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Tapering: Celexa

4 posts

UK

Citalopram cold turkey from 2.5mg to 0mg

April 28, 2026··
taper update
Been having bouts of fatigue, crying spells, anxiety, and insomnia. Dear community I have a background of me / cfs. I'm struggling pretty hard at the moment. I have been on Citalopram since March 2023 for crying around my menstrual cycle which would not stop and impacted my sleep during a particularly deep energy levels crash. The ssri stopped the crying spells but also caused many other unpleasant side effects. Originally I was on 10mg Citalopram for two weeks on and two weeks off per GP advice every month. I started getting inter-month ssri withdrawal when I stopped taking it after two weeks every month so the GP said to stay on the drug continuously without breaks which I did from June 2023. I did get bad ssri "kindling" when I went back on in June (after the prescribed two will break) and this lasted some months. I was able to ride it out because it didn't affect my sleep. I was stable on the drug and tapering every month by 10% hyperbolic from November 2024 to March 2026 (10mg -> 2.5mg) without problems. For some years my family (uncle) have offered to pay for ayurvedic treatment in India for a month. In March 2026 I finally felt up to it and so I went to help heal from underlying me/cfs condition. Whilst in India I ct-ed Citalopram whilst taking 2.5mg to 0mg. Approximately 7th March I went to 0mg. I had only mild withdrawal (compared with previous experiences) I imagine due to daily the treatments there and by the end of the month of March I thought I was through it plus I had made some cfs healing gains. I returned back to live with my parents after the India trip (I have been living with them since 2022 (with hard boundaries) due to cfs) (there is attachment trauma history with them)). First weeks back in London at the start of April 2026, I started getting bad anxiety etc Which has started to turn into insomnia in the last week plus anxiety. Constantly feeling under threat and anxious even though I'm physically safe. I am willing to reinstate the drug but I worry about "kindling" and ending up in a worse situation. I'm taking magnesium at night but it is not enough to knock me out. I'm taking vit d and vit c in the morning. I'm not taking anything else. I'm eating 3 times a day regardless of appetite. Any support and tips would be very gratefully received. Kicking myself for getting myself into this situation. I hope I can get out of it. When I see my parents and waves of fear and lack of safety automatically kick in to my body irrationally - at times the waves go on and on - they mean me no harm but as achild they did cause harm from certain practices and attachment related issues. I'm living with them for financial and physical support (due to me/cfs) which is not ideal. I have boundaries in place best I can. I'm a 40 year old woman. My mum tries to be supportive when waves hit or when I'm struggling at night but she's also a source of my auto-fears. Thank you for reading. Any support and tips would be very gratefully received in feeling stuck and can't go without sleep for much longer. I've contacted my GP I would like to speak to the usual one and they said they'll get back to me with an appointment that might take some weeks. I'm unsure how much they'll be able to help at this stage.

Citalopram
-Taking every two weeks for two weeks on then two weeks off (March 2023- June 2023)
-Continuously taking 10mg (June 2023 - November 2024)
-Hyperbolic taper: November 2024 - March 2026 (10mg -> 2.5mg) smooth taper), stable throughout
-Cold Turkey: March 2026 (2.5mg -> 0mg)
-Severe withdrawal started April 2026

