HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Side effects of increasing dosage of Cipralex

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/15/2013 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hello group,

This is my first post here. So I'll start with a little intro. I have been having anxiety and panic issues for about 4-5 months now. They got really bad in Dec/january. I was off work for 4 weeks and just got back.

I have been on 10mg of Cipralex for 7 weeks. It was helping a lot, but since I have been back to work I feel anxious again :-(, so my doc has upped my dose to 20mg.

For the first two weeks when I started at 10mg I have more nervous and jittery and fearful than ever, I felt awful and that my chest was going to explode!

Will I have to go through all the side effects again? I started my 20mg dose last night and the jitteryness/nervousness and dry mouth is back.

Should I gradually work up to 20mg? Maybe do 15mg for a week or so?

thanks - hanging in there.....
Posted 2/15/2013 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome.:)

I am not super knowledgable about the specifics of how Ciprlalex works, but typically with an increase of an SSRI, some side effects are to be expected.

However, since your body is used to the medication at your current level, the s/e's should not be as pronounced as when you first started, and hopefully will abate quickly.

You will want to ask your doctor about taking 15mg, as I am assuming that this will involve pill splitting? (taking one 10mg and splitting another?) Some meds are time released, and therefore this is not recommended...so you will want to inquire as to your specific Rx.

I hope that you get the answers that you need soon. I also hope that your adujustment with going back to work (well done!) and your new dose works out really well for you!:)

Post with us anytime. This is a great place for understanding and support.

Scaredy Cat
Posted 2/18/2013 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
An update: The last few nights I dropped down to 15mg. I still have some side effects in the AM, but not too bad.

I went to a party on Saturday, had some beers and ate way too much food. It's good to be able to stomach food again. Still, my stomach is a bit cramped in the morning, it's sometimes hard to eat my PB on toast. Yet I can eat apples and pears and oatmeal.

I have a bit of a clenched jaw feeling and elevated heart rate, and loose stools. So far I have been able to separate these physical symptoms of the meds from anxiety. Good news is that I have not had any panic attacks for about three days!

In general the Cipralex has reduced or almost eliminated the panic attacks. While I was at work I still had them, but they were much smaller than before I went on meds.

I'm gonna try upping my dose to 20mg tonight, which is what the doc wanted.

Gonna stay positive, gonna try to stay in the Now, gonna breathe thru the panic, gonna just keeping swimming...
Posted 2/18/2013 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
Yep...keep on swimming Dory! lol;p

I hope that your increase goes well. Great job on getting back to work, and doing the things that you need to do to feel well!

Keep us posted as to your progress!

S.C.
Posted 2/20/2013 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
It's been a couple of days, so another update. Two nights in a row I have taken the full two 20mg dose. The initial shock up-ed dosage side effects seem to be gone now. My jitteryness in the AM is almost gone.

So based on all that, I would have to say that the increased dosage effects were no where near as bad as starting side effects, which for me sent me into a tail spin and I had to leave work for four weeks.

At work I still have some issues, at least in the AM, feelings of general anxiety, inadequacy, not being able to cope. But their mild and they get better as the day goes on.

It's a real shame because I have been here a long time and I know my job well and I am well skilled, so why these feelings now?
Posted 3/21/2013 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
A belated update.

What I ended up doing was about a 10 days at 15mg, then I graduated up to 20mg. I still had the side effects, mostly some jitteryness and jaw clenching, some gastro stuff as well.

Around 2 weeks in I really started to feel better. Now I'm at 4 weeks in and I really do feel better. I am much better able to manage my anxiety and panic. Panic is almost non existent now!

In parallel with meds I have been using positive re-enforcement and positive statements to counteract the years of negative self talk. I am also stopping being so judgmental of everyone, esp me. I find that really helps.

I have also read Ekhart Tolle's books on being present in the Now. With the help of the meds I am able to catch myself when my mind goes in negative spirals and direct my attention to the now. I focus on sounds, sights, my family, music or a pleasant physical sensation (get your minds our the gutter).

Much of my anxiety is job related, we all have to work so I guess it will always be there. I am looking for a new job. I also cut way down in sugar and caffeine consumption. I read that caffeine causes your body to release cortisol and adrenaline the same way panic/anxiety does. I sure didn't need more of that in my body! :-) I also take a Stress multivitamin with magnesium, Vit B and Calcium from Jamison .

I have been reading this forum from time to time. I appreciate the helps from the regs and the candidness of peoples posts about their issues.

In regards to Ciprelex or similar drugs, I would recommend them along with therapy, and learning techniques for coping, diet changes etc. For me before I was on meds I was so worked up and stressed out I was a total mess, I couldn't cope, think or eat and I was losing weight. The meds allowed to get my head together and health back so I could focus on the changing my thoughts, diet, etc.

Take care and keep your sticks on the ice....
Posted 3/21/2013 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
I am so glad to read that Cipralex is working well for you. I am on day 4 at 10mg and I was very worried that it might not help (though I know meds can effect everyone differently). It's great to hear that it has reduced your symptoms. So far for me, just some minor side effects with upset stomach, no noticable decrease in anxiety. How long would you estimate that you noticed any improvement? I was also advised to cut out caffeine (which I notice makes a difference!).
Posted 3/21/2013 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Great new SM!!

I am so happy for you. Especially the fact that you are feeling less anxiety at work is just tremendous.

I would say that almost everyone has anxiety/stress/pressure at their job. Maybe they do not get as symptomatic as our anxiety-prone selves do...but I am sure they feel the strain.

We forget that anxiety is a natural response to things in life. As anxiety sufferers I think that we become hyper-aware of it, and then equate it as always 'bad'.

The books you're reading, and work that you are doing in therapy is awesome, and will help you to accept the normal everyday anxiety of life for what it is...part of living!

Keep up the great work. I am proud of you.;)

S.C.
Posted 3/21/2013 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
supermario42,

Fantastic update and I do believe you have weaned on to your medication the best way as well as you did not give up because of the side effects but accepted them for what they were.  I have been on a lot of antidepressants over the years and some I weaned on pretty well.  What I remember most is all of a sudden one day I would think - hey I stopped worrying about the side effects.

You posted, "re-enforcement and positive statements to counteract the years of negative self talk. I am also stopping being so judgmental of everyone, esp me".

I am so happy for you and I have dealt with anxiety and depression for 35 years  and I am still trying to perfect those very things that you are practicing.  WTG.

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Posted 3/22/2013 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hello anxious angry,

I found that drug took about 18 days to make a difference. I had a rough ride at first. Mornings were the worst, evenings we're good. Just remember to stick it out.

I used to drink five cups of caffienated coffee a day. Now I'm down to five cups a week. I also recommend decaf herbal teas, esp ones with relaxing properties, like passionflower, camomile.

It is great to able to enjoy food again.

I still have my bad days, where I freak myself out, work, health, the car you name it.

Good luck in your recovery.

Thanks for the support Scardy Cat and Skitt!
Posted 3/22/2013 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, I will definitely try some herbal tea (sans caffeine). I'm now on day 5 and it seems like I have very little side effects which is great so far.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply