Doc has just upped my dose to 40mg citalopram from 20mg

[lucyellensmum]

im feeling quite dubious about such a hike in dose, but i have been feeling so shit lately. Does anyone else have any experience of this, i was hoping that i could have maybe jumped the counselling queue but no, just an increase in medication. Not docs fault i guess she doesnt have a magic wand. Feeling a bit weak and pathetic to be honest

Hi, mine has recently been increased and it made such a difference. It's not a huge hike, less than nothing to 20mg. Can you request councelling? Does your GP know you want it? x

It says here that 40mg dose is better for recurring or more severe depression. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8021436&dopt=AbstractPlus

thanks for the link jangly.
I am on the waiting list for counselling, so i daresay sometime in the future, probably when im either dead or feeling better, they'll give me a call

try not to worry too much.....

I went from 50mcg to 100mcg of Sertraline. Whilst the 50 was working, i need extra to work more efficiently.

To double it sounds alot, but its still a small amount in your body.

no expereince of this but just wanted to send you my best and hope that this gets sorted for you soon

thanks guys, OJ i know things are really awful for you just now, thank you so much for taking the time to post on my thread

hi lucyellensmum i have read a few of your posts before, i hope the medication helps you quickly.
i havent suffered deression myself but my sister is in a terrible way and sometimes you sound like her.
the waiting times for counselling is really awful, my sister says she will be dead before they contact her.
sorry i cant offer you any advice, but try to stay strong

Can't really comment on the hike in dosage..but just wanted to post since I've just taken my first ever dose of AD's (citalopram 10mg) today and am now nervously waiting to see whether it makes a difference.

And I do hope that things get sorted out for you!!

Hi, hope this dose works better for you, not an unreasonable dose at all.
The GP will have no control over the wait for counselling/therapy.
Funding for psychological therapies is low priority for the PCTs.
Hang it there.

mo problem lucyellensmum, we all have things we struggle with, DH is on prozac but whenever he feels better he stops taking them then has to start again, hang in there.

I just wanted to post a message and give you some support. i am too taking citalopram, started off on 20mg in may, was awful at first - i felt worse before i started to feel better. I've also been seeing a psycho therapist who suggested i ask my GP about the theraputic dose! He has now increased me to 40mg. Im feeling much better but its a long journey. If your waiting for councellor try getting this book from library "change for the better - Self help through practical psychotherapy" Author Elizaeth Wilde McCormick.It may be of help until you get to the top of the list.. x

i still haven't started on the two tablets per day yet, it was a particularly stressful weekend last week so i thought i would see how it goes. I feel ok, i could feel better, but im scared of side effects.

Will give it a few more days.

Thankyou for the support, again

LEM glad to hear you aer getting some help
Hope the side effects are not too bad

OK so i took the two tablets today, i could feel the negative thoughts getting a foot hold in my head again and i dont want to go back there, so i feel ok, no different really, maybe a bit more chilled but thats all

Hi Lucy, its been quite a while since I was active here however just wanted to offer my support.
When I was Dx with depression I started on 20mg Citalopram however after about 6weeks I still felt really rotten so went back the dose was upped to 40mg. That was about 2 yrs ago and I remain on this dose! All I can say is it really isn't such a massive increase although if 20mg isn't doing much then I think you will find 40mg more managable. I do feel a little 'too' numb when I'm really on top of life but it really stops the plumetting which can only be a good thing until life settles.
I am happy to chat and support so please keep us informed on how u are doing, you may find mixed emotions at the moment, this is perfectly normal, stick with it.

thanks sax, its good to know im not the only one on the 40mg. My doc was very quick to increase the dose i feel, but i just dont want to spend my life scared. In the mornings before DP goes to work i lay in bed and im terrified of what might happen that day. I have to say, i did feel a bit of a space cadet today, not rushy but just as if everything washing over me - not sure that is a good thing, but it has to be better than constant feeling of impending doom.

Does anyone else get this? I have had an ok weekend, and i had some thoughts looking forward to doing mumsy things etc, i felt happy - but this is where i am screwed up, i check myself, tell myself to be careful, because there must be something lurking around the corner waiting to trip me up if i allow myself to feel too complacent. Is it just me?

Yes living in fear is the worst feeling in the world however I think you'll get to realise as time goes by that nothing drastic will happen, life just trundles on up and down but its goes on! You can cope without DP even if you are on tablets, you are person in your own right and are in control even when you don't feel you are! Don't worry, others do feel the same, you are not alone. Feeling of impending doom is classic of depression I feel the increase dose will be good for you. xx

Hi im on 20mg now since july. And was all fine at the beginning but last week or 2 i have felt my worst. I keep having panic attacks. Feeling like i just can't cope and cant do this. I feel like im going to go mad sometimes. And im scared. I always feel so tired and exhausted. I spoke to the doctor yesterday she did say about uping my dose to 30 or 40mg. I dont know if it will make me feel worse or better. After reading some comments sounds like its a good thing .