You are living my life , same medication ,same amount of time and same panic attacks. You have inspired me to start slowly cutting down to get off , which I've wanted to do for years. Thank you for this.
Hey, thank you for such a lovely comment, I’ve said in a previous video that knowing that other’s experience what you are is comforting as you know it’s a condition and not just you. I wish you all the best with your quest, i hope you get the end goal you desire.
Hey, thanks for stopping by, I’ve been so open with my struggles for so long now that it feels very natural to talk about it, I do worry that I overshare but hey, on here hopefully it just helps some people
Thankyou so much! I too have been taking citalopram for 16 years and have tried 3 times to come off it without success. I’ve felt trapped. I’m going to try your method of weaning myself off it … much more slowly than I did in the past. I wish you all health and happiness Dom 🙏🏼
Hi thank you for your two messages and for watching my video. Like you I have tried and failed many times in the past to come off my meds but this time I managed it, it wasn’t easy but doing it really slowly is definitely the best way, good luck with it all and keep me updated
Came off a year ago after being on it for 9 years. Thought I was cured. A month ago my manic disorder came back with a vengeance and was so bad a mental health team had to get involved. They put me back on citilopram but it made me go crazy so I’m now on week two of sertraline and diazepam. The last few days I have noticed some improvement. Can’t believe I’m having to go through this again 😭
Hi Rachel, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I’m so sorry to read what you are going through, sounds like a very hard situation you are dealing with. I’m very open with myself and if coming off them causes me to go backwards then I’ll know that I need the meds to cope so I hope you aren’t being to hard of yourself. I hope you have the support network around you if you need it and keep me updated on your progress. Hopefully the meds will rebalance things for you and well done on being so open, it’s important I think.
I take citalopram 20 y and I stop take "5" Time during this years and must return. But now i 41 n Free from. So best tips is work with yourself and after few year dare stop Again n see if it better. I use them for anxiety n ocd
Hi Dom, thank you for sharing your experience. I recently attempted to come off Citalopram after being on it for about 8 years. I tapered off by going from 20mg to 10mg for four weeks, then 5mg for four weeks, then 5mg every other day. After taking my final 5mg tablet I felt awful for about three weeks and had to reinstate onto 5mg. Thankfully, I’ve stabilised now but I still experience eye floaters regularly (this is a side effect of anxiety I’ve experienced in the past). Like you, I desperately want to come off Citalopram for good. Thankfully I’ve managed to get down to 5mg, and I will hopefully summon up the willpower to go again in the near future.
Thank you for your comment, going from 20mg to 5mg is massive, that’s a huge change, well done and well done on not just going straight back on 20mg, seems you did the right thing to rebalance yourself back on 5mg. Let me know how you get on, good luck with the good fight.
Thank you! Congratulations on your sobriety! I am 45 stopped drinking 10 months ago and decided I’m done being numb my hangziety was horrible and can’t help but think how much has that cycle contributed to my panic disorder and mental health. I have a new and renewed focus on self discovery and personal spirituality which helps ground me. I’m nervous about stopping my meds. I’ve been in the process for a few months now. I’m down from 40mg to 10mg of Citalopram. I appreciate you sharing your story. Nice to know there are other people out in the world with similar struggles. I wish you all the best and sending positive and healing energy your way. (I’m a bit new age it seems) 😁
Hi Monique 👋🏼 thank you for the really lovely message and congratulations on being sober yourself, it’s very hard as you need to completely flip your way of thinking. Dropping from 40mg to 10mg is a huge step also so you really are on a positive journey, I’d love to hear how you are getting on so drop me another comment. Thank you for watching my video and taking time out to engage, I really appreciate it.
Thank you for sharing your story and Happy New Year! I’m kind the opposite in a way. I went to treatment for alcoholism and my meds prescribed. I was prescribed Alprasolam (Xanax) 3 mg a day for close to 14 years I would say. Also Adderall 45 mg for probably even longer. Day one of treatment I was cut off cold turkey from my meds! I did end up relapsing on drinking beer but I believe I should not been taken off in this way! I still have 6 Xanax left and never taken! Why us patients weren’t tapered down is beyond me!
Hey thank you for leaving a comment and happy new year to you too. I’m sorry you experienced this, it must have been very hard and on top of what you were already going through, not sure if it was because you were receiving treatment and they couldn’t combine the two, only you and the docs know that. I hope you are finding a way to balance it all out and that you are heading in a positive direction.
Hi Dom, I'm coming off Citalopram after 2 years. I'm now 3 weeks in a its hard, the brain zaps and the falling head are some of the symptoms. I'm over thinking a lot and its a struggle. Watching your video really helps and I identify with a lot of your back story, thanks for the videos mate, Luke
Hey, thanks for the lovely comment, I hope 2 weeks on you are finding it easier, I’m a massive overthinking, always over analysing everything, I’m not sure if that is part of my panic disorder or just my character but it’s tiring and often I create my anxiety from just my thoughts. Good luck with the tapering, look after yourself and keep me updated
I've been on ecitalopram 20mg (the max) for 30 years. I'm not trying to come off it, but my GP says I now need something stronger, so as of tonight I'm on 15mg for a week reducing by 5 each week until I can hopefully get something stronger. Great video sir!:)
Hey, thank you for your comment. That’s a bit annoying having to adapt your medication and having to withdraw to then having to work through the process of getting used to new meds. I really hope it gives you the outcome that you desire as we all deserve that, keep me updated and look after yourself.
@@distractingdom thank you:) I couldn't last the week.. started feeling terrible.. dizzy, weakness, shaky legs and hands I couldn't go on so I'm now back to 20mg and feeling better..I'm using CBD now and that has been amazing for mood..and pain. Have to wait untill later this month to speak to my GP!
@@mark70s29 hey, I’m glad you acted quickly to get yourself back on track, it’s such a weird feeling dropping the dose, I found it gave me the same symptoms to why I started taking them in the first place. I hope the doctors appointment goes well, just remember it’s YOUR appointment so make sure it benefits you.
Hey, very common isn’t it, one of the reasons I did the video, I wanted to let people know that they aren’t on their own and that it’s a condition not a personal thing, although the fight is personal. Hope you are doing ok
Thank you so much for making this video and sharing your experience. I have been sober since 2020 and now decided so start getting off Citalopram. It’s so good to know I’m not alone. We can do this and I look forward to watching you thrive in your other videos.
Hey, thank you for stopping by and it’s great to see that you are looking to improve yourself more, stopping alcohol was hard but the right thing for me as I hope it was for you. I hope the tapering goes well, that wasn’t a pleasant experience so all the best wishes with your experiences through it. Let us know how you get on.
Thank you for sharing something so personal Dom. This has really helped. I wish I'd seen this before I started to come off and I have definitely done it too quick. Going back on it today, as I work up feeling worse than ever this morning. Will bide my time and take it much slower next time. Good luck in your journey hon.
Hey, thank you for your message and watching my video, having you say the video has helped it great to read. It’s not easy coming off the meds, just need to do it slowly much like losing weight, you wouldn’t just stop eating. You know yourself, so just listen to your body and look after yourself.
Thanks so much for sharing, I can relate to everything you’ve spoken about you’re being very brave Dom , I’ve been off of my meds now for 8 months been on every antidepressant over a period of 25 year....the brain zaps were terrifying .Best wishes
Hi Susan, thank you for taking time to watch my video and for leaving a comment. Thankfully all the head issues I was having with the withdrawal symptoms have now passed. It’s not a nice experience as you fully know yourself but I’ll now just monitor myself. Keep me updated on your progress.
Thank you for the kind comment, I hope the withdrawal goes well, don’t push it as that will only knock you backwards, if you are really struggling don’t drop more, let your body guide you and look after yourself
Hey, thanks for leaving a comment. People are very different, there is no right way, this was the way I choose to do it and I did it at a pace that worked for me and I’ve been off it for 8 months so it was fine.
Hi, I’m so sorry I don’t know how I missed your message, I hope you are doing well and things are positive for you, thank you for the comment I do really appreciate it
Hi Dom I just came across your vid after looking around on here to see how to get back to normal. I suffered for some 34 years with my panic and eventually asked my doc for help. He gradually upped my dose from 5 to 30mg. I have felt for a long time the need to be as I was. I am gradually plucking up the courage to start and will take it very very slowly. But I need my gifts back and although citalopram has its benefits, it’s cost is too high. Thankyou for sharing your journey, one I have yet to take.
