![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 273 to 297 of 297. Go back in thread:
Posted by KB on July 30, 2001, at 11:45:51
In reply to Re: Update, posted by marcello on July 30, 2001, at 10:47:48
> Thanks KB for the info...A few weeks? Well, in retrospect, it beats the anxiety and depression. But sleep? I will continue to use the Benadryl, although it does not have the same effect as a few days ago. What's Ambien?
Ambien is a sleeping medication - my ex and I have both taken it and it seems to really knock you out but doesn't cause much morning-grogginess (unless you try to get up before 8 hours or so!) I wouldn't want to take it long-term, but for the first couple weeks it was useful.
Posted by KB on July 30, 2001, at 11:49:25
In reply to Re: Update, posted by marcello on July 30, 2001, at 10:47:48
> Thanks KB for the info...A few weeks? Well, in retrospect, it beats the anxiety and depression. But sleep? I will continue to use the Benadryl, although it does not have the same effect as a few days ago. What's Ambien?
Ambien is a sleeping medication - my ex and I have both taken it and it seems to really knock you out but doesn't cause much morning-grogginess (unless you try to get up before 8 hours or so!) I wouldn't want to take it long-term, but for the first couple weeks it was useful.
Posted by gldngodess on July 30, 2001, at 13:08:21
In reply to Re: Celexa-Tomjay, posted by gldngodess on April 11, 2001, at 10:53:51
> > I don't take Celexa anymore.
I started this holistic medicine and it works better than anything prescrip and it has no side effects.
gldngodess :)
Posted by marcello on July 30, 2001, at 13:47:01
In reply to Re: Celexa-Tomjay, posted by gldngodess on July 30, 2001, at 13:08:21
Hi...
Can you elaborate on the Holistic medicine you are taking?
Posted by marcello on July 30, 2001, at 13:53:37
In reply to Re: Update, posted by KB on July 30, 2001, at 11:49:25
> > Thanks KB for the info...A few weeks? Well, in retrospect, it beats the anxiety and depression. But sleep? I will continue to use the Benadryl, although it does not have the same effect as a few days ago. What's Ambien?
>
>
> Ambien is a sleeping medication - my ex and I have both taken it and it seems to really knock you out but doesn't cause much morning-grogginess (unless you try to get up before 8 hours or so!) I wouldn't want to take it long-term, but for the first couple weeks it was useful.
My normal sleep pattern is 6-7 hours tops. Bad habit I picked up in the service many years ago. I would be willing to try it. Will read alittle more about it. I'm luck if I get 8 hours of sleep in 3 days! Ahh, sleep. Forgot what it feels like to sleep a solid few hours. I do not want to take Klonopin, as suggested by my Doctor. Nor, do I want to get back on Nortryptilyne. I just want one pill. That's all. I Refuse to go back on 2-3 tabs of different medications to keep me functioning normally. Guess, I'll have to just deal with some discomforts for now.
Posted by marcello on August 5, 2001, at 10:26:09
In reply to Re: Update, posted by marcello on July 30, 2001, at 13:53:37
Hi all...
Well, the Benadryl has stopped having the effects I needed. So, I now am taking 10mg of Klonopin. Yesterday was my first night on it. Thank you GOD! I had a full, uninterupted 7 hours of sleep! The first good sleep in a month! Hallelujah!!!! Celexa has kicked in nicely and I am feeling much much better. Just wish my appettite came back. I have lost 8lbs. Down to 195. Well, I'd rather work on gaining some weight, than dealing with the anxiety. Hope all is well with you all.
Posted by gldngodess on August 5, 2001, at 13:55:23
In reply to Re: Celexa-Tomjay, posted by gldngodess on April 11, 2001, at 10:53:51
> > > > Anyone currently taking Celexa that has had their dosage increased? I'm taking 40mg/day and has noticed that when I have accidently doubled my dosage I feel less anxious and depressed. Both of which are the reasons I'm taking celexa now. Any thoughts are appreciated.
> > >
> > > Just to add my two cents, I'm currently taking Celexa at 40 mgs a day
> > > I did research before taking it and found, as Pam indicated, that
> > > the manufacturer did studies and determined that there was no improvement
> > > at 60 mgs over 40. You may want to talk to your doc abtou it though -- studies are
> > > statistical constructs and never say anthing about what will happen in a
> > > particular individual. I've had good results with it, and haven't
> > > had any significant side effects, with the exception of compulsive
> > > yawning for a couple of hours after I take it. Embarrasing sometimes, but
> > > not a real problem.
> > >
> > > Good luck
> > > Tomjay
> >
> > > >Tomjay
> > > Thanks for the response. The yawning is crazy. I've never had such a side effect. I think I'm leveling out so to say with Celexa and the current dose should suffice.
