Hey, thanks for stopping by and for the really lovely comment. It’s definitely not been easy and I still deal with a lot of my daily demons still but as I write this, I’m still taking each day as it happens. Hope you are happy, stay golden!
4 weeks off citalopram today - after 7 years. Started tapering down in November, 10 mg every other day for a month and then a few weeks of 5mg every other day. It's not easy going, anxiety going through the roof at times. I managed 6 weeks off a few years ago, but then went back. Hoping that this is it, but we'll see. I'm taking a stack of supplements (magnesium, B12, Folic acid, fish oils) in an effort to minimise side effects. Your blog is interesting - drs would have you believe quitting these things is easy, it's obviously not..
Hey, thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. Sounds like you have done the tapering really well and hopefully you will end up with the result you want. I’ve been off the meds now for 7 months but working from home does help with my anxiety so fingers crossed. I was told in the past that coming off the meds was easy but I’ve never experienced that personally but everyone is different. Good luck with it all and keep us updated.
I hope you are ok now. I am a 66 yr old woman just starting to taper off Citalopram which I have been taking for many years. I think it was the wrong medication really as I am probably on the Autistic/ADHD spectrums. I have found comfort and hope in listening to you . The biggest hope for me is that I regain some 'desire; to do the creative things that used to be a part of me, Again, hope you're ok and thank you for sharing! x
Hey, thank you for the lovely comment and I hope this reply finds you well. Creativity is such a lovely thing and I hope that it returns to you and you find that right balance with the meds or without it, to be able to navigate life and get enjoyment from it, keep us updated!
Hey Dom, I found your channel yesterday and really love your honesty and bravery. I've been on citalopram for years but decided last week I want to come off it. I have fibromyalgia and I firmly believe that citalopram contributes to my pain. I can also 100% relate to the numbness you describe. I can tell someone I'm sad, emotional, upset etc, but I cannot cry, even when I feel like I want/need to. Maybe the meds helped make the lows less low, but it's also taken the shine off everything, I've forgotten what it feels like to experience fun and excitement! I think I'm a lot like you, or have been over the years, impulsive, moving around a lot, feeling unsettled and like there must be something else out there, if only I can find it. I have family and a few friends but still feel ridiculously lonely. So I'm down from 20mg to 10mg and sticking at this for a while. So far not too many noticeable side effects. My head is a mess in terms of feeling confused and kind of vulnerable/anxious, but I don't think it's just the meds contributing to that. Anyway, I've rambled enough! This may sound weird, but if you wanted an old fashioned pen pal, I'd be up for that, maybe the odd letter in the post would be nice 🤷♀️ I'm in the UK too by the way. I hope you're doing good whatever you're up to now and I look forward to your next update! Be well 💗
Hey Emma, I hope my reply finds you in good spirits. Thank you for taking time to watch my video and for leaving a comment. It’s a difficult one knowing if the meds are contributing to how you feel because the only way to find out is to come off but the flip side is, if they aren’t then you could potentially set you back. It’s not a nice feeling being numb, I sometimes say that I don’t feel stressed, sad etc but yet my body is telling my otherwise as I experience severe brain shaking and I feel that is stress related. Thank you for asking if I want to write, believe it or not but I’m not the biggest fan of wrong but appreciate the offer. Look after yourself, I hope you find a manageable solution that works for you, appreciate how hard that is though.
I was on citalopram for a year and came off whilst tapering for roughly a month. Withdrawal was fairly long term but has gotten a lot better with time. Stick with it if you can would be my advice and you will see brighter days my friend
Hey, thank you for your positive comment, I am ok just taking each day as it comes but still off the medication. Hope you are doing well and thank you for taking time to watch my videos
Hi, thank you for leaving a comment. You are very right, it feels very isolating dealing with a mental health condition and although it doesn’t make the struggle easier it’s important to remind ourselves that it’s a condition not you.
Anti depressants which are a powerful brain altering drug numb the whole system and can leave you feeling completely empty and alone. I was on Dalmane which is a benzo for over 20 years to help with sleep and it took me over 2 years to taper off a 15mg tablet. Considering the amount of time you were on Citalopram your taper was very rapid to say the least. The body and mind need time to recover slowly from the massive trauma and side effects of powerful brain altering drugs that doctors routinely prescribe everyday without a second thought. My advice for what it's worth is to go slowly and give yourself lots of time and the best chance to heal you deserve nothing less. I would also recommend "belly breathing" especially for panic attacks there are lots of videos here on youtube on the subject. Take good care.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving such a lovely message. I’ve been off the meds now for 5 months and I’m doing fine. I felt like I did it at a good pace, giving each drop 2 weeks to see how my mind reacted to it but I agree that slow is the best way, just need to listen to your body because if I dropped and I started suffering with my panic disorder and anxiety I’d know I can’t drop more or even drop at all but I got through it and hopefully it will continue. Hope you are doing well yourself.
Hey, thanks for stopping by. I was the same, reducing wasn’t a big issue for me, it was when I stopped taking the meds that the side effects stepped in but that all passes in time.
I'm on day 14 the same as you, 5mg to zero and I feel so unbelievably bad. Waves of anxiety and adrenaline constantly, never felt so low. How much longer I can go I don't know.
I'm on day 18th of withdrawal, tapered from 20mg to 10mg to 5mg , was on this for 3 years... looking forward to feeling 100% normal, at least you give me some hope and a goal too look forward to!
@@Chrono28x hey, thanks for the comment and watching the video, hopefully the tapering is still going well, it’s been over 2 years since I posted these videos and I’m still med free, so hopefully you manage to get to where you need to be, all the best with it
Hey, thank you the kind comment. It certainly wasn’t easy coming off them but I was very aware of what feelings were tapering related and what were mental health related and that helped me through it.
