Citalopram dose increase

Posted , 8 users are following.

I'm a newbie here after some reassurance, been on citalopram for several years but since January I've had increased stress and this resulted in weekly panic attacks. Doc put me up to 30mg 4wks ago and I thought I was getting there but panic attack again returned. So a wk ago doc upped me to 40mg, and now I'm wrackedwith anxiety and panic worrying if I'll ever shake this off. Please someone tell me I will get back to me again soon, I so want to be there for my family.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Posted

    I'm so sorry to hear about your increased anxiety. You are not alone.

    Sometimes raising your dosage will cause some insomnia and agitation for a week.

    I really hope you feel better soon and that others come here to help with your question.

    • Posted

      Thank you so much, I wish I could speed up time till I'm

      On a even keel again! Xx

  • Posted

    You will get back to normal. I had the same issue. But my doctor left me on 30mg for bit longer which did the trick. I would def give it time and see what happens, before you give up its prettt normal to feel the way you do, every time you start a new doseit like starting all over... but you will be ok.
    • Posted

      Thank you sanja1993, that makes me feel better. I'm so anxious about the increase not working , but it's worked for all these years it's just increased stress and me not listening to my body that's made them return. The attacks are so frightening and powerful , make me feel weak and tired and sick and like I'm burning up, all the time feeling like this is it forever, my biggest fear. I am a strong confident woman who is reduced to tears with fear. I can handle the side effects aslong as they work!! I love life, and I want it back. Doc gave me mild sleeping pills , I've never had trouble sleeping , but as soon as he mentioned sleeping bang!! Guess who's mind won't rest! I have noticed I feel less anxious at night, I've read on here others do too, until it evens out. Off work ATM too,can't face making a fool

      Of myself during an attack. Thank you for taking the time to reply xx

  • Posted

    You will be fine! Trust me, I had panic attacks everyday. Citalopram has helped me get some of my life back. I'm not 100%, but I will be. What do you do when you have panic attacks, and what symptoms do you have? I have panic attacks out of the blue. I get dizzy, nausea, heart palpitations and faintness. I been to the emergency room 4 times. Two in an ambulance and the other two I walked in. My fifth time was a week ago, it was the worse panic attack ever!!! I sat in the ambulance and said screw this, I want out. I walked out and went back in my home. I'm fed up! I started CBT a few days ago along with some exercise and eating fruits and veggies. I'm starting to feel more confident every day. Don't let it get you down, you will survive. Tell me more about your attacks and what you do. Talk to you soon! 😊

    • Posted

      Hi again,

      Geez it's hard isn't it, mine returned througha fear of being dizzy,I was dashing round doing everything for everyone and work and college etc etc...should've realised then why I was spinning but hey ho us women carry on holding the family together. That's not against fellas, it's just my experience. My symptoms are feeling like I'm burning, sickness, sobbing, sweating and absolute fear panic that it'll never let me get back to normal. My trouble is I'm so impatient, and that fear each day feeds my attacks. I just need 2 good days in a row and it'll give me some confidence and faith . I'm frightened just plain frightened.

  • Posted

    Ah, bless you.

    We're all newbies in one way or other - new to this site, new to talking about how we feel, new to the black fog, newly returned to the black fog. 

    It really isnt easy and requires all round effort - the meds, exercising, socialising, keeping busy. Up until last June I had spent ten years sleeping, I went to work, and I slept - every weekend, every holiday, and I drank myself to almost oblivion. Finally went to the GP and have started the road to recovery - last year I remember hearing the birds sing, I saw the sunshine, the flowers..................

    You will shake it off - but you need to persevere. I feel as if I'm on the road to recovery - my down fall is that I drink and I'm very anti social - I have no confidence, but it is improving.

    Let's all take strength from the fact that we're not alone, we're not weird - well perhaps a little, and lets try and find a little time, whenever we can, to help each other along.

    And what better time to start - Spring is here and living is so much easier in the summer.

    Take care.

    Peter

    • Posted

      Well said Peter! We are all fighting hard for the same thing. To feel good and enjoy life. Just a painful fight to get there. Some days, some moments are reasonable but many are hell. We just need to keep on. There is no alternative. For the life of me I can't understand how all of a sudden 7 months ago I started to have panic attacks. Barely a nervous or anxious day in my life prior to that. All of a sudden 1 day my BP spikes to 200/100 and heart rate of 140. Hospital puts me thru many, many tests that all come back good but I continued to have these random attacks despite blood pressure medication. So seems Citalopram is the next logical med to try. Will see. Take care. SHANE

  • Posted

    Hi Liz I am sorry to hear about your distress. The more I read about these tablets the more I worry about being n them I am trying to come from them but it may take a while.

    Hope you feel better soon. I am watching all the comments and taking everyone's opinion, bit at the end of the day there s only you knows how you feel. Take care. Pat

    • Posted

      Thanks Pat, I've been so well on these for years, I know I'll get there. It it's exhausting fighting it. Hope you find your way

      Xx

  • Posted

    Hey Loz,

    Just read your original post on here and that you felt you were getting there with the 30mg which is a really good sign. It meant that your body was balancing out but you had a blip!

    So I'm sure you will soon get used to the 40mg!

    I spoke to my doctor again today and she thinks I'm too high on the 40mg (been about 12 days now!) the anxiety is better but felt soooo depressed, which wasn't an issue before!

    Think we've just gotta be patient with the dosage changes! We are such strong people!

    Thinking of you lots and am sure you will be much more level as in the past the citalopram seems to have balanced you out nicely and am sure it will again smile

    Sending love and strength,

    Louise x

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