Hello, this is my first post. I (24M) am currently going through severe SSRI (protracted) withdrawal from Celexa/Citalopram and I am in desperate need of help.

 

Any tips/advice/experiences are welcome.

 

If you want to skip my history and read about my current state, please scroll to section 5.

 

1. Pre Treatment (

 

I have always been an anxious person. In 2024 I decided to move to a new country and start a new job. It was not an easy change. I suffered from daily panic attacks that made it impossible for me to do my job. One day, I ended up at the Emergency Room because I thought I was dying from sleep deprivation (caused by anxiety).

 

2. Treatment on 20mg (November 2024 - August 2025)

 

I was given Celexa/Citalopram. I started on a 10mg dose and soon increased the dosage to 20mg. Since then, I never had a panic attack again. Although I was still feeling somewhat anxious, I performed well at work, got new friends and made lots of progress in the gym. I was getting happier and happier.

 

3. Taper (August 2025 - October 2025)

 

In August, I became aware of a minor side effect that I had been having for months. A rather mild sexual side effect to be precise (decreased ejaculation distance). I had read a lot of people reporting major sexual side effects due to SSRIs, even after stopping (a condition called PSSD (  r/PSSD  )), the latter scaring me. Considering this, I did not want to extend my treatment and risk worsening of side effects. I decided it was time to stop. I asked my doctor to get off the medication.

 

I followed a 50% reduction regimen:

 

(

 

August: 10mg

 

September: 5mg

 

October (first half): 2.5mg

 

October (second half): 0mg

 

I officially got off the meds on 15th October 2025.

 

4. Drug free (15th October - November 2025)

 

The mild sexual side effect persisted. It was not bothering me, though. I was happily off the meds and life was great.

 

This is where things changed. There was subtle turning point.

 

Slowly but gradually, over the course of the entire month of November, a new sexual problem was arising:

 

I was finding it harder and harder to get aroused. Every day, I noticed I was having more and more trouble to get erect. By the end of November, I realized I was having full blown erectile dysfunction. I freaked out.

 

5. Withdrawal (December 2025 - Today)

 

Alongside the erectile dysfunction, a new set of severe physical symptoms emerged.

 

I was hit like a truck by them.

 

* Brain zaps

* Fatigue

* Tingling sensations in my tongue

* Tingling sensations in my limbs (paresthesias)

* Muscle contractions (back, abs, perineum, pelvic floor)

* Tense perineum, causing precum leakage

* Electrical storms throughout my body -> the worst symptom

* Heart palpitations

* A feeling of being 'on' all the time

* Nausea

* Sight issues

* Loss of libido\* --> I can now say for sure I have PSSD

* (Erecticle dysfunction)\* --> I can now say for sure I have PSSD

 

These symptoms come in waves and windows. Some symptoms are always present\*.

 

The first 2 weeks of December were horrible. I could not get out of bed and was hit by waves every day. I was feeling so physically disabled and plagued that I thought I was going to die.

 

I saw several doctors and psychiatrists, but none of them were aware of this protracted withdrawal condition. They said I was either suffering from anxiety or having a personality disorder.

 

6. Reinstatement (10th December 2025 - Today)

 

Following the advice from www.survivingantidepressants.org and psychiatrists Dr Josef Witt-Doerring and Mark Horowitz, I decided to reinstate the medication.

 

From 10 December onwards I have been taking 1.25 milligrams of Celexa/Citalopram.

 

I cut a tablet of 10mg in 8 pieces, hoping to get the right amount everyday. I know this is not accurate. I will soon get help from a Dutch pharmacy called 'Regenbook Apotheek'. They offer tapering strips. I will soon order strips from them to safely stabilize on 1.2 milligrams precisely.

 

Sexual stimulation worsens my condition. It causes new paresthesias, pressure on my head and a feeling of hyperarousal.

 

Should I higher up the reinstatement dose? 

