Citalopram increase/decrease side effects

[RavenT]

Hi I have been taking 20mg of citalopram for many years and found it invaluable. The last 6 months I had noticed an increase in my anxiety and panic and recently asked if I could try to increase to 30mg.

I got to week 4 and had to go back down to 20mg again as my heart wouldn't stop pounding even when at rest, I felt dizzy and lightheaded, and had constant ringing in my ears. Doctor supported decision to cut back - and said to make a review appointment with her if still needed help.

However, I have been on 20mg for a week and the symptoms from the dose increase are still very much there, to the point where I'm almost wanting to stop taking it at all. I never had these side effects when I first went on it.

Has anyone had this experience of dropping and getting side effects, and if so will it stop?

Thanks,

How soon after the increase did you experience the pounding heart? it is possible that 30 was too much and that is why you didn’t feel the side effect on 20. It may just take a little longer for it to wash out if your system.

you may want to discuss with your dr if a different SSRI might be better for you if 20 isn’t cutting it and 30 caused issues.

I am doing the opposite and swapping from sertraline to citalopram after being on sertraline for many years. Like you recently my anxiety has peaked again.

Thank you. The pounding heart started at about week 3, but then just didn't go. Previous experience from taking ADs (for me) is that any bad side effects should be over and done with after 2 weeks.
I'm hoping it is just my body getting used to the lower dose again, and perhaps still having too much in my system.
I wish I'd never asked to increase now, created a whole host of problems I didn't have. :(

@RavenT I was also on 20mg for many years but after a bereavement my GP suggested i go up to 40mg (Feb 23) which I wasn't happy with as it seemed a massive jump for something which I knew would go away eventually ie I was grieving and needed some short term assistance! I asked if I could try 30mg and that's what I've been on ever since.

Honestly didn't have any side effects but is it possible that what you are experiencing isn't a side effect but some sort of virus or other cause? I've had both heart racing in the night (definitely stress related) and dizziness/light headed several times over the past few months