@@djammer that’s a hard question to answer as although I’ve been off the meds for 14-16 months, I live a very isolating life, no real physical interaction, no socialising, work remotely so I don’t get to really really test how I’m coping but the simple answer to that, is to test myself but that’s another story. Thank you for asking though and hope you are well.
Hi all, I am now on 15 days since coming off. I was on 10MG for 4 years. The withdrawal is horrendous wounded if anyone has had these symptoms. Last week of so I have been feeling constantly like I have flu, MASSIVE headache constantly dizzy very anxious all the time. The flu like symptoms are just unbearable has anyone else had this? Also really bad stomach as in bloated all the time and generally feel awful. Just preying this is starting to get better thanks for the vids mate
Hi, I have thought about making more videos but now I have come off the meds, I’m not sure what I would cover, yeah life is still a struggle but isn’t it for most people?! Thanks for the lovely comment and hope you are well
With anxiety i dont think were feeling sorry for ourselves some people are worse than others and i hope there's more research and awareness as the years go on ❤
I’m glad to see you keeping off the meds. Glad you found a job working from home. It definitely has its pros and cons. I’m one month Citalopram free. I was really worried about the brain zaps last time I tried they were so frequent I went back on my meds. I have had barely any withdrawals the tapering slowly really works! Also not sure what kind of industry you work in but some employers have resource groups. I joined the recovery resource group at work. Of course it’s a zoom meeting since I work for the government and 90% of us are at home but I get have interaction with people I normally wouldn’t and part of our goal is to be open and remove stigma of mental illness and addiction recovery. Show that people can be successful. I wish you all the best across the pond! I think a paddle board video on its own would be good.
Hi Mo sorry your message got held for some reason. Brain zaps aren’t nice they kept me awake at night as I thought when they got bad that I wouldn’t have a fit which would then stress me out and make the whole ordeal worse but they do ease off. I am hoping that when you read this response that they have eased for you and you are managing things a lot better, let me know snd more importantly, take care of yourself.
How slow you went ,was it water tapering?and how many mg how long you hold on, pls reply will be much helpful tks all the best on your recovery journey
@@kalaiselviramaiah3854 hi 👋🏼 thank you for the comment, this is the 3rd video on me coming off the meds, watch the first one as I talk about how I tapered slowly, hope it helps.
I gradually stopped my 20mg about 2 weeks I've not had any I have had brain zaps and migraines also dizzy and irritable terrible dreams but not sleeping well and generally feel like I'm not here I've tried before but I'm not giving up this time xxjulsxx
Well done for getting that far, if you really want off them you need to push through the horribleness but not if it’s to the detriment of yourself. Thanks for the messages and let me know how you get on.
@@distractingdom yesterday I had a bath cause I felt so weird and dizzy stayed with my ears underwater for a while and blocked everything out I felt so good for the rest of the day self care really helps xxjulsxx
@@nmash6835 in all honesty, I constantly feel sad, not sure if I should embrace having a feeling or be annoyed that it’s withdrawn to sadness, ah well all part of trying.
Hiya long time no see. I was on citalopram for many years and decided I wanted to come off it and be more in touch with my spiritual side. I started because of you and over the last year I have, with the help of my pharmacist been steadily reducing from 280mg a week to 10mg Brain zaps were the one thing I didn’t want as that s a deffo no no. Touch wood all is well and only have a few Meg’s to go to be right off it. Good luck all for your drug free futures.
@@peterstratten3087 hey, wow that is extremely impressive, what a drop you have been on and it’s good to read that you did it with the support of your pharmacist. Are you feeling better for it, I personally don’t feel much different but at least I’m not taking medication and just trying to manage my condition the best I can. Keep me updated as sounds like I could take some tips from you and thanks for leaving a comment.
i was on 20mg for 6 years, but was basically becoming a zombie, i had severe abdominal pain daily in my lower right which persisted for months and months and i was sure at one point i had something bad going on...i was also suffering with really bad migraines, im talking knock out ones and at least 4 a month. i had to FIGHT to get an app to see my doctor and after many apps they told me to do a straight switch to mirtazapine. The first 3 weeks i felt like i was on a dinghy crossing the channel the entire time i was moving. Kept waking up and drenched . Im week 5 now and things seem to be slowly calming down, iv been upped to 30mg . hoping for brighter days, thanks for sharing .
Wow you really have been tested, so many difficult circumstances to deal with and it always makes me sad when you read that people have to fight to see a doctor and then fight again to be heard, it all seems very scripted and checklists these days instead of listening to the person as an individual. I really hope the new meds find the right balance with you, I have a condition called diverticulitis so I know how bad stomach pain can make life. Keep up the positive fight and thank you for leaving a comment.
@@distractingdom yeh its been abit of an uphill struggle. Seems very dependent on geographical location on what kinda care your gunna get and even then its hard pressed. But not much else I can do. I had to write a pretty hefty letter of complaint to my practise manager as the doctors response to everything after me telling them the problem was "well what is it youd like me to do for you today?" ..absolutely soul destroying. And the tummy pains and headaches all stopped the minute i stopped taking the citalopram... so what does that tell you.
@@gingo21 that’s so frustrating isn’t it, I remember going to see my doctor as I was struggling and as soon as I walked in his office he said “I’m running late so you have 5 minutes”, so poor but I’m quite forward so I replied “no, I have as long as I need” but I got the same line you did. I’m glad to read that the headaches and stomach pain has gone, sometimes what works for one person is an irritant to another. I hope you get the support you are after and things start to settle for you.
Your such a nice guy would love to chat at some point been through bits myself mate and im on day 2 of stopping citalopram 30 mg might have to take 20 and reduce
I have been taking citalopram 20 mg for 22 years. Brief attempts to get by without only led to deterioration. I don't experience any negative side effects.
