On citalopram 10mg for 7 weeks. Should I increase?

Posted , 9 users are following.

I have been following previous posts since starting citalopram 10mg 7 weeks ago and found others' experiences very useful. I developed severe anxiety during being very physically unwell with pneumonia from January. I had terribe side effects for 3 weeks. A little better for a couple of weeks was starting to feel further benefits at week 7. I was feeling a good bit better but have had a busy few days at family wedding. I feel like this has knocked back my recovery. Due to see go next week and he has already suggested increase to 20mg but after what I have read on here am thinking I should wait another few weeks. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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  • Posted

    wait a few more weeks 10is a good dose .best regards

    • Posted

      Thank you. It is just disheartening after feeling an improvement. I have read about blips and am hoping that is all it is.

  • Posted

    Hi Hejohn/I would suggest that you should wait another 4/6 weeks and see how that goes,also if you went onto 20 mgs your side effects would start again

    • Posted

      Thanks, yes that is what I'm afraid of and am hoping as I have had a few good days that this is just a blip.

  • Posted

    hi, everybody's different upping doses, but worked greatly for me, be aware of more side effects but nothing like before and for less days, good luck.

    • Posted

      Thanks. It is just frustrating after feeling an improvement. I really don't want to have to face those side effects again!!

    • Posted

      if you felt inprovement thats a good sign that it is just a blip.best regards

    • Posted

      i was in the same boat, like lois said, it's an improvement so these meds are working for you, this is a very slow working med but when it works you will never look back, blips are part of the recovery process and makes you paranoid, they will work in time, good luck

  • Posted

    After 7 weeks i would increase. I did , had the side effects but it did help.

    Try then to stick it out and in time you'll improve.

    I've done four months now but have just made a trip abroad! This i consider a triumph fromwhere i was.

    • Posted

      Thanks. Had you started feeling any benefit before increasing. I was having a few good days in and off from 5 weeks which is why I was hoping that the 10mg would be enough.

    • Posted

      Yes, some benefit. Istarted doing 15mg for two weeks then up to 20. Its a peculiar illness , with me how i wake up is how the morning will be. Good or bad. Afternoons it all eases but i feel i have zero control over it. None of it makes any sense but i suppose you just have to soldier on. No way am i 90% there yet but at nights i'm almost normal.

      Hang in there..

    • Posted

      I have been normal in the evenings from about 3 weeks and things had gradually improved from then until 3 days ago (7 weeks in). I am hoping it is just because I was doing so much last week. Then seeing so many people at the wedding has exhausted me and increased my anxiety as I do feel very tired today.

  • Posted

    Hi

    I also agree stay on 10 mg for a while longer. This is my thirteenth week on 10 mg and getting some really good days but still the blips and I certainly wouldnt wish to double the dose with the awful side effects as am sure I will get there in the end without increasing. Apparently 10 mg is a good dose for anxiety.

    • Posted

      Thanks. Can I ask how long your blips last. Mine has come on the back of a busy week......including a family wedding. I felt anxious at the wedding and then at the lunch the day after (yesterday). Am back home today and feel very tired and anxious, so 3 days now!

    • Posted

      it varies .the blips last hours days or weeks .and they usually occur during any kind of event that is giving you natural anxiety.best regards

    • Posted

      HiLast one lasted 3 days.I have been fine these last few days but this afternoon very fuzzy head, bit shaky and anxious. I am beginning to accept how recovery happens and hopefully the good days will get longer and the blips less frequent. I think it is definitely the wedding which has affected you with probably no time to relax. I am sure you will feel better in a day or so.

    • Posted

      Thank you sue23850. Your words are very reassuring. I have no patience and am just feeling frustrataed today and fearful.

    • Posted

      I think you will find a lot of people who suffer with anxiety are very impatient, it is part of our personality. If only we were laid back and relaxed we wouldnt be suffering like we are. I have no patience whatsoever. Still we are lucky enough to know that we will get better. Now just off for a pee for about the 10th time in an hour due to heightened anxiety. (I am sure you didnt wish to know that). Thinking of moving into bathroom.

    • Posted

      Yes I can identify with that too!!!

      Hope things continue to improve for you too.

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