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Citalopram (Anti Depressant)
I had been on 20mg for 2 weeks and my doctor just increased it to 40mg, today is the 2nd day I am on 40mg. I feel like I am falling apart... when I was on 20, nothing happened at all, but since I started 40 yesterday, I have been constantly feeling very anxious and shaky, I had a chest pain as well last night. I can still just about to bear with it, but is 40 too strong??
Why did the doctor increase the dose so quickly? The antidepressant effects of citalopram can take around 2 weeks to be felt. Maybe he felt you needed the 40mg and tapered up, but if it was that you didn't feel the effects of the 20 then I'd have advised keeping with the 20mg for a while longer.
If you don't really have the choice of staying with 20mg, it's likely the bad side effects you describe will subside after a few weeks and you'll feel much better. If it continues for too long then maybe it is indeed too strong - only take as much as you feel the need to for your symptoms. It'd be harder to get off the 40mg than 20mg so only take it if you really need to
Alternatively there is a more selective drug called escitalopram which allows a lower dose to be taken with supposed less side effects, but works in the same way as citalopram. As my friend can attest though, there are still some strange effects as they are beginning to work.
If you don't really have the choice of staying with 20mg, it's likely the bad side effects you describe will subside after a few weeks and you'll feel much better. If it continues for too long then maybe it is indeed too strong - only take as much as you feel the need to for your symptoms. It'd be harder to get off the 40mg than 20mg so only take it if you really need to
Alternatively there is a more selective drug called escitalopram which allows a lower dose to be taken with supposed less side effects, but works in the same way as citalopram. As my friend can attest though, there are still some strange effects as they are beginning to work.
It's very common to have side effects in the first few weeks of taking it- I guess anything that's changing your brain chemicals like that is likely to make you feel a bit strange at first. When I've taken citalopram I was shaky and felt really sick but I think its something your body will get used to so I'd stick with the dose your doctors recommended at least for a few weeks then if you're still getting the side effects go back.
Urgh anti-depressants. I know my views on these - however i think the side effects that ur explaining are normal. Give things a few days to settle down or if they are extreme for you then decrease ur dosage.
fairy spangles
Urgh anti-depressants. I know my views on these - however i think the side effects that ur explaining are normal. Give things a few days to settle down or if they are extreme for you then decrease ur dosage.
Yeah I know, this is why I started with 20, then upper my dosage coz I was responding to 20. The side effects I am getting now are even worse then when I started the 20. Ahhhh.....
I was taking 20mg of Escitalopram over the summer and it made me feel like utter crap. I felt sick constantly, was depressed and wanted to self harm all the time.
It's quite common to get side effects when your dose goes up, your symptoms might subside soon but if the anxiety persists then your doctor will be able to prescribe a benzodiazepine to take the edge off the anxiety until it settles down. If you're getting side effects that aren't included in the instruction thingy you get with your medication then you should see your doctor asap.
It's quite common to get side effects when your dose goes up, your symptoms might subside soon but if the anxiety persists then your doctor will be able to prescribe a benzodiazepine to take the edge off the anxiety until it settles down. If you're getting side effects that aren't included in the instruction thingy you get with your medication then you should see your doctor asap.
I've started taking 20mg Citalopram and so far I've not had any problems except everytime I yawned, I thought I was going to be sick. For the first few nights I could hear strange voices/sudden sounds as was almost about to fall asleep, and I had that when I was on Nytol aswell.
Only been taking them for about a week but I've been sleeping better and feeling more calmer. I just hope things continue to go well in day-to-day terms. All it takes is one little upset and I'll start up again.
Only been taking them for about a week but I've been sleeping better and feeling more calmer. I just hope things continue to go well in day-to-day terms. All it takes is one little upset and I'll start up again.
tehjonny
Would you mind if I asked whether the pills have been combined with psychological treatment? Or prescribed whilst you wait?
Don't know much about anti-depressants other than they tend to make you feel worse before they make you feel better
.
Don't know much about anti-depressants other than they tend to make you feel worse before they make you feel better
.I am having some counselling, and my doctor just refered me to a pyschiatriat or sth to get some CBT, but I would imagine it will take a while for it to happen.
If you were only on 20mg for about 2 weeks then the doctor should not have upped you dose because as far as I know citalopram can take up about 4 weeks at least to take effect. And if the 20mg seemed to be working, then surely the dosage shouldn't be increased unless you weren't making any improvement on the 40 mg?
Apologies if im totally wrong here, i was on citalopram for a while though now im on fluoxetine instead.
But if these effects continue, go back to your doctor asap!
Apologies if im totally wrong here, i was on citalopram for a while though now im on fluoxetine instead.
But if these effects continue, go back to your doctor asap!
Imo no doctor worth his salt would double a dosage of citalopram after only two weeks. I was on them two months straight and was feeling self destructive constantly, i fund them inaffective and the doctor gave me a month of no pills, miracle cure....i'm no longer self destructive nor depressed, might be an idea to try that? (with the doctor's agreement ofcourse)
Just to reiterate what everyone else has said- your doctor shouldn't have increased your dose so rapidly. I take it myself (only 10mg because I weirdly went incredubly manic on 20). I really would go back to your doctor and ask to go down to 20 again. Anti Depressants (so I have been told) really need 3 months at a steady dose in order to see any real effects.
