Citalopram and caffeine.... Or... How long before citalopram side effects stop?

[Bellyrub1980]

I have PND. Was taking sertraline for a year, but it didn't work for me so now on citalopram.

10mg and 20mg were fine, no side effects at all. Felt a lot better but anxiety still a problem. Doctor increased my dose to 40mg last week and I'm feeling the side effects now!

• Nausea +++++

• Anxiety has increased (nausea and anxiety kind of go hand in hand for me, it's hard to know which is causing which iyswim)

• Headaches

I'm considering cutting out caffeine completely. It never gave me a problem before but I'm wondering whether, at this higher dose, caffeine could be having more of an effect?

I know that soon the citalopram will start working. On 10mg and 20mg they both cleared my head and helped a great deal, after about 2-3 weeks. Is it a case that the higher the dose, the longer it takes to kick in and work???

Also slightly concerned that the nausea is confined to the mornings.... But the chances of me being pregnant are minimal. Only had sex once in the last 10 weeks since I had the coil fitted as have been bleeding ever since!

Also taking northisterone

I avoid caffeine 100% since taking citalopram.

It sent my anxiety into over drive.

I would cut down on caffeine just to see if it makes a difference , I recently experienced the same so read up on forums and it seems most suffer the same but only for a week .
If you feel that you still feel the same after a week I'd go speak to your doctor again .

I'd definitely knock the caffeine on the head for a bit. Also, maybe moving from 20mg to 40mg was a but much. Could you go to 30mg instead and build up the dose more slowly to reduce the side effects?

I did think it was a bit of a jump.

I've completely avoided my usual 3 coffees this morning, and whilst the nerves are still there, I do feel a bit better today.

The night sweats have started though..... but realise that's just part and parcel of all AD's, and hopefully a sign that it's getting into my system.

Starting to feel calmer today. I've been taking them for 12 days. Anxiety still triggering but isn't getting any momentum. Just wondering how long an increased dose started to kick in for others?

I'm about 3stone overweight already (all gained after 6 months post-natal when I started taking AD's). But this dose of citalopram is making me incredibly hungry... But all I fancy is pastry and cakes. I'm a member of slimming world but not sticking to it!!

Any tips for weight loss?

I ballooned on citalopram too. To get it under control I cut out as much carbs and dairy as I could. I didn't get rid of them completely, just tried to swap for protein and fruit and veg as much as I could. It really worked, even though I'm a proper sugar fiend.

My doctor did insist that you put on weight only because you relax and your metabolism slows down. But I'm not entirely sold on that. He suggested more exercise.

(Anything specific to taking AD's I mean...)

Sorry posted that before I read your reply and now it looks like a snappy remark!

Sugar!! I never used to have a sweet tooth but OMG, I'm obsessed at the moment.

Ok will try with the protein. Sounds like the SP plan on slimming world actually.

Have felt a bit zoned out since the higher dose, but definitely need to get back into exercise. Pre baby I was spinning 5 days a week. But that's another part of me that has changed. So many things have.

I feel constantly hungry. It's weird and nothing really satisfies it unless I'm constantly eating. I could polish off an entire bakery!

I’ve been taking Citalopram from this reliable pharmacy topsup24.com/categories/Depression/Citalopram for quite a while and it really works well for me. I had a similar experience with side effects when my dose was increased. For me, nausea, headaches, and jitteriness were temporary and usually eased after a week or two. Cutting out caffeine can definitely help since it can amplify anxiety and nausea, especially at higher doses.

Higher doses can sometimes feel stronger at first and take a little longer for your body to fully adjust. My advice is to stay consistent with the medication, be patient, and track your symptoms. Drinking plenty of water, eating light meals, and avoiding caffeine for now helped me a lot while my body got used to the new dose.