Citalopram and feeling dizzy?

During the last few months I've been coming off citalopram (40mg). I'm now off it completely but have felt dizzy constantly for the last few days... I have had moments of feeling dizzy after reducing the dose before but they only lasted about an hour whereas now it's pretty much constant day in day out.

Has anyone else experienced this? What has everyone else experienced coming off meds? Are some meds easier to come off than others? (would love to know as Dr wants me to consider going on other meds)

Myself and my daughter are on Citalopram, they seem to be ok for her, did not work for me, came of gradually till I got to half every other day. Personally I would not take prozac ever again, seroxat many years ago helped, and a diazipam, ?. I think it takes a good few months to totally come out of your system.

Prozac was the worst, I was seeing umpa lumpas in white coats coming to take me away.

I dont take anything at the moment as I have to give my body a rest
from all the differant meds I been on, I am also going through the menopause so all the stuff I have been taking has really messed my system up, so on nothing at the mo.
Feel like shite need something, for the sweats and anxiety.

Good luck and keep well.

I had a similar thing recently coming of citalopram, not exactly dizzy but a kind of head buzz, especially when I moved, almost like a very slight electric shock to the brain. These went of for at least two weeks before finally beginning to ease off. It wasn't a great deal of fun so I can sympathise.

From what I found when checking dizziness etc, is a fairly common side effect of SSRI withdrawal. I suspect that almost all meds will have some sort of withdrawal effect, just as they have unpleasant side effects.

is diazipam yellow i think they gave it to me to sleep at night or something like that in the mental hospital.

Thanks for the replies
sky190 - Hope you find something that helps
MrsHumpy - i know what you mean about the head buzz.. if i turn my head it gets worse... very strange! Hopefully it'll wear off soon.

Suppose there are so many and all have good and bad points, just finding what works for each of us

Hi Searching Soul, I've had this one alot over the years, makes you fat and really helps with anxiety and sleep problems or did for me & they all only work well for awhile if they are going to that is. I agree with the above peeps except do call the doc, if only to speak with a nurse about it, best to keep them informed of everything.

& Sky 190, we have alot in common from what you say here, are you taking fish oil and vitamin B? also I'm trying sAMe and looking into other amino acids for depression plus therapy - I don't think its much good at all to have meds and no therapy as we need help with that ruminating and low mood until we can cope well ourselves.

all the best
Rdog

Hiya,

All I would say about citalopram is come off it VERY slowly. I'm a little impatient so I just stopped taking 20mg beginning of last year. Worst mistake ever. Seeing how long it takes to actually kick in it makes sense that it would be in your system for quite awhile afterwards. I would say just be patient and if you can let friends and family know what you are experiencing do. Dizziness is horrible, I suffer from labryrinthitis, an inner ear problem thingy too which makes me feel my head is in a washing machine!

I'm back on it now, up to 40 but not really helping, plus I've been getting tremors in my hands and feet. I was in nandos yesterday banging the table because it was driving me mad! My GP is lovely but very hesitant to change my medication and I have no experience of other meds. Any suggestions?

Thanks for the info... a little update - dizziness did pass eventually. GP prescribed a new SSRI so I've just started 50mg Sertraline.. no major side effects as of yet (i'm on day 3) but it has really affected my sleep.. I'm lucky if I get 3 hours a night which is beginning to be a problem. Hopefully it'll ease off soon!

Obviously you need to speak to your doctor, but I have stabilised on 10mg Citalopram, taken around 3pm in the afternoon after my big meal. If I take any more I am dizzy and cannot function. Hope this helps.

I am on 20mg and been on/off it for the past 7 years and then various others on/off for years before that. occasionally I wean myself off and on citalopram I get dizzy and this funny sort of feeling I cant quite explain...like a head rush where you think youre going to fall over. Its always lasted about a month after I stopped taking it though I noticed last time it did last a little longer.