About a year ago, I had a series of scary panic attacks and I was prescribed Celexa. I took 10mg of Celexa for almost a year, and it worked. It took away the panic attacks, the anxiety, and the fear. It also took away my passion, my joy, and my enthusiasm. I became a calm, steady, detached shell of myself. I could have kept going like that and been fine, because well, life was pretty easy. I didn't get angry anymore, didn't get frustrated, and did what needed to be done without complaint.
But I decided I wanted my passion back and I wanted to start caring again. I also felt like I was disappearing. I was ready to find out what would happen if I started feeling real, solid, heartfelt emotions again.
Almost two weeks ago, I went to see my doc for an annual. He said, "Stop taking Celexa whenever you want, it's only 10mg." So I did. Almost overnight my sex drive was back, I was enthusiastic, and ALIVE!
But, it was like I was on speed. And I have been experiencing profound dizziness, aches in my legs, annoyingly vivid dreams, and trouble sleeping. The past two days, I've also had tingling in my hands (which almost always comes with tingling in my brain), and I get sooooo incredibly frustrated/intense/overwhelmed, I'm induced to crying. No particular reason, just need to release from this intensity!
I did a little research, and found out that these are withdrawal symptoms. It doesn't make the symptoms go away to know this. It does, however, make me understand what's going on, and that they will eventually subside.
In a way, these symptoms are a chance for me to practice zen and mindfulness.
Crying helps temporarily. And it feels good. It's amazing to feel my body just NEED to cry without having some kind of specific reason or emotion to go with it. It's like jumping up and down or hitting a pillow. It's a way to release the tension that's constantly building up.
I had gained quite a bit of weight on Celexa, and I was sleeping all the time. I can already feel that weight starting to shed, and I'm sleeping normal hours again, except waking up several times a night from aches and vivid dreams.
One of the weirdest side effects I'm getting is that I feel like I'm having every emotion at the same time. Happy, sad, mad, calm, attentive, bored, enthusiastic, frustrated. It's like a flood gate was opened, and all of the things I wasn't feeling on Celexa are coming in at one time.
In a way, it's a time for me to learn, so when all of this withdrawal is over, I can remember that so much of emotion is physical and chemical. Since none of my emotions are being caused by anything but chemicals, I can't blame it on anything. I really hope I can remember this when I'm no longer beholden by the chemistry in my brain, and see my emotions not as my enemy (like I did before I took Celexa), but as a physical symptom.
Or maybe, this is all the withdrawal symptoms talking :)
One positive symptom, although painful at times because the feeling is so intense, is a renewed energy for writing. Almost an obsession. Writing has taken on a similar function as crying—it's a way for me to get some release. This year on Celexa stalled my desire to write to almost nothing. I would write things, but I didn't really care about them. There was no passion. My muse was taking a vacation.
Now, I again have motivation to write and exercise. Maybe it's the feeling that I'm on speed that's causing this, but man, I'm so glad to have my creativity back. Whether or not it's temporary, I'm going to focus on that part of the withdrawal as much as I can, rather than focusing on the spinning, insomnia, and freaky dreams. (And actually, my freaky dreams have lent to some very interesting story ideas!)
I'm trying to focus on what's good, and to keep reminding myself that these withdrawal symptoms will eventually go away. Sometimes, I feel like I'm at the end of my rope, and I just can't take it anymore. Crying, exercising, writing, and sharing my story with others will get me through.
I've had lots of thoughts during this year, and I continue to wonder about the long-term effects it will have on my zen practice. There is a lesson in here somewhere. Perhaps several. Can I have the egolessness enough to see them?
In case you'd like to know, these are the common side effects of Celexa withdrawal. I put a star next to the ones that people seem to complain about the most on the websites that I visited during my research.
- Anxiety *
- Dizziness *
- Fatigue *
- Headache *
- Insomnia *
- Tremors
- Visual hallucinations
- Diarrhea
- Nausea *
- Vomiting
- Restlessness *
- Blurred vision
- Muscle and joint pain *
- Jolting electric "zaps” *
- Tingling sensations *
- Fever
- Abdominal discomfort
- Flu symptoms and general malaise *
- Anorexia
- Agitation *
- Vertigo *
- Gait disturbances
- Sweating
- Irritability *
- Aggression
- Nightmares and/or vivid dreams *
- Confusion
- Memory and concentration difficulties
- Chills and hot flashes
- Crying spells *
- Suicidal thoughts
- Lethargy
- Weakness
These are the suggestions for getting through the withdrawal symptoms. Although it's highly recommended to taper off the medication slowly as a way to prevent withdrawal, it still seems that many people have some symptoms, even with the taper.
- Drink lots of water
- Exercise (swimming, running, walking, biking, etc.)
- Yoga/Pilates
- Meditation
- Talking to a counselor/therapist or friend a LOT during this time
- Eat regularly and healthy
- Avoid alcohol
- Dramamine (mixed results)
These are some things that worked for me, but nobody else had mentioned them in my research
- Crying and enjoying it
- Ibuprophen for the headaches and muscle aches
- Tylenol Simply Sleep (ask your doctor first!!)
- Mindfulness and "watching" all the symptoms like a movie
- Finding the good that is coming with the withdrawal
- Writing, writing, writing
- Playing games (video, board, card, etc.)
- Doing things I love
- And when the anxiety/restlessness/intensity rears its head - remember it's not ME, it's the chemistry in my brain that's doing this.
If you are reading this and are currently going through Celexa withdrawal, you are not alone.
Namaste
686 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 401 – 600 of 686 Newer› Newest»So glad I found your post...I was also taking 10 mg for several years and decided to go off because my life insurance premium is higher because of this med. I also gained weight and had attributed it mostly to aging and nearing menopause, but I have to believe some of it is related to the Celexa. I was following the weaning process outlined by my doctor, but got a little lax and have skipped a couple of days of 1/2 pill doses. I've been feeling "weird," kind of dizzy and spacey. But I agree with you...the whole sex drive change was nearly immediate. Who knew?
Update: am on my 7th week coming off Citalopram and I am struggling. I have been having high anxieties...often scared of some intrusive thoughts that are in my head. I am on Omega 3 mood,just started with one dose but had 2 doses today. I was reading about 5 HTP, has anyone ever tried this? I just bought a bottle of 100 mg thinking that I would be able to cut it but did not realize that they were capsules.
Hope all is well with everyone....
-Charlie-
5htp is a great idea. Honestly, don't worry about decreasing that capsule/dose--it takes more 5htp to produce X amt of tryptophan than if you were taking that amt of tryptophan alone, if that makes sense. Tryptophan is really expensive, so 5htp is a much more affordable route to make it. If you only do one dose, take it before bed so your body can synthesize the tryptophan overnight. (though I also take a smaller dose again in the morning.) I've found GABA to be a lifesaver when I'm getting overly anxious, too. I've heard good things about SAMe, but haven't used it and it's more expensive than the others. You say you're on an Omega 3 supplement--are you getting at least 600 mg of fish oil-derived omega 3 per day? My naturopath told me that's the minimum therapeutic dose, though I feel better at 1,000mg/day. You might also want to work on chelating out the bad stuff from the citalopram: n-acetyl-cysteine is a powerful amino acid that can help with that, and taking a strong antioxidant blend will help, too. Vit D3 supplement can also help boost mood, as can magnesium. (and they're pretty affordable, too)
For MamaRae: Thank's for responding. My 5 HTP has been sitting untouched for days already. I read some articles stating that 5 HTP can wear down their effects after months of using it. So I was thinking of taking it if/when I feel my worst but only upto 50 mg and see how it works for me. Instead of taking that I am trying Nature's way 'Alive' multivits and it's doing pretty good! I felt that I was taking a lot of supplements like vit d3, magnesium, B50, calcium, vit C and just wanted one pill that will give me those. So, aside from the multivit I take the Omega 3 mood and it says fish oil conc. 2000 mg providing EPA 1000 mg and DHA 150 mg. I've been taking one pill a day for 2 weeks and so far it has been good...lately. I tried taking it twice (this is the dosage specified on the bottle) when I was just feeling so tired and anxious and the next day I just felt so great and full of energy! I went back to single dose even with it's great effects 'coz I had some dizzy spells when I moved my head and at times I felt nauseated. I also read about the good effects of SamE and yes, they are a bit pricey.
I'm going 8 weeks without the AD and I try to see the positive side to all of these.
Hope everyone's hangin' in there!
-Charlie-
I found this quite interesting albeit voluminous. It'll take a while to read. I'm 63. I've been on 20 mg. of Celexa for 2 1/2 yrs. In the plus column, I've never been as confident and creative in my songwriting abilities. I feel more relaxed than ever. I'm happier and I'm able to deal with every day challenges more effectively. There's more of a willingness to let go and just be. I keep the "big picture" in mind. I live more in the moment and don't fret nearly as much about my future. In the negative column I have no sex drive which causes problems in my marriage. I'm aloof and emotionally detached at times (which friends are quick to point out that I'm that way anyway (LOL). It appears that the meds affect everyone differently. At this point, I haven't taken that leap of faith to take myself off in fear of losing my creative edge which is a function of my health and happiness.
I have been on 60 mg for 3 years, 40 for 10 years before that. I had gotten down to 10 mg...but I was so sick to my stomach I decided to go back up to 20 for a week or so before splitting the pill in 1/2 again. I do not want to take these pills anymore. I am sick of the lack of sex drive, and Wellburtrin just made me crazy.
I'm glad to read alot of these comments. I have been on the generic for Celexa for about 3 months after my Dr. diagnosed me with extreme anxiety and on the verge of a nervous breakdown. It has helped me level out and calm down...I'm not sure I'm ready to go off of it, but due to my Dr. leaving and going to another practice I've been "lost in the shuffle". I am at the end of my refills, I called the pharmacy a week ago before I ran out. So far, they've fronted me 4 tablets (20 mg) because they also can't get any response from the new Dr. I've called my Dr's office more than a few times. Today, the Dr was supposed to call back and never did. So, I am going off of it cold turkey due to NO SUPPLY. I know it's going to be rough...I had nausea, dizziness, metallic taste in mouth, etc when beginning it. I'm sure suddenly going off will not be a picnic, but I do feel encouraged by the experiences I've read. I am getting more exercise than I was before, no longer am in the high stress job situation I was in before, spending a great deal of time outdoors gardening, walking and with friends...I am hoping that I will be able to get through this in a fairly short time.
THANK YOU!
Im on day 3 of no Celexa. I am beginning to feel the zaps and pins and needles in my arms. also feel like my skin is crawling. I started taking it when my marriage failed about 6 months ago. It numbed me as I moved out, filed paperowrk, lived with my aprents and moved into my own place. I also started seeing someone. Its numbed me against his continual cheating, drug abuse, and being a generally horrid, miserable, demeaning individual. i thought of it as my punishment and didnt have the motivation or drive to do anything about it. So i just let it go on. Then he broke up with me because he "fell in love" with someone else. i thought i would die from the pain, and was wishing I could somehow do it. I decided to google the side effects of Celexa (never bothered prior) it can cause depression and suicidal thought. WHY would they make an anti depressant that causes depression??? I called my dr office, she was on vacation and her fill in suggested I double the dose. Made no sense to feel double bad so, i decided to quit. Took me about a week to decide. I tried to look at it as a seperate 6 month time period. All I see is a bunch of loss, someone who was active and strong that napped, slept and laid around all the time. Someone who wouldnt put up with 10percent of that crap from my husband, but let the next guy do and take whatever he wanted because I was numb. and someone who used to be a prized "spitfire' employee who could barely stay awake, let alone not cry daily at her job. Celexa is Toxic to me. I blame it for doing more harm than good. I miss my old self and Im going to try the hydration, omega 3, excersize, and proper meals to ease the withdrawals. and maybe lose the 15lbs I gained in 6 months. I was glad to read this blog, dont feel so alone... I hope someone reads this and it helps. peace
I had my husband read your post. It is exactly how I feel...almost to a T. I'm currently tapering off of Celexa for the 4th try and I'm determined this time! My husband is a huge support but it was really nice for him to read your story. Thank you! It's great for me too, to see every-one's stories to know I'm not alone! I didn't even know what Celexa was. I was just told it would help me with my panic, anxiety and fear issues. I should have researched it better but I was desperate to feel better and after 7 years, 3 counselors and 2 Psychiatrist's, I trusted the Dr. Now I'm numb, have absolutely no sex drive, no emotions and I'm so tired I could sleep all day and I would if I could. It's just no right to WANT to lay in bed all day. I used to be so full of life and I really want that back. I've been on 20 mg for about 3 years and about a year ago I went down to 10mgs. Now I'm slowly tapering off of that. So far it's better then the last 3 times (vertigo, brain zaps, nausea, sweating, shaking...) but I haven't got where I was before because I'm going much slower this time around. I'm on day number 5 and the side effects right now are vivid dreams, blurred vision, light headaches and abdominal discomfort. However, I'm already feeling more alert. I haven't taken a nap in the last 3 days and I've been getting up at 5am to work out. That's a HUGE change for me. I just hope that the rest of this process will go ok...I will continue to read these posts. They encourage me. Thank you.
This is an update. I stepped down to 20 mg from 40mg on June 17th. On July 30th (last Saturday), I finally stepped down from 10 mg to zero. It feels amazing to be off meds! I am feeling more electric zaps than ever, but other than that, all is well. I have tried to taper off in the past, but it seems like something always came up that knocked me off the beam, and made me feel like I had no choice but to resume. Well, it looks like this time the planets were in alignment and I am actually off and grateful for it. I'm seeing a naturopath and nutritionist to be sure my body continues to heal, and that I can build up some defenses against the inevitable drop in Serotonin that my body will be experiencing as it adapts to the changes.
I guess I just wanted to post that I'm grateful and to encourage others out there not to give up hope. There is non-antidepressant help out there. It gets better.
Day 4 aint no good either. had to leave work. Total mess. cant wait for the next weeks to go by and hopefully feel better. major crying.
I have been taking 60mg for a year now co have tapered to 0 over the past month. I feel alive again, unfortunately, my wife liked the zombie me better. I'm not going back though.
I have been taking 60mg a day for the past year. I have weaned myself down to 0 over the past month. It seems that I have all of the withdrawal symptoms, but I feel like a regular human again. Unfortunately, my wife liked the zombie me better. Oh well, I'm not going into that he'll again
One more thank you to the original poster. Before Celexa, I had never taken ANY perscription meds...one ugly divorce, one failed relationship, one remarriage and move, one teenage son and college later... I decided I needed something. The panic attacks were so bad by that time. Like so many have said so well. I WAS calmer and the anxiety subsided, but as so many have described so perfectly, I was a "shell" of me. I wanted ME back. So I am tapering off the drug and came here to see why I feeling so strange. Thank you for this honest, helpful post. So much better than the cold, medical jargon. And thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. Helps to know what I'll face. P.S. My family is not really on board about me going off the drug but I want ME back. Thanks, again.
Thanks for the info. My Dr. Put me on Celexia when my Klonopin stopped working. I went to her to try and get off of the Klonipin and ended with a double habit. this practice should be illegal...
Great post. Thanks for the tips and support! Really helped.
I googled 'Celexa Withdrawl' today and came up with this blog! Great information!
I started taking Celexa 8 months ago when my once every few month panic attacks became daily panic attacks. Between a bankruptcy and my Mom's cancer I was at my wits end so my GP prescribed Celexa. I loved it at first but after gaining 20 pounds in 4 months (and I'm a runner and Zumba instructor) I talked to my doctor about the side effects. She lowered my dose to 10mg but I continued to gain weight - just a bit slower. So I went to 5mg daily for a month then every other day. Now I'm on 5 days Celexa free and I was wondering about the dizziness and the brain zaps. But happy that I could once again 'feel' and cry! Good to know other people have weaned off it eventually!
I have begun cutting my celexa dose. I am currently down to 10mg. Since then i have had the aches and pains like flu symptoms. Those seem to be getting better. However, since cutting back I have had a cough that doesn't want to go away. Is this another withdrawal symptom that will hopefully go away?
I have been on several differernt anti depressant's sence '90 -'91 at the Dr's insistance allthou I didnt feel like I really need them. Now I want off them because I angry all the time and everything irrates me.sex drive is nowhere to be found. Dr told me to take a 1/2 pill less evey week.I'm on 40mgs daily for a few yrs now. Just started tapering off last week.Dr tells me I won't be able to stop the pills.I didnt feel this bad when I started taking the stuff.
Susan
I stopped taking 20 mg per day cold turkey about a week ago after being on it for over a year, and its crazy slash cool at the same time. I asked my dr about the decreased sex drive, and he acted like that was an impossible side effect from the drug, but I knew it! I want to screw every hot chick I see now since I quit! I had my first wet dream since I was a pre teen for christ sake! It sucks because of the weird brain zaps, and the munchies, and the depression, but I know it is all temporary. It is cool because im horny again! And it feels good to know im going to be off rx drugs. The key to a successful discontinuation of this drug is all about knowing that its all temporary. Drs are such rats. Thanks for this post. It was helpful.
Update: I found this article, by accident while my professor was browsing thru the FDA website. This news is pretty new and it has to do with the dosage change of citalopram. Here is the link:
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Psychiatry/Depression/28180
What's new with me? I am doing great! I have been off ADs for 3 mos now! first 2 months were tough but things got better as the days passed by. So far so good. I still have days when I'm anxious or a little scared exp. during my menstrual period... but I always tell myself that this is part of life or shall I say,'LIVING'.These symptoms are so much milder than before.