Hi Peter, thank you for watching my video and leaving a comment, I have done an update video after 5 weeks of being off my meds and I’ll do another update in a week or so. It’s very hard to take that first step but as long as you do it very slowly you will hopefully not experience much in regards to withdrawal symptoms or affects to your daily life. Keep me updating on how you are getting on and be respectful to yourself, it’s good to come off the meds but not if it’s detrimental to yourself and you are what matters. Good luck with it all buddy!
Hi Dom. Have been taking it steady and so far so good, no brain zaps and no signs of withdrawal. I am working with my health professionals but they want to cut my disease in half for a month then again the following month finally cutting off all together on month three. Not happy with that so told them I will do two/three or more months on a reduced dosage, and when I feel happy (no pun intended) that there aren’t any repercussions from this action, I will take step two and reduce further. I was taking 20mg a day making 140mg a week but have cut back to 10mg on alternate days, making a weekly intake of 110mg. Have a review this week and will drop to 10mg a day to see how that goes for a month or two. I don’t feel any different at all but am trying to understand why I can laugh and enjoy, feel the moment and empathise but when it comes to death or loss, I feel nothing? Perhaps it is something I have to search for the answer to to fulfill my life’s goal. That is the reason I am trying to get away from citalopram - I feel spiritually numb.
I am going to do a six month taper . My natural path is a huge help with this . Going from 40 to 30 , 30 to 20, 20-15 , 15-12,12-10 ,10-8, 8-5 , 5-2.5. you can get liquid to micro dose it
Hi Adam that you for your message, I think you are being really sensible with your approach but I wouldn’t be to regimented with it, if you get down to say 20 and you aren’t feeling a bit odd then stay on 20 for a while and look at the huge achievement that you’ve managed to half your original dose but what ever your approach slowly is the right way, good luck with it all, look after yourself and keep me updated.
Just stopped after 20+ years on 20mg a day. Skipped 2 days took a dose, skipped 2 days, took a dose and then just went cold turkey. I had bad withdrawl, crazy dreams, emotions out of control at times but no depression but minor anxiety, Now on my second week without any celexa and still improving. Prior attempts to cut back did not go well for me, so i decided to just do it.
Thanks for sharing this! I'm currently tapering off escitalopram and it's quite the journey. Roughly following the 10% per month schedule and hoping to have a better taper this time. I also went off too fast in the past.
Hey thanks for taking time to watch the video and leaving a comment, I think you are doing exactly what you need to do, 10% sounds spot on. Good luck with it all, listen to your body and keep us updated
Thanks for sharing your story. I just started taking 10 mg yesterday. I am now on day 2 . I realize I cannot be on it forever. However. My depression and panic was getting out of control to a point that I could no longer function normally
Hi, thank you for your comment. I am sorry to read that you are struggling, it happens to the best of us. Please don’t view this video as anything more than me documenting coming off the meds. I am not one of these people that say you shouldn’t do this or that as people and their situations are very different. I went on anti depressants because I needed that support to help me get back some normality in my life and they helped, I’m just at a stage where I feel like I can handle life without that support but if my anxiety flairs back up when my world starts to become a little more congested then I will not hesitate to return to them for support. Don’t listen to others, do what works for you and if they help you to get a little bit of your life back then to me, I’m all for that. Good luck with it all and keep me updated. Look after yourself and listen to your body.
You are a treasure. Thanks for saying this and making this video I am on week 5 and feel like a normal person I FORGOT WHAT ITS LIKE! I can actually look at life and not see it as impossible, horrible place. I can deal with my stressfull life situations in a reasonable way without spiralling I dont suffer 24/7 I didnt even realise how bad it was until now that im out of that hole. Its the best thing ive done for my life ever. I will taper down very very very slowly in a year or two But its a magic change. I could not have reached this on my own maybe ever I was so tired. I now can finally rest a bit. Sending love to you
Currently withdrawing and this is so helpful. Different drug, same class. When I'm able to GRASP THINGS I'm trying to video document this for others as well. Would love to chat if you're interested but I'm 34 and I don't understand how to message on this thing!
Hey, thank you for your message. Hopefully you manage to find your balance, this was my 1st of 3 videos I posted on it if you find the others helpful, you can message me on Insta with the same username or I think there is an email address on my profile but I’m not medically trained, this is just my personal experience and what works or doesn’t work for one, affects someone else completely different but happy to communicate.
Thank you for this video. I have recently tried to come off my 20mg however, did it too quickly and suffered bad side effects. I may try cutting it down slowly like you did. Thank you for you honesty!
Hi Megan, thank you for such a lovely message. Going slowly is the way forward as otherwise you are just putting yourself at a disadvantage by creating symptoms for yourself, good luck with it all, I did another 2 videos after this one if you wanted to follow along my tapering. All the best, keep me posted.
Mate, i cannot believe how quickly you have come off them, you should have reduced them MUCH more slowly - i reduced mine slowly over a year and no zaps or issues, and was fine for about 6 months. Sadly, symptoms returned and i went back on them and resigned to saying on them for the time being.
Thank you for leaving a comment, I honestly thought I did it slowly, roughly 7-8 weeks tapering. I took my last tablet in July and I’m now experiencing zero side affects and emotions have returned. Sorry to read that you have returned to medication but for me if when I return to full normality and if I start to struggle, like you I will return and know that I need them.
8 years, taking 30mg. I’ve tried several times to reduce and failed, it’s reassuring to hear that it’s hard to come off this because my doctor reassured me that 30mg was such a small dose, coming off it would take only a few weeks. I had no reason to doubt him, but realise now how wrong he was. I went straight to 20mg for a few weeks, then 10mg for a few weeks and that wasn’t difficult for me so I tried just stopping and I’m now taking 10mg every 3 days and it’s awful, I appreciate this having watched your video that this wasn’t perhaps a wise move, but like I said my doctors offered no real assistance with this when I previously raised this with them. I’m going back to 10mg and then going to reduce to 5mg etc alternative days like you did
Firstly thank you for taking time to watch my video and leaving a comment, it’s very much appreciated. Secondly you should be very proud of yourself as 30mg is a high dose so to drop that to 10mg is impressive. You have done the right thing, if you are seriously struggling it’s because you have come off it to quickly and your body is crying out for it, you need to reduce slowly and try not to have days where you aren’t taking anything as it causes your brain to spike. I didn’t have days without a tablet until I got down to 2.5 mg and then those days were the lead up to stopping. As I touched on in my videos as there is a follow up to the one you have commented on, it’s very hard but you can do it if you do it the right way and listen to your body. Keep me updated and seriously well done as I know how hard it can become.
@@sangeetalambh6389 hey, no I didn’t, I felt numb to emotion but definitely didn’t feel like I was seeing myself from the outside luckily as that sounds horrific.
Hi Dom really good videos, I done the 20-10 every other day for a 6 weeks then 10-5 for six weeks and then 5 for a month and I have dizziness and fatigue still and now I've stopped taking them and hopefully the side effects wear off soon
Hi Wayne, thank you for the message and for watching my videos. May I ask why you continued to drop your dose whilst experiencing withdrawal symptoms, is it not best and I’m only talking from my experience to let your brain accept the lower dose before dropping again? It’s great to read though that you have done this slowly, sounds like you know exactly what you are doing so don’t need my input. Keep me updated and the dizziness definitely passes, just takes time.
Been on them since 2007, had a few periods without but always seem to relapse. But like you say i feel like I've been chemically castrated. Zero need/want for sex, every relationship I've had since 2007 I've not wanted intimacy which ended the relationships pretty fast, so i gave up even trying in 2014. Found this video because i want to try to stop this again and be successful.
Hey, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. The lack of sex drive really sucks but I not sure personally if mine was ever very high and what I did have the meds killed off. Make sure to do it slowly to give yourself the best chance but also ask yourself if you are coming off them because it’s right or because you want to as they are two different reasons, it has to be the right time. My life is seriously sheltered, muted to the point that I’m coping as I’ve nothing rocking the anxiety to speak of. We will see how I cope if and when it ramps up. All the best for you, keep us updated and look after yourself.
I am coming off now, I cry everyday because it's freaking hard, I feel like I am stopping a hard drug like heroin or worse. Headaches, dizziness nausea, shakes.
Hi, thank you for your comment. Take reassurance if you can that it is hard and the way you feel isn’t personally it’s what happens when you come off an antidepressant, remember this is a drug that affects the brain so coming off it will not be easy but focus on each day as I promise that each day is closer to the day that it gets easier in regards to the withdrawal. This is the first of three videos on my coming off the meds so check out my other ones and hopefully they will help. Keep me updated, you are stronger than you think.