You don’t experience numbness to things or anything like that or maybe you just don’t notice it, I experienced very emotional withdrawal so lost enjoyment in sex, didn’t express emotion to good or bad situations, glad they are helping you though as that’s what they are for.
@@distractingdom My first reply to you was censored because I discussed some of the effects of citalopram on sexual function. Look I am 66 years old. Citalopram does not stop you feeling happy. It does not turn you into a flat liner. It doesn't stop you feeling sexual pleasure or contentment. It may slow down a sudden rush of emotion. The speed of onset . ( That can be a good thing if those emotions are feelings of despair and hopelessness ) But it doesn't stop you feeling emotions. It doesn't stop you feeling intense emotions. Especially emotions of love and bonding with another human being. There are many factors which determine the space a person's brain is in at any given time. A level of citalopram in the brain is only one of them. My gut feeling is that you are a sensitive person who because of past trauma at some time in your life now have an enlarged over-active adrenal gland. The gland that tells you you're in danger. I definitely think you should get on it and stay on it.
@@paulroberts8071 thank you for your post but I’m going to have to respectfully disagree with you, I’m 46 years old I’m completely aware of how my body and mind feels, I’ve been off Citalopram for 4 months now and all the numbness has disappeared and all the things I said have returned, so facts are facts. People act differently to different things, I’m not the only person to experience this and I’m certainly not knocking the medication as I touched on in one of my videos that If I end up back on them I will do happily as they helped.
@@distractingdom I have now watched carefully all three of your videos on coming off citalopram. If you were watching sad movies because you were hoping to be able to cry that suggests to me you were in a bad way emotionally . I remember feeling like that many years ago. But it was only temporary. I can cry now if I need to. Citalopram doesn't doesn't stop me from crying or dam up my emotions. As I said Citalopram is only one factor affecting how you feel. There are many things here working together. I grant that everyone is unique so we are all different . But attributing symptoms ( emotional numbness ) to just one cause ( Citalopram ) when there are other possible causes could be an error. Just keep an open mind. I was 44 years old when I went on Citalopram , around your current age , and apart from a one or two failed attempts to come off , I have remained on it for the last 22 years. Nothing kills off happiness like anxiety. Nothing makes you feel tired like anxiety. Being worn out by anxiety makes you feel numb. Depression doesn't cause anxiety. It's the other way around. Anxiety wears you out emotionally. If this goes on for long enough the brain gets depressed . Depression is a way of shutting down to numb painful emotions. But you can get stuck in this state. The causes and triggers of your anxiety ( be it panic attacks or other forms ) I don't know . But you seem to have suffered a lot of it. It may be anxiety and not citalopram which is the problem here. Hopefully your social media presence will lead you to find a partner. That will help.
@@paulroberts8071 I appreciate that social media opens you up to others opinions but this is just my opinion based on myself and my experience over the last 16 years, I will stick with how I see the way the medication affected me and I’m certainly not on social media to find a partner, after trying to find someone who was coming off Citalopram to use as a reference I couldn’t so I thought I’d post a video and if it helped people that’s all the results I need, nothing more. Glad you have found your balance with the medication and good luck with it all.
I quit cold turkey from 4 years and thankfully hasnt been too bad. I Iiked the brain zaps lol! However now its about 4-5 weeks and some mental fatigue and bouts of depressed thoughts have come into mind. But I know I am not my thoughts, I am the observer and my hormones are trying to find homeostasis so I keeo that fact at the back of my mind
Hey, thanks for the comment. I don’t know you but I was in a very good and relaxed place when I started coming off the meds, any other situation and I wouldn’t of tried it, try and understand if you are coming off them for the right reason, if it’s just because you don’t want to be on them anymore I think it will be a struggle. Im sorry I missed your comment and have taken so long to reply, I hope that you are now in a more settled state and you are doing well
Good video mate.. I been only citalapram for 6 years now, I’ve taken 20/40mg at different times - currently taking 20mg and 10mg of amiltriplyn for tmj pain in my jaw I want to come off aventually due to no sex drive and sometimes emotionless good luck to you
Hey, thank you for your comment, jaw pain now that sounds horrible, poor you, it’s bad enough dealing with the brain but have jaw pain also, that isn’t nice. Hope this reply finds you well and thanks for taking time to watch me ramble on.
Hey, that’s a very familiar feeling indeed, if I can get back to my car on my own with nobody around me, I can start feeling safe again, I have two places, my car and my home as long as both are just me. Hope you are doing well
Intersesting documentary bbc i player about anti depressants. I wish i knew when i started them how hard they are to stop with withdrawal i wish i just went to see a physiatrist
I’m sorry to read that but you have to do what works for you, I had no shame in looking for support in anti depressants and if I need to, I’ll go back on them myself.
Read some Claire Weekes and check out some videos by the anxious truth. He suffered from panic attacks just like you and he overcame it. Your story seems so similar to his and if you are struggling I bet you can skip going back on meds and try his technique and fully recover. You are really smart and on it and I know you can recover completely.
I'm curious on what u mean by brain zaps. I was on citalopram for a few years and just came off of it completely about 2 weeks ago. Were these zaps in your head ie top, back or sides of head or did they occur behind your eyes as well? The reason I ask is because I don't feel anything in my "head" but I do feel something whenever I move my eyes, especially side to side. I can sometimes hear a faint something, like when water is in your ears after swimming, when I move my eyes but only when I get that weird sensation. Is this something that you've experienced and if so is this what u are referring to when u say brain zaps?
Hey, thank you for your message and watching the video, I touch on brain zaps on my first video that i did when I’d be off the meds for 8 days but no they aren’t what you are describing as brain zaps are exactly that, they are shocks to the brain that make a zap sound like you are getting a static shock. I did have a sensation previously when I tried coming of the meds that felt like my head was underwater and everything seemed muffled which sounds similar. Let me know how you progress and give my other two videos in the series a view as you are where I started off.
