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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Shar on April 15, 2000, at 0:48:17
In reply to Re: What makes you HAPPY VALLEY GIRL??, posted by Valley Girl on April 6, 2000, at 7:26:26
> >I have been in therapy for most of my adult life. 30 plus years. I keep hearing the same thing over and over. I don't understand that happiness has to be hard work. Our parents selfishly put us here for their egotistical or plain stupid reasons and now we're stuck. Life sucks and then you die. But for me you don't die soon enough, you get dragged through hell for what purpose? So you can die! Believe me, I have researched mental health, physical and psychic (I am extremely intutitive and empathic). I thought this was my problem, because I react to everyones emotions around me. I hate knowing what other people think and what is going to happen to them. I have tried, through various methods, to get control of this "gift". Say what you want. I have been there and done that. I am just sick of it all. I am on meds. I have tried natural, homeopathic you name it. Nothing works for me. I am glad that others benefit from meds and positive attitudes. Depression, is what is here for me in this life. I guess I am suppose to learn something from it. Sorry for being such a downer. I can only see the yucky underside of the rock, not the beautiful shiney side!
>
> I am not wallowing in self pity. I just want someone to understand that happiness is or contentment is a hard thing for some us even to understand.
>
> Valley Girl
>
>
>
>
> I am sure you have heard, that this is IT. This isn't a dress rehearsal..this is the only life we get..right now.If your med's. aren't working ---how important are YOU to YOU?
> >
> > Get help. Read everything about your illness you can. Don't wait. Research. Find a thread of hope. Seek out some answers. Make it your purpose. Since you have had children,
> > (I won't say do it for them.) having children is tough,raising them is tough,heck..life is tough sometimes.
> >
> > You have obviously toughed it out through the years...can you try a little more? For you?
> > Maybe I don't get it...as far as you are concerned...I haven't "walked in your shoes". But I do know that the human spirit wants the goodness,happiness.
> >
> > So don't try to "force" yourself to be happy..find some answers as to why you are unhappy.
Valley: I can join you completely in your definition of life, and the absence of "happiness" and knowing that most people don't understand at all. I feel very much the same way, and have since I was quite young. I am not terribly empathic (reading people), but I am ultra sensitive to slight nuances in behaviors, "disruptions in the force" if you will.
A survival technique I learned at home.I personally am tired of people --just about everyone --dispensing their personal theories on how I should behave/eat/exercise/go to their church/ etc. in order to not be depressed. I think my depression is biological, like diabetes or a thyroid condition. So those kindly suggestions of "why not get off your meds for a while, maybe you won't feel depressed anymore" are just ignored. And I tell them what I think.
I think it is good to hang in there, and do try the meds (give them a chance, because it could bring you from black pit to having your head above ground again). My meds don't keep me happy, they keep me not-suicidal, which is an improvement.
As far as "happiness" I have a pretty liberal definition: if things aren't horrible on all fronts, it's ok. Or, if my head is above water, I'm ok.
In terms of "happiness".....Delightful moments are what I have. Like moments of amusement inspired by nature (standing still watching a couple of squirrels go up and around a tree, full speed ahead) or a moment on Sat. morning when I realize I can sleep in and I am so GRATEFUL. I like humor also.
I am aware of the occasional little good things, but I would not say "I'm a happy person" and I pretty much agree that life sucks, and is also unfair.
I have determined to stick it out. I hope you do, too.
Good luck - Shar
Posted by Melly on April 16, 2000, at 21:46:37
In reply to Re: more Celexa sharing, posted by CHRISTINA on April 14, 2000, at 18:02:17
So I have been reading all of the posts about Celexa and now I don't know if I want to start taking it. I have been on and off many other antidepressants, and I could hardly tolerate their side effects. Perhaps I just need to "Bite the bullet" for a few weeks? Or should I truly consider med-free? I've been as such for about 4 years. I already feel like I don't care about anything, I don't need Celexa to make me feel that way. Any insights? Thanks!