I came off icitalopram after 10 years. Four months later out of my system it has been the worst time of my life. Absolutely horrific. A year later back on it. Your life has to be in a very good place to come it. Please be careful folks. Any bereavement or sudden jolt in your life with ongoing trauma will take you down if you decide to suddenly stop. Your life must must must be going extremely well to stop taking this.
Hi, thank you for your comment and I’m sorry to read about the sudden change for you, it can be a real struggle. I will say though that everybody is unique, what knocks one will not have the same impact to another, I struggle really badly with panic attacks but I’ve witnessed others come back from one within an hour which I’m always shocked by. I hope you find a balance that works for you, all the best and thank you for leaving a comment
Hi Dom, hope you are doing well. I'm just about to go back on Citalopram (or perhaps another SSRI / SNRI) after a relapse. I just wanted to say that these drugs are not magic. They do help with Anxiety/depression and a bunch of other stuff and that's great. But the main side effect for me was a flattening of personality. They even me out, so the dynamic range of emotion is quite flat. After a year on Citalopram, I quit because I wanted to feel again. You mentioned you did 20 years so wow. I've decided that for me doing stints on to level myself out and off again is a good balance. The reason I want to try different ones is cause I have auditory and visual hallucinations with them. But I've had brain sparks coming on them and off them.... stay strong.
Auditory and visual hallucinations, that sounds terrifying. I agree that they aren’t magic, I always say them as a support and nothing more, I was never deluded to thinking they’d fix me, it’s a lot more deep routed than that. I hope you get your balance right and the meds support you in the way they need to, it’s never easy but it’s good that you know that they are supportive once you have found the right ones.
Ive been on 40 for atleast 5 yrs. I tried once and it was awful. I just started to take 30 and plan on taking it a very slow wean. I am glad to hear it is possible
@@Penny3360 I think that is exactly the right course, it gives you the time to see how your body reacts to the drop, it’s like with anything, for it to last you have to do it slowly, give your brain time to readjust and see how you handle it and feel as that is the main thing, good luck with it all
emotionial numbness and no desire for nookie or long time between to recharge. 17 years of use for me , i had to go cold turkey. The effects of the drug stopped making me happy. 3 weeks in withdrawl now and im getting constant brain zaps and like a mental and body shudder when i move around. no panic attacks, depression though. if i was on my own and had to work and go out. i couldnt of went cold turkey.
Thanks for the comment, I’m not sure cold turkey was the right decision as you need to give your body the chance to come off them and by just stopping you aren’t allowing that. Saying that, everyone is different so I hope you get the outcome you want, I took my last tablet in July so I’ve been nearly 5 months without meds and I’m doing fine, if that changes though I’ll return to meds but at the moment I am liking that I can feel again, so we will see how it goes. Good luck with it all.
Hi , I’m surprised you stayed on 10mg for so many years .. I was prescribed 10mg back in February and 2 months later they doubled it to 20mg.. and from last week I’m now on 30mg per day so big increase in just a few months . I take it for anxiety , was having awful anxiety attacks which the medication has now really helped .. sometimes I think I’m gonna have an episode but it’s doesn’t quite go that far so I guess they are working .
@@mrronald2649 hey, thanks for stopping by, to be honest I didn’t go to the doctors so the increase in dose was never on the table, I just made do with the 10 mgs which I know is low. Glad to read that it is supporting you the way it needs to and hopefully lots of positive days coming your way
Hey, thanks for leaving a comment, I am glad they aren’t banned personally as they helped me through years of struggle. When you are tapering off the meds, at least you have a reason to why you are feeling the way you are, when I started taking them I just didn’t understand what was going on in my own body. Take is slow and if you seriously struggle but you know it’s not withdrawn, ask yourself if coming off them is right for you
Hi. Thanks for your honesty. I've been on Cilift for MANY years. Probably in excess of 15 years. I remember taking Aropax 30 years ago. For the life of me I have no idea whether I've been completely off SSRI'S for any given time. I do remember that I ended up in hospital in a state of hysteria, (many years ago) was injected with something, given 10 days of whatever to get me going again and I THINK I've been on 20MG OF Cilift ever since. I decided to take the 20mg every 2nd day. Has only been 8 days. I'm experiencing heart palpitations and a type of pressure on my chest. My son suggested that it could be the Cilift. I am going to take 10mg immediately after this note, and will alternate 20 mg and 15mg for a month. I will then try maybe 15 for a month and then alternate 15mg and 10mg etc. I'm from South Africa. Kind Regards. Roeleen.
Hi, thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment, I’m glad to read that you have now altered your tapering of your meds, you shouldn’t in my opinion skip days until you are really down to a low dose as it takes time for the body to react to the meds and if you keep skipping your body will get highs and lows, best to take meds regularly but reduce the amount , obviously I am not medically trained so I’d always consult a doctor but slow and steady is the best way, so 29mg, 10mg, 20mg, 10mg and give your body time to react before you start your next decline, your body will always tell you if you can handle it and it’s important to know the difference between symptoms of withdrawal and your mental health. Good luck with you all, be safe and listened to your body/mind.
Hey, thanks for stopping by. It certainly is hard, I’ve had multiple failed attempts to come off it and felt like it had trapped me but the reality was I just did it to quickly, if you really want to come off it, then the speed you do so shouldn’t be the driver. Good luck with it all
I chew on a 25mg benadryl if I get a panic attack. Bitterness of pill cuts it down by half immediately since forces you into taste sense out of head. I always keep a single benadryl in foil packet in my pocket. On 5mg citalopram I don't have to use them. Been on citalopram 9 years. Off for twelve consecutive months in 2021. Went back on when having to take Benadryl several times a week. Have all side effects on just 5mg. Just added half a 75mg Wellbutrin to deal with side effects of citalopram. Felt better on first dose with more motivation and energy than I have even off medicine. Wellbutrin helps raise dopamine and norepinephrine. As someone who used to take Ritalin and Adderall it definitely helps. I had no energy and constant apathy when just on citalopram so may be worth augmenting medicine rather than stopping. Stopping didn't work for me like I said because panic attacks returned and agoraphobia set in.
Hey thank you for leaving a comment, I’ve never heard of Benadryl but I’m definitely going to look into it now if it reduces the symptoms of a panic attack. This is the first of 3 videos that I documented while coming of the meds and I’ve now been off them for 6 months and all seems ok although life is very muted so might be different when I’m surrounded by life. Best of luck finding out what is best for you, it’s such a difficult place to be on.
@@distractingdom I believe u. I grew up w ADHD and had many precieved failures in life. Just beat me down. And I became a doctor, but deep down it was grinding at my soul, I didn’t like it. Took 25 yrs to figure it out. Now I just started driving a truck. I’m really liking it so far. An adventure.
I was on 20mg for 3.5 years. I cut it down to 5 mg right away for 2 weeks then 5mg every other day for 1 week and now I'm completely off. No brain zaps and I just had slight intermittent dizziness for 5 days and I'm back to normal.
Hey, thanks for the comment, that’s amazing, seems like you did well coming off the meds, I always say that everyone is different, so what is calm seas for one, is the perfect storm for someone else. Hope this reply finds you in a good place.
@distractingdom No problem. Have you tried Propranolol for the panic attacks? I also took that when I would get panin attacks. It worked GREAT. My issues where all gut related. How is your gut?
I had some luck lowering my anxiety and panic by taking magnesium citrate. Apparently it lowers cortisol which curbs the fight or flight response. I'm not a doctor but it may help someone. All the best everyone 😊
Amazing, it’s great to get a win when it comes to supporting your anxiety struggle, I had to google it, not sure I like the sound of it being a laxative so hopefully you aren’t get any negatives with that.
Been on 20mg 14 yrs. Anxiety.depression. now very depressed anxious. Bad time now helping elder parents etc inbetween jobs etc. In medical hate it trying to change. Feel like celexa stopped working. Gonna see psych.this week
Hey thank you for your comment, I’m sorry to read that you are struggling, sounds like you have a lot you are dealing with not just trying to manage yourself, I’m glad you are seeking support, that is such a positive channel and I’m wishing you all the best, I hope you start getting some positive outcomes I really do.
