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 been trying to wean off celexa since the end of October. I went from 20 mg to 10 everyday, then to every other day with 10. Now to every three days. I’m starting to feel a little anxious and my head is always thinking. Is this normal? Do I bump it up again? I’m so lost.
Hi Susie, maybe take the taper a little slower. We are all different but my experience was pretty okay until I stopped altogether. I tapered slower from 30 to 25 to 20 to 15 to 10 to 5 to 2.5 over 5 months, I stayed at most stages for 3 weeks.
During the taper I felt some physical withdrawals: stomach problems like diarrhea and nausea, vivid dreams, tingly hands but no real mental withdrawals. The mental withdrawals started after I’d completed the taper and like you it has manifested as anxiety and over thinking to the point of doing nothing. I think it is normal.
I felt very bad for past week but feel more relaxed today and yesterday. It seems to come in waves. For me sleep, exercise and no alcohol appear to be important although I’m finding it hard to give up my 2 glasses of wine. Good luck with it Susie, take it slow and remember these feelings will pass.
I tapered off a 30mg dose of citalopram over the course of 5 months, I didn’t feel too bad. I had been on the medication for just under 2 years when I took my last dose, it did help me but I noticed that it was becoming less effective so decided to quit. At the moment I’ve been off the drug for 11 weeks the physical withdrawals have largely passed but at the moment I am full of anxiety, find it hard to make decisions, feel very low and at times feel worse than ever.
I’m trying to do things that will help me recover quickly but I can spend all day trying to plan what exercise to do and I seem to get so wound up in my thoughts. I am at work and can focus to do me work but it really feels hard. I was going to ring a psychotherapist but haven’t gone through with that yet, I’m tempted to go to a Dr but I feel that they really don’t understand. Yesterday I made myself go for a walk and gave myself a good ‘talking to’ I really am sick of feeling miserable.
I have lots of good things in my life but sometimes I just feel I’m at the mercy of my brain, it’s my brain I should be able to at least control it. At the moment I don’t know if the way I’m feeling is related to withdrawals or is just the fact that I’m miserable. I do feel that I’ve had a hormonally linked chronic low level depression for most of my life. Have other people noticed mental withdrawals continuing after 11 weeks off the drug.
Hi all, I just wanted to add a comment to my post, it is now about 11 days since I wrote the above and I feel so much better. I’m at 12/13 weeks of withdrawal and I feel calmer. I went through a bad period of anxiety which lasted about 2 weeks and prior to that had a period of depression to the point of crying and thinking I was a burden. I now feel pretty good and it only hit me today that I feel this way. I will update again in a few weeks. Hang in there.
What coping mechanisms or “tricks” do you all have for the withdrawal symptoms of weaning off of Celexa? So far I have tried: Eating very healthy, limiting sugar and booze and caffeine, Pilates, run/walking regularly, positive thinking, making lists of the very good and rational reasons I am choosing to come off this medication, drinking extra water, talking to my husband and friends and shrink, wearing bracelets that have anti-anxiety means or messages on them, having good sleep hygiene, doing my favorite hobbies like cooking and being with my dogs and family and friends, daily probiotic and vitamins and going to acupuncture every other week… I’m dealing with dizziness, foggy brain, trouble with memory, jitteriness, out of breath feeling, that pre-flu feeling, trouble concentrating, and irritability. Any suggestions that have been helpful to folks in that past?
I have taken Celexa for over 10 years and decided to go off of them because I want to feel again. The worst part of all the withdrawals has been the nausea. I went to my PCP and she does not believe the nausea could be from the discontinuation of the Celexa so of course multiple scans were completed to no avail. The nausea (with vomiting) has continued for over 60 days and it tiresome.
However, this site has been a godsend, making me wonder if I just hand on a few more days, it may just indeed be a sx. of that Celexa after all. As I look back I should have never been on that drug for that long.
I was on 40 mg for about a year, then 20 for the past 9 months. Started to taper to 10 mg about a month ago. Now off for a week. Until today, I thought I wasn’t having any withdrawal. But today I have been dizzy all day and had some weird memory issues, so I looked it up and found this site. Wow. I’m definitely one of the people with irritability and dizziness. I also lost 2 lbs. I hope this doesn’t last long. I’m going to force myself to exercise to get through this. No brain zaps so far.
Thank you all for your comments. It’s so helpful to know I’m not going insane. I don’t know how long I’ve been on celexa, a very long while for sure! I got off celexa to get on Wellbutrin. It’s been 5 days being off celexa and 11 days on Wellbutrin. I thought maybe the medicine would cancel each other out.
Nope! Not only do I have withdrawals from celexa but the side effects of being on Wellbutrin. I feel terrible. The Wellbutrin makes my arms and hands shake and my heart slams into my chest. I’m super dizzy and incredibly confused. Also my depression has come back full force. feel like I don’t know how to say words or how to walk.