It’s been almost 1 month since I reinstated and there has been no significant improvement except: 

- brain zaps faded

- perineum tension causing precum leakage / pelvic floor tension faded 

- waves are still very disrupting but less devastating than in the beginning of my WD. I’d say a 15% improvement. Every day is unpredictable. I have had a 2-day window max. I fear waves every day.

Welcome to the forum, Sibevo.

 

I am the Recovery Assistant Bot and I am here to post some information for you whilst we await replies from other members.

 

This is a volunteer-run, community forum aimed at helping those who are experiencing difficulties with psychiatric medications. If you are experiencing an adverse reaction to them, withdrawal difficulties or are injured by them, we are very sorry to hear this and will do what we can to help you.

 

While we are waiting for human members to reply, there are some things you can do that will help you get the most out of this forum whilst you await further support.

 

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Please update your signature. 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 guides linked above, but here is a direct link:

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Once this is done, future posts made by you will have this signature turned on by default.

 

If you have migrated here from "SurvivingAntidepressants" feel free to post a link to your old thread in this one, or include it in your signature.

 

We hope that you will find this forum helpful.

Thank you for joining the forum.

 

Could you please link your thread on survivingantidepressants? I could not find it by searching for the same username.

 

These symptoms come in waves and windows.

 

This is common.

 

I saw several doctors and psychiatrists, but none of them were aware of this protracted withdrawal condition. They said I was either suffering from anxiety or having a personality disorder.

 

So is this, unfortunately.

 

From 10 December onwards I have been taking 1.25 milligrams of Celexa/Citalopram.

 

I cut a tablet of 10mg in 8 pieces, hoping to get the right amount everyday. I know this is not accurate. I will soon get help from a Dutch pharmacy called 'Regenbook Apotheek'. They offer tapering strips. I will soon order strips from them to safely stabilize on 1.2 milligrams precisely.

 

I'd strongly recommend pursuing this asap, fluctuating doses can cause further issues.

 

Sexual stimulation worsens my condition. It causes new paresthesias, pressure on my head and a feeling of hyperarousal.

 

I'd avoid that for now then.

 

Should I higher up the reinstatement dose? 

It’s been almost 1 month since I reinstated and there has been no significant improvement except: 

- brain zaps faded

- perineum tension causing precum leakage / pelvic floor tension faded 

- waves are still very disrupting but less devastating than in the beginning of my WD. I’d say a 15% improvement. Every day is unpredictable. I have had a 2-day window max. I fear waves every day.

 

Some improvement from reinstatement is a potentially good sign.

 

Did you notice any adverse effects from reinstatement, or just the mild improvements in the withdrawal symptoms?

 

 

I would say it is potentially worth increasing the dose you're reinstating at, but doing it once, and giving it a few more weeks to see what that does. Be cautious.

 

Reinstatement can be quite unpredictable, especially after being off for a couple of months and having then recently done it already. 

 

As for what to increase it to, that is difficult to say, you could try 2.5mg, which is the dose you jumped off at, but I'd only do that if you did not experience any negative effects from the first reinstatement, and this is not without risk.

 

This isn't medical advice, just what I'd do in your situation. I'm a layperson and not a doctor.

Welcome to the forum!

Hello, this is my first post. I (24M) am currently going through severe SSRI (protracted) withdrawal from Celexa/Citalopram and I am in desperate need of help.

 

Any tips/advice/experiences are welcome.

 

If you want to skip my history and read about my current state, please scroll to section 5.

 

1. Pre Treatment (

 

I have always been an anxious person. In 2024 I decided to move to a new country and start a new job. It was not an easy change. I suffered from daily panic attacks that made it impossible for me to do my job. One day, I ended up at the Emergency Room because I thought I was dying from sleep deprivation (caused by anxiety).

