Increasing Citalopram from 10mg to 20mg feeling worse
Posted , 4 users are following.
I have been been taking Citalopram for 5 weeks for depression and anxiety. I felt bad to start with, but the first 3 to 4 weeks of taking it made me feel even worse. The main problems were increased anxiety and insomnia. I also found the mornings very difficult, as I started crying as soon as I got put of bed and phases of this would continue through the day. I was slightly better in the afternoons,but experienced another dip in mood in the evening. My depressive symptoms were a reaction to a barrage of upsetting events, including a death, estrangement from 2 of my 3 adult children and conflict with my brother.
I was reluctant to increase the dose, but couldn't think of anything else that might help. (I am seeing a counsellor, which helps a bit.) So, on the doctor's advice, I doubled the dose from 10mg to 20mg and yes, I am going through the same side effects again - feeling worse, not sleeping, crying more, full of negative thoughts.
Has anyone else had a similar experience when increasing their dose of Citalopram. If, so, how long did they take to feel better after increasing the dosage?
0 likes, 10 replies
lois95799 jill83578
Posted
every one experiences those side effects from increasing or decreasing.that is the nature of this med.hope you feel better soon.doctor should of started did it slower like 15milligrams first.
lois95799
Posted
meant to say increase slower like perhaps 15mill.is kinder to your nervous system
jill83578 lois95799
Posted
I didn't realise you could do increase in 5mg steps. I'd better not mess around now that I've started on 20 mg but it would definitely be worth bearing in mind if I want to ŕeduce gradually in the future. Thank you for the info.
mike07300 jill83578
Posted
Little steps at a time Jill, 2.5 mg either way. I recon thats way to big an increase if you felt awful on 10mg, i would of personally stuck on the original dose for longer & rode it out to you got used ti it, before thinking about upping the dose.
jill83578 mike07300
Posted
The doctor didn't even mention that there were 5mg tablets. I'm not sure that GPs know as much about it as those who have used it. He told me I wouldn't feel worse when upping the dose but I haver found that to be untrue. Mornings are especially bad, crying all the time.
Brandi2010 jill83578
Posted
My gp told me that I would be back to myself within a week of upping my dosage from 20 to 30. I'm like you, I'm not sure they completely understand the meds. Plus I have read they can affect people differently. I'm 3 weeks into 30 mg and still having pretty bad anxiety, crying episodes and yes mornings are the worst.
mike07300 jill83578
Posted
Yeh doctors havnt taken the meds, its a guessing game for them Jill, but you just cut your 10 mg tablet in half, that works out cheaper also .
jill83578 mike07300
Posted
Thanks Mike. You are right about the doctors guessing! Do you think psychiatrists might know a bit more about the meds and different options, as they are specialists? It seems that doctors mostly prescribe SSRIs without exploring anything else.
jill83578
Posted
Yes, walking in the countryside does help, along with cycling and talking to people. I think this depression is deeper because it is complicated by grief for the loss of 2 adult children, who have become estranged. It feels like a bereavement. My dad just died too. I wonder if any tablets can help with grief.
mike07300 jill83578
Posted
Anbody you feel comfortable talking with will help, so a pyschiatrist would be helpfull, along with some mindfull meditation & some nice countryside walks helps , especially mountain walks, which help me a lot.