Citalopram

[LWestYorks]

Hi,

I started 10mg Citalopram just before Christmas, I do feel better but my health anxiety was still lingering so the GP upped my dose to 20mg which I’ve been on for 9 days now. The first few days of the increase I felt okay but for the last 4 days I’d say I feel really bad…anxiety is through the room, so jittery, a bit ‘not with it’ if any of you get me? These are just to name a few.

I’m just looking for some reassurance…anyone who has been on this or increased is this normal? I didn’t think I’d get any side effects as I’ve been on 10mg for 3 months previously. X

From my understanding when you get the dose right it makes you feel worse before you start to feel better. Hopefully someone else will be along soon to verify that.
Hope you feel better soon. Anxiety is tough.

I’ve taken Citalopram for many years, and have been on 40mg for at least five years. I think I’ve been lucky as I’m not aware of ever having had any side effects. I hope things settle down for you x

I'm on 20mg and my anxiety was bad for a week then totally disappeared! I hope yours does too 🤞

Hey! Did you start on 20mg? I’ve been on the increased dose for 2 weeks this Thursday and my anxiety is still through the roof, feel dreadful don’t even remember feeling this bad when I started the medication in December.

I know exactly the feeling you describe. For me it lasted about two weeks but everybody is different. I would give it four weeks then go back to the prescribing doctor.

Did this get better for you?

It did, I’m still on 20mg and it does the job :-)

Hi all. I am on week 3 of Citalopram. I was originally prescribed 10mg but the side effects were too strong, so I’ve been taking just 5mg. Week 2 I felt great, anxiety was almost non existent. Today which is day 20 I’ve woke up with bad anxiety, nausea, sweating etc. is this normal and will it settle again?

Why do you think the citalopram is causing it? It would be unusual to have side effects appear on day 20 and 5mg is an absolutely tiny dose. Much more likely you're coming down with a bug or something?

Hi @ArtTheClownIsNotAMime i think I’m more worried that the tablets aren’t working. I’ve been feeling so much better on them, and now today my anxiety is really bad and feel borderline panic attack. But yes you’re right, the nausea etc is probably me not feeling well. I’m just gutted the anxiety has returned after almost a week of nothing.

Ah I understand. Don't be too disheartened - from my experience, citalopram resets my baseline anxiety to 'normal' levels, but it doesn't numb all anxiety. Some days I feel more anxious than normal and I think that is also normal!

Hi, I started on 10mg just before Xmas and about 5 days in I felt unbelievably anxious, jittery and not with it. Within a few days it passed. I’m sure if you give it a few days it will pass and you’ll start to feel better. 💐 I have felt the same as you and have some lingering anxiety on 10mg so am planning to ask for 20mg at my review next week.

I've been on Citalopram for as long as I can remember - over 20yrs. I take 40mg a day. I'd recommend keeping a diary if you feel it is causing unwanted side effects. Sometimes it is about getting the right combination with other drugs, therapies and support.