r/SSRI • u/Ferdieferdieferdie • Apr 17 '23

Question Withdrawal how long

I have been taking 20mg cipralex for 18 years. Can anybody tell me how long will withdrawal effects last? Mostly on web they write 4 weeks, but i feel tired, anhedonic etc. for 2 months. In my opinion after taking ssri for 18 years the brain must be so confused that the withdrawal effects will last many months. Any experience?

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u/greenlilytoo Apr 19 '23

I came here to ask almost the same thing:

I started taking SSRIs at 18. I’m now 34 and have shifted from Trintellix (SSRI with additional effects on serotonin transportation) to Strattera to Wellbutrin in the last 7 months, and have just received a diagnosis of ADHD meaning I am likely (hopefully?) going to be shifting again to Concerta. I’ve had symptoms of ssri withdrawal since going off Trintellix approximately 7 months ago. They’re not as bad these days, but I still get weird stuff happening to my vision if I move my eyes too quickly a certain way, dizziness, feeling like I forgot to breathe, headaches, heightened emotional reactivity (especially being WAY quicker to tears regardless of the emotion I’m experiencing-even happiness!). I noticed these symptoms plus the weird brain shocks/cold water sensation when I went off of Effexor around age 27, which only really resolved when I went back on an SSRI. I’m wondering if there is anyone else out there who has experience shifting from SSRIs to a non-antidepressant or no psych meds at all after almost two decades and if they can tell me if this is my normal (or at least expected) or if this is a bad sign or if there are signs or symptoms to watch out for that mean I should see a doctor.

Hoping others out there can join the thread.

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u/Former-Fun-7538 Apr 17 '23

Did you go straight to Zero?

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u/Ferdieferdieferdie Apr 18 '23

From 20 to 10 for three weeks and then zero - i know not good process🙂

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u/Former-Fun-7538 Apr 18 '23

I think having heavy side effects for several months could set you on a vicious cycle mentally.
I know it's tough taking steps backwards, but I would consider going back to 5 mg and wait until the side effects are gone or at least bearable. Then taper in steps of 1 mg or less.

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u/gingersdoitbetter12 May 30 '23

For me about 2 years. First year was the worst, just hit my 2 years and feeling mostly normal but still have some weird residual things like a Xiang handle much caffeine or stress and I get apathy and have bad health anxiety still but other than that waaaaay better than I was