My doc said this was all normal for now. Ok, so I might have gone crazy but I find that when I eat protein it helps a little bit with the withdrawal. I feel not as confused. Anybody experience that? Again, thank you for being here!!
Congrats Joe! I’ve been through the ringer with trying unsuccessfully at various times to go of this medication. I’m finally off too. I feel awful (headaches, bad dreams, emotional) but I’m riding it out this time to see what’s on the other side. I was taking this medication for years just because of occasional bouts with anxiety. I feel that I’ve learned how to better interpret and manage my anxiety, so now’s the time to go off medication and see what life is like on the other side.
A good doctor is CRUCIAL. I got given medication once because the doctor said I was a really fast talker, so she put my on a MEGAdose of Zoloft because my rapid speech MAY have indicated a manic problem. I had a horrible physical and psychological reaction, stopped eating altogether, lost 11 lbs in just over a week and ripped up every picture in my house (because it made sense to me at the time…). I went back to my regular doctor who was horrified that I’d been given that medicine at all, much less in an extremely high dose.
I was taken off of it immediately and within 3-4 days I was myself again. I should have sued. My point is… it’s important to trust yourself and get a doctor who understands you, your needs and has your best interests at heart. Congrats on this new phase of your life. I wish you happiness and health!
I’ve been gradually coming off of Citalopram over the last couple of months and have finally stopped altogether. Since I’ve stopped taking it I have very frequent headaches that do not improve by taking Tylenol or Advil. There is some family turmoil that is adding undue stress so the timing isn’t great. It’s hard to tell if my reactions are genuine or as a result of withdrawal.
For me the biggest problem is that I am incredibly and relentlessly tired. I tend to become tired in the winter anyway when it gets dark at 3pm and throws my rhythm out of whack, but this has made it pretty tough. I’ve stopped exercising and go to sleep very early as a result. I feel very flat… My emotions are subdued. It’s tempting to go back on the medication just to alleviate these symptoms, but I don’t want to have to do another long withdrawal in the future.
I’m hoping that if I can battle through this I’ll be okay in a few months. My plan is to eat as well as I can, force myself to do at least a bit of light exercise and try to engage in activities this winter that don’t allow me to go home and sleep or isolate. If I can make it through the winter without the medication then I can reevaluate if I need it in the spring. I was just so sick of taking meds year after year just for my occasional bouts with anxiety.
Plus I couldn’t take lots of supplements or holistic alternatives because they would interact with my meds. I gained all this weight and I was tired. I just want to see if I can be okay without it. I guess time will tell. I don’t want to need medication for the rest of my life. If it turns out I do, I’ll accept it an move forward. But I really want to give myself a shot. Good luck to anyone going through their own struggle with this. You’re certainly not alone!
I have now been off citalapram for 4 weeks. Having felt ‘poorly’ for over 3 weeks I decided to go to my doctor. How do you describe ‘poorly’? I have had bloods and quite a few other tests done… blood pressure, etc. All is normal. I am so glad I have found this site. I have most of the symptoms of withdrawal. I am so relieved!! If it means putting up with this malaise for some time, then that’s ok. After being worried it could be something more serious, now I know what it is and I can cope… I think! I hope! Why has my doctor not picked up on this? Quite worrying.
Has anyone had severe hot flashes as part of their withdrawals? How about… this will sound odd… itchy feet? My feet get hot and turn red and then they start to itch like crazy? Yesterday my face and ears were horribly hot for half the day. I’ve also found that my symptoms come on stronger in the evening.
Hi there, I have been off Celexa now 12 weeks. To anyone who is feeling extremely tearful I would ask them to consider supplementing (obviously checking beforehand) their vitamin B levels. I went without this for a few days and I became extremely tearful. Once I restarted the Vitamin B I felt a lot calmer. Also I religiously take 400mg of magnesium before I go to sleep. It does have laxative qualities so could help those who suffer from constipation.
Have recently had a bereavement and it’s been really tough without being medicated. Have found rescue remedy extremely helpful. Forgot to add that I have been doing yoga for the last six weeks. When I was on citalopram I didn’t fancy exercising. Prior to being on cit would regularly go to the gym and yoga. Yoga has definitely been helping me during trying circumstances and I would recommend attending a class as it is so relaxing and calms the mind.
I have been on a low dose of citalopram for 2 yrs or so and I decided to go off of it because it was making my heartbeat irregular. So I took one every other day for a wk then the doctor decided to just take me off… Now I have headaches, body aches, flu-like symptoms,chest heaviness and nausea… nothing too horrible yet, I guess it could be worse, but I just want to go back to feeling like myself. I have absolutely no energy right now and that is what bothers me the most!!! I just hope the panic attacks don’t come back everyday. I hope it ends soon because I do not like this feeling.
