What lead me onto antidepressants was due to symptoms of dysautonomia caused by my alcoholism.

 

January 2023 I was prescribed paroxetine and trazodone. I voluntarily committed myself to a psychiatric hospital for nine days where they increased paroxetine and trazodone. I ended up stabilizing and was released.

 

I had an appointment with a psychiatrist for a follow up and told him the only issue symptoms I have are sexual. Instead of decreasing paroxetine he thought it was best to crosstaper me off paroxetine onto citalopram. He decreased paroxetine from 30mg to 10mg and introduced citalopram at 20mg.

 

I had many symptoms during the five weeks of the cross taper until on the fifth week I couldn’t sleep. I told the psychiatrist and he told me to stop citalopram cold turkey as I was having an adverse reaction.

 

Withdrawal hit me a week and a half later with  

Insomnia

Muscle twitchs

Night sweats

PSSD

Anhedonia

Adrenaline surges

Loss of sweating

Akathisia

Fatigue

Heart palpitations

Loss of appetite

Headaches

Diarrhea

Suicidal ideation

Crying spells

Brain zaps

Hypersensitive to sound when attempting to sleep

Hypnic jerks

Vivid dreams

Nightmares

Sensitive to cold on limbs

Fingers twitch after gripping something

 

I didn’t reinstate because I was too afraid of kindling. I'm doing a lot better than I was! I’m functional. I seem to be dealing with histamine issues now.
 

Looking forward to open conversation.

 

My Thread on SA;

Hi @Brenmos

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

Thank you for taking the time to make your intro topic and complete your signature.

 

I have found you on SA and linked your thread above for you.

 

12 hours ago, Brenmos said:

What lead me onto antidepressants was due to symptoms of dysautonomia caused by my alcoholism.

 

January 2023 I was prescribed paroxetine and trazodone. I voluntarily committed myself to a psychiatric hospital for nine days where they increased paroxetine and trazodone. I ended up stabilizing and was released.

 

I had an appointment with a psychiatrist for a follow up and told him the only issue symptoms I have are sexual. Instead of decreasing paroxetine he thought it was best to crosstaper me off paroxetine onto citalopram. He decreased paroxetine from 30mg to 10mg and introduced citalopram at 20mg.

 

Im sorry for your experience here. It is common for doctors to move doses around and switch up drugs in a trial and error fashion looking for the 'perfect' drug for you personally. Of course we know this is non sense and only causes great harm which you have witnessed first hand.

 

12 hours ago, Brenmos said:

I had many symptoms during the five weeks of the cross taper until on the fifth week I couldn’t sleep. I told the psychiatrist and he told me to stop citalopram cold turkey as I was having an adverse reaction.

Again Im sorry this must have been a terrible time for you. Stacking another drug on-top of 2 others and shifting your Paroxetine dose around really upset your nervous system. 

 

12 hours ago, Brenmos said:

I didn’t reinstate because I was too afraid of kindling. I'm doing a lot better than I was! I’m functional. I seem to be dealing with histamine issues now.

I think you were right not to reinstate here. Your brain was more angry than it was missing Citalopram IMO and I doubt it would have helped any.

 

Sitting this out and a long hold here seems to be paying off for you. More evidence that doing nothing is often the right thing, although I suspect this hasnt been easy for you.

 

I hope you continue to improve which I suspect you will. What are you plans next? Do you eventually hope to start a taper?

 

Again thank for joining the forum you are so very welcome and I hope you find it a supportive place for you.

 

Chippy

 

 

Hey @Brenmos

Thanks for stopping by my intro. I am happy you are here.

I am dealing with the histamine stuff too. Have you changed your diet? Has it helped? What symptoms are you experiencing? 

Maybe this will help:

https://antidepressantrecovery.org/topic/228-histamine-intolerance-food-lists/?do=getNewComment

❤️🙏

13 hours ago, Chippy said:

I hope you continue to improve which I suspect you will. What are you plans next? Do you eventually hope to start a taper?

 

 

I don’t plan on tapering unless I have to. I’m terrified of coming off.

5 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

Hey @Brenmos

Thanks for stopping by my intro. I am happy you are here.

I am dealing with the histamine stuff too. Have you changed your diet? Has it helped? What symptoms are you experiencing? 

Maybe this will help:

https://antidepressantrecovery.org/topic/228-histamine-intolerance-food-lists/?do=getNewComment

❤️🙏

I don’t consume caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, or most food items that are fermented. I seem to have a reaction to items such as soy sauce, and  fish sauce.

 

My symptoms have been hot flashes, heart palpitations, tachycardia, insomnia, jolts, electrical surge and adrenaline dumps when falling asleep.

 

The other day I believe I had a reaction to lunch meats or Parmesan cheese. Or it was a coincidence and had a three day wave. 

7 hours ago, Brenmos said:

I don’t plan on tapering unless I have to. I’m terrified of coming off.

That’s understandable for some staying where they are is the right move. We respect and support you regardless. 

18 hours ago, Brenmos said:

Lunch meats or Parmesan cheese

Lunch meats are full of sodium nitrates and Parmesan is high histamine as are fermented foods and soy products.

Have you tried coconut aminos to substitute for soy sauce. Look for a brand that is pure and not fermented.

18 hours ago, Brenmos said:

don’t plan on tapering unless I have to

I feel your pain. I just wish the psychiatrist never CT me and that I knew what I know now. I would still taper because I was in poop out, but it would be a whole different story. You know I am here for you. ❤️🙏

8 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

Lunch meats are full of sodium nitrates and Parmesan is high histamine as are fermented foods and soy products.

I’m sure I was just in a wave February 17th-21st. I did go to the store and ask to see the ingredients in the lunch meat I ate and there were no nitrates in it. I buy organic products with minimal ingredients in them. But I do eat fast food and have no problem with that 🙄😂.

 

Last night I had a huge brain zap that started in my head and made my whole body jerk when I was sitting down. 

I’ve been in a wave since March 10th. On March 9th I went to the dentist and found out I have to get a crown 😩. I’ve been anxious about more dental work and my sleep has been taking a hit. 

8 hours ago, Brenmos said:

have to get a crown

Is it for a tooth that already has a root canal? If so, you don't need freezing. If you do need freezing, make sure there is no epinephrine. Nitrous oxide is also problematic.

I have it written on my file.

 

Hey!

Generally yellow mucus is an infection and not withdrawal, correct?

On Friday I thought I had accidentally double dosed Paxil by taking 20mg instead of 10mg. My friend who I was talking to said they didn’t see me take it in front of them so I took it 20 minutes after we had gone our separate ways.

Still worried that I double dosed and am experiencing an increase in symptoms. I didn’t sleep well last night waking up every half hour or so. Or it might be because I’m sick.

7 minutes ago, Brenmos said:

Generally yellow mucus is an infection and not withdrawal, correct?

Correct, though paxil messed with mucous membranes. Any fever, aches, coughing?

8 minutes ago, Brenmos said:

Still worried that I double dosed and am experiencing an increase in symptoms. I didn’t sleep well last night waking up every half hour or so. Or it might be because I’m sick.

All you can do is move forward.

I guess my post came at the right time...I hate the brain fog. ❤️🙏

I came down with a runny and stuffy nose, body aches, chills, and sneezing on Sunday. I don’t have a whole lotta mucus but it is yellow. I slept terribly last night but I’m fine.

17 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

Correct, though paxil messed with mucous membranes. Any fever, aches, coughing?

18 minutes ago, Brenmos said:

I came down with a runny and stuffy nose, body aches, chills, and sneezing on Sunday. I don’t have a whole lotta mucus but it is yellow. I slept terribly last night but I’m fine.

Sounds like a flu bug. Hopefully it will pass quickly.

41 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

All you can do is move forward.

I guess my post came at the right time...I hate the brain fog. ❤️🙏

Just overthinking. I did see your lost the other day and it was reassuring.

It’s been so long since I was sick and the insomnia increased. I forgot that illnesses in withdrawal will do that.

3 minutes ago, Brenmos said:

It’s been so long since I was sick and the insomnia increased. I forgot that illnesses in withdrawal will do that.

I am still wearing a mask at indoor public places....it sucks.

I’ve been eating packaged cookies the last few days yesterday I ate them around 4:00-5:00 PM and slept poorly.

Withdrawal doesn’t make sense. Because I’ve had shaved ice around that time before and my sleep wasn’t affected.

They might be related, they might not. My sleep fluctuates a lot with no real rhyme nor reason behind it.

On 6/21/2026 at 1:17 AM, Luke said:

They might be related, they might not. My sleep fluctuates a lot with no real rhyme nor reason behind it.

How is your sleep?

Poor, but my situation is quite different to yours.

@LostinCanada

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

I’m repeating this to myself ❤️❤️❤️. A traumatic situation that happened 16 years ago popped up recently and I might get answers today.

I’m not sure what has been more traumatizing, withdrawal or the other situation.

Sitting in church right now praying.

16 minutes ago, Brenmos said:

traumatic situation that happened 16 years ago popped up recently and I might get answers today.

Sorry to hear you are dealing with this….i hope you get answers or at least are able to understand that you are not accountable for someone else’s bad actions. I pray you find peace and find comfort. (2Cor 1:3,4)

I found out my own mother is on 50mg of Zoloft after knowing I’ve been in withdrawal from stopping Celexa cold turkey over three years ago. I’m doing a lot better though!

I don’t believe she ever truly believed me because she would tell me to see a psychologist when I was in the acute phase. When I call her out she gets defensive.

Unbelievable.

16 minutes ago, Brenmos said:

I found out my own mother is on 50mg of Zoloft after knowing I’ve been in withdrawal from stopping Celexa cold turkey over three years ago. I’m doing a lot better though!

I don’t believe she ever truly believed me because she would tell me to see a psychologist when I was in the acute phase. When I call her out she gets defensive.

Unbelievable.

So many family and friends are on this junk....they don't get it....they believe what they have been told. If you want to look up an interesting topic, check out:

In a psychological and psychiatric context, "medication spellbinding" (formally known as intoxication anosognosia) describes a phenomenon where a psychoactive drug alters a person's brain function in a way that deeply impairs their ability to recognize the drug's actual effects. Coined originally by psychiatrist Peter Breggin, the term highlights a paradox: a medication can cause emotional or cognitive harm, yet the person taking it genuinely believes they are doing well or failing to see the drug as the source of their problems.When applied to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), this concept explains how someone can feel a medication is helping when it might actually be causing harm.

10 hours ago, Brenmos said:

When I call her out she gets defensive.

They always do @Brenmos wish they could just be upfront and stop playing lip service sometimes.