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
poster:Jen Star
thread:525938
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050708/msgs/525953.html