Been tapering down from 20 mg in August to 1/2 of a 10 mg pill recently. Was very upset that my doctor did not explain side effects, especially the weight gain. Went to a different doctor in practice for physical and she questioned why I was even on it and told me to start tapering off of it. Asked if any follow up was needed and call us if you need us. Thanks to everyone’s input on this board, I’ve worked it down to 1/2 10 mg a day. Had some wild dreams, crankiness and insomnia as I was going along… and yes …the electrodes in the scalp.
Given the issues with the doctors I had been going to I said enough is enough and went to new doctor. I explained everything and she even questioned why I was on it. She explained more about it in one visit than the other did in 3 years and said it seemed more like a sleep issue. She said that I was getting so little Celexa, I was at a point to cut the cord and stop… and I want to see you in two weeks to follow up and also start work on dropping the 30 lbs that I gained.
So today starts my new life without Celexa!!!
I hate this drug. I quit cold turkey. I’ve been off of it for 5 days and I am so sick. I don’t recommend starting this to anyone.
I quit cold turkey a week ago and it’s just been the worst week of my life. I’ve had anxiety, head aches, stomach pains, fevers, crying spells, irriatbilty, mood swings. I haven’t been able to go to work because of all these symptoms. I’ve now been asked by several close family and friends and a doctor to go back onto Citalopram. But I’m going to be taking 20mg every other day over the next month and coming off.
I’m glad this drug has worked for so many people and got through so hard times. But for me Citalopram has just made my depression 10x as worse as it originally was and I hate feeling that I have to rely on a pill to keep me happy. Good Luck to everyone. I hope you get through whatever it is your dealing with, whether it’s with Citalopram or not. -Gaby
I’ve been on Celexa for 5 years since 2010. I just got off of it 1 week ago. It took 2 months to taper off. I have been having very up and down side effects. It’s very hard for me to handle.
I have been on Citalopram for approximately 4 years. My doctor recommended going off slow… first week cut in half take each day, second week half pill every other day. My side effects are headaches, nauseous, sick to my stomach when I eat, little emotional but not bad and little vomiting. I keep crackers by my side, exercise. Is feeling achy in my arm and chest a side effect?
I feel bad for everyone on here. My wife is coming off celexa for 2 weeks now and was taking it for 8 years. After looking at all the comments, I understand better. I was thinking we weren’t gonna make it, but now I know I just have to understand what she is having to deal with. Best of luck to everyone on here and to the guys: stay strong, it will pass soon.
I have been on Citalopram for 15 years and finally have tapered to none. My highest dosage was 40 mg but have been on 10mg for the past year and was able to go down to a pill every other day before now getting off completely. What has really made a difference has been taking a high vitamin and mineral supplement–that has helped all symptoms except the head spinning/brain zaps.
I am a 67 year old female. I was prescribed 40 mg citalopram when I was in my late 40s -early 50s by my GP. I moved to a different state recently & my doc here suddenly refused to refill my script. Said I had to see a psychiatrist. I have had negative experiences with them in the past so decided to gradually discontinue. I was only watching for mood changes.
I had no idea that it would cause such awful physical effects. It was so bad about a week ago that my doc told me to go to the ER. They did many tests which came back normal. Two nights ago it suddenly occurred to me to look on line for symptoms of discontinuation. There it was: everything that was making me feel so sick. I can’t stand feeling like this.
I have been feeling worse & worse since I started gradually reducing my dose more than 2 months ago. Now my anxiety is to find someone who will re-prescribe it for me. Thank you for showing me what has been making me feel so ill. Now my problem is getting the arrogant medical community to think there is any credence to my discovery. NAM
Good luck to you NAM. I, too, was sent for a battery of tests–all of which came back negative.
I started Celexa over 8 years ago to prepare for a treatment of Interferon. At peak I was on 40 mg / day. The treatment lasted over 6 months and I am happy to say that I have been HEP-C free ever since. About 6 month ago I decided to stop taking celexa. I half-ed my dose to 20 mg for 6 weeks. Then I halved it again to 10 mg for over 3 months now. Two days ago I went to zero. So far I am a bit dizzy and tired. I am allowing myself to sleep as needed during the weekend. I don’t need to make an excuse. Just am doing it. I hope the dizziness stops, but will not give in. Luckily no electric shocks this time, as I have given it 3 months on this small dose.
I tapered off celexa 40 mg and stopped completely about a month ago. At first I had diarrhea but that is gone. The worst thing for me is that I’m terribly sad all the time and I find myself crying ALL THE TIME. I just read that this is normal for celexa withdrawal. Thank God. I thought I was permanently crazy.
