Preventing Discontinuation Syndrome There are ways that you can prevent or reduce discontinuation symptoms. People may stop their medicine abruptly for various reasons, including feeling better or experiencing unpleasant side effects, as well as simply forgetting to refill a prescription. Talk to your doctor. Voice any concerns you have, and do not attempt to stop on your own. Before stopping an antidepressant — or any medicine — your doctor should assess whether this is an appropriate time to do so.

One of the best ways to minimize discontinuation syndrome is by reducing doses of medicines, including SSRIs, slowly. Together, you and your doctor should decide how to reduce, then stop, the dose. It can increase anxiety and depression, which can make stopping harder.

Is It Discontinuation Or Depression? Discontinuation reactions are not dangerous. However, as Banov noted, symptoms such as mood swings, anxiety and depression can make it tricky to distinguish between discontinuation reactions and depression. He suggests that patients and their clinicians consider the symptoms that led to starting the treatment. Risk of discontinuation or withdrawal reactions appears to be greater after stopping prolonged treatment, especially with high doses of an antidepressant, according to Baldessarini.

She blogs regularly about body and self-image issues on her own blog, Weightless , and about creativity on her second blog Make a Mess. I went cold-turkey then tried to taper. The taper just made me feel worse so went cold-turkey again. The good news was that after the first couple of weeks, I had never been sharper.

I actually can keep up better with conversations than I did on the citalopram. The dizziness was bad for the first 3 weeks but has now subsided and is only occasional at this point. I rested as much as I could which helped. Keeping hydrated and making sure I ate something substantial helped too. I am starting to experience the blues and mood swings this past week. Walking is how I like to exercise and would help increase serotonin production. Benadryl has helped me sleep better.

I have been having insomnia for the past 2 weeks. I also itch all over at bedtime which the Benadryl helps with too. I know it will get better.

I, like some of you, would rather deal with these withdrawal symptoms than go back on citalopram. Kind of feel let down by the drug. You sure find out a lot about your friends and family at times like this, but I have found I really like my doctor. She has been understanding and supportive. Reply Link Anne July 20, , 4: Will give it more time. The dizziness, fatigue and overall sense of not feeling good are getting difficult to work through.

Reply Link Doreen July 20, , And hang in there because it does get better. Reply Link Karen July 23, , 5: I am on my 2nd full week of withdrawal. The dizziness and nausea are subsiding, but the crying spells, crazy dreams and fatigue have not.

Trying to have patience… Reply Link Rufus July 27, , 2: I went cold turkey 7 days ago, after having a major operation and forgetting to take them for 5 days. Only 2 days ago the dizziness crept in. My mood swings have been insane, but I refuse to go back on a drug that has this effect on me. Reply Link Veronica August 11, , 5: I refuse to go back on this drug. After more than 10 years on 40 mg daily… I am a zombie.

Away from home without medication 7 days ago, I read about side-effects of citalopram. No wonder my heartbeat and blood pressure have a mind of their own. Several times I have totally collapsed and been carted of in an ambulance… Only to switch back into reality after an hour or so and get sent on my way with a notice not to annoy anyone anymore.

So 7 days ago I quit. I feel dizzy and exhausted, but I AM going to regain my life at the age of 65 and smell the roses, even if… Reply Link Dawn August 7, , 6: From stomach upsets, dizzy, violent headaches and brain zaps I could go on. I feel as though things are easing. I am determined to see it through. Good luck everyone who reads this. Reply Link Susan July 16, , Reply Link RL July 14, , 2: Big mistake, took it for a year without realizing that it was giving me nasty side effects.

Then it interacted with some pain meds I was taking Gabapentin — from my experience with that medication I suggest steering well clear of that as well! I feel so ill! I have never suicidal thoughts, but I have them at least once a day now. I would rather have put up with the menopause symptoms, which were pretty severe, than go through this hell with citalopram.

Reply Link Dan July 13, , 8: For the last six months I had my dosage reduced to 10mg daily. When I ran out and was feeling good, I just stopped. In hindsight, I probably should have done 10mg every other day for a while instead of just stopping.

