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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by gladys on March 4, 2001, at 10:58:58
In reply to Re: Sick and tired of being so tired!!!! » gladys , posted by tdaneen on September 23, 2000, at 10:44:23
Hello,
I was wondering about the 60 mg of celexa. do you need to take two different pills? i heard that they only make 40 mg, so i was paying the same price for 40 mg bottle and then a 20 mg bottle and could not afford it so i am back down to 40 mg now. do you have to pay for two precriptions too, or is there a 60? i am pretty discouraged! they're SO expensive! thanks, gladys
Posted by Nora on March 5, 2001, at 9:20:17
In reply to Re: Sick and tired of being so tired!!!! , posted by gladys on March 4, 2001, at 10:58:58
> Hello,
> I was wondering about the 60 mg of celexa. do you need to take two different pills? i heard that they only make 40 mg, so i was paying the same price for 40 mg bottle and then a 20 mg bottle and could not afford it so i am back down to 40 mg now. do you have to pay for two precriptions too, or is there a 60? i am pretty discouraged! they're SO expensive! thanks, gladysYour doctor should write the prescription so that you get enough 40 mg tablets that you can take 1-1/2 a day (60 tablets a month). You shouldn't have to buy two sizes. The tablets are scored so they are easy to divide.
Posted by cc on March 7, 2001, at 15:00:38
In reply to Re: Celexa in pregnancy, posted by lindsey on June 22, 1999, at 15:42:51
was wondering if anyone had information regarding CELEXA & PREGNANCY?
i only found limited material and so far the information is not helpful.
thanks in advance.
cc
Posted by Renee on March 16, 2001, at 15:35:03
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects/weight gain, posted by Mary on June 9, 1999, at 17:30:05
> I have been on Celexa 10 mg to 20 mg bump up and I experienced hot flashes, chills, joint pain, restlessness, extreme agitation, moodiness, change of taste, headaches, tremors, fatigue and just all around feeling of detachment. I also suffered from extreme cold hands and feet. My doctor said he had never heard of these side effects before with Celexa, have any of you?
Posted by Cousin Eddie on March 16, 2001, at 16:29:46
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects, posted by Renee on March 16, 2001, at 15:35:03
To Renee-
For the first month taking 10, then 20 mg. Celexa as my only med, I shared your side effects of (in order of extremity) hot flashes, profuse sweating, heightened social anxiety, uncontrollable trembling in my hands, and seldomly headaches; never any weight gain or loss attributable to Celexa. After several months of Celexa and other meds the only side effects I can now confidently still attribute to Celexa are trembling hands, profuse sweating, and diarrhea, all of which I can easily live with.
Posted by KARAsweet on March 19, 2001, at 13:45:56
In reply to Celexa dosage increase, posted by Sean on June 7, 1999, at 9:39:08
when my dosage was upped from 20 to 40 mg I experienced the opposite of what the whole point is of taking it.. I was ultra moody for 2 weeks, but after that I felt 100% better. It takes time to adjust and let it into your system, but in the meantime it's hard to be patient when your moods are fluctuating.
Posted by nat on March 20, 2001, at 12:11:18
In reply to Re: Celexa dosage increase, posted by KARAsweet on March 19, 2001, at 13:45:56
hi everybody, here it is for me:
prozac: -cleared my mind
-didn't help with social anxiety
paxil: -very little relief of depression
-big constipation problem
-lowered sex drive
wellbutrin
+ celexa:i'll update when i see any changei'm 26, female, 120 pounds,5'3 weight never dramatically affected by any medication, i eat right, exercise and all. My blood type is A+
....i'm hesitating on trying hormones like DHEA and stopping all meds...not sure anybody tried that? i have some blood tests done, it's all normal...
Posted by gladys on March 20, 2001, at 14:45:15
In reply to Re: Celexa » gladys, posted by Cousin Eddie on February 23, 2001, at 10:56:47
Hi Cousin Eddie,
Well, I changed doctors now and asked my new doctor what she thought about the article. I was feeling hopeful. She said instead of starting to add anything new she has upped my celexa to 60 mg and my buspar to 60 mg both daily. she said if this doesn't work she would rather try prozac than try others with celexa. I am worried though because I have heard such horror stories about prozac, and when i was on paxil I was nearly suicidal and trying prozac makes me worry i may feel like that again. so i am hoping the celexa will work. I would rather stay on the celexa and add other things if needed as the article suggests! I'm so frustrated.
