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Side effects after 4 weeks?

Posted , 4 users are following.

ben36891
ben36891

Hey all,

I started on 10mg of Citalopram and was on that dosage for about 3.5 weeks. felt pretty decent during that time, aside from some noticable body aches. At week 3.5, I upped my dose to 20mg and felt pretty fantastic for the past 4 weeks until yesterday, when I started to experience heightened anxiety, hot flashes and what I've seen others describe as "adrenaline surges". I find it odd that I'd only now experience side effects, considering I've been on 20mg for 4 weeks without much trouble. It feels very similar to the heightened anxiety I experienced on Zoloft when I tried to take that, so I'm fairly certain it's the citalopram causing this. Has anyone else experienced delayed side effects like these? Would this be considered "normal"?

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • lynda84120
    lynda84120 ben36891

    Posted

    yes Ben 8 went up to 40 for the first two weeks I was ok. then the effects hit and I've been on my knees! also recovery is v slow and is not linear. therefore, it could be also that your having sone bad days/ weeks. you just have to keep going and be kind to yourself x

  • ian90586
    ian90586 ben36891

    Edited

    Hi Ben, everyone has different experiences on these types of medications. Every time I"ve taken an SSRI in the beginning I would experience a lifting of my anxiety for maybe around a week. I thought they were an instant cure,then Bang,the terrible heightened anxiety and side effects would kick in. Totally disheartening. It happened every time I started an SSRI, wouldn't matter which one. I eventually dubbed this time of relief the Honeymoon period. Then I heard that some people don't experience what I had,it happened immediately to them. Never heard of someone going 4 weeks,but as I said,everyone is different. I also tried 5-htp for the first time 12 years ago. Had the same instant cure,felt so good I went away on a holiday for a couple of days,couple of nights out in the pubs then on the way home,Bang,hit me like a hurricane. panic attacks, derealization,awful. Now they say that when you increase serotonin in your brain,you activate an anxiety circuit that causes the terrible heightened anxiety and that's why you have to wait for the brain to adjust to the increase and eventually settle down. This is different for everyone,but can take many months of hardship and endurance. Hope that helps. Good luck.

    • lynda84120
      lynda84120 ian90586

      Posted

      thanks Ben it helps me. I'm 6 weeks on increase and still struggling with heightened anxiety! I suppose it's what you said no quick fix! I have improved but just dont want to always be aware of how I'm feeling! thanks L x

    • lynda84120
      lynda84120

      Edited

      sorry I meant thanks Ian!

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