I just hope this is temporary and that I will be back to normal soon. This terrible sadness makes getting through the day very difficult and I feel much worse than I did when I started taking the drug. I also have some numbness in hands and feet which I remember as a side effect when I first started taking the drug. I really wish I had never started on this. It was prescribed by my PCP during a particularly awful time in my life.
Now I wish I had just felt the pain then. This is awful. I think these very powerful drugs are handed out way too freely by practitioners who have no idea what they are doing to people. I had an argument with a physician recently about how antidepressants are prescribed too much and he was adamant that people don’t need to be depressed and these drugs are just great.
He refused to listen to my experience – he knew better than me. I think he doesn’t. Doctors don’t have time to research what is happening with all the chemicals we are being given. Who would think such a tiny pill would have such a huge effect on people.
Hi Ellen, wanted to ask how withdrawal went for you, hope you got through it? Lots of people here are talking about the awful withdrawal effects but like you the most devastating for me has been the return of the depression, just a severe dark cloud of darkness that I can’t shake off and I’m crying all the time too.. I don’t remember ever feeling this bad even before the drugs…
I should mention that I took it for 6years at 20mg gradually increasing from 10mg. I tapered to 15 over a few months last year and then left it at that, as initially I had dropped 10mg and suffered terribly. But this year since August I just wanted off the drugs to get my energy levels back and actually be able to do something in life.
I thought I was strong enough and had worked hard to build hope and a future to look forward too, I thought my cognitive behavioral therapy etc would help but now it’s October and I’ve tapered off to 5mg in four months and have been at 5mg for 38 days and I can’t cope. I wish somehow I could know that this will indeed pass? How do I know if this isn’t the depression back?
Stopped taking Citalopram 20mg completely one week ago after taking for 8 months for a specific anxiety caused by a truly frightening experience. I never wanted to take them but my GP pretty much insisted nothing else would help. Yes they did help the anxiety but the effects I am now suffering are horrendous. Tummy upset, palpitations, nightmares but worst of all is the brain zaps. I am frightened to turn my head or eyes as it sets off ‘popping candy’ in my brain. So frightening. Would just like to warn anyone thinking of taking this drug – don’t do it.
Hi Barbara, One of the things I forgot to mention is that my palpitations have finally stopped. I had them for at least three months. Unfortunately, my stomach is a mess and I’m probably going to have to see a specialist. I think this drug should be taken off the market.
I have been off 20mg dose for 9 days. Day 1 and 2 were no big deal but days 3-9… Dizziness/light-headed everyday. Tired all day. Trouble falling asleep at night. Daily tasks seem to wear me out. Been more emotional to sad TV scenes. Sex drive has been higher. Going to the gym has tremendous benefits. Feel great when I’m working out. It’s good to do that anyways. Hoping the symptoms taper off soon. Looking forward to being clearheaded again and not afraid of taking the steps to get there.
Hi everyone. Here’s another update on my withdrawal from this terrible antidepressant. I stopped taking it in late July, early August after weaning myself down for several weeks from 20 mg to nothing. The most horrible symptom I’ve been combatting is IBS. In August I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and am awaiting the arrival of a dental device for my upper and lower jaws.
During the 15 years I was taking Citalopram, I gained over 40 pounds. I have lost 5 pounds since August but am still severely bloated. I have been to the doctors at least three times because of my stomach problems and they suggested I go back on a lower dose. I burst out crying yelling “No!!!! I’m never taking this again.” So, I will update you again after I get my sleep device and will let you know how I am doing.
So glad I found this site. I stopped citalopram cold turkey since being on holiday & just forgetting to take it. It’s been about a week & a 1/2. I thought I was just going crazy until I finally looked up the side effects of coming off it & now feel a bit more ‘normal’ I’m mainly experiencing the feeling of my brain not being able to keep up with my movements.
I’ve also lost my s**t twice at my husband over very minor things, lucky for me he is very understanding & supportive. I am looking forward to hopefully dropping some weight as I have put on about 12 kg’s since being on it. Which I thought was just me until reading everyone else’s experiences with weight gain. I already feel lighter & less bloated.
The best improvement has definitely been my sex drive. My husband must think all his Christmases have come at once! Thanks everyone for sharing all your stories will make getting through each day a bit easier.
I have been on Citalopram 40mg for close to a year. I ran into some money problems and couldn’t afford the medication anymore and after my last regular dose I felt fine. Until about 5 days later. The “brain zaps” started. That was so miserable. I was also very irritable to the point I didn’t even want to hold my husbands hand.
I couldn’t sleep at all due to the zaps and constant dizziness. I had to call into work a couple times due to all this. After a couple weeks I just couldn’t handle it anymore so I went and refilled my prescription. After the first dose all of those symptoms went away. NEVER AGAIN WILL I QUIT COLD TURKEY!