I hope everyone's doing well. Keep us posted!
-Charlie-
Thank you so much for posting this information. It felt nice to know i wasn't going crazy! I was on 20 mg of Celexa for about 9 months, and stopped taking it about a week ago. I've been extremely emotional, and literally just felt like my brain couldn't decide how it was feeling. I also have the "Zaps" through out my whole body about every 2 minutes. Thank you for this information, my body was feeling so weird!
Mikayla
Oh my gosh, what a wonderful post (still going strong for over 2 years)!! It is so comforting to hear from many strong, amazing people going through the same thing.
I, too, feel like the victim of pharmaceuticals. I started having panic attacks and depersonalization 3 1/2 yrs ago after finding a breast lump and at the same time my father was going through a terminal illness.
I was initially put on klonopin, celexa and ambien. To make a very long story short, I have been on a medication rollercoaster for over 3 years. I have been free of sleeping pills for over a year, free of benzos for 5 months, and am now tapering off celexa (my 2nd try).
As many of you described, the celexa took away all of my zest for life. I have been able to function, but I have no emotions, positive or negative. I just want to FEEL again.
I am only 2 days into my taper, but thanks to this post I am determined that I can do it. Whatever withdrawal smptoms I have I know I can handle knowing they are temporary. I have gone through cognitive behavioral therapy, so I am confident that I can handle life medication free and am looking forward to finding myself again.
By the way, the best taper schedule I have found is 25% cuts and lasts 6 weeks. So if you start on 20mg celexa, your first cut would be down to 15mg (hold for 2 weeks), second cut down to 10mg (hold for 2 weeks), 3rd cut down to 5mg (hold for 2 weeks), then stop celexa. By the way generic celexa does come in liquid to make tapering easier.
I have also learned through my web-surfing that taking choline supplements can help ease ssri withdrawal symptoms (I guess the choline in your brain gets depleted when stopping or tapering these meds). The preparation I take is choline 250mg with inositol 250mg twice per day.
Thanks for listening, I will continue to check in during my taper. Best wishes to us all!!
Marci
I've been taking celexa for about 1yr & 1/2 for PTSD (I was a Army Medic)after many years of the Va. Docs. "recommending" it.I finally gave in at a hard time in my life. Last month I felt as tho it was not effective any more (I was having homicidal thoughts and dreams), called the Dr. "psychiatrist" and she mailed me Zoloft. I wanted a balanced life free from unwanted negative emotions/thoughts.
I have been in different therapies ,groups, tele-medicine , anger management, cognitive process therapy and many others 8 yrs+. ( and will ALWAYS continue). Along with reading and online help and yes ... movies.
Before the Zoloft arrived, it was serendipity, that I saw "Marketing Madness" a documentary that (I think)everyone that is affected or knows of someone with an Rx for psychotropic meds would be better informed about this issue. By the way, our military & children are dying at increased suicide rates.
Thu much therapy I have come to the identify what I value and my beliefs and live by them best I can...and not living solely by my emotions which come and go.
As for living a "Balanced Life"...I've come to the understanding (for me)that Living a balanced life Sometimes means being unbalanced. I have my ups and downs. I try to keep myself on a path with the understanding that during my journey thu this life is enjoyed by guidelines (not set rules) that change and grow. Thing's that have worked in the past currently don't work for me any more or don't hold the same value. I evolve. One thing that has helped immensely is "If it is important for you/ to you! Writing it down!!!" It has helped me make connections in my mind/brain and reenforce those connection when read at a latter time. Volunteer, help others you will be surprised how much it helps yourself. I'm down to 10mg now and started yesterday with the "Zapping" down my arms and legs my passion/sexual drive is already returning. Withdraw scares me but I know (thanks from all the other post) that it will pass and continue going to my groups. I was thinking about going to to have a beer= self medicate, (after my swim today)...but not a good idea(thanks AGAIN for the post) I'll have a healthy meal, H2o and enjoy a Dvd. Hug and kiss my cat that has giving me so much love this last year without him I would not have been able to kept focused and do the work on myself.
One last thing (i promise,lol)
The value of exercise! Start very small with realistic goals (maybe today you'll Rise from your chair 2 times and reach for the sky) Remember the way you feel upon competing of YOUR goal. Let that feeling motivate you for the next time and so on. Write it on your bathroom mirror.
Life's not a race,a sprint or perfection it's about getting back up and finishing.
"All there is Love."
Science of Mind.
Jim
thank goodness for this sight.I am 73years old,and have been taking Celexa for about 30 months.I felt so bad taking it,i just started on my own cutting it in half,which was 20mg.I have been off it now for 3 weeks.I was having all the things that had stars beside it.I thought i was losing it,not being able to sleep and crazy dreams.Two times my wife had to take me out at night to get myself relaxed.I feel this has put a dent in our marriage,but hope it will heal.Thanks to all that have helped me by writing here.Good luck to anyone starting this
Thank you, thank you for this thread. It is so inspirational to hear from those who are tapering or who are completely off celexa and are doing well.
My nightmare started about 3 1/2 years ago after I found a breast lump and my father was going through a terminal illness at the same time. I developed panic attacks and severe depersonalization. I was prescribed klonopin, celexa and ambien.
To make a very long story short, I have been on an emotional and mental rollercoaster ride. Mostly due to the meds, I have lost my zest for life, and basically feel no emotions. Thankfully, I chose to take the journey of becoming med free. I have been off sleeping pills for over a year and off of klonopin for 5 months. Now I am beginning my celexa taper.
My first cut was 3 days ago and feeling ok so far. Just some broken sleep and morning anxiety. I am taking fish oil and a choline supplement (I read that your brain's choline is depleted during ssri discontinuation). I am very optimistic and I feel that I can come out on the other side even stronger and happier than before I was given these pharmaceutical poisons!
Best wishes to you all.
Marci
I couldnt agree more. I was on 20mg for over 6 months and I did the 4 week step down.. 20/10mg week one, 10mg week 2, 10/5mg week 3 and 5mg week 4. After week 4 I started with the "zaps" and the flood of emotions. Now 3 weeks of not taking the drug I am experiencing muscle aches in my right arm, no more napping through the day but I go to bed at my normal time and awoken 2 to 3 hours later not being able to fall back asleep. The "zaps" have stopped but why a I still having with drawal? I need it to end soon! Thank you for the post and support!
ive been on citalophram (aka celexa) for about 3 years now. After taking it for about 2 years i decided to try and get off it and i went through a hell of a ride, panic attacks, severe anxiety, phobias, i pretty much went crazy and had to start therapy which helped a little bit but not a whole lot and i didnt feel happy at all. I was off it for about half a year and the whole time was filled with panic attacks and all of those. I finally said screw this and now im back on them and it all went away but before i started celexa i never had any of those problems just a very slight depression every once in a while. Im probably going to be taking this shit for the rest of my life now as i feel i am dependent on it and i dont want to live without it. For those who dont know this drug effects your serotonin levels by giving you more than your brain normally produces which i think means your brain becomes dependent on this drug for serotonin and somewhat forgets how to do it naturally the same as it does when you take extacy or many illegal drugs over a course of time. I am no doctor and i may be completely wrong but this is what i think i have figured out by my experiences and researching.
I thought I withdrew from 20 mg. Celexa so very gradually, starting in early July. Didn't have much problems on the way down. 20 to 10 to 5. I even chopped up 10mg Celexa tabs into quarters for a 2.5 mg dose, which I thought surely couldn't have amounted to anything. And then cessation about 10 days ago. The dizziness and fatigue are about to drive me crazy. I'm tired. Sometimes I just want to cry. I'm irritable. How long does this last?
I went from 60 mg of celexa which I have been on for a couple of yr was on 40mg for about 5 yrs before that, to 0mg in less than 2 weeks. I have Most of the withdrawal symptoms listed and have been trying to find ways anyways of helping. any ideas?
I can't remember how long I had been taking Celexa. But I knew I wanted off the medication because I just didn't feel anything. I followed my doctor's advice and weaned myself off. My last dose (until today) was July 10th. However, today I just couldn't take the withdrawal symptoms anymore. For awhile they seemed to have went away, but now two months later I am a mess. I just took 10MG hoping for some relief from my symptoms. Now I feel like a failure, all that withdrawal work and I give up two months later. Does withdrawal really take so long? My guess is that I have been on celexa for at least 12 years. I wish I had read over these comments before I popped that pill.
-Chris
@Chris--did taking the 10 mg. relieve the withdrawal symptoms? And you've been off for two months! Just two weeks for me. I can't take this dizziness much longer. I honestly think I might prefer being back on the medication to dealing with this every day.
I've been tapering off for about 6 weeks now. Started at
40mg now down to 20mg and emotionaly I feel much better an happier than I was on 40 mgs, I am feeling like I have the flu for about a couple hrs daily, but it does pass.My Dr who does not listen when I when I say I was to get off anti-depressants sent me three more months of 40 mg pills anyway,dumbass. Any I dont care what I have to do Im getting off these drugs NO MATTER WHAT!!! Thank all!
im leaving Celexa for the real me. ive been on it for 6 yrars at 40mg for ptsd following a severe motorcycle accident that nearly took my husband. in dealing with him, (a Scorpio, nonetheless) and helping him recover, it was left to me to deal with real life. i couldnt, apparently, so i started Celexa after sever other meds with horrible side effects. Now what Im dealing with is: my husband, and I, want ME back. ive decreased my dose over the last month to 20mg, and am now alternating 20mg with 0 a day, Hate the brain flashes....they ovverride most of my day so i sleep and take valerian root. kava kava and nite tea in the evening. i noticed getting on it, my body odor and sex drive plus uncaring attitude ismy biggest set of side effects.
how long does these aftereffects stay? charlie posted its been 7 weeks!
seen in a post here: Tryptophan is really expensive, so 5htp is a much more affordable route to make it." is that what turkey has in it? where can one buy this, a suppliment store?
cold turkey quitting isnt good. in the 2 times I've "fell off" the Celexa wagon by running out and not getting to the pharmacy in time, ive seen the dark side after 3 days. on the long commute ride home, the road curves....I think, maybe i should drive straight... id get home sooner and it would all be over, then thought about my loved ones. easy for me, not for them. i will do this easy not cold turkey.
Withdrawal symptoms take awhile before it goes away...i think i read somewhere that it's 8-12 weeks on the average. But as the weeks pass the intensity lessens and one day you might find yourself in an extreme high. There will be bumps along the way but we do have to remind ourselves that it will take time for our body to learn how to cope without the medication.
Wishing peace to all...
-charlie-
@Jen- you can buy the 5HTP at any drug store...I think I bought mine in Walgreens. I haven't tried it though but I've heard good things about it.
-Charlie-
*4 months off citalopram and just taking a day at a time...peace to all....
Thank you for being so open and sharing your experience. I am just hitting 5 weeks off Celexa and this article has really helped me realize what I am going through is related to withdrawals of this drug. I experienced an extreme high about two weeks ago and am now extremely fatigued. I know this too shall pass and this article really helped me. You rock. :)
For the last poster (4 months off)on here and anyone else interested.
Me too, took my last 5mg of Citalopram on March 29 after a careful taper. Mostly much better now, but my wobbly gait (supposedly a rare side/withdrawal effect)still bothersome. Regular swimming helps, I find. We're still breathing and we'll get through this - keep on keeping on (i.e. OFF)
Annie in England
@Annie- Aside for the mood swings (don't know if it has to do with PMS sometimes)I too still experience the wobbly gait once in awhile...it's just a weird feeling. What other symptoms, if there are any, have you still been experiencing at this point?
-Charlie-
Wow...I opened this blog thinking "maybe someone is experiencing what I am" and I never thought that there would be SO MANY! I've taken Celexa 2 times throughout the years of depression and anxiety. 1st time...I was climing the walls. 2nd time, it had zero effects @ 20mg. A couple of months ago, I started taking 40mg/day. BIG mistake. I started having memory loss (i read a few chapters of a book, went back and had no recollection of reading the last chapter!) ...I didn't get out of bed for a solid week. I only got up to shower and eat(if I even had an appetite)...all of my passion for getting through college and going to work was gone..no sex drive at all...no emotion at all.
I am now in the withdrawal phase which is OH so lovely. I have a very understanding husband but unless you experience depression/withdrawal from SSRIs first hand, you can't relate. I'm sitting at work in a fog, trying to regain my focus and drive for life.
Thanks to everyone for sharing...it really does help knowing I'm not alone!!
Feel free to email me if you want to vent or chat/compare notes :)
Ang
I, too am going through all of these crazy withdrawals right now...does anyone care to share their email address to chat back and forth? I'm happily married, but he just doesn't understand what I mean. He's never been depressed and never gone through withdrawals from SSRIs. I'm at the end of my rope here...have tried almost all of the SSRIs and now i'm dealing with getting over this horrid Celexa!
Please email me if you need to talk or vent..i'd love to do the same.
Angie
ams619@gmail.com
Thanks to everyone for posting their stories! I'm on day 3 without Celexa. I have been on various SSRIs for the better part of 13 years for anxiety/panic attacks, depression, and OCD. I was first on Paxil 20 mg for about five years, which I felt worked well for the social anxiety and OCD, but I gained weight and started dating a new guy which doesn't work out well with the sexual side effects. So I went off cold turkey. Withdrawal was horrible and lasted about three weeks. I mainly had sweating, chills, nausea, anxiety, crying, flu-like symptoms, feeling like I was going crazy, super vivid nightmares (which was kind of cool), and that awful brain sensation where it felt like if you turned your head it took your eyes and brain a few seconds to catch up. I was SSRI-free for a few months then the general anxiety came back and I went on Lexapro 10 mg, then Celexa 20 mg. Now after several years on Celexa, I feel like although it has helped with some aspects anxiety -- haven't really had panic attacks since being on it -- it hasn't helped with other anxiety issues. I got really anxious with job stress while being on Celexa and my general practitioner prescribed clonazepam off and on as needed which I loved -- I would take 0.5 mg and it took all my worries away, calmed me down incredibly, and made me sleep like a little baby -- but they don't like people to be on the benzodiazepenes long term so I've been off of that for several weeks. And I have still had serious depressive episodes while being on Celexa. Plus, lack of motivation to do anything. It was like I didn't care about anything anymore -- and I didn't care that I didn't care. It's not something you notice on a daily basis, it was something I noticed after looking back at the past couple of years and realizing that I hadn't really done much other than sleep, stay home, or watch TV. I just didn't feel like doing anything. I decided to see a psychiatrist a few months ago -- she thought an SNRI would give me a "spark", so she had me try Effexor. I could only tolerate it for two days because it made me feel like I drank 100 cups of coffee. So then she thought the lack of motivation may be undermedication and had me try 40 mg of Celexa....which made me just want to sleep all the time. So I went back to 20 mg. I then decided to taper off. So I went down to 10 mg for six weeks...then 5 mg for six days...and now day 3 of nothing. I was okay on 10 mg, but as soon as I went down to 5 mg I had the withdrawal effects -- first I felt like I had a head cold, which could be coincidence. Then I felt like I was on the verge of tears all the time, very anxious, couldn't focus, very irritable, and feeling like I was losing my mind. Yesterday (day 2) the weird brain sensations started -- where I'm okay if I'm sitting still and looking forward, but as soon as I turn my head to look at something, it feels like a rush of sensation in my throat, head and chest and it feels like it takes my eyes and brain a few seconds to catch up. This makes driving specially uncomfortable. I also see a psychiatric NP and asked her why the medical establishment doesn't warn people before starting SSRIs/SNRIs about the withdrawal. She said it's because it's very rare. She also recommended I might want to try Cymbalta, which is an SNRI like Effexor. I totally don't believe the withdrawal is rare. I don't like that some medical professionals have told me that I may need to be on an SSRI for the rest of my life. First there's really no long term studies about safety of these medications, plus I don't like the thought of being on something that causes horrible withdrawal symptoms. So day 3 of being Celexa-free and I still have the stuffy head, on the verge of tears, heightened anxiety, and the weird brain sensations. I hope I can cope in life without have to resort to using these medicines again. Good luck to everyone! --ellen
Like the poster above, i don't believe withdrawal symptoms are very rare either. 6 months off for me, and although nearly all the effects have gone, I still have bad days - today's not started well, but I usually feel better later on, so I hope that'll happen. What I dread is falling into the black pit of depression again - but if I do I'll get through somehow without ADs. I will NOT go back. Stay strong, everyone.
Annie in England
I was given celexa by my doctor for anxiety. The first two days, I took a 20 mg tablet each morning. The side effects were horrible. So I only took 10mg each morning for the next two days before I decided that this was not for me. I only took the celexa for four days. I have been off for 9 days and the withdrawal has been excruciating. I have had "zaps" of what I guess is adrenalin shoot through my body, flu like symptoms to the point of vomiting, anxiety, insomnia, headaches and body aches, sweating, hot and cold flashes, just to name the worst symptoms. It seems to be getting a little better, but how long will this go on? Will I go through withdrawal as long as someone who has been taking this for months or years? If anyone has any insight, please post back or email me. I am desperate for some information here. By the way my doctor told me it would be out of my system in just 35 hours. What a joke! How can a doctor not understand what a 35 hour half life really is. A 35 hour half life equates to about 19 days. However from reading this blog, it sounds like this could last for weeks or even months. I hope not, I can,t imagine this lasting for that long!