I always say that everyone is different and you shouldn’t advise others as what is right for one is wrong for another but if you can take encouragement from others that is a good thing, I’ve been off the meds now for 8 months and I’m definitely in touch with my feelings more now. Good luck to you, I hope you find the outcome that fits your circumstances and thank you for the comment
Hey, that’s really good, make sure to understand if the days that suck are because you are off the meds rather than you actually needing them to support you, they helped me for 16 years and if I need to, I’ll jump back on them even though it was hell to come off. Look after yourself
Thanks for your message, no it’s not easy is it, how are you feeling 2 months in, are you having withdrawals symptoms or have you passed through all that now?
Just Remember that your panic and Anxiety attacks are part of being a human own the feelings don't push it away close your eyes and meditate on the feeling look directly at where it manifests in the your body and make friends with it some great videos on YT on meditating with Panic and Anxiety , another thing if you can have the belief that a Doctor can help your mental health issues by prescribing a drug remember then nature will do better , don't partake in behaviours which will hijack your road to wellness , Sleep properly , eat well , exercise regularly, get sunshine do everything you can to give your body the best chance to recover and you can do it . trust that the body is capable to heal itself because you are a organism who has been millions of years in the making dont reduce yourself to a drug that a Dr prescribes. As long as you do those things and believe you can get better by doing this you will 100pct get better it takes work but its worth it like i said you can do it.
Hey, thanks for the comment, I had to google that as I’ve never heard of it. I’ve tried a couple of things like CBT, hypnotherapy and also being hypnotised but none worked, I do this this where I’m constantly analysing in my head what they are trying to make me do and I think that breaks the chain of concentration. It’s was a good read on the EMDR though, so thanks for leaving that message. Hope you are well and appreciate you stopping and leaving that comment.
I’m not sure I agree that these drugs are dangerous, they help more people than they harm and those that come to harm are probably reacting to their condition or mismanagement of medication but man they are hard to come off them.
@@distractingdomthats such a dumb take. They give people symptoms which absolutely ruin their life forever like PSSD. Also they increase suicide so much. These meds should not be taken longer than 2 years.
You need your doctors advice before coming off it. I was monitored closely when I came off it last time. Got back on it 10 years later and still on it but I'll be talking to my doctor about coming off it. It can take 18 months to get off it.
Thank you for your comment, I touch on in the video to speak with your doctor but I also believe that people need to use these videos as nothing more than a side dish, everybody is different, what works for one doesn’t for another, the reasons for me coming off the meds don’t necessarily match the reasons of others, you have to listen to your body and know your situation, that’s the most important thing. Good luck with your journey I hope you get the outcome you want.
Hi, thanks for stopping by. Sorry to read that you are struggling with depression and insomnia. I can’t give advice as I’m not a doctor and don’t know your background. My videos are purely as a personal experience of me. I would speak to your doctor, when you are open and honest about your struggles it really does open your work, may that be by getting help or discovering through your openess that others experience the same. Look after yourself and please don’t let yourself not be the priority.
I'm trying to come off it also after 10 years, it's been over 2 months since I lowered my dose and it's been rough. First few weeks were horrible but it got better. Now my mood is up and down How did you come off the first time? Was there withdrawal before?
Hi, thanks for the comment and watching the video. Well done on sticking with it, it really isn’t easy. I’m currently 4 weeks into not taking my medication and I’m still experiencing withdrawal symptoms, I’m still getting brain zaps but what is affecting me more is at night when I go to bed my head feels like there is lots of pressure build up in it and I get this weird sensation where my brain drops and I think I’m about to have a fit, you know the feeling you get when you go over a small humped bridge in a car and your stomach drops, it’s like that but in my head, really unpleasant but I’m determined to stick with it. So yes, I’m experiencing withdrawal symptoms now but 6/7 years ago I really don’t remember feeling like this. I’ll do an update video soon, so keep an eye out or hit subscribe.
@@silentninja2754 thank you, that encourages me to do more videos on my mental health as I’d like them to help or support others as it is difficult at times. Keep up the good fight, sounds like you are doing great and keep doing it at a slow pace.
@@distractingdom thank you. I'm going to play it safe and taper slow maybe even 2 years taper because when i lowered my dose i had bad anxiety. I still have some anxiety and depressive mood, did you get loss of appetite and upset stomach? I'll keep an eye on your update video.
@@silentninja2754 no I’ve not had anything like that, all my symptoms have been head/brain related. Think of tapering like dieting, if you crash diet and lose too much weight fast the odds are that you will fail and put it back on, those that succeed lost 1-2 lbs a week and keep it off, make a change that fits your life. Drop to a lower dose and see how you feel on it, let your anxiety adjust to see how you cope, don’t rush you as you are what matters, don’t forget that.
Hey, thanks for stopping by. Glad it is helping, the sleep will settle down. It helped me when I needed it to, just feels like the time has come to try life without it.
Omg the hungry associated with panic I thought I was insane explaining that I think I have too much of the hungry harmone I’m not 11 days in lexapro and .25 of Xanax twice a day I’ve had slight improvements I hope I can be on this for a few months only
@@distractingdom it’s a mix of having no appetite and also feeling hungry which is triggering to my anxiety like I haven’t eaten for weeks and makes my stomach growl which wakes me up at night and I just have to have tea or something to calm it down
@@chantalclarke5305 oh ok, that really doesn’t sound very nice at all, feeling hungry is one of my triggers as instead of my brain saying “you are hungry go eat that’s why you feel funny” it instead says “AGH YOU FEEL FUNNY YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE A PANIC ATTACK, RUN AWAY”, so I truly feel for you with that.
@@chantalclarke5305 I’m not sure how to answer this, I do a lot of inner talking to myself, reassuring and calming, I’ve been sober for 2 years and 6 months, I make sure I always have a nut bar around incase I get hungry etc so just try and do my best, I also keep myself single as I’ve found that when I have a new relationship my sleep reduces and with the girls I date my stress levels go up and my alcohol consumption goes crazy. Your body is still accepting your meds though, once they get used to them all that will fade.
Thank you for sharing. It helps to hear about your experience tapering off citalopram. I watched this video earlier, and found it informative: ruclips.net/video/4xkeqzuVxps/видео.html
Never really had to say it, getting a repeat prescription is all digital and when I was corrected it was a year or so before I had to say it and by then I forgot the correct pronunciation
That’s fine, none taken. To be honest I don’t generally say the name, I would say I’m taking anti depressants and I rarely spoke to the doctors and when I did I would say it and they would just correct me.
Hey, I’m not medically trained but I doubt it. If you are struggling, please reach out to your doctor who can hopefully help you through it as you deserve the support you need.
You are living my life , same medication ,same amount of time and same panic attacks. You have inspired me to start slowly cutting down to get off , which I've wanted to do for years. Thank you for this.
Hey, thank you for such a lovely comment, I’ve said in a previous video that knowing that other’s experience what you are is comforting as you know it’s a condition and not just you. I wish you all the best with your quest, i hope you get the end goal you desire.
First I would like to say your very brave to tell your story and all you saying is totally true.
Hey, thanks for stopping by, I’ve been so open with my struggles for so long now that it feels very natural to talk about it, I do worry that I overshare but hey, on here hopefully it just helps some people
Thankyou so much! I too have been taking citalopram for 16 years and have tried 3 times to come off it without success. I’ve felt trapped. I’m going to try your method of weaning myself off it … much more slowly than I did in the past. I wish you all health and happiness Dom 🙏🏼
Hi thank you for your two messages and for watching my video. Like you I have tried and failed many times in the past to come off my meds but this time I managed it, it wasn’t easy but doing it really slowly is definitely the best way, good luck with it all and keep me updated
Came off a year ago after being on it for 9 years. Thought I was cured. A month ago my manic disorder came back with a vengeance and was so bad a mental health team had to get involved. They put me back on citilopram but it made me go crazy so I’m now on week two of sertraline and diazepam. The last few days I have noticed some improvement. Can’t believe I’m having to go through this again 😭
Hi Rachel, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I’m so sorry to read what you are going through, sounds like a very hard situation you are dealing with. I’m very open with myself and if coming off them causes me to go backwards then I’ll know that I need the meds to cope so I hope you aren’t being to hard of yourself. I hope you have the support network around you if you need it and keep me updated on your progress. Hopefully the meds will rebalance things for you and well done on being so open, it’s important I think.
