Pregnant & dose increase

Treatment and medication
1

Hello,

I'm currently pregnant (9 weeks) and have been on up to 20mg of citalopram for years. My doctor and I agreed in both my first and now this my second pregnancy that the benefits of taking the meds outweigh the risks. While I know some people may have an opinion about this, my question doesn't relate to that choice. Starting on Monday my anxiety has returned with a vengeance, likely due to hormones. The extent of the panic led my doctor to increase my dosage to 30mg starting Tuesday. It's only been a few days and I am still quite agitated. Can anyone share experience as to how long it took an increase to take effect or any experiences of anxiety spikes in pregnancy? I'm having a very difficult time and any advice or support would be so appreciated. I did feel better initially this morning but the anxiety has returned with a vengeance.

Thank you,

Sam

2

Hi Samantha

Congratulations on your pregnancy. I can only comment on the increased dose as to old to remember pregnancy! It took between 8 and 10 days for the increased citalopram to settle down and for side effects to subside. I also think you are correct in respect of hormones being imbalanced which can make you symptoms a little bit worse.

I really hope you start to feel better soon xxx

3

Thank you so much! That is a relief to hear as I was becoming concerned that too much time had passed and the increase was not going to be effective.

4

Yes I recently had an acute anxiety flare up and it took about a week for the increase in meds to take effect. 

Good luck. It WILL get better!