded and confused and it’s making me have memory issues, really irritable and feeling scared that I will need to go back on the citalopram just to cope. Reading your response and all the others have made me feel a bit more hopeful and determined to wait at least another 2-3 weeks to see if these side effects improve and I find a sense of contentment. I didn’t feel like the citalopram was even doing such a great job after all those yeas I have been so determined to get off it! Just hope it’s not a long time off to feel happy again! Thanks for all the inspiring comments. Good luck. -Annmarie
I have been off citalopram 20mg for approx 2 weeks now and today is my worst. I’m dizzy, bloated, and have slept most of the day. I’m forgetting things / not knowing what I’m saying. I didn’t know what was up with me then it twigged!! I was so close to just restarting them until I read the comments… Fingers crossed I can get through this and start New Year free from the drug and lose the 2 stone I have gained over the last 2 years.
I have to interject somewhere here. I’ve been on Celexa for a number of years now and my doctor wants me to go off of them due to a possible medication interaction with another medication. My thought is this. If many of us have suffered from depression for let’s say a good or fair portion of our lives, is that going to magically go away?
Isn’t that why we needed to take the stuff to start with? Is the seratonin and whatever else our brains were lacking in to start with going to magically be there once we are weened from our meds? I am going to do what I need to do to go off of the Celexa. I’m just my third day into this and I can already feel something is rearing its ugly head. Does anyone have the chills?
I guess if we’re going to have brain zaps, the chills should fall in there somewhere. Ha! I’ve had those brain zaps before but I can’t recall from what… Anyway, I wish everyone the very best and maybe we can all say when this is all over that we no longer feel depressed. And I truly mean with all that is good and right, I really do wish everyone the best of health. Happy New Year!! ??
I have been off of citalopram about 1.5 weeks. I have taken it for almost 10 years. Emotions are fairly good but I do get weepy easily and moments of depression sneak up on me occasionally but I can talk myself out of it. No anxiety which is amazing. On the downside I am super dizzy and nauseous. Hot and cold and not able to eat very much. :( I’m in it for the long haul though and need to give myself time outs sometimes having two teens an infant and toddler.
I’ve been 4 days celexa free, went cold turkey. I’ve been fine so far. The only thing I’ve experienced so far is a bad dream. I don’t think the meds were helping me all that much either. Going to exercise to help push through.
I had taken Celexa for 2 years. I become depressed after my grandmother’s death. My doctor thought it was time to wean me off. I’ve now been off the Celexa for one month today. Last night, I had a very rapid heart rate and felt like I was coming down with something. I’ve had chills for about 4 days, off and on. I’m praying all this is withdrawal symptoms.
Hello, I have just read your post and it has given me some support as so far I have not found someone who has taken the drug for a longer period (5 years) and at 40mg…I have just started the process of weaning myself of 40mg to 30mg and so far (2weeks) its not been too bad…do you have any tips you could give me? You have achieved so much! Very inspirational… Take care, Carla
Carla, I hope you are doing well without the celexa. I am a week off of a 40mg dose for 5 years and experiencing the normal withdrawal symptoms. I substituted celexa for cymbalta in 2009 after I was laid off and couldn’t afford the cymbalta any longer.
The withdrawal symptoms from cymbalta were much worse, but I knew they would go away and that they weren’t worth getting anxious over. The key is to not let the withdrawal get to you, knowing the negative stuff WILL go away.
Hi Carla! I’ve been on Celexa for almost 6 years, started with 20mg and in about 3 years ago with 40mg. I quit cold turkey and the reason I did it was because the pharmacy gave the wrong pills mixed with celexa and of course I was having the withdrawal symptoms. At the time I discovered it I talked to my dr about stopping taking it at all, he gave me a schedule of how I was supposed to start withdrawing from the pill:
The first 2 weeks just take 20mg daily, next 2 weeks 20mg every other day and the last 2 weeks 20mg every 3rd day. I didn’t follow it so on my 4th week I quit cold turkey. Since I was feeling the withdrawal symptoms anyways from the pharmacy mess up with the pills anyways, I said why not just quit?! Symptoms were horrific. I had the brain zaps at the beginning, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, lightheaded, I felt disoriented, lost concentration, a total mess!
