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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cherylann on July 10, 2005, at 21:14:39
I started 10 mgs of celexa about a week ago, with no real side effects 'cept a little nausea.
I'm supposed to go up to 20 mgs in a couple days and taper off remeron, due to weight gain that Dr is concerned about. However, he thought it would be fine if I took a full dose of both meds, as the remeron still works somewhat for me and the celexa might take some weight off. That seems strange to me, and I'm thinking the remeron needs to go.
My worry is I've been reading more negative things about celexa than good. Has this drug helped anyone out there?
Thanks,
cherylann
Posted by Jen Star on July 10, 2005, at 21:56:26
In reply to PLEASE something positve on Celexa!!, posted by cherylann on July 10, 2005, at 21:14:39
hi cherylann,
I've been taking Lexapro (derived from the molecules of Celexa) without any serious side effects -- 20 mg/day. I'm taking it to reduce severe anxiety, and it helps me quite a bit. It took a long time to really kick in this time (I've been on it before, then got off, now am back on!) -- about 5-6 weeks. The first time I took it, it kicked in sooner, around 3-4 weeks. At first I was supplementing with Xanax as needed b/c it DOES take a while to start working. But now I haven't needed a Xanax in ~ 2 months. When i first started taking the Lex, I needed Xanax every day for about a week, then off/on here and there for the next few weeks. I really wanted NOT to ever take Xanax again, b/c I hate taking any unnecessary meds, and I don't ever want to get addicted to anything. Luckily the Lex worked and I'm doing OK.Lexapro IS Celexa....or half of it, anyway. Celexa is a drug that consists of a molecule can exist in two different shapes; they are identical except for shape/rotation. In Lexapro, they separated the Celexa into the two shapes and kept only one of them. Supposedly this causes fewer side effects -- lexapro is supposed to be "cleaner" than Celexa. However, other people/studies say it's hardly different, that studies saying so are manipulated a bit, and that the labs did that so they could extend their patents. In either case, the therapeutic mechanism should be similar, and I hope Celexa works for you! :)
I know it does't work for everyone, but it helps me a lot. I hope you have a good experience, too!
take care,
JenStar> I started 10 mgs of celexa about a week ago, with no real side effects 'cept a little nausea.
>
> I'm supposed to go up to 20 mgs in a couple days and taper off remeron, due to weight gain that Dr is concerned about. However, he thought it would be fine if I took a full dose of both meds, as the remeron still works somewhat for me and the celexa might take some weight off. That seems strange to me, and I'm thinking the remeron needs to go.
>
> My worry is I've been reading more negative things about celexa than good. Has this drug helped anyone out there?
>
> Thanks,
> cherylann
Posted by cherylann on July 11, 2005, at 10:01:02
In reply to Re: PLEASE something positve on Celexa!! » cherylann, posted by Jen Star on July 10, 2005, at 21:56:26
Jen Star, thankyou for your post. It was the best thing I could read this morning and perked me up.
I'd like to ask a question. Did you have awful nightmares in the beginning? I was thinking that Celexa was a pretty clean drug when last night I had a horrible nightmare.
Thanks so much!
cherylann
Posted by platinumbride on July 11, 2005, at 14:40:00
In reply to PLEASE something positve on Celexa!!, posted by cherylann on July 10, 2005, at 21:14:39
Celexa was GREAT for me while I was on it. I had no side effects and I felt happy for the most part, for at least 9 months.
It did "poop-out" on me, but then again, all ssris do (on me, that is).My sister has taken celexa for about 3 years and it always serves her well.
Good luck to you.
Diane
Posted by Jen Star on July 11, 2005, at 20:08:32
In reply to Re: PLEASE something positve on Celexa!!, posted by cherylann on July 11, 2005, at 10:01:02
I have had nightmares off and on all my life (and I've only been on the Lex for the past year, really). I don't think the Lexapro increases the nightmares for me. I know I'm definitely more anxious and stressed sometimes, and THAT seems to increase the bad dreams. I think actually sleep BETTER since I've been on the Lex.
I'm really sorry you had a bad dream. I truly HATE them! Such a yucky way to wake up!
JenStar
Posted by Bill LL on July 12, 2005, at 9:58:13
In reply to PLEASE something positve on Celexa!!, posted by cherylann on July 10, 2005, at 21:14:39
Celexa and Lexapro (same active ingredient) are both very effective and very popular drugs for both anxiety and depression. Also, they usually do not cause weight gain.
> I started 10 mgs of celexa about a week ago, with no real side effects 'cept a little nausea.
>
> I'm supposed to go up to 20 mgs in a couple days and taper off remeron, due to weight gain that Dr is concerned about. However, he thought it would be fine if I took a full dose of both meds, as the remeron still works somewhat for me and the celexa might take some weight off. That seems strange to me, and I'm thinking the remeron needs to go.
