Increasing Citalopram from 10mg to 20mg feeling worse
Posted , 24 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, 51 replies
andrew83432 jill83578
Edited
hi , i increased my dose from 20mg to30 mg about 14 week ago and im only just starting to feel the benefits of the citalopram , my mornings where the worse n started to feel better in the evenings
jill83578 andrew83432
Edited
I find mornings the worst too but have another dip in the evening. I wonder if anyone else experiences this. I'm so tired from insomnia and that is probably adding to my low mood in the evenings. I want to sleep, but dread night time as I lie awake with negative thoughts running through my head. Any tips?
andrew83432 jill83578
Posted
i was given some phernergan from the dr which is an antihistimine for a couple of week which helped me sleep at night, i never thought the negative thoughts would go but it just seems to get easier as the weeks go by.
jill83578 andrew83432
Edited
That is encouraging. How long did it take on the tablets before you felt significantly better?
Brandi2010 andrew83432
Posted
Hello, I'm new to this, but really struggling right now and need some encouragement. I was on 20 mg citalopram for almost 2 years. 3 weeks ago my doctor upped my dosage to 30 mg. After a week I felt good for a several days but this past week has been bad for the most part. Do you think I just need more time to adjust to the new dosage? A lot of what I have read says upping the dosage should show benefits sooner. I just want to know it will get better.
andrew83432 Brandi2010
Posted
i thought the exact same when i adjusted, but its taken me over 12 week to just get some relief from the anxiety. It WILL get better just got to give the medication chance to work
Brandi2010 andrew83432
Posted
Thank you for the reply. My doctor had said i should be back to normal within a week so the anxiety really intensified after crashing back down after several days of feeling somewhat normal. This is my 3rd time on citalopram and each time it seems to take a little longer to start seeing the benefits. And this is the first time i have ever increased the dosage....I just hope this medicine continues to work for me.
andrew83432 Brandi2010
Posted
my doctor told me 4 weeks i should start feeling the full effect of the tablets , its taken 12 to even feel slightly like my old self
lois95799 Brandi2010
Posted
your doctor said one week ?wow unbelievable .my doctor told me many months.iam recovered on 10mill.and i aint coming off either to only come on again no mam.best regards
Brandi2010 lois95799
Posted
It is nice to hear that one week was unrealistic. He is just my primary care doctor so maybe he doesn't have a lot of background dealing with this medicine. I took it for 6 months for ppd after having my son. Then about 3 years ago I had a bad episode of health anxiety (I believe). after feeling better i mistakenly weaned myself off. I had to start back a couple months later. 20 mg worked until the health anxiety ramped back up along with some family issues here recently. if this ever kicks in, I don't foresee myself coming off them for a long time.
TaraLin jill83578
Posted
I was given Trazodone which helped with sleep. I took a very low dose, 25mg or less to reduce risk of Serotonin Syndrome. And I'm at 20mg Citalopram.
stephen03156 jill83578
Posted
Exactly the same as you but with no depression. Increase to 20 mg - awful
It will ease though.
Hang in there.
I've done 11 weeks now & feel a lot better.
I feel for you...
jill83578 stephen03156
Posted
I wonder what you mean by "No depression". Do you mean you feel ok?
stephen03156 jill83578
Posted
I don't have depression. I was under stress and while abroad suffered chronic anxiety. Scared me to death . I'm a worrier but have virtually a perfect life.
I got home saw a hypnotist. That was ok till the next day.
The physical symptoms were horrendous. Tried Fluxotine ,side effects just too much, stuck it four weeks.
Went on the Citralopam. The Doctors were/are useless. These forums got me through. It took 8/9 weeks to start feeling better. Now i've done 11 &the good days are outweighing the bad. I'm shaking a bit writing this & my feet hurt but i know i'm recovering.
Please believe in it & stick to 20mg. I suffered three weeks when i upped to 20 but it'll pass.
I'm not fully recovered but am confident. Hold the course, hold your dose & slowly but surely you'll feel better.
I really feel for you please be strong..
jill83578 stephen03156
Posted
Thank you for taking the time to write this reply, Stephen. It helps me get through the bad days to know that there is hope.
tony34060 stephen03156
Posted
Hi , i just switched my dose from 10 mg after 10 yrs . I felt that i needed to go up to 20 mg . Been feeling good during the day , but at night is where i feel the side effects . Is this normal?
lisa98022 tony34060
Posted
hi Tony, I'm the same, I'm getting less anxious during the day now after 4 weeks of increasing to 20mg but the insomnia is awful, did it get better for you? x
sushirucs lisa98022
Posted
I have taken citalopram 5mg for some weeks then my shrink upgraded the dose to 20 mg. she said i should take 10 mg for 6-7 days and then double to 20. i had some better days in the beginning but lately i have this anxious thoughts every morning and sometimes i start crying, i panic and i feel like i will never recover and enjoy my life. i need to mention that i am also pregnant and everyone is telling me that the hormones mess me up. i got some reassurance from this forum that it will get better but i feel hopeless. i fear that i will never be able to enjoy my life any more and this is a scary thought...