Today is my 6th day off the pill and I still fell dizzy, lightheaded and foggy, but I think its getting better. At least I don’t have the nausea and the brain zaps. I can do this and I’m looking forward to losing the 40lb I gained and getting cleaned up from all these pills. I wish you good luck. Hang in there, you’re not alone!!!
I started on 20mg citalopram I forget how many years ago, then after an episode 18 months ago my doc upped me to 40mg. I started my reduction to 30mg and felt kind of like sea sickness. After 3 weeks reduced to 20mg. Now two weeks later I have all the withdrawal symptoms you’re all describing except brain zaps!
Tonight I added a bit more pill back like maybe 1/3 of a half. I am now wondering if I should not have done that! I just want to badly get off of this drug! If I go slower will I still get the withdrawal symptoms when I take none at all? Or am I doomed to them whatever I do?
I was on this med for 2 1/2 years after a tragic motorcycle accident my son in law was involved in that involved traumatic brain injury ( he is doing remarkably better now, two years later) and then 9 months later losing my husband and soulmate of 50 years. It was very helpful during those difficult times. My dosage was 20mg daily.
I have tapered off the drug over the last 3 weeks and am now off it completely for about 5 days. I am experiencing severe lightheaded/dizziness in the mornings. I am hoping that is the extent of my WD symptoms. While on the drug, I experienced weight gain, heart palpitations several times a month and severe diarrhea.
Too soon to know about the weight gain but diarrhea totally gone and no palpitations. The lightheaded and dizziness are, however, quite concerning as I am alone. Any suggestions for that or how long it might last?
Hi I have been on 40-60 mg celexa for almost as long as it has been out, maybe 15 years or so. I was tired of fighting with the insurance company and was feeling really bad taking it anyways. I just passed week 3 of cold turkey. I have not been depressed at all. The only problem I am having is the dizziness of course and my face feels like it is on fire.
I wrote down the problems I was having before I went off and for the most part are still there. I have not had brain zap thank God. I have no idea how far I am from being home free, but I am not going back I can tell you that. They say take the Dramamine for the dizziness. Have not tried it but I may pick some up today. As long as depression is not one of my side effects I am going to soldier on.
I am not with my ex any more so I think it is gone. How much further do I have to go not really feeling like myself? Just dizzy and actually I have not been sleeping that well either. Thank you and good luck to all.
I’ve been off a week. Dizziness is bad.
Mary, thanks for your encouraging comments. I quit cold turkey 20 mg for five years. After two weeks so far I have had disinvest but that’s it. A little sad at times. My divorce is final in two weeks and he’s why I was on it in the first place. Prayer and conversations with God have helped me every time I get sad. Will tough it out with Gods help.
Hi Carla, I weaned from 40 mg just these past few months. It took me 4 months of only taking 10 mg when the dizziness and head zaps got too overwhelming. Also the brain fog was bad. I started to do some yoga and I took my last 10 mg tablet 2 weeks ago! I’m hoping to lose the 30 lbs I had put on since the new year. Good luck in your journey! Michelle
I have been on 20mg Celexa for over 20 years. Last summer I weaned off of Welbutrin and decided to do the same with Celexa this spring/summer. I decreased to 10 mg for 4-6 weeks; then 5 mg for 4weeks, and finally 2.5 mg for 2 weeks. It has been a week completely off, and I have many of the same symptoms described by some of you: dizziness, nausea, and “leaving my head behind.” I joined the gym in March hoping to get rid of the 30 lbs that have accumulated.
