How Long Do Withdrawal Side Effects Last?

[seeeker]

Hi,

I was on 10mgs of citalopram for 2 yrs. I've read that's a very low dose, but it worked for me. In an effort to enjoy a sex life again, I have decided to brave the scary world and wean off.

I have been completely off for about a 8 days. Since then I have felt constant sluggishness, fatigue, headaches, lethargy, dragging myself out of bed general social anxiety. The therapeutic effects while on the med were pretty much the opposite of those I just listed.

Am I experiencing side effects or depression again? How long do the withdrawal side effects usually last?

[OnlyZ]

That is a tiny dose, so the withdrawal effects--if there are any at that dose--should be very minimal. That's the lowest possible dose, so you can't really take less. If it is difficult for you it might be a good idea to take 10mg every other day for a week or two to minimize those effects. If it is depression then you have to decide whether or not you can improve those symptoms on your own. A new medication might suit you better than discontinuing all medication.

[seeeker]

That is a tiny dose, so the withdrawal effects--if there are any at that dose--should be very minimal. That's the lowest possible dose, so you can't really take less. If it is difficult for you it might be a good idea to take 10mg every other day for a week or two to minimize those effects. If it is depression then you have to decide whether or not you can improve those symptoms on your own. A new medication might suit you better than discontinuing all medication.

Actually I did try a lower dose - cutting a 10 in half, but that was ineffective. Believe it or not 10 tips the balance just enough and gives me what I need without the intensity of greater side effects (I do know what that is like). Possibly I'm imagining the side effects/withdrawal, but it feels real enough. I just don't want to feel sluggish anymore!

I have been on virtually all the meds at one time or another. It was always a search for something that did not cause sexual dysfunction. I never found one. If it did not cause sexual dysfunction, well then it made me a sedated zombie. So I am not too keen on trying yet another med unless there is some new discovery about not affecting sexual functioning guaranteed. And the likelihood of that discovery is probably just about zero.

Edited May 9, 2008 by seeeker