[techguyRVA]

Hello all!

I've been treating my anxiety (health anxiety) and depression for the last 7 years with Citalopram (Celexa). Due to some GI issues my doctor and I have decided to stop Citalopram for the time being to see if my GI issues improve. The good news is that they have! Since weaning off Citalopram I have had a huge improvement with my gut health!!! Anyway, I'm about 9 days into not being on Citalopram at all and i am experiencing some very weird symptoms and waiting to share my experience. My symptoms include: pins and needles in hands and feet, heart palpitations, fatigue, occasional nauseousness, "brain zaps," muscle twitching, and weird sensations on my skin.The symptom that is really impacting my daily life is the pins and needles in my hands and feet. The pins and needles seem to be more pronounced in the morning and tend to come and go throughout the afternoon. Exercise walking seems to help a lot and I have reported this to my doctor. He says we should wait and see if my withdrawal symptoms improve. Anyone else experience similar symptoms? The Internet says withdrawal symptoms usually improve in 1 to 3 weeks.

[~Christina]

Your body has to learn to go back to functioning sans meds.. it can take weeks to a couple months.

Just keep your doctor informed on how your doing.

[winter4me]

I recognize these symptoms from the time(s) I tried to wean off fluoxetine...very unpleasant.
Let us know if you get beyond the effects----------((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))

[metamorphosis12]

Reduce as slowly as needed at least it's not benzos. Not to take away from another's pain but reduction especially towards the end can almost be a science experiment. From the op I think you have a pdoc which ,if is good; That is invaluable. Just take it slowly. Think of being free from all of the side effects and everyday is a step forward. , and if your like me don't beat yourself up. You and the support you have will help. Keep us posted!

[sarahsweets]

Does Prozac cause GI issues? I didnt know that. Will you be replacing it with another antidepressant or are you stable?

[techguyRVA]

Originally Posted by sarahsweets

Does Prozac cause GI issues? I didnt know that. Will you be replacing it with another antidepressant or are you stable?

I am stable, but may talk to my doctor about something different. Honestly the only positive is not having daily GI issues like the past many years. These withdraw symptoms are the worst. I can understand why people just give up and go right back on the medicine again.

[techguyRVA]

Well I'm still alive.

My withdraw symptoms seem to finally be better. No more brain zaps, but still the ocassional days of pins and needles in hands and feet. I seem to get them in the mornings on the days I've had them.

My anxiety still hasn't returned, but I'm pretty sure it will at some point.

SSRI withdrawal is NO JOKE. Do not let your doctor convince you that it is all in your head or that it is your anxiety or depression causing the symptoms. More research needs to be done in this area. A two week wean is no where close to what is actually needed to safely stop a SSRI.

[winter4me]

Originally Posted by techguyRVA

Well I'm still alive.

My withdraw symptoms seem to finally be better. No more brain zaps, but still the ocassional days of pins and needles in hands and feet. I seem to get them in the mornings on the days I've had them.

My anxiety still hasn't returned, but I'm pretty sure it will at some point.

SSRI withdrawal is NO JOKE. Do not let your doctor convince you that it is all in your head or that it is your anxiety or depression causing the symptoms. More research needs to be done in this area. A two week wean is no where close to what is actually needed to safely stop a SSRI.

Thank you. I am one who tried to come off and went back on. Now that I am retired, and the good weather is coming, I am planning to titrate off---I have done that before and the withdrawal still sucks, may not even be any better, it just seems that as it leaves your system it wreaks a bit of havoc on the neurological system. And I have not heard of anything that really helps. Has anyone?????

[bpcyclist]

I have been on somewhere around 53 different psych meds over the years, many, antidepressants. The two that I came off of without any kind of withdrawal issues were Cymbalta and Wellbutrin. FWIW.