Rochelle
Northwest_angel@hotmail.com
To anonymous from September 22, 2011,
My nightmare started with benxodiazipines, hydroxyxine to be exact, which is not suppose to have side effects for most people. I was first prescribes hydroxyxine at the beginning of the summer as a sleep aid. I used it once or twice a week and then would go about a week or before using it again. This is how the usage went for most of the summer. I started to have panic attacks. I couldn't figure out why, nothing seemed to really be triggering them. I ended up at my dr office crying, in a full blown panic attack. Mind you this is not typical behavior for me normally. So she prescribes celexa 20 mg a day. I only took this for four days with horrible side effects. I stopped taking the pills and went back to my doctor. After discussing things we came to the conclusion that my panic attacks were initially caused by the hydroxyxine and the celexa probably just exacerbated those side effects. Now I am dealing with the withdrawals from these nasty little pills!
Also wondering, when does my appetite come back?
Ok so I am now on day 11 without Celexa, and I finally feel like I might possibly be on the down side of this nightmare. The flu like symptoms are gone, my appetite is finally coming back, and the anxiety flushes feel more like tingling sensations in my face now. The worst symptom now seems to be a nasty headache and hot flushes on my face. I am also sweating like crazy, which I assume is the medicine working it's way out of my system.
Everybody is different and has different medical needs, so what works for one person may not neccesarily work for another person. For me I stopped taking all medications because they seemed to be exascerbating my symtoms and things seemed to keep snowballing.I stopped using the Celexa and the Hydroxyxine and so far I seem to feel a bit better each day. I really hope it keeps going this way. I am also taking a daily multi vitamin, omega 3 supplements, and I am also doing an herbal detox right now.
I am still having moments in the day when my face feels really hot, my body feels sweaty,I feel tired and my head hurts. But this is a drastic improvement to how I have been feeling. I have made myself get up and do things everyday. My husband and I walk briskly 1 to 2 times every day. Even when I don't feel like getting up and doing anything or going any place, I make myself get up and go. My husband has also been a wonderful source of support. Doing things and getting out and talking seems to help me a lot too. For the past two days I have had more good moments than bad moments. And now the bad moments seem bearable. What I am trying to say is that I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Good luck to everyone out there going through this Celexa withdrawal nightmare. Please know that you are not alone and that there really is light at the end of the tunnel. And blog about your experience, it may help you and it may help someone else. Reading and rereading through this blog really helped on my darkest days through this hellish nightmare. The one thing that I kept looking for was how people got through this and how this ended for them. So I will try to keep blogging on here until I am completly through this dark Celexa tunnel!
Ok so now I am on day 13 and so far I feel pretty good. I slept all night last night for the first time since this nightmare began. I have been working with my doctor through all of this and we have come to the conclusion that my initial anxiety was a result of some antihistamines (which I incorrectly labeled as a benzodiazepine in an earlier post.) when I started having anxiety my doctor prescribed Xanax. It seemed to work but then my anxiety would come back usually stronger than before. (we figured the withdrawals were kicking in but didn't realize it was from the meds) so the longer I took these meds the worse my anxiety seemed to get. The doc finally prescribed celexa, and what a nightmare it has been! Going through the withdrawal I have not even able to take naproxen for head and body aches because it increased my anxiety. The silver lining to this dark celexa cloud is that I am now aware of just how sensitive I am to meds, even ones that seem harmless. Every med out there has potential side effects and a different half life. Once I cut out ALL meds I started to feel better more quickly.
Last night I found a website that some of you might find beneficial. It's a nonprofit organization that helps people get off of pschotropic drugs as quickly and as painlessly as possible with specially designed supplements. Its called "The Road Back". I don't know it might help.
Good luck to you, especially those just starting this journey. For those of you that are in the darkest hours of this, hang in there it does get better. You can get your life back.
This is the best blog I've come across so far on the topic of Celexa. I've never shared my experiences with anxiety, but I want to here.
I too have recently come off of Celexa from 30mg, to 20 to 10 to nothing- since my husband and I are trying to conceive. I always had a love hate relationship with my Celexa, so I was actually excited to finally have a reason to stop taking it, and not feel like I needed to doubt my decision. I have a severe case of GAD, and always have. I have had numerous full blown panic attacks which have landed me in the hospital. I have gone through many tests to rule out serious causes for my symptoms. The conclusion was always "anxiety".
Sure, when I started Celexa I lost some good things (sex drive, energy, creative passion) but what I gained was control over my anxiety. I was able to function with the rest of the world and not think about this "disorder" I have, if that's what we have to call it. All in all, it worked for me and I felt better with it than without it.
Its been one month since I started my stopping process, and 1.5 weeks since I've had none in my system. Its been terrible for me, honestly. I can't sleep and I have awful nightmares when i do, my heart races uncontrollably from time to time, I get zapps a lot, feel angry, sad, frustrated- just incredibly emotional. I am crying watching commercials! All of these things I have been ok with so far except the vertigo. I have TERRIBLE vertigo.
The hardest things for me about my anxiety has always been how difficult (should I say totally impossible) it is to explain it to others who don't have it. My husband is the most understanding, caring and patient man in the world, but he cannot fully understand my anxiety- and how could he?
Reading others experiences with GAD, panic and anti-anxiety medication always makes me feel better. It reassures me that I am not crazy, and most importantly, that I am not alone.
Im at 20mg celexa a day for 2 more days then saterday I start tapering down at 1/2 pill a week less. I started at 40mg about 7 weeks ago. Right about now I am feeling extreamly emotional,and I did try the 5htp and it did make me feel better emotionaly,but I did get stomach pains and diareaha,because I am still on the celexa and the two things do not interact well...will up date in a week or two. So glad to have people here who understand .....thanks all
Thanks to all who posted their experiences-- it was a huge help for me getting off this awful medication. I was on 5mg and was supposed to ramp up to 10, but in doing so it made me feel AWFUL. I spent a miserable birthday at Disneyland feeling sick and deathly afraid of all the rides. That was my breaking point when I knew I wanted off this medicine.
I only took 10mg 2 days, then went down to 7.5mg for 2 weeks, then 5mg for 2 weeks, then 2.5mg 2 weeks, and finally, tiny 1.25 crumbs for the final 2 weeks. Doing it this gradually made it easier when my final dose was over and out of my system. I never experienced brain zaps; what I did feel was fatigue during the tapering off, but that also ran it's course and has gotten better. Glad to be off it!!
I went off Celexa slowly. 20mg to 10 for a month and then every second day and then none. The side affects were not as bad this physically but emotionally i'm not sure.
I find I have a lot of feelings that we're easier to ignore on Celexa comming to a head and I don't completely trust them all. For instance what I want in life etc etc.
I posted a few days ago..I'm on day 18 with no celexa in my system. I've been dealing with severe depression, weight GAIN and bad pains in my neck and shoulder. I've also had weird PMS symptoms pretty much directly after stopping the pill.
Anyone have these symptoms? I know a lot of ppl gain weight while ON the pill, I'm one that loses on SSRI's. I can't make the hunger go away now! It's driving me insane!
Hi everyone,
I posted a couple of weeks ago. Today is day 16 being Celexa-free. I am slowly feeling better, and I wanted to let others know there is hope!
I had a couple of bad weeks of dizziness, nausea, de-personalization feelings, extreme anxiety, on the verge of tears all the time, etc. It was really tough to work and to drive with the weird brain sensations, and I couldn’t seem to get a coherent sentence out. Now the dizziness etc. is much better. One thing I noticed that some others mention is that I became extremely sensitive to caffeine. I normally would have a cup of tea before work, then a cup of coffee at work, no problem. But since stopping Celexa if I have a coffee after the tea I get very sweaty and extremely anxious, almost like a panic attack and feeling like I had drank 100 cups of coffee instead of just one. So I’ve cut back on the coffee, and tea seems okay. I caved and I got a limited refill of Klonopin from my GP in case I have full-blown panic attacks, but I will only take if necessary. My goal is to be medication-free.
Also, most importantly – I am feeling that I’m slowly getting my create passion back. I’ve wanted to turn off the television and read again, which I just haven’t “felt” like doing in months it seems. And also I’ve been starting to write in my journal again, and writing some poems. And I’m thinking of going back to school again. I’ve done lots of research over the past two weeks trying to figure out why the SSRI/SNRIs cause the apathy problems – maybe I’ll never know (serotonin down-regulation?) but I’m convinced that Celexa caused apathy as a SEPARATE issue from the depression I was feeling. Some friends/family keep telling me that apathy is a symptom of depression, but I feel it was definitely separate from the depression. So day 16 -- withdrawal symptoms fading, I’m still somewhat anxious, somewhat depressed….but I feel like doing things again! I’ve been taking Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega fish oil, and good organic food based multivitamin, which I think is helping. Good luck to everyone out there, and hoping we can all stay free of these meds for life. For further reading, check out Dr. Peter Breggin’s viewpoints on the psychiatric profession selling out to psychopharmacology, and Dr. David Burns books (such as Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy). Good luck all.
ellen
I am on day 20 without Celexa. Things have gotten better. I still have a little ways to go, but I can pretty much live my normal life again. Last week I started taking supplements and they have made a big difference. Here is my supplement regiment;
8:00am
fish oil capsules-3 capsules
vitamin E-400 iu
B-6 25 mg
B-12 1000mcg
folate 800 mcg
10:00am
Tart Cherry-500 mg or 8oz of tart cherry juice
12:00pm
fish oil-3 capsules
tart cherry-same dose as above
After this I take tart cherry 500 mg pill or 8 oz juice, as needed for anxiety.
I seem to see an improvement everyday. I don't know if this regiment will work for eveyone, but it has worked for me.
I am on day 20 without Celexa. Things have gotten better. I still have a little ways to go, but I can pretty much live my normal life again. Last week I started taking supplements and they have made a big difference. Here is my supplement regiment;
8:00am
fish oil capsules-3 capsules
vitamin E-400 iu
B-6 25 mg
B-12 1000mcg
folate 800 mcg
10:00am
Tart Cherry-500 mg or 8oz of tart cherry juice
12:00pm
fish oil-3 capsules
tart cherry-same dose as above
After this I take tart cherry 500 mg pill or 8 oz juice, as needed for anxiety.
I seem to see an improvement everyday. I don't know if this regiment will work for eveyone, but it has worked for me.
I've never been much of a blog person, but a google search brought me here, and I'm so glad it did. It's so comforting to know that I am not alone in this hell that is coming off celexa.
I was first prescribed Celexa back in 2001 to treat my anxiety. I was 16 at that point, and in retrospect, I really wish my pediatrician had suggested yoga or theraphy to my mom. Although Celexa helped me through a difficult time in my life, the dependancy I seemed to have developed for everyday functionality was not worth the trade-off.
In the past few years I've tried coming off of it several times, but always gave in and went back to my 20mg dose after the dizziness kicked in. It was just so bad!
After talking with my PC last summer, she was surprised to hear my sensitivity to coming off the drug, even after weening off so slowly. This time around, I cut my dosage in half (to 10mg) for several months, then 10 every other day, 5 every other day, 5 every third day, and so on until I was taking 5 mg a week for 2 weeks.
I've been Celexa free for 2 or 3 weeks now, and it's been fairly manageable this time...I wasn't feeling the physical symptoms that I had in the past.
It's weird though, because in the past couple weeks, I've become seemingly unable to control my emotions. My mood changes at the drop of a hat. Something that might have mildly irritated me in the past, sends me over the edge. I cry over nothing. I thought it was really bad PMS, but the time for that excuse has come and gone. I'm sitting here crying as I read other peoples struggles.
WHY AM I CRYING SO MUCH?! I've NEVER been this emotional!
I feel like I can relate so much to some of you on here. I just got married over the summer, and I don't want to be on this medication when we start trying for a baby. In the meantime, my poor husband has to deal with all my BS moodswings and cryfests. He's patient and understands as best he can--he's supportive and all, but it's not fair to him. I want to be the awesome girl he married.
Instead, I'm an emotional train wreck! I've felt like a crazy person these past few weeks. How long does this emotional roller coaster last?
I've taken up running and stick to a regular training schedule (I'm training for my first marathon), but I can't seem to get my emotions under control. I miss my old self--the me that cried only when I had a good reason to. I've always been a tough cookie and I feel so weak now.
I've been reading that more tryptophan in my diet might help. Any other suggestions?
Thank you everyone on here for sharing your stories. It is reassuring to know I am not alone, and to hear that it does get better. On Friday, I was ready to hop back on the Celexa train. But I've come too far, I've fought too hard. I can't give up now.
So I'm starting the HARD CORE withdrawl...mine is pretty scary. I didn't realize my prescription was expired when i went for a refill (for the ast year i mostly have taken half of my dose every other day or so, so my bottles last a long time). I don't have insurance anymore, and my doctor said that since she hadn't seen me in a year she wouldn't refill it. So i cut my last pill in thirds the other day, took 1/3 saturday, 1/3 yesterday, and am saving the last 1/3 to help me get through work tomorrow. Today I am REALLY starting to feel it. Dizzy, nauseous.....i'm scared.
hello all,
this is my third post. i think this is the end of the third week or beginning of the fourth week of being Celexa-free after tapering. the uncomfortable physical symptoms have mainly diminished, and i did feel a creative spark coming back. In fact a flood of emotions came back....like crying at the drop of a hat as so many others mention. but sadly for the past week or so i've been on the verge of tears all the time being horribly depressed and thinking about suicide. i don't know if this is from stopping Celexa or not....i just feel more alone than ever before (boyfriend and i aren't getting along lately, and i feel it's five years of an on-again, off-again relationship kind of going nowhere). my family doesn't understand, boyfriend tries but he really doesn't understand. i have no friends (i'm very introverted and unconventional and find it difficult to meet like-minded people who love nature and simple living) i just feel so alone and that no one cares and nothing is bringing me happiness anymore. i just want to crawl under the covers and never come out.
i went to a depression peer support group this evening out of desperation...they were highly recommending me to go back on the SSRIs. is this the choice we have? are my constant tears and suicidal thoughts a baseline for me without Celexa, or did Celexa rewire my brain to cause this when coming off the medicines? i want to try to make an emergency appointment with a new psychiatrist but i know they'll push the meds again.
if anyone has experienced REALLY bad rebound depression and anxiety after stopping Celexa, can you please let me know how you handled it? ellens93@hotmail.com
good luck to everyone, and thanks for listening. --ellen
Great Blog - Thanks for starting it.
anxiety treatment last 3 years or so - Lexapro ($50/month), switched to Citalopram about a year ago cause it was actually free under my insurance. did the OOPS, let the Rx run out once - realized bad bad idea - do not go cold turkey on this stuff. The anxiety / depression, whatever sent you to take it in the first place, will seem like a cake walk. Wow did I think I was dying and/or going nutso - had to laugh about the comment about driving and not wanting to make any turns. Fizzy Brain, late day eye strain / blurred vision / graying out, and the numbness in arms/legs at random were about 1000 times as bad as what I'm experiencing now!
After a year on Citalopram, did the slow two month weaning. Now off for the last 5 days. got all the typicals in the last couple days - sweats, hard to go to sleep, brain fuzzies (if you ever played Atari, it's kinda like hitting that reset switch - except it's your brain going all wavy), irritability (at least the wifey thinks so. lol), balance all f'd up, but best of all the sex drive returns!!!!!
If I would have stumbled onto this blog years ago, I would have thought a lot harder about ever starting the Lexapro in the first place. I spent some time talking to my doctor and psychiatrist prior to taking this stuff, and no one ever mentioned these issues - hell the first 3 months were FREE SAMPLES.
My wonderful local VONS Pharmacist told me to expect another 2 months of this - NICE!
Hang in there everyone - at least it's pretty obvious the brain chemistry is just jacked. It's not likely we're all going back around the bend!
BTW - thanks for all the tips on homeopathics for the eventual return of the anxiety. Been thinking about keeping some Propranolol for those "really really good days". anyone have any experiences good/bad with the event based meds for anxiety?
Hopefully, people on this blog are still active. I have been taking Celexa for about 4 years. My purpose of taking it might be different than others. My doctor prescribed it with provigil for a solution for ADD. In other words, he got me off of Adderall XR/Stimulants. Because I was a triathlete and taking adderall at the same time, I was overdosing naturally. Basically, being a triathlete naturally created the chemistry needed to give me a double dose of endorphins. I had noticed when I had a huge training day or took off a week of training, I had experienced electric shock withdrawals like I was experiencing getting off of a heavy anti-depressants. With a series of MRI brain scans and testing, it was determined my Adderall was masking my fatigue and training for a long period of time had given me an extra dose endorphins. Not good. So, I was put on non-stimulants, Celexa and Provigil. It worked great! However, I had switched jobs and my newer insurance will not cover Provigil, and by the way, it will cost me $632 per month. So, now, I am back on Adderall. No tri training, but, the sudden drop in Celexa has given me the same senory distrubance or electric shocking throughout my body, like at the end of my triathlon career. Gnarly! Celexa withdrawals are not pleasant. I am not getting the other withdrawals stated in this blog. Primarily, electric shocks and sensitive hands. Today, and about 20mins before writing this, I had read about people slowing tapering down. I had took a half pill, and my electric shocks just started to fade a bit. OMG. This sucks! UPDATE: As I am previewing my message, my wife came in and talked to my doctor. I was not suppose to stop taking it, yet. GRRRR! He wants me to continue taking Celexa with Adderall for 20 days, then, a program will be made to stop taking Celexa gradually. I love being a pill popper! I am just kidding and I hope my boys don't have ADD. Its a constant struggle to find the best solution. UGH!