 

2. Treatment on 20mg (November 2024 - August 2025)

 

I was given Celexa/Citalopram. I started on a 10mg dose and soon increased the dosage to 20mg. Since then, I never had a panic attack again. Although I was still feeling somewhat anxious, I performed well at work, got new friends and made lots of progress in the gym. I was getting happier and happier.

 

3. Taper (August 2024 - October 2025)

 

In August, I became aware of a minor side effect that I had been having for months. A rather mild sexual side effect to be precise (decreased ejaculation distance). I had read a lot of people reporting major sexual side effects due to SSRIs, even after stopping (a condition called PSSD (  r/PSSD  )), the latter scaring me. Considering this, I did not want to extend my treatment and risk worsening of side effects. I decided it was time to stop. I asked my doctor to get off the medication.

 

I followed a 50% reduction regimen:

 

(

 

August: 10mg

 

September: 5mg

 

October (first half): 2.5mg

 

October (second half): 0mg

 

I officially got off the meds on 15th October 2025.

 

4. Drug free (15th October - November 2025)

 

The mild sexual side effect persisted. It was not bothering me, though. I was happily off the meds and life was great.

 

This is where things changed. There was subtle turning point.

 

Slowly but gradually, over the course of the entire month of November, a new sexual problem was arising:

 

I was finding it harder and harder to get aroused. Every day, I noticed I was having more and more trouble to get erect. By the end of November, I realized I was having full blown erectile dysfunction. I freaked out.

 

5. Withdrawal (December 2025 - Today)

 

Alongside the erectile dysfunction, a new set of severe physical symptoms emerged.

 

I was hit like a truck by them.

 

* Brain zaps

* Fatigue

* Tingling sensations in my tongue

* Tingling sensations in my limbs (paresthesias)

* Muscle contractions (back, abs, perineum, pelvic floor)

* Tense perineum, causing precum leakage

* Electrical storms throughout my body -> the worst symptom

* Heart palpitations

* A feeling of being 'on' all the time

* Nausea

* Sight issues

* Loss of libido\* --> I can now say for sure I have PSSD

* (Erecticle dysfunction)\* --> I can now say for sure I have PSSD

 

These symptoms come in waves and windows. Some symptoms are always present\*.

 

The first 2 weeks of December were horrible. I could not get out of bed and was hit by waves every day. I was feeling so physically disabled and plagued that I thought I was going to die.

 

I saw several doctors and psychiatrists, but none of them were aware of this protracted withdrawal condition. They said I was either suffering from anxiety or having a personality disorder.

 

6. Reinstatement (10th December 2025 - Today)

 

Following the advice from www.survivingantidepressants.org and psychiatrists Dr Josef Witt-Doerring and Mark Horowitz, I decided to reinstate the medication.

 

From 10 December onwards I have been taking 1.25 milligrams of Celexa/Citalopram.

 

I cut a tablet of 10mg in 8 pieces, hoping to get the right amount everyday. I know this is not accurate. I will soon get help from a Dutch pharmacy called 'Regenbook Apotheek'. They offer tapering strips. I will soon order strips from them to safely stabilize on 1.2 milligrams precisely.

 

Sexual stimulation worsens my condition. It causes new paresthesias, pressure on my head and a feeling of hyperarousal.

 

Should I higher up the reinstatement dose? 

It’s been almost 1 month since I reinstated and there has been no significant improvement except: 

- brain zaps faded

- perineum tension causing precum leakage / pelvic floor tension faded 

- waves are still very disrupting but less devastating than in the beginning of my WD. I’d say a 15% improvement. Every day is unpredictable. I have had a 2-day window max. I fear waves every day.

 Doctors can be so ignorant of the harms os psychotropic meds

Thank you for joining the forum.

 

Could you please link your thread on survivingantidepressants? I could not find it by searching for the same username.

 

 

Hi, my withdrawal started in December and I was too late to make an account on SA. I do have an account on Reddit though.

I did ask a number of other questions to try to clarify your situation to provide more targeted advice.

 

Do you have any thoughts on what has been said so far?

On 1/7/2026 at 6:55 PM, Luke said:

Thank you for joining the forum.

 

Could you please link your thread on survivingantidepressants? I could not find it by searching for the same username.

 

 

 

This is common.

 

 

 

So is this, unfortunately.

 

 

 

I'd strongly recommend pursuing this asap, fluctuating doses can cause further issues.

 

 

 

I'd avoid that for now then.

 

 

 

Some improvement from reinstatement is a potentially good sign.

 

Did you notice any adverse effects from reinstatement, or just the mild improvements in the withdrawal symptoms?

 

 

I would say it is potentially worth increasing the dose you're reinstating at, but doing it once, and giving it a few more weeks to see what that does. Be cautious.

 

Reinstatement can be quite unpredictable, especially after being off for a couple of months and having then recently done it already. 

 

As for what to increase it to, that is difficult to say, you could try 2.5mg, which is the dose you jumped off at, but I'd only do that if you did not experience any negative effects from the first reinstatement, and this is not without risk.

 

This isn't medical advice, just what I'd do in your situation. I'm a layperson and not a doctor.

I did not notice any adverse effect, just mild improvements of symptoms, which of course cannot be verified as being due to the reinstatement. Maybe it’s just been my own body trying to make up for the imbalance.
 

I decided to not upper the dose. As of 9th February 2026 I am still on 1.25mg, unsure of whether this is the right thing to do. I am still considering abortion.

 

Throughout December and January I have had multiple (around 6 significant) electrical ‘attacks/storms’ where surges of electricity would rush through my body. It’s inner terror.
My first heavy storm was on 29 December 2025.

Last storm was on 27 January 2026, since then I haven’t had one *knock on wood*.

This symptom is the worst of all symptoms. It makes me feel like I am dying. It always ends up with me gasping for air and screaming out loud that I’m dying. Literally. I called 1-1-2 twice during these episodes and ended up in the ER both time. I was gaslit by the psychiatrists (“this cannot be citalopram withdrawal”) and given Benzos. Of course. At least it calmed me down.

 

Regarding Benzos: I noticed that a dose of 5mg Diazepam immediately alleviates nearly all of my symptoms (except PSSD). This makes it very clear to me that my withdrawal is basically hyperexcitability of my CNS.

In January I have used a total of ~45mg Diazepam. I decided to discontinue the use of this because I am very scared of Benzo withdrawal. From now on I will only use it during an emergency, when I feel like an electrical storm is approaching.

 

Other physical symptoms I have been dealing with until today 9th February 2026:

- I have had very annoying nerve pains in my hands, arms. At some point I thought this might be inner akathisia. Horrific. This faded.

- I still have many waves and windows. Sometimes days I’m bedridden due to physical symptoms (severe fatigue, muscle pains), some days I am able to go out.

- I have jelly legs when I walk.

- My teeth have become very sensitive. I am afraid I might be getting gum recession due to withdrawal. I was scared I might lose my precious beautiful teeth.

- I am losing my hair. ChatGPT says this is telogen effluvium (hair loss due to physical stress) and that it’ll grow back. Fingers crossed.

- I woke up one time in the middle of the night, jolted upright with a severe adrenaline surge, which immediately turned into a panic attack and hyperventilation. It took 30 seconds to realize that I was awake, not dying, and to calm down.

- Sometimes I still wake up to a disgusting chemical feeling throughout my body. It makes me feel like I’m high on drugs. Like I’m being electrified. Like I’m sick.

- I still have a lot of brain zaps and inner vibrations – feeling like I’m being shaken from within.

 

Regarding PSSD: 

- I believe my PSSD is caused by hyperexcitability of the CNS.
- It is hard to get erect let alone achieve an orgasm. There is some electrical feeling in my lower abdomen, very much connected to the genital area. I believe this might be the pudendal nerve? In December and January this area has been the center of electricity.

