I've been on Citalopram 30mg for about 5 weeks now - Started on 10mg and upped to 20 then the 30. It's been about 11 weeks.
I'm noticing a change in mood, for instance I'm more eager/happy to go on the train in the morning. However I still get the physical symptoms and also I still get nervous before doing so. I wouldn't say the anxiety has changed at all.
I said to my Dr. that I wanted to keep on 30mg for a bit longer because I know that upping it will give me side effects when I first take it (so want to time it so I have a week off).
Has it taken any longer for anyone else? I feel like 11 weeks is a really long time!
I feel like that sometimes too. Have been on 20mg for around 10 weeks and after a few down spells have only really this week started to feel "normal" at times again. It's not all the time but it's certainly heading in the right direction.. I've got a review with the GP on the 13th and was all ready to ask to be upped to 30mg but might see how I get on now because I've definitely noticed more of an improvement x
I feel like it can take a while to get used to the dosage increase. Especially as you have done this in such a gradual way.
I’ve been on 20mg for coming up 2 years now. It’s been great for me- however I have felt the need to increase at times. Most recently due to intrusive thoughts... however each time I’ve tried to increase over the two years, the increase does seem to make my symptoms worse before they get better (hence why I’ve never gone through with it and gone back to 20mg each time!) giving it a go this time... so you may see a post from me soon!
It can take your body 2 to 3 weeks to get used to every dose increase. (Remember they are altering our brain chemicals)
How long have you been on the 30mg?
Also, if you are concerned, you can always speak to your doctor. But the fact you are excited to get up and get on the train is great and I’m sure a huge improvement I don’t feel like that... and I’m much better now! Lol
HI john, what physical symptoms do you get? I read that anti depressants take longer to work for anxiety, apparently the depression gets sorted out first then the anxiety.
I get IBS stomach symptoms. Had a major setback today with the symptoms in the morning but was OK the rest of the day. Every time I have it, I lose it a bit of confidence so it's difficult.
I also heard that it takes longer, but figured by 11 weeks I would see a difference in anxiety and not just mood.
Thanks, And to you. It will get better. I'm still brand new to all this anxiety/depression labelling and each time I have down times I feel like I'm starting all over again and that I'll be stuck like this forever but I'm learning that I do get through it and I do get Better, even if it isn't as quickly as I'd like x
No worries- I would give it another week or so on the 30 dose- the body is getting used to each increase each time. Citalopram is powerful and does work- it can just take a while.
If you are concerned I would definitely speak to your GP who will be able to advise you- they’ve also had experiences with so many people that take these and will have seen people with many different adjustment/recovery times
If you feel like you are improving on the whole though- then it could just be that your system is slower to adjusting to them and others are faster!
I started my increase to 30mg about 10 days ago and feeling better- just a little light headed with a few niggling thoughts. Trying to just take each day.
I feel fantastic now..for a long time I thought I would never get better after trying five other ssris..celexa been my Last hope...I refused to up my dose on the contrary I reduced from twenty..to ten...and feel quite normal...but it was very gradual...very slowwwww.thanks for asking
My main issue was anxiety..heart palpitations ..paresthesia in my head..all kinds of weird symptoms from anxiety..etc...two trips to er.. thinking I was having heart attack..blood work x-rays in my head and my body all came back negative..all anxiety ...which fuel my depression..one feeds the other. .