Look after yourself- side effects are horrible! xxx
Look after yourself- side effects are horrible! xxx
wendizzle22
Why did the doctor increase the dose so quickly? The antidepressant effects of citalopram can take around 2 weeks to be felt. Maybe he felt you needed the 40mg and tapered up, but if it was that you didn't feel the effects of the 20 then I'd have advised keeping with the 20mg for a while longer.
If you don't really have the choice of staying with 20mg, it's likely the bad side effects you describe will subside after a few weeks and you'll feel much better. If it continues for too long then maybe it is indeed too strong - only take as much as you feel the need to for your symptoms. It'd be harder to get off the 40mg than 20mg so only take it if you really need to
Alternatively there is a more selective drug called escitalopram which allows a lower dose to be taken with supposed less side effects, but works in the same way as citalopram. As my friend can attest though, there are still some strange effects as they are beginning to work.
If you don't really have the choice of staying with 20mg, it's likely the bad side effects you describe will subside after a few weeks and you'll feel much better. If it continues for too long then maybe it is indeed too strong - only take as much as you feel the need to for your symptoms. It'd be harder to get off the 40mg than 20mg so only take it if you really need to
Alternatively there is a more selective drug called escitalopram which allows a lower dose to be taken with supposed less side effects, but works in the same way as citalopram. As my friend can attest though, there are still some strange effects as they are beginning to work.
escitalopram has proven to be no more effective, it is just an active isomer. Compared with citalopram, it offers no benefit (shown in terms of side effects). Its use is generally not advised, and the levels of cipralex dispensed are 20-40 times less than its generic.
It is important that the OP follow the guidelines of their doctor and not take advice from an internet forum (especially one populated by students).
I though I was going to die this morning, I go worken up coz my heartbeat was so fast, I nearly couldn't breath... god... I dun think neither the 20 or 40 are doing me any good... the only thing I have noticed is that it's taken away my anger...
I was on 20mg for exactly 14 days, then I have been on 40mg for 5 days so far. I am still feeling like crap. Although I feel a bit happier, but I am confused, coz I have been seeing a lot of old good friends who I hadt seen for a long time, plus my kind of partner has been tryign hard to make me laugh. So I dunno if the meds is actually working or just bcoz of the people who I have been spending time with.
I too am shocked that after only 2 weeks, the dose was doubled. It takes about a month for SSRIs to start kicking in.
bear with the medication. After some time, things may get better.
bear with the medication. After some time, things may get better.
If it really makes you feel awful and it's been a while, you should really talk to your doctor.
I used to take 20mg of citalopram and then it was raised to 40mg but it was never a problem to me. Then, when I increased mine, I became more social with my friends and got happier so its hard to determine wether it was my friends or the meds. The only side-effects I had was that I get extremely, and I mean VERY, sleepy.
But it differs from people to people so you should really talk to the doctor if it hasn't changed within a week or two (the side-effects that is).
I used to take 20mg of citalopram and then it was raised to 40mg but it was never a problem to me. Then, when I increased mine, I became more social with my friends and got happier so its hard to determine wether it was my friends or the meds. The only side-effects I had was that I get extremely, and I mean VERY, sleepy.
But it differs from people to people so you should really talk to the doctor if it hasn't changed within a week or two (the side-effects that is).
Just saw this thread and I'd agree with all the recommendations of going back to your GP.
I was on Citalopram for a month 'as a trial' this time last year as I was suffering badly from anxiety and depression(incidentally this was probably affected by the Dianette I had been taking for the past year and half now that I look at it). I had started seeing a counsellor regularly and so meds was the next step as I felt the counselling didn't help as much as it could.
The only side affects I felt was a couple of days of tingling in legs(it was very bizarre) but all in all it helped me an awful lot through surviving the exam period and I lost a bit of weight too as I came off alcohol whilst on it.
I was on Citalopram for a month 'as a trial' this time last year as I was suffering badly from anxiety and depression(incidentally this was probably affected by the Dianette I had been taking for the past year and half now that I look at it). I had started seeing a counsellor regularly and so meds was the next step as I felt the counselling didn't help as much as it could.
The only side affects I felt was a couple of days of tingling in legs(it was very bizarre) but all in all it helped me an awful lot through surviving the exam period and I lost a bit of weight too as I came off alcohol whilst on it.
Hey, I don't want to say much because this is all a bit public and talking about stuff is hard atm but I'm on Sit-In-A-Pram. I cll it that so I can pronounce it sort of what it is!
If you want to PM me though you're more than welcome.
I've had some pretty ****ty side effects and it's confused me. I'm on 20mg and have been for a month.
Sorry this post is rubbish but if you need to talk you know where I am.
Kat
If you want to PM me though you're more than welcome.
I've had some pretty ****ty side effects and it's confused me. I'm on 20mg and have been for a month.
Sorry this post is rubbish but if you need to talk you know where I am.
Kat
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