I am so glad I found this blog! I went off of celexa a little over 2 weeks ago. I wasn't even on a full dose, I was on 10 mg, cutting a 20mg tab in half. Was on it for a year and yes... same thing. No sex drive, felt very flat, no crying, no joy... I was ready to feel again. I went on Wellbutrin and just stopped taking the celexa. The Wellbutrin caused major anxiety, and I'm not one that has anxiety ever. So after being on Wellbutrin for not even a week, my Dr. recommended I just take nothing. That is when the restless leg thing started happening... and the inability to sleep. This has been going on for a week now and my body is physically exhausted. I've tried quite a few antidepressants and have had bad experiences with all of them. I never want to take another antidepressant in my life.
I have been posting periodically over the past five weeks about my experiences with Celexa. I have been celexa free for just over five weeks now. For the most part I feel like I have my life back. When this nightmare started, everyday was hellish. Over the first few weeks I started to have moments where I felt like I could cope and new I would get through this. Then it turned into a good day here and there with mostly crappy feeling days. This slowly turned into mostly good days with a bad one here and there. Now I would classify my days as all good with a bad moment here and there. My bad moments now consist of very faint facial flushing, and a very faint upset stomach. These symptoms are still annoying, but I can ignore them for the most part because I know in another week or so I will be symptom free again, and completely back to my normal, happy self.
During my darkest days through this, I would comb these forums looking for a withdrawal success story. I needed hope and encouragement that there really was a happy ending to this nightmare. I now know that I have almost made it through this and that I will make it completely through this. Maybe my posts will encourage and give hope to someone else. I will keep posting until I am completely withdrawal symptom free. If anyone wants to email me, please feel free; northwest_angel@hotmail.com
For those of you just starting this journey, hang in there, it really does get better, and it is so worth it.
I have been on SSRI for fourteen years. Been on Celexa for three. Gained a lot of weight and just felt it was the right time to go off. My doctor helped me with tapering off. I was at 60mg...then took 40mg for two weeks, 20mg two weeks, 10mg two weeks, 5mg two weeks..took 2.5 for a few days and now have not taken anything since last Thursday...it is Monday. Dizzy, sweats, brain zaps. I don't like it but I will get through it! Looking into stuff that can help me with the symptoms. So far I have read that Vitamin E helps, Fish oil and Montmorency Cherry juice...I am going to try ALL of these. Will check in periodically. Thanks and good luck everyone.
Hello,found your blog a few moments ago.God send! I have been on Citalopram for 2 years.Dr. thought it would help with anxiety. I tried to quit cold turkey last year after 6 months on. Not a good idea. Thought I would lose my mind in the process. I researched a better approach of tapering from the original 40mg to 20mg for 4 weeks, then 10mg for 4 weeks and now zip..0 for the last 10 days. The brain zaps, nausea, headaches, nightmares,dizziness are sometimes unbelieveable. Thank you to everyone who has posted. I believe I can do this and make it through. You can too. I think I'll look into yoga and long walks. I'm hopful that in time (next week, fingers crossed)I will be back to me, or a little closer to her. Hang in there people, we can do it!-Stephanie K
Hi everyone,
I am feeling much better today. This is my 6th day off of Celexa.
I found some really interesting information about lessening the withdrawal symptoms. I took two benedryl last night (supposed to help with anxiousness, also bought some fish oil capsules and have been munching on Omega-3 snacks today, almonds and bananas. Also bought Montmorency dried Cherries, these are full of antioxidants and are supposed to help your mood?
I don't know if it is just the timing of it but I am feeling so much better today. My brain zaps have diminished almost completely?
I am so glad I tried it out.
I bought the Omega-3 Fatt Adics fish oil capsules at Trader Joe's.
The capsules contain 1200 mg with EPA and DHA. I was told from one article that EPA and DHA is the key. I am not a doctor, just someone who has been suffering the withdrawal symptoms, desperate to fnd a remedy without having to go back on the medication. It helped me so I can actually get some work done.
The oddest thing for me in reading these posts is that for the 2+ years that I've been on 30 mg of Celexa, I really felt that it was helping me. I mean it did enable me to bury a lot of my ptsd and depression.
through my own fault I lost my psychiatrist because I wasn't showing up for appts. My PCP gave me 2 months worth in order to get hooked up with a new one but one symptom of my illness is the inability to DO anything. I've completely isolated myself and I'm simply out of pills. I guess it's been about 2 weeks now. I noticed in the grocery store the other day that I just couldn't seem to THINK, like I almost broke down trying to organize a thought or make sense of what to purchase.
I treid to get a new psych last week to get a new script but was told that I would have to be seen by a therapist 'several' times before I could see a doc and my PCP won't give me a new script as she believes that I didn't do what I was supposed to do about getting help during that interim period.
I don't know what to do. I WANT to fix this by getting more pills and feel desperate.
Just read your post. It sounds like your doctor is punishing you instead of helping you. You should never go off of these medications suddenly!!!! I would find another doctor who can give you a script until you get situated. If needed, have the pharmacist print out your last prescription and bring it in with you to a hospital. Tell them the situation.
Sometimes when I couldn't get refills before the end of my celexa supply, I would go to the pharmacy and talk to the pharmacist. They would at least give me 5 pills (max) to get me through the withdrawals...they understand how painful and horrible they can be.
Celexa helped me a lot too and got me through some TOUGH stuff. I don't know what I would have done without it. I am still taking Wellbutrin so I am not completely off of medication for depression. Just going off of Celexa.
Be an advocate for yourself. You will be okay.
followup post from Oct 19th...
Another week down - brain fuzzies have diminished to just showing up in the afternoon, and not really bad. Way, way happier. Still have some general body pains and a bit short tempered.
On the fish oil - think there is something to that - give it a try.
Definitely have more energy off the citalopram - realizing I was dragging ass really bad in the morning. I now am up before 6 and actually ready to get things done.
I have to agree with PTSD guy - Celexa/Citalopram got me through a period where I couldn't seem to function due to anxiety - siting thru a 30 minute meeting was like being dropped in a shark tank...GET ME THE HELL OUT OF HERE and FAST...cycling thru my brain at a 1000 miles an hour. During the use, seemed like magic how those thoughts just weren't there anymore. Now I realize there were some major parts of me that were also not there anymore - sex drive, energy, mental focus, eye sight, and a fair amount of my passion for things.
Glad it was there when I needed it, and much happier that I'm off it - so hang in there folks.
cheers.
Thank heaven I found this post. I have been on Celexa 80 mg for about 10 years and recently decided to go off it because of the problems I've been having getting my new insurance company to cover it (dosage too high) and my new doctor being reluctant to prescribe it (same reason). After researching why the FDA is mandating a reduction of the max dose from 60 mg to 40 mg, I decided that many of my problems during my ongoing illnesses (being treated for Lymes of 16 years and a skin parasite that no doctor will admit exists in this country, River Blindness) have been attributable to the Celexa, including a magnesium and potassium deficiency. So when I finally was able to get my prescription filled, I took my usual dose (after being off it for a few days) only to experience severe palpitations for a day and a half. At this point I went cold turkey and it has been about 3 weeks now. The drug is out of my system but I have gone through just about every symptom you listed, with what I call the "brain squinches" (imagine someone grabbing a handful of your brain and squeezing it like a rubber ball) being the worst, accompanied by vertigo. Right now I am experiencing anger and suicidal ideation because I am so frustrated with it all. Add to that the fact that people around me, for the most part, just dont' know what the hell I'm going through and try to sound sympathetic but are happy to go back to their jolly little lives after talking to me on the phone, never coming to visit, and then giving me lame-ass advice about how to feel better. By nature I'm a very calm person but, as you can see, the mood can change quickly and without warning because my nervous system no longer has its mediating drugs in it.
For anyone who is about one week into their withdrawal, take this post as a warning--the worst part is after the drug is gone. You have to hang in there, like I'm trying to do, but you will experience symptoms that will drive you batty. Just keep telling yourself that it's only the withdrawal symptoms. My doctor didn't do me any favors putting me on such a high dose, but at the time I needed it. Now the withdrawal is bad because of the high dosage but it will finally end. Even if you get into the "life is so bad I just want it all to end" place, where I am now, don't give it up. Keep slogging through it. It'll end eventually. I guess.
I was on 60mg of Celexa too. My doctor upped my dose after I went to get a birth control shot and just freaked out...I was crying all the time etc. I felt normal after about three months (the time it took for the birth control to get out of my system.
Okay back to the withdrawals...the first two days I was on Fish Oil, it really helped but now I feel like I am back to square 1 again with the brain zaps, hot flashes. SOOOOOO angry too. I have a very short fuse. Everything is pissing me off. Still taking Wellbutrin but need to figure out other ways to deal with this anger. Going for walks in the afternoon and trying to relax. .very difficult to concentrate too. My head is in a fog. I want to take Celexa but I will not allow myself because I have already gone 8 days and I will be experiencing this regardless of how slow I taper off... I am so glad I have your guys to talk too. No one else understands what I am going through.
Great post, wish I had found it a long time ago. As somebody who has been through this and continues to suffer, I know first-hand all the things you're talking about. My own experiences with citalopram can be found by clicking on my name...this drug is horrific to come off of for so many people.
Thank you so much for this post. By far, the best information I found on the web. When my withdrawal symptoms hit, I had no idea what was going on. I thought I was just having another migraine since I suffer many a month, the worse migraine of my life. I had gone cold turkey from 20 mg. Once I realized what was going on, I took 10 mg, which helped for a few hours and now back to the tingly headache I am afraid will progress into full blown migraine and body aches. This gives me hope. Today I am looking into any herbal remedies of teas that may help. I will post what I discover here! By the way...weight is shedding off me like snake skin.
Day 13 off of Celexa and I feel almost 100%. Still irritable (a little). Headaches sometimes still. Hot flashes are almost non existant, have not had a head shock today and it is already 10am! These were bad for me the first 10 days...constant. Was very nauseous and dizzy over the weekend. (Day 10 & 11)
I can't believe I am free of Celexa. Feel great..libido is back too which is a big plus. Hoping to now start losing weight..
I had my fiancee hide my celexa over the weekend so I was not tempted to take a pill just to alleviate the symptoms. I am really glad he did because I would have been back to square 1 and feeling like failure..I recommend it if you trust the person. I am very happy. I am here if anyone wants to talk..I may have more symptoms in the future but today is a good day.
So glad this blog post and all the replies are still going. Was frantically looking on line to try to get my Celexa - it is hard to get with no health insurance and no money for the doctor. Saw this site and decided to get off instead. Am at 5mg about every 7 days. I have gone off before (unintentionally) and had a horrible experience that I did not understand til much later. Thanks all for being here.
Brain shocks also come in the afternoon more for me. I also feel like I have a cold. Two weeks I have been off. Hang in there you guys (Ed you are doing great!)
Thank you for this. I almost cried just reading it. I've been off of celexa for about a week and cant get my prescription renewed until I see the dr again. Of course I have to wait 5 more days before I can see her. I too have gained weight since taking this medication but I never attributed it to the pill. I used to exercise all the time, like a fiend, and I can't get motivated anymore. I always feel better after I go but getting there is a process and it never was before. On the other hand, this is the first time I've held a job where people say I'm pleasant and easy to work with. The anger and depression was ruining my life and relationships. I haven't shed a tear in over a year and I used to cry almost daily. Now I'm going through pauses in brain activity (only way i can describe it) like dizzy jolts all day long. I never thought I was addicted to it because I don't feel different when I'm on it, but boy do I feel it when I'm off. Like all the things I've been supressing are rising to the top all at once. Scary. There's got to be some sort of healthy alternative. perhaps it really is just meditationg EVERY DAY! Just like I took the pill every day, it might be a necessary part of living a normal existence. Thank you again for sharing your story. Namaste.
I have posted periodically over the past 7 weeks. I would say that I am now about 97% back to myself....I will keep you posted.
During the past two months I have read and reread through these forums. One of the common themes seems to be that the doctors and pharmacists for the most part do not have a realistic understanding of how severe and debilitating the withdrawals of this drug are for so many. Nor do they seem to understand how long withdrawals can last. Now I also understand that the doctors are trusting that the studies being done by the pharmacuedical companies are accurate. I don't know if the withdrawal information was down played or deliberatly kept from doctors by these pharm. companies. At this point I think it's a done deal. But, we as consumers with real life experiences can report our stories to the FDA. If enough people report the hellacious withdrawal effects, the FDA will eventually get involved and maybe regulate the use of this drug a little better. Doctors and Pharmacists could also be more informed as to the true nature of the drug. The Pharm companies aren't going to report these very negative effects, SSRI's are a multi-billion dollar a year business. But everyday people who have been blindsided and had their lives affected by this drug, can report this to the FDA. Your doctors and pharmacists can also report these things to the FDA. Change is more likely if people report their stories. This can all be done online at this site; https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/medwatch-online.htm
If you have questions for me, you can contact me at northwest_angel@hotmail.com
After reading all this valuable input, I feel that I too should post my Celexa withdrawal effects:
Male, 47, 170, Athlete: Excl Diet and excercise.
Celexa 30mg
I reduced down to 20mg for a week.
Week 2 to cut it to 10mg.
Week 3 split the pill to a 5mg.
I am currently on day four with NO Celexa.
The first couple days were not great sleep days, but fortunate for my schedule I could sleep in.
Day 3, I got out of bed feeling like a had a horrible flu. Every muscle, every joint, just ouch! I took a few ibuprofen through the day and got through, though the pain was still certainly there. The odd thing was the absolute flu "painful body" mimic, only there were no other symptoms. Also, I should mention, my forearm muscles hurt a bit more than the rest and as a resultI can hardly write with a pen. Carrying on as I write here, is not so easy either!
Day 4, Same symptoms as yesterday, if not a little worse. Again, it's weird feeling fine, but with a body that feels as the painful flu like symptoms. Btw, I put off taking pain meds for the first few hours of the day just so that I can feel where I am a base. Maybe also worthy of mention, I haven't experienced headaches through any point of my withdrawal, though I'm not prone to headaches.
That's all for now, I'll check back in as I go.
Rob S.
san diego annonymous....
thanks for the posts, very helpful. Been taking celexa for one year, started at 10 mg. but my blood pressure fell too much. so i took 5 mg for anxiety and stress. During this past year I lost 6 friends and family. I got through very well thanks to the celexa.Trying to get off of it, I took 2 1/2 miligrams for one week and then every othr day. Now i feel the dizziness and crying. I think i am greiving for all the losses I had. It feels like I nevered grieved. The most side affect is the abdominal pain in my upper left quadrant. It feels like spasms. They come and go, very uncomfortable, anyone have these ?
I have been posting here periodically over the past couple of months, and I am happy to report that after 8 weeks I am finally symptom free! It was a long, rough, haul, but I did make it through and so will you. This nightmare does end, so hang in there. Some things that worked for me were; I stopped taking ALL medication, because it all has negative side effects to some degree or other, absolutely no caffeine anymore or any other kind of stimulant, and I am exercising more and eating healthier. My initial anxiety was caused by an antihistamine that I had been taking for a few years for allergies. Come to find out, I have a sensitivity to cow’s milk. Everything that you put into your body has an effect, be it good or bad. Be good to your body and you will have a healthier body. If anyone has questions, comments, or just needs a source of support while going through this nightmare feel free to email me; northwest_angel@hotmail.com
-Rochelle
Reading these posts have been a Godsend. I am currently on Day 8 of quitting cold turkey my 30mg daily/11 year Celexa (Citalopram)regimen. The physical pain is so bad that I have felt like going to the hospital or just curling up and dying. My hands, wrists, elbows, back and neck are alternating between tingly numb and shooting pains. I have had a nonstop headache the entire time. My doctor never suggested weaning myself off and now I feel I've gone too far to try that now. I don't ever want to take another Celexa because I do not want to drag out the withdrawl further than I have to. I just pray that I am strong enough to get through this.
Wow I am so glad I found this blog. I have been on Celexa (citalopram) for over a year. All of a sudden I too feel like a 'shell of myself', I lost motivation, I was sleeping all the time, and I am beyond frustrated with the 20lbs I have gained. Doc is adding wellbutrin to my routine, with the plan being to wean off celexa. I am glad to hear about other peoples struggles and successes. Thank you for the blog.
This is so wonderful. I am in exactly the same boat. It is eerie.
Thank you.
Thank you. This is exactly what is happening to me. Eerie.
All I can say is "thank you, thank you". I went off Celexa 6 days ago (10 mg) and wondered why I was waking up yelling from bad dreams, having dizzy spells, nausea and brief headaches. I felt like I wanted to yell for no reason. Now I understand - everything you described made perfect sense. So good to know I am not along and looking forward to the return of my sex drive :).