However, with 3 trips a week to the gym and seriously eating more healthy, I have only lost 4-5 lbs. in 4 months! I met with the nutritionist and she said that folks on Celexa, etc. have a very hard time losing weight. I pray that now that I am Celexa free, the fat will burn right off as I sweat at the gym. I am 64 years old, so that may be a factor. Hope not since I can’t do a thing about that. Please let me hear about weight loss success after getting off of this awful drug.
I decided to go off cold turkey with the help of homeopathy and have been off about a month now. Still feel nauseated, irritable and lightedheaded. I’ve lost about 2-3 lbs already without trying. I too am a long time user of this drug.
Bobbie. I want to start this journey of coming off Celexa. What are some homeopathic things you’ve tried? Currently on 40mg for 7 years.
Bobbie, What homeopathic methods are helping you? I cut from 40 mgs after 8 years to 20mg for 5 days, 10mg for 5days and 5 mg for 4 days. Tomorrow will be my first day completely without. I’m experiencing mild nausea, brain zaps, headache and fatigue.
Hi Trudy, I have been on 40mg of Celexa for about 10 years. I am so tired of always sweating (in public, anxiety, etc) that I have chosen to go off of Celexa as well. I started a week and a half ago and now taking 20mg. I will continue for about two ore weeks on this dosage and then completely off. I have gained weight also, but the sweating problem is so embarrassing I just want it to go away. I realize that being overweight does not help. I am 60, about 5’2″ and weight about 180 so trying to get healthy!
Today is not a good day, feeling depressed. I also have had panic attacks when sleeping so coping has not been that easy. You are dong great, hang in there and eventually we will all be drug free! I was on Tylenol 3 for years also because of headaches, but have been T3 for two months, I know I can do this but difficult. I also take Rivitrol 3 times daily, (for panic attacks) so that will be my next. Have a good day.
It’s been four weeks since I have finished taking Citalopram (Celexa). I am so bloated and have an upset stomach, diarrhea, and loose bowels most days. I have not had a normal bowel movement in weeks. The stomach bloat is so awful I am embarrassed to go anywhere. I have such low energy that I nap most afternoons and it is almost impossible to complete projects that need to be finished. Do the bloat and IBS ever go away? I’m really not eating very much because I dread the stomach upset that follows.
I have been on celexa over 10 years for depression at 20mg. 3 weeks ago I started decreasing… I have bad headaches and lots of dreams. I spend a lot of time in bed. I hope this gets better soon. I plan to do this for 3 months.
I recently gradually weaned off Celexa. It has been about 3 weeks since I last took it. I have had many of the withdrawal symptoms. No brain zaps but dizziness, tired, nausea, etc. The most shocking things is weight gain even though I am dieting! Will this symptom also disappear?
Thank you for writing. I’ve been taking Celexa for about 15 years. The last few years I’ve been on 60 mg. Since at the higher dose it can cause bone loss and I had some heart rate issues I was advised by my primary care Dr. to try to reduce my dosage. (My psych never mentioned this). I’ve been on 40 mg for the last 3 months.
I’m still feeling a bit depressed and emotional. Your words gave me hope. I am a bit scared and down on my self for not doing more things around the house and for myself. Getting to work and through the 8 hour work day is about all I can do…at least it keeps my mind off all the other things rattling in my head.
I just recently found out that I am pregnant. I have been taking 40 mg of Celexa for about 4 years now and they have decided they want me to lower to 20 mg. I have been taking the lower dose now for about 1 week. I have been taking antidepressants for anxiety for about 15 years. This is one of the hardest drugs to get off of. I think it is almost as hard as quitting smoking. But we have to do what is best for our unborn babies.
Anyways, when I was taking the 40 mg I still felt like I was having withdrawal symptoms and never took anything more than the 40 mg. I didn’t really want to tell my doc about it because I didn’t want to change to another medication because this was the only one that didn’t seem to mess with my sex drive but it did mess with my weight. I was down to 110 lbs when I was taking zoloft but with Celexa I am up to 145.