Posted by amycel on March 22, 2001, at 9:17:27
In reply to Re: Celexa , posted by gladys on March 20, 2001, at 14:45:15
For two years I have been on Celexa(40mg). I decided it is time ot get of this drug.
Last couple of months I have beed decreasing my dosage to 30mg. That went great.
Now I'm on 20mg and I'm feeling so tired. I have been on 20mg for nearly two weeks now.
I can hardly work. I could sleep all day. Is this natural will it go away? The doctor wants me to eventually get on 10mg and so on. I'm not sure I can handly this much longerAmyCel,
Posted by Bill L on March 25, 2001, at 20:01:46
In reply to Getting Off Celexa - So Tired, posted by amycel on March 22, 2001, at 9:17:27
Were you feeling well on Celexa? Did you have bad side efects? If you have been doing good on Celexa, maybe you should go back to 30 and stay on that indefinitely. Otherwise, if for some other reason you feel like you need to wean off of it, you can get the liquid and more gradually reduce the dosage.
> For two years I have been on Celexa(40mg). I decided it is time ot get of this drug.
>
> Last couple of months I have beed decreasing my dosage to 30mg. That went great.
> Now I'm on 20mg and I'm feeling so tired. I have been on 20mg for nearly two weeks now.
> I can hardly work. I could sleep all day. Is this natural will it go away? The doctor wants me to eventually get on 10mg and so on. I'm not sure I can handly this much longer
>
> AmyCel,
Posted by possumqueen on March 26, 2001, at 11:22:36
In reply to Re: Celexa , posted by nat on March 20, 2001, at 12:11:18
> hi everybody, here it is for me:
> prozac: -cleared my mind
> -didn't help with social anxiety
> paxil: -very little relief of depression
> -big constipation problem
> -lowered sex drive
> wellbutrin
> + celexa:i'll update when i see any change
>
> i'm 26, female, 120 pounds,5'3 weight never dramatically affected by any medication, i eat right, exercise and all. My blood type is A+
> ....i'm hesitating on trying hormones like DHEA and stopping all meds...not sure anybody tried that? i have some blood tests done, it's all normal...
Hi KARAsweet,
Just wanted to add my two cents regarding DHEA. I am a 38 year old female, slight build like yourself, and I tried DHEA for the positive side effects that it gives men. I was on 25 mg. daily for about 1 month without any noticeable difference. I increased my dosage to 50 mg. daily, and experienced problems with my cycle. It lasted three weeks. I discontinued the DHEA, and eventually I returned to normal. I asked a nutritionist and my physician about this, and neither knew why this happened. They thought that it may have something to do with DHEA breaking down into estrogen. I would give the Celexa a chance. I have been on it for a month, and have no complaints.
Posted by DANB on March 27, 2001, at 11:44:25
In reply to Re: Sick and tired of being so tired!!!! , posted by gladys on March 4, 2001, at 10:58:58
I have been taking Celexa for one week and I am not 100% thrilled. I have never been on a anti-depressent and I do not know what to expect. I have been going through a divorce and have been mildly (I guess) depressed, have had some anxiety and a panic attack or two. My father was Manic Depressive and when I told my doctor this she put me on 10mg of Celexa. I had just gone in for an annual physical and left with anti depressants?
I have been experiencing nausea some light headedness and problems sleeping. To be honest I am mostly concerned with the sexual side affects.
How long will celexa stay in you system. Do most people on Celexa have more sever symptoms of depression? How frequent are the sexual side affects in men?
Posted by Christina on March 27, 2001, at 15:04:31
In reply to HELP!! Questions about Celexa - new user, posted by DANB on March 27, 2001, at 11:44:25
OK, I may get some bullets for this, but here goes...
First of all, I'm concerned that your doc put you on Celexa without a consult with a psychiatrist. That's what happened to me, and it's been six years and I'm still trying to get off meds.
He may have been concerned because your dad had manic depression.. it does tend to run in families. However I would consult a psychiatrist because if your symptons are more of a manic/depressive state, anti-depressants can exacerbate the mania.
Again.. please check with a knowledgeable psychiatrist.It sounds to me from your brief post that you may just have situational depression with some anxiety which is very normal for someone who is getting divorced. In which case meds may not really help you but give you lots of unwanted side effects.
