citalopram dose issues

[clara j]

I have been taking citalopram for about 3 years now and went from 40mg to 20mg 1 year - anything less gave me all kinds of problems (weird spaced out feeling headaches, insomnia, low mood, the works)

It's worked pretty well for me but in the last 2 months or so I feel like my moods are all over the place and can turn so quickly its scary. I can't concentrate and generally feel like I'm on that slope you know? Tried speaking to my Dr today about reviewing my script but all I got was a lot of 'you look like you're doing well' and 'what do you want to do?' How do you decide what's best when you feel like you can't trust your own judgement from one hour to the next? And isn't going back up just going backwards again?

Has anyone else been in this position? When you know you're slipping but have no clue how to fix it? Seriously feel like I'm going crazy trying to figure it out!
 "!+
 

[Sweetpea]

Firstly  %^% for you. Your Dr should have been more helpful.  Its hard enough to explain how we feel, so the Dr should have realised this. I was on citalopram for a few years, it then stopped working. So I changed medication. Maybe you could see another Dr at the practise? You should not have to feel like this.

S x x x x

[Zaf]

Antidepressents can stop working, Fluorexetine did the same for me.  Your GP certainly easnt very helpful imo, perhaps go back and ask about changing your meds.  I think 40mg is the maximum dose of citralopram you are allowed so if that dose has stopped working for you a change of meds and/or some counselling might be the answer

Z xxx

[stewart]

yes, 40 mg is tops now, it was 60 but some government *#&# decided to lower the max dose to 40mg

[Zaf]

I think its something to do with the higher doses causing heart problems :0(

[stewart]

thats roght zaf, like 1 in 1000,

they should have given the option of letting the person know the slight risk, and if they are happy to have the higher dose then it should be given.

[Got]

I'd say the chances were more like 1 in 100 million...I've seen the report.

[Leo]

I had a breakdown on Citalopram 20mg as it stopped working for me. I hate how you have to try and be so assertive when you are struggling with this illness. It's all you can muster just to show up!

[Zaf]

I agree Leo, they dont make it easy do they :0(

[Sweetpea]

I do agree with that Leo.

S x x x x

[Catbrian]

Leo, many times I had to confront the health professionals I was dealing with, including the GP.  It's difficult at the time, especially when you're not exactly feeling your best, but it's best in the long run.  I THINK I have a better understanding with my GP....although that can change.

Clara, I agree with the others, sometimes AD's can stop working and I always think it's best to change them every few years.  I don't think increasing the meds is going backwards.  Think of depression like any other illness or medical condition that needs medicated.  For instance, Diabetes and high blood pressure regularly have their meds adjusted.  There's absolutely nothing wrong with increasing your meds for a while.

Sometimes it's difficult to make decisions when depressed.  This is a vicious circle considering your decision is surrounding AD meds.  If you previously responded well to a higher dose, then why not try it again?  You just need to be more assertive with the GP.

I wish you well with this.  Not nice at this time of years

[Lady X]

Citalopram worked fantastic for me on 60mg for 2 years, but then it was moved to 40 and everything sort of went to pot. I started suffering from paranoia, to the point where I was convinced my manager at work and the HR rep for our area were conspiring against me (they were actually having meetings about someone but not myself) and would get anxiety attacks if I saw them together in our office.

I went back to my GP (a rather arrogant and ill-tempered middle aged man who at around 25 stone himself used to tell me every visit I was overweight and my imperative should be to diet), and no word of a lie, he actually told me to "just pull your socks up".... needless to say I changed GP to another who was very supportive and immediately moved me onto Fluoxetine and booked regular checkups to monitor response and dosage.

Fluoxetine stabilised me and I used it for around 6 months before, with the help of my new GP, I came off meds and am now receiving purely therapy based support.

So, if you are ever unsure about what one particular doctor is telling/prescribing you, do not be afraid to seek out a second opinion. Doctors are human and they can come with all human flaws and traits and there will always be doctors who are more specialised or experienced in a particular area. I looked around online for reviews of local GPs before choosing my new one for example


I wish you the best of luck x

[stewart]

same went for me when it was droped from 60 to 40, my doc just uped my zopiclone from 100 to 150, so it not too bad for me

[Buttercup]

I think I'm right in saying the maximum dose changed to 40mg as there was some evidence of heart irregular heartbeats?

[moodymummy]

I was on Citalopram in between having my two children and it worked wonders - I was on the old dose of 60mgs after years and years on Fluoxetine (am now immune to it) but they took me off it when I fell pregnant second time and back to Fluoxetine (low dose safe in pregnancy). Once I had baby they changed me back to Citalopram but can now only go to 40mgs cos they had introduced the new rules by then and he is three now and I am still on it. Within two days of taking it I felt calmer and less irritable and within two weeks back to much much better. There are times when I wish I was on 60mgs again but can't be so just have to persevere. I have recently been on antibiotics for whooping cough which react with Citalopram apparently causing more heart issues but haven't experienced anything and finish them tomorrow. To me Citalopram is a wonder drug (and believe me I have tried a lot over the years). No side effects other than tingling if I miss a dose.

I have been lucky in that I have always had sympathetic doctors at our surgery who will really listen and are happy to try various methods and meds. I find that very important. Do get a second opinion if you are not happy and be honest with them - it sucks that there is no instant answer for this illness.

xx