Initially when I read this board, I was off of Celexa (completely) for about four days. It was hell and I read that some people experience the horrific symptoms for more than two months! I thought there was no way I could go through it for two months let alone another week. My symptoms ended up lasting for the most part, three weeks. I am not saying this will happen to everyone but I would try to see if you can do it. I was on SSRI for more than 15 years and my doctor warned me it could take three months or more for my body to adjust. My weight is still an issue but I have a lot more energy, and great sex drive. It has been a month now and my doctor said that my body would start adjusting to the lack of Celexa (meaning I could start actually losing weight)...it has been difficult though. I feel happier overall. Like I said before, this is not a representation of how it will be for everyone but don't let a timeline stop you from going off of Celexa. Celexa was a great thing for me when I needed it and I would never tell anyone not to go off of it unless they made the decision to with their doctor. Thoughts and good wishes to all.
follow up to my post back in october. Now off Citalopram for about 5 weeks or so. Brain sparks are a fleeting memory now - they come and go but so fleeting by the time I realize it's happening it's over - NICE! Working on the irritability and the bouts of anxiety I experienced in weeks 3 and 4 is now gone. Hang in there folks - it can be nice on the other side.
Thanks everyone for the support.
- Sam
I am trying to come off celexa so i can get pregnant! I see all those birth defect commercials and get scared that will happen to me. The dizziness is the absolute worst I find cannabis to be a great alternative and it helps with the withdrawal symtoms!
Hello to everyone who continues to post and encourage everyone else...you are all heroic. Tammy, if you still read these, would you let us know how you are doing these days? I notice that your original post is nearly two and a half years old...how are you right now? I would love to know. I think that your candor has helped so many people, and I want to share my experience too.
My name is Addie and I stated taking celexa for anxiety back in 2009; it did help me quite a bit, and in May of 2010 I stopped (20mg) cold turkey because I felt so much better. I didn't talk to my doctor first, and did have a lot of the withdrawal symptoms mentioned here. I didn't realize that is what I was experiencing and ending up going back on celexa at the end of June 2010.
This time, though, the celexa didn't work like it had before; instead, I felt even worse. I was so expectant and I just continued to feel yucky, crying and having jitters and some panic attacks. At long last I have come to my senses and decided to stop taking this drug; I have been tapering this time, which has helped enormously, but not completely stopped the withdrawal rebound anxiety. I just keep on reading these posts and understanding that I will feel better, and that I am strong enough to do this. That's the scariest part...feeling like you are not going to be strong enough. But you are, we all are. It's just a hard row to hoe during the process. Please don't be discouraged by other people's negative experiences!! Your own is what you should go on; trust your gut instinct. You are not going crazy and going to die, no matter how crappy you feel in the meantime. I know it's hard, because I have been there just like all of you. I wish we could all sit down and have dinner and discuss this, and I wish that more people would be willing to talk about their withdrawal experience, so that doctors will finally realize they need to be more informative to patients. It's simply wrong to allow people to feel so bad and then, even worse, to make them feel as though it is not normal to experience withdrawal. That is total BS! Withdrawal is tough at the best of times, horrific at the worst, and SO MANY people experience it. I talked to my pharmacist, and he said that he went through hell (in so many words) coming off of prozac a few years ago, and he is much more sympathetic to those who are suffering withdrawal.
Bottom line: find out info for yourself, keep your chin up, and know that you will feel better. The rainbow at the end of the tunnel is there. :) It is all right. And you are not alone. And one last time, Tammy, how are you these days? Thank you again for taking the time that May afteroon to help so many people out. :)
I was on celexa for 3 or 4 years, 20mg for the first two years and cut back to 10 mg for the last year. I just quit cold turkey,last week. First off I will say the effects of being on Celexa about ruined my marriage. I had little or no emotion for my wife, and didn't care about consequences of my actions with another woman, not that I could have done anything sexually anyway. So i decided to stop the Celexa... The only experiences I've encountered so far is brain zaps, dizziness and feel like crying but I never let anyone see that. Sex drive has returned(just for my wife)by the way! Xanax seems to help a little at the worst of times.
I wished i had never been on Celexa, as I have done things I know I wouldn't have otherwise, it made it so I just didn't care.....
This thread has helped me a lot and I thank you all. About a month ago I started tapering my dosage in order to wean myself from the drug after 7 years use (generic celexa 20mg. a day). I did alt days 20/10 for 2 wks., then alt days 10/0 for abt. a week and a half then halted totally. I am on day 5 of nothing now. Dizziness,"brain-washes", vivid dreams, abdominal excitement and minor hallucinations are my penance. I realize these will pass in time and my only fear is that the anxiety (born in '68 and never felt the anxiety until 2001) will return. Anyone tried hypnosis to find the root of their anxiety? I'm thinking of trying this because I can't help but think it can't ALL be brain chemicals.
I am on my 4 th day off celexa after tapering from 40 mg over the last 5 weeks. I took 40 mgs for 10 years to help with depression and anxiety, out of control after 9/11. Celexa has helped me raise my kids with a calmness and steadiness I could not have managed. The withdrawal symptoms discussed sound like some of the reasons we started this medicine. I don't want to refuse medication if I need it. What do you think
Hi, I absolutely understand your fears about going off of Celexa. We all took it for different reasons. It is possible you could experience anxiety while going off of the medication. It is hard to tell if your anxiety is due to the withdrawal or because you NEED the medication. My worst fear was that all of my depression and anxiety would come back. This didn't happen but if it does, you just go back on it. Make sure to talk to your doctor about it. I had a doctor that was very supportive and held nothing back. Please note, I am still on Wellbutrin which is an antidpressant and something I was taking along with Celexa. Everyone is different and I wish you the best of luck. You are also not a failure if you have to go back on Celexa or any other antidepressant.
Ive been totally off celxa sence 12/2 and I find myself so angry I could scream at the top of my lungs an never never stop,I hope this passes soon or I'm going to be in serious trouble.I just hope I can hang in there and keep my mouth shut.
Susan
Quick question...not about Celexa, but if anyone out there is on Effexor, has it affected your monthly cycle at all?
Thank you for your posts. Each of you have given me comfort. My family doctor put me on Celexa 4 yrs. ago for "hot flashes" (I am 58 yrs. old). 80 MG, yes 80 MG. every day I literally overdosed myself. Two weeks ago I quit cold turkey and am having withdrawals that are horrible. But I am a believer in Christ and HIM crucified and HE said, "I will never leave nor foresake you" and to this I am holding on. It is HORRIBLE and no one should have to go through these withdrawals. I totally trusted my family doctor until I realized I had lost myself to this drug. I have had every symptom described in the posts of others. GOD bless each of you and I pray you are doing well.
STARTED on 10mg last year after I found out my wife had advanced cancer.Was uncontrollably sad and crying at work so it seemed to be a good fit....three weeks ago cut the dose to 5 mg for two weeks then started skipping days........havent taken any for two and a half miserable days.Its tough now but I m going to stick with it.Nightmares and the famous brain zaps with a good dose of frustration and The why me to God internal dialogue.More mental than cigarettes but not quite as bad as heroin.I really feel for everyone here!We can beat this together.The support and info on this site are truly amazing.The wonder drug isnt so wonderful now but it did get me over a bad time so now its payback time.All a small price to have our conciseness back.......Good luck to all and to all a good night!
Thank you so much for putting together your withdrawl symptoms and findings! I stopped last week with citalopram after being on 20mg for a year, 10 mg for about 4 months and then tapering off to 5mg and then none as of last Sunday.
I would like to share my symptoms if it would help someone else, as i just called my pharmacist today saying "What is wrong with me?!"
- I have experienced 'shaking' vision, several times a day, when i look off in the distance, the things ahead of me shake right and left very quickly for 2-3 seconds. i am left feeling disoriented and like i want to fall on the floor and lie there. i am curious if i will get the 'light bulb flashing' that others have described, i wonder what it feels like.
- find it difficult or sickening to look side to side at things next to me. would rather turn my head so i'm looking straight at it.
- have felt sick to my stomach (thought it was my sinuses or flu, now i'm sure its the withdrawl) and VERY tired. vertigo like symptoms
- very vivid dreams
- just today i had 2 spells of ear ringing. hope that doesn't continue.
i am going to hang in there, exercise, drink lots of water and give this a few more weeks to pass. fingers crossed. i am definitely DONE with my situational depression and ready to move on with my life. have to tell myself this dizziness & shaking vision is nothing compared to what i got through!
Day 6 of zero mgs here and it feels like I ve got the flue so tylenol is my new middle name.Seems to help with the sleep muscle\headaches.I m not giving up and ready to go for a month or more just to get back my nonzombie self.This site has been of great help,so thank you all and God bless with the newfound religion .Regards Blue.
Day 7 and not much better,woke up feeling good but as the day wore on It just feels like the people around me are such jerks,making me realize that may be this is the reason I ended up on this junk in the first place! This time its the jerks that ll go not m on the junk again.Guess you start to realize at a certain point who your real friends are!the ones that help and ask nothing in return instead of always complicating and hurting when you most need simplicity.We ll soon see who they are and if they really need to be around!
Great link; thanks for letting me know I don't have some weird brain dysfunction!
I took Celexa for 2 yrs, 10mg/daily. No longer depressed, so decided to stop. But then I felt dizzy all the time, crying often, sometimes with joy, he he. Took 5mg today, will continue to stop slowly. Thanks all!
Day 9 for blue collar guy.........I dont seem to be able to get my handle up so I just thought I d mention that...Not too bad today but as I say this I m knocking on wood as I find that its like riding the roller coaster with up down crashes galore.Couldnt sleep last nite till 4 am,got up at 8 back to bed at noon,up at 2.Still getting zaps,sweats.Libido returning,not sure thats a good thing but hey at least I m an animal right?LOL I was thinking about going on another srri called cymbalta but goggled it and low and behold the withdrawal sounds even worse!So before we start anything new goggle the drug name followed by withdrawal.Buyer beware and be your own Doctor.Take Responsibility!Love, the Blue Collar Guy
Thought I'd make a general post about my experiences with anxiety and SSRIs:
I started Paxil (10mg then 20mg) and therapy about 10 years ago for panic disorder, intense agoraphobia, social anxiety. My anxiety was devastating, crippling. I'm a very emotional person....an artist with the classic 'difficult' artistic temperament. I get suicidal, i started cutting myself at age 14, messed around with drugs in undergraduate years and have the tendency to drink too much. One psych suggested I might be bipolar but my therapists disagreed. I also disagree, but no doubt I feel a wild roller coaster of emotions by the minute, hour or day. I'm tired of mental 'disorders' and have begun to think of it as temperaments.
My Paxil side effects were brain zaps, sleeping a lot, and little interest in sex/inability to orgasm. Several people noted I had less of a personality (and suggested this was not a good thing). Over the years I've decreased the Paxil slowly, by cutting the pills in quarters and even 1/8ths. I'll decrease by an 1/8th and experience increased anxiety for about two weeks. Then I feel 'normal'.
I have been on less than an 1/8th of 10mg of Paxil, taken every third day for a year or so. I started grad school last semester and my anxiety has been very challenging to the point of making me feel crazy, and with insomnia (not a new problem). I started the lowest dose of Klonopin, one or a half of one pill every night and it has helped some but I decided to try going on Celexa over the holiday break since my Psych said the side effects would be less than Paxil and Klonopin hasn't been totally satisfactory in reducing overall anxiety despite working for insomnia or panic.
Knowing how strongly these things affect me I started on 2.5mg/day. I have had all the side effects of going off of it, but after a couple weeks it mellowed out and I felt less anxious and less volatile than pre-Celexa. Crazy emotions not so crazy. A relief for me. Upped the dose to 5mg and symptoms are back-- vertigo, loss of appetite, insomnia, increased anxiety. Ive had to take extra Klonopin and Xanax to sleep at night...not exactly the thing I was looking to do but it is temporary. After reading all these posts I think I'll go back down to 2.5mg and see how I do on that this next semester. I'd love to be free of all medications but I believe they've helped me to do the things I want to do in my life rather than be cooped up in my studio too afraid to pick up the phone or go eat in a restaurant.
I love therapy, have done CBT and other types. Therapy helps me mnage. But I still have massive anxiety. At age 40 I figure it's just going to be there for the rest of my life. I've been this way since high school. We can't help the temperaments with which we were born. Mine is a frequent torture to me but also enables me to be a great artist.
Hang in there, and wishing the best of luck to everyone going off SSRIs...and kudos to us all for weathering the storms of life!
I honestly had no idea this medication would have such a negative impact on me. It seems that it took control over my life, making me wish I had never agreed to take this.
The past few days have been dreadful, I tried to celebrate new years with a girl with who I was talking to but I couldn't express myself when it mattered. I have been an emotional wreck, which is rare for me because prior to taking this I felt bad and good and the same time, now i feel like a zombie 90% of the time.
I am going to talk to my doctor and look for other possible alternatives that may allow for me to live a life I miss, rather than one I dread.
I would also like to add appettite loss while taking this, I am down 15 lb. in the past two weeks and cannot manage to keep anything down
Hi everyone,I am on Day 4 of stopping Celexa after a taper, I am still struggling a lot with constant lethargy, lack of concentration, and kind of a zoned out zombie like feeling. I also have a really stuffy nose, sore throat, lack of balance (dizzy). Did you experience this early in your withdrawal? These are the things that bother me the most because they limit my ability to function well. When did you find that the 'flatness' of you emotions stopped and you became motivated again?
I am also grateful that I found this site. It helps to just get it out of your head and now I can track any changes from day to day. I would encourage other people to do the same.
I am so insanely happy and grateful that I read this. I've been trying to taper myself off of celexa for a while now. My experience with it is exactly like yours: I was steady and life was easy, but I missed my self--all of the good and bad things that I was before the medication. I lost my passion, too. Life is moving very fast around me and I'm standing still sort of not caring about it. And thank you for the bit about writing. I used to write passionately all the time. It was a meditative and spiritual ritual. I never write anymore. I miss my self. Anyway, your post has given me hope. How deeply I am breathing right now, just thinking about how fantastic it will feel to FEEL again. Thank you. And Namaste!
Caitlin
Hello Everyone!
I'm happy to know we all are going through the same thing, yet sad that we have to go through it at all!
I was put on antidepressants over a year ago for post-pardon depression, originally, then my Doctor decided that I had other anxiety/depression issues from before I was pregnant, so after I was done breastfeeding, she put me on Celexa. Just like most of us, I had zero sex drive or even thoughts about it, and felt like a shell of myself...no motivation to do the things I once enjoyed and just floating through life.
I had started college in 2009 for my Associates in Broadcasting...after working at a radio station, I realized this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I was a straight A student, putting in extra time and effort because I loved it so much.
I took a leave of absence after I became pregnant, then after my daughter was born, my irritability, anger, anxiety, etc seemed to come out of nowhere, and I had to do something about it so I could take care of my newborn baby. That's when my doctor put me on Zoloft (sertraline). It was the only antidepressant that I could take while breastfeeding without it harming the baby.
I tried to get off of that, by weaning just as the doc said, and I almost lost my mind. I couldn't focus on anything, all I could do was drive around, wondering where the hell I was going or doing.
That's when the doc put me on Celexa. I felt better almost immediately, so I figured that I had to be on them for the rest of my life. I weaned and then stopped taking Celexa about 9 days ago. The crying, the head 'zaps', the nausea, the dizziness, the anxiety...as we all know, the list goes on...but, like a lot of you have experienced, my sex drive came back immediately and my drive to finish my degree and have the career I dreamed about, is all coming back. I actually almost dropped out of school because of my lack of enthusiasm, questioning myself, having self-doubts about everything. And I NEVER thought those things until I was put on antidepressants! That's when I knew it was time to get off of them before I lost myself, and regretted it for the rest of my life.
Even though we are going through these horrible withdrawals, I hope and pray you all feel what I feel: between the withdrawal symptoms, there's that feeling that normality is just within reach; the light at the end of this dark tunnel is getting bigger. :-)
Hello Everyone!
It gives me great relief that we are all going through this together, yet so sad that we all have to go through it at all!
I swear the design of this drug is for you to stay on it for the rest of your life…the withdrawals are so awful, that it's extremely tempting to stay on them.
I started working at a radio station doing voice-overs and soundboard-op, when it dawned on me…"THIS is me!" I was so excited about FINALLY realizing my call in life, I started going to college in 2009 for my Associates Degree in Broadcasting…I became pregnant, then took a leave of absence.
Shortly after my daughter was born, I was put on antidepressants for postpartum depression. I was anxious, depressed, angry, you name it, and I had to do something about it so I could take care of my newborn baby. So my doctor put me on Zoloft (sertraline). She said she wanted to put me on Celexa (citalopram), but because I was breastfeeding, she could not. (According to my doc, Celexa goes through the breast milk and can harm the baby). Once I was done breastfeeding, I decided to try to get off of it. I weaned down, just like the doc said, and I thought I was losing my mind…all I could do was drive around wondering what the hell I was doing or where I was going. My doctor decided that I had other anxiety/depression issues before the pregnancy, so I was put on Celexa at that point.
I lost all motivation for everything, especially the thing I had the most passion for…radio. This drug has caused me to have self-doubt and anxiety, wondering why I'm even doing it. I almost dropped out of college because of it…I was a straight A student, pulling in extra hours and work…after being put on Celexa, I ended up being a D student, with that "who cares"? mentality…I NEVER thought that way before I got on antidepressants! Just like how most of you feel…a shell of myself; alive, but not really living.
