Need reassurance please

I too have taken citalopram for many years. A couple of times I've had to change my dose. About 10 days ago I had to raise my dose from 10 mg to 15. For some reason the 10 just wasn't quite cutting it I went to 15 and then, of course all the side effects came back. then I did something stupid and dropped it back to 10 then I was getting withdrawals. Then I went back to 15 again. I feel yuck. Heightened anxiety, not sleeping, great, nauseous, and woozy. I just don't remember any other time when I needed to raise my dose a little bit, having so many side effects. But I have read that each time you go on it, or change the dose, that it is harder and harder and takes longer for things to level out again. Have you spoken to your doctor? Sometimes they can add in another drug instead of upping the dose of the citalopram. My doctor suggested that we could add buspirone just a small dose. but I'm going to wait this out of course because I already have anxiety. I get very anxious about any changes in my medication. It's all such a catch 22. I wish they knew more about these drugs and were able to make this easier on us. The drugs really do work once they get leveled out. but it sure is hell trying to get there. Almost barbaric lol.

also, did your doctor give you any thing like Xanax or Klonopin? For days that your anxiety is just sky high? My doctor has always given me a prescription for Klonopin. I never take it. But just knowing that I have it in my cupboard in case I do need, it is very comforting. mine usually expire so I just bring my bottle back to the doctor and she gives me a new prescription lol again I'm just very afraid to take anything else.

my doctor has given me ativan.

unfortunately, I've been having to use it. people just keep telling me to give it 8-12 weeks. I feel like im starting from the beginning. Anxiety is getting abit better but still definitely there and I'm always crying cause I feel like this is me now forever

my doctor said we can add buspar, increase celexa or change meds to paxil.

In Canada we can go up to 60mg celexa

I've been on citalopram for years going from 20mg to 25mg, then just recently I started having panic attacks, which I think its maybe been triggered by stress and peri menopause. I've now increased my dose to 30mg but done it slowly by taking 2.5mg for a couple of weeks, which gave me really horrible side effects, I've now started taking the full extra 5mg. I was like you, thinking, because I've been on it for years has it stopped working or will it continue to help. My doc said that it will keep working, it's just sometimes you need to change the dosage. I'm now only done 1 week on the full 30mg, sometimes I feel ok and then it can change, Im just hoping the tablets are starting to work. I think your right, it depends on how bad your anxiety is, the length of time to start feeling better, mines started in December and I'm just feeling slightly better. It's such a slow recovery, but this forum has really helped me, I've had moments where I think I'm going mad!! 😣 We will all get there, I wouldn't wish this on my worse enemy but maybe it will make us stronger. 😊