I take citalopram 20 y and I stop take "5" Time during this years and must return. But now i 41 n Free from. So best tips is work with yourself and after few year dare stop Again n see if it better. I use them for anxiety n ocd
Hi Dom, thank you for sharing your experience. I recently attempted to come off Citalopram after being on it for about 8 years. I tapered off by going from 20mg to 10mg for four weeks, then 5mg for four weeks, then 5mg every other day. After taking my final 5mg tablet I felt awful for about three weeks and had to reinstate onto 5mg. Thankfully, I’ve stabilised now but I still experience eye floaters regularly (this is a side effect of anxiety I’ve experienced in the past). Like you, I desperately want to come off Citalopram for good. Thankfully I’ve managed to get down to 5mg, and I will hopefully summon up the willpower to go again in the near future.
Thank you for your comment, going from 20mg to 5mg is massive, that’s a huge change, well done and well done on not just going straight back on 20mg, seems you did the right thing to rebalance yourself back on 5mg. Let me know how you get on, good luck with the good fight.
Thank you! Congratulations on your sobriety! I am 45 stopped drinking 10 months ago and decided I’m done being numb my hangziety was horrible and can’t help but think how much has that cycle contributed to my panic disorder and mental health. I have a new and renewed focus on self discovery and personal spirituality which helps ground me. I’m nervous about stopping my meds. I’ve been in the process for a few months now. I’m down from 40mg to 10mg of Citalopram. I appreciate you sharing your story. Nice to know there are other people out in the world with similar struggles. I wish you all the best and sending positive and healing energy your way. (I’m a bit new age it seems) 😁
Hi Monique 👋🏼 thank you for the really lovely message and congratulations on being sober yourself, it’s very hard as you need to completely flip your way of thinking. Dropping from 40mg to 10mg is a huge step also so you really are on a positive journey, I’d love to hear how you are getting on so drop me another comment. Thank you for watching my video and taking time out to engage, I really appreciate it.
Bin on Citalopram 10 years 20 mg how should you taper I read 10 percent drop per month about 2 mg . Or hypobilc tapering for anxiety .
Thank you for sharing your story and Happy New Year! I’m kind the opposite in a way. I went to treatment for alcoholism and my meds prescribed. I was prescribed Alprasolam (Xanax) 3 mg a day for close to 14 years I would say. Also Adderall 45 mg for probably even longer. Day one of treatment I was cut off cold turkey from my meds! I did end up relapsing on drinking beer but I believe I should not been taken off in this way! I still have 6 Xanax left and never taken! Why us patients weren’t tapered down is beyond me!
Hey thank you for leaving a comment and happy new year to you too. I’m sorry you experienced this, it must have been very hard and on top of what you were already going through, not sure if it was because you were receiving treatment and they couldn’t combine the two, only you and the docs know that. I hope you are finding a way to balance it all out and that you are heading in a positive direction.
@@distractingdom Thank you so much! Also your welcome! Nice video!
Hi Dom, I'm coming off Citalopram after 2 years. I'm now 3 weeks in a its hard, the brain zaps and the falling head are some of the symptoms. I'm over thinking a lot and its a struggle. Watching your video really helps and I identify with a lot of your back story, thanks for the videos mate, Luke
Hey, thanks for the lovely comment, I hope 2 weeks on you are finding it easier, I’m a massive overthinking, always over analysing everything, I’m not sure if that is part of my panic disorder or just my character but it’s tiring and often I create my anxiety from just my thoughts. Good luck with the tapering, look after yourself and keep me updated
Wishing you the best of luck staying off!
Thank you for your kind comment, I take each day as it’s comes.
I've been on ecitalopram 20mg (the max) for 30 years.
I'm not trying to come off it, but my GP says I now need something stronger, so as of tonight I'm on 15mg for a week reducing by 5 each week until I can hopefully get something stronger.
Great video sir!:)
Hey, thank you for your comment. That’s a bit annoying having to adapt your medication and having to withdraw to then having to work through the process of getting used to new meds. I really hope it gives you the outcome that you desire as we all deserve that, keep me updated and look after yourself.
@@distractingdom thank you:) I couldn't last the week.. started feeling terrible.. dizzy, weakness, shaky legs and hands I couldn't go on so I'm now back to 20mg and feeling better..I'm using CBD now and that has been amazing for mood..and pain. Have to wait untill later this month to speak to my GP!
@@mark70s29 hey, I’m glad you acted quickly to get yourself back on track, it’s such a weird feeling dropping the dose, I found it gave me the same symptoms to why I started taking them in the first place. I hope the doctors appointment goes well, just remember it’s YOUR appointment so make sure it benefits you.
Thank you for the openness and sharing your experience
Thank you for your kind comment
Your story is very relatable.
Im 52 and has been on ssri and snri for 20 years.
Hey, very common isn’t it, one of the reasons I did the video, I wanted to let people know that they aren’t on their own and that it’s a condition not a personal thing, although the fight is personal. Hope you are doing ok
Thank you so much for making this video and sharing your experience. I have been sober since 2020 and now decided so start getting off Citalopram. It’s so good to know I’m not alone. We can do this and I look forward to watching you thrive in your other videos.
Hey, thank you for stopping by and it’s great to see that you are looking to improve yourself more, stopping alcohol was hard but the right thing for me as I hope it was for you. I hope the tapering goes well, that wasn’t a pleasant experience so all the best wishes with your experiences through it. Let us know how you get on.
Thanks for sharing the story mate. You are a brave man, keep being strong and take care!
What a beautiful message, thank you so much and all the best to you, thank you for stopping by
Thank you for sharing something so personal Dom. This has really helped. I wish I'd seen this before I started to come off and I have definitely done it too quick. Going back on it today, as I work up feeling worse than ever this morning. Will bide my time and take it much slower next time. Good luck in your journey hon.
Hey, thank you for your message and watching my video, having you say the video has helped it great to read. It’s not easy coming off the meds, just need to do it slowly much like losing weight, you wouldn’t just stop eating. You know yourself, so just listen to your body and look after yourself.
Thanks so much for sharing, I can relate to everything you’ve spoken about you’re being very brave Dom , I’ve been off of my meds now for 8 months been on every antidepressant over a period of 25 year....the brain zaps were terrifying .Best wishes
Hi Susan, thank you for taking time to watch my video and for leaving a comment.
Thankfully all the head issues I was having with the withdrawal symptoms have now passed. It’s not a nice experience as you fully know yourself but I’ll now just monitor myself. Keep me updated on your progress.
@susan lush uhh are really a inspiration to all ,can you guide me how to come off through these antidepressants
I feel the same way as Dom all the side effects. Been on the med for 14 years...of meds 13 days🙏🏿... thanks for sharings your experience @Dom.
Thank you for sharing your experience! I'm coming off escitalopram, and such videos really help to get thru this
Thank you for the kind comment, I hope the withdrawal goes well, don’t push it as that will only knock you backwards, if you are really struggling don’t drop more, let your body guide you and look after yourself
Did u succeed? I’m trying now
yes) It was a little bit tough with the nausea, Dramina helped a lot to get through this period@@patriciatimson1730
This is NOT the way to taper off of Celexa. It's way to fast. I'm stunned that your doctor approved this.
Hey, thanks for leaving a comment. People are very different, there is no right way, this was the way I choose to do it and I did it at a pace that worked for me and I’ve been off it for 8 months so it was fine.
Hello . Thankyou so much for making this .
Such insight
I'm.13 years in
Sage advice
Hope your moving forward
Matt
Hi, I’m so sorry I don’t know how I missed your message, I hope you are doing well and things are positive for you, thank you for the comment I do really appreciate it
Hi Dom I just came across your vid after looking around on here to see how to get back to normal. I suffered for some 34 years with my panic and eventually asked my doc for help. He gradually upped my dose from 5 to 30mg. I have felt for a long time the need to be as I was. I am gradually plucking up the courage to start and will take it very very slowly. But I need my gifts back and although citalopram has its benefits, it’s cost is too high. Thankyou for sharing your journey, one I have yet to take.
Hi Peter, thank you for watching my video and leaving a comment, I have done an update video after 5 weeks of being off my meds and I’ll do another update in a week or so.
It’s very hard to take that first step but as long as you do it very slowly you will hopefully not experience much in regards to withdrawal symptoms or affects to your daily life. Keep me updating on how you are getting on and be respectful to yourself, it’s good to come off the meds but not if it’s detrimental to yourself and you are what matters.
Good luck with it all buddy!