Posted by boB on April 17, 2000, at 20:38:24
In reply to Reluctant to take Celexa, posted by Melly on April 16, 2000, at 21:46:37
If anyone wants to spot me a few doses of their Celexa, I will be glad to share with you all how it makes me feel. But I will never create a record of accepting a prescription and if some court agency wants to cram it down my throat they will have a rather ugly fight on their hands.
But otherwise, I am with Valley Girl. Who cares if I am happy or not? I don't and frankly it is nobody elses business. If someone doesn't like my frowning face, maybe they should consider some of the things that make it that way rather than telling me I should take a pill and cheer up. Apparently hating people for their skin color is out of style, so frowning faces are the new boogie man of choice. I agree that some people are born predisposed to the conditions that are called depression, and I bet I am one of them. But my condition is one of sometimes flat emotion and othertimes a wide dynamic range of emotion - it becomes depression when people around me start complaining that I am not sharing in their manic, hyper-joyous dillusion of who we all are. If people want to live like gods, that is there business. They seem to enjoy my work and my insight, when they don't have to go home with me, or spend to much time plumbing the dark depths of my unreformed soul.
Natural things give me a sense of belonging. That might be called happiness, but I don't equate it with this stupid grin I see on all the faces around me. Frankly, I think the pdocs are giving pills to the wrong people. They should be giving wake-up pills to all the happy people so they would understand that 1/2 of the world's six billion people live on less than $2 a day and the roses they enjoy smelling so much will likely be extinct next year because the bees that polinate them are dying, along with the frogs, the monarch butterflies and hundreds of other species that never saw fit to introduce themselves to humankind.
I hope no one sees this as a hostile post. I can block this kind of transmission, but I think that is what all the suicide prevention people are trying to avoid - people like me turning themselves off, which is a likely choice if noone cares to share our honest appraisal.
Don't worry, though, I think there is a huge market for this kind of honesty, as long as one sugar coats it, as I have learned to do. Sorry, i just was out of sugar today.
Live on, Valley Girl.
Posted by Elizabeth on April 19, 2000, at 0:47:10
In reply to Re: IM SOOOOO CONFUSED! HELP! , posted by Sandra on April 4, 2000, at 10:11:57
>I have been taking Celexa for approximately 3 months now and it has been really great. Although, I'm a little worried I am gaining weight because of it, which is what brought me to the message board. Aside from that, Celexa has been a wonder drug for me. I have not had any negative side effects and I feel great! (I just hope it isn't making me gain weight, because I have quite an appetite lately.) I have taken Wellbutrin & Prozac with some success and Serzone which was really, really bad. As far as a success story - I would highly recommend Celexa.
Posted by Joanie on April 22, 2000, at 10:31:43
In reply to Re: Celexa Side Effects, posted by Rick on March 28, 2000, at 15:39:47
>I started taking Celexa 4 days ago. Took 10 mg. for 3 days and just took 20 mg. today. I noticed immediately that my teeth are clenched; SO clenched, in fact, that my jaw is killing me! I think this is very strange considering how 2 doctors sung this medications praises, and everyone here seems to be miserable from it. Has anybody else experienced this clenching thing?
>
> I've been taking Celexa for 60 days now and I must say it did have an immediate effect on my sexual function, but it only lasted about 4 weeks. During this time I no need or want to do anything. After I had even more stress come into my life the doctor doubled my dose to 40mg/day. I now have an increased desire for sex and my wife and I are getting along just fine. I still have problems with decision making as I tend to say exactly whats on my mind instead of thinking of how it's going to affect everyone before I say it.
Posted by Michele Cohen on April 22, 2000, at 16:28:53
In reply to Re: Celexa Side Effects, posted by Joanie on April 22, 2000, at 10:31:43
> >I started taking Celexa 4 days ago. Took 10 mg. for 3 days and just took 20 mg. today. I noticed immediately that my teeth are clenched; SO clenched, in fact, that my jaw is killing me! I think this is very strange considering how 2 doctors sung this medications praises, and everyone here seems to be miserable from it. Has anybody else experienced this clenching thing?
> >
> > I've been taking Celexa for 60 days now and I must say it did have an immediate effect on my sexual function, but it only lasted about 4 weeks. During this time I no need or want to do anything. After I had even more stress come into my life the doctor doubled my dose to 40mg/day. I now have an increased desire for sex and my wife and I are getting along just fine. I still have problems with decision making as I tend to say exactly whats on my mind instead of thinking of how it's going to affect everyone before I say it.Hi--I started taking Celexa 3 weeks ago-- I have stayed at 10 mg instead of moving up to 20 mg because the side effects were really bad-- no sleep, yawning, clenched jaw, racing heart, and worst of all constant nausea. May jaw still feels tight every once and a while, but it's gotten much better-- so have the rest of the side effects. Hope this helps-- Michele
Posted by Irene on April 27, 2000, at 18:15:39
In reply to more Celexa sharing, posted by torchgrl on February 9, 2000, at 2:46:11
Anyone have any comparative information as to differences between Celexa and Prozac in their effectiveness and side effects?
Posted by whereismychair on April 28, 2000, at 6:44:44
In reply to Re: more Celexa sharing, posted by Irene on April 27, 2000, at 18:15:39
> Anyone have any comparative information as to differences between Celexa and Prozac in their effectiveness and side effects?
hi- i'm a 16 (almost 17) year old female diagnosed with ocd, clinical depression, and manic-depression (somehow, they can't seem to make up their minds). i am on my 5th day of taking celexa, which has really messed up my body. i stayed home from school for 3 and a half days, unable to get out of bed from dizzyness, fatigue, nausea, headache, etc. i am finally able to get up, and all i have to say is- I HOPE THIS IS WORTH IT. i have had trouble breathing and swallowing, also. i was on prozac for 6 years, with NO side effects at all. it worked with in a month. i'm thinking about going back to prozac...but i guess i should give celexa a shot, huh?
Posted by Beth on April 28, 2000, at 12:28:15
In reply to Re: Saint James (somewhat off topic), posted by Jen Hill on March 27, 2000, at 18:09:48
>I only took Celexa for a week because it made me so sleepy.
In fact, I am supposed to be taking this for tension
headaches. Is anyone taking Celexa as a headache treatment? If
so, what type of headaches? Is it helping you?
Posted by tina on April 28, 2000, at 17:15:27
In reply to Re: more Celexa sharing, posted by whereismychair on April 28, 2000, at 6:44:44
I'm with"whereismychair" I've had the most horrible side effects from this crap and i've only taken it twice so far. That's two little white pills ladies and gentlemen. Last night was spent with my face in the toilet and my body shaking so badly and my heart pounding so hard I thought i was dying, literally. After reading all the horror stories you all have written here i''m pretty sure i want to try something else. Any suggestions?? I'm new to the prescription thing and the depression thing and would appreciate any feedback. Thanx.
> > Anyone have any comparative information as to differences between Celexa and Prozac in their effectiveness and side effects?
>
>
> hi- i'm a 16 (almost 17) year old female diagnosed with ocd, clinical depression, and manic-depression (somehow, they can't seem to make up their minds). i am on my 5th day of taking celexa, which has really messed up my body. i stayed home from school for 3 and a half days, unable to get out of bed from dizzyness, fatigue, nausea, headache, etc. i am finally able to get up, and all i have to say is- I HOPE THIS IS WORTH IT. i have had trouble breathing and swallowing, also. i was on prozac for 6 years, with NO side effects at all. it worked with in a month. i'm thinking about going back to prozac...but i guess i should give celexa a shot, huh?
Posted by Charles on April 29, 2000, at 9:17:23
In reply to Beginning Celexa, posted by Beth on April 28, 2000, at 12:28:15
> >
I'm been taking Celexa for almst 2 weeks.