Regarding sexual side effects, I think they're worse for men than for woman. Personally, I have only suffered a decreased libido, but have not suffered in performance. I think actual performance is more adversely affected in men from use of ADs.
Anyway, good luck and please read through some of the archives and you may find that you want a second opinion before taking psych drugs.
> I have been taking Celexa for one week and I am not 100% thrilled. I have never been on a anti-depressent and I do not know what to expect. I have been going through a divorce and have been mildly (I guess) depressed, have had some anxiety and a panic attack or two. My father was Manic Depressive and when I told my doctor this she put me on 10mg of Celexa. I had just gone in for an annual physical and left with anti depressants?
>
> I have been experiencing nausea some light headedness and problems sleeping. To be honest I am mostly concerned with the sexual side affects.
>
> How long will celexa stay in you system. Do most people on Celexa have more sever symptoms of depression? How frequent are the sexual side affects in men?
Posted by Bill L on March 28, 2001, at 10:58:19
In reply to HELP!! Questions about Celexa - new user, posted by DANB on March 27, 2001, at 11:44:25
Your side effects are very typical when starting an antidepressent such as Celexa. They will mostly go away after a few weeks. The sexual side effects are the most troubling for most people since they oftentimes get better but do not completely go away. Since you are only taking 10 mg, I think you will be ok with side effects. The anti-depressant effects take a few weeks to kick in so don't be discouraged.
Christina is right that a psychiatrist is best trained for this. However about 70% of antidepressants in the US are prescribed by primary care docs such as internists, family practitioners, and OBGYN's. So you have to use your own judgement about how you feel about your doctor and whether you should consult with a psychiatrist.
> I have been taking Celexa for one week and I am not 100% thrilled. I have never been on a anti-depressent and I do not know what to expect. I have been going through a divorce and have been mildly (I guess) depressed, have had some anxiety and a panic attack or two. My father was Manic Depressive and when I told my doctor this she put me on 10mg of Celexa. I had just gone in for an annual physical and left with anti depressants?
>
> I have been experiencing nausea some light headedness and problems sleeping. To be honest I am mostly concerned with the sexual side affects.
>
> How long will celexa stay in you system. Do most people on Celexa have more sever symptoms of depression? How frequent are the sexual side affects in men?
Posted by Lizzy on March 31, 2001, at 21:34:39
In reply to Re: Celexa/side effects, posted by Kate on March 19, 1999, at 8:36:30
> > i am just starting celexa, without much info on the
> > side effects. mainly, i am concerned with sexual
> > dyfunction, sleepiness, and memory loss. i have
> > been on various other meds (prozac, zoloft,
> > wellbutrin, serzone, luvox). one thing that i have
> > noticed is an absentmindedness or memory loss when
> > i increased the dosage (10 to 20). i haven't noticed
> > any fatigue or sleepiness problems. but about the
> > sexual dysfunction... from reading your notes, my
> > sex drive might actually return?
> > anyone with info?
> > dina
>
> I've been on Celexa for about 2.5 months at 20mg/day and it works great except that I sleep 10-12 hours/night.
> If I don't get that much sleep I'm tired the next day. I'm thinking about asking my Dr. to decrease my dosage
> and see if that helps. Any one else have a similar experience?I started Celexa 4 months ago - started at a dose of 20 mg went down to 10 to reduce side effects (less sensation when urinating, restless feet, tingling feet) but then back up to 20 because I didn't feel as good as I did in the beginning. I recently went up to 30 mg because I've been irritable. I have to sleep 10 - 11 hours every night. I can sleep 12 hours sometime. I've always needed a lot of sleep but before the Celexa I slept 8 - 10 at the most. I've tried varying the time I take the Celexa - morning, afternoon, evening, bedtime - I still seem to need all the sleep. I yawn uncontrollably after I take the Celexa. I find it's best to take it an hour before bed because it makes me very tired initially. I had the sexual dysfunction a bit in the beginning - more of a decrease in sensation - I think I still have that to a degree. I'm not overweight and lost some weight when I started Celexa (a few pounds - food just didn't seem to matter - and normally I LOVE to eat. was also nauseous) and am now reading about people gaining weight and am very stressed! If I gain weight I'll be even more depressed so it won't do me any good. Celexa has made me feel wonderful! I wish I had taken this my whole life (Celexa is my first anti-depressant). I've read about Wellbutrin and Remeron not making you gain weight, but my husband was on Wellbutrin for a while and it made him mean and angry. I tried one of his pills yesterday and felt mean and angry as well. I heard that Celexa can make you lose weight in the beginning and then after about a year you can gain a substantial amount of weight. Anyone know anything that works that doesn't make you gain weight? What about SAMe or St. John's Wort? Sorry for the long message - wanted to explain all so I could help someone :).