This has been a difficult road but I am hoping this pregnancy is a blessing in disguise to help me quit these meds once and for all. I wish I knew which symptoms were withdrawal symptoms and which were pregnancy symptoms though. Good luck to everyone else going through this struggle. I sure hope we all prevail and are no longer prisoners of these meds knowing how awful the withdrawal is.
I have been off CELEXA for 4 days now. I have been moody, irritable and a weeping mess. I just want to sleep but I’m having a hard time sleeping. I have a 2 1/2 year old and I am also pregnant. I have had 2 stillborn babies in the last 18 months and that’s why I started this drug was to cope. Being pregnant again I have very high anxiety that we may have another loss. My body has been through so much. I pray these symptoms pass quickly as this drug didn’t really even help me. I am meditating and using breathing techniques to help with my panic attacks. One day at a time.
Hi Lisa, I was just wondering how you went with your withdrawal for pregnancy? I have been on this drug for 14 years and had my 3rd baby 10 years ago. He is a beautiful child and is absolutely perfect in every way. My doctor advised me that staying on the drug was better than getting off with my depression so I took his advice.
I was worried but I needed to be able to cope with my other 2 kids. Anyway he was a beautiful, fat bubba with no problems at all! I am now trying to get off this drug and am having lots of anxiety around it. I am going to do it but just have to get past the anxiety. I hate it :(. All the best for you and your family.
Lisa, I was put on celexa. When I was pregnant doc told me it was safe to take, but it’s not. My baby was born really little, she was born lethargic and not breathing. She was affected severely due to the celexa. The thing that makes me so mad is that I worked so hard to get off of it before I was pregnant and then she put me back on it knowing baby would be affected. If you’re still on it and pregnant, I would stop immediately for your baby’s sake.
Thank you – this is really hard, but it feels good knowing there is an end to this.
I took 20 mg of celexa for 4 years for mitral valve prolapse. I’ve been tapering my dose gradually for 8 weeks and every time I think I’m completely off the dizziness and heart palpitations are so bad I feel like I’m gonna pass out. How long does the dizziness usually last after being completely off? I exercise regularly and eat healthy. Is there anything I can do to help with this?? Help!
Decided to stop in and leave a comment… I am a little over a week off of Citalopram 40mg! Had been on it for about 3 yrs. The worst experience ever! I have gained about 100 lbs in the 3 yrs time frame! Doctor would put on my chart every visit “abnormal weight gain” even blamed my thyroid :( So, I decided to wean myself off by skipping a dose every other night to half doses to none. The electric like zaps through my upper torso and head! It is awful! My whole body feels invaded by something I can’t put into words!
The headaches, irritability and the crying spells! Any little argument blows up into a huge one filled with emotional tears! The worst part is the little zaps. I just want to curl up in a ball and sleep all day. I was on Citalopram for anxiety and I now feel I want to be literally disconnected from society! I hope these symptoms subside quickly! I want to be back to normal. Sincerely, Lupita G
Thank you Aaron. I have been on a 40MG dosage for almost 20 years and have decided it’s time to stop. I have gained 40 pounds during this time. I guess for me it will be best to taper but I sure need prayers and support. Thank you for your comments.
Thank you so much! I’m going through all the symptoms you posted and it’s only day 3… I need to stay positive that, as my grandma always said, “This too shall pass.”
This was helpful, thanks :) I am having horrible w/d…just have to keep reminding myself it’s not forever. So hard though.
Aaron B, I’m basically in the same situation as yourself. 20mg for about 10 yrs then 40mg for the past 2 yrs. I too would like to start tapering. You mentioned 10mg every 6-9 months. Could you give me a little detail as to how to do this taper successfully? Other posts say Mon – 40mg, Tue – 30mg, Wed – 40mg, Thurs – 30mg, etc.
I’m guessing this takes your effective dose down to 35mg? Then say keep this up for say 4 months. Then go to average of 30mg for another 4-5 months. That gives you a taper of 10mg over 9 months. Is that on the right track? Thanks for your post. All the best for the future.