I have noticed both my frequent (4x a week) tension headaches and peptic ulcers have almost disappeared. Good luck.
Posted by Eliza on May 1, 2000, at 12:20:45
In reply to Re: more Celexa sharing, posted by Irene on April 27, 2000, at 18:15:39
I've been on Celexa (20 mg) for almost eight months. For me, it has been a wonder drug. I really don't experience any side effects to speak of (although when I tried to up the dose to 40 mg) it made me very very sleepy. My attitude has improved 100%, my outlook is more positive, and slowly but surely I am making small but important changes in my life, exercising more, moving to a nicer place, etc., and the best news of all, I have been dating someone quite wonderful since December.
I tried Prozac at two different times in the past, 4 to 6 months each time. The best thing about Prozac was the immediacy and intensity of its effect (it was like the world went from black and white to color in a matter of days). Celexa's effect was much more gradual and subtle. I did experience an increase in self-confidence on Prozac, but no accompanying desire to really better my life, just no longer caring about not having achieved much of anything. And then the really bad thing about Prozac for me were some of the paradoxical effects. It made me very sleepy (I would sleep nine or ten hours a night on it, and still have a hard time getting up in the morning) and I GAINED weight. I know they say that's not supposed to happen, but the first time I took Prozac my weight went from 105 to about 120 in six months. I did lose about 5 pounds when I stopped taking it, but I've never lost that other 10 lbs. When I took it again (for only four months), again my weight started to creep up, but I stopped it, because I really didn't want to experience another permanent weight gain.
I went to a psychiatrist this time around with the hopes of being placed on Welbutrin, but she is one of these doctors who doesn't like Welbutrin, and suggested Celexa. It's been (for me) really wonderful.
Hope this is helpful. EVeryone responds so differently to these medications!!
Posted by D on May 1, 2000, at 13:43:54
In reply to Re: whereismychair, posted by tina on April 28, 2000, at 17:15:27
Tina,
I'm sorry to hear that you had such bad results w/ Celexa. I had wonderful results w/ Zoloft (50mg). Maybe that would work for you. Best wishes.
Posted by tina on May 1, 2000, at 14:01:50
In reply to Re: whereismychair, posted by D on May 1, 2000, at 13:43:54
D:
thanks for the advice about zoloft. I'm seeing my pdoc on thursday and I'll ask about it. Can you fill me in on any side effects of it that the docs don't mention?Tina,
> I'm sorry to hear that you had such bad results w/ Celexa. I had wonderful results w/ Zoloft (50mg). Maybe that would work for you. Best wishes.
Posted by DAVE on May 4, 2000, at 1:33:08
In reply to Re: Celexa, posted by Jen on March 19, 2000, at 8:11:15
>Hello everyone- I had a strange experience with celexa and wonder if others have had it and what it may suggest (if anything) about my own brain chemistry.
I took celexa for a bout a month- and from about the second day felt extremely peaceful and in control of my life- however after about a month it wore off and i felt terrible- maybe worse than before or it could just have been the contrast fromt he drug not "working: and then not "working"- has anyone had this before?I have experimented with other AD's and have found that if you take a tiny dose every second day sometimes the same reaction can be achieved- but it will always only last for a month-
thanks- bye.
Posted by jacquie on May 4, 2000, at 4:56:14
In reply to Re: Celexa, posted by DAVE on May 4, 2000, at 1:33:15
Hi Dave...I'm not an authority on ADs , but I also took Celexa and wondered what dose you were taking. I started at 10mg for a week (went to 20mg sooner because 10mg made so tired) then to 20mg within 4 days and stayed on 20mg for over a month. By 5 weeks going into 6 I felt unmotivated, had to desire to even talk in therapy and had an overall sense of "well, this is it" then the docs booted me to 40mg and by the second weekof that I was feeling quite good. The only reason I have stopped is because Celexa gave me insomnia that I strugled to combat well. I think it is a very good drug for some and I am not thrilled I had to get off it. I have found, at least for me, that dosing is critical with these things. Ihope this has shed a little light on the area for you and that ou are feeling better. Take care. Jacquie
> >Hello everyone- I had a strange experience with celexa and wonder if others have had it and what it may suggest (if anything) about my own brain chemistry.