8 Replies

Catina
CatinaStaff3mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
Hi, and welcome to Taper Community!
"I have a background of me / cfs." — @citalopram_ColdTurkey_Withdrawal
Sorry to hear this. That's a challenging condition to have even without being in withdrawal.
"Originally I was on 10mg Citalopram for two weeks on and two weeks off per GP advice every month. I started getting inter-month ssri withdrawal when I stopped taking it after two weeks every month" — @citalopram_ColdTurkey_Withdrawal
I don't understand why doctors think this is a good idea. It's no wonder only taking it two weeks each month threw you into withdrawal!
"Whilst in India I ct-ed Citalopram whilst taking 2.5mg to 0mg. Approximately 7th March I went to 0mg." — @citalopram_ColdTurkey_Withdrawal
Yeah, these drugs have powerful effects on the brain's serotonin receptors even at "low" doses.
"First weeks back in London at the start of April 2026, I started getting bad anxiety etc Which has started to turn into insomnia in the last week plus anxiety. Constantly feeling under threat and anxious even though I'm physically safe." — @citalopram_ColdTurkey_Withdrawal
It's not uncommon for withdrawal symptoms to appear weeks and even a few months after a drug has been stopped. I'm sorry you're dealing with that. I can relate since I've dealt with those symptoms too. We have some information about anxiety and insomnia that I will link below.
"I am willing to reinstate the drug but I worry about "kindling" and ending up in a worse situation." — @citalopram_ColdTurkey_Withdrawal
Sometimes people find that reinstating a very tiny dose can relieve symptoms, but it doesn't always work. The choice would be yours to make. I'll link some info below about it to help you decide.
"Kicking myself for getting myself into this situation. I hope I can get out of it." — @citalopram_ColdTurkey_Withdrawal
Don't beat yourself up too much. You didn't know and didn't have proper direction. It's not your fault. You will be able to get through this and recover, so keep that in mind. Our brains are amazing with what they can overcome.
"When I see my parents and waves of fear and lack of safety automatically kick in to my body irrationally - at times the waves go on and on - they mean me no harm but as a child they did cause harm from certain practices and attachment related issues." — @citalopram_ColdTurkey_Withdrawal
I'm sorry! Your body has been programmed to see them as a threat. Have you ever received trauma therapy for this? It might help to seek out a good therapist that can help you work through some of these fears.
"My mum tries to be supportive when waves hit or when I'm struggling at night" — @citalopram_ColdTurkey_Withdrawal
It's nice she's trying to be supportive. At least she's making an effort.
"I've contacted my GP I would like to speak to the usual one and they said they'll get back to me with an appointment that might take some weeks." — @citalopram_ColdTurkey_Withdrawal
It's good to have our provider on board with our healthcare, but don't expect them to understand the situation you're in. Most aren't properly trained in safe tapering, withdrawal, or reinstatement. I hope they are supportive, just don't be too surprised if they aren't. Here some links you might find helpful: Fatigue: https://taper.community/thread/16345bac-e9dc-417d-9bd3-a6e2a4cece42 Crying Spells: https://taper.community/thread/6b89abda-daba-44c8-a68f-f09790637183 Anxiety: https://taper.community/thread/3613d8b1-99e9-4991-8c0d-ec96ba7534ad Insomnia: https://taper.community/thread/fad854f7-f9a4-421d-b60f-bf11aa13a251 Reinstatement: https://taper.community/thread/affd8e83-2361-4973-8f07-76d16744448a EFT Tapping can help with emotional symptoms: https://taper.community/thread/3c6f1a16-3d21-4077-9ed5-8267209ffca3 Trauma Release Exercises (TRE): https://taper.community/thread/edb83f43-a1eb-443d-9810-9c64f62b84e4 I'm really glad you're here, and we'll try to help and support you the best we can! Catina ❤️

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.92 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

Catina
CatinaStaff3mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
Hi! I created a new document for the community about dealing with past trauma during withdrawal. I hope it helps support you during this difficult time. ❤️ https://taper.community/thread/6a4dee39-747d-43e9-a463-bf445a3ee62b

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.92 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

C
WelcomerCelexa
Dear @Catina Your response meant / means more to me than you can possibly know right now.

Citalopram
-Taking every two weeks for two weeks on then two weeks off (March 2023- June 2023)
-Continuously taking 10mg (June 2023 - November 2024)
-Hyperbolic taper: November 2024 - March 2026 (10mg -> 2.5mg) smooth taper), stable throughout
-Cold Turkey: March 2026 (2.5mg -> 0mg)
-Severe withdrawal started April 2026

Catina
CatinaStaff3mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
"Your response meant / means more to me than you can possibly know right now." — @citalopram_ColdTurkey_Withdrawal
I'm so glad you know you're not alone. I hope all the links help. Please reach out anytime you need to! 🩷

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.92 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