Posted by Lizzy on March 31, 2001, at 21:48:36
In reply to Re: Celexa support, posted by Rosie on May 14, 1999, at 18:45:02
> It is great reading everyone's comments on Celexa. I am considering going on it to lessen some of the pain. I have never been on an antidepressent or an SSRI before and I am a bit nervous. I was wondering about side effects...the memory loss thing is freaking me out, not to mention the decreased sexual desire. Does this all stabilize over the first few weeks/months? Does your memory come up to 100% or at least where it was? It would be great to get some feedback and any other general info as well. I suffer from a very mild depressive state (often non existent) however, occaisionally it dips and it becomes quite difficult to manage. My psychiatrist suggested this new SSRI and I am considering it.
> Thanks for the help
> RosieI felt a bit foggy when I initially started Celexa and felt a bit zombieish and it was hard to concentrate but I had other things going on in my life. I've been on it for 4 months and do not have any forgetfulness. I did have a decreased sensation when having sex in the beginning - but was still able to have an orgasm. It seems that before Celexa, I more easily had an orgasm from external stimulation - now I don't seem to be able to have that - I can only have an orgasm through penetration. But I have an orgasm practically every time we have sex.
Posted by jimmygold70 on April 1, 2001, at 16:21:07
In reply to HELP!! Questions about Celexa - new user, posted by DANB on March 27, 2001, at 11:44:25
Well, most side effects do go away after a while. Celexa takes a couple of week to kick in. Sexual side effects go away for some people, and for some they don't. For those who still suffer after a while, I recommend adding low dose Remeron with very high chances of success.
Jimmy
> I have been taking Celexa for one week and I am not 100% thrilled. I have never been on a anti-depressent and I do not know what to expect. I have been going through a divorce and have been mildly (I guess) depressed, have had some anxiety and a panic attack or two. My father was Manic Depressive and when I told my doctor this she put me on 10mg of Celexa. I had just gone in for an annual physical and left with anti depressants?
>
> I have been experiencing nausea some light headedness and problems sleeping. To be honest I am mostly concerned with the sexual side affects.
>
> How long will celexa stay in you system. Do most people on Celexa have more sever symptoms of depression? How frequent are the sexual side affects in men?
Posted by hunier on April 1, 2001, at 17:40:59
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects, posted by mary on May 24, 1999, at 20:23:52
> My dosage was reduced to 30mg. It made a big difference in sleepiness but I'm really worn out at the end of the day especially if I've had a therapy session. I'm not yawning as much but I still make stupid errors and lack motivation in most things including sexual relations. But I am not wishing I were dead.
> Mary
>
> > I've been taking celexa for three months, 40mg-in the AM. Sexual side effects went away real quick, certainly am less depressed, moods are stabilized. When I'm up and doing something, I feel great and have lots of energy, but as soon as I stop and sit, I am ready to fall asleep. Gaining weight, which I certainly don't need to do! Find myself going to bed earlier and earlier, and having a great deal of difficulty getting up in the morning. I've been considering stopping the med, as I hate feeling so tired all the time. Can someone give me a sense that even after three months these side effects wiil go away? Maybe a decrease in dosage?
Am I the only one who has problems with constipation with this ad? It's a nightmare and Im having trouble dealing with it. Will the problem go away? I changed dosage to 10 from 20.
Posted by george007 on April 2, 2001, at 11:27:38
In reply to Re: Celexa support, posted by Lizzy on March 31, 2001, at 21:48:36
Has anyone heard of Celexa causing tremors in the hands, ankles, and elsewhere?
