Strange Dreams from Celexa withdrawals

[billstrong1969]

I stopped taking my Celexa going on 3 weeks ago after being on antidepressants for years, I stopped cold turkey and the strange dreams wake me up at night and I can't get back to sleep.  Very strange dreams, disturbing most of the time.  Will these dreams subside after awhile and how long can I expect to go thru these withdrwal syptoms from coming off my Celexa 40mg Citalopram~  Any feedback would be of huge help right now because lastnight as usual another strange and twisted dream now has me up making coffee at 4:30am with NO desire to go bak to bed anytime soon!

Regards,
billstrong1969

[KG98]

Comeing off Celexa is hard my physicist deicied ro take off it so I took a half of one for seven days then stopped it.I've been completely off for almost three days now.I keep having awful headaches I cant do anything,I'm tired,I'm hungry all the time no.matter how much I eat and I can't sleep at night.this is awful.if anyone else has this I'm Soooo sorry!

[Jaynee123]

Hi all
I have been on 20mg cit. for three years.  Decided to stop ten days ago (cold turkey) due to not getting chance to get round doctors and one thing and another.  First few days experienced flu like symptoms day eight in the evening was not too good with the tremors and dizziness like your head goes all,fuzzy like brain electric zaps.  Don't recommend suddenly quiting recommend being weaned off. If I didn't have to go out or to work would be easier to do but back at work next week so can't feel like this.  Going to doctors tomorrow see what he suggests although don't want to take them maybe go to 10mg for month then reduce.  Haven't experienced extreme tiredness like i did when I went on the meds.  Hope this helps

[bety415]

Hi Bill, I am so happy to have read your story.  I have been on Celexa for over 10 years.  I just had rotator cuff surgery right side.  I got so sick with the medication that I could not eat or take anything also.  It is now day 13 without Celexa.  I have been wanting to get off it for over a year now.  My doctor is saying to take 1/2 (10 mg).  I went through all the sleeping-awake-dreaming.  Last night I finally slept better (woke up screaming w/ night mare).  I do not want to go back at this point, specially after what I read here.  I thought me body/mind was reacting to the pain medication. I suspected it could be Celexa that why I searched today.  Why should I go back to it?  Specially with all the crazy side effects going into it.  Thank you very much; I found what I wanted to find "IT CAN BE DONE AND I WILL DO IT".




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[birdie0907]

Bill's post is 13 months old, so I am sure he has finished his taper/withdrawal. I wouldn't pay much attention to OTC meds. They never went through trials so any anecdotal evidence they provide is suspect plus there is no guarantee of purity so you never know how much you are getting. Their "trials" can involve only 1 person, and that can be the woner's brother for example.

[sedmonds33]

I too, am sorry to learn that you have been experiencing the awful effects of withdrawal from Celexa. It is not a fun ride for sure!  
I gotta say though...I am impressed with your progress after 3 weeks! Is "strong" your last name, because you appear STRONG! :) I admire your ability to press on to the goal young man. Prayers going your way for a successful 'good-riddance' of that junk in your system.

My husband has been researching things for me. So far, adequate amounts of Fish Oil taken along with Vit. E help a lot. I simply googled fish oil and Celexa withdrawal and came up with some dosage recommendations on both of these.
When we visited the Vitamin World store the manager there shared a personal story about anxiety and stress in his life, then he suggested two products; "SAM-e" and L-Theanine. This can be expensive...and since I don't have a 'money-tree,' I am close to asking the med-consultant if she will help pay for these remedies so I can get off the very pills she prescribes that cause the problems to begin with! (Just kidding of course).

A year ago I went cold-turkey off Celexa, scared the daylights out of me! Found myself miles from home, I had walked out on my husband for the sake of a stupid argument! Crazy things like that has kept me from trying to get off this debilitating stuff.

Your story is very encouraging to say the least. I am presently in the middle of weaning off the drug...only S L O W L Y this time. I, like you, don't have insurance so I get this medication through the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic. Do they have one of those near you? Perhaps you can check in to that. Based on your income, you can receive all your medical and prescription drugs taken care of. They simply ask for donations; as low as $1.00 each visit...IF you are able to give. :)

I pray you well, sir! I too, am grateful for this site and forum to receive possible answers, and support! God Bless each and every one of you visiting this site, and I pray great health of mind, body and soul to you all.

[birdie0907]

Living with depression is not an option, so I hope you are feeling happy when you are off it. Another bout of depression increases your risk of it becoming chronic, so for the 4 years that I was off Celexa I constantly self-monitored for signs of another depression. I am not depressed currently, but am using it for anxiety.
When I was off it I felt very happy for a few months then levelled off to a less exuberant outlook but still positive mood.

[billstrong1969]

I know we'll probably always have strange dreams, that's a part of being human.  That being said I'm into week 4 now without the Celexa (Citalopram 40mg) having quit cold turkey.  I don't recommend coming off cold turkey and you guys are totally right when you say that you should taper off, but I wasn't about to go back on it after 3 weeks without just to taper.  I figured the worst of the withdrawals would be over and I think for the most part they are.  Thanks everyone for your input and advice regarding this, I'll never again be a slave to that crap, especially not having health insurance =)

[birdie0907]

I see you are on Venlafaxine not Celexa. All these drugs have to be treated on their own, so there is no rule for all. I posted official FDA info on how to taper from it on your other post that is 21 hours old in the Dep Comm .

[birdie0907]

Consultant? 4 years ago, when my doc told me to switch from Wellbutrin (which wasn't working) to Celexa he said to go cold turkey. When my pharmacist filled the Celexa script she said you can do that but when withdrawing from Celexa you won't find it so easy to go off. My doc and she gave me the same taper advice 6 months later when I went off Celexa, so I can't imagine what the "consultant's" job was if they gave you that advice.
Celexa is not an addictive narcotic so there is no withdrawal craving and no purpose to cold turkey, but on the contrary the body's adjustment period to dosage must be gradual as the brain has to rewire, as it did when you start on it.
I have been on Celexa 20s for the last week, after a 4 year hiatus but used 30s last time so have to wok my way up first acording to the pharmacist who says she never sees anyone on 30 in the first month. My doc said I can go to 30  now, and has always been right before but I am holding off to see if 20 will do the job, otherwise might go to 30 after next week.

[piglet55]

I am sorry to hear about the way that you feel and hope that it disappears quickly.
In reading your 'plight' it's answered my own - I didn't think about the way that I feel as being 'cold turkey' - at least I know now.  My quick withdrawal was via a consultant - maybe they don't always know best - and if they know the side-effects should at least tell us!

So here's to you and me feeling better very quickly!

[birdie0907]

I tapered and got strange dreams one night. That was my only unpleasant withdrawal effect.
I wouldn't recommend anyone go cold turkey if they had to go through 3 weeks of what you did. I hope your last comment means they have ended.

[billstrong1969]

yes feeling much better thank you =)

[remar]

Your very welcome.Are you feeling any better?

[billstrong1969]

Thanks for your feedback =)

[remar]

I'm sorry to hear your going through this. I do understand what's it's like to go through antidepressant withdrawal. The best thing to do is taper very slowly if possible to help with the withdrawal. Your past that point though since you quit cold turkey 3 weeks ago. It's really hard to say how long this will last. It could stop at any time or it could go on for a few more weeks. You could always go back on the Celexa and wean off slowly. But, since your already this far into stopping it completely, you can just ride it out. I've been through it several times and it does go away. We're hear to listen and support you through this process.