Citalopram question: I've been on 5mg... - Anxiety and Depre...

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Citalopram question

Cheetah22 profile image
10 Replies

I've been on 5mg of Citalopram for 2 months. I need to move to 10mg. I got terrible side effects on going on 5mg. Are they just as bad when moving up does anyone know?

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Cheetah22 profile image
Cheetah22
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10 Replies
Ladybug9 profile image
Ladybug9

Everyone is different as far as how medication effects them. I don't quite understand why a doctor would up the dose if you are having bad side effects with the lower dose. I don't know anything about that particular medication but I'm sure someone will have an answer for you. I think it's really important to speak with your doctor before making any changes. I hope this helps a little.

Cheetah22 profile image
Cheetah22 in reply toLadybug9

I had bad side effects initially for the first 2 weeks only then everything was great. I was to progress to 10mg upon my initial diagnosis however with seeing a hypnotist and the 5mg working I didn't need to. I now need to go up to the 10mg but am worried about the possibility of side effects on upping this medication.

Thank u for your reply

Manny48 profile image
Manny48 in reply toCheetah22

You will almost certainly feel more side effects when changing dose. I went from 10 to 20 to 30 a couple years ago. Each increase made a fresh side effects period occur. I’m back on them at 10mg, 6 days in, going through them right now 😑

Geonome profile image
Geonome in reply toCheetah22

I have read that the same thing will happen when you increase the dosage. I was told that it was caused by the increase in your serotonin level when you start the meds. It seems that you need to go through that transition period to get the benefits after the first two weeks.

Ladybug9 profile image
Ladybug9 in reply toCheetah22

For some reason it seems whenever we go up on any medication there is a possibility of side effects, however, maybe this time they will be less severe and shorter lived! Let us know how you are doing when you do go up!

blibby8 profile image
blibby8

Hi. I was on 5mg for a couple of weeks before going up to 10mg. Like you I had initial side effects on 5mg of increased anxiety and insomnia for a few nights but I think this was partly due to me worrying about going on them in the first instance. When I increased to 10mg the side effects were minimal and not bad at all, slight insomnia for a couple of nights and that's about it. I hope like me when you increase the dose you will find the same but if you do experience side effects, they may only last a short time. It is important for you to get to the therapeutic dose though of 10mg so stick with it, you are so nearly there and the benefits, for me anyway, far outweigh the side effects. I wish you all the best.

Cheetah22 profile image
Cheetah22 in reply toblibby8

Thank you everyone. I upped my dose yesterday morning and felt so much better within a few hrs. I slept all night through and have felt amazing today. So far life is rosy. We'll see over the next few days. Thank you for your support, much appreciated x

Cheetah22 profile image
Cheetah22

Ok I feel like pure dung today...so down.

WTF is happening? Not impressed at all. I took a sleeping tablet last.night as I woken up at 2 and knew I wouldn't get back over. In work today and its deadline day. HELP ME

Citaloman7 profile image
Citaloman7

Hey cheetah how are you now? I upped my dose from 10-15 and had a few side effects like the beginning but no where near as bad and lasted a couple weeks. I’m debating going up again. I know it’s a few months ago now but how did it go?

Cheetah22 profile image
Cheetah22 in reply toCitaloman7

Hi Citaloman7 . It took about a week to settle down then several wks of a sore red eye.

Feeling amazing now and have done for 4 days. Sleeping really well.

Trouble is think my hormones are reacting with the meds at certain times of the month. For about a week there and same last month I was exhausted or fatigued beyond belief ! Sleeping so well and waking up zonked!! To extent I nearly went off meds. If it's only a week a month I can cope til I get a few more months on meds before I'm happy to come off.

Bring it on.

Why do you wanna up your meds?

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