I feel more or less back to normal now. Reply Link Veronica July 13, , 4: Now we have moved to a place I love and hubby has a job he likes. I was feeling great, loving life again. Felt so good I thought I could go off the anti-depressant. So I found a new doctor since we live in a new state and she agreed I could go off, First week, every other day and then 2nd week, every 3 days.

Do you think that was too quick to come of the medication? The anxiety is every day, mostly evenings and hard to breath. I was also given Ativan to help me sleep when first prescribed 5 years ago and rarely used them. Allison July 14, , 6: Reply Link Doreen July 14, , 6: I am now coming off of Celexa which I have been on for approximately 10 years. I think because you were on the maximum 40 mg dose your taper has been very quick.

Even though I have gone very slow, I still have withdrawal symptoms — but they have been manageable except for a few days here and there. Do hang in there and if needed take the Ativan at bedtime so at least you can get some sleep. Reply Link Tara July 11, , I had been contemplating coming off Celexa 20mg for a few months.

I initially started it due to severe anxiety, which resulted from an enormous amount of stress. Having your father diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and then subsequently moving in with your family will do that!

Anyway, I had been on it for about a year and half, but went to therapy, started exercising and lost some weight. I was and am feeling better. The biggest concern for me was medication interactions. I hated not being able to take an antibiotic or Tylenol without worrying about the possible side-effects. So, while on vacation a few weeks back, I decided to taper off. I took one every other day for a week. Then one every 3 days, then stopped. Sex drive is back, no severe side-effects, though I am currently experiencing some tummy troubles and sleep issues — all related to withdrawal.

Overall, I am completely happy with my decision and I feel like a brand new me. Best of luck to everyone undertaking the process to come off. Just make sure you have some tools and resources in your pocket to help cope with withdrawal symptoms; as well as possible recurrence of original symptoms.

Reply Link Ashley July 13, , 1: I am currently getting off as well. My last pill 5mg was last Sunday. It has been an up and down week emotionally and lots of brain fogs.

Thanks for the encouragement! Reply Link Chrissy July 10, , 1: About 2 weeks ago I forgot to take it was feeling good and have stopped. Was feeling the same symptoms… fatigue, dizziness, headache, irritability, bathroom issues, night sweats and my joints hurt. I also realized it looks like I am going through my change.

So I was curious if how I am feeling was withdraw from the medicine, change or both. However, I do take a small dose of a sleeping pill. Reply Link Allison July 9, , 5: It took 9 months of slowly weaning, but I was successful with no withdrawal symptoms.

Reply Link Gail July 9, , 6: I will look into the liquid form for tapering off, as well. Gail Reply Link Allison July 9, , 8: I was on celexa for 12 years at 20mg.

I dropped down 1 mg every weeks. It took almost 9 months. Reply Link Gail July 9, , Would you please update your status after being off for a full month? Going much slower and in 1 mg increments will probably be the key!

Did you take any other supplements to assist in this process? Gail Reply Link Allison July 10, , 8: Link Tiffany July 8, , 4: By the time I got home I was already a week off, and I been wanting to stop them, so I just went with it. I have now been off of them for about 2 weeks. The first few days I was fine. Except in traffic on the way back home, or going over bridges. I have also noticed I am so emotional.

I cried getting my car washed yesterday, at movie trailers, during conversations with people, etc. I have gained about 5lbs and I am on topamax already for migraines, but I have been getting some pretty gruesome headaches for which I am using 2 Aleve to take away.

Now I am going on 2 weeks. I know it has to get better with each day that passes. Reply Link Ellen July 6, , 9: I tried to come off once before but the irritability was awful and ruining my home life so I went back on 20mg. Brain for, tiredness, emotional wreck, nervous etc and an upset stomach. So many of us experiencing the same frustrations. I thought the hardest thing would be going on them.

I was very wrong. My sex drive whilst on them was minimal and the confusion and sweats unbearable. Reply Link Seana July 6, , 3: A little background story: I was taking it for a little over a year and recently decided to get off of it to try to have a baby in the near future. It has been terrible! No brain zaps thank goodness, but the depression and crying spells have been everyday just about.

