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Suggest Treatment For Headaches And Indigestion In A Person With Anxiety
Question: I have been suffering from extreme anxiety and was put on 20mg citalopran in summer but just before Christmas started feeling ill again so gp increased dose to 30mg. I have been on these for just under 2 weeks but feel worse and worse each day.Terrible anxiety when I wake up, indigestion and sickly feeling so cant face breakfast. Still so many feelings of panic, and past two days headaches and shaking.Wondering if I will ever feel better I am so tired aswell - due to see my GP tmro - didnt feel anywhere near as bad as this when I first started taking them is this normal for a higher dose or are they just not working for me?
Brief Answer:
I would advise you to wait for at least 2 more weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for choosing Health Care Magic for your health related queries
I can understand your problem. You were on 20 mg Citalopram for severe anxiety since summers and then the doses has increased to 30 mg per day before Christmas because the symptoms reoccured. Since last 2 weeks the symptoms of anxiety are persisting along with other symptoms like headaches, shakiness etc.
As the doses have been increased just recently so this could be the one reason of poor response to drug. Most of SSRIs including citalopram show their full effect in about 4 weeks. Secondly when any SSRI drug is started or increased in doses individuals may see rebound increase in anxiety which usually decrease by own in a couple of weeks. So if you are able to tolerate the anxiety symptoms then I would advise you to wait for at least 2 more weeks before changing the doses of drug.
Then what can be done? One option is to take some medicines that can control the symptoms of anxiety like Propranolol. The drug reduces the symptoms like restlessness, anxiety and panic. These medicines also will supplement the actions of Citalopram and are not addicting. You can discuss with your psychiatrist for that drug.
I would also advise you to try relaxation exercises, breathing exercises to keep yourself relaxed and this will also reduce the anxiety. Have diets rich in proteins and carbohydrates and low in fats. This will increase tryptophan in brain and will improve the symptoms of anxiety. I would also advise you to take Omega-3-Fatty Acids and Vitamin B12 supplements. This will supplement the actions of the drug.
If symptoms don't improve with dose adjustments even after 2 more weeks then you can discuss with your psychiatrist to substitute some other anti-anxiety drug. Drugs like SNRIs as Duloxetine can help in such case to reduce panic symptoms and anxiety disorder. Don't feel bad about these symptoms, Its difficult but you will be alright in some time.
Thanks, hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again if you have more follow up questions.
I would advise you to wait for at least 2 more weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for choosing Health Care Magic for your health related queries
I can understand your problem. You were on 20 mg Citalopram for severe anxiety since summers and then the doses has increased to 30 mg per day before Christmas because the symptoms reoccured. Since last 2 weeks the symptoms of anxiety are persisting along with other symptoms like headaches, shakiness etc.
As the doses have been increased just recently so this could be the one reason of poor response to drug. Most of SSRIs including citalopram show their full effect in about 4 weeks. Secondly when any SSRI drug is started or increased in doses individuals may see rebound increase in anxiety which usually decrease by own in a couple of weeks. So if you are able to tolerate the anxiety symptoms then I would advise you to wait for at least 2 more weeks before changing the doses of drug.
Then what can be done? One option is to take some medicines that can control the symptoms of anxiety like Propranolol. The drug reduces the symptoms like restlessness, anxiety and panic. These medicines also will supplement the actions of Citalopram and are not addicting. You can discuss with your psychiatrist for that drug.
I would also advise you to try relaxation exercises, breathing exercises to keep yourself relaxed and this will also reduce the anxiety. Have diets rich in proteins and carbohydrates and low in fats. This will increase tryptophan in brain and will improve the symptoms of anxiety. I would also advise you to take Omega-3-Fatty Acids and Vitamin B12 supplements. This will supplement the actions of the drug.
If symptoms don't improve with dose adjustments even after 2 more weeks then you can discuss with your psychiatrist to substitute some other anti-anxiety drug. Drugs like SNRIs as Duloxetine can help in such case to reduce panic symptoms and anxiety disorder. Don't feel bad about these symptoms, Its difficult but you will be alright in some time.
Thanks, hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again if you have more follow up questions.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Answered by
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