>
> My worry is I've been reading more negative things about celexa than good. Has this drug helped anyone out there?
>
> Thanks,
> cherylann
Posted by noordhoff on July 13, 2005, at 12:51:39
In reply to Re: PLEASE something positve on Celexa!!, posted by Bill LL on July 12, 2005, at 9:58:13
Celexa was the best thing in the word for me. Such depression. Such anxiety. I was a mess. Once on Celexa, I started to feel the effects after only 1 1/2 weeks. My life changed. After menial jobs and spates on unemployment, I landed a great job and became a social butterfly. I had a newfound interest in all things lovely. So I had a love-affair with Celexa for a couple of years.
Unfortunate about my sexual side-effect. It wasn't so much a libido issue (I still liked sex) but I experienced an "erectile dysfunction". That's pretty tough for a social butterflying guy. I imagine you won't be having any erectile problems, but I just mentioned it b/cit was the only reason I got off the stuff. It was happiness in a pill. And I didn't even feel artificial, you know?
BTW, I also bought into that Lexapro rap about a more "benign" side-effect profile. It ain't true, yet it's not the same as Celexa, either. FOR ME, Celexa was better. More organic feeling. I nice ride. Lexapro has had an edge for me (and for an exgirlfriend of mine) that I did not like.
Of course, everyone's different.
Celexa rocked. Sigh.
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on July 13, 2005, at 16:33:08
In reply to Re: PLEASE something positve on Celexa!!, posted by Bill LL on July 12, 2005, at 9:58:13
I've been on Celexa for the last year, and it has been great - no anxiety or, crying spells, panic attacks or self harm. The downside is that I have gained 20lbs, I am very sleepy and have no energy/motivation.
Overall, I have a positive experience on this drug - its kept me functioning when otherwise I'd be a wreck. The sleepiness/no energy needs to be addressed through. I was thinking of adding wellbutrin - any thoughts?
Posted by noordhoff on July 13, 2005, at 16:56:12
In reply to Re: PLEASE something positve on Celexa!!, posted by Meri-Tuuli on July 13, 2005, at 16:33:08
yeah. same here. no anxiety, panic, crying, nuthin'. I actually LOST weight (and, boy, did I need it!) plus my motivation went through the roof!
i added wellbutrin for a while to counteract my SSRI-induced erectile dysfunction, but i got no results, so, after a while, i dropped the wellbutrin. hope is works for you, though. what's your dose? i find that weekend "vacations" from lexapro HAVE worked (somewhat). oh, and cialis rocks...
Posted by cherylann on July 14, 2005, at 10:30:36
In reply to Re: PLEASE something positve on Celexa!!, posted by Meri-Tuuli on July 13, 2005, at 16:33:08
After reading posts on this board it seems celexa and wellbutrin are a great combo.
I might have to try it out, especially if I don't start losing the remeron weight I've got.
BTW, can I ask what your dose it on celexa? I'm only on 20mgs and I'm reading that doses are much higher.
Thanks,
cherylann
Posted by cherylann on July 14, 2005, at 10:34:59
In reply to Re: PLEASE something positve on Celexa!!, posted by noordhoff on July 13, 2005, at 16:56:12
Currently on 20mgs for 4 days. I'm a little concerned, as I'm reading that most people are taking much more than that.
I'm not worried about upping the dose. This has got to be the cleaning AD I've ever tried. Keeping my fingers crossed!
cherylann
Posted by noordhoff on July 14, 2005, at 10:45:27
In reply to Re: PLEASE something positve on Celexa!! » noordhoff, posted by cherylann on July 14, 2005, at 10:34:59
> Currently on 20mgs for 4 days. I'm a little concerned, as I'm reading that most people are taking much more than that.
> I'm not worried about upping the dose. This has got to be the cleaning AD I've ever tried. Keeping my fingers crossed!
> cherylann
C.-
here's no cause for concern re: your dosage as opposed to others'. evryone's different. just like some AD drugs that are miraculous for one person are a bloody nigtmare for someone else, your effective dose could be different from mine.
i saw incredible results on no more than 20mgs. i took my one pill daily and never thought of upping my dose. it wasn't necessary. more might have been a bad thing.
i say start at 20mgs. if it works well enough for you, stay there. if not, split a pill and take 30mgs. if that works, stop right there. if not, maybe you need 40mgs or maybe a different drug. talk this out with your doctor.
my sister was at 60mgs. and i was at 20 AND i was the more "messed up" of the two. see what i mean? it just varies. (a friend was on 5mgs in a liquid suspension. she discontinued because it was "too much" for her. wacky stuff)did i mention that i loved celexa?
-A.
This is the end of the thread.
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