I have been on and off celexa for about 13 years. I stopped it during 2 pregnancies and thought the withdraw was just morning sickness. About 2 months ago it stopped working so my doctor switched me to wellbutrin. I decreased my celexa to 10mg from 20mg for 4 weeks while I started the wellbutrin. A week after I stopped the 10mg dose, I experienced: the brain zaps, nausea, tingling sound in my head, along with my brain suddenly stopping mid-thought and in talking, and turning too fast and thinking I’m going to fall over or throw up. It is very similar to how I felt when I was having morning sickness. I can only hope this goes away quickly.
Oh my goodness this support is is just what I’ve been looking for. I’ve been off Citalopram for 15 days now and it’s been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. For the last 6 days I’ve been having flu like symptoms / no energy / dizzy spells and anxiety. I’m so determined to keep going as know I must be coming through the worst. What’s really helping me is that I’m having Bach flower remedy rescue drops which I take when feeling really anxious and it relieves it straight away. I’m sending to others who are going through the same.
I have been on 40 mg of celexa for many years. I have not experienced depression symptoms in a few years and I attribute this to working hard to get myself into a good place in my life. I started entertaining the idea of going off of my antidepressants (I also take Wellbutrin) about 1 year ago and finally made the move and began decreasing my Celexa. 5 weeks ago I tapered down to 20 mg and luckily I did not experience any withdrawals.
So, 1 week ago I decided to bite the bullet and stop taking the Celexa totally. I am experiencing the “fog”, nausea, concentration problems, brain zaps, decrease in motivation and overall sadness. It had been helpful to read others comments and I appreciate people sharing their experiences. I am hopeful these feelings go away soon.
I have taken one form or another of SSRI’s for 30 years, Celexa for the last 5 years. I felt it was robbing me of creativity and energy, so I started tapering about 6 weeks ago. The WD symptoms started when I went to zero dosage which was about 3 weeks ago (today is 11/15/15). My symptoms are an overwhelming dizziness, constant ringing in the ears, headaches, diarrhea, lack of energy, irritability, and a tendency to cry.
I have tried supplementing with 5-HTP, SAMe, and tryptophan-L and they seem to help a little bit with the irritability. I have thought about going back on Celexa but my stubbornness is keeping me from it. I also don’t want to start back at Square One. To those that feel like this will never end…give it some time! Don’t let it get the best of you…I am going to give this 90 days (it’s been 21 so far). If I don’t feel better then, I’ll either go back on it or try something else. DON’T GIVE UP !!!
I said I would be back! I have been off of Citalopram for 3.5 months now (since August 1st). I think the withdrawal is finally behind me! It’s been quite a journey! I am beginning to discover a new me with all my weaknesses as well as the strengths I have discovered I have. I am much more cautious now with my mental health.
I found a new doctor (Primary Care). I really like her. I was explaining to her that I was on antidepressants when doctors thoughts that there was no withdrawal from them. I then asked her how long would the withdrawal from the Citalopram would last. She answered – it will be all out of your system in a week! I didn’t respond. I now have serious doubts about her. Should I expect a Primary Care Doctor to know this? Changing doctors is so hard. Am I being too hard on her?
Cathy, I don’t think most psychiatrists even know how serious withdrawal can be from SSRI’s. Your GP doesn’t know anything about these medications, and shouldn’t be prescribing them. It doesn’t mean she’s not a good doctor–she’s just ignorant about these drugs. The pharmaceutical companies marketed these meds to GP’s years ago, and didn’t tell them about the serious withdrawal symptoms. Most still don’t know about it. I’m wondering how Big Pharm is getting away with this.
I have been on Celexa for the past 14 years. I was originally given this medication (20 mg) by my GP for anxiety. I was never told that it would be extremely difficult to get off it. After going through some difficult personal situations, a psychiatrist put me on 40 mg, and then 60 mg. Again, I was never told how hard it would be to eventually stop. A couple of years ago, I was able to wean from 60 to 40 without too much trouble.
The taper was done over a two-month time. But since then, I have tried to go from 40 to 20, and it’s been a nightmare. On my psychiatrist’s recommendation, I alternated my dose each day: 40, then 30, then 40. After three weeks of doing this, I became incredibly dizzy when I was lie down or turn my head too fast. I also would fly into a rage over every little thing. I contacted my psychiatrist, and he told me to go back up to the 40 mg tab every day to get stabilized.
After doing this, the rage went away but the dizziness did not. After two months of this vertigo, I went to an ear, nose and throat doctor who had me see a physical therapist. The PT did a special procedure to get the crystal in my inner ear to reposition itself. Who knew withdrawing from an SSRI could do that to your inner ear? A few months ago, I found a book on Amazon called “The Anti-Depressant Solution,” written by a psychiatrist who helps people get off SSRI’s.
