Coming off Citalopram

[Cranky]

Hello peeps )
I've been on Citalopram for about 4 months...

After the initial couple of weeks waiting for it to kick in I felt much better but only for about 6 weeks... Since then I've been feeling sick all the time, have big trouble sleeping because of recurring nightmares of being raped amongst other things!...
3 days ago I took a big step and just stopped taking them (cold turkey style) rather than weening off them as recommended by my doctor...

I'm not feeling any worse than I have been for the last month or so but have been reading up on the web today... apparently the bad side effects usually take a few days to kick in because it takes a few days for the Citalopram to clear from your system.

I am, therefore 'reviewing the situation' so would very much like to hear some opinions, idea's, personal experiences and comments from fellow Citalopramee's )

thank you
Julie
Thank you all for replying to my message and, in answer
I haven't seen any 'ologists
I started on 20mg but didn't feel much better so went to my doc with the intention of stopping them under his supervision but got talked into increasing my dose to 30mg! (which is why I haven't consulted him now!!)
I had spinal surgery in August of last year & am still recovering.. the pain is bad so I'm taking strong pain killers for that, also have to take a stomach settling & anti-sickness drugs because of the amount of pills I have to take so I feel like a chemist shop at the moment & I don't like taking any drugs so didn't really want to add to it by going on them in the first place but decided to give them a go since I'm always so sad.
Over the last couple of weeks my mental state has got steadily worse ending up with me shaking and stuttering all the time.. On monday I decided to take a chance & stop the Citalopram... I've felt much better since but am worried it wont last.
(no characters left!)

[ace nathaniel]

4 months is not very long to be on the meds. you really should have seen the doc to discuss coming off them or changing the medication. Have you seen a psychologist/psychiatrist? I started citalopram about 8 years ago and it really helped me but I also saw a psychologist which i think is a necessary part of the recovery process. It took about 6 months for the pills to take full effect and along with the therapy i finally started getting my life back on track. what dosage are you on? I have been on varying dosages throughout the years ranging from 10 mgs to 40 mgs. I have come off the meds before but never cold turkey- I got awful withdrawl symptoms though even though i came off them gradually. I still take citalopram and am quite happy doing so.

[gribbling]

Well i took this fro a short time too, but couldn't cope with the effects while i was taking it rather than those while i was coming off. i didn't give it enough time to make me better, however i weaned myself off it, i just stopped the tablets, got the drops back out and just put a few less in each drink each day until i took none. you shouldn't just stop, i didn't experience the withdrawal because i wouldn't know the difference if you know what i mean.
but the withdrawal symptoms are the same as those when you first start, increased anxiety, sickness, sleep difficulties ect. good luck julie.

[mikes425]

i stopped taking them for 2 weeks and had to go back on them because of vivid disturbing strange dreams and mood swings with strong anger. These did take a few days to appear.
I have not had dreams while on them like you, they have the effect on me of stopping any dreams

[psycho.lycious]

you should NOT stop suddenly it is the worse thing you could do. you should keep talking the tablets at least six months AFTER YOU FEEL BETTER. so go and see your doctor right away.

[organic-veg]

Dont stop suddenly. I lost a close personal friend when he went off zoloft for a week.

[Cranky]

Thanks everyone for all your advices, they are very helpful.

[sedatednsmiling]

I was on them for 2 or 3 months, when they stoped working, I stoped taking. for like a month after that I had wicked bad brainzaps and a temper from hell.