Hi Dom. Have been taking it steady and so far so good, no brain zaps and no signs of withdrawal. I am working with my health professionals but they want to cut my disease in half for a month then again the following month finally cutting off all together on month three. Not happy with that so told them I will do two/three or more months on a reduced dosage, and when I feel happy (no pun intended) that there aren’t any repercussions from this action, I will take step two and reduce further. I was taking 20mg a day making 140mg a week but have cut back to 10mg on alternate days, making a weekly intake of 110mg. Have a review this week and will drop to 10mg a day to see how that goes for a month or two. I don’t feel any different at all but am trying to understand why I can laugh and enjoy, feel the moment and empathise but when it comes to death or loss, I feel nothing? Perhaps it is something I have to search for the answer to to fulfill my life’s goal. That is the reason I am trying to get away from citalopram - I feel spiritually numb.
I am going to do a six month taper . My natural path is a huge help with this . Going from 40 to 30 , 30 to 20, 20-15 , 15-12,12-10 ,10-8, 8-5 , 5-2.5. you can get liquid to micro dose it
Hi Adam that you for your message, I think you are being really sensible with your approach but I wouldn’t be to regimented with it, if you get down to say 20 and you aren’t feeling a bit odd then stay on 20 for a while and look at the huge achievement that you’ve managed to half your original dose but what ever your approach slowly is the right way, good luck with it all, look after yourself and keep me updated.
Just stopped after 20+ years on 20mg a day. Skipped 2 days took a dose, skipped 2 days, took a dose and then just went cold turkey. I had bad withdrawl, crazy dreams, emotions out of control at times but no depression but minor anxiety, Now on my second week without any celexa and still improving. Prior attempts to cut back did not go well for me, so i decided to just do it.
Thanks for sharing this! I'm currently tapering off escitalopram and it's quite the journey. Roughly following the 10% per month schedule and hoping to have a better taper this time. I also went off too fast in the past.
Hey thanks for taking time to watch the video and leaving a comment, I think you are doing exactly what you need to do, 10% sounds spot on. Good luck with it all, listen to your body and keep us updated
Thanks for sharing your story. I just started taking 10 mg yesterday. I am now on day 2 . I realize I cannot be on it forever. However. My depression and panic was getting out of control to a point that I could no longer function normally
Hi, thank you for your comment. I am sorry to read that you are struggling, it happens to the best of us. Please don’t view this video as anything more than me documenting coming off the meds. I am not one of these people that say you shouldn’t do this or that as people and their situations are very different. I went on anti depressants because I needed that support to help me get back some normality in my life and they helped, I’m just at a stage where I feel like I can handle life without that support but if my anxiety flairs back up when my world starts to become a little more congested then I will not hesitate to return to them for support. Don’t listen to others, do what works for you and if they help you to get a little bit of your life back then to me, I’m all for that. Good luck with it all and keep me updated. Look after yourself and listen to your body.
You are a treasure. Thanks for saying this and making this video
I am on week 5 and feel like a normal person
I FORGOT WHAT ITS LIKE! I can actually look at life and not see it as impossible, horrible place. I can deal with my stressfull life situations in a reasonable way without spiralling
I dont suffer 24/7
I didnt even realise how bad it was until now that im out of that hole.
Its the best thing ive done for my life ever.
I will taper down very very very slowly in a year or two
But its a magic change. I could not have reached this on my own maybe ever
I was so tired. I now can finally rest a bit.
Sending love to you
Thanks for sharing your journey. I think you are amazing .
Thank you for the lovely comment
Currently withdrawing and this is so helpful. Different drug, same class. When I'm able to GRASP THINGS I'm trying to video document this for others as well. Would love to chat if you're interested but I'm 34 and I don't understand how to message on this thing!
Hey, thank you for your message. Hopefully you manage to find your balance, this was my 1st of 3 videos I posted on it if you find the others helpful, you can message me on Insta with the same username or I think there is an email address on my profile but I’m not medically trained, this is just my personal experience and what works or doesn’t work for one, affects someone else completely different but happy to communicate.
Thank you for this video. I have recently tried to come off my 20mg however, did it too quickly and suffered bad side effects. I may try cutting it down slowly like you did. Thank you for you honesty!
Hi Megan, thank you for such a lovely message. Going slowly is the way forward as otherwise you are just putting yourself at a disadvantage by creating symptoms for yourself, good luck with it all, I did another 2 videos after this one if you wanted to follow along my tapering. All the best, keep me posted.
Mate, i cannot believe how quickly you have come off them, you should have reduced them MUCH more slowly - i reduced mine slowly over a year and no zaps or issues, and was fine for about 6 months. Sadly, symptoms returned and i went back on them and resigned to saying on them for the time being.
Thank you for leaving a comment, I honestly thought I did it slowly, roughly 7-8 weeks tapering. I took my last tablet in July and I’m now experiencing zero side affects and emotions have returned.
Sorry to read that you have returned to medication but for me if when I return to full normality and if I start to struggle, like you I will return and know that I need them.
8 years, taking 30mg. I’ve tried several times to reduce and failed, it’s reassuring to hear that it’s hard to come off this because my doctor reassured me that 30mg was such a small dose, coming off it would take only a few weeks. I had no reason to doubt him, but realise now how wrong he was. I went straight to 20mg for a few weeks, then 10mg for a few weeks and that wasn’t difficult for me so I tried just stopping and I’m now taking 10mg every 3 days and it’s awful, I appreciate this having watched your video that this wasn’t perhaps a wise move, but like I said my doctors offered no real assistance with this when I previously raised this with them.
I’m going back to 10mg and then going to reduce to 5mg etc alternative days like you did
Firstly thank you for taking time to watch my video and leaving a comment, it’s very much appreciated.
Secondly you should be very proud of yourself as 30mg is a high dose so to drop that to 10mg is impressive. You have done the right thing, if you are seriously struggling it’s because you have come off it to quickly and your body is crying out for it, you need to reduce slowly and try not to have days where you aren’t taking anything as it causes your brain to spike. I didn’t have days without a tablet until I got down to 2.5 mg and then those days were the lead up to stopping.
As I touched on in my videos as there is a follow up to the one you have commented on, it’s very hard but you can do it if you do it the right way and listen to your body.
Keep me updated and seriously well done as I know how hard it can become.
@@distractingdom did u feel depersonalization
@@sangeetalambh6389 hey, no I didn’t, I felt numb to emotion but definitely didn’t feel like I was seeing myself from the outside luckily as that sounds horrific.
@@distractingdom thanks for reply
Hi Dom really good videos, I done the 20-10 every other day for a 6 weeks then 10-5 for six weeks and then 5 for a month and I have dizziness and fatigue still and now I've stopped taking them and hopefully the side effects wear off soon
Hi Wayne, thank you for the message and for watching my videos.
May I ask why you continued to drop your dose whilst experiencing withdrawal symptoms, is it not best and I’m only talking from my experience to let your brain accept the lower dose before dropping again?
It’s great to read though that you have done this slowly, sounds like you know exactly what you are doing so don’t need my input.
Keep me updated and the dizziness definitely passes, just takes time.
@@distractingdom
Sorry Dom, I should have said that I've been experiencing them symptoms from the day I started citalopram back in January
@@Sleepywhispers79 that would be the increase in serotonin, I had dizzy spells like having vertigo
@@distractingdom
I had the dizziness from from day 1 and I was on fluoxetine before these and it was the same for them
Been on them since 2007, had a few periods without but always seem to relapse. But like you say i feel like I've been chemically castrated. Zero need/want for sex, every relationship I've had since 2007 I've not wanted intimacy which ended the relationships pretty fast, so i gave up even trying in 2014. Found this video because i want to try to stop this again and be successful.
Hey, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. The lack of sex drive really sucks but I not sure personally if mine was ever very high and what I did have the meds killed off. Make sure to do it slowly to give yourself the best chance but also ask yourself if you are coming off them because it’s right or because you want to as they are two different reasons, it has to be the right time. My life is seriously sheltered, muted to the point that I’m coping as I’ve nothing rocking the anxiety to speak of. We will see how I cope if and when it ramps up. All the best for you, keep us updated and look after yourself.
@@distractingdom thank you 😊
I am coming off now, I cry everyday because it's freaking hard, I feel like I am stopping a hard drug like heroin or worse. Headaches, dizziness nausea, shakes.
Hi, thank you for your comment. Take reassurance if you can that it is hard and the way you feel isn’t personally it’s what happens when you come off an antidepressant, remember this is a drug that affects the brain so coming off it will not be easy but focus on each day as I promise that each day is closer to the day that it gets easier in regards to the withdrawal. This is the first of three videos on my coming off the meds so check out my other ones and hopefully they will help. Keep me updated, you are stronger than you think.