This area is tense and prevents me from jerking. Especially when I’m in a wave. My body is saying “no” when I try to engage in sexual activities. When I force an orgasm, the ejaculation is intense (nearly too intense, even painful, scary).

- In December, I still had full blown PSSD and my body was excreting precum 24/7 due to contractions of the pelvis and the perineum. This was horrific and made me scared to death. Getting erect was impossible. When forced, the orgasm would be completely out of balance and very uncomfortable.

The precum excretion faded around 15th December and the pelvis/perineum contractions faded around 25th December.

- On 1st January 2026, I had my first PSSD-window. I could masturbate and achieve a good orgasm without feeling restrained by my own body. This window faded, though. This PSSD-window came back between ~20-25 January. Orgasms would feel intense, but very good.

- It is much easier and even unavoidable to get erect with a partner. When I’m alone it’s far more difficult.

- I am not sure whether I can say I have no libido. I would love to engage in sexual activity, but my body just shuts off. 

 

Further remarks:

- I have no anhedonia. All my symptoms are physical.

 

I feel like I’m slowly, very slowly improving. I would say I am 15-20% recovered. 

 

Keep you updated. 

Hi, does anyone know if any of the moderators from SurvivingAntidepressants have joined this website or are still contactable? Never had the chance to post there as my withdrawal started in December right when they closed for new members. I’d love to get a reply from Altostrata for example but I guess she is now retired 🫠

2 hours ago, Sibevo said:

love to get a reply from Altostrata for example but I guess she is now retired 🫠

Altostrata was not involved in the daily operation of SA for the last 2 years. I can confidently tell you that @Luke and @Chippy as well as numerous members here are very well versed in the protocols to help you navigate reinstatement and withdrawal. This is a long process that requires patience with no easy fix unfortunately. ❤️🙏

@Sibevo You've been through so much in a relatively short period of time. It sounds both terrifying and exhausting. I hope you give yourself a good long hold on the current dose (if it's not contraindicated) to give your CNS a rest and let it silently do its rebuilding - if that's possible. Take care 🤗

5 hours ago, Sibevo said:

Hi, does anyone know if any of the moderators from SurvivingAntidepressants have joined this website or are still contactable? Never had the chance to post there as my withdrawal started in December right when they closed for new members. I’d love to get a reply from Altostrata for example but I guess she is now retired 🫠

 

3 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

Altostrata was not involved in the daily operation of SA for the last 2 years. I can confidently tell you that @Luke and @Chippy as well as numerous members here are very well versed in the protocols to help you navigate reinstatement and withdrawal. This is a long process that requires patience with no easy fix unfortunately. ❤️🙏

@Sibevo Ive moved this post to your introduction topic. Please keep all posts and requests connected to your journey to here please. Thank you.

 

@LostinCanada has answered your question but just to add we are not doctors or medical professionals. We and the other members here simply offer support and share the collective wisdom of the community with each other in the hope of helping each other through this difficult time.

Hi @Sibevo

 

Im so sorry for the hard time you are having at the moment.

 

On 1/7/2026 at 3:57 PM, Sibevo said:

I followed a 50% reduction regimen:

 

(

 

August: 10mg

 

September: 5mg

 

October (first half): 2.5mg

 

October (second half): 0mg

 

I officially got off the meds on 15th October 2025.

 

This was much much too quick and has caused all of this im afraid.

 

On 1/7/2026 at 3:57 PM, Sibevo said:

I was hit like a truck by them.

 

* Brain zaps

* Fatigue

* Tingling sensations in my tongue

* Tingling sensations in my limbs (paresthesias)

* Muscle contractions (back, abs, perineum, pelvic floor)

* Tense perineum, causing precum leakage

* Electrical storms throughout my body -> the worst symptom

* Heart palpitations

* A feeling of being 'on' all the time

* Nausea

* Sight issues

* Loss of libido\* --> I can now say for sure I have PSSD

* (Erecticle dysfunction)\* --> I can now say for sure I have PSSD

This is all typical for someone who has stopped an AD quickly.

