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how do I know if and when it is right to up my dose, and by how much? The side effects make it so c

Posted , 7 users are following.

G55055
G55055

I guess the billion dollar question which I, and everyone else I guess, am looking for an answer to is, how do you know when to up your dose.

I have been taking 10mg of Citalopram for 6 - 7 weeks, I still have quite a few side effects 

​I know that 6 weeks is still early days, and some of the symptoms are side effects, the loss of appetite, tiredness, insomnia, nauseousness, diarrhoea, feeling like you have the flu and morning anxiety are all likely to be side effects.

​I think my mood has lifted slightly but that is very difficult to gauge with the side effects.

I have seen comments that suggest that beneficial effects are not seen for 2 - 3 months but also that people have increased their dose quite rapidly in the first month or two.

​I guess my question Is how do I know if and when it is right to up my dose, and by how much?  The side effects make it so confusing.

​I was on Venlafaxine, 75mg of slow release, 2 years ago but unfortunately I cant remember how long it took for the side effects to subside and the positive benefits to be felt.  I think I felt a bit better after 5 weeks but that was most probably in comparison to the horrible induction side effects.  I did feel much better after 6 months.

​Thanks everybody

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  • cherylcheryl123
    cherylcheryl123 G55055

    Posted

    I have been on 10mg for about 3 weeks now, although my doc slowly...I mean super slowly worked me up to 10 over a period of 2 months. I started at 2.5 because I am so sensitive to side effects. I can tell 10 is definitely working for me. But I also was only on a low dose (30mg) of cymbalta for about 12 years and did well on it.
    • lois95799
      lois95799 cherylcheryl123

      Posted

      Yes cherry is what ever dose your body can take.. especially if your sensitive to Medications..I certainly am.
    • cherylcheryl123
      cherylcheryl123 lois95799

      Posted

      Definitely agree! When I felt like my cymbalta was not working anymore doc tried to raise the dose and I couldn't tolerate it. I got tremors and my heart rate went up to 130. I took that genesight test and pretty much all ssris and snris were in the yellow column which means they can still work but for me I may need lower doses since my body metabolizes them slower. Luckily I found a wonderful psychiatrist who understands that and LISTENS to me. She's a holistic psychiatrist and has me on some supplements as well, but she has helped me tremendously after my first doctor wouldn't listen at all!

  • G55055
    G55055

    Posted

    Thanks for all of the comments

    I have had a couple of better nights sleep with the help of Zopiclone on a low dose.

    ?I think I am coming to the conclusion that I am on the right track but may need to up dose by 5 mg, this is such a hard decision that it may take a week or 2 to do so.  I may see how I sleep without Zopiclone, I don't want to become dependant on them.

    ?My Dr suggested that I might take the extra 5 in the evening as apposed to the morning with my existing 10mg to maybe even out the level that is my system, does that seem reasonable or will it be messing too much.  Has anyone else tried this, might it have an impact on lessening side effects. 

    If I get horrendous side effects again will dropping again after a few days just set me back loads 

    ?Thanks again 

    Cheers

    ?G55055

    ?

    • G55055
      G55055

      Posted

      I increased my dose by 5mg yesterday evening and took my 10mg as normal this morning.  Sleep was OK I did wake once and did have a bit of weird dreams but feel better than I have this morning.

      ​I will keep you informed or how this strategy goes.

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