I've been off of Celexa for 9 days now, and the withdrawals are terrible, just as you all know…the crying, the roller-coaster emotions, the dizziness, the anxiety, the brain 'zaps', the nausea…I personally vomit during the worst nausea stages…and hardly able to function on a day-to-day basis.
What I'm learning, and am firmly believing, is that we are all human, and we shouldn't feel bad for being eccentric…emotional or otherwise…and NOBODY has the right to tell us any different...If it wasn't for us 'weirdos', this world would be a very boring, and lifeless place!
So keep on, we WILL get through this…much love to you all :-)
I had been taking celexa for about 8 years. I have been tapering off of this drug for 6 months and completely stopped taking it 3 weeks ago. I went from 20mg to 10mg, 10mg everyday to 10mg every other day, 5mg every day to 5mg every other day, and then 5mg every 3-4 days to 0. I was fine the first week off celexa but I have been experiencing anxiety, insomnia and feeling like I am unable to breathe through my nose although I have no congestion. This has been going on for the last two weeks. I don't know if I am having sinus problems or if this is all in my mind. I begin to panic when I feel unable to breathe. Sinus medicine doesn't really seem to help. I am becoming an emotional wreck. I am trying to stay calm but the anxiety and lack of sleep are getting to me. I heard that Valerian Root was good for anxiety and would help you sleep. I took it last night and was able to relax and sleep for about 4 hours. I took the same amount tonight but it does not seem to be working. I am scheduled to go on a cruise in a week with my boyfriend and I am scared to death that I will not be in shape to go and that I might have a panic attack(s) on the ship. I don't know what to do. I don't want to go back on celexa and have to start over again with the withdrawal. I am glad I found this post and know that others have experienced these horrible withdrawal symptoms and to know that it does get better. I just wish I knew how long it was going to last.
Thank you everyone for your comments. It helps to know that you are not alone in the struggle. I'm at the peak now. i was on 40 mg of celexa a day and about 1.5 to 2mg of xanax a day for pannic attacks and depression. i stopped the celexa cold turkey but am trying to ween myself off of the xanax. it is very overwelming and scary to deal with. it is affecting my job, my time with my son wich is most important to me. and just my overall emotions. i'm crying, having panic attacks, i can't eat or sleep. and when i force myself i am extremely nausuas after and usually leads to throwing up. It is very hard but i want my old self back. i am at the worst point now i'm only on day 3 of no celexa and cutting down my xaxax. this was very helpfull for me and helps me with my drive to stop overall. i thank everyone for sharing and the withdrawel symptoms were an awesome help to me.i thought i was alone. no one understands what i am going through and it is very hard. i hope all will get better and i can be my old self again :) thanks all for sharing
This article just made me feel a lot better thank you
Hi there!
Like many others, this blog really helps. I've had issues with depression since I was young, and anxiety since I was around 17 (I'm 21 now). But it was never extreme, I always dealt with it myself. Even when my mom died a year ago, my faith is what got me through it. I was always completely against antidepressants, and had never taken a pill in my life, only homeopathic/liquid medicine/Children's Chewable Advils if I had a bad headache/cramps.
A few months ago, an incident triggered my anxiety again and I was having difficulty getting over it and focusing on school and such. I went to my doctor, who suggested I take Celexa. I flat out refused. Family and friends, however, encouraged me to take it, saying it would help me get my life back to normal, and was only a temporary thing. I still did not like the idea of doing it, but after an argument with my brother which left me raging, I felt my emotions were unreasonably out of control. So I decided to try the drugs route.
I started in November, on 5 mgs. I did eventually start feeling better, but I honestly think that was more just because of the time that had passed since the incident, not Celexa. I told the doctor this, who said I should continue taking 5 mgs for a couple more months then ween off it.
One thing I did notice was I was growing more and more irritated. If it was around the time for me to take the pill and I hadn't, and people were tlaking to me, I'd get so annoyed and want to just walk out of the room... even if they were just having friendly conversation.
A few weeks ago, I went to the doctor and told her that I wasn't really noticing any improvements due to the Celexa. She suggested I increase the dose. So for 3 days I took 10 mg. I felt okay those days... still anxious and depressed, but not as much as usual I guess. Then, on the third night, I think I started getting mild hallucinations? I basically saw a couple of crumbs and was convinced they were moving and were tiny little bugs (there was no wind or anything like that). A few moments later, when I looked at them again,I realized they were just crumbs. This left me distraught and I stopped taking Celexa completely for 4 days. Since hallucinations are an extremely rare side effect of the drug, nobody really believed me and told me to just start taking the drugs again because it was bad to quit cold turkey.
So after 4 days I started with 5mgs again. I eventually went to the doctor who was upset that I did stop for the few days, and told me that taking the 5 mgs was fine for now, and to come see her in another month to see where I was at.
So I started... but I was just upset about the whole thing. I feel very apathetic when I'm on the drugs... my boyfriend proposed to me and I knew deep down I was so happy, but I honestly just felt nothing when he did it. I feel dull, can't concentrate, depressed, angry, etc.
Then yesterday in class I watched the documentary Selling Sickness, and it was like I was jolted back to myself for the first time since I started Celexa. I realized, why am I doing this to myself? I've always been against these drugs and now I'm LETTING myself be destroyed by them.
(continued from last post)
I've had practically no benefits from taking Celexa. So I'm on my second day now of just stopping cold turkey. I feel very irritated and annoyed... today I was extremely tired and had trouble estaying awake all day even though I got a full nights rest. I also feel sligthtly nauseous at times.
I know it's bad to stop cold turkey, but I'm going on vacation next week and I do NOT want to be taking Celexa there, and do not want to be dealing with weening off, etc. Just wishful thinking that the irritability will calm down the next few days and I'll be fine on vacation, although I will take Celexa with me just in case of an emergency.
I know I should talk to my doctor but I know shes just going to convince me to continue taking it and lowering the doses, etc. I'm just really upset that I got started on Celexa in the first place. The doctor barely listened to me...just heard anxiety and automatically prescribed it.
Anyway, nobody really believes me and thinks I'm making all these symptoms up, because they think there is no way 5mgs could have had an enough of an effect on me to do that.
It's been really difficult, and I've only been on it for 3 months...I can't imagine how everyone who has been taking it for years is doing it.
I hope you are all able to feel better and just start feeling again in general soon. Good luck to you all! I hope to never again have to take an antidepressant.
Thank you so much for all of you helping me make it through a very dark night. Celexa about 8 years. then gut lupus-stay on the lexapro, oops parkinson's too, know you have to give up half your lexapro so we can add other chemicals to help your medicated life. Today was the pit, Maybe tomorrow will look uo, if I can get past all the withdrawals. Thank you again.
OMG!!! My 17 year old sons doctor prescribed Celexa for his depression but we haven't started it and after reading the posts on here, I WILL NOT PUT HIM THRU THIS!! We will figure out something else. Thank you sooooo much for the info and I am sooooo glad I didn't start him on it!!
So thankful for this blog. I was hoping to find out what brain and body zaps were. I will be tappering off of 20mg of celexa and wondered what that will feel like. I already have sensory seizures from having had brain surgery. I appreciate any information. You can email me if you would like at dleb0818@comcast.net
Thanks so very much
Donna
I have 3 days left of the 20 mg celexa. I told my physician assistant that I needed to get off of this medication because of how it was making me feel. She called me back and said that the Dr. would cut the 20mg in half and then from 10mg into half. I asked her if I could cut back slowly by 1/4's and she acted like I was challanging her. I told her that I had read that I had read from many other peoples experiences and that they said that it would be easier on someone to come off of the celexa in smaller dossages. She asked where did I here that. And then she said that she couldnt beleive that I would not take the dr.s advise instead of people who have actually been through the withdrawl side effects. She was appauld. She said that she would put my chart back in front of the dr. and then she would call me back once she made her decision. Talk about someone thinkg they know your body better then you!I told her that if I knew now the ramiffications that I might be experiencing because of taking this drug I would have never taken it in the first place.
Thanks for listening. Just had to vent.
Donna
PS Still any info on the brain and body zaps greatly appreciated.
thank you so much i thought it was just me w no feelings on this med, i ran out and decided to go off it. I dont normaly cry but ma this is something new. thank you
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I was just about to give up on myself until I started reading all these experiences! Wow! I feel relieved to hear what I am going through is normal. I also feel dissapointed because my pyscologist told me my sides effects would last no more than a couple of days. How can a professional not know?
Thank you everyone for inspiring me to hang on! Xoxo
Hi,
I am so happy to have found you all. I have been on 40 mg of celexa for about seven years now and I no longer need it. I need to come face to face with who I really am and for me to do that, I want to be medication free. Added to the celexa mix a few years ago was Wellbutrin, so while I stop the celexa, I will at least have the Wellbutrin to make the shock sto my system easier. I made the decision to go cold turkey on the celexa for that reason alone. I have been off the drug now for almost two weeks. I have had the brain zaps, the dizziness, the very weird, disturbing dreams and trouble sleeping. Aside from that, I am feeling pretty good. I felt a little anxious the other day, but that soon passed. I am using meditation, affirmations and exercise as well. I have been really bad at drinking enough water, so I am going to concentrate more on doing that. From what I am reading, people are experiencing many of the same withdrawal symptoms, but to different degrees. I truly believe we are never given anything we can't handle and each of us is strong enough to do this! And always remember as you move forward on this journey, that you are loved! <3
Thank you for using your wonderful communication skills slash passion slash life experience to inform others about something so important! My boyfriend practically thought he was dying of a heart attack due to withdrawal symptoms.
I was just Prescribed Celexa today for PMDD. At first, I was happy to have a medication for this, but then I found your article, among others. I don't know what to do. My condition not only threatens my relationship with my fiance, but my life. I will probably start Celexa tomorrow, anyways. It's worth a try! I don't know what else to do! :/
10 days ago I left on a cruise and forgot my celexa. Been on it for 5 years, 40mg per day. Now that I've got 10 days into withdrawal, I figured I'd try to stay with it. My vision is blurry, eyes are dry, and I'm exhausted. The ears feel like I'm in a plane - clogged - and I am seriously dizzy. As if that weren't enough, I can't stay out of the bathroom long enough to go to the store. Glad I found this blog - I thought I was imagining all this. Before celexa, I was on a couple of other ssri's - the celexa was prescribed after I had been off all others for about a year. I had a panic attack, and now it's 5 years later. How long do these symptoms take to go away??
Eight years ago I began taking Celexa after being stuck in the St. Louis Arch and instantly had my first panic attack. Because the panic attacks continued, my Dr. thought it best to get those under control. Over time it worked and I no longer have panic attacks. Since then, I've read that it is common to have panic attacks when our hormones are changing such as the onset of early-menopause.
Somehow, eight years passed and I kept taking my pink pill. What was different for me is that I felt normal on my 10 mg. dose. I had energy, a sex drive, and I didn't cry every time I sang happy birthday or when someone moved away.
It was not my plan to go off Celexa, but I delayed getting the refill and then delayed even more in picking it up. By that time I had not taken a dose for at least five days so I decided to keep on going. I am overweight and have recently enrolled in a healthy weight loss program. I am not certain if Celexa has made it difficult to lose weight, but I figure why not see if it is easier to lose weight by not taking my pink pill.
I knew there would be side affects, but after two weeks of mood swings and "feeling awful" I searched for Celexa side affects and found this sight. Thank you everyone who has posted. You are right, it helps so much to know that this is normal and that I am not alone in this insanity!
Now I am close to three weeks down the road. My symptoms are exhaustion,queasy stomach, and the strangest things going on in my head. I have traces of blurriness as if I have turned my head too quickly, moments of dizziness, almost as if I am going to faint or fall. On top of it all, I have gotten a terribly cold which has added to feeling awful. I told my friend that I am flunking out on social skills at the moment. I also have moments of feeling that I cannot do anything right.
Since I was on a low dose, I believe that I will be fine not taking the medication, but not truly convinced yet. However, I am tough and will get through this stage of insanity to be back on Normal Street. It has helped tremendously knowing that others have felt this way and that it ends!
RobinRocks
p.s. Did I mention that it is 3:00 a.m.? Yup, exhausted and in bed by 10 PM but now awake. Grrrrr.
Poor Lizzie!! Think you have it bad? Read her Feb 7, 2012 post. She is on a cruise and forgot her Celexa. That means she is on vacation going cold turkey. Now that sucks. Hang in there Lizzie. We are rooting for you.
I am now having more prolonged brain 'zaps.' They're almost like brain 'waves.' I also have dry skin spots on my face and sides and I am wondering if this might be from withdrawal as well since I've never experienced them before. Anyone had anything like that?
Diane,
I have experienced everything that you just described. I have been off of Celexa for 5 months now and for the most part I feel back to normal. It takes a while but your body will heal, it just takes time. It's worth it though to be med free and naturally healthy.
-Rochelle
northwest_angel@hotmail.com
I'm not sure what to do, any advice is appreciated. I have suffered from depression on and off since I was a teenager, but was never treated with drugs until my twenties. I tried several different ones, but finally settled with Prozac and it was wonderful, except for the sexual side effects. I was on it for fifteen years before it stopped working for me about 2.5 yrs ago, when I had a major bereavement in my life and couldn't handle it. I tried a bunch of other anti depressants, and finally found that Celexa worked. I was taking 40mg up to January of this year, and was finally feeling good, but again sexual side effects. I would miss a does every now and again but was fine, then forgot to take it for a few days in a row, and suddenly realized I felt great and my libido had increased slightly? So I decided to stop cold turkey! all was good for about 2 to 2.5 wks, had some diarrhea, weird dreams, a little dizziness and felt extremely cold, but was coping. Then 3 days ago, I started menstruating, and getting aches and pains, and really bad cramping in all my muscles, I became extremely irritable, irrational, and tearful particularly my shoulders, back, neck and legs. my period is almost finished, but today the aches and cramps are unbearable. I am ready to go back on it after reading posts of how people experienced symptoms for months, but then I would be back at square 1 again. if I thought the end was in sight I could maybe put up with another week or so. I don't know what to do, so confused. any suggestions?
Thank you, Rochelle. I am hanging in there. Thank you for your support!
Hi All,
I was taking Celexa for a little over a year and have decided I want off so when I was down to my last 10 pills or so I tapered them off to every other day. Not sure if that really helped or not since I am getting slammed now that I haven't had anymore for about 5 days. So I don't think there is any getting around it. That was a little disappointing. Anyways I thank all who are encouraging that there is a light at the end of this tunnel. My head feels like it has motion sickness, tonight for the first time I am nauseous as all get out and my body aches, especially my hips and back. Funny enough my mother had bought me a gift cert to her Yoga class for Christmas and I have been using it for a month and will continue it because it is a wonderful thing to have right now. someone on here mentioned that and they are right on about that! i have been going to the gym anyways for several years but am struggling with that kind of strenuous excersise while feeling so awful and dizzy! I am SO looking forward to the end of this bizarre uncomfortableness!!! Thanks to all for being out there :)
I am just starting my third week coming of celexa. first week a had a cold so didnt notice any real change. also prob still had the drug in my system. Second week near the end is where it really hit me. i allready had the insomnia and the vivid dreams prob because i am taking water pill and beta blokers for my bp. In the last few days i have been really dizzy witch i can handle for the most part. what is preventing me from work is my headaches. There not really painfull but its like my head is full of fog or smoke. cant think strait at all. it dosent hurt just a really uncomfortable feeling. this disables me from doing anything other then sleep it off. advil works somtimes but does not last long. i am on my 5th day of these symptoms and are getting a little bit beter. I am missing work and cant go back in std cause i really came off it due to hypertension and getting my bp bac down to normal. anyone know how much longer this will last for ?
The rage is unreal. It is not directed at anyone or anything in particular, but if I had one, I would punch the crap out of a punching bag. It is really pervasive. I am also having unbearable headaches and pain in the back of my neck. I stopped taking celexa at the end of January and just cut my dose of Wellbutrin in half on Feb. 11. I just want all these toxins out of my system, so I am going to stick it out. I am also on a weight loss journey, so this has been quite the adventure, to say the least. Hang in there, everyone! From all the research I've done, it does get better. Don't give in to these mega pharmaceutical companies who want nothing more than the entire population to be hooked on these SSRI's.
Thank you for this post! My husband and I were both on Celexa, I weaned off a few weeks ago, and he is on day 4 without. I went through all of your starred symptoms, and am noticing different ones showing through for him. I do enjoy being off celexa, like you had mentioned, it was like a numbing agent, except that now with all these emotions running through me again it is very overwhelming! But I do have to agree with one thing more than anything about what you wrote, it's nice to cry and enjoy it! It really does make you feel better to just get it all out. Thanks again for this!!
I stopped celexa a few weeks ago. I don't even remember the day. I just thought I was done, that it wasn't helping my depression/blahs. Over the next few weeks, I developed what I thought was a horrible hyperthryoid problem. Insomnia, sweating, heart palpitations, swelling throat, itchy skin, restless legs, tingling extremities, fogginess, slurred words, agitations, and anxiety attacks. I really thought it was my thryoid but now that I am reading this forum, I realize it was totally a long withdrawl from the celexa. I started taking a small dose again 4 days ago to see if it would help my anxiety. I also started exercising more and eating more sensibly. Feeling better on the low dose. Will advise my dr. whom I told I was conviced I had hyperthyroid. She probably thinks I'm crazy. I just didn't realize that going off the drug would put me in such a downward spiral. My plan is to stay on a small dose for 6 mos. and then slooowwwly tapper off. Thanks to this forum for helping me figure it out!
