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Citalopram - when to increase?

Posted , 9 users are following.

davidblue85
davidblue85

Hi all,

Hope you are are managing to battle through your own journeys!

As I have now hit the 6 week mark (10mg) and although things have improved from a few weeks ago I'm wondering if I should continue on the same dose or increase?

Reading the Citalopram information online and on this very site it suggests that the full benefit will be felt at 4 weeks, now whilst I've improved I'm not yet the man I was before my 'melt down'!

So my thinking is - if I'm and 6 weeks and this is as good as it gets is now the time to try increasing?

I'm particularly interested in those who have increased, how long before they did and how did they decide the increase was needed?

I'm happy to give this dose a few more weeks and I'm not expecting a quick fix to this 'problem' but I don't want to hold off if an increase is the better option.

0 likes, 35 replies

35 Replies

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  • laura86158
    laura86158 davidblue85

    Posted

    Hi David

    Personally I think 6 weeks is still early, I would try to avoid a dose change for at least another 2 weeks. These things take so long, if you have the patience, which is so difficult when you're suffering.

    That's an interesting question, I suppose everyone has there own version of normal. For me I knew I was getting better when I came to an end of day and hadn't thought about my anxiety much. When I haven't been constantly googling or asking people how long it will take me to get better. Seeking reassurance from the Internet, family and friends and just getting on with my life and enjoying things I once did.

    I understand what a dark and lonely place youre in and if you can hold on abit longer and try to

    • laura86158
      laura86158

      Posted

      Believe things will get better xx
  • lorraine52317
    lorraine52317 davidblue85

    Edited

    Hi David

    I like the varied responses you have been given. (I learn a lot here!) I find myself wanting to share the following with you; Major depression left completely untreated on average lasts between 6 to 8 months. You can see this statement endorsed on various online studies and medical research. If you type in a search for average length of time for depression, you will come across a number of studies. (The 'average length of UNTREATED depression is 6-8 months' these findings are an average and apply to majority of sufferers. Obviously not all sufferers will get this relief in this time span as people may have additional medicalfactors to take into consideration, or could have resistant depression etc) Therefore getting the correct dosage / medication in a safe and timely manner (via your doctor) is key to maximising the odds in reducing how long your suffering overall. I waited a full six months and regretted the length of time I waited. I went from 10 to 40 over a six month period. Unfortunately I was one of the few unlucky ones who didn't get a decent level of recovery on this particular med.(not suggesting this will be the same outcome for you. This drug seems very popular and effective for numerous people)

    iam not suggesting you ignore the great and varying advice you have received in this thread. I am asking you to also consider and weigh up the options in terms of whats the best course of action for you and your recovery. 10mg is a very low dose and I do think you would benefit from the standard dose of 20mg. Please dont persistently wait and wait and miss out on a chance of getting relief from a small increase. Whilst ending this message to you, I am aware it will generate more conflicting facts and views. Again, I would say...you know your body/mind and how good or bad your feeling. if 10mg is giving you a glimmer of improvement, then it wouldn't hurt to stay on that dose a couple more weeks. If every day is a struggle, then it's time to speak with your doc and get that 20!♥

    God bless you and you are certainly in my prayers xxx

  • laura86158
    laura86158 davidblue85

    Posted

    David having only realised you were on 10mg, it is a very lose dose, especially for full recovery. I am on 20mg. Which as people have told you, the therapeutic dose. Yes speak with your doctor. They can advise you safely xx
  • davidblue85
    davidblue85

    Posted

    Thanks all for sharing your views/experiences.

    I think I'll stick with 10mg for another week or so then if things haven't really improved further I'll increase to 15mg.

    I haven't been too good this morning - morning anxiety was back but much milder than before, however I think I may have picked up another bug which won't help!

    Also I've been thinking about my return to work this week and had a call with the rehab consultant which my company use...but it felt well too soon to be thinking about work and I think that it got me a bit panicked.

    I'll plough on and see how I get on - best of wishes to all of you xxx

    • laura86158
      laura86158 davidblue85

      Posted

      Yeah that sounds like a good plan David, that's the sensible thing to do I think. I was off work for 6 weeks and I swear when I was going back the thought alone set me back. Although once I got the first week over the anxiety really got less and less. I think people without this condition get anxious/depressed about going back to work never mind someone with our condition. Also just letting you know, I went from 10 to 20 with no side effects at all. Incase that's a concern.

      Glad to finally be in position to give advice.

      All the best xx

    • davidblue85
      davidblue85 laura86158

      Posted

      Thanks Laura your advice is appreciated - and I'm glad you're in a good place now.

      Hopefully I too will get to where I want to be and have a fantastic year ahead.

      Xxx

    • laura86158
      laura86158 davidblue85

      Posted

      You're welcome David and I have absolutely no doubt that you will. Take care xx
  • jran
    jran davidblue85

    Posted

     i read on a med web site somewhere citalopram recommended dose was 20mg-40mg i am on 10mg of escitalopram  which is double the strength of citalopram and been onn that for a month and starting to feel a little better already. I have to go back to doc if i want to increase but i dont think i need to yet. R u in UK or USA. Google citalopram and recoomended dosage. you will find plenty of info web sites on it. cheers
  • davidblue85
    davidblue85

    Posted

    Just a quick update -

    I spoke with my GP yesterday and I have now increased to 15mg. Ironically the last few days had been probably the best I've had so far but on balance the 2 weeks previous were a bit flat with some of the early jitters creeping back in so on balance I was happy to try a small increase.

    Today I have to say I haven't really noticed any additional side effects but after my previous increase these didn't kick in until a few days later so I won't count my chickens just yet!

    • Marf
      Marf davidblue85

      Posted

      Def keep on posting, I think I need to go up but I'm scared of the effects xx you can be my guinea pig 😉😉 xx
    • kaz50966
      kaz50966 Marf

      Posted

      Hi marf I'm on 10mg been on them 11fays now I had 2 great days then wam feeling crap again it's so hard just want to be myself again
  • davidblue85
    davidblue85

    Posted

    So 2 days down and no major side effects to deal with so far, felt a bit hot last night when in bed and had a bit of the Citalopram shakes today just in my hands.

    In other news I found out today that we're going to complete on our house purchase in a weeks time, so I'm in 2 minds whether to reduce back to 10mg (which I can cope with) or stick with 15mg and hope I don't start getting bad side effects. I think I'll give 15mg a couple more days and if I'm still coping fine I'll stick with it.

    • kaz50966
      kaz50966 davidblue85

      Posted

      Hi David I'm on 10mg been on it now for 11 days feel great for a couple of days then wam side effects are bk please give me some hope x
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