Escitalopram Discontinuation Symptoms

[leecamowol]

I had been taking the antidepressant Escitalopram (Cipralex) since January 2013 for anxiety/depression. I was on initially 20mg a day. In August my doctor reduced it to 10mg a day (with my consent). Just over two weeks ago I suggested I was happy (and I'm feeling much better) to try coming off them completely. He said I could stop taking instantly them but to be on the safe side he gave me 5mg a day to take for 2 weeks. I took my last tablet on Monday and since (worsening by the day) I have experienced the symptoms I have since discovered are potential discontinuation symptoms.

Symptoms such as "electric shock" sensations, dizziness (or more specifically even not fully feeling in the moment almost dreamlike) as well as not being able to stay still/being restless (which is called akathisia I believe).

It's not causing me sickness as such so I didn't want to bother the doctor again but I just wondered if anyone had experience of the same withdrawal symptoms (either yourself or family) and how long they last or how I can relieve them?

I'm going to try some mindfulness/meditation techniques to help with the restlessness.

Any help appreciated.

[anneasquith]

no expert, but id say you are reducing them too quickly, see gp again.

[Eve]

I've had the electric shock symptoms with citalopram withdrawal.

One time I managed to just get through them cold turkey - not recommended if you need to focus or concentrate on anything too much.

Another time I ended up having to reduce them much slower, cut down the dose and time between doses and eventually I was fine.

They can get worse though so it may be a much better idea to ask about cutting down more gently now, last time was horrible for me, would try and wait it out, it would get worse then I'd end up having to take one to be able to function properly.

Keep a close eye on yourself, every time I've gone back off I've ended up going back on again so take it easy and don't delay getting help and maybe thinking about going back on just because you felt "better" and came off them this time.

[joko]

i have researched this - and you should not come off them over night at all!

my boyfriend did that and he went very strange for a while - it lasted months - i'd suggest you try to take small doses - even if it means cutting the tablets with a tablet cutter

[pixie373]

You have discontinued them incredibly quickly. You would normally reduce it by about 5mg every six months- providing no problems. Of course you were feeling better- they were working, but i would speak to your doctor again. Maybe reduce one tablet a week to start with and see how you go.

[leecamowol]

Thanks for your replies.

My friend came off his anti-depressants (successfully and with no side effects) by doing a staggered withdrawal (alternate days, etc) so I'm guessing my GP hasn't perhaps gone about it the best way.

I'll shall return to him and try again for a better withdrawal plan!

[leecamowol]

Just been back to the doctors. I've come away wondering if I should seek a second opinion. As eventhough he's give me two weeks of 5mg (and then potentially onto liquid form) he said that he's finding it hard to understand as he's "not known such symptoms from Cipralex withdrawal". It made me feel like I had made it up! Just a simple Google search tells me these withdrawal symptoms do exist!!

Then he couldn't understand not having "depression" symptoms either.

[pixie373]

I had to see many, many doctors before my depression was successfully diagnosed and treated. Even then, several (male) doctors kept trying to reduce it too early /too quickly. I think there must be big variations or changes in mental health treatment. I would see another doctor and see what they say. You are clearly not making it up!