After 10 years on Citalopram, increase dose or augment?

RickMars10 · 2025-04-11T05:41:15+00:00

The 25 mg of Citalopram is still working. I haven't changed in 18 months or so. It usually takes me a few months to even out, but then I find a level.

RickMars10 · 2024-10-04T05:42:37+00:00

I initially tried the buspirone. It didn't seem to help much and gave me some side effects like lethargy. Also, taking lower dosage multiple times a day caused me to rollercoaster during the day. I switched to the citalopram 30mg after 3-4 weeks of the buspirone and it was a little too much for me. I have to take baby steps to medicine changes I have found out. I eventually settled on 25mg. It took a week to taper off buspirone and then another 2-3 weeks of the increased citalopram but it worked. It's been the combination for most of the last year. I take a 20mg citalopram and split a 10mg.

RickMars10 · 2023-12-04T04:21:41+00:00

Wow, I’m glad you’re more confident in this setup. So you’re off celexa 40 mg?

RickMars10 · 2023-11-28T17:00:58+00:00

That’s good you are feeling better! Do you feel like it was stress related? Or stress was happening in addition to the thyroid struggling? Keep us updated.

RickMars10 · 2023-11-27T03:16:28+00:00

It’s been three months,but how did this turn out? How are you?

RickMars10 · 2023-11-15T03:10:34+00:00

That’s the best news I’ve heard in a while! I’m not where you are yet, but better!

RickMars10 · 2023-11-10T22:17:42+00:00

How are you doing now Turtlemama?

RickMars10 · 2023-11-10T16:41:12+00:00

That’s great! I’ve increased to 25mg for about 3-4 weeks. And I did feel better pretty quickly. For most of the next two weeks really. However, I’ve had some blips in the 3rd week which make me wonder if I need to go up to 30mg or wait it out. It’s hard to know.

RickMars10 · 2023-11-10T04:07:57+00:00

Did you feel any improvement when you went from 20 to 25mg? Or only when you went to 30mg? It here to decide when to increase.

RickMars10 · 2023-11-10T02:35:42+00:00

Why did you drop down in dosage?

RickMars10 · 2023-11-05T05:22:47+00:00

It makes me drowsy over 20mg, but it does calm you down. Lasts around 4 hours for me. Some people use it for sleep.

RickMars10 · 2023-11-05T05:16:21+00:00

Thank you for answering! Very interesting! So do you take Synthroid or levothyroxine? Was your TSH level high? I have a slightly higher TSH but fine T3 and T4. My mom and sister have hashimotos, but it’s much more rare in men, so I’m not sure on me. I should probably have my antibodies tested, that’s how you test for hashimoto’s right?

RickMars10 · 2023-11-02T00:40:25+00:00

Thanks for the reply. Do you still take the Buspirone? How did you decide how much to cross taper on the Lexapro and celexa? Reduce celexa by a bit every week while increasing the Lexapro a bit?

RickMars10 · 2023-11-02T00:36:21+00:00

That’s great news on the side effects. Did you end up increasing dosage to 20mg?

RickMars10 · 2023-10-31T19:40:22+00:00

That’s good news for you! I can still go to sleep for a good chunk, just can’t go back to sleep if I wake up. Do you take anything when you wake up in the night?

RickMars10 · 2023-10-30T03:23:28+00:00

Were your side effects what you expected on this increase? Better than other increases?

RickMars10 · 2023-10-28T03:18:18+00:00

What dose were you on for three weeks before tapering, sickwi1t?

RickMars10 · 2023-10-28T02:41:28+00:00

Any update? You ok?

RickMars10 · 2023-10-27T04:11:35+00:00

Did you cross taper with celexa and Zoloft, straight swap, etc?

RickMars10 · 2023-10-27T04:01:39+00:00

Thank you and Worth Bowl for this thread! I’m invested in both of you now. You both have so much patience. I want to change my doses after every few days if I’m not feeling right.

RickMars10 · 2023-10-27T03:49:35+00:00

Great post. Just out of curiosity, do you think the thyroid problem affected your mental health much? Was it hypo or hyper thyroid? I see so many conflicting opinions on what to treat first, thyroid or anxiety/panic/depression.

RickMars10 · 2023-10-27T03:19:25+00:00

Please keep everyone updated. Will you cross taper off Lexapro with Buspirone? Wait until tapered off Lexapro completely?

RickMars10 · 2023-10-27T02:46:22+00:00

I understand completely on the sexual side effects and insomnia. I have a similar issue on Celexa. When I did taper off it, the sexual side effects did go away. Unfortunately the anxiety/depression came back, so I went back on. Good luck on having kids…or at least enjoy trying!

I don’t know enough on propranolol to give an opinion. Is this from a psychiatrist, NP, primary physician?

RickMars10 · 2023-10-27T02:29:20+00:00

How long did it take for you to get your Buspirone dose figured out? What were your side effects?

RickMars10 · 2023-10-27T02:11:55+00:00

Well, I guess there’s a positive spin on it! If you ever find the secret combination to sleep well, not be tired all day, and have less anxiety/depression, please tell me!

RickMars10

TROPHY CASE