> I took celexa for a bout a month- and from about the second day felt extremely peaceful and in control of my life- however after about a month it wore off and i felt terrible- maybe worse than before or it could just have been the contrast fromt he drug not "working: and then not "working"- has anyone had this before?
>
> I have experimented with other AD's and have found that if you take a tiny dose every second day sometimes the same reaction can be achieved- but it will always only last for a month-
>
>
>
> thanks- bye.
Posted by Wondering on May 4, 2000, at 13:54:21
In reply to Re: IM SOOOOO CONFUSED! HELP! , posted by Elizabeth on April 19, 2000, at 0:47:10
Going down this board, I've seen a rainbow of side effects, from weight gain to weight loss, sleepiness to insomnia, apathy to renewed vigor. I've taken a few handful of SSRIs over the past 6 years or so and I'm wondering I anyone can offer any comparisons.
The most effective med I've yet taken has been Prozac, specfically when combined with Klonopin. It seemed the perfect match to alleviate my anxiety while boosting me up. I tried Paxil, which I compare to eating peanuts if peanuts gave you sexual side effects. I've also tried Serzone, which was an awful drug for me. It kept me up at nights, gave me twitches and chills that felt like petite mal seizures, and offered no relief from symptoms. Today, after a month of wending through "therapy" (Try breathing differently!?) I finally got to see a doc. He offered this Celexa. Whatever. These SSRIs are all starting to sound like new sedans.
Anyway, the doc gives me the choice between Celexa and some other drug. What can I expect here? By the way, this doc has problems with and won't prescribe Prozac (Too many unmetabolized somethings) or Klonopin (Some people have seizures if they go off it quickly). After having to wait so long to find a doc (I live in NYC and believe me, those sofas are harder to reserve than box seats on Broadway)I just want to start something. I don't want to wait weeks to get what I need. So I'm trying this.
Can anyone respond to this half-question, half-rant post?
Posted by D on May 4, 2000, at 14:15:06
In reply to Re:thanks D, posted by tina on May 1, 2000, at 14:01:50
Tina,
Any side effects that I did have while on Zoloft, seem to be very mild compared to the beneficial effects that I recieved from taking it. Originally, the health professionals said that there were NO withdrawal symptoms. I found otherwise, and now everyone is saying yes there are withdrwal symptoms. Mine were, again, mild compared to the benefits. Just be sure to taper if you come off of it. I did notice a decrease in sex drive----that really wasn't a problem for me, though,since I am not involved with anyone in that way. Also, especially at first,
I felt sleepy a lot. But it was almost kind of nice. Kind of a relaxing feeling. I definitely had an increase in thirst, and dry mouth. Zoloft really put me in a different place mentally, though. Problems that had been on my mind for years, I seemed to be able to not think about (unless I wanted to). Everything about life seemed to take on a whole new color for me. I hope you have good results with Zoloft, or anything else that you decide to try.
Posted by Rictis on May 5, 2000, at 13:18:03
In reply to Just starting Celexa, posted by Wondering on May 4, 2000, at 13:54:21
I had just started taking celexa about 6 days ago.The doc has me taking 20 mgs a day.By the third day it really started to hit me.Then the next day after that I got out of bed, turned on the T.V. and sat on the couch and just laid there all day. For some reason when nite time comes I feel good, alert, and like I have it all together.Just making it through the majority of the day is really hard though.Im kind of wondering if I should stop taking it.I read that men have sexual problems while on celexa. I have noticed the past couple of days when i have become sexually aroused, I dont seem to get a full erection, and it doesnt last very long.I was wondering if this problem will persist while on celexa? If somebody knows the answer to my problem, could you get back to me. thanks Rictis
Posted by D on May 5, 2000, at 13:28:11
In reply to Re: Just starting Celexa, posted by Rictis on May 5, 2000, at 13:18:03
Rictis,
Maybe you need to take the med. at a different time of day. I think sometimes that can make a difference. Also, if you can take it for this long, maybe you could wait another few weeks and see if your body adjust to the new medication. I think a lot of times many of the side effects wear off after awhile. Hope things get better!