George
Posted by gladys on April 2, 2001, at 16:44:47
In reply to Sick and tired of being so tired!!!! , posted by gladys on September 22, 2000, at 22:36:50
Has anyone been able to lose the weight they gained from being on celexa after they went off of it? (of course if you gained weight.) I am gaining so much and in the long run I think I will be more depressed. I may consider switching if chances are good that I will lose this weight. Anyone have any good advice? THANKS!
Posted by ccass on April 2, 2001, at 20:50:39
In reply to Weight gain after celexa, posted by gladys on April 2, 2001, at 16:44:47
Well this is what I'm trying, lots of water, and doing cardio exercise plus I'm seeing a dietician (I ask my doctor to recommend me to one so I don't have to pay for it)I'll let you know how it goes, I think the really tough part is doing it routinely so that it becomes part of your life style. Plus I hope I will feel even better (depression wise and dealling with stress) once I get myself into shape again.
wish me luck :)
and good luck to you too!> Has anyone been able to lose the weight they gained from being on celexa after they went off of it? (of course if you gained weight.) I am gaining so much and in the long run I think I will be more depressed. I may consider switching if chances are good that I will lose this weight. Anyone have any good advice? THANKS!
Posted by Dione on April 3, 2001, at 23:46:35
In reply to Re: Getting Off Celexa - So Tired, posted by Bill L on March 25, 2001, at 20:01:46
In addition to the weight gain-I too had tremours and could sleep allday-there was no happy medium-and it has taken me about 6 months to stop wanting to sleep all day-there are some days that I still could-but the urge to do so is not as overwhelming-I have got to find and anti-depressent that does not have so may side effects-any suggestions?
Posted by Rebecca Fitzgerald on April 4, 2001, at 8:03:16
In reply to Re: Getting Off Celexa - So Tired, posted by Dione on April 3, 2001, at 23:46:35
I have been on Celexa for three weeks now - 10 mg for 2 weeks and just recently upped to 20 mg. My husband reports that I am having the strangest nightmares which I don't recall at all. I take the med in the morning and do have wine in the evening. I'm sure the wine is not mixing well and will see if I sleep better without it. Also, just since upping the dosage, I am finding that I am experiencing anxiety early in the morning. I rush to take the pill and relax so it goes away. I never suffered from anxiety before - I take this for my pmdd. I have no weight gain problem and have no constipation - on the contrary, I am going more frequently, but not diarrhea. I'm thinking of changing over to St. John's Wort. Any comments on this?
Posted by lizzy on April 4, 2001, at 14:30:14
In reply to Side Effect of Celexa - Tremor?, posted by george007 on April 2, 2001, at 11:27:38
> Has anyone heard of Celexa causing tremors in the hands, ankles, and elsewhere?
>
> GeorgeYES! I had them really bad in the beginning - first month or so. Now I have them periodically - have been on Celexa for 4 months with doses ranging from 10 - 30 mg. I felt like I just wanted to sit on my feet and couldn't sleep until it went away. I was also always bouncing my feet and couldn't stop fidgeting. Best of luck.
Posted by NotJulie on April 7, 2001, at 23:33:12
In reply to Re: Sick and tired of being so tired!!!! , posted by Nora on March 5, 2001, at 9:20:17
Hi - I'm glad I found this thread.
I've just been prescribed Celexa to aid my situation-specific depression. I've had down times before, but this has been unbearable, so I picked up the phone and called a psychiatrist. (I am also in the market for a therapist) He said I was on the fence, but that prescribing an AD was a method of preventing further slips into depression in response to negative situations in the future. He likened it to wearing a path in the woods - once the path is there, it's easier to go down it again.
In reading these postings, I'm getting nervous that I may become dependent on the drug. My intention is for it to help me out of my current largest-funk-of-my-entire-life-that's-preventing-me-from-seeing-the-forest-for-the-trees and then get OFF. From what I'm reading here, it seems that ADs are addictive.
I've taken *one* 20mg pill so far, and I woke up at 5am this morning after 4 hours of sleep, extremely anxious. I've spent all day feeling "speedy", but not in a productive way, rather in a very anxious way. I had hot flashes last night and have had chills during the day.
I called the psychiatrist's after-hours number this morning and he advised me to break the next pill in half a give it a few days to kick in. Another friend assured me that on day three she felt a lot better, with a better world outlook.
I intend to take this stuff the prescribed 6-8 months, and then leave it behind. Is this realistic? I do not want to be making a lifestyle choice by starting to take this medication.
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