The book was a huge eye opener, and discusses getting of Celexa and other SSRI’s in a way to minimize withdrawal. I saw “minimize” because there’s no way to avoid withdrawal symptoms completely. Following the book’s method, I have been on 35 mg of Celexa for nearly a month now. I don’t have the dizziness, but I’ve been fighting with my husband almost non-stop for the past two weeks. I’m starting to think it’s withdrawal from the drug that is making me hypersensitive and quick to anger and explode.
I’m wondering if anyone else out there has tried a very slow taper like that but still had emotional withdrawal symptoms. I plan to stay on 35 mg for a few months before I try to go down to 30. Honestly, I’m afraid to lower it anymore, but I’m also afraid to be a slave to this medication for the rest of my life.
Hi to everyone on here. Just want to wish everyone on here the best of luck with hopefully their withdrawal symptoms subsiding as quickly as possible & hopefully after stopping taking this drug not having any anxiety or depression come back!!! I have just cut back to half 10mg in the last couple of days & felt like crying all day today plus suicidal thoughts :(.
I own my own house, have a great job, am going really well financially, getting a lot of renos done but have never felt worse. I don’t have a GF which really depresses me. I’ve just never been able to have one cause of this stupid anxiety :(. I have made a decision to eat really healthy, exercise everyday & start meditating. I am not taking any more pills. I don’t care how bad I feel.
I have to solve my psychological problems naturally. I am really worried about what is ahead of me after reading the comments on here. I also take Seroquel twice a day so don’t know how going off both of these drugs is going to affect me. I am not seeing my doctor about going off these pills as he is the idiot that put me on these things. Why can’t they recommend other solutions or treatments other than drugs.
I am thinking on the positive side that with the money I save by not taking these drugs I could put to seeing a psychologist about every 3 months. I am not going to let the anxiety beat me. My goal is to beat it, be fit & find myself a wife & have kids. I love kids so much!
After taking Celexa for a year, I met with my doctors for an evaluation. I am also a smoker, so I was attempting to quit. My doctor suggested Wellbutrin to help quit. I have also been diagnosed with anxiety in 2009, so I was taking Celexia, Wellbutrin, & Xanax in one day. I felt very high when I was on all of them. As good as it made me feel, I wasn’t grasping anything on the “outside”. So, I decided to taper off.
I was noticing side effects of feeling depressed when I took all three. Opposite of the effect I was needing. I felt I went through a period in life when I was depressed, not actually suffering Depression. So, I researched tapering & followed it at my discretion. I was prescribed 20mg daily. Every other day, I cut one in half and took 10mg. My brain got used to that after week one. I had no side effects.
The second week, I took only half doses all week and I had minor side effects (irritable, hungry, sleepy). The third week, I took 10mg every other day. The fourth week, I took 20mg one day, and a random day of 10mg. The fifth week, I was completely weaned off. After I weened off, I noticed different side effects: confusion, major irritability, depression, “brain-zaps” (literally felt like something was shocking my lips and brain).
I was playing catch during the brain zaps and had to stop. They made me very dizzy. Today marks 2 months free. I’m very depressed today, but understand these are side effects. I have also eaten more since being off to subside the depression. The only thing that can get you over this slump is to replace the medication with exercise. That was my initial plan, but being depressed makes me lazy.
I’m working through it, but happy to be moving the right direction. Just remember you are tapering for a reason. You can do it. Take it slow depending on how little or long you have taken them. Try exercising instead and let me know if that helps!!
Thought I’d come in to tell you of my experience and give you a bit of hope: I’d been on Cit for a year at 40mg and just decided to stop, cold turkey. My doctor told me not to due to the side effects but I ploughed on anyway – it was bloody AWFUL. Headaches, brain zaps, tingling, vertigo, nausea. You name it, I had it. And in bucketloads. 8 weeks later though. Slight head zaps and a whole new outlook on life.
The one thing I did? Got myself a routine. Same bedtime, same waking up time. Meals at the same time and most importantly, exercise. I’m not saying I turned into an army assault course veteran or anything, I just got myself out for a few walks and hald a little jog every now and then. The benefits have been huge. I’m no longer feeling depressed, I think medicating depression is entirely the wrong thing to do now despite how desperate it felt at the time.
I recently went through a messy breakup, I stayed off the meds and kept my routine, I’m fine with it. It would have destroyed me before. My sex drive and sensation is back where it was. I’m a man, I can finish. Enough said I think but this is blooming brilliant! My life feels like it’s turned a corner. I can feel emotion again, it’s truly amazing.