D
Posted by harry b. on May 5, 2000, at 17:26:04
In reply to Re: Just starting Celexa, posted by Rictis on May 5, 2000, at 13:18:03
Rictis- I'll start with the usual comment that we
all react differently to any particular med.I've been taking 20mg Celexa for 4 or 5 weeks. The
nausea I experienced has gone away. Sexually, I
have no problem becoming erect. The problem is
that orgasm is inhibited. Lately it has become
worse, I cannot achieve orgasm. If this continues
to be a problem for you, adding Wellbutrin to your
meds is supposed to help.I was staying in bed all day when I began taking
Celexa, but I had been doing that for the past
several months. The Celexa improved my mood but
it did not help with motivation. I recently began
taking Ritalin to help with my lethargy. There has
been some improvement, but not what I had hoped
for. I have forced myself to excercise daily, even
if it's only a 15 minute walk. This has helped.Good Luck
Posted by Kimberly on May 6, 2000, at 10:28:49
In reply to Beginning Celexa, posted by Beth on April 28, 2000, at 12:28:15
I just got off of celexa after being on it for 3 weeks. It was a nightmare. It made my daily tension headaches three times worse and actually turned them to migraines a couple times a week. I could not sleep even with ambien and my neck and shoulders were agonized with muscle tension. I am now on serzone and have big hopes for it. Of course this was only my experience but as far as I am concerned celexa was a nightmare for me and only worsened my headaches.
> >I only took Celexa for a week because it made me so sleepy.
> In fact, I am supposed to be taking this for tension
> headaches. Is anyone taking Celexa as a headache treatment? If
> so, what type of headaches? Is it helping you?I
Posted by Daciana on May 9, 2000, at 16:21:41
In reply to Re: Decisions - To Joy, posted by Cam W. on March 25, 2000, at 11:06:04
thank you Cam for your advice to Joy...it really helped me...I have been on Zoloft for about 2 or so months (started at 25mg and was upped to 100mg/day) and although I did notice a change when I didn't take it one day I also noticed an increased amount of anxiety even as a result of trivial things such as going to the mailroom at work...So today I went to my doctor and was changed to Celexa...My good friend and my sister are also both on Celexa and have been raving about their results...after reading many of the negatives of Celexa I got really nervous and although I will try it out I am not as confident as I was when she first prescribed it to me this morning...your note to Joy renewed my resolve and helped me remember that every medicinal effect is different for every person.
thanks
daciana
Posted by D on May 11, 2000, at 7:44:13
In reply to Re: Decisions - To Joy, posted by Daciana on May 9, 2000, at 16:21:41
Daciana,
I hope that you have really good results with Celexa. I do have to wonder , though, if you were taking to much Zoloft----maybe that's what was causing the anxiety---too much.
It seems like the natural thing, when upping the dose, would be for the doctor to up to 50 mg and gradually increase
to 75 mg and then to 100 if needed. Best wishes, D
Posted by carolyn on May 11, 2000, at 9:53:38
In reply to Just starting Celexa, posted by Wondering on May 4, 2000, at 13:54:21
I, like several of you, am preparing to take my first celexa tonight. Reading all these side effects scares me silly. I had taken Prozac for three years with good results until I began having hyper/nervous spells which Drs attributed to buld-up/intoleralnce (too much too long is my interpretation). I'm in a deep dark hole without meds so I'm trying celexa I guess. I don't like taking pills but desparately want my life back. Thanks for the inputs. Any suggestions?
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