THANK YOU so much for this post. I almost went to the ER because I had so many bizarre, sudden symptoms. It is so, so good to know why there are happening and that it is "normal" and that it will go away. The very fact that even 10 mg of this drug has SUCH a terrible withdrawal period means I'm seriously glad I'm getting the hell off of it! Too much.
I, like many of you have had horrible side effects to coming off of Celexa. One of my biggest problems right now is emotions, feeling like my sinuses are going to dry up permanently, crying, dizziness (feeling like I am in a fog) leg and muscle aches. I also last night felt like I was going to go crazy with what felt like dry skin on my legs and arms. I spent 30 minutes putting on and reapplying lotion. Nothing worked, and it dawned on me that it might be the withdrawal from the Celexa.
I had had a brain tumor and had brain surgery...before the drs found the tumor they had me on Lortab, and Celexa for all the aches and pains...not knowing what the heck was going on. It's been 2 years since the removal of my tumor, and I am finally off of the Lortab(I was on it for 11 years!) If that wasn't hard enough to come off of, I had been on 40mg of Celexa too...I tapered off, from 40 to 20 to 10 to none. I'm not having horrible effects but today is day 3 with none and I woke up and cried like a baby...it's Sunday so there is no way I can possibly go to church with my family..and that makes me cry. I feel awful because my hubby of 24yrs doesn't know what to do. I almost feel worse for him than me! lol There is nothing funny about these symptoms though..I am feeling more back to me though. I am feeling again and laughing again, it almost feels like I was just awoken from a deep sleep and I will gladly take these symptoms to be ME again! Thank you so much for posting this and I am thankful for all the comments as well, makes me feel like I'm not alone.
Laurie
Thank you so much for your post! I just fell down a flight of stairs yesterday from being so dizzy, despite weaning myself off slowly over a month ago! Considering I was told and did research to back up that Celexa was non-addictive and had no withdrawl symptoms like the others, I did not connect the two. I was also told it wouldn't effect my libido, I did, and that I wouldn't gain weight, I have. I also saw an article about how even after stoping use, some sexual dysfunction caused by SSRI's can be PERMANENT, but since it's so rare the FDA doesn't require this disclosure to patients. This is the LAST time I will ever give big pharma the benefit of the doubt, I am so livid! But I'm glad to realize these horrible withdrawls, dizziness, fatigue, nightmares, hot/cold flashes, body aches, headaches, mind fog, are not something more serious so I can cancel my appointment with internal medicine. Thanks again.
Thank you soooo much for posting all this information. Ive been off celexa for about a week and a half and I have been going thru so many of those withdrawal symptoms. Im still on .5mg of clonazepam twice a day and trying to ween off that also. I thought I was going crazy with feeling this way because I've never had withdrawal symptoms from other SSRI's that I have been on. But I'm not alone in this world I see tthis now. Just knowing this, makes me feel less scared and better. I'm sorry that we all have to go thru this. I hope and pray that all of you feel better and get over this completely. You are a jewel for posting all this information, and glad your better. I'm already doing some of the things you recommend, so hope to get off the other med soon and then have this nightmare behind me. I wish you well and all others that have to go thru this also. Much luv...CeLiNe
Danny, Vietnam Veteran. I going through these withdrawal symptom's,Bad Headache's confusion, don't know what to take for it.It's been almost 2 week's now,Hope this end's soon.Thank's for your help with this,I really have to pull through this.
Thank you so much for this article. I am going through the 8th day withdrawl after using Celexa for 3 years. I have gained 60 lbs due to the intense carb cravings I got and I just want to be back to my old self again, crazy or not! These withdrawls are terrible.....I cannot wait for this to be over with! Thanks again.
Considering how crazy popular your post is, I am surprised there are not more in-depth articles and such available for Cetalapram withdrawal concerns.
I was suffering from mild postpartum depression and anxiety. My OB recommended Celexa. I have been on 40mg for 4.5 months and feeling great. However have gained so much weight that I am busting out of my maternity and postpartum clothing. He is my 3rd baby. Usually I lose weight gradually after giving birth. Not this time, I have gained almost 20 extra pounds!
I decided to stop taking Cetalopram exactly a week ago. I feel awful. I am sick, dizzy, have hot flashes, short-tempered, nauseous at times, my brain is jello. My doctor wants me to try wellbutrin. I tried it for a couple of days and it didn't alleviate any of the withdrawal symptoms. So I stopped the Wellbutrin too for fear I will have to go through this all over again.
My wish is that I never took this drug in the first place. I feel like telling my doctor to never, ever, ever recommend this drug to anyone ever again. I really hope I can feel better sooner than later. It doesn't seem fair that one has to endure several weeks, possibly a couple months in hell to get off these drugs!
I'm a male, aged 60. I started 20mg of Celexa in Sept. 2010. I had some side effects, so 9 months later I decided to stop. I tapered off too soon, and was hit by nightmare symptoms. I have all of the ones listed with stars. Also, I have pre-existing arthritis of the neck. This drug seemed to target that area. I have nerve pain, called radiculopathy. Celexa is made by "Forest Labratories". I went to their website and found a report they published in Aug. 2011 about Celexa having neuropathy symptoms. This is while taking it. This drug is just bad news, whether taking it or withdrawing from it. I'm now slowly tapering. I use heating pads, ice packs, a TENS unit, Mobic antiinflammatory, and vitamin supplements, such as Alpha Lipoic Acid, B complex, Trader Joe's Fish Oil, etc. I hope these symptoms leave soon. Thanks.
Thanks for all the infromation. I am weening off 40mg of Celexa after being oin it for over 5 years. I just want to be chemical free and don;t really think I need to be on it anymore. I am having so many of the same symptoms and frankly feel like crap. Headaches, tired, touch of vitago, pain in muscles (and I work out 3-4 times a week) and I creid this morning! It has been about 8 days on 20mg, a few more to go. I hope I am feeling better and I can;t wait to see if there is a difference in me on chemicals versus not!
Kendra
I have been off the celexa now for 2 weeks now and the symptoms feel less intense since I've started taking the supplement 5HTP and some others including Omega 3s, B-complex and a good multi. I am going to try treated my mild depression with supplements, diet and exercise. I have no desire to take anti-depressants again. Someone else mentioned once you hit a summit of horrible symptoms its all down hill from there. Last Sunday was my summit. I was crying, raging, sleepy with brain shocks and just feeling awful. The next day was a different story. There is hope :)
Hi everyone. I have tried celexa in 2003 for almost 1 month. It helped me for that hard period in my life. I got off it cold turkey and two weeks later had my first panic attack. I did not know what was going on with me. Just to make it clear, panic attack in my understanding: sudden worry, out of nowhere, heart rate going hi, sweaty paws, can't think at all, etc... After this attack, lasting for about 10-15 minutes, I felt very tired. Also, back then, I had zaps all over my body (I.e. Zap is in my understanding, sudden move of hands and legs, shoulder, wrist, etc.)
Back then, we used to smoke pot. After celexa - it's a no no for me (100% guarantee I get panic attack)
To make a long story short, it's 2012 out there and I still have the attacks, less zaps though. My memory sucks, I wake up tired, I don't sleep so well, as I used to, I can't drink coffee as I'd get attacks, I don't keep much of interest in conversation and pretty much depressed.
Over the years I found out, that valerian works for me, but they say it's not that great for your brain in a long term, so I use it very rarely. There are tablets they sell here in Moscow Russia called nervoheel, I use it - once the attack is on - I pop one in - this is only thing that works for me.
I have read that fish oil caps and magnesium multi vitamins help - I started taking it today. Hope it works.
Overall, I d like to thank everyone herebfor posting, cause I think we are all victims here.. I don't say it for suing anyone, it's just doc's should not ignore this volume of problems their patients are having. I lost my faith in docs anyways. I used to be an optimist, now I believe celexa made me a wreck. My wife is very supportive of me and helps me go through attacks every time it happens.
If you guys have any remedies (natural ones) please let all know. Best wishes to all, Alex from Moscow.
I am on day 8 off of celexa. It is almost 3 am and I have to go to work at7. The side effects of going off this drug are real doozies. I started out with the muscle aches and having trouble staying asleep, mainly due to vivid and disturbingly violent dreams. Now, I can't even fall asleep. I also get the anxiety when I lay down to go to bed. Dizzines is a given almost every day, and now I am starting to be snappy at everyone. Just ask me a question and I might bite your head off. I will NEVER take any of these anti-anxiety/depression/etc. again. When on them I was an asexual robot. Getting off of them, it has been hell so far. The only good thing is that my wife and I have been able to get a couple of love making sessions in! BUT, now I'm always moody and this gets in the way with romance. Hopefully, this withdrawal won't last too loong and I can get on with my life!!!
I'm on day 8 now, and yesterday and the day before were by far the WORST so far. Tearful, tired, nauseated, dizzy beyond belief, ear whooshes...
Today I feel slightly better. Maybe I'm over the worst of the humps? I took Vitamin D, 3 caps of Fish Oil, and my other meds last night (I have bipolar and am on a mood-stablizer) and slept.
The dreams are insane, though. Gotta say -- involved, they seem long and very very detailed and real.
This is so miserable though. Luckily I'm a stay-at-home Mom and I can rest, because even having a shower without feeling like I'm about to fall over would feel like an achievement! Driving is a little scary, but now that I know that this is part of the withdrawal deal, the slightly disorientating dizziness isn't worrying me.
I had the idea that because it takes 2-3 weeks for the drug to reach peak concentration when you're going on it, it would take about the same to get off. Is that true??
~B in C
B in C here again -- just an update:
I'm getting so much better! Right now, compared to yesterday, or even earlier today, I'm feeling about 80% normal.
So for those who are looking for a timeframe, in my case, it starts to improve after the first week. So really, it was a few days of hell and some more of discomfort.
Day 1 - 4 was headaches
Day 5 - 6 were brain buzzes, tearfulness, confusion, spinning sensation
Day 7 was the WORST
Day 8 is a marked improvement.
I didn't say before, but I was on 20mg for 13 months, didn't taper down, quit cold turkey (because I forgot pills two days in a row and wanted to stop anyway).
~B in C
I was on 40mg of celexa for 2 years and went off the drug 3 weeks ago.I feel like my world has been turned inside out.I seem to suffer from every withdrawal symptom there is.The only thing that makes me feel better is working out.I try to work out everyday when possible.I know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and soon I will be myself again.
B in C back for a follow up:
Today I feel like I'm in slow motion. Every muscle takes just a little bit longer to respond, and it's an all-over awkward feeling.
I slept really well last night, more vivid dreams, and something I forgot to mention before was my horribly dry eyeballs!!
I'm not in any real pain, just feel foggy, and like I'm trying to move through Jello.
~B in C
UPDATE from B in C!!!
OK, so, 10 days now, and I feel 95% normal. Just the slightest dizziness (very very slight), no nausea, and I'm going to work out and have a normal day.
Hang in there, if you're in the first week - you are probably nearly there!
xx
~B in C
I'm a male, 60 years old. I tried to quit Celexa in July 2011. I weaned off just 5 days instead of 5 weeks. I had most of the symptoms listed. But, the one that bothers me most is the neuropathy, or tingling in my feet, arms and upper body: neck & shoulders. I have pre-existing arthritis, and I think the withdrawals "attacked" it. Does anyone else have tingling or neuropathy from Celexa withdrawal?
Hello Alex from Moscow again.
After reading the posts I have finally found (in over 8 years of withdrawal ) what helped me to be me !)))
This is my remedy:
Every morning after meal I take 1 omega-3 , 1 5-htp, 1multivit magnesium, 1 lecithin. It works!!! I also take one lecithin at dinner time. Thats it. This was my second day for taking these, and I feel 99%.
These are all natural dietary supplements. No chemicals. All made in us.
Alex.
I started taking Celexa about 2 1/2 months ago, I started out on 20 mg then Dr. upped it to 40 mg. I took it for about 2 weeks and instantly began gaining weight. I decided I was going to try and wean myself off of it and started breaking my tablets in half and only taking 20 mg again. I did this for about 7 days and thought I could stop taking it all together. BIG MISTAKE! I thought I was losing my mind. The zzzzt zzzzt or "brain zaps" were driving me crazy! I called the pharmacist and was told to break the tablets in half again and take 10 mg a day, I have been doing that for 3 days now, the brain zaps are gone but I have headaches a lot. I can not wait to be completely off this medication all together. I will eventually start taking the 10 mg every other day and hopefully all the symptoms will be gone. It was truly a relief to know that I was not going crazy. I am SO thankful I found this website and read that most people were experiencing the same things I am. Oh, and the dreams are very vivid. not scary, just very detailed and clear. (I kinda like that part) the rest of everything can go away!! SO for anyone else out there taking Celexa and are trying to wean yourself off, what you are feeling is real and you are NOT losing your mind. I hope you find peace in knowing it is temporary.
Ive been on wellbutrin for 6months but i started having anxiety attacks so my doctor told me to switch to celexa overlapping for a week and i took it for one day and felt extremely jittery! It was scary! I refused to take it again and suffered the dizziness,tremors, cold tingling down my arms and legs and I felt weak like my blood pressure was dropping! I wasn't sure if it was a bad reaction to taking both meds at the same time, but the info from everyone here has been so helpful! Thanks!
I woke up this morning, had a cup of coffee, fed the dogs, then went right back to bed. I had no idea that coming off Celexa could cause these problems. After laying there unable to move for half the day, I finally found this site along with the hope that I can make it through this. I want my mind back, I want to love life again...
Thank you for all your stories
Here is my dilemma...I have been on Celexa 60mg for a year now and gained a whopping 46 pounds. My doctor said it was OK to titrate down on it but was not specific on the dosage. I went to 40mg for a week, then 20mg for the next week. So far I have this nagging headache and heartburn, along with feeling very lethargic all day. I called my doctor to see how to proceed for next week but he is out of town for a week. One part of me wants to just bite the bullet and stop taking it so I can get my body cleared of this drug and get the withdrawal effects over with. The other side of me is afraid that the symptoms might become much more severe like other people have described on this site when I stop taking it. If they start to happen, couldn't I start taking the 20mg again and then try the slow taper? My last 20mg dose is tonight so I hope someone is able to answer this question.
Thanks, Carol
After rereading some of the posts, I came to the conclusion that a slow end taper would be the way to go. So many people that stopped abruptly seemed to get the more serious side effects. I read parts of The Road Back and it is what they conclude too, though I think they are in cahoots with the supplement company. I went and got some Omega 3 6 9 and a multivitamin with magnesium in it to start taking before I taper down to 10mg in a week. My doctor finally called back this morning and agreed that it was a good way to go. Wish me luck...
Carol
Classic cognitive therapy, if insight allows. In conjunction with medication willl teach you how to better deal with/accept reality. This could lessen the side effects of meication termination. Cognitions heavily influence depression/anxiety, though some people can not or will not objectivly examine them. I hope you and others posting here can.
Recipient of counseling
Pre-LPCC practitioner
Three and a half months and counting.No celexa! After one month of complete torture I decided that it was time to start eating pot and hemp seeds, well hello I m a new man! Dont smoke it ,Eat it,IMHO its the natural way to go.........Good Luck and God Bless .....The Blue Collar Guy
I took 20mg celexa for less than a year and then decided I didn't like how numb they made me feel (not to mention lack of sex drive!). So, I became VERY determined to find the safest way to taper off them without side effects. I talked to my doctor who casually just said, "Oh just start taking 10mg for 2 weeks then 10mg every other day for another 2 weeks and then you can probably just stop."
After reading numerous posts about people's withdrawal symptoms even from small dosage drops, I decided to go slower than my doctor suggested. One thing that I think REALLY helped was that I first decided I had to quit drinking caffeine. So, before I tapered off Celexa I stopped drinking coffee. If anyone has ever been a caffeine addict they know that quitting coffee sucks! Not too bad though, I found if I just gradually started drinking a little less each day I'd be fine. Voila! No more coffee. This not only made me MUCH less anxious but gave me hope for tapering off Celexa.
Now, I went from 20mg to 10mg without any withdrawal effects. Then to 10mg every other day without any as well, then to 5mg every other day with very mild side effects. A little dizziness once in a while but overall, very manageable. I have been running and being very active, especially on days when I don't take the 5mg. If I start to feel too many withdrawal symptoms, I have split some pills into 2.5mg that I take to alleviate the symptoms and it seems to be working! I realized I don't need to follow a vigorous tapering schedule but rather decrease slowly and allow myself a little help to make sure I can still function effectively day to day. Just like quitting caffeine, I know it will be gradual and one day I will be happy to have quit!
Patience is key! And excercise :)
thank you so much for this post. I stopped taking celexa abruptly for a number of reasons, many similar to those you described. I know my symptoms are a reaction to my decision to get off the medication, but I wanted to know what I could do to ease the intensity, and sometimes scary effects of withdrawals. again, thank you for this post. namaste <3
I too am going through withdrawals, I was feeling dizzy , lightheaded and nausaus - I checked out my blood pressure which was typically normal and found it spiking at 159/110. Long story short I am on BP meds hopefully short term. I strongly suggest if you have similar symptoms, check your BP. I am curious to know if others are seeing elevated BP after they stop taking Celexa or the generic equivalent. If so it may be considered a documented side effect of withdrawal.
