Increased sensitivity to Citalopram

Posted , 5 users are following.

has anyone found they have suddenly grown more sensitive to citalopram or any ssri? i have been on it off and on since 2010, the highest dose being 30mg around 4-5 years ago. 3 years ago i cut down to 10mg as i found out i was pregnant which i have been on ever since.

Depression and anxiety has crept back in (i'm sure its hormonal as i'm breastfeeding and the anxiety coincided with my period coming back but thats another thread altogether).

Twice this year i have tried to go back up to 20mg - first time i started up to 15mg from 10 and lasted 2 days as the side effects were horrendous - it was like i was on another planet and couldn't drive, sleep, eat, i was even hallucinating. Fastforward to yesterday when i decided to try again this time moving up to 12.5mg, however again today has been totally hellish. I experience the side effects every time but they're tenfold this time around, has this happened to anyone else?

also has anyone ever switched to another SSRI with less side effects? Sorry for long post!

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    So know where you are coming from i have been on and off Citalopram since i was 16 i am now 50. i have gone back on 10 mg the last couple of weeks. i am just starting to feel normal again. Honestly last sunday i have never felt so ill. i have decided now the tablets give me normality when i am on them i can go out, travel with no anxiety or panic. i hope you get there too. i have said to my husband people need tablets for pain, blood pressure etc i need them for my brain. i am so lucky i am on a low dose and i think i will stay on them for life. Good luck xx

    • Posted

      you and i both.it is my first time on celexa 10milli.and trust me after reading all the horror stories i aint coming off .i rather stay feeling lovely with my celexa than to let my curiosity take a hold of me .no way jose.

  • Posted

    Hi Holly,

    In answer to your question, yes. I've been on and off it for the past ten years. First 20mg. Then 10mg. Now on again and up to 20mg, but it's been more difficult each time to settle, with increased side effects.

    Our bodies and hormone levels change, and so it stands to reason that might affect how these drugs work each time, or how long they take to take action.

    With regards to switching meds, I haven't done that, but would consider it if the cit doesn't work out. Certain antidepressants do 'poop out' for people over time- the body gets used to the mechanism of how they work. SSRIs all block reuptake of serotonin, that's what they have in common. But each different antidepressant apparently has other mechanisms of action in the brain. Hence, some work for some people, but not for others, or become less effective with prolonged use.

    I'd also love to hear some people who've switched with success.

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