Aaron, how are things now?? It’s been a year or so.
Dear All, I have now been completely off Citalopram for 40 days now. As per my post below, I have been tapering it off for many month. First I was on 30mg, then reduced to 20mg and was on that dose for a couple of years, than last July I reduced for 10mg for 2 months, then for 1 month 5mg (I cut the tablets in half) and then reduced to 2.5mg for 2 weeks and decided to stop after that. However, on the 3rd day of completely stopping I had terrible panic attacks and decided to go back on it again.
I spent another month on 2.5 mg and now have stopped completely (it has been 40 days now). While reducing the dose to 10mg my immune system has collapsed and I had flu twice, I also had a cold sore which I have not had for ages. Then I did not have my period for 3 months and had to go to gynecologist, they gave me Provera to induce period, which I had in 14 days after starting Provera. Next couple of months I had normal periods. Now that I have stopped completely, I now have not had my period for over 2 months again.
Reducing citalopram has completely messed up my hormone system. I also had symptoms of on and off anxiety, crying spells, irritability, dizziness, insomnia and fatigue. First weeks after stopping completely (from 2.5mg) I felt extremely fatigued, to the point that a couple of days I could not get out of bad. Now that I am on my day 40 of completely stopping, I still feel very tired every day, and don’t feel like I want to do anything, it is a real struggle for me to get myself to go out for a walk for do anything in the house, but I push myself.
I also get palpitations in my heart and my immune system has gone down again, as I have had a viral infection again and have been coughing for a month. Although overall, I feel much better, slowly my body gets adjusted and I feel that it will take time to go back to normal. I keep positive, as I feel that my depression has now gone, it’s only feeling spaced out most of the time now.
I am making milk kefir from life kefir grains, which I recommend. It helps to restore your natural good bacteria balance in your intestines (when your balance of good bacteria is damaged, it can be a cause of depression in the first place). Good bacteria help produce serotonin in your intestines naturally. I wish you all a speedy recovery, hang in there, it will get better!
DAY 52: Dear All, I am pleased to say that with God’s help I am on my day 52 of complete withdrawal from Citalopram (after many months of tapering). It has been really tough, but I am slowly getting back to normal. My energy levels seem to slowly improve (if you have read my previous posts, straight after stopping I had days where I could not get out of bed). However, I am still getting a lot of very unpleasant heart palpitations, numbness around the heart area, feeling out of breath at times.
I feel that my psychological problems, which have caused the depression in the first place have now become uncovered and I am re-living them. Every little stress gets me out of balance and I get strong anxiety attacks. I am very sensitive and have had a lot of crying spells. Thankfully, my hormone balance seems to slowly get back to normal. I have got my period now after over 2 months of delay. I am learning to live again with my old self (it feels like I have forgotten the way I was before taking Citalopram).
It is hard, but doable. Citalopram has only covered all the psychological problems I’ve had for many years and only helped with the symptoms. But it does not deal with the root problem. I would never want to take this drug again, simply for the reasons of going through the hell of getting on them in the first place, and then trying to get rid of them. It probably is better to live though your depression and probably work with psychologist/psychiatrist, use natural remedies. Overall I keep positive, I feel much better than 1 month ago, though still a long way to go to reach normality.
Thanking God for everything, it has been quite an experience, which made me learn a lot. I continue to drink home made milk kefir and water kefir (from kefir grains) and also got myself optibac probiotics for everyday which may help with depression and anxiety, well, my energy levels have certainly improved. Forgot to say, my sleep is back to normal! As when I gave up Citalopram, I had insomnia for a few weeks.
I also forgot to mention that when at first I was having panic attacks and when I feel I cannot deal with the stress I sometimes take Xanax, just one tablet if I feel I can’t cope. But this is not advisable, try to deal with it without if you can, as you can become dependent on tranquilizers and you will have to withdraw from them as well. Wish you all a speedy recovery! There’s a light at the end of the tunnel :) I shall keep you posted. -Irina
Day 78 of comlete withdrawal. After improvement with my energy levels over the last 3 weeks, I have started experiencing fatigue, lack of motivation, anxiety and OCD again. The numbness around heart area has returned along with feeling of breathlessness. Still cannot shake off dry cough that I’ve had over 2 months now, which may be connected to severe gastro reflux, that I’ve had ever since completely stopping citalopram. Not sure if the anxiety and fatigue are due to PMS, which is possible, as my period is due to start.
They say that serotonin levels are dropping at that time. I have started going to the Gym a couple of weeks ago, eating only organic food at the moment, drinking up to 2 liters of water a day, continuing taking probiotics and home made kefir. I really hope to get through this. I seem to go through periods of improvement and than get worse again. I shall keep you posted. -Irina
Hi Irina. I really hope you’re doing better since your last post. You’re brave to continue the withdrawal and I think you’re right that the antidepressant doesn’t deal with the root of the problem. I’ve come off Citalopram myself and I hope to start addressing the cause of my problems rather than using Citalopram as a security blanket and hiding from them, which I feel I have been doing for a long time. Time to be strong. :)
How are you doing now irina? Our stories are very similar. I’m cheering for you. Robert
8 months after stopping Citalopram: Dear All, it has been just over 8 month after stopping citalopram and unfortunately my depression is back. I started feeling it coming back after about 5 months. I experience severe anxiety, depression, phobias, severe fatigue. However, I do not want to discourage you guys, I feel like it is still best without citalopram, as it only covers the underlying problem. It’s important to get therapy and work with psychologist and sort out your problems that are causing the depression.
SSRI’s only work by fooling you into feeling well, they do not sort out the problem. I must admit, it has been a long and difficult road for me. But this time I want to try and sort out my psychological problems. I also think that cleaning your system by fasting, enemas, drinking lots of water, healthy diet should help. Good luck everyone, I shall keep you posted. Don’t give up! For a lot of you this may not be as hard.
How are you doing Irina? I’m not sure everyone is meant to live without these medications and hope you don’t feel that you have a flaw if you had to go back on. I have a daughter with severe OCD and generalized anxiety and is on Celexa (she’s a child). She has therapists doing cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response protocol therapy but without Celexa she could not do her therapy.
After therapy we are going to try and wean her, we don’t know if she’ll be able to live without the medication or not but I know she can’t live like she was living with her phobias and rituals. I hope you are doing well, whether you are still Celexa free or not.
Thank you Irina. I have been on a 40MG dosage for almost 20 years and have decided it’s time to stop. I have gained 40 pounds during this time. I guess for me it will be best to taper but I sure need prayers and support. Thank you for your comments.
Hi all, I am now on day 5 of cold turkey off these drugs. I was taking sertraline for three years and my state was getting worse. I went to my Gp as I thought it was time to change my medication. I was on 100 mg and advised to had the dose before I could change to citalopram, the ironic thing during this period I felt great for the first time in years (I wished I’d listened to my body) as going on citalopram was the worst thing I had done.
After 2 weeks on this drug I was in such a bad way, depressed, anxious, tired, irritable etc. My GP increased my dose to 20mg and then it got so much worse. I decided 5 days ago that I couldn’t take it anymore as not only was I suffering so was my family. So I’m now going through the side effects Which is all that has been discussed. The worst for me is the dizziness it’s awful but I’m being positive and know I can do this.
Going forward I believe that these drugs are so easily given out by our healthcare professionals and they are not a cure but a curse. I feel that if there were more sites like this or even groups where people lie us can help each other were available this could be of such a great benefit for all. I wish you all the best of luck and just ride with it we can all overcome our demons in time. Xxxx
I took Celexa (40mg) for 5 years and in the last six months my psych added WellbutrinXL. Two weeks ago I quit taking Celexa and just take WXL. So far no bad side effects. I still take Klonopin for anxiety but plan to get off all drugs within the next year. Too many natural drugs available now without all the side effects.