Thank you for the message, I’m sorry to read you are struggling. It does get easier, I’ve been off the meds now for 6 months and all the withdrawal has disappeared. Make sure you understand your body and if you are experiencing difficulties because you are withdrawing or if your body is responding because you need them to support you, only you will know this. Good luck with it all, it really is a struggle so just focus on each day.
I can’t have pets as I’m renting, before I moved I had a cat who ironically came with anxiety meds as she’s very jumpy and timid, she now lives with my mum.
I'm on the same meds (20mg) for the same reason, panic attacks. I did 4.5 years and finally got off in min-May. I was fin all summer until min-August when I had sudden feelings of loneliness and dread about aging. It was so bad I could hardly function, so i got back on them again. Like you I live alone. My parents moved away a couple years ago, and my sister a few years ago, so I am isolated like you. I'm not sure if I can get back off again. Sending prayers! 🙏
Hi, thanks for your comment. I’m sorry to read that you aren’t doing great, do you not have escapisms to distract you, I like to lose myself in films but saying that if you watch a film that might make you worse if you relate to it or it just highlights an issue, being numb to emotions I can watch films without any reflection on myself. I wish you all the best and I hope you find an way to move forward, me I see getting old as a gift as I’ve had to many friends and family that don’t get that privilege.
I had to lie to my psychiatrist that im taking antidepressants so i get into therapy, getting off benzos was hellish enough didnt want any more burdens.
Hey, thanks for the comment. It’s a sad state where you have to lie to be able to get the support you want and need, I hope this replies finds you in a good place and you are benefiting from the therapy
I was on antidepressants for 2 months and then started to withdraw gradually within 1 month...after that i was having brain zaps, kinda find difficult to sleep also.....but my concern is sometimes i am very sensitive to normal noices, is this also a withdrawal symptom...??????? I wakeup early in the morning, having excercise, do prayer and meditation, eating healthy also.
Hey, thank you for your comment. I’m surprised that you are experiencing side affects with only being on them for 2 months but I’ve always said that people react differently to them as everyone is different and unique. I didn’t have any issues with noise, I had ringing in my ears but nothing more. Hopefully the side affect’s disappear for you soon, mine hung around for a few weeks but now I’m fine.
Hey, it’s very common isn’t it, I’d like to say there is comfort in numbers but when you are in the middle of an attack, it’s only you. I’m off the meds still, so around 14 months but my life have been so isolating and muted in that time that I can’t really gauge how I’m really coping if that makes sense. Hope you are doing ok and find a way of managing your condition and thank you for watching my video and for leaving a comment, it’s very nice of you.
Hey, thanks for the message, I posted a video not long ago, not a great one just a catch up really. Personally I’d only quit them if you feel you can cope without them, there is no other reason why I came off them.
Hey mate. I know the struggle. I tried coming off Escitalopram cold turkey. Failure. I'm back on 10mg. No sex drive or interest. Have you looked at your hormones levels and neurosteroids?
Thank you for your message, I’ve looked but I’m not paying that amount of money as I’m long term single so it doesn’t impact me enough to worry about it.
Hey, hard to say, I’ve been off the meds for 16 months roughly but my life is so muted that I don’t really know how I’ll be, I work remotely and I don’t have a social life so it’s like being in this safe ‘at home’ bubble. I’ll push myself more in 2024 as I start a new job which is a combo of home working and site working, then I’ll really see how my panic disorder holds up without the meds. Hope you are staying well and thank you for leaving a comment
@@ersu89 I’m very much a person where if I want to do something I’ll do it, I’d rather fail at doing something than not to know. Since coming off my meds though I’ve felt sad everyday so we will see.
I have watched all of your videos Dom, you have overcome so many challenges. I admire your strength.
Hey, thanks for stopping by and for the really lovely comment. It’s definitely not been easy and I still deal with a lot of my daily demons still but as I write this, I’m still taking each day as it happens. Hope you are happy, stay golden!
4 weeks off citalopram today - after 7 years. Started tapering down in November, 10 mg every other day for a month and then a few weeks of 5mg every other day. It's not easy going, anxiety going through the roof at times. I managed 6 weeks off a few years ago, but then went back. Hoping that this is it, but we'll see. I'm taking a stack of supplements (magnesium, B12, Folic acid, fish oils) in an effort to minimise side effects. Your blog is interesting - drs would have you believe quitting these things is easy, it's obviously not..
Hey, thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. Sounds like you have done the tapering really well and hopefully you will end up with the result you want. I’ve been off the meds now for 7 months but working from home does help with my anxiety so fingers crossed. I was told in the past that coming off the meds was easy but I’ve never experienced that personally but everyone is different. Good luck with it all and keep us updated.
I hope you are ok now. I am a 66 yr old woman just starting to taper off Citalopram which I have been taking for many years. I think it was the wrong medication really as I am probably on the Autistic/ADHD spectrums. I have found comfort and hope in listening to you . The biggest hope for me is that I regain some 'desire; to do the creative things that used to be a part of me, Again, hope you're ok and thank you for sharing! x
Hey, thank you for the lovely comment and I hope this reply finds you well. Creativity is such a lovely thing and I hope that it returns to you and you find that right balance with the meds or without it, to be able to navigate life and get enjoyment from it, keep us updated!
Congratulations. Keep going. I’m in the midst of a similar journey.
Thank you for leaving a comment, how are you finding it?
Thanks for your vids- a week off today after 13yrs! Main side effect is dizziness and I cried today for first time in years! I got this 💪
You cried after a week off them, I’ve been off them for 18 months and I still can’t cry, oddly jealous. Hope you are getting on ok?