> > > Dawn
>
It's really funny I never took Celexa. but it says I did post on 4/11. I think my buddies at work here are playing around using my access. This is the only computer with cookies and internet access.
Hmm....interesting. I found so many interesting things in my email this morning like a new yahoo email address signed up for me, which I did not do, as PSYCHOVINYLBITCH. SOUNDS KIND OF SEXY, maybe I will keep it~but since it was made for me from someone mentally-ill, I shall not take advantage of your graciousness.
As I saw the posts, I realized my compadres here know more about you guys than I do.
I did find it very funny how defensive the mentally ill get.
At least, I know it must of taken your minds off your own problems by attacking someone else, maybe my co-workers got at least one of you not thinking about killing yourself ,so it was worth it.
I too, believe in GHB therapy for ADHD, Cataplexy and Narcolepsy. I found Cam- talking in redundant circles about theoretics, which had nothing to do with the articles from my company.
I agree with Dr, Bob "meth" does work well, it makes everybody seem interesting, but who is going to give you a controled scheduled drug to augment an SSRI?
When did this pratice start and what condition do you have to have to get it, ADHD? Indeed, very interesting. :)
Regina Victoria
Posted by KB on August 5, 2001, at 16:36:11
In reply to Re: Update, posted by marcello on August 5, 2001, at 10:26:09
I woke up this morning with a weird red flat rash all over my collar bone area. I schlepped over to my GP, who diagnosed it as vasculitis but doesn't know what's causing it - he took a lot of blood, but while he's waiting for the results, has anyone else had this on Celexa or related drugs?
Posted by April on August 14, 2001, at 10:50:22
In reply to Re: Celexa/side effects, posted by Joan on March 26, 1999, at 17:11:55
Cut and past this into your browser. It does give some information. http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/druginfo/celexa.htm
If you need more info go to www.google.com and type in celexa. I usually find great results that way.
April
> Does anyone have a reference (either a web site or hard copy article reference) about studies done on celexa, descriptionof side effects, drug interactions, etc... As I couldn't find it listed in the 1998 PDR
> thanks
> Joan
Posted by Rosa on August 21, 2001, at 5:59:18
In reply to Re: Celexa/side effects, posted by April on August 14, 2001, at 10:50:22
To check your medications for drug interactions, go to:
It also lists food interactions.
For herb/drug information, go to:
Just For Today,
Rosa
> Cut and past this into your browser. It does give some information. http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/druginfo/celexa.htm
>
> If you need more info go to www.google.com and type in celexa. I usually find great results that way.
>
> April
>
> > Does anyone have a reference (either a web site or hard copy article reference) about studies done on celexa, descriptionof side effects, drug interactions, etc... As I couldn't find it listed in the 1998 PDR
> > thanks
> > Joan
Posted by crazychickuk on January 30, 2002, at 19:15:33
In reply to SCARED TO DEATH to take this med..HELP!!!!, posted by Kristie S. on November 10, 2000, at 12:58:40
> My doctor just perscribed this med to me and after taking Effexor for a year and having such problems with it I'm really scared to try another.
> I was on Effexor and was doing well so my doctor tapered me off because me and my husband were wanting to start our own family and I had the worst withdrawl symtoms...after 3 weeks of not taking it anymore I still have alot of the withdrawl symtoms. I really dont't want to start on any new meds but I'm feeling like I did before I ever took the meds. I'm scared to death of taking anything anymore because of the bad luck I've had. After reading alot of the different threads..I don't need to gain weight because I gained so much on Effexor.If anyone has tried to stop taking this med please let me know because I'm not going to go through all the withdrawls I went through when I was on Effexor. I may just try to hack it on my own without the meds...who knows....hey hunny i was exactly like you... effexor helped my depression and gave me bas after affects gave me anxiety the worst ever.... 2 yrs ago that was... i have been taking celexa now for 1 week it has worked wonders... give it a go... not all meds are the same.. plse try it.. u need to.. xx email me if you like crazychickuk@aol.com
Posted by Jewele on May 22, 2002, at 9:54:52
In reply to Re: SCARED TO DEATH to take this med..HELP!!!!, posted by crazychickuk on January 30, 2002, at 19:15:33
> > My doctor just perscribed this med to me and after taking Effexor for a year and having such problems with it I'm really scared to try another.
> > I was on Effexor and was doing well so my doctor tapered me off because me and my husband were wanting to start our own family and I had the worst withdrawl symtoms...after 3 weeks of not taking it anymore I still have alot of the withdrawl symtoms. I really dont't want to start on any new meds but I'm feeling like I did before I ever took the meds. I'm scared to death of taking anything anymore because of the bad luck I've had. After reading alot of the different threads..I don't need to gain weight because I gained so much on Effexor.If anyone has tried to stop taking this med please let me know because I'm not going to go through all the withdrawls I went through when I was on Effexor. I may just try to hack it on my own without the meds...who knows....
