Citalopram: going from 20 mg to 40mg, what to expect?

[Airbnbdisaster]

I have been on 10 mg, then 20 mg for 10 years + - things have been going from bad to worst since January..I have been put on 40 mg. What should I expect ? I’m so worried, I have been feeling suicidaire a lot over the last few weeks ! Are things going to be better being on 40 mg ? Positive stories would help me !

I started on 20mg of citalopram but it made no difference to my suicidal feelings. Going up to 40mg did, and it meant I could engage with the talking therapy.

While I was on 40mg I left a bad relationship, got a job & moved home twice.

Expect to feel better sweetheart. I could have written your post myself, and quite simply the change of dose from 20mg to 40mg has changed EVERYTHING for me. I'm long past the stage where I feel guilty or ashamed of having to take them. Now I just feel grateful that I now want to be alive. PM me if you need to chat

I'm on 40mg and am very well currently. The increase did cause jaw clenching at first, but that wore off.

I spent a few years on 20, then a few years on 40, now back on 20. And tbh I'm considering upping it again. If you're still struggling and feeling shit on 20, 40 should help. Other than feeling brighter, I don’t think you should notice much difference. Your body is used to the medicine by now so it doesn't really cause much physiological change, not that I noticed anyway.

But going to 40 is definitely the right decision, it should make you feel better. Good luck!

One thing I would say is that when you come off, do it very VERY slowly. Once it was time I came down over several months & I could feel the difference - it was if my brain had been wrapped in a duvet which was slowly being removed, although at a pace which meant that once it was gone I was strong enough to cope. This was about 5 years ago now. I’d go back on it in a heartbeat if I needed to though.

Thank you ! You are giving me hope, it’s my last chance at life it feels ! I keep collapsing :( not being a mother to my children. Thank you ! - how do you pm ??