@@distractingdom oh dom im like a tap! Who is this alien 👽 Today was crap but tomorrow I welcome the newness 💙
@@emmalampkin4537 best way to be, I thrive on the hope that tomorrow is going to be a good one and avoid dwelling when it’s not
Hey Dom, I found your channel yesterday and really love your honesty and bravery. I've been on citalopram for years but decided last week I want to come off it. I have fibromyalgia and I firmly believe that citalopram contributes to my pain. I can also 100% relate to the numbness you describe. I can tell someone I'm sad, emotional, upset etc, but I cannot cry, even when I feel like I want/need to. Maybe the meds helped make the lows less low, but it's also taken the shine off everything, I've forgotten what it feels like to experience fun and excitement! I think I'm a lot like you, or have been over the years, impulsive, moving around a lot, feeling unsettled and like there must be something else out there, if only I can find it. I have family and a few friends but still feel ridiculously lonely.
So I'm down from 20mg to 10mg and sticking at this for a while. So far not too many noticeable side effects. My head is a mess in terms of feeling confused and kind of vulnerable/anxious, but I don't think it's just the meds contributing to that.
Anyway, I've rambled enough! This may sound weird, but if you wanted an old fashioned pen pal, I'd be up for that, maybe the odd letter in the post would be nice 🤷♀️ I'm in the UK too by the way.
I hope you're doing good whatever you're up to now and I look forward to your next update! Be well 💗
Hey Emma, I hope my reply finds you in good spirits. Thank you for taking time to watch my video and for leaving a comment. It’s a difficult one knowing if the meds are contributing to how you feel because the only way to find out is to come off but the flip side is, if they aren’t then you could potentially set you back. It’s not a nice feeling being numb, I sometimes say that I don’t feel stressed, sad etc but yet my body is telling my otherwise as I experience severe brain shaking and I feel that is stress related.
Thank you for asking if I want to write, believe it or not but I’m not the biggest fan of wrong but appreciate the offer.
Look after yourself, I hope you find a manageable solution that works for you, appreciate how hard that is though.
I was on citalopram for a year and came off whilst tapering for roughly a month. Withdrawal was fairly long term but has gotten a lot better with time. Stick with it if you can would be my advice and you will see brighter days my friend
Thank you buddy,,I’ve been off them for 4 months now so all the withdrawal symptoms have gone.
@@distractingdomcongrats
Thanks for posting this…I hope you’re doing ok today? It’s very brave of you to open up about your struggles…you will help so many people 🙏
Hey, thank you for your positive comment, I am ok just taking each day as it comes but still off the medication. Hope you are doing well and thank you for taking time to watch my videos
Thank you so much for these Videos,... There are so many similarities between us ,..and sometimes you think in a way it s just youreself. So Thx 🙏...
Hi, thank you for leaving a comment. You are very right, it feels very isolating dealing with a mental health condition and although it doesn’t make the struggle easier it’s important to remind ourselves that it’s a condition not you.
Anti depressants which are a powerful brain altering drug numb the whole system and can leave you feeling completely empty and alone. I was on Dalmane which is a benzo for over 20 years to help with sleep and it took me over 2 years to taper off a 15mg tablet. Considering the amount of time you were on Citalopram your taper was very rapid to say the least. The body and mind need time to recover slowly from the massive trauma and side effects of powerful brain altering drugs that doctors routinely prescribe everyday without a second thought. My advice for what it's worth is to go slowly and give yourself lots of time and the best chance to heal you deserve nothing less. I would also recommend "belly breathing" especially for panic attacks there are lots of videos here on youtube on the subject. Take good care.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving such a lovely message. I’ve been off the meds now for 5 months and I’m doing fine. I felt like I did it at a good pace, giving each drop 2 weeks to see how my mind reacted to it but I agree that slow is the best way, just need to listen to your body because if I dropped and I started suffering with my panic disorder and anxiety I’d know I can’t drop more or even drop at all but I got through it and hopefully it will continue. Hope you are doing well yourself.
I cut down easily from 20mg down to 5mg over a few months without any problems. However, going from 5mg to zero was pretty intense!!
Hey, thanks for stopping by. I was the same, reducing wasn’t a big issue for me, it was when I stopped taking the meds that the side effects stepped in but that all passes in time.
I'm on day 14 the same as you, 5mg to zero and I feel so unbelievably bad. Waves of anxiety and adrenaline constantly, never felt so low. How much longer I can go I don't know.
I'm on day 18th of withdrawal, tapered from 20mg to 10mg to 5mg , was on this for 3 years... looking forward to feeling 100% normal, at least you give me some hope and a goal too look forward to!
@@Chrono28x hey, thanks for the comment and watching the video, hopefully the tapering is still going well, it’s been over 2 years since I posted these videos and I’m still med free, so hopefully you manage to get to where you need to be, all the best with it
This is a helpful video that portrays a a middle of the road withdrawal outcome, as opposed to the nightmare stories that fill the internet
Hey, thank you the kind comment. It certainly wasn’t easy coming off them but I was very aware of what feelings were tapering related and what were mental health related and that helped me through it.
@@distractingdom how’re you doing now?
@@djammer that’s a hard question to answer as although I’ve been off the meds for 14-16 months, I live a very isolating life, no real physical interaction, no socialising, work remotely so I don’t get to really really test how I’m coping but the simple answer to that, is to test myself but that’s another story. Thank you for asking though and hope you are well.
interesting story, good luck man
Hi all, I am now on 15 days since coming off. I was on 10MG for 4 years. The withdrawal is horrendous wounded if anyone has had these symptoms. Last week of so I have been feeling constantly like I have flu, MASSIVE headache constantly dizzy very anxious all the time. The flu like symptoms are just unbearable has anyone else had this? Also really bad stomach as in bloated all the time and generally feel awful. Just preying this is starting to get better thanks for the vids mate
Hi, glad I came across this video, hope you’re well and will make more videos.
Hi, I have thought about making more videos but now I have come off the meds, I’m not sure what I would cover, yeah life is still a struggle but isn’t it for most people?! Thanks for the lovely comment and hope you are well
With anxiety i dont think were feeling sorry for ourselves some people are worse than others and i hope there's more research and awareness as the years go on ❤
Hi, yes that is very true, we are all different and deal with life in different ways, I hope this reply finds you well
I’m glad to see you keeping off the meds. Glad you found a job working from home. It definitely has its pros and cons. I’m one month Citalopram free. I was really worried about the brain zaps last time I tried they were so frequent I went back on my meds. I have had barely any withdrawals the tapering slowly really works! Also not sure what kind of industry you work in but some employers have resource groups. I joined the recovery resource group at work. Of course it’s a zoom meeting since I work for the government and 90% of us are at home but I get have interaction with people I normally wouldn’t and part of our goal is to be open and remove stigma of mental illness and addiction recovery. Show that people can be successful. I wish you all the best across the pond! I think a paddle board video on its own would be good.
Hi Mo sorry your message got held for some reason. Brain zaps aren’t nice they kept me awake at night as I thought when they got bad that I wouldn’t have a fit which would then stress me out and make the whole ordeal worse but they do ease off. I am hoping that when you read this response that they have eased for you and you are managing things a lot better, let me know snd more importantly, take care of yourself.
How slow you went ,was it water tapering?and how many mg how long you hold on, pls reply will be much helpful tks all the best on your recovery journey
@@kalaiselviramaiah3854 hi 👋🏼 thank you for the comment, this is the 3rd video on me coming off the meds, watch the first one as I talk about how I tapered slowly, hope it helps.
I wish you success with staying natural from hereon. 🙏🤞
Thank you, although I did read hereon as heroin and thought, hang on!!
I gradually stopped my 20mg about 2 weeks I've not had any I have had brain zaps and migraines also dizzy and irritable terrible dreams but not sleeping well and generally feel like I'm not here I've tried before but I'm not giving up this time xxjulsxx
Well done for getting that far, if you really want off them you need to push through the horribleness but not if it’s to the detriment of yourself.
Thanks for the messages and let me know how you get on.
@@distractingdom yesterday I had a bath cause I felt so weird and dizzy stayed with my ears underwater for a while and blocked everything out I felt so good for the rest of the day self care really helps xxjulsxx
Hi how you feeling now I have all this for 2 years now
@@nmash6835 in all honesty, I constantly feel sad, not sure if I should embrace having a feeling or be annoyed that it’s withdrawn to sadness, ah well all part of trying.
Hiya long time no see. I was on citalopram for many years and decided I wanted to come off it and be more in touch with my spiritual side. I started because of you and over the last year I have, with the help of my pharmacist been steadily reducing from 280mg a week to 10mg Brain zaps were the one thing I didn’t want as that s a deffo no no. Touch wood all is well and only have a few Meg’s to go to be right off it. Good luck all for your drug free futures.
@@peterstratten3087 hey, wow that is extremely impressive, what a drop you have been on and it’s good to read that you did it with the support of your pharmacist. Are you feeling better for it, I personally don’t feel much different but at least I’m not taking medication and just trying to manage my condition the best I can. Keep me updated as sounds like I could take some tips from you and thanks for leaving a comment.
i was on 20mg for 6 years, but was basically becoming a zombie, i had severe abdominal pain daily in my lower right which persisted for months and months and i was sure at one point i had something bad going on...i was also suffering with really bad migraines, im talking knock out ones and at least 4 a month. i had to FIGHT to get an app to see my doctor and after many apps they told me to do a straight switch to mirtazapine. The first 3 weeks i felt like i was on a dinghy crossing the channel the entire time i was moving. Kept waking up and drenched . Im week 5 now and things seem to be slowly calming down, iv been upped to 30mg . hoping for brighter days, thanks for sharing .
Wow you really have been tested, so many difficult circumstances to deal with and it always makes me sad when you read that people have to fight to see a doctor and then fight again to be heard, it all seems very scripted and checklists these days instead of listening to the person as an individual.
I really hope the new meds find the right balance with you, I have a condition called diverticulitis so I know how bad stomach pain can make life.
Keep up the positive fight and thank you for leaving a comment.
@@distractingdom yeh its been abit of an uphill struggle. Seems very dependent on geographical location on what kinda care your gunna get and even then its hard pressed. But not much else I can do. I had to write a pretty hefty letter of complaint to my practise manager as the doctors response to everything after me telling them the problem was "well what is it youd like me to do for you today?" ..absolutely soul destroying. And the tummy pains and headaches all stopped the minute i stopped taking the citalopram... so what does that tell you.
@@gingo21 that’s so frustrating isn’t it, I remember going to see my doctor as I was struggling and as soon as I walked in his office he said “I’m running late so you have 5 minutes”, so poor but I’m quite forward so I replied “no, I have as long as I need” but I got the same line you did. I’m glad to read that the headaches and stomach pain has gone, sometimes what works for one person is an irritant to another. I hope you get the support you are after and things start to settle for you.
Please please please do another update. I would like to know how it’s gone since this video
Hey, I’ve not posted anymore videos as I’ve not got anything of interest to share but thank you for the comment
Your such a nice guy would love to chat at some point been through bits myself mate and im on day 2 of stopping citalopram 30 mg might have to take 20 and reduce
I have been taking citalopram 20 mg for 22 years. Brief attempts to get by without only led to deterioration. I don't experience any negative side effects.
You don’t experience numbness to things or anything like that or maybe you just don’t notice it, I experienced very emotional withdrawal so lost enjoyment in sex, didn’t express emotion to good or bad situations, glad they are helping you though as that’s what they are for.
