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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Gil on May 10, 2000, at 9:44:36
I've been taking Celexa for a little over 4 months - I've seen it work well for many people, but it had little or no effect on my depression.
I decided to stop taking it cold turky after researching for possible withdrawl symptoms and finding none on the net.
Since discontinuing the drug I've noticed some slight but anoying withdrawl - dizzy-type attacks, none strong enough to actually be called dizzyness, more of a very mild heartbeat of vertigo. Anoying. I've also started having some very vivid dreams.
It's now been over a week and I'm still experiencing these thing. Just wondering if anyone else out there has experienced anything similar?
Posted by Andre Allard on May 12, 2000, at 14:44:33
In reply to Celexa Withdrawl?, posted by Gil on May 10, 2000, at 9:44:36
It is easier on the system to come off of Celexa or any drug for that matter, slowly. With AD's, it usually takes a few weeks, sometimes even more to taper off the meds. What you are experiencing is discontinueation or withdrawal symptoms because you came off the Celexa abrubtly. To elimate the side effects you are going threw, try taking 10mg for the next week. On the eighth day do not take the Celexa. If you notice, then take the Celexa again for another week. If you come off of the Celexa this way your body will thank you. When I decided to come off of Effexor I had a hell of a time. I tried this method and eventually I was able to come off of the Effexor pretty much symptom free of withdrawals. Good luck!
Posted by Archangel on May 15, 2000, at 17:49:39
In reply to Celexa Withdrawl?, posted by Gil on May 10, 2000, at 9:44:36
I’ve been lurking here for the past several months. Although I often wanted to respond to a thread or post a message, I lacked the courage…until today. I thought my depression was getting “better” so I discontinued taking my Celexa. I had been taking 40mg/day since September ’99. I tapered off to 20mg/day for the last month, and finally stopped taking it entirely when my prescription ran out last Wednesday. While on the drug, the only side effect I noticed was sleeplessness. I was waking up several times a night. On some nights, it was hourly.
My mood Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (yesterday) was fine. However, I woke up this morning depressed for no apparent external reasons. I’ve been feeling dizzy and “disconnected” all day. I spent a lot of time today crying, again for no apparent external reasons. Gil, after reading your post and jacquie’s post from 5/13/00 (celexa withdrawel or ambien side effects...crying), I’m trying to convince myself that I’m merely experiencing the effects of withdrawal. I hope they pass soon (especially the crying) because I really did think I was getting better (and I wasn’t convinced that Celexa was the reason), and for various motives, I don’t want to have to rely on drugs to control my emotional state.
Good luck on your withdrawal from Celexa and your battle with depression.
Best regards,
Archangel (Michael)> I've been taking Celexa for a little over 4 months - I've seen it work well for many people, but it had little or no effect on my depression.
>
> I decided to stop taking it cold turky after researching for possible withdrawl symptoms and finding none on the net.
>
> Since discontinuing the drug I've noticed some slight but anoying withdrawl - dizzy-type attacks, none strong enough to actually be called dizzyness, more of a very mild heartbeat of vertigo. Anoying. I've also started having some very vivid dreams.
>
> It's now been over a week and I'm still experiencing these thing. Just wondering if anyone else out there has experienced anything similar?
Posted by gil on May 16, 2000, at 13:54:17
In reply to Re: Celexa Withdrawl?, posted by Archangel on May 15, 2000, at 17:49:39
I'm very sorry to hear that you're not feeling well! I can tell you that the dizzy feelings I was suffering from are pretty much gone, still an occasional, and very short "heartbeat" of dizziness but beyond that, the physical withdrawl seems to be over. Another thing I noticed was my sense of color - it was a bit off but has also returned to normal.
I, too, felt a bit disconnected for a week or 2 after I discontinued the celexa. That has faded for the most part.
Beyond that, I've had little to no return of my depression.
One thing I've done to keep myself activly "up" is start working out with a friend on a daily basis. I've needed to try and get in shape for a few years now, and figured it would help me improve my self-image. So far, so good. I'm sleeping better and seem to have more energy and motivation. I always thought working out would just tire me out more and I'd end up spending more time dozing on the couch, but the effect has been almost as good, if not better, than the drugs.
I hope you start feeling better! And please, if the depression comes back, don't be afraid to get back on the celexa. I've known many people that spent a ton of time depressed when they didn't need to be. Don't think of the celexa as a bad thing. For some it can be like food, or water, or anything else you need to keep yourself going. Nothing to be ashamed of. I know if I can't keep myself from going back down into the depression that was destroying my life, I'll get back on the Celexa and let the drugs help.