Try coming of Seroquel withdrawals went on for 2 years,
I came off icitalopram after 10 years. Four months later out of my system it has been the worst time of my life. Absolutely horrific. A year later back on it. Your life has to be in a very good place to come it. Please be careful folks. Any bereavement or sudden jolt in your life with ongoing trauma will take you down if you decide to suddenly stop. Your life must must must be going extremely well to stop taking this.
Hi, thank you for your comment and I’m sorry to read about the sudden change for you, it can be a real struggle. I will say though that everybody is unique, what knocks one will not have the same impact to another, I struggle really badly with panic attacks but I’ve witnessed others come back from one within an hour which I’m always shocked by. I hope you find a balance that works for you, all the best and thank you for leaving a comment
Hi Dom, hope you are doing well. I'm just about to go back on Citalopram (or perhaps another SSRI / SNRI) after a relapse. I just wanted to say that these drugs are not magic. They do help with Anxiety/depression and a bunch of other stuff and that's great. But the main side effect for me was a flattening of personality. They even me out, so the dynamic range of emotion is quite flat. After a year on Citalopram, I quit because I wanted to feel again. You mentioned you did 20 years so wow. I've decided that for me doing stints on to level myself out and off again is a good balance. The reason I want to try different ones is cause I have auditory and visual hallucinations with them. But I've had brain sparks coming on them and off them.... stay strong.
Auditory and visual hallucinations, that sounds terrifying. I agree that they aren’t magic, I always say them as a support and nothing more, I was never deluded to thinking they’d fix me, it’s a lot more deep routed than that. I hope you get your balance right and the meds support you in the way they need to, it’s never easy but it’s good that you know that they are supportive once you have found the right ones.
Ive been on 40 for atleast 5 yrs. I tried once and it was awful. I just started to take 30 and plan on taking it a very slow wean. I am glad to hear it is possible
@@Penny3360 I think that is exactly the right course, it gives you the time to see how your body reacts to the drop, it’s like with anything, for it to last you have to do it slowly, give your brain time to readjust and see how you handle it and feel as that is the main thing, good luck with it all
emotionial numbness and no desire for nookie or long time between to recharge. 17 years of use for me , i had to go cold turkey. The effects of the drug stopped making me happy.
3 weeks in withdrawl now and im getting constant brain zaps and like a mental and body shudder when i move around. no panic attacks, depression though. if i was on my own and had to work and go out. i couldnt of went cold turkey.
Thanks for the comment, I’m not sure cold turkey was the right decision as you need to give your body the chance to come off them and by just stopping you aren’t allowing that. Saying that, everyone is different so I hope you get the outcome you want, I took my last tablet in July so I’ve been nearly 5 months without meds and I’m doing fine, if that changes though I’ll return to meds but at the moment I am liking that I can feel again, so we will see how it goes. Good luck with it all.
Hi , I’m surprised you stayed on 10mg for so many years .. I was prescribed 10mg back in February and 2 months later they doubled it to 20mg.. and from last week I’m now on 30mg per day so big increase in just a few months . I take it for anxiety , was having awful anxiety attacks which the medication has now really helped .. sometimes I think I’m gonna have an episode but it’s doesn’t quite go that far so I guess they are working .
@@mrronald2649 hey, thanks for stopping by, to be honest I didn’t go to the doctors so the increase in dose was never on the table, I just made do with the 10 mgs which I know is low. Glad to read that it is supporting you the way it needs to and hopefully lots of positive days coming your way
I wish id never been given this medication it should be banned as its so difficult to stop the dose
Hey, thanks for leaving a comment, I am glad they aren’t banned personally as they helped me through years of struggle. When you are tapering off the meds, at least you have a reason to why you are feeling the way you are, when I started taking them I just didn’t understand what was going on in my own body. Take is slow and if you seriously struggle but you know it’s not withdrawn, ask yourself if coming off them is right for you
Hi. Thanks for your honesty. I've been on Cilift for MANY years. Probably in excess of 15 years. I remember taking Aropax 30 years ago. For the life of me I have no idea whether I've been completely off SSRI'S for any given time. I do remember that I ended up in hospital in a state of hysteria, (many years ago) was injected with something, given 10 days of whatever to get me going again and I THINK I've been on 20MG OF Cilift ever since.
I decided to take the 20mg every 2nd day. Has only been 8 days. I'm experiencing heart palpitations and a type of pressure on my chest. My son suggested that it could be the Cilift. I am going to take 10mg immediately after this note, and will alternate 20 mg and 15mg for a month. I will then try maybe 15 for a month and then alternate 15mg and 10mg etc.
I'm from South Africa.
Kind Regards.
Roeleen.
Hi, thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment, I’m glad to read that you have now altered your tapering of your meds, you shouldn’t in my opinion skip days until you are really down to a low dose as it takes time for the body to react to the meds and if you keep skipping your body will get highs and lows, best to take meds regularly but reduce the amount , obviously I am not medically trained so I’d always consult a doctor but slow and steady is the best way, so 29mg, 10mg, 20mg, 10mg and give your body time to react before you start your next decline, your body will always tell you if you can handle it and it’s important to know the difference between symptoms of withdrawal and your mental health. Good luck with you all, be safe and listened to your body/mind.
I'm currently tampering off citalopram and I wish I never started this medication
Hey, thanks for stopping by. It certainly is hard, I’ve had multiple failed attempts to come off it and felt like it had trapped me but the reality was I just did it to quickly, if you really want to come off it, then the speed you do so shouldn’t be the driver. Good luck with it all
I chew on a 25mg benadryl if I get a panic attack. Bitterness of pill cuts it down by half immediately since forces you into taste sense out of head. I always keep a single benadryl in foil packet in my pocket. On 5mg citalopram I don't have to use them. Been on citalopram 9 years. Off for twelve consecutive months in 2021. Went back on when having to take Benadryl several times a week. Have all side effects on just 5mg. Just added half a 75mg Wellbutrin to deal with side effects of citalopram. Felt better on first dose with more motivation and energy than I have even off medicine. Wellbutrin helps raise dopamine and norepinephrine. As someone who used to take Ritalin and Adderall it definitely helps. I had no energy and constant apathy when just on citalopram so may be worth augmenting medicine rather than stopping. Stopping didn't work for me like I said because panic attacks returned and agoraphobia set in.
Hey thank you for leaving a comment, I’ve never heard of Benadryl but I’m definitely going to look into it now if it reduces the symptoms of a panic attack.
This is the first of 3 videos that I documented while coming of the meds and I’ve now been off them for 6 months and all seems ok although life is very muted so might be different when I’m surrounded by life.
Best of luck finding out what is best for you, it’s such a difficult place to be on.
I’ve been on for about the same time. I didn’t have a chemical imbalance, but a situation imbalance
I like to think that I have an association fear, my anxiety is driven by symptoms that my brain associates with panic when it’s not.
@@distractingdom I believe u. I grew up w ADHD and had many precieved failures in life. Just beat me down. And I became a doctor, but deep down it was grinding at my soul, I didn’t like it. Took 25 yrs to figure it out. Now I just started driving a truck. I’m really liking it so far. An adventure.
I was on 20mg for 3.5 years. I cut it down to 5 mg right away for 2 weeks then 5mg every other day for 1 week and now I'm completely off. No brain zaps and I just had slight intermittent dizziness for 5 days and I'm back to normal.
Hey, thanks for the comment, that’s amazing, seems like you did well coming off the meds, I always say that everyone is different, so what is calm seas for one, is the perfect storm for someone else. Hope this reply finds you in a good place.
@distractingdom No problem. Have you tried Propranolol for the panic attacks? I also took that when I would get panin attacks. It worked GREAT. My issues where all gut related. How is your gut?
I had some luck lowering my anxiety and panic by taking magnesium citrate. Apparently it lowers cortisol which curbs the fight or flight response. I'm not a doctor but it may help someone. All the best everyone 😊
Amazing, it’s great to get a win when it comes to supporting your anxiety struggle, I had to google it, not sure I like the sound of it being a laxative so hopefully you aren’t get any negatives with that.
Been on 20mg 14 yrs. Anxiety.depression. now very depressed anxious. Bad time now helping elder parents etc inbetween jobs etc. In medical hate it trying to change. Feel like celexa stopped working. Gonna see psych.this week
Hey thank you for your comment, I’m sorry to read that you are struggling, sounds like you have a lot you are dealing with not just trying to manage yourself, I’m glad you are seeking support, that is such a positive channel and I’m wishing you all the best, I hope you start getting some positive outcomes I really do.