 

On 1/7/2026 at 3:57 PM, Sibevo said:

From 10 December onwards I have been taking 1.25 milligrams of Celexa/Citalopram.

 

I cut a tablet of 10mg in 8 pieces, hoping to get the right amount everyday. I know this is not accurate. I will soon get help from a Dutch pharmacy called 'Regenbook Apotheek'. They offer tapering strips. I will soon order strips from them to safely stabilize on 1.2 milligrams precisely.

It looks like your reinstatement did offer you some help with reducing some symptoms. This was a good sign. From here it would have been a good idea to increase the dose a little and hold again and see if things improve further.

 

It's very important to give your system consistent dosing.

 

Get a set of scales like the Gemini-20 and use a razor to adjust each piece to a consistent dose each time.

 

 

Weigh a few tablets and get an average tablet weight. Some weigh 10 at once and then divide by 10. Then divide that weight into 8 and you have the dose weight you need.

 

You might not manage to get 8 even pieces from one tablet.

 

You could cut it into 1/4s for example and then cut each 1/4 in half keeping the bigger half, weigh it and adjust with a blade till it's correct.

 

Then just dispose of the other half of the 1/4.

 

You only get 4 doses per tablet this way but thats fine. Consistency is key here!

 

There is a bunch of different DIY ways to get a consistent dose.

 

How to calculate dosages and dilutions. Spreadsheets and calculators.

 

8 hours ago, Sibevo said:

I decided to not upper the dose. As of 9th February 2026 I am still on 1.25mg, unsure of whether this is the right thing to do. I am still considering abortion.

I wouldn't suggest reducing the dose and certainly not a CT. Whether you should try and updose from here is a tough one and your choice. You could. It might help but it's been a while since you reinstated. Something to think about and weigh up.

 

About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

 

How long does it take to stabilize after reinstating or updosing?

 

Hypersensitivity and kindling

 

8 hours ago, Sibevo said:

Regarding Benzos: I noticed that a dose of 5mg Diazepam immediately alleviates nearly all of my symptoms (except PSSD). This makes it very clear to me that my withdrawal is basically hyperexcitability of my CNS.

In January I have used a total of ~45mg Diazepam. I decided to discontinue the use of this because I am very scared of Benzo withdrawal. From now on I will only use it during an emergency, when I feel like an electrical storm is approaching.

Benzos are the opposite to an AD they put the 'brakes' on the accelertaing effects of ADs. Thats why you find them useful. They will however likley add more fuel and further damage to your injury. I would reccomend you take no more of these. 

 

Polydrugged? Which drug to taper off first?

 

8 hours ago, Sibevo said:

Regarding PSSD: 

- I believe my PSSD is caused by hyperexcitability of the CNS.
- It is hard to get erect let alone achieve an orgasm. There is some electrical feeling in my lower abdomen, very much connected to the genital area. I believe this might be the pudendal nerve? In December and January this area has been the center of electricity.

This area is tense and prevents me from jerking. Especially when I’m in a wave. My body is saying “no” when I try to engage in sexual activities. When I force an orgasm, the ejaculation is intense (nearly too intense, even painful, scary).

- In December, I still had full blown PSSD and my body was excreting precum 24/7 due to contractions of the pelvis and the perineum. This was horrific and made me scared to death. Getting erect was impossible. When forced, the orgasm would be completely out of balance and very uncomfortable.

The precum excretion faded around 15th December and the pelvis/perineum contractions faded around 25th December.

- On 1st January 2026, I had my first PSSD-window. I could masturbate and achieve a good orgasm without feeling restrained by my own body. This window faded, though. This PSSD-window came back between ~20-25 January. Orgasms would feel intense, but very good.

- It is much easier and even unavoidable to get erect with a partner. When I’m alone it’s far more difficult.

