Changed from citalopram to sertraline but having really bad anxiety

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Hi was on citalopram for 8 years and it worked great but started to be less effective so i did a straight swap from 60mg citalopram to 100mg sertraline with an increase to 200mg.

ive been on this for around 3 months now but have been having the worse anxiety the past few days. i take it because of severe depression, anxiety and pms.

Im unsure if it has anything to do with coming on my period yesterday as i usually suffer the week before my period is due. what are your thoughts as im struggling?. DO YOU THINK I SHOULD TRY SOMETHING ELSE?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi caroline , life is tough sometimes isn't. My thoughts are no I do not think you should change just yet, see how you feel after your period has finished and get a blood test to check your hormone levels the week before you next one is due to start, if you haven't already done so, also it might be an idea to talk to your Dr about going on something like the mini pill, a colleague at work found this worked well along side the sertraline

  • Posted

    how did you find switching from citalopram to sertraline initially? I was meant to do this myself but havnt plucked up the courage yet. too scared of withdrawals.

    the same as you, citalopram just seemed to stop working for me.

    I think you should wait it out and see. especially if you were doing well for the past few months. I have heard that some people struggle around the time of their period so see what happens after and how you feel x

  • Posted

    Morning, thanks for your reply. Truthfully it wasnt that bad at all. Felt tired, had a little bit of a dodgy tummy and a little bit jittery but nothing bad. I was really panicking about it because i hate the anxiety. My doctor told me to take them before bed time.

    I had had problems around my period time for a long time but was always started around 7 days before and never once it started. That was the worst ive felt in years.

    • Posted

      it's good to know that the switch wasnt too bad x I'm meant to do it today myself from 20mg of citalopram to 50mg sertraline.

      I think you should wait and see for about a week just to make sure it's not a blip x it would be a shame to switch if you dont need too.

      how long have you been on the 200mg of sertraline?

    • Posted

      I ask how long you've been on 200mg because from what I'm told everytime you change a dose it's like resetting the clock again. if you've been on it long enough then maybe 200mg is a little too high for you. give it atleast 6 weeks before you assess whether the dose is right for you I reckon

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