Increases dose and feeling worse - is this normal?
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety about 18 months ago and been on 20mg of Citalopram daily.
Felt pretty good and was even thinking about seeing my GP to discuss coming off the meds and then a couple of weeks ago started having really odd and paranoid intrusive thoughts.
No depressed feelings, just anxiety. Went to see my GP and they've doubled my dose to 40mg per day.
Felt okay for a couple of days and now a black cloud has appeared over me. I can't stop crying and feel like all I want to do is lay and wallow in bed.
Has anyone else had a similar reaction when their meds have been increased? I'm not sure whether to halve my dose again or carry on but don't think I can cope with feeling like this for much longer. Any advice really welcome.
0 likes, 2 replies
tamsin07572 AnxiousK
Posted
hi you would have been best to increase slowly. i recenty increased to 30 from 20 and did it in two 5mg increments over 6 weeks. 20-40 is too big a jump. You could think about going back down to 30 and staying there until you stablise. you will feel worse for a few weeks but try and ride it out
katecogs AnxiousK
Posted
Totally agree with everything Tamsin said.
Something to consider when you started feeling odd some weeks ago - check your brand of pills as sometimes people react when their prescription is a different brand - even though they’re still Citalopram. The ingredients are the same but often its the outer coating that differs, and some people react.
I’d also like to add that some people struggle on 40mg and instead of it helping it gives them constant side effects. Just something to keep in mind.
Any increase or decrease, however small, will produce side effects. But agree - might be best to reduce to 30mg first before as at the moment you’re experiencing side effects from that huge leap.
K x