>
>
>
> hey hunny i was exactly like you... effexor helped my depression and gave me bas after affects gave me anxiety the worst ever.... 2 yrs ago that was... i have been taking celexa now for 1 week it has worked wonders... give it a go... not all meds are the same.. plse try it.. u need to.. xx email me if you like crazychickuk@aol.comI feel the same way you do. My doctor gave me sarafem at first to help with anxiouty and panic attacks and it made it A LOT worse! I cryed all day long and couldnt stop till the meds wore off. So now they want me to try Celexa, I am scared to death to try something else, so if anyone can tell me anything to help calm me down I would GREATLY apreicate it! thanks. PS I got the panic attacks after having 3 misscarages, 2 of them were just in the past 7 months. So they think I may be suffering from post tramatic stress disorder which is causing me to have panic attacks so often that I usally try to get out of leaving my house at all. I have started going to a theripist to learn how to contol these but they said I need to be put on something to help contol them untill i can do it on my own. so if you have any advice for me at all I would be eternally greatful!^ thank you, sincerly Jewele
Posted by BarbaraCat on May 22, 2002, at 15:29:26
In reply to Re: SCARED TO DEATH to take this med..HELP!!!! » crazychickuk, posted by Jewele on May 22, 2002, at 9:54:52
Jewele,
Hi and sorry you're feeling so bad with Sarafem (just Zoloft targeted to us little female units). I experienced something similar to you and may have some helpful suggestions for you. First of all, I was on Zoloft for about 6 years, off and on. I stopped periodically during this time because it was deadening my emotions and besides, it would just stop working and the depression would break through. EVERY time I restarted even on a teeny amount, I'd get panic attacks, crying jags and feel horrible. I'd have to white-knuckle it for about 3 weeks until those effects dimished. When it started pooping out, my clueless doctors would increase the dosage and the panic cycle would start all over again. They should have at least put me on an anti-anxiety med, but that would have only temporarily helped.What I've found out since then (entirely due to this board and through further research) is that these kinds of reactions to antidepressants (panic/hypomania at onset, pooping out, anxiety, non-responding to different kinds), are typical of Bipolar II disorder rather than unipolar depression. In Bipolar II, antidepressants alone will cause high and low cycling and will make things worse. You have to take a mood stabiliser along with your AD (sometimes the mood stabiliser alone is enough).
Adding a mood stabiliser, such as lithium, depakote, lamictal, neurontin, has worked wonders for many of us here, myself included. I now take lithium along with Remeron. The Lithium has made all the difference for me. It literally saved my life.
The fact that you had postpartum panic attacks is another red flag for Bipolar II disorder - same thing happened to me. If indeed you do have BPII then taking another kind of antidepressant is not going to do it - ultimately they all fail. Most doctors don't see us frequently enough and are too busy to think about our cases adequately. If I were you, I'd ask for a diagnostic reevaluation and possible trial with a stabiliser.
Posted by Jewele on May 22, 2002, at 18:11:34
In reply to Re: SCARED TO DEATH to take this med..HELP!!!! » Jewele, posted by BarbaraCat on May 22, 2002, at 15:29:26
> Jewele,
> Hi and sorry you're feeling so bad with Sarafem (just Zoloft targeted to us little female units). I experienced something similar to you and may have some helpful suggestions for you. First of all, I was on Zoloft for about 6 years, off and on. I stopped periodically during this time because it was deadening my emotions and besides, it would just stop working and the depression would break through. EVERY time I restarted even on a teeny amount, I'd get panic attacks, crying jags and feel horrible. I'd have to white-knuckle it for about 3 weeks until those effects dimished. When it started pooping out, my clueless doctors would increase the dosage and the panic cycle would start all over again. They should have at least put me on an anti-anxiety med, but that would have only temporarily helped.
>
> What I've found out since then (entirely due to this board and through further research) is that these kinds of reactions to antidepressants (panic/hypomania at onset, pooping out, anxiety, non-responding to different kinds), are typical of Bipolar II disorder rather than unipolar depression. In Bipolar II, antidepressants alone will cause high and low cycling and will make things worse. You have to take a mood stabiliser along with your AD (sometimes the mood stabiliser alone is enough).
>
> Adding a mood stabiliser, such as lithium, depakote, lamictal, neurontin, has worked wonders for many of us here, myself included. I now take lithium along with Remeron. The Lithium has made all the difference for me. It literally saved my life.
>
> The fact that you had postpartum panic attacks is another red flag for Bipolar II disorder - same thing happened to me. If indeed you do have BPII then taking another kind of antidepressant is not going to do it - ultimately they all fail. Most doctors don't see us frequently enough and are too busy to think about our cases adequately. If I were you, I'd ask for a diagnostic reevaluation and possible trial with a stabiliser.Thank you for your information. There is something that bothers me about medication, I dont have depression at all. I am very happy, (except of course for the misscarages) I have never had a problem with all of these panic attacks untill i had the misscarages. So they think it is a hormonal thing, or that I may have developed a fear because of the horible time i had in the hospital. Things went from bad to worse when i went in for my DNC. I had a bad reation to reglin (some stuff they give you to speed up the digegstive system so you dont vomit during surgury) and then i find out i have to have a spinal injection and i just thought i was going to die. I was so scared I honestly just wanted to jump up out of my body and run out of the hospital. I had no control at all over what happened to me. So i now have a fear of hostitals and going places that i know i wont be able to leave at my own free will. like going to work, i cant just go there and if i feel sick leave. so i get panic attacks before i even get there. And i have tryed so hard to fight them off that i am totally exausted and have a major headace when i finally settle down! so i started going to see a theripist and she is going to help me by taking me to the hospital after a while and just having me stand in the loby and take baby steps to feel better about going places. I am just fear taking any medications because of my low tolerance of medcation. i get reactions to takeing things like Benadrill. I get EXTREMLY tired, i cant keep my eyes open at all when i takethat and i sleep for about 24 hours or more when i do have to take it. so i dont take medications at all unless i have to. And since i had that bad reation to that medication in the hosiptal then with the sarafem i am totally terrified of taking something. i had to take a sleeping pill to help me sleep at night and i only took it one night and right after i took it i almost went into the bathroom to throw it back up because i was so scared of how i would react to it. but my husband came home and stoped me from thowing up. anyway, thank you again for all of your suggestions. I will sertinly print them up and take them to my doctor and see what he thinks. I do have a lot of confidence in this doctor. he has been my husbands doctor since he was little (my husband is diabetic) and he has helped me with A LOT of things so far. so i beleve he is really good. he has gotten awards and stuff for things he has done. so i will see what he says about those medications. thanks again for all of your help! sincerly, Jewele
Posted by BarbaraCat on May 22, 2002, at 18:26:33
In reply to Re: SCARED TO DEATH to take this med..HELP!!!! » BarbaraCat, posted by Jewele on May 22, 2002, at 18:11:34
It sounds like your therapist knows what she's doing. Really, if you can get to the root of your fears and retrain yourself to just 'float' through them, that's so much better than any medication!
It sounds like you're very sensitive and it doesn't take much to react to something. You might be helped alot with a a natural product that I think is wonderful. It's called 'Calms Forte' and you can get it at most health food stores. Another really helpful natural product is called 'Rescue Remedy' - they're homeopathic drops you can take when you're starting to feel that panic hitting. They've helped me alot. Good luck, and let us know how things are going.
Posted by Jewele on May 22, 2002, at 18:32:18
In reply to Re: SCARED TO DEATH to take this med..HELP!!!! » Jewele, posted by BarbaraCat on May 22, 2002, at 18:26:33
Thank you! I will certinly try the natural remidys that you have suggested. thank you so much! anything other then taking a bunch of adictive drugs would be wonderful! Thank you again for ALL of your help. I just cant tell you how much i apreciate it. I am just so glad that I found this web page!!!
Posted by Rosa on May 23, 2002, at 7:53:37
In reply to Re: SCARED TO DEATH to take this med..HELP!!!! » BarbaraCat, posted by Jewele on May 22, 2002, at 18:11:34
BarbaraCat wrote:
What I've found out since then (entirely due to this board and through further research) is that these kinds of reactions to antidepressants (panic/hypomania at onset, pooping out, anxiety, non-responding to different kinds), are typical of Bipolar II disorder rather than unipolar depression. In Bipolar II, antidepressants alone will cause high and low cycling and will make things worse. You have to take a mood stabiliser along with your AD (sometimes the mood stabiliser alone is enough).
Adding a mood stabiliser, such as lithium, depakote, lamictal, neurontin, has worked wonders for many of us here, myself included. I now take lithium along with Remeron. The Lithium has made all the difference for me. It literally saved my life.
The fact that you had postpartum panic attacks is another red flag for Bipolar II disorder - same thing happened to me. If indeed you do have BPII then taking another kind of antidepressant is not going to do it - ultimately they all fail. Most doctors don't see us frequently enough and are too busy to think about our cases adequately. If I were you, I'd ask for a diagnostic reevaluation and possