Hi there

Here is my intro thread from the Taper Community site.

https://taper.community/thread/a749e441-65b6-4619-8c07-8340678660e7

I will write one out explicitly here when I am up to it if that's ok?

ct-ed citalopram two months ago at 2.6mg in tandem with some Ayurvedic treatment in India (for me/cfS). I thought I was through the woods but on return to uk I started to get withdrawal symptoms.

Currently:

Insomnia

Neuro emotions

Anxiety

I take magnesium to sleep. I tried melatonin a few years ago and I felt incredibly ill on taking it so I'm not sure that's something I would be able to take.

The GP prescribed Promethazine for sleep last week I've been taking it most days either 25mg and if that doesn't work then 50mg. Didn't have to take any last night- slept through. But they last few times of taking it including tonight i am getting a sore Tenderness head pain and tightness in the chest area which is doing the opposite of helping me sleep.

The worst is insomnia. If that was under control deal with the other dreadful symptoms a bit more easily.

I have a background of me / cfS (deregulated nervous system) which means I can't do much at the moment.

Looking for some reassurance that all of this will pass.... Kindness, compassion, reassurance would be grateful for a bit of any of these.

Desperately hoping for the intensity of the withdrawal effects to wear off.

Welcome to the forum!

 

This is a volunteer-run, community forum aimed at helping those who are tapering and/or experiencing difficulties with psychiatric medications and withdrawl syndrome. We are not medical professionals and cannot offer medical advice. We simply offer support and opinions which you could use as talking points with a medical provider knowledgeable in withdrawing off psychiatric medications.

 

Please familiarise yourself with the forum rules and the disclaimer located here: Guidelines

 

Please make sure your signature is kept up to date with your drug history. This will allow members to see some basic information about your drug history and situation so that they may help you best. Information on how to do this is located in the FAQs section above, but here is a direct link: Update Signature

Once this is done, future posts made by you will have this signature turned on by default. For this reason please keep it clear but condensed as possible.

Please use the format outline here Preferred signature/drug history format

I'm so sorry to read about the tough time you've had recently you will find plenty of support here for sure.

 

5 hours ago, Citalopram_ColdTurkey said:

Here is my intro thread from the Taper Community site.

https://taper.community/thread/a749e441-65b6-4619-8c07-8340678660e7

I will write one out explicitly here when I am up to it if that's ok?

ct-ed citalopram two months ago at 2.6mg in tandem with some Ayurvedic treatment in India (for me/cfS). I thought I was through the woods but on return to uk I started to get withdrawal symptoms.

Thank you for sharing, and for joining you are very welcome here.

It is absolutely fine for you to post a more detailed account of what has happened to you later if you would like to.

5 hours ago, Citalopram_ColdTurkey said:

I take magnesium to sleep. I tried melatonin a few years ago and I felt incredibly ill on taking it so I'm not sure that's something I would be able to take.

Magnesium, for those who tolerate it, can be calming for the nervous system. Some have good results with Melatonin, however I have seen a lot of people have issues with it. If you are one of those, I would avoid.

5 hours ago, Citalopram_ColdTurkey said:

The GP prescribed Promethazine for sleep last week I've been taking it most days either 25mg and if that doesn't work then 50mg. Didn't have to take any last night- slept through. But they last few times of taking it including tonight i am getting a sore Tenderness head pain and tightness in the chest area which is doing the opposite of helping me sleep.

I know it is really temping to try things to help you sleep. Unfortunately once your nervous system is destablised, adding in substances like strong antihistamines such as Promethazine, can make things a lot worse. As hard as it is for you at the moment I would strongly suggest you don't take any more of this, I think it is likley it will worsen you and extend your recovery time.

Medications, Supplements and Other Substances in Withdrawal

5 hours ago, Citalopram_ColdTurkey said:

The worst is insomnia. If that was under control deal with the other dreadful symptoms a bit more easily.

I relate. Poor sleep quality has been an issue for me. It is awful. In time it will improve. In the meantime it is important to get your mind around sleep. Trust that your body will sleep enough to keep you going, even if it doesn't feel great sometimes. Learn and practice acceptance. Keep that second fear at bay. Worrying about not being able to sleep adds to the problem. Learn to be relaxed, if you sleep, you sleep. If you don't, learn to not care, I know that is hard, but in time things will get better, and you will likley sleep more if you can adopt this mindset and attitude.

Acceptance is key - Why does acceptance feel impossible?

 

Sleep in WD

5 hours ago, Citalopram_ColdTurkey said:

I have a background of me / cfS (deregulated nervous system) which means I can't do much at the moment.

I am very sorry to read this. This doesn't help things for you I am sure.

Reading your post in the link above, I can see you have considered RI. If this is something you wish to try, we can help you with this, just let us know if need more assistance with the technicals and suggesting a dose.

Here are some documents on the subject, how to prepare small doses, and also our tapering guides:

Reinstating an Antidepressant

Preparing Doses for Tapering - Weighing & DIY Liquids

Tapering Information

Micro Tapering

5 hours ago, Citalopram_ColdTurkey said:

Looking for some reassurance that all of this will pass.... Kindness, compassion, reassurance would be grateful for a bit of any of these.

You will find lots of support here for sure. Our bodies are amazing, and they are constantly working towards balance. Yours is no different. If you choose to RI, this may help you, but there are risks, please read the document I linked you to. If you choose not to RI, you will improve and recover. This is often a slow process that happens in a non-linear fashion, following a pattern of ups and downs we call Windows and Waves.

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

I hope the information we have provided it helpful to you. Any questions please let us know.

In the mean time this is what I would do if I were you:

 

-Stay Hydrated 

 

-Eat a good clean whole food diet, avoiding processed foods and sugars.

 

-Stay away from caffeine, alcohol and antihistamines and any other psychoactive substances.

 

Supplements are to be avoided initially, as they often irritate our nervous systems. Try to get your nutrition through food.

 

Down the line, you may wish to introduce Fish Oil and Magnesium. Those who can tolerate them have found them calming to the nervous system. Be careful try one at a time and start low and see how you get on should you choose to try them.

 

A daily walk is very important as much as you can manage, if you can manage it. Gets you your fresh air and Vitamin D does wonders for your mind!

 

You are very welcome here and I hope you find the site supportive.

Chippy

Dear @Chippy

Thank you so much for your kind response.

1 minute ago, Citalopram_ColdTurkey said:

Dear @Chippy

Thank you so much for your kind response.

My pleasure

Dear @Chippy

If I were to reinstate, what level would you recommend?

11 minutes ago, Citalopram_ColdTurkey said:

Dear @Chippy

If I were to reinstate, what level would you recommend?

Hey @Citalopram_ColdTurkey

I'm not sure what date in March you stopped your 2.6mg? Im guessing its been 6 weeks or so?

You could try 1mg, but perhaps 0.5mg as you last dose was only 2.6mg. I also suspect the Promethazine has upset your nervous system a little, so better safe then sorry. If you react ok to the RI, you could always increase from there.

Hold the dose steady, if you feel no significant worsening, for at least 4 days, then keep to that dose for 7-14 days and then assess.

Hope that helps.

Chippy

Dear @Chippy

Here is the latest. Would you mind at all having a read of the last week?

https://benzobuddies.org/topic/291134-citalopram_withdrawal_coldturkey/#comment-3682546

I am finding if I can sleep I can surf the stuff coming up during the day, but, if I can't sleep for a number of days I'm unable to do so.

Thank you @LostinCanada

Edited May 15May 15 by Citalopram_ColdTurkey

@Citalopram_ColdTurkey reading your Bb thread my thoughts would be.

I agree with LIC. Adding in other drugs isn’t a good move.

I think I would consider a low dose of citalopram. 0.25mg as you mentioned as a starting point.

I would not take any more z drugs.

Have you had a read of our sleep post? I know how tough it is when you can’t sleep I’ve dealt with a lot of this in the last couple of years. Sleep in WD

Second fear is a huge factor with sleep, to work on learning acceptance can help with this. Acceptance is key - Why does acceptance feel impossible?

I’m very sorry for the hard time you have having atm.