With a little bit of regimented routine I think everyone can have the results I did. Just stay positive, remind yourself the side effects are temporary and don’t set yourself a time limit (keep seeing 90 days on here, pah, it takes as long as it takes) because you’ll just aim for that and expect magic to happen. Ask any questions you like, I’ll try to answer. Remember you’re not the first person to have done this and won’t be the last. Just be happy you’re coming off this evil drug. Darren
Darren, you survived the cold turkey method, but I wouldn’t encourage anyone else to do it that way. Some people can become so violent and suicidal, they hurt themselves or others. Taper slow, and do it under a doctor’s care!
So I took celexa 40mg for 12 years and weaned myself off. I weaned for a year and one month. I have been off completely for about two months. I will say I have had several crying spells, anxiety, memory loss, dizziness, and now tired all the time. Most of my symptoms have subsided but now I just feel so tired almost like my legs want to give out tired. I do stand on my feet all day at work but I don’t feel like that’s the issue. Has anyone else felt extremely tired after coming off?
I quit Celexa 40 mg, cold turkey. Don’t have insurance and can’t afford to see my doctor and get refills. Didn’t intend to quit like this. I’m dizzy. I have electrical fires in my head and in my arms/hands a lot. I can be so quick to anger, it’s not funny. Sleeping hard and having freaky scary dreams. If I get past this I won’t go back on it. Celexa has made me gain weight and I don’t have much of a sex drive. I’m a hot mess huh?
Off for 5 days after 7 years. I have some symptoms, like lightheadedness. But I’ve also noticed that all the horrible aches and pains in my body have vanished. Never put 2 and 2 together before or remember being told it could cause painful body symptoms.
I was sick with a bad cold and stopped taking my citalopram 40mg about three weeks ago. Just this weekend, I started the really, really crazy dreams, severe headache, no sleep, sick to my stomach, dizzy and yesterday crying. My sugar has gone really high. I thought the sugar level was my problem. But losing weight has been awesome. Not sure I can do this for a month or longer. So glad I found this site, it makes me feel much better. Now I just have to decide what to do?
Have been on various SSRI’s since I was a teen(I am now 39.) Most recently was Celexa, 60mg. I know that’s a very high dose but with ALL SSRI’s I get to a point where I have to keep increasing the dose as it just stops working. Anyways, my withdrawals were a complete, horrific nightmare. I thought I did it gradually (5-10mg at a time) and with each decrease I was fine but after my final dose of 5mg…OMG!!
Spoke to a nurse friend of mine and she told me what no one else had….the withdrawal can be as bad as a heroin withdrawal and is was :( I could deal with the brain zaps but not the vomiting, diarrhea, vision and hearing loss, EVERY part of me hurt (including my finger nails), the soles of my feet hurt so bad that I couldn’t even walk. My shakes were so bad that I didn’t want anyone to see me for fear of looking like a crack head.
Oh and lets not forget the extreme hot and cold flashes, drooling and cognitive issues(I could barely form sentences). I literally begged my BF to kill me and contemplated going to ER to be be put in an induced com. Thankfully a few days into this an old friend suggested I read an article about withdrawals. In the article it suggested natural remedies and meds and I was able to find one that took the edge off.
I hope that this type of reaction is super rate as I wouldn’t wish it upon ANYONE!!! It has now been 3 weeks and I only have the brain zaps and can’t stop crying. I mean you look at me sideways I cry. I hope this is almost over and I vow to never touch another ssri again.
Thank you for all the information everyone has shared in this forum!!! Just started 3rd step of tapering. Dr. put me on it because I complained about ability to concentrate at work-thought is was maybe ADD but she insisted it was mild depression. Put on 20 lbs since I’ve been on it;could never figure out why she mentioned the weight gain – stupid me for not asking about side affects.
After 3 year went to another Dr in practice talked about getting off it, kind of got feeling she didn’t agree with other Dr and said lets get you off of it. Did 10 mg one day then 20 mg next for 4 weeks, then 10 mg for month, just started 5 mg one day then 10 next. My goal is 1/1/2016 being off of this completely. Few side effects so far – once in a while get feeling in head that reminds me of electric stimulation that physical therapist use, some seriously weird dreams, a little tired and cranky but nothing too bad.
But one positive thing is I’ve dropped 7 lbs…have a very bad knee (bone on bone) that is feeling better and now can walk 2 miles without issue. Seriously contemplating filing complaint against Dr. Had she explained the side effects, especially weight gain, would have probably declined to go in. Will be changing to another group of Drs…the three that are in current group are quick to give a pill rather than figure out why. Thanks again for sharing your experiences.
Have taken Celexa 20mg daily for 6 years. Stopped it a week ago because of pneumonia meds and possible drug interactions. Pneumonia is gone! But I’ve decided to live without Celexa now. My dizziness is terrible. I’m a teacher and I have to stand near a table or I will fall over–that would be an exciting lesson! My daily headaches are treated with Ibuprofen, but what treats dizziness?
