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What Causes Tremors In Hands And Legs Whil On Citolapram?
Question: Hello,
I have been taking celexa (citolapram) for a while now, for GAD only.
I started with 5, 10 mg, then 20 mg for 4 weeks, and now i am on week 5 at 30 mg.
My side effects are pretty much gone, i don't feel anxiety anymore, i am back at work and i can concentrate without a problem.
The only thing that worries me, is that there are days when i wake up with tremors, very mild shakiness in my arms and legs. Sometimes they last a whole day, sometimes they go away by the afternoon.
Is this normal? Will they go away, or should i talk to my doctor about increasing/decreasing the dose?
I never had them prior to taking celexa.
Thank you very much
I have been taking celexa (citolapram) for a while now, for GAD only.
I started with 5, 10 mg, then 20 mg for 4 weeks, and now i am on week 5 at 30 mg.
My side effects are pretty much gone, i don't feel anxiety anymore, i am back at work and i can concentrate without a problem.
The only thing that worries me, is that there are days when i wake up with tremors, very mild shakiness in my arms and legs. Sometimes they last a whole day, sometimes they go away by the afternoon.
Is this normal? Will they go away, or should i talk to my doctor about increasing/decreasing the dose?
I never had them prior to taking celexa.
Thank you very much
Brief Answer:
Increase in dose can be considered.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX
First of all, it is nice to know that you are responding positively to the treatment with citalopram and that you have significant improvement in your symptoms of anxiety. I was also glad to note that the side effects that you were concerned about are gone and you are much better now, able to manage your work.
Regarding the occasional tremors that you get, it seems to be due to your GAD and are not the side effects of citalopram. I can understand when you say that they ere not present prior to starting citalopram but it is quite possible that some remnant symptoms become manifest after most of the other symptoms are gone.
You can discuss regarding the same with your psychiatrist. You are in week 5 of 30 mg of citalopram. At this stage, I would like to consider increasing the dose to 40 mg.day, so as to try eliminate whatever remaining symptoms that you have. I am confident that they will go too with increase in dose as you have responded beautifully to it already.
I do hope that answers your query. Please let me know if you have any more doubts.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Increase in dose can be considered.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX
First of all, it is nice to know that you are responding positively to the treatment with citalopram and that you have significant improvement in your symptoms of anxiety. I was also glad to note that the side effects that you were concerned about are gone and you are much better now, able to manage your work.
Regarding the occasional tremors that you get, it seems to be due to your GAD and are not the side effects of citalopram. I can understand when you say that they ere not present prior to starting citalopram but it is quite possible that some remnant symptoms become manifest after most of the other symptoms are gone.
You can discuss regarding the same with your psychiatrist. You are in week 5 of 30 mg of citalopram. At this stage, I would like to consider increasing the dose to 40 mg.day, so as to try eliminate whatever remaining symptoms that you have. I am confident that they will go too with increase in dose as you have responded beautifully to it already.
I do hope that answers your query. Please let me know if you have any more doubts.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much!
Are the tremors/shakiness something to worry about? I was going to give it 2 more weeks and then speak to my doctor.
Are the tremors/shakiness something to worry about? I was going to give it 2 more weeks and then speak to my doctor.
Brief Answer:
You can very well wait for 2 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX
Thanks for following up. I don't think you have anything to worry about. They are just minor symptoms off anxiety and will go off like the rest of your symptoms.
You can very well wait for a couple of weeks if you want to. There is no harm in that. Hopefully, if it is gone at 30 mg dose in couple of weeks, it would be nice as there won't be any further need to increase the dose. If by another two weeks, they are still there, the dose can be hiked.
I hope that I was able t help you. Please feel free to ask any further queries. I will be glad to help. In case you don't have any, please do close the discussion, please do rate the answer.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
You can very well wait for 2 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX
Thanks for following up. I don't think you have anything to worry about. They are just minor symptoms off anxiety and will go off like the rest of your symptoms.
You can very well wait for a couple of weeks if you want to. There is no harm in that. Hopefully, if it is gone at 30 mg dose in couple of weeks, it would be nice as there won't be any further need to increase the dose. If by another two weeks, they are still there, the dose can be hiked.
I hope that I was able t help you. Please feel free to ask any further queries. I will be glad to help. In case you don't have any, please do close the discussion, please do rate the answer.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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