Hey Grumpy. I think there might be something to quitting celexa while taking Wellbutrin, but I can’t seem to find anything online about it. I have been on an SSRI for about 14 years, since I was in my 20s. I stopped for a year before I became pregnant. That was 10 years ago. I took Wellbutrin at the time and don’t remember having any significant side effects at all. After I had my daughter postpartum depression sent me right back on antidepressants again.
This time I’m in a good period of my life and figure I can give this a go now that the withdrawal symptoms are fairly well known and I know I’m not crazy. However, back to the Wellbutrin, I am currently taking a regular dose and stopped cold turkey on celexa about two weeks ago. The reason being when I did it before I didn’t remember symptoms being bad. This time around the first week I was fine and thought I was home free.
I think it is because it probably takes a few days for all the celexa to work its way out of your system. Currently I have pretty much all the side effects everyone is talking about but I can handle them even though I stopped so abruptly. I’m not sure if it is because I am taking Wellbutrin or not. Could the added dopamine from Wellbutrin be helping the symptoms of serotonin withdrawal???
I’d love to hear what others think about that. I guess it could also be just knowing the withdrawal symptoms are just that-withdrawal symptoms that will subside and less freaking out about the possibility of them being related to the actual depression if that is still an issue.
So I’ve been on Celexa for many years – and I have been wanting to come off as it kills my libido. I’ve tried and it makes me feel so awful, that I eventually give in and start taking it again. After meeting with my doctor a few weeks ago she put me on Wellbutrin for a week and told me to stop taking the celexa – so I did. It’s been about a week since my last dose of celexa, I thought I was doing good and I def feel that the Wellbutrin is helping the withdrawal symptoms, but over the past two days I’m super emotional, irritable, and feel crazy. I get the whole dizzy thing every time I turn my head too. Really hope this gets better.
I was taking 10ml of celexa for 5 years for anxiety due to a life event. I have gained 15 lbs despite exercising regularly and watching what I eat. I stopped 1 month ago. I feel moody, anxious and a little irritable and headaches. I thought I would see some weight loss by now but I haven’t. When I feel anxious I think about taking it again but I’m trying to give it time to get over the withdrawal symptoms. My life is more stable and I want to cope with things without medication. It’s very helpful to read your comments.
By posting up top I hope more people see my reply here and it helps them. I’ve read the hundreds of comments below in preparation to taper off Celexa after taking 20mg daily for 10+ years. If you’re researching Celexa, yes it can help “save” you in the beginning, but ask anyone who has gone through this discontinuation process and they’ll likely say tough it up and get over things on your own without these harmful drugs!
Get the book The Mood Cure. It explains more than your doctor ever can. Low levels of amino acids can be fixed without drugs and teach your body to manufacture them on its own over time. I tapered off Celexa on my own for 1 month as I introduced the following supplements (only add 5-HTP as you reduce your Celexa dosage) and I have NOT HAD a single dizzy episode, brain zap, bit of nausea, or any other physical side effects. The only side effects I experience are emotional (extreme frustration, sadness, or anger) and they do not last longer than 1/2 a day, usually much less, and only about once a week depending on environmental triggers.