Mood swings and irritability are heightened. I feel defensive and hurt by everything and everyone lately. On the citalopram I was normal, and I miss it: I was about to call my doctor to get back on citalopram, but decided to research first.

I am so glad I did. YouTube and this forum really helped me. I am so thankful for this! I am going to remember the withdrawal effects and hopefully that will help me deal a little better. Reply Link Jeff July 4, , My main symptom was derealization.

I have been completely off of it for just over 3 weeks. The first week was really bad, brain zaps and insomnia. The dizziness is still present but has improved. I still feel nauseous a lot though. Problem is that I am always dizzy and fatigued with it, making it so hard to do activities. My fatigue has been really bad lately too. I sleep a lot, but have no energy, especially after around 6. Typing this now from coming in from outside because yard toss completely drained me lol.

Reply Link Susan June 30, , 5: My Psychiatrist advised me to go off Celexa to see if it was causing the tachycardia. It has been 3 weeks. I have experienced increased anxiety, fatigue, brain fog, balance issues. Some of that is now subsiding. But the tachycardia is non-stop right now. My question is, how long will this last? Reply Link Jenn June 28, , Doctor increased it to 40 mg to help with the stress I was having at grad school.

She said I could start tapering my meds since I am also now out of grad school. I cut my 40 to 20 the first week, then 10 then to 5, then to nothing. I have been completely off of them for about 2 weeks now. My first week off was fine. I actually had tons of energy. This all took a turn about 5 days ago as now I am battling with tinnitus and severe insomnia. I have only been able to sleep 3 total hours in the last 5 days. I have tried melatonin and sominex with no help.

Doctor now wants me to go back on 10mg or go on Ambien. She said my symptoms must be from anxiety and not the withdrawal. I have a huge family event in a week, help!! Would it be better for me to go back on the 10 mg. Reply Link Susan June 24, , So good to hear others experience!

I have forgotten how to sleep at night! I am also struggling with the lightheadedness. On a bonus, and a huge one — sex has never been better! I have been on citalopram for about 16 years and can count on one hand the orgasms in that time. Since withdrawing, my sex drive has gone into overdrive and orgasms are fantastic new experience.

We can get rid of these evil pills! Reply Link Debbie June 23, , 4: First 10 days felt like my head and body were not in sink, dizziness and brain zaps. This eased off and I noticed no change in my mood so continued on 10mg for another 2 months and dropped to 5mg.

Same symptoms as previous reduction but not as severe. Stayed on 5mg for 6 weeks then dropped to 2. Am hopeful for the future without citalopram, good luck to all! Reply Link Louise June 28, , 7: I had been on 20mg Citalopram for several years due to family circumstances.

I had to retire early too — so after 9 months of retirement decided to reduce to 10mg as I was feeling fantastic. However, after 2 weeks on 19mg I have severe migraine type headaches and am feeling sick particularly first thing in the morning.

I am determined to stick with it but the headaches make it very difficult. Rather than going to 5mg is it worth taking 10mg every other day, every 2 days etc.

Reply Link Carly June 23, , 7: This was not to do with depression or any similar problems. The geniuses thought these pills would alleviate the pain from bowel issues!!! Pain in all parts of GI tract. What a dreadful drug!

How long will it take to get back to normal? Prior to that I was on 20mg of Prozac for a number of years due to major depression. I had Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for dealing with the depression caused by illness. The coping skills helped greatly allowing me to go off the Prozac. I had no problem with discontinuation symptoms with Prozac. I was happy and depression free until my brother passed away.

My doctor put me on Citalopram. I was feeling great again and using my coping skills so I decided to get off the Citalopram by tapering down using the 20mg to 10mg every other night. I started experiencing anxiety but decided to stick it out. I have been tapering down for the past five months and with each reduction the anxiety got worse and worse. No depression, just a feeling of panic.

I hope to try to get off the drug at a later date. If I had known how difficult it would be to get off this drug, I would have never taken it to begin with.