@@distractingdom My first reply to you was censored because I discussed some of the effects of citalopram on sexual function. Look I am 66 years old. Citalopram does not stop you feeling happy. It does not turn you into a flat liner. It doesn't stop you feeling sexual pleasure or contentment. It may slow down a sudden rush of emotion. The speed of onset . ( That can be a good thing if those emotions are feelings of despair and hopelessness ) But it doesn't stop you feeling emotions. It doesn't stop you feeling intense emotions. Especially emotions of love and bonding with another human being. There are many factors which determine the space a person's brain is in at any given time. A level of citalopram in the brain is only one of them. My gut feeling is that you are a sensitive person who because of past trauma at some time in your life now have an enlarged over-active adrenal gland. The gland that tells you you're in danger. I definitely think you should get on it and stay on it.
@@paulroberts8071 thank you for your post but I’m going to have to respectfully disagree with you, I’m 46 years old I’m completely aware of how my body and mind feels, I’ve been off Citalopram for 4 months now and all the numbness has disappeared and all the things I said have returned, so facts are facts. People act differently to different things, I’m not the only person to experience this and I’m certainly not knocking the medication as I touched on in one of my videos that If I end up back on them I will do happily as they helped.
@@distractingdom I have now watched carefully all three of your videos on coming off citalopram. If you were watching sad movies because you were hoping to be able to cry that suggests to me you were in a bad way emotionally . I remember feeling like that many years ago. But it was only temporary. I can cry now if I need to. Citalopram doesn't doesn't stop me from crying or dam up my emotions. As I said Citalopram is only one factor affecting how you feel. There are many things here working together. I grant that everyone is unique so we are all different . But attributing symptoms ( emotional numbness ) to just one cause ( Citalopram ) when there are other possible causes could be an error. Just keep an open mind. I was 44 years old when I went on Citalopram , around your current age , and apart from a one or two failed attempts to come off , I have remained on it for the last 22 years. Nothing kills off happiness like anxiety. Nothing makes you feel tired like anxiety. Being worn out by anxiety makes you feel numb. Depression doesn't cause anxiety. It's the other way around. Anxiety wears you out emotionally. If this goes on for long enough the brain gets depressed . Depression is a way of shutting down to numb painful emotions. But you can get stuck in this state. The causes and triggers of your anxiety ( be it panic attacks or other forms ) I don't know . But you seem to have suffered a lot of it. It may be anxiety and not citalopram which is the problem here. Hopefully your social media presence will lead you to find a partner. That will help.
@@paulroberts8071 I appreciate that social media opens you up to others opinions but this is just my opinion based on myself and my experience over the last 16 years, I will stick with how I see the way the medication affected me and I’m certainly not on social media to find a partner, after trying to find someone who was coming off Citalopram to use as a reference I couldn’t so I thought I’d post a video and if it helped people that’s all the results I need, nothing more. Glad you have found your balance with the medication and good luck with it all.
I quit cold turkey from 4 years and thankfully hasnt been too bad. I Iiked the brain zaps lol! However now its about 4-5 weeks and some mental fatigue and bouts of depressed thoughts have come into mind. But I know I am not my thoughts, I am the observer and my hormones are trying to find homeostasis so I keeo that fact at the back of my mind
I am trying to get off it. But the axiaty is back, the feeling of fear is back in my chest. My mood is ok but i have 0 patients.
Hey, thanks for the comment. I don’t know you but I was in a very good and relaxed place when I started coming off the meds, any other situation and I wouldn’t of tried it, try and understand if you are coming off them for the right reason, if it’s just because you don’t want to be on them anymore I think it will be a struggle.
Im sorry I missed your comment and have taken so long to reply, I hope that you are now in a more settled state and you are doing well
Good video mate.. I been only citalapram for 6 years now, I’ve taken 20/40mg at different times - currently taking 20mg and 10mg of amiltriplyn for tmj pain in my jaw I want to come off aventually due to no sex drive and sometimes emotionless good luck to you
Hey, thank you for your comment, jaw pain now that sounds horrible, poor you, it’s bad enough dealing with the brain but have jaw pain also, that isn’t nice. Hope this reply finds you well and thanks for taking time to watch me ramble on.
I remember when i was so bad i used to walk somewhere and suddenly felt like i wasnt there and had to run back home scarey is anxiety
Hey, that’s a very familiar feeling indeed, if I can get back to my car on my own with nobody around me, I can start feeling safe again, I have two places, my car and my home as long as both are just me. Hope you are doing well
Intersesting documentary bbc i player about anti depressants. I wish i knew when i started them how hard they are to stop with withdrawal i wish i just went to see a physiatrist
Had to go back on it today....felt awful...depression etc...
I’m sorry to read that but you have to do what works for you, I had no shame in looking for support in anti depressants and if I need to, I’ll go back on them myself.
Read some Claire Weekes and check out some videos by the anxious truth. He suffered from panic attacks just like you and he overcame it. Your story seems so similar to his and if you are struggling I bet you can skip going back on meds and try his technique and fully recover. You are really smart and on it and I know you can recover completely.
I'm curious on what u mean by brain zaps. I was on citalopram for a few years and just came off of it completely about 2 weeks ago. Were these zaps in your head ie top, back or sides of head or did they occur behind your eyes as well? The reason I ask is because I don't feel anything in my "head" but I do feel something whenever I move my eyes, especially side to side. I can sometimes hear a faint something, like when water is in your ears after swimming, when I move my eyes but only when I get that weird sensation. Is this something that you've experienced and if so is this what u are referring to when u say brain zaps?
Hey, thank you for your message and watching the video, I touch on brain zaps on my first video that i did when I’d be off the meds for 8 days but no they aren’t what you are describing as brain zaps are exactly that, they are shocks to the brain that make a zap sound like you are getting a static shock.