I am sleeping better, eating less naturally (losing weight), don’t need caffeine to get going, not go-go-go non-stop doing things, and able to feel again and deal with things and I am only off Celexa 100% for 1 month. I am finally able to relax and not feel guilty for doing it! I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. I am stating what worked/works for me in hopes it will help others. Here is what I take daily (all bought online at Amazon):
Morning: (1) Tyrosine 500mg (NOW Foods), (1) DLPA 500mg (Carlson), (1) Super B-Complex (Nature’s Bounty)
Lunch: (1) Tyrosine 500mg, (1) DLPA, (1) Fish Oil 800mg EPA, 600mg Dha (Body Vega Omega-3), (3) 5-HTP 50mg (NOW Foods), (1) Gaba Calm (Source Naturals)
Dinner: (3) 5-HTP 50mg, (1) Calcium & Magnesium C 1,000mg, M 500mg (NOW Foods), (2) True Balance daily vitamins (NOW Foods)
Bedtime: (1) Melatonin 3mg, (1) Biotin 5mg, (1) Fish Oil 800mg EPA, 600mg Dha
Get the book The Mood Cure – it has questionnaires to determine which Aminos you are lacking and that determines what supplements you need. I am lacking in all groups, you may not be. Good-luck to everyone else on this journey to quit Celexa! It is possible and it is worth it! -TJ
UPDATE: Now 2 1/2 months drug free! I still take all of the supplements and amino acids above. I am doing great and never had a single physical side effect! My mood has been great and “episodes” that were weekly are now gone. I have found some interesting things of note. I CARE more now about things.
I find myself caring more about the cleanliness of our home and don’t mind putting regular effort into keeping it nice. The same goes for my appearance. I had stopped caring long ago, being too strong a person to do so on the drugs. I have also been working out regularly for 3 weeks now and feel so much better about myself than while on the drugs.
I care to do more for others to make them happy and that makes me happier. I actually get tired at a regular hour now at night and sleep soundly without waking and being unable to return to sleep. This is all so new and wonderful. It’s amazing that I took that pill every night without fail for a decade and it was so easy to stop remembering to take it.
I feel free!!! Good luck to everyone going through this and I only hope your experience is easier and improves quickly like mine has been. I feel very fortunate. :-) It’s amazing and worth it, just hang in there and be strong. You can do it!!!
You sound just like me. I research like crazy, reading thousands of articles and posts to prepare. The Mood Cure book saved my life. Have been using amino acids for alcohol withdrawal for the past 5 months, and it works wonderfully. Just starting a Celexa taper of 30mg for the past 14 years. Will be using L-Tryptophan and/or 5htp to help with Serotonin levels when I get the dosage down to 5mg, as well as on and off use of L-Glutamine and L-Phenylanaline for protracted withdrawal from alcohol. Don’t kid yourselves folks. Addiction is addiction. Antidepressants are addictive. Treat getting off of it as such and realize that your body isn’t sick, you are healing.
Hello TJ: I have been reading hundreds of comments as well, about Celexa withdraws. Finding your posting has been a BLESSING. I am going to order the book The Mood Cure and start the process as soon as possible. It has been the only posting I think for me, that has been of great interest including the things I would like to incorporate in my life.
I have been taking Celexa for 2.5 years at 60mg daily. I am as well going through all the withdraw symptoms as everyone else. I did stopped cold turkey 6 days ago. After feeling so toxic for months and just masking my moods and my so called depression. Now I am here sitting at work not doing anything but feeling badly and suffering with these withdraws.
However, I do have a very addictive personality and it does run in my family. I do not want to end up like most of my kin in a mental institution, jail or dead. This has been the trail most of my family has lead for decades. I will be the one who will break the chain for my family and with God willing help others. Today my journey will start. I will post again during my process just to update.
Again, thank you for all the information! Respectfully, Carol
I’ve been on Celexa for exactly a year now. Originally it did have VERY mild sexual side effects for me, but it wasn’t anything serious at all. I just noticed it took a little bit more to be aroused than it usually does… That’s all. And this only lasted for about two months and then it went away.
I did notice a little weight gain, but again, only lasted for a little bit, few months, then I dropped the weight off, and right now, it’s still off, and I weigh less than I did a year ago when I started taking it. I honestly can’t think of any side effects that I still have… I don’t think there are any.
I don’t think I need to take it anymore but I really don’t have a good reason to not take it. On second thought, the sugar thing… But I’ve always had a sweet tooth, and since I’m way more active now, it’s not really an issue… Hmm.