OK so I've been on citalopram 10mg low dose for like ever, on n off 2 or 3 times for short periods since around 2016.
I have wanted to cone off it completely for a long long time, tried before and felt funny so went back on.
About 9 days ago I started skipping to alternate days, then half a tablet twice then nothing. I've started feeling abit woozy in my head, dizziness, abit weird like floaty head. I really suffer with panic and when I get symptoms of feeling weird that triggers my panic off. I DO NOT WANT TO GO BACK ON CITALOPRAM. I have recently been through 2 rounds of failed ivf, very recently, and I knownot was silly to come off it at thos time, but I was part thinking WHAT IF its the citalopram stopping me from conceiving?
My question is has anyone else come off it and felt funny but then started to feel better without it? Need some reassurance guys xx
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Flossybubble
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My doctor advised me to stay away from anti-depressants, stating that the side effects and subsequent withdrawal symptoms can be as bad, if not worse, than coming off of a benzo.
He felt that a benzo, as needed, would be a better choice for GAD. I never had side effects from Clonazepam and the coming off, although not a walk in the park, was not
Yeah unfortunately here in the u.k. the blue valium prescriptions are a thing of the past……..distant memories of being melted into the chair without a care in the world .
When I had a bit of a melt down earlier this year I was put on a two week dose of 2mg twice a day, they were great and got me through the worse, but dr wouldn’t give any more as she said they are addictive, as im 73 I thought does it really matter at this age if they help me, but no luck 🙄
They are the only thing besides strong opiates that chill you out when you’re having a panic on …and are in a high state of terror…..and no idea why 😳…but someone who’s never had a panic attack decided not to prescribe them anymore and give you stuff like citalopram ….take 2 weeks to kick in 😳 wtf
Hi, I can relate. Exactly the same as you, I really didn't want to be on them but felt with covid and how bad my anxiety was I had little choice but try them. Five months ago, I had stomach flu and couldn't keep anything down so I thought, why not taper the citalopram. I did the exact same coming off them as I did in 2012 when I temporarily used them, half tablets and whole alternate days the same as you. Didn't feel much difference but I did have exactly what you described, floaty head and dizziness which was unsettling. It has now seemed to calm down now. I am just trying to differentiate now between mood swings due to my age or anxiety but at least I am in control of my body good and bad. I am happier being off them as I know they work for many people but I didn't want to be on them long term. Hope i have helped as I'm still new to coming off them but symptoms seem to have gone.
Thank you, noce to know someone else felt the same. I'm worried about my moods. I remember being more moody than normal before them, crying for no reason etc, obviously alot due to womens cycle etc, but I shall see. I've started taking Vitamin D 3000 which I believe can be a mood booster
I'm trying natural alternatives, camomile tea before bed and now I can resume swimming again which adds to the feel good factor for me. I hope you find something that works for you .I know how low moods can trigger panic that it's another bout of anxiety, but so far I've recognised it for the liar it can be and breathed my way through it.😜
I do notice when I put music on clean my flat exercise like dance around I feel so much better. But there are times when thays just too much effort, i have zero motivation. Some days I can't face walking my dog round the block
And that's the balance, there are times as much as you know it makes you feel better to make the effort, it's also ok to just chill and have time for yourself.
Flossybubble, I did a quick search and there appears to be a fair amount of information on the subject. What does your doctor think?
That is helpful thank you. I feel really stupid to think I could come off them and just fall into some sort of 'normal' state. I don't want to be on them regardless of my moods etc, and need to find better ways of coping. I still had low moods and panic episodes/worry even on the medication, so I figured what's the point? I just need to try and get out of my head and monitor myself on how I'm doing without being insode my head and lost, if that makes sense 🙃
Interesting, I had many of the same thoughts when taking Clonazepam. Medication can be beneficial, yet the goal should be to use them while learning other coping skills, then taper slowly and see how it goes. Sounds like a neat little package, yet it isn't always that way. 🙄
It sounds like you have made up your mind and given this some serious thought. You will do well, I think. Just take it one day at a time and remember that your symptoms are actually your proof of healing. It takes time for the brain to re-adjust.
That’s so true we have to learn the coping skills and build up a toolbox…..and learn to accept that some days are just complete write offs …..but we keep getting back up and try again because that’s what we do good .
I think afger a life time of anxieties I've realised it's always gonna be there waiting to sneak up on me, that's who I am, like you say its about using the tools to try and manage it
Hey! I had the same dizzy feeling when coming off of it after taking it for 2 years. I felt like I was disconnected from my body somehow. It went away after about a week of on and off withdrawal symptoms.
Thabk you for your reply, it really helps when you're in an anxious state knowing what you're feeling is normal and people have been there and are OK. Thank you honestly it's helped me feel more relaxed 😌
I think you reduced too quickly. you could up it temporarily to then come off it. When I was dropping it I knew I was going too fast if I felt cottony and I wanted to cry.
Cottony, I like this lol. I know I've done ot way too fast I'm stupid. But to go back now is gonna throw me more I feel, I'm aware I'm gonna get worse before I get 'ok'
Do have a look at the website "surviving antidepressants " it is so informative about effects of these drugs especially when try to stop them and the horrible life ruining effects.
yes i was on citalopram for several years and i took myself off them when they were not helping ,with no problem at all,but now i'm on Sertraline and not sure they help either.
I have been tapering off Lorazepam (2mg) for over a month now. The psychiatrist has my tapering going till the end of Nov. I’m doing great and I believe it’s because of the slow tapering down. I had been on Lorazepam for many years and needed the slow tapering. Good luck and take it a day at a time. So glad to be getting off this addictive drug.
Yeah u think its just been rushed I've done it too soon I knew this. I can't go back now though it will undo everything. My head feels like it's been hit by a train I can't move suddenly it's like having a rotten hangover mixed with your head being disconnected from your body, my reactions and movements seem slow, and light/ noise is making me feel sensitive 🥺
Thank you for this. I doubt this will happen for me have been trying for so long now, I have low ovarian reserve so not looking good :/ I've given up on the whole thing and kinda accepted it.I also went back on citalopram 10mg around 8 weeks ago. It all got too much for me, was having bad anxiety constantly in my head. So I caved then felt like a failure. But now am like, I feel happier in myself day by day, not crying all day amd too scared to even sleep. So I'm staying on it for a while. Just makes me feel I'm never gonna be ok if I try and come off it again, I sink xx
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