My dreams are amazing though–the best I’ve ever had–so vivid and bizarre! Trying to stay positive and look at the big picture. A blessing for me is that diarrhea only lasted the 1st 5 days. Also, I’m starting to be aware of subtleties in my own emotions and others’ too–it’s nice to feel more engaged with life. Best wishes to everyone reading this–we can do it!
Off Citalopram for about a week. My insurance made me switch to mail order, and while waiting for the approval to go through, I’ve run out. Super dizzy, nausea, upset stomach, migraine. I have no idea how I’ve gotten through the work day. I feel like I could lie down on the floor and just sleep. As far as sleep issues go, I take the Natural Vitality Natural Calm drink, and it definitely helps. I think the dizziness/wooziness is the worst part.
I can’t imagine going through this for weeks or months. If I ever step off of this drug completely, I know I’ll go 40mg to 20 mg to 10 and then half a pill for quite some time before I stop it completely. This is making me feel completely crazy. I hate that you all are going through it, too, but I’m glad I’m not alone.
Hi, I have experienced most of the withdrawal symptoms you listed above. I am keeping positive and within a week I already feel better! I put 10kgs on with this drug and am already losing weight. Advice for others: stay positive, remember the end result of being off! And be kind to yourself. What helps for me is looking at myself like an experiment… Be interested!
I wish everyone luck coming off this. I don’t believe anyone NEEDS to be on any antidepressant. Listen to your soul, let it heal itself. It will all be worth it in the end! I am tapering off and very excited to be medication free after 18 months on it! I am excited about the future, bite the bullet and challenge yourself, you can do it alone!! Much love.
I was taking celexa 40mg for 2 years. I started tapering slowly 5 months ago then got close to the end at 10mg and was experiencing such awful nausea I just quit it all together. I guess I did that in hopes that I could just cold turkey it and get it all out of my system. I’m at the start of week 3 celexa free and I feel like I’m going crazy. It’s like I get a crazy side effect for a few days then I get past that and think I’m in the clear and then all of a sudden I feel like I should go commit myself to a psych ward!
Feeling like I’m making everyone around me crazy too. Hoping to start to feel normal soon. On the plus side! Before all I wanted to do was sleep and had a hell of a time staying asleep. Now I’m not even thinking about naps and getting great sleep at night, so that’s good.
The withdrawals are so bad and I didn’t want to be on the med any more. Not worth it. Motion sick feelings all the time, crying all the time, weird sleep, I feel like there are all these lies in my head and small hallucinations of Shadows or seeing things move. But I am med free for a week now after tapering for the last 4 months.
I’m pleased I found all these comments about Citalopram withdrawal. I’ve been taking it for just a few months (for sleep difficulties realted to anxiety) at the lowest dose. It never occurred that I’d get withdrawal problems from such a lose dose so I’ve been wondering why I’ve been feeling so rubbish for the last fortnight – tired, foggy, stupid, headachey and generally slightly ill. All is explained! Now I have to decide whether to continue with the cold-turkey approach or get another prescription and tail things off properly.
I was on Celexa 20 mg for about 5 years, decided to wean myself off over the course of 4-6 weeks. Went from 20mg, to 10 mg, to 5 mg, and then 5 mg every other day. After being on the every other day doses for about a week I had sudden onset of watery diarrhea 20 times a day. No other symptoms. So far all my stool tests (lots) have been normal, waiting for 2 more results to come back. Next step would be a colposcopy. Has anyone ever had this as a side effect of stopping citalopram?
My stomach is like that from stopping. But I’ll also say that a lot of people with depression issues seem to also have digestive issues. I have IBS and Celiac, so I’m not sure how much of this is those and how much is the withdrawal. Good luck to you.
Frankly I think the company that makes this drug should be sued! Big time! Reading all this is frightening. I was on a low dose of Citalopram for 2 years (10 mg day), and the quitting has been tough for even me. I have so much MORE energy and sex drive now it is frightening. What a horrible drug. Anyone who is stopping must do it slowly and taper off – it is too scary not to. I hope these a-holes who released this drug get killed in court. Google the birth defects – wow!
I thought 3 weeks, taking half pill then half every other day would be sufficient? No way. I wasn’t sure what was happening to me until I googled however by then it was too late to turn around. The brain zaps, headache, nausea have been horrible with insomnia being the absolute worst. Coupled with losing my nephew to suicide, aunt to cancer in less than 2 months the crying won’t stop.
Fight or flight is constant. I appreciate the post shares here knowing I’m not bat-sh*t crazy. Can’t wait to be on the other side of this. Has anyone heard about taking one Prozac to eliminate withdrawal with no other side effects? I read this on other site.