I did have a sensation previously when I tried coming of the meds that felt like my head was underwater and everything seemed muffled which sounds similar.
Let me know how you progress and give my other two videos in the series a view as you are where I started off.
I've been getting off doxepin and it has been hell seems like its never going to go away
Thank you for the message, I’m sorry to read you are struggling. It does get easier, I’ve been off the meds now for 6 months and all the withdrawal has disappeared. Make sure you understand your body and if you are experiencing difficulties because you are withdrawing or if your body is responding because you need them to support you, only you will know this. Good luck with it all, it really is a struggle so just focus on each day.
Bit random but have you considered having a dog I don't go out much but animals are very healing and calming xx
I can’t have pets as I’m renting, before I moved I had a cat who ironically came with anxiety meds as she’s very jumpy and timid, she now lives with my mum.
@@distractingdom I understand that is strange about your cat hope your doing well I'm on my 3rd week last week was terrible xxjulsxx
@@doksilver you are in the hard weeks from my experience, keep it up the end is in sight and keep me posted.
I'm on the same meds (20mg) for the same reason, panic attacks. I did 4.5 years and finally got off in min-May. I was fin all summer until min-August when I had sudden feelings of loneliness and dread about aging. It was so bad I could hardly function, so i got back on them again. Like you I live alone. My parents moved away a couple years ago, and my sister a few years ago, so I am isolated like you.
I'm not sure if I can get back off again.
Sending prayers!
🙏
Hi, thanks for your comment. I’m sorry to read that you aren’t doing great, do you not have escapisms to distract you, I like to lose myself in films but saying that if you watch a film that might make you worse if you relate to it or it just highlights an issue, being numb to emotions I can watch films without any reflection on myself. I wish you all the best and I hope you find an way to move forward, me I see getting old as a gift as I’ve had to many friends and family that don’t get that privilege.
Random question - but I love that picture in the background. Would you be able to share the details if possible?
Hey, I don’t know the details but I got it online from Wayfair
Hi I’ve just started on mine 2 days in, the doctor has put me on them for 6 to 9 months on 20mg.
Good luck with it buddy, ignoring all the negativity, it certainly helped me when I needed it, takes a bit of time to start working though.
I had to lie to my psychiatrist that im taking antidepressants so i get into therapy, getting off benzos was hellish enough didnt want any more burdens.
Hey, thanks for the comment. It’s a sad state where you have to lie to be able to get the support you want and need, I hope this replies finds you in a good place and you are benefiting from the therapy
I have been taking c
I was on antidepressants for 2 months and then started to withdraw gradually within 1 month...after that i was having brain zaps, kinda find difficult to sleep also.....but my concern is sometimes i am very sensitive to normal noices, is this also a withdrawal symptom...??????? I wakeup early in the morning, having excercise, do prayer and meditation, eating healthy also.
Hey, thank you for your comment. I’m surprised that you are experiencing side affects with only being on them for 2 months but I’ve always said that people react differently to them as everyone is different and unique.
I didn’t have any issues with noise, I had ringing in my ears but nothing more.
Hopefully the side affect’s disappear for you soon, mine hung around for a few weeks but now I’m fine.
No, it's very hard to get off these damned antidepressants
Yep, it’s certainly not easy life my doctor told me it was
How are you getting on now, fella? Recently come across your videos. I suffer from the same problems as yourself
Hey, it’s very common isn’t it, I’d like to say there is comfort in numbers but when you are in the middle of an attack, it’s only you. I’m off the meds still, so around 14 months but my life have been so isolating and muted in that time that I can’t really gauge how I’m really coping if that makes sense. Hope you are doing ok and find a way of managing your condition and thank you for watching my video and for leaving a comment, it’s very nice of you.
Would love to see how you are doing now? Are you still off AD‘s? Im taking them for 3 years now and im scared of quitting them..
Hey, thanks for the message, I posted a video not long ago, not a great one just a catch up really.
Personally I’d only quit them if you feel you can cope without them, there is no other reason why I came off them.
It's suh·ta·luh·pram with the accent on the 'ta'
Hey mate. I know the struggle. I tried coming off Escitalopram cold turkey. Failure.
I'm back on 10mg. No sex drive or interest.
Have you looked at your hormones levels and neurosteroids?
Thank you for your message, I’ve looked but I’m not paying that amount of money as I’m long term single so it doesn’t impact me enough to worry about it.
@@distractingdom NHS
@@davet8134 imagine how high up on the list that would be, you’d be waiting years. “Ok Dom, are you trying for kids” “No I’m currently single” “oh ok”
Been on same tablet 20 years. Been coming off it over the last 2 months. Not easy.
Take care
I have the same problem that's why I want to get off the meds
Hey Dom how are you today?
Hey, I’m still off the meds but my life is still very muted, spend most of my time outside of work just in silence but taking each day as it’s comes
@@distractingdom i think it takes time ❤️i am having problems stopping Myself get tremors
How are you today?
Hey, hard to say, I’ve been off the meds for 16 months roughly but my life is so muted that I don’t really know how I’ll be, I work remotely and I don’t have a social life so it’s like being in this safe ‘at home’ bubble. I’ll push myself more in 2024 as I start a new job which is a combo of home working and site working, then I’ll really see how my panic disorder holds up without the meds. Hope you are staying well and thank you for leaving a comment
Bro you will turn back to ad. Believe me 😀
There is no shame if I do, but you don’t know unless you try
@@distractingdom Of course there is no shame, but most likely you will do that. I am saying it because of experience 🥹
@@ersu89 I’m very much a person where if I want to do something I’ll do it, I’d rather fail at doing something than not to know.
Since coming off my meds though I’ve felt sad everyday so we will see.
@@distractingdom Better nice life with meds than life suffering without meds.
Goodluck bro. I wish you best. Salutations from Kurdistan.