C
WelcomerCelexa
Dear @Catina I think I may need to reinstate. I'm feeling too much: raw exposed and vulnerable followed by anxiety and unable to think straight. I'm spending all my time in my room as leaving it results in sensory overload. I leave twice a day to brush my teeth. Showers feel too much and I use a wet towel to wipe myself down. If my mum accidentally breaks our agreed boundary and charges into my room, all the feelings of vulnerable rawness escalate. Could you help me with through the next best steps. I'm taking something the Dr prescribed for sleep and I've been taking that for the last two nights plus magnesium in order to get some sleep. I had to do that because I hadn't slept in 4 nights and I was experiencing paranoia and as though my brain would break. I'm feeling incredibly sensitive, raw and fragile and it's hard to trust anyone in case they accidentally make me feel worse without meaning to. Writing this to you feels incredibly hard and risky. I know three risks of taking the sleeping aid but I had no choice. I cannot believe I have gotten myself into this state. I need to get through it.

Citalopram
-Taking every two weeks for two weeks on then two weeks off (March 2023- June 2023)
-Continuously taking 10mg (June 2023 - November 2024)
-Hyperbolic taper: November 2024 - March 2026 (10mg -> 2.5mg) smooth taper), stable throughout
-Cold Turkey: March 2026 (2.5mg -> 0mg)
-Severe withdrawal started April 2026

Catina
CatinaStaff3mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
Hi @citalopram_ColdTurkey_Withdrawal.... I'm so glad you reached out. You're not alone. We'll help you plan the next best steps for yourself, okay? Which sleep medication were you put on? Are you tolerating it okay? I'm glad you've been able to get some sleep. Were you able to read about Reinstatement in the link that was provided? If you did reinstate, you'd want to do it at a very low dose since your nervous system is so sensitive. Please know you're going to get through this difficult time. Some people find that reinstating a small dose can help relieve symptoms. Everyone is different, of course, which is why the dose must be small in case you don't react well to it. I'll wait to hear back from you and then we can talk more in detail about what would be best for you at this point. Hang in there, things will get easier! Also, if any other members want to chime in and offer any assistance please feel free!

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.92 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

C
WelcomerCelexa
The GP prescribed 25mg of Promethazine. I've been taking two per night (50mg) as I couldn't get to sleep with one. He said I could. Today my poo has turned yellowy I'm getting a headache at the centre of my head (like over stimulation type feeling) and I feel a bit wobbly in my body and my hands which makes me think maybe I'm not tolerating it. I have been having strong feelings of fear overwhelm vulnerable so it's hard to say. Trying to ride the feelings and sensations best I can. ♥️ I take the drug at night and I've taken it for the last two nights. Right now in the UK it is 6.30pm and I've been experiencing this feeling for the last few hours. I haven't taken the drug yet today. I started by taking 440mg of magnesium at night which helped for a few nights but then stopped working. At the moment I'm taking the magnesium and the Promethazine at night.

Citalopram
-Taking every two weeks for two weeks on then two weeks off (March 2023- June 2023)
-Continuously taking 10mg (June 2023 - November 2024)
-Hyperbolic taper: November 2024 - March 2026 (10mg -> 2.5mg) smooth taper), stable throughout
-Cold Turkey: March 2026 (2.5mg -> 0mg)
-Severe withdrawal started April 2026

Catina
CatinaStaff3mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
Although rare, there is a potential interaction between Promethazine and Citalopram: https://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=679-0,1949-1259 It's up to you how you want to proceed. We can't give official medical advice here, only suggestions based on personal experience. Sometimes it's better to reinstate a bit of a drug your body is already used to as opposed to introducing another one, but everyone is so different in what they can tolerate. I wish there were an easy answer. You do have options though. If you feel like you're not tolerating the Promethazine, then you have the option of stopping it. Then you could try a tiny reinstatement of the Citalopram - like 0.5 mg - to see if it brings you any relief. You could also leave things as they are if you begin to tolerate the Promethazine a bit better and are sleeping. The other option is to stay off everything and know that eventually things will improve. If you're able to, look over the information about Reinstatement so if you do reinstate you'll know what to expect. Hang in there. Things won't always be this bad!

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.92 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

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