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
jill83578
Posted
I feel at my worst first thing in the morning too- anxious and very tearful. By the afternoon I feel a good bit better and now, after 2 months, the morning anxiety has lessened considerably. I am now more hopeful of getting back to being myself again.
It takes a lot longer than most doctors say!
Jill
jill83578
Posted
I'm the person who initiated this thread. I've now been taking Citalopram for 4 months and am feeling a lot better. I didn't rely on the meds entirely to lift my mood. I employed a lot if other strategies? but I know the drug has played a large part in my improvement. the situation that triggered my depression hasn't changed, but I'm coping better with it. I can even laugh again!
amy65274 jill83578
Posted
What other strategies did you use?
ArthurDent jill83578
Posted
just gone from 10mg to 20mg havd a very weird first night, every time i closed my eyes things were happening really fast, very disturbing, winder if should ho 10 to 15 then 20.......just don't know, mine is brief and depression and anxiety from extreme loneliness.
joanne58498 jill83578
Posted
hi Jill. i have been on citalopram for 4 years. the feeling you have are totally normal . morning anxiety is always the worst, like you said the afternoons are better nut evenings get worse as the fear if sleeping and waking up anxious is in the back of your mind. i would recommend you increase the dose. you will feel worse to start with which is very normal but it does get better. be kind to yourself and give yourself the time to get well. it will improve
georgia28340 jill83578
Posted
went on 10mg of citalapram for anxiety, it only took about a week to kick in and side effects were mild (i alrrady felt bad so it didnt change anything) i then had a bad weekend and forgot my tablets for a few days... worst mistake of my life. i believe i suffered with discontinuation syndrome.. i was having olfactory hallucinations which completely triggered my anxiety again.. so i started taking the 10 again in hopes i would feel better. this did not happen. my anxiety got do bad all i could try
to do was sleep relieve the symtoms but
then when i would wake i would have the worst nausea possible and felt completely on edge. a week of feeling like this, hardly eating, not beong able to watch anything, lusten to music, i was bed bound and hopeless. i finally reachsd out to my parents as i felt like i was going to pass out, and then doubled my tablet to 20mg (whoch the doctor advised). them first 4 days of upping my dose was honestly the worst experience in my life. the nausea, trembling,
hallucinations, loss of appetite was horrendous. on day 4 i was so anxious i took myself to a&e as i dodnt know what else to do. luckily day 5 the tablets finally started working. i am now on day 12 and the difference is incredible! i dont feel conpletelley better but i am getting there. Hopefully a few more weeks and i woll feell 100. but it does get better you just have to wait and get through the worst of
it. i was on citalaplram for years.. finally
felt better and took a year to wean myself off. 5 months later and im back on them, sad but i guess some people just need it to help there mind.
matt05488 jill83578
Posted
the worst week i had was going from 15 to 20 . I almost went to ER but white knuckled it. slowly I stated to get little glimpses of hopefulness, something I havent felt in a while. the bad days still happen but not nearly as bad as before, followed by a fee really good days where im even my goofy self again laughing and having a good time. im on week 8 and my advice would be to hang in there and look for those moments you feel ok. other people will notice a change in you before you do