Thanks day by day
I really want to feel again after 10 years 🙃
I always say that everyone is different and you shouldn’t advise others as what is right for one is wrong for another but if you can take encouragement from others that is a good thing, I’ve been off the meds now for 8 months and I’m definitely in touch with my feelings more now. Good luck to you, I hope you find the outcome that fits your circumstances and thank you for the comment
3 months in and still off my meds, some days really suck, others are tolerable so im hangin in. 3 months now.
Hey, that’s really good, make sure to understand if the days that suck are because you are off the meds rather than you actually needing them to support you, they helped me for 16 years and if I need to, I’ll jump back on them even though it was hell to come off. Look after yourself
Been on Ecitalipram for 20 years!
Spent last 2 months coming off of it.
Not easy....
God bless you buddy
Thanks for your message, no it’s not easy is it, how are you feeling 2 months in, are you having withdrawals symptoms or have you passed through all that now?
Just Remember that your panic and Anxiety attacks are part of being a human own the feelings don't push it away close your eyes and meditate on the feeling look directly at where it manifests in the your body and make friends with it some great videos on YT on meditating with Panic and Anxiety , another thing if you can have the belief that a Doctor can help your mental health issues by prescribing a drug remember then nature will do better , don't partake in behaviours which will hijack your road to wellness , Sleep properly , eat well , exercise regularly, get sunshine do everything you can to give your body the best chance to recover and you can do it . trust that the body is capable to heal itself because you are a organism who has been millions of years in the making dont reduce yourself to a drug that a Dr prescribes. As long as you do those things and believe you can get better by doing this you will 100pct get better it takes work but its worth it like i said you can do it.
Hi Dom. Have you tried EMDR for panic? I think you’ll find it will help you. Cheers
Hey, thanks for the comment, I had to google that as I’ve never heard of it. I’ve tried a couple of things like CBT, hypnotherapy and also being hypnotised but none worked, I do this this where I’m constantly analysing in my head what they are trying to make me do and I think that breaks the chain of concentration.
It’s was a good read on the EMDR though, so thanks for leaving that message.
Hope you are well and appreciate you stopping and leaving that comment.
I'm surprised how casually these dangerous drugs are prescribed ... No ssri is to be prescribed for more than a month at the max.
I’m not sure I agree that these drugs are dangerous, they help more people than they harm and those that come to harm are probably reacting to their condition or mismanagement of medication but man they are hard to come off them.
@@distractingdomthats such a dumb take. They give people symptoms which absolutely ruin their life forever like PSSD. Also they increase suicide so much. These meds should not be taken longer than 2 years.
Thanks for sharing 👍
Thank you for the kind message
You need your doctors advice before coming off it.
I was monitored closely when I came off it last time.
Got back on it 10 years later and still on it but I'll be talking to my doctor about coming off it. It can take 18 months to get off it.
Thank you for your comment, I touch on in the video to speak with your doctor but I also believe that people need to use these videos as nothing more than a side dish, everybody is different, what works for one doesn’t for another, the reasons for me coming off the meds don’t necessarily match the reasons of others, you have to listen to your body and know your situation, that’s the most important thing. Good luck with your journey I hope you get the outcome you want.
Probs easier to just stay on and enjoy your life mate
@@HGVAnt I struggle on the meds and off the meds, I certainly never said I was enjoying life but appreciate you watching the video. Hope you are well
I'm taking 40mg a day been on it for years and I'm thinking of tapering off. I take .25 mg Klonopin and that's barely anything .
The only thing I can say to you is to do it slowly, you’ll get the end result you want if you do it gradually and listen to your body.
I struggle with depression and insmonia could citalpram help with this ?? Thanks George
Hi, thanks for stopping by.
Sorry to read that you are struggling with depression and insomnia. I can’t give advice as I’m not a doctor and don’t know your background.
My videos are purely as a personal experience of me. I would speak to your doctor, when you are open and honest about your struggles it really does open your work, may that be by getting help or discovering through your openess that others experience the same.
Look after yourself and please don’t let yourself not be the priority.
I'm trying to come off it also after 10 years, it's been over 2 months since I lowered my dose and it's been rough. First few weeks were horrible but it got better. Now my mood is up and down
How did you come off the first time? Was there withdrawal before?
Hi, thanks for the comment and watching the video.
Well done on sticking with it, it really isn’t easy. I’m currently 4 weeks into not taking my medication and I’m still experiencing withdrawal symptoms, I’m still getting brain zaps but what is affecting me more is at night when I go to bed my head feels like there is lots of pressure build up in it and I get this weird sensation where my brain drops and I think I’m about to have a fit, you know the feeling you get when you go over a small humped bridge in a car and your stomach drops, it’s like that but in my head, really unpleasant but I’m determined to stick with it. So yes, I’m experiencing withdrawal symptoms now but 6/7 years ago I really don’t remember feeling like this. I’ll do an update video soon, so keep an eye out or hit subscribe.
@@distractingdom awesome your journey gives me encouragement
@@silentninja2754 thank you, that encourages me to do more videos on my mental health as I’d like them to help or support others as it is difficult at times. Keep up the good fight, sounds like you are doing great and keep doing it at a slow pace.
@@distractingdom thank you. I'm going to play it safe and taper slow maybe even 2 years taper because when i lowered my dose i had bad anxiety. I still have some anxiety and depressive mood, did you get loss of appetite and upset stomach? I'll keep an eye on your update video.
@@silentninja2754 no I’ve not had anything like that, all my symptoms have been head/brain related.
Think of tapering like dieting, if you crash diet and lose too much weight fast the odds are that you will fail and put it back on, those that succeed lost 1-2 lbs a week and keep it off, make a change that fits your life. Drop to a lower dose and see how you feel on it, let your anxiety adjust to see how you cope, don’t rush you as you are what matters, don’t forget that.
Been on it for week has calmed my aniexty down heads more clear now but sleep pattern messed up 😄
Hey, thanks for stopping by. Glad it is helping, the sleep will settle down. It helped me when I needed it to, just feels like the time has come to try life without it.
Omg the hungry associated with panic I thought I was insane explaining that I think I have too much of the hungry harmone I’m not 11 days in lexapro and .25 of Xanax twice a day I’ve had slight improvements I hope I can be on this for a few months only
Hey Chantal, you’ll have to explain to me what hungry association is, do you mean that the meds are making you eat non stop?
@@distractingdom it’s a mix of having no appetite and also feeling hungry which is triggering to my anxiety like I haven’t eaten for weeks and makes my stomach growl which wakes me up at night and I just have to have tea or something to calm it down
@@chantalclarke5305 oh ok, that really doesn’t sound very nice at all, feeling hungry is one of my triggers as instead of my brain saying “you are hungry go eat that’s why you feel funny” it instead says “AGH YOU FEEL FUNNY YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE A PANIC ATTACK, RUN AWAY”, so I truly feel for you with that.
@@distractingdom sammmeeee here what do you do to cope? I don’t even know how I developed this
@@chantalclarke5305 I’m not sure how to answer this, I do a lot of inner talking to myself, reassuring and calming, I’ve been sober for 2 years and 6 months, I make sure I always have a nut bar around incase I get hungry etc so just try and do my best, I also keep myself single as I’ve found that when I have a new relationship my sleep reduces and with the girls I date my stress levels go up and my alcohol consumption goes crazy.
Your body is still accepting your meds though, once they get used to them all that will fade.
Hormones may explain your anxiety and panic disorder. Get your testosterone checked, pay special attention to your bioavailable score.
Thank you for sharing. It helps to hear about your experience tapering off citalopram.
I watched this video earlier, and found it informative: ruclips.net/video/4xkeqzuVxps/видео.html
Hey thanks for stopping by and sharing the link, I’ll check it out, hope all is good
16 years and you still can’t say it right?
Never really had to say it, getting a repeat prescription is all digital and when I was corrected it was a year or so before I had to say it and by then I forgot the correct pronunciation
I don't mean any disrepect at all, but 16 years on it and you cannot say the name lol. Made meaugh :p
That’s fine, none taken. To be honest I don’t generally say the name, I would say I’m taking anti depressants and I rarely spoke to the doctors and when I did I would say it and they would just correct me.
I stopped taking lexapro and the wothdrawals are bad. Csn you die from it?
Hey, I’m not medically trained but I doubt it. If you are struggling, please reach out to your doctor who can hopefully help you through it as you deserve the support you need.