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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Michelle41A on August 25, 2010, at 14:10:19
Before starting Celexa 3 weeks ago, I was suffering from extreme anxiety,no appetite, tightness in stomach,weight loss and loose bowels. This was caused from coming off Prozac in March 2010. I had to go off Prozac due to it's overstimulating effects which caused the above symptoms :(
I went on 2.5mg Celexa approx 3 weeks ago and the whole time I was on it, I had abdominal cramping and loss of appetite.It did minimize my panic somewhat but the side effects on my gut were killing me.
I finally had enough and stopped taking Celexa 2 nights ago.. Yesterday I felt great! No cramping, ate some food and life was good!
I woke up this morning to loose stools again, severe morning anxiety and unable to eat. I went to the doctor today and he suggested that I try cymbalta or go back to zoloft.
I am so torn as to what to do. I am taking klonopin which calms my gut somewhat but the panic is back. The inital panic did subside somewhat on the Celexa but now that I stopped it, I feel like I am having a relapse.
Should I start up the Zoloft? I was on Zoloft 4 years ago and had success with it. I was thinking of starting at 12.5mg but I am so scared of getting sicker from taking it.. I don't remember Zoloft causing bad abdominal cramping like Celexa has..
Sorry for rambling, I just feel like absolute crap right now and I want to eat but I feel to sick, Any input/suggestions would be awesome!
Thanks!
Michelle
Posted by ed_uk2010 on August 25, 2010, at 15:19:07
In reply to Need help regarding Celexa withdrawal Please :), posted by Michelle41A on August 25, 2010, at 14:10:19
Have you been diagnosed with any gastro-intestinal disorders? Certain antidepressants such as SSRI can undoubtedly cause GI side effects but it does sound like your extreme symptoms may be caused by something else as well.
If you require an antidepressant, it might be best to steer clear of SSRIs and try mirtazapine (Remeron) or amitriptyline (Elavil) instead. Mirtazapine generally causes fewer adverse effects.
Posted by emmanuel98 on August 25, 2010, at 19:44:18
In reply to Need help regarding Celexa withdrawal Please :), posted by Michelle41A on August 25, 2010, at 14:10:19
When I first went on an SSRI (Lexapro) I completely lost my appetite, was constantly running to the bathroom, woke up on 3 hours sleep and lost about ten pounds. (I was grateful for the weight loss at the time) Within weeks, those side effects went away and I barely noticed it in my system.
Posted by Phillipa on August 26, 2010, at 10:58:16
In reply to Re: Need help regarding Celexa withdrawal Please :), posted by emmanuel98 on August 25, 2010, at 19:44:18
I've heard zoloft is activating but you say it worked for you before so maybe try what you trust. Phillipa
Posted by Michelle41A on August 26, 2010, at 12:11:16
In reply to Re: Need help regarding Celexa withdrawal Please :), posted by Phillipa on August 26, 2010, at 10:58:16
Thanks everyone for your advice! The past month has been a nightmare!! Well, like a dum dum, I was breaking off teeny tiny chunks of the Klonopin at first because unfortunately I am med phobic :( Finally, I got brave and I took .25 klonopin last night .And to my surprise, it WORKED!! My panic was gone!! I don't want to use klonopin long term, but if the Klonopin can help me to eat, I am all for it! Due to my anxiety attack/breakdown on 7/22/10 I went from 134 to 120... Hopefully I can gain back 10lbs :)
Also,since I started taking the larger dose of Klonopin, my anxiety has subsided! Even my stomach issues have dissipated.. I am now starting a low dose ( as prescribed by my Pdoc) of Zoloft to keep my anxiety at bay...I am going to keep the Klonopin at a low dose (.50 in the morning and .25 in the evening if I need it..
I don't ever remember Zoloft being stimulating for me so hopefully it won't do that this time around.. If anything, Zoloft took me to a nice happy place lol! I stopped taking it the first time because at 50mg, I started getting Restless leg syndrome..I also gained weight on zoloft, but I was on birth control too so that may have contributed to the weight gain.. Oh, and eating too much junk food! LOL!
I was on Prozac for a couple years and it was horrible for my anxiety :( I will be posting updates on my progress :)
((HUGS))
Posted by ed_uk2010 on August 26, 2010, at 14:38:35
In reply to Re: Need help regarding Celexa withdrawal Please :), posted by Phillipa on August 26, 2010, at 10:58:16
> I've heard zoloft is activating but you say it worked for you before so maybe try what you trust. Phillipa
Not necessarily, the similarities between the various SSRIs are much greater than the differences.
This is the end of the thread.
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