Thanks and the best to you
This has made me feel so much less alone!
My creativity!! I need it to come back!!
It's gonna take a while but I'm sure I will feel better soon, just got to keep positive!
Thank you so much for this post.
Take care x
I'm really happy that I came across your blog! I am so glad that I am not alone. I just want to be happy again. I want to have the joy in things that I do. Right now I feel very numb. I don't feel anything and it's upsetting me.
Maybe you can help me. I need some advice. I don't know if this is caused by the medication, but I am having a huge problem with my relationships. I am single now and there are a lot of guys who are interested in me. I get excited the fact of going out there in the world again and dating and hoping to find love again, but when I actually do it...I don't feel anything!
I feel like I am boring around them. I don't get excited when they hold my hand or kiss me or anything in the bedroom. I want to find love again, but for some reason I can't make myself be able to love. I feel like I am not allowing myself to love another person.
So you see this is a huge problem for me. Is this caused by the medication? What do I do?
Thank you a million times over for this blog....
I've been combing the internet for an answer to my symptoms. My doctor thinks it's cardiac or neuro related. I've been through so many medical tests, some more MRIs and cardiac ultrasounds still to go. This post just made me realize that I am probably going through Celexa withdrawal.
My story-I was put on Celexa after I had 3 heart attacks at 37....then my ex in laws landed at my house and tried to sabotage me again so I would die-(don't ask, it's an Indian caste/dowry system thing). Suffice it to say, the doctors and therapist felt it would be better for me to be numb to my predicament so that I could live for my 2 and 4 year old children.
It worked, I lived, numbly, with no joy or anger, but I lived and I was a good mom, I think. Then my husband left me, influenced by his parents and sister. (I still haven't paid dowry). So I continued to need the SSRI and with my doctor's advice increased the dosage to take 40mg of it.
During my 13 years on Celexa, I gained 40 pounds, didn't have a single orgasm, said hurtful things to people not knowing they were insensitive. I lost my compassion and passion, but I lived! My in laws and ex husband didn't destroy me, and didn't leave my kids with no mother.
Now my girls are 15 and 18, and I want to feel again, I want to lose some of those 40 pounds and travel. I want to look at art and see a story, I want to listen to a sad song and cry, and I want to know who I am again. I wanted to go back to taking pride in my children, instead of just "managing" them.
So I've weaned myself off Celexa over 3 months and 3 weeks, first down to 20 mg for a month, then 10 for a month, then 5, then 5 every other night, then every third day. Finally, I haven't taken any for 17 days now. The symptoms started about the same time as I stopped.
But here's my concern, I get disorientated a lot, sometimes when I'm driving my car, and often when my kids are trying to talk to me. It is hard on them. They don't know me without the Celexa. I'm scared that I will lose what I have with them.
Still, I'm hopeful that there is a chance my symptoms are withdrawal related and not cardiac related.
If anyone else has some of these symptoms during withdrawal please would you let me know?
Tingling in the arm, very cold arms and legs, hot and cold flashes, restless leg syndrome, stiff neck, shoulder pain, disorientation, feeling winded, inability to complete a thought or sentence, rambling thoughts and words, aimlessness, feeling of vertigo, rapid heartbeat-I'm at 110 at rest, and 190 when doing cardio.
Hope someone will read this and respond!
Shanti
Can anyone give me an idea of how long these withdrawl symptoms might last? I've been drug-free for about 6 weeks, and I feel emotionally awful. Does this mean I really need these medications to function? I don't recall being this messed up before I went on them...
alas i too am coming off celexa and gained more from these postings than from any pharmacy or doctor..i feel like a pharmaceutical guinea pig..at the hands of wicked ppl..and is very hard....Ya Allaah help all of us who are striving to better ourselves..ameen
Thank-you for posting this. I recently stopped taking Celexa. I hoped that the withdrawal symptoms would be short-lived, but they are taking longer to go away than I thought they would. Irritability is my worst (and my family's) complaint, but I am also experiencing extreme "jolts", dizziness, nausea and headaches. I feel more hopeful now, knowing that what I'm experiencing is normal and that it will eventually subside. :)
I went through about 4 months of experiencing "globus hystericus", which is a rare reaction to stress and anxiety most typically found in teenage girls and young women, where you feel like something is caught in your throat, like you can't swallow, or like you're choking. This actually, apparantly, was a reaction to the stress of my wedding, since it started soon after. Nobody, NOBODY, could tell me what was wrong and I was at a different doctor or hospital almost every day, doing scans and tests and looking at my throat, and was even put on several unnecessary medications for several suspected culprits, like acid reflux and allergies. All of this led me to anxiety and panic attacks, something I had never experienced before. I became a bit of a hypochondriac, because, since no one could find anything wrong, but something obviously was, I started to imagine it was every little thing I heard of. I only go into this because of the off chance that someone experiencing this might stumble across this, because when I was trying to find out what was going on, I could find nothing.
Finally, I found the doctor that "saved" me. She said that what I was experiencing was anxiety. It seemed so obvious once she said it that I was almost mad at the tons of doctors, specialists, hospitals and rest of the medical world for not seeing it. I was teary and I wanted to hug her. She put me on Celexa and said in about a month I would feel better. I did. It WORKED, and I don't know what I would have done without it. I even became more focused and organized, and the only negative symptom I really had were vivid dreams.
Recently, in the last month and a half or so, my sex drive went down to NOTHING. Me and my husband are trying to deal with it and just hoping that it gets back to normal. I also, around that time, started gaining weight and gained about 10lbs, since being the same exact weight for years. I didn't think either of these things were related to the medication until reading this page, since I was on it for 4 months before any of that started, but these comments are making me rethink it. What do you all think? Could they be side effects if they didn't start immediatly?
I was told that she would help me wean off of it at 6 months. 2 weeks ago we started with half doses and today I took my last half pill. That was all I was instructed to do, so I guess I'm off it for good now. I purposely didn't look up withdrawal symptoms because I didn't want to imagine I had them if I didn't. The last 2 days I have been SO uncharacteristically irritable, though, and I felt weird and tired while driving to work yesterday, and actually had 2 near incidences. This morning I was so unlike myself (I'm usually soooo tranquil, but I was so angry that I beat up the steering wheel; I've never had the desire to hit anything in my life out of anger, never understood it). That was so strange that I started looking up withdrawal symptoms and saw irritability. I wonder if this is what is happening to me. Did anyone experience anything similar? I've had headaches, too, but didn't think any of this stuff had to do with it til this morning.
After 2 weeks of half doses, I was going to go cold turkey tomorrow, but do you guys who've been through it suggest continuing to decrease dosage for a bit longer? I was taking 20 and have been taking 10mg for 2 weeks. If I just have to tough out some stuff I will though.
I am soooooo appreciative of this post and everyone who's commented. It's the best, most supportive information I could find, and I wouldn't understand what was going on with me if it wasn't for everyone here. I spent my whole morning until an hour ago depressed, thinking, "What is wrong with me??"
Thank you, all.
Jazz
I have read a lot of these posts and I am thankful for all of them. I can't seem to find an answer to how long to expect withdrawal symptoms. I'm sure it's different for everyone, but it would be nice to have a ballpark amount of time. My main symptoms are irriatbility and some muscle ache witch surprised me until I read these posts. I thought it could be my bed (which the mattress is only a year old). Does anyone also know if the weight will come off quicker once you get off of this drug?
I think it would be nice if you put the newest posts first after the original one which started this blog after all it is the one that got me starting reading all the others.
I was on 20 mg and then started half doses for the last two weeks and now I am completely off of them. However, I am having the same withdrawal symptoms as everyone has mentioned. My headaches and nausea are so bad I had to call in sick to work. I finally started going to accupuncture and taking phenegran for the nausea and it is getting better after a week. I am so glad I looked this up because the doctors ran every blood test on me and I was all in normal ranges. At least I know now I am not going crazy! Thanks everyone for their input!
Namastey
Thank you so very much Tammy for the well written Celexa withdrawl article. It is as if I had written it myself. I have all of the signs of it. I also had weird mental attitudes while on it but they have discontinued some 1 week after stoppage. I was on 20mg for almost 15 years.
Thank you SO much for posting this. I have had a rough couple of weeks weening of off Celexa, but I wanted to do it for similar reasons as yourself. I have been crying over everything, I've been really tired and a little bit depressed.
However, I have noticed these symptoms becoming less and less every day, so I know, eventually, they were cease to exist. I don't want to rely on medication for the rest of my life! Thanks again for this touching post.
I have not taken any celxapro for 5 months,and I am still experancing a lot of anger and irratation,dont think it will ever totally go away,probly because I took anti-depressants for allmost 20 yrs.
Your story is helpful! Well written. I have been suffering from flu-like symptoms for several days and am still shocked by the weight I gained in just seven weeks on Celexa. I decided to stop taking it abruptly vs. weening off slowly. I'd rather suffer initially than put more of this poison into my body. Thank you for making me feel better about the withdrawal process.
I thought your post was very insightful and felt real... thanks for sharing. It helped me understand what a friend has been going through.
I did NOT want to be reliant on any medication. However, after the birth of my second son, I let my post-partum depression go too long. I didn't think I was depressed. I had no urges to hurt myself or my baby and I wasn't in bed crying all day. But what I was doing was distroying my family with my emotional tornados and 'false sense of realities'. I've been on celexa for 2 years now and I'm ready to come off. I have experienced many of these symptoms and I thank you for letting me know that I AM NOT the only one. That these symptoms are normal. I too want to be 'ME' again. Thank you.
I am very happy to hear all this! I have been doing research for a few months now and have tapered off the celexa generic form, citalopram. I am currently off completely. But yesterday and today, I feel very confused and tingly. I feel in a cloud and slow moving. Also, very very tired. I know these are all symptoms and am hoping they subside soon. I did a proper taper of the medication. My last dosage was 5mgs from 20mgs. I had been on it since 2003 when I had PTSD from past experiences creeping in. Never knew it would come back to haunt me so traumatically.
I have cried three times this past week and that is more than in the last few years. I am newly married and my husband is very supportive. But I am feeling that his generosity may wane.
Writing this is very difficult right now because I am unable to focus. I will come back later. Sorry.
Hi, I am currently going through the worst withdrawals ive ever. Celexa was causing serotonin syndrome in my body so i was taken off very very quickly. Just wanted to say your post was informative and helpful! While taking celexa i found the way it stopped my depression and anxiety was to completely numb all my emotions, and that was no way for me to live. After being on 30mg for 6 months i started to sweat in my sleep to the point of dehydration. my B/P was 80/55. serotonin was slowly shutting down my body and i was slowly losing my family because i was so emotionally detached. I cant wait until these withdrawals are over, I felt like taking my life last night because i couldnt stand it anymore. but i went and got Ativan and it is seeming to help.. anyways just wanting to say thanks again for the info, found it very useful.
I am happy to say I am glad I have not had the same experience as most of you on Celexa. Though, sorry to hear it failed for so many of you. I've been taking 40mg for only 4 months and just found out I'm pregnant so we're going to see if I can stay off for the pregnancy. But oh man! It SAVED MY LIFE to take Celexa!! I had a traumatic experience that caused me depression and anxiety so I started Celexa. I never felt better then when I was on it. I'm a stay at home mom and before Celexa I was unmotivated in my pjs all day, social anxiety, too uptight for sex and irritable all the time. Celexa changed alllll that for me. Sex got better for me because I stopped overanylizing what was happening, lol. And motivated! I started running again, 3 and 4 mile runs! It didn't hurt my energy one bit. Hydration was an issue though, I had to drink a lot of water but it was sooo worth it. This is day 1 of no Celexa and I'm emotional but that could just be the pregnancy hormones, I don't know. They gave me prozac in case I get really depressed, so we'll see...
I've been on several antidepressants over the years. I decided a couple of years ago to stop my celexa 60 mg cold turkey and a few months later ended up in the hospital for a week not wanting to live. I was put back on celexa. 40 mg and was told never to stop my meds again. I ran out of my prescription and have been waiting for the dr to refill for the past 5 days. I've been achey, dizzy nauseous, having hot flashes and chills and severe fatigue along with crying spells. The last one, I expected but the other symptoms were a suprise to me.thanks for the information. I talked to the pharmacist and they are going to give me a few until the refill gets approved.
I just want to thank you for this post. I am trying to taper off but the side effects have been awful. I went to the doctor yesterday (not my regular physician) and she kept repeating that most people don't have any trouble transitioning off Celexa, basically accusing me of making it up. She also said that even though I've been completely off for 4 days I should go back on and perhaps I'm not truly ready to be med-free. It was so frustrating that on top of being sick I'm being told it's all in my head and I don't know myself well enough to know that I'm ready for this. Thank you for the original post and all the replies that give me hope and some steps to take other than going back on the meds.
You have combined Buddhist compassion of caring for those of us suffering with, your research medico advice. I've done research on this topic & agree with your findings. I'm also a practicing Buddhist. I've take 10 mg since July 2011.
My wife of 35 yrs. died after a long illness.
Celexa has helped me to, then practice Yoga, Meditation, exercise class, and read/understand Buddhism. So, I recommend this med. if needed to get thru & out into naturally spiritual practices. Now, I intend to taper off, as I have a lady friend who I wish to be intimate with. I feel my practices (listed) will prepare me for the side effects waiting to trouble me. Sort of like "Mara" tempting the Buddha. I hope to feel more "enlightened" without the crutch of Celexa. Nameste to all with love,
Jim
I have taken Celexa for over 11 years, 20 mg. and recently cut down to 10 mg. for the past 9 weeks. The thing that I'm worried about is that I wake up in middle of night after a dream usually, and i begin to feel like something is coming over me that is going to rise to my head and i am going to pass out. I have been able to sit up and get the light on, breathe deeply and drink water. Because of my fear of what is happening, I go into a severe anxiety attack. My bp spikes and I am veryu scared since I live alone. I lost my daughter 3 mos. ago to a rare and aggressive cancer and I believe i now need to get off Celexa so that my grief can be exposed and that I can go thru the grieving process in a more normal way, if that is possible after losing your child. I have had no other symptoms during the day, just this thing that happens when i awake and find I am fighting for consciousness. I took an ativan last nite when it happened to combat the extreme anxiety and fear. I did not at all associate this with withdrawal because I've had no other symptoms. Now that I remember, I had severe panic attack years ago when I cut down to 10 mg. If I could believe that it is withdrawal rather than some horrible disease coming upon me, or like Im goint to pass out here all alone, I could at least attribute it to something. The one thing is that I have very warm flushes with this and also my feet begin to sweat. This attack really lasts about 3 minutes but it is very scary and it takes about an hour before I can move from bed because I'm so scared. Has anyone had anything like this upon waking from a dream? Also, at the same time it seems to be a digestive disturbance. Thank you for any feedback. Sarah
People on celexa dont stop cold turkey.I fell great now off this drug.You need to wean yourself off this.I was on 40mg and cut that in half to 20 for 2 weeks,cut to 10mg for 2 weeks,5mg for 2 weeks and I was done.Some may want to cut the 5mg to2.5mg then stop.I sleep great and have not had any problems.I was on this drug for around 8 years.
I have had a horrible with withdrawals, flu like symptoms, head zaps,tingly feet,heart irregularities.I took six months to taper off from 60 mgs to zero, then about three weeks without any citalopram I started feeling really crappy. My Doctor told me to go back on twenty mgs., that worked for about two weeks then started feeling crappy again, now I am on thirty for the last three days and feeling better.I would love to get off this medication!!! I might try, once I get stable to wean off even slower then before.Wish me luck, any suggestions welcome. K
Tammy I enjoyed reading your post! It is 4:00 am and I am still awake. I had laid down around midnight and tried to go to sleep I just kept looking at my click change from minuet to minuet. I actually thought I was deamoned possessed or something my body tensing up and having these irradical
I'm so glad I found this! I thought I was dehydrated because people told me my vertigo/dizziness was a symptom of dehydration and I'm nursing a baby so it's easy to get dehydrated.
Then it hit me - I forgot to take my Celexa while on vacation! Like you I was only taking 10mg per day and my doc had told me I could quit when I felt ready. I figured I already missed 6 days, might as well stop and see what happens. It was day about day 5 or 6 that the dizziness/vertigo hit. I'm on day 12 now and it's going strong. The headaches started today as well, but that could be from my 5 year old...
Nonetheless, I'm glad to have an answer.
How long until your symptoms disappeared?
To the last anonymous, according to most of the comments here and my own experience, it takes between 2-4 weeks for the symptoms to mostly go away, and about about a year to return to normal.
It also seems to vary depending on how long you were on it, and the dosage.
Good luck!
I am glad I found this site. One week off and just today I feel like I want to crawl out of my skin. Crying. Lightheaded. Anxious. Irritable.This is se
mi-hell.
Thank you for this article! I am going through this right now and am so glad my symptoms are not something crazy, that they have an explanation! I sure hope all of this passes quickly. I stopped taking celexa completely about a week ago.
This is an old post - but I wanted to check in & see how you were doing with your Celexa Withdrawal?
My story is similiar to yours. 10mg for a year. I feel dull & flat. Not numb but just cant get excited about much
I havent started withdrawing yet. I have gone 3 days or so but get an awful headache & really agitated. So I havent completely withdrawn..
This post helped my husband so much. He's going through the withdrawal right now. Thank you thank you.
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