Take care of yourself.
gil
> I’ve been lurking here for the past several months. Although I often wanted to respond to a thread or post a message, I lacked the courage…until today. I thought my depression was getting “better” so I discontinued taking my Celexa. I had been taking 40mg/day since September ’99. I tapered off to 20mg/day for the last month, and finally stopped taking it entirely when my prescription ran out last Wednesday. While on the drug, the only side effect I noticed was sleeplessness. I was waking up several times a night. On some nights, it was hourly.
>
> My mood Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (yesterday) was fine. However, I woke up this morning depressed for no apparent external reasons. I’ve been feeling dizzy and “disconnected” all day. I spent a lot of time today crying, again for no apparent external reasons. Gil, after reading your post and jacquie’s post from 5/13/00 (celexa withdrawel or ambien side effects...crying), I’m trying to convince myself that I’m merely experiencing the effects of withdrawal. I hope they pass soon (especially the crying) because I really did think I was getting better (and I wasn’t convinced that Celexa was the reason), and for various motives, I don’t want to have to rely on drugs to control my emotional state.
>
> Good luck on your withdrawal from Celexa and your battle with depression.
>
> Best regards,
> Archangel (Michael)
>
> > I've been taking Celexa for a little over 4 months - I've seen it work well for many people, but it had little or no effect on my depression.
> >
> > I decided to stop taking it cold turky after researching for possible withdrawl symptoms and finding none on the net.
> >
> > Since discontinuing the drug I've noticed some slight but anoying withdrawl - dizzy-type attacks, none strong enough to actually be called dizzyness, more of a very mild heartbeat of vertigo. Anoying. I've also started having some very vivid dreams.
> >
> > It's now been over a week and I'm still experiencing these thing. Just wondering if anyone else out there has experienced anything similar?
Posted by Archangel on May 19, 2000, at 16:52:48
In reply to Re: Celexa Withdrawl?, posted by gil on May 16, 2000, at 13:54:17
Hi Gil,
Thanks for writing back. I’m sorry I didn’t acknowledge your reply earlier. Your post was archived before I had a chance to get in here and read it. I wanted to refer to your original post in a message I sent to catful, and I only then saw your reply. He/she is experiencing Celexa withdrawal, too.
I’m glad your physical withdrawal symptoms have diminished. I don’t know how you were able to handle exercise with the dizziness. I sit at a desk for long periods of time while at work. I have a hard time just walking down the hall with the dizziness. But it’s getting better. I’m glad you’re able to exercise. Having a friend to share your time with might also motivate you to keep at it. I ride my bicycle for exercise, but it’s mostly a solitary activity. We have a great, fully equipped, staffed fitness center at work, open 24x7 (yes, we can even take time out during the day to work out as long as we get our work done), but I haven’t used it in over a year. Now that the weather is nice, I occasionally walk in a nearby park during lunch. Usually however, I spend my lunch hour in Babble Land reading the posts.
I’m also glad your depression hasn’t returned. You said you took Celexa for four months. Did you take anything prior to that? And, if you don’t mind me asking, did you also spend time in some sort of therapy for issues that might have contributed to your depression? I started seeing a therapist and taking Celexa eight months ago. I’m still depressed, but I think I’m a little better equipped to handle it now. It was my decision to stop taking Celexa. I wanted to see if I could stay “better” without it. It never occurred to me that I’d suffer through withdrawal. I guess I just don’t read all the posts here carefully enough. I’m glad I saw yours. Knowing that what I’m going through now is “normal” has helped me cope. Thanks for sharing your experience with everyone here. You did help at least one person...me.
Good luck on your journey away from depression. I hope the road takes you far from it.
Thanks again and best regards,
Archangel (Michael)> I'm very sorry to hear that you're not feeling well! I can tell you that the dizzy feelings I was suffering from are pretty much gone, still an occasional, and very short "heartbeat" of dizziness but beyond that, the physical withdrawl seems to be over. Another thing I noticed was my sense of color - it was a bit off but has also returned to normal.
>
> I, too, felt a bit disconnected for a week or 2 after I discontinued the celexa. That has faded for the most part.
>
> Beyond that, I've had little to no return of my depression.
>
> One thing I've done to keep myself activly "up" is start working out with a friend on a daily basis. I've needed to try and get in shape for a few years now, and figured it would help me improve my self-image. So far, so good. I'm sleeping better and seem to have more energy and motivation. I always thought working out would just tire me out more and I'd end up spending more time dozing on the couch, but the effect has been almost as good, if not better, than the drugs.
>
> I hope you start feeling better! And please, if the depression comes back, don't be afraid to get back on the celexa. I've known many people that spent a ton of time depressed when they didn't need to be. Don't think of the celexa as a bad thing. For some it can be like food, or water, or anything else you need to keep yourself going. Nothing to be ashamed of. I know if I can't keep myself from going back down into the depression that was destroying my life, I'll get back on the Celexa and let the drugs help.
>
> Take care of yourself.
>
> gil
>
> > I’ve been lurking here for the past several months. Although I often wanted to respond to a thread or post a message, I lacked the courage…until today. I thought my depression was getting “better” so I discontinued taking my Celexa. I had been taking 40mg/day since September ’99. I tapered off to 20mg/day for the last month, and finally stopped taking it entirely when my prescription ran out last Wednesday. While on the drug, the only side effect I noticed was sleeplessness. I was waking up several times a night. On some nights, it was hourly.
> >
> > My mood Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (yesterday) was fine. However, I woke up this morning depressed for no apparent external reasons. I’ve been feeling dizzy and “disconnected” all day. I spent a lot of time today crying, again for no apparent external reasons. Gil, after reading your post and jacquie’s post from 5/13/00 (celexa withdrawel or ambien side effects...crying), I’m trying to convince myself that I’m merely experiencing the effects of withdrawal. I hope they pass soon (especially the crying) because I really did think I was getting better (and I wasn’t convinced that Celexa was the reason), and for various motives, I don’t want to have to rely on drugs to control my emotional state.
> >
> > Good luck on your withdrawal from Celexa and your battle with depression.
> >
> > Best regards,
> > Archangel (Michael)
> >
> > > I've been taking Celexa for a little over 4 months - I've seen it work well for many people, but it had little or no effect on my depression.
> > >
> > > I decided to stop taking it cold turky after researching for possible withdrawl symptoms and finding none on the net.
> > >
> > > Since discontinuing the drug I've noticed some slight but anoying withdrawl - dizzy-type attacks, none strong enough to actually be called dizzyness, more of a very mild heartbeat of vertigo. Anoying. I've also started having some very vivid dreams.
> > >
> > > It's now been over a week and I'm still experiencing these thing. Just wondering if anyone else out there has experienced anything similar?
Posted by gnat on October 15, 2000, at 12:19:39
In reply to Celexa Withdrawl?, posted by Gil on May 10, 2000, at 9:44:36
>After a week of basic mild to mid level suffering and nobody to talk to, I turned to the net. I have been taking SSRI's for a little over 2 years for panic attacks, recently I switched HMOs and they switched me to Celexa, probably about 4 or 5 months now. I have been wanting to stop the medication for a long time now, but have been afraid of the withdrawal symptoms. I was taking 20mg, then for several weeks was breaking the pills in half and taking only a half and then stopped a week ago. I was wondering if you could help me, or expand on your withdrawal symptoms? I feel very tired, daily headaches, wake up with nausea that comes and goes throughout the day, I feel dizzy almost, but not quite. I am very stressed out, because my husband doesn't understand, we just moved to a new town and I don't know anyone to discuss this with. I just kind of feel bad, but with no concrete symptoms to go to the doctor with. Did you have these symptoms? How long did it last? When can I expect to feel better?
I know you posted in may, but I hope you get this and respond.
Thanks
I've been taking Celexa for a little over 4 months - I've seen it work well for many people, but it had little or no effect on my depression.
>
> I decided to stop taking it cold turky after researching for possible withdrawl symptoms and finding none on the net.
>
> Since discontinuing the drug I've noticed some slight but anoying withdrawl - dizzy-type attacks, none strong enough to actually be called dizzyness, more of a very mild heartbeat of vertigo. Anoying. I've also started having some very vivid dreams.
>
> It's now been over a week and I'm still experiencing these thing. Just wondering if anyone else out there has experienced anything similar?
Posted by pullmarine on October 21, 2000, at 14:32:23
In reply to Re: Celexa Withdrawl?, posted by gnat on October 15, 2000, at 12:19:39
I feel very tired, daily headaches, wake up with nausea that comes and goes throughout the day, I feel dizzy almost, but not quite. I am very stressed out, because my husband doesn't understand, we just moved to a new town and I don't know anyone to discuss this with. I just kind of feel bad, but with no concrete symptoms to go to the doctor with. Did you have these symptoms? How long did it last? When can I expect to feel better?
All this is normal. hang in there, it will be over in a couple of weeks.
>john >
>
>
>
>
>
> I've been taking Celexa for a little over 4 months - I've seen it work well for many people, but it had little or no effect on my depression.
> >
> > I decided to stop taking it cold turky after researching for possible withdrawl symptoms and finding none on the net.
> >
> > Since discontinuing the drug I've noticed some slight but anoying withdrawl - dizzy-type attacks, none strong enough to actually be called dizzyness, more of a very mild heartbeat of vertigo. Anoying. I've also started having some very vivid dreams.
> >
> > It's now been over a week and I'm still experiencing these thing. Just wondering if anyone else out there has experienced anything similar?
This is the end of the thread.
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