If anyone has any suggestions, I would appreciate it. I feel this drug has poisoned my system. Reply Link Liz July 9, , 1: My suggestion is, with the approval of your doctor, taper off of it again and fight through the side effects. Reply Link Eunice June 11, , 3: Attempted to jump off after tapering to 0. So I am a year out and every bloody month there are new symptoms which come and go. The first lot was severe eczema which I already had from salicylate sensitivity. I went on a low salicylate diet which managed these symptoms.

And very itchy eyes when I get tired. Anyone want to tell me how long their fatigue period lasted and how they managed it? I realized that I was getting loads of side effects, and decided to get off it. My doc recommended reducing it fairly fast i. In the end it took me 3. Why am I getting terrible anxiety, and tension in my upper body? I feel really low and the tears are never far away. It has been suggested to me that these things could be the result of being blown up by a bomb when I was 18 months old… It would really help to know whether anyone else has these symptoms so long after coming off it!?

Reply Link TeresaS August 11, , 4: The first several months were terrible, and then things got a little better. However, the light headedness, vertigo, and sleep issues have never waned.

I also feel as though my ability to concentrate is shot, forgetfulness an issue as well; which is highly unusual because I tend to have an amazing memory. Still struggling with depression and much higher levels of anxiety. I tend to wonder if the medication permanently changed something or if the initial symptoms that were muted while on the medication, are simply back, full force.

Best of luck to you, and everyone else struggling with this! Reply Link Charlie June 10, , 8: It seems to be a favored drug of the VA for any type of mental issue. I have tried to get support from the VA mental health on a few occasions in 3 different states but met strong resistance. So a month ago I decided to wean myself on my own. The suicidal thoughts are creeping back in. But every time that happens I look at the bands I wear in honor of my brothers who have committed suicide, it helps a lot.

The crying, anger, and mood swings are far worse than anything I experienced prior to being on the drug. I found this website because I was wondering if what I was going through was common or normal.

But hey on the bright side I had my first erection in over 10 years! Hanging on in Oregon. Reply Link Susan July 3, , Also, hang in there. Please promise you will seek help if any negative thoughts get worse. It has been a month for me, however, no alcohol, healthy eating and exercise helped greatly. I no longer have any side effects. Was on 20 mg. Be sure to keep in touch with this website and be good to yourself. I actually became more depressed and anxious over time on it and decided to stop taking it.

I never talked to my doctor first could not get an appointment in until a month and a half later. Keep hanging on there. The side effects will pass. Hanging on in Mississippi. Reply Link Amy July 24, , 1: So relieved I am not alone. Was on celexa almost continually for 25 years now. Stopped working altogether so my doctor switched me to trintellix.

He told me to taper my 20 mg of celexa to 10 mg and combine with 5 mg starting dose of trintellix. I was told to do this for a week and then go to 10 mg of trintellix. I have been experiencing horrible withdrawal from the celexa for 5 weeks. Suicidal thoughts, intense anxiety and panic, memory lapses and complete brain fog.

Uncontrollable crying jags and almost no appetite. Taking a shower and eating a meal is an accomplishment. Yesterday I started to feel a little more optimistic. Mornings are especially bad but as today progressed I actually was able to leave the house with my tween daughters which did me a world of good. This is a great site and each and every one of your posts makes me realize I am not alone! I pray and hope we all get through this in one piece. I hope sharing my experience helps as much as reading about each and every one of yours has helped me.

One day at a time! Reply Link Simona June 8, , 4: So we decided to start by halving the dose — from 20mg to 10mg for a month and then for about two more to take in every other day.

Celexa (Citalopram) Withdrawal Symptoms: How Long Will They Last?

I pray and hope we all get through this in one piece. Same symptoms as previous reduction but not as severe. Then reduce to 10mg for another month. Thanks for the encouragement! Reply Link Gail July 9, Reply Link Rich Lane May 30, Maybe it was CYA issue I have idea. They asked me if I had been abroad and said I was unlikely to get it in the UK. I actually became more depressed and anxious over time on it and decided to stop taking it. I do get some fairly good days. When I went down to 5 mg two weeks ago, I really began having more intense side effects: Problem is that I am always dizzy and fatigued with it, how long celexa withdrawal symptoms last, making it so hard to do activities.

Problems Coming off Celexa/Citalopram

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