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Suggest Treatment For Citalopram Withdrawal Symptoms

Posted on Tue, 22 Apr 2014

Question: Hi I have been on Citalopram 20 mg since October 2009, with an anxiety disorder and panic attacks since 2006 tryed to help my self for 3 years Homeopathic, acupuncture, natural remedies to no avail when things got really bad went on medication. I moved to XXXXXXX Scotia in 2010 having been on these pill for a year and have had trouble finding and keeping a doctor since, I stopped taking my pills around Feb 7 and had no side affects apart from a few mood swings sometimes out of control but I had had that before I stopped, Saturday I had a really bad headache over my left eye and now the pain moves down my face and into my jaw and teeth just like I have Flu not able to take away all the pain with pain killers, also having a few out bursts of anger I do yoga and meditation every day what should I do will these symptoms lessen or do I need to go back on my pills for a couple of months and then come off them gradually, thankyou XXXXXXX XXXXXXX Scotia Canada

Answered by Dr. Surendiran Gaj (49 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Continue on the drugs,visit nearby psychiatrist. Detailed Answer: Hello there, Thanks for writing us, I have gone through your query, Symptoms you are experiencing are typical of sudden withdrawal of anti-depressant drug, (citalopram). The withdrawal symptoms responds less likely to the pain killer, that is the reason for your continuous pain even after taking them. Am glad you are practising yoga and meditations, they are good to keep you out of anger . i also advise you to continue on the drugs and do not stop it without an psychiatrist consult. The tapering of dose is usually done by psychiatrist in order to remove the unnecessary side effects, So don’t change drug dosage by yourself. I understand you had some difficulty in finding a treating psychiatrist, visit any nearby hospitals so that they might have them on call. Hope helped your query Take care. Dr.surendiran.g

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Surendiran Gaj (59 minutes later)

Hi Dr Surendiran, Thankyou for your reply, as I have not taken my pills for approx 6 weeks do I go back on 20mg or 1/2 for a week first as I did when I first started taking them XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Surendiran Gaj (15 hours later)

Brief Answer: Citalopram 20 mg is advisable. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX Nice to see you again, Am suggesting you to continue citalopram 20mg, am also advising to get a psychiatrist opinion as soon as possible. Hope helped you, Thank you. Dr.surendiran.g

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj