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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Kelli on April 17, 2000, at 12:09:18
In reply to Re: New to Celexa, posted by Athena on March 9, 2000, at 17:02:35
I started taking Celexa almost 2 weeks ago. I switched over from Zoloft because it killed my sex drive and I didn't think it was helping. The first 3 days on Celexa I felt nauseaus and had slight headaches. Then 2 days ago I developed a rash all over my body that looks similar to hives/chicken pox. I'm going to the doctor today and I'm hoping the two aren't related. My eye sockets and ears are so tender that raising my eyebrows or holding the phone against my ears just kills. It feels like someone punched me in both those places and now I'm bruised. I don't know if that's related to Celexa as well, or not.
Let me know if anyone has insight.
Posted by Cam W. on April 17, 2000, at 22:45:30
In reply to Rash and tenderness from Celexa?, posted by Kelli on April 17, 2000, at 12:09:18
Kelli - Call your doctor and let him know that you are having these reactions as soon as he/she opens in the morning. Sounds like it could be an allergic reaction. It may or may not be the Celexa causing it. You would expect the Celexa to have caused a rash about a week ago if you were allergic to it (usually).Think of and write down any new foods you have eaten in the past few days. Also, have you changed laundry soap brands, are you wearing new clothes, drinking any new sodas, swimming in any new pools, etc.? Have you started any other new medications at the same time? Try to think of anything you have changed in your life since starting the Celexa and write it down. Take the list (even if it is very short) into your doctor. That way your doctor can try to eliminate any other causes than the Celexa. Good luck and let us know how it goes. - Cam W.
Posted by Debbie Lambert on May 30, 2000, at 15:23:24
In reply to Re: Celexa after 6mos. off Zoloft, posted by Tom on May 27, 1999, at 21:34:25
>I have been on 20 mg of Prozac for over 5 years. My doctor recently switched me to Celexa, 20 mg a day. I was on it for about 2 and a half weeks when I started noticing waves of heat with flushing to the face. A few days ago, I was so dizzy and flushed, when I turned my head around to look at something while standing, I nearly fainted. I was taken to the ER at the local hospital. The doc said it was probably the new medication that I was on. Either that or the beginnings of menopause. (I'm 38.) I have been taking Prozac and Trazadone at bedtime to counteract the insomnia I've experienced from Prozac. I did feel the Celexa helped me feel more relaxed and almost sleepy which was a welcome relief from the jitteriness and low level anxiety that the Prozac seemed to have caused. My primary diagnosis is panic disorder with anxiety, although I've had bouts of moderate depression. For the most part, the Prozac helped these symptoms. My psychiatrist said that Celexa is better for treating people with anxiety and panic disorder than Prozac. That is the main reason he switched me to Celexa. I am upset that I experienced these strange side effects. My psychiatrist said that I might be allergic to the ingredients in Celexa, rather than the drug itself causing the flushing and dizziness. I've been back on Prozac for 3 days and feel jittery and anxious though no dizziness or flushing. Any feedback anyone can share with me on my experiences would be most appreciated. Thanks and good luck to you all.
I am struck by the variety of responses and side effects of these medications. I went on zoloft five years ago and after a few months stabilized at 37.5 mg/day. It really helped me first with a depressing time in my life (major business project failure). I definitely began to feel better although the detached sense of unreality that may of us are familiar with was there. I had some anxiety with it but that passed after a few months. Tried to stop a couple of times and after a few days would get this anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach over something, and think "Oh, hello. I can do without THIS feeling, thank you. I'll stick with the zoloft." So you might say I went on for the anti-depressant effect and stayed on for the anxiety reduction--a sort of armoring from the vicissitudes of day to day emotional life. In four years, I note in retrospect, such armoring also allowed my natural defenses to atrophy. During that time I got into a great relationship, got married to a wonderful woman, and was happy, although increasingly bothered by missing the "top 10" (but not the "bottom 20%") that zoloft seemed to "clip" off of experience. I went to an Indian music concert and felt almost nothing (odd for me). On my first wedding anniversary I stopped zoloft. I felt fine at first, was a little more uptight at times, but basically OK until I ran up against a serious personality/territorial conflict with a neighbor and former (and perhaps future) friend. It flipped me back into serious depression and extreme anxiety. I tried going back on zoloft (I had stopped without consulting my shrink, which I DO NOT recommend) but couldn't deal with the anxiety it caused this time. Go figure. SO I switched to celexa in January, worked my way up to 30 mg by March. I have one serious side-effect which is different from most I have seen here: great anxiety and insomnia. Too much energy and often nowhere to go with it! I take 1 to 2.5 xanax a day (.25 mg) and benadryl and ambien on alternate nights to sleep. When I tried to go back on the zoloft I didn't try tranquilizers to offset it, and I'm considering switching back to Z. As I say, I went on originally for depression--which is real--but stayed on for the "armoring." I feel more with celexa, don't get that "clipping," which is important to me as I am an architect and paid to feel and interpret, in effect. Yet the side effects of celexa are for me--the anxiety--not receding, perhaps actually increasing, as is the (albeit small) dose of xanax I need creeping up. Weight gain--other than gaining back what I lost when I didn't have any appetite while depressed--hasn't been a problem, nor libido. But feeling like I'm in a horror movie and the monster is perpetually about to jump out from behind the door isn't fun. The xanax dumbs me down a bit, but generally is a relief. The yawning--YES--that does happen to me, although I usually chalk it up to not breathing. I guess I’d say in conclusion that I've always been a nervous, perhaps fearful person, and zoloft helped me to get to where that wasn't an issue. I was more assertive without being obnoxious, more confident, and, frankly, emotionally stable enough to commit to a marriage. On celexa thus far (do have a lot of gas and--uncharacteristically for me--stomach unease) I feel a lot of the old anxiety,. I am considering going back to zoloft. Anyone out there have any experiences similar to mine, thoughts on this long posting, etc? They would be most appreciated.
Posted by barbara on June 7, 2000, at 21:26:37
In reply to Re: Celexa/side effects, posted by trina on May 5, 1999, at 12:00:38
>I've been on celexa for 2 mo. and have seen an increase in my weight and sugar cravings are intense. I do seem to have more energy and can focus more. does anyone have any experience with celexa and ADD?
Posted by ssassy on July 20, 2000, at 7:55:41
In reply to Re: celexa/weightgain, posted by barbara on June 7, 2000, at 21:26:37
Hi
I've gained weight (~30lbs) since being on celexa for 10 months now. But I must admit I'm a tootally different person thanks to the drug! I've found that all my depressive symptoms anxiety, fustration, inability to concentrate, shyness, unable to make decisions and my inability to socialize are behind me now! I'm definatley happier. It shocks me when I think of how I was and how I am now! The weight gain did bother me but now that I'm in a happier state I can deal with it I've asked my doctor to refer me to a dietician and I just finished my first week on her diet plan and lost 2 lbs, its a start!
> >I've been on celexa for 2 mo. and have seen an increase in my weight and sugar cravings are intense. I do seem to have more energy and can focus more. does anyone have any experience with celexa and ADD?
Posted by barbara on July 24, 2000, at 22:47:46
In reply to Re: celexa/weightgain » barbara, posted by ssassy on July 20, 2000, at 7:55:41
> Hi
> I've gained weight (~30lbs) since being on celexa for 10 months now. But I must admit I'm a tootally different person thanks to the drug! I've found that all my depressive symptoms anxiety, fustration, inability to concentrate, shyness, unable to make decisions and my inability to socialize are behind me now! I'm definatley happier. It shocks me when I think of how I was and how I am now! The weight gain did bother me but now that I'm in a happier state I can deal with it I've asked my doctor to refer me to a dietician and I just finished my first week on her diet plan and lost 2 lbs, its a start!
>
>
> > >I've been on celexa for 2 mo. and have seen an increase in my weight and sugar cravings are intense. I do seem to have more energy and can focus more. does anyone have any experience with celexa and ADD?Hello:
I am at my all time high weight (i wasn't too skinny to begin with) and I am miserable. which is worse, being overwhelmed and scattered or being fat? has anyone switched drugs and had success with the weight and still maintained sanity?
Posted by d_schatzman on July 26, 2000, at 14:41:25
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects/weight gain, posted by Beager on May 25, 1999, at 21:56:22
> Ten years ago I gained thirty pounds from Prozac (115 lbs to 145 lbs in a matter of months). All the doctors swore it was not the medication and I've had my thyroid tested many times (all negative). The problem is that I have never been able to lose the weight. I eat about 1200 a day, ride stationary bikes and lift weights three days a week, and hike for an hour on the weekends. I can't lose anything. I've been to Weight Watcher's twice and both times they said I should not be overweight and that they couldn't help me. Has anyone else gained weight from meds and not been able to take it off?
>
> Thank god I found this message board! This entire time I've thought it was my fault I was overweight.
>
> I just started Celexa four weeks ago. 20mg was making me too tired, I went down to 10 mg at night and I feel much better. But if I start gaining weight again I'm stopping the drug.Hi! I gained weight on Prozac after I started taking it five years ago. I kept switching meds to find one that helped the mood, but didn't cause weight gain. I finally found Celexa this year, but I haven't been able to take of the fifteen lbs. that I gained. I have no willpower for diet and exercise and keep saying, why diet if the weight is not going to come off. Do you know if we can still lose weight while on the meds or do we have to go off the meds before the weight will come off?
Posted by gladys on September 22, 2000, at 22:36:50
In reply to Rash and tenderness from Celexa?, posted by Kelli on April 17, 2000, at 12:09:18
Can anyone tell me if their tiredness is stopping from being on Celexa for awhile? I am so tired. My yawns are so huge and I just shiver from tiredness after yawning. Do you (anyone here) feel this way? I'm so sick of it. Going to sleep seems so pointless because I never feel like I slept even after 8, 9, 10, or 11 hours of sleep!! It's depressing me because I am so tired. Celexa is helping my mood, but I am so frustrated with being so tired. Any comment from anyone? Does it go away ever? It has been two weeks on 40 mg, two weeks before that on 30 mg, and so on so I have been taking Celexa in total from 10 mg on for about 2 months. I want to be awake once in awhile, everyone thinks I am zombie-like. THANK YOU!
Posted by tdaneen on September 23, 2000, at 10:44:23
In reply to Sick and tired of being so tired!!!! , posted by gladys on September 22, 2000, at 22:36:50
Well, Kelli, I am going to be about the biggest Celexa cheerleader you are going to find. It has been the only AD that has worked and worked WELL for me. Yes I was tired. Yes I had diarrhea. Yes I had unbelieveable cotton mouth. BUT IT ALL WENT AWAY after I learned an important lesson. To trust my metabolism. If I am having too many side effects such as sleepiness or what ever I cut back and start with a smaller dose (making sure my doc knows of course).
I have been on celexa for over a year and am currently on 60mg along with 200mg Topamax, 25mcg Cytomel, and as of today I am starting an addition of a (trial of ) 10mg ADDeral.
Again, the advice I have for you is to talk to your doc, and ask if it ok to cut back and boost the Celexa by slower increments.This may not be your "miracle" but it sure was mine.
Best of luck!tdaneen
Posted by Lisa Moore on September 25, 2000, at 12:41:39
In reply to Re: Celexa in pregnancy, posted by Teresa on June 21, 1999, at 16:40:24
> I've been taking Celexa for over a year now and I just found out that I am pregnant. If anyone has tried weening themselves off, you know it it next to impossible because of the side effects. I just want to be sure that my baby will not be affected by the drug and that Celexa is safe to take full term. Help!
Posted by Joseph in IRELAND on October 14, 2000, at 15:11:28
In reply to Re: Celexa-Tomjay, posted by Dawn on March 2, 1999, at 20:15:02
Hi,
I went from 20mg to 30mg, i've noticed you guys in the states can't get 30mg, anyway , yea the tiredness is bad but my anxiety has drastically reduced and i am alot better, get really down still sometimes though,i am only 18 ,just want to love somebody,
bye
Posted by slc on October 22, 2000, at 17:39:02
In reply to Sick and tired of being so tired!!!! , posted by gladys on September 22, 2000, at 22:36:50
I started taking Celexa at 20 mg. and the yawns were quite annoying but I had heard from so many people that Celexa was the greatest thing next to sliced bread. The yawns started going away after about 2 months. I uped my dose to 40 mg. and was still more tired than pre-Celexa but I was willing to live with it since it helped my mood so much.
I also needed 2 to 3 hours more sleep than ever before. The yawns did go away but the need for 8 to 11 hours of sleep a night didn't.
My psychiatrist says that the yawns are actually a relatively common side-effect though for most people they go away after about 3 to 6 weeks.
My psych said that I might do better on Prozac because she says it has more of an upper effect. That is what I am going to next. You may want to look into that.
About 3 weeks after my dose was doubled, I got a bizarre rash on my torso that I finally figured out was from the Celexa.
Here is my question: I am winding down and my psych said to wait about 1.5 weeks to go off. I waited but not as long as she said (I was at 20 for 1 week and then stopped because the rash was really driving me to distraction). In the wind down process, I have had enormous mood swings and I now have diarrhea. Has anyone gone of Celexa and noticed anything like this?
> Can anyone tell me if their tiredness is stopping from being on Celexa for awhile? I am so tired. My yawns are so huge and I just shiver from tiredness after yawning. Do you (anyone here) feel this way? I'm so sick of it. Going to sleep seems so pointless because I never feel like I slept even after 8, 9, 10, or 11 hours of sleep!! It's depressing me because I am so tired. Celexa is helping my mood, but I am so frustrated with being so tired. Any comment from anyone? Does it go away ever? It has been two weeks on 40 mg, two weeks before that on 30 mg, and so on so I have been taking Celexa in total from 10 mg on for about 2 months. I want to be awake once in awhile, everyone thinks I am zombie-like. THANK YOU!
Posted by Kristie S. on November 10, 2000, at 12:58:40
In reply to Sick and tired of being so tired!!!! , posted by gladys on September 22, 2000, at 22:36:50
My doctor just perscribed this med to me and after taking Effexor for a year and having such problems with it I'm really scared to try another.
I was on Effexor and was doing well so my doctor tapered me off because me and my husband were wanting to start our own family and I had the worst withdrawl symtoms...after 3 weeks of not taking it anymore I still have alot of the withdrawl symtoms. I really dont't want to start on any new meds but I'm feeling like I did before I ever took the meds. I'm scared to death of taking anything anymore because of the bad luck I've had. After reading alot of the different threads..I don't need to gain weight because I gained so much on Effexor.If anyone has tried to stop taking this med please let me know because I'm not going to go through all the withdrawls I went through when I was on Effexor. I may just try to hack it on my own without the meds...who knows....
Posted by michellemintz on November 21, 2000, at 11:32:44
In reply to SCARED TO DEATH to take this med..HELP!!!!, posted by Kristie S. on November 10, 2000, at 12:58:40
Kristie:
I felt the same way before I started taking Celexa. I am 30 yrs. old and this is the first time I've dealt with depression serious enough that I've had to take any medication. I notice that when I first started taking Celexa, I had some pretty strong side effects including: yawning (which I thought was definitely strange), severe insomnia (which I take Ambien 5-10mg at night), anxiety (feeling like I was taking amphetamines), but then strangely enough I also felt mentally lethargic (like I didn't want to get out of the house and do the things I would normally do), and loss of sex drive and inorgasmia (which is extremely strange for me because I've always have a high sex drive and relatively little difficulty with orgasm). Also, some minor side effects such as dry mouth and thirst. Personally, I have not yet experienced weight gain. I've taken Celexa for almost 2 months and I've lost a couple of pounds. My treatment includes visits to a therapist who suggested I read a landmark book about antidepressants called "Listening to Prozac". This book has been on the bestsellers list for four years and covers the subject of taking antidepressants and your sense of "self". It talks about the ways that taking antidepressants can change your personality and how you really become aware of what you're true "self" is. It is quite a remarkable book and great for anyone who is taking medication to fight depression. I must say that my side effects have decreased over time. Believe me, there is hope. Some of the side effects are short term and will subside over time (my sex drive has increased, less anxious, better sleep habits, etc.). There are many books available on naturally off-setting the side effects of antidepressants with vitamins and exercise. I thought the antidepressant (Celexa) would be a "cure all" for my depression. I have found that I have to put forth a lot of time and effort to battle this illness. Staying knowledgeable about your medication, it's side effects, and how to combat them can help you to take Celexa very successfully. Good luck. Michelle
Posted by Kristie S. on November 21, 2000, at 13:11:55
In reply to Re: SCARED TO DEATH to take this med..HELP!!!! » Kristie S., posted by michellemintz on November 21, 2000, at 11:32:44
Well..I have thought alot about taking the celexa and not taking it and I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to tuff it out. It seems weird now but after taking efferox for so long and now being free of it I'm me again. I dont't feel like a zombie any more. I still experince some of the witdrawls from the effexor but there getting better every day. The way you described the celexa sounds alot like the effexor I was on. The yawning, sleeplessness, no sex drive..it just sounds all too familiar!!! Thank you for the idea on getting the book, maybe then I can start to understand some of the things that are going on with me. I too go to a therapist and for now it seems to be ok for me. I feel like I have myself back after coming off of effexor, and it seems that the celexa is alot like the effexor and to me right now at this point in my life I would rather tuff it out than be druged through some of the best times in my life. I think maybe I wasnt supposed to be on any antidepressions that maybe theres something else that could be the culprit, but for now I'll listen to my pdoc and do the best I can!! Thank you for the letter and good luck to you.Kris
Posted by Deana Brown on November 21, 2000, at 16:49:39
In reply to SCARED TO DEATH to take this med..HELP!!!!, posted by Kristie S. on November 10, 2000, at 12:58:40
How completely Ironic. I put a story up on the internet about 9 months ago.
http://www.scottndeana.homepage.com/successfully%20living%20without%20medication_files/successfully%20living%20without%20meds.htm
about my withdrawals from Effexor. And today the hormonal specialist I saw prescribed Celexa for PMDD. No depression. I went through so much crap just like you to get of Effexor and now I am scared to death to start this Celexa. Especially since it's main treatment is for depression. He says he is using it to treat PMDD though.
I gained 30lbs http://www.millenniumhomemakers.homepage.com/challenge.htm
Which doesn't help my self esteem at all.
Where are you at in your treatment.
Hope to hear from you soon.
LOL
Deana :-)
Posted by Kristie S. on November 21, 2000, at 18:43:49
In reply to Re: SCARED TO DEATH to take this med..HELP!!!!, posted by Deana Brown on November 21, 2000, at 16:49:39
At the moment I'm not taking anything. I'm on my 4th week being off of effexor and I'm still experinceing some withdrawl symtoms but not as bad. I don't feel like my brain is going to explode and I can turn my head now without feeling like I'm going to pass out, I still get the shocks but there tapering down alot. I will NEVER take effexor again. If I would have known about the withdrawl symtoms before hand then I would have had a choice in the begining. But now I do and I'm not going to take any more meds. I feel like myself again, I don't feel like a zombie anymore. The effexor made me very tired all the time but then at night I coulndt sleep, I had to take something to help.Are you still on the celexa?? I desided since me and my husband are trying to start our own family that I would stay off of any kind of meds.Which I think its the safest thing at the time being.Let me know how it goes with you and the celexa. Kris
Posted by jkei on January 3, 2001, at 12:10:32
In reply to Re: Celexa/side effects, posted by OFFENBAKER, JENNY on March 5, 2000, at 2:47:24
> I have been on since 2-3 months. The nausea is back. Any suggestions? Plus I am a women and cannot reach orgasm. NOW WHAT???
Posted by rainonlove on January 3, 2001, at 21:46:59
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects/weight gain, posted by d_schatzman on July 26, 2000, at 14:41:25
I'm only 16 and have been on this drug for about 8 months. At first it did a great job but lately i've been having trouble breathing sometimes, and dizziness. Also, i'm still always tired, and the med was supposed to stop that. I also get headaches, my joints sometimes just jump for no reason. And i read that u have uncontrollable spasms of excitement over something u can't control...now correct me if i'm wrong, but how is a medication helping if the side effects make ur life just as difficult.
Any thoughts?~D
Posted by Bill L on January 4, 2001, at 14:22:01
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects/weight gain, posted by rainonlove on January 3, 2001, at 21:46:59
Hi rainonlove- I also take Celexa and it works pretty good. The feeling tired side effect is very common. I have that too. I now take the Celexa at night and so the tiredness doesn't bother me so much. I don't think that having trouble breathing is a very common side effect, especially after 8 months, but different people react in different ways. I know that for me, I might feel a certain way and I don't know whether to blame it on Celexa or something else.
If the Celexa is doing a good job with your depression, I would stay on it. Maybe try lowering it a little bit to see if that makes you less tired. But check with your doctor first. A pharmacy site that answers drug qustions said that the effective dose for Celexa is between 5 mg and 60 mg, but sometimes higher. Good luck!
> I'm only 16 and have been on this drug for about 8 months. At first it did a great job but lately i've been having trouble breathing sometimes, and dizziness. Also, i'm still always tired, and the med was supposed to stop that. I also get headaches, my joints sometimes just jump for no reason. And i read that u have uncontrollable spasms of excitement over something u can't control...now correct me if i'm wrong, but how is a medication helping if the side effects make ur life just as difficult.
> Any thoughts?
>
> ~D
Posted by rainonlove on January 4, 2001, at 20:09:55
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects/weight gain, posted by Bill L on January 4, 2001, at 14:22:01
i do take it at nite actually. i have to read the post that says "SCARED TO DEATH TO TAKE THIS MED."
~D
Posted by c on January 5, 2001, at 21:12:20
In reply to Re: Celexa/side effects, posted by jkei on January 3, 2001, at 12:10:32
I have been on 20 mg Celexa for 4 weeks. There have been no side effects and I really began to notice how well it works this last week-I have no depression and no anxiety at all! I think it is a great medication. I take it in the morning right after I get up. Good luck to you. c
Posted by Cousin Eddie on January 7, 2001, at 22:47:34
In reply to Re: Celexa--Dawn, posted by Shelley in Seattle on March 2, 1999, at 12:56:55
I took 20 mg. Celexa per day for six weeks, then 40 mg. for two months. It didn't perform any magic on its own, although it did take the edge off my depression. Only when combined with a short half-life tranquilizer (Clonazepam), Adderall, and especially Wellbutrin did I feel much better. I'm a 32 year old guy, and I weigh about 180 lbs.
I've taken dry mouth in the morning for granted (very small price to pay), but sexually there has been some frustration. Sex with my wife is regular (3 or 4 times a week), erection not a problem, but finishing up happens only once per month. My wife loves it of course, and again, it is a small price to pay for not being suicidally depressed.
I really recommend Celexa, and you have to be patient (two months at the very least).
Posted by claire on January 8, 2001, at 14:54:02
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects/weight gain, posted by Jessi on May 26, 1999, at 16:14:11
Just something to consider--for those who had been taking other SSRIs before Celexa, the side effects for all are different--many people lose weight on Zoloft, gain on Prozac, etc--a weight gain after switching to Celexa may simply be a rebound effect from weight loss (even sustained) that was experienced on another SSRI [at least to some degree]. I know this may not be of great help, but at least in balancing the pros and cons--I'd rather be heavier and happier than thin and miserable. I guess it may all be about perspective and if Celexa helps you find a better persepctive THAT is the most importance side effect (well, one of them!)--good luck to everyone!
Posted by Dione on January 10, 2001, at 22:04:55
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects/weight gain, posted by gail on June 24, 1999, at 8:28:35
I have been on Celexa for about 3 months. I love the way it has even my temperment and reduced my anxiety and depression, however I am not pleased with the amount of weight I have gained as result of this durg. My desire for food has not increased or changed and my eating patterns are the same as pre-medication-but I have gained at least 10 to 15lbs. that I can not seem to get ride of-no amount of diet or exercise has seemed to help-please someone advise I'm desperate-I have recently started taking Metabolife to help in my quest to loose this weight, but I was told that I should proablly not mix the two-What's a girl to do?
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