- I am not sure whether I can say I have no libido. I would love to engage in sexual activity, but my body just shuts off. 

Im sorry you are experiencing all of this. I would like to point out our Guidelines. Some of this post is a bit close to the wire for me.

 

We want to hear about your problems but the detail is to be left out please when it of this nature.

Its ok here for the minute but please bare this in mind in your future post. Need to know basis thats all.

 

8 hours ago, Sibevo said:

I feel like I’m slowly, very slowly improving. I would say I am 15-20% recovered. 

 

Im so sorry to read this. We all understand. We are here for you and each other.

 

15-20% recovered sounds pretty good in such a short time span.

 

You only have two choices. 

 

-Hold here and wait to recover.

 

-Try a further up dose and see if that helps.

 

Im not promoting either route. I often think not adding more drugs is best but I can see how some benefit from small increases to help get stable. You have to make this call yourself based on information on here and the links Ive given you.

 

Other than that it's just time. People do recover from PWD. I know there is a lot of negativity in the PSSD community. I would stay away from that.

 

Take each day as it comes and look after yourself the best you can. No extra drugs. Good food. Water. Get some exercise.

 

Healing happens in Waves and Windows, is very non linear and can take some time. Your body knows how to do it.

 

As I said we are here for you. 🙂 

 

Chippy

Hi @Sibevo,

 

Nice to meet you, fellow sufferer! I’ve been burned by the same drug as you, though my case was a reaction/interaction that has left lasting damage so I can’t advise on reinstatements or the usual course of cessation WD.

 

However, I wanted to chime in just quickly on this one:

 

On 1/7/2026 at 3:57 PM, Sibevo said:

 

Sexual stimulation worsens my condition. It causes new paresthesias, pressure on my head and a feeling of hyperarousal.

 

 

I had the same thing happen to me. Orgasms would put me into a wave of activation/hyperarousal that you mentioned. It would trigger anxiety and WD feelings. Thankfully, this symptom has passed. I found it helpful to abstain for some time, I was at least 4 months in before I was able to fully tolerate. I am 6.5 months out now and happy to report these issues do not present anymore. I struggled to find many others that mentioned it but it is in my original SA thread linked on my page. I would advise, as hard as it is, to abstain and allow your brain to level out for a while if possible. 
 

all the best, G. 

Hello, I have a positive update. 

 

First of all, thank you all so much for your replies. I’m grateful for your input.

 

I will first give a summary of events from February.

 

Then I will give a summary of this month, March.

 

FEBRUARY ‘26

- In the beginning I was still very much bedridden. Having lots of spasms, muscle aches, sexual dysfunction.

- I developed a new horrible symptom: Abdomino-Phrenic Dyssenergia (APD) —> this is severe bloating after eating, not caused by gas. It’s caused by a lack of coordination between the diaphragm and the abdominal muscles. It’s a neurological problem. This symptom left me unable to eat for many weeks. If I ate I would be unable to walk and breathe – it made me feel like my belly would explode. I went to the ER 2 times as I thought I was going to die. In the hospital they told me I might have appendicitis and I was hospitalized. They told me I had a fever. Multiple tests were run but appendicitis was ruled out and I was discharged. The doctors couldn’t tell me what was wrong with my body. I was very confused and scared.

- I had blood tests done. Later that month my general practitioner called me to announce that I have an infection in my body that needed to be treated (hence the fever in the hospital that they couldn’t find the cause for). I was put on doxycycline for one week.

- A lot of neurological symptoms got less and less severe by the end of this month.

- By the end of the month, my erectile dysfunction has resolved. However I’m still left with premature climax.

- It was a very confusing month.

MARCH ‘26

Against all my expectations I have made HUGE progress this month. A lot of neurological symptoms faded. I am not bedbound anymore. I feel like a human being again. No more zaps, no more spasms, no more inner vibrations, no more jelly legs/arms, no more inner akathisia. My sexual dysfunction is gone. I can walk. I cannot believe it.

I even went to the gym for the first time in 4 months.

 

I would say that compared to the beginning of withdrawal, I feel 85% healed. That’s quite a lot given I’m just in my 4th month of withdrawal.
 

Right now, I am still suffering from the following symptoms:

- Bad fatigue 

- Lack of concentration 

- Hit by APD (the bloating symptom) every now and then

- Physical panic attacks. I had these pre-SSRI. Now that I feel better, I go out again. But I’m not recovered. So it ends up with me feeling extremely tired to the point where my muscles start cramping in my abdomen, I can’t talk anymore and my eyes shut. It’s very embarrassing because I will stop talking and sit still until it passes. If I don’t do that, I end up getting a panic attack where it feels like I’m getting a heart attack.

- Zero libido/arousal —> very distressing, making me very depressed. I want to be able to feel love and sexual desire. I am so scared this symptom will never resolve on its own.

 

My most debilitating symptom is loss of libido. It’s making me so miserable. 
 

Because of my stabilization, I am planning on cutting my dose from 1.2mg to 1.1mg on 1st April.

Hey @Sibevo

 

Thanks for the update. All sounds very positive indeed. I can see you still have some very distressing symptoms. Time is your friend. 
 

1.2-1.1mg is an 8.33% cut. 
 

Your footer says 1.25mg. 
 

1.25-1.1mg is a 12% decrease. 
 

Could you confirm which is correct? 
 

Id consider holding a couple more weeks and seeing how you are. 
 

I’d then reduce at a lower rate than that. It’s common to not be able to reduce 10% a month on  the lower dose ranges. 
 

Perhaps consider a small test cut of 1% and see how you feel. You can always make a few of these one a week for a 4% monthly cut then have a hold there for a couple of weeks after if the first cut goes ok. Basically Brass Monkey Slide. 
 

You can play with the maths and make it a 5% monthly cut if you want so 1.25% drop per week. 

slow is fast. 

 

Chippy

2 hours ago, Sibevo said:

I developed a new horrible symptom: Abdomino-Phrenic Dyssenergia (APD) —> this is severe bloating after eating, not caused by gas. It’s caused by a lack of coordination between the diaphragm and the abdominal muscles. It’s a neurological problem. This symptom left me unable to eat for many weeks. If I ate I would be unable to walk and breathe – it made me feel like my belly would explode.

@Sibevo I have similar abdominal symptoms. It comes in waves about 3 weeks after a dose decrease. It's interesting if you look up some of effects of serotonin (sero=blood, tonin=tone) one of them is how serotonin affects vascular tone, it can direct blood away from some areas to other areas. I also have back muscle spasms. the abdominal wall muscle spams are terrible, and as you describe — my phrenic nerve was involved; I would get an upper abdominal colicky sensation and after eating was worse.

It sounds like you've been through a terrible time. Your latest reports of improvement are very positive. I hope you continue to improve. take care 🤗

Did you get some scales in the end?

 

Leaving this here for you. 
 

Preparing Doses for Tapering - Weighing & DIY Liquids

Hello, thank you.

 

On 24th February I cut my dose to 1.2mg. That’s why. 
 

@Catbird I’m sorry to hear. It’s such a debilitating symptom.

 

@Chippy I’m doing a water taper. I dissolve my 10mg tablet in a bottle of 10ml. I shake it. Then I suck out 1.2ml. 

4 minutes ago, Sibevo said:

 

@Chippy I’m doing a water taper. I dissolve my 10mg tablet in a bottle of 10ml. I shake it. Then I suck out 1.2ml. 

Perfect 👌 

5 minutes ago, Sibevo said:

On 24th February I cut my dose to 1.2mg. That’s why. 

Understood. Could you update your signature please?

2 hours ago, Chippy said:

Understood. Could you update your signature please?

I updated it 🙂

5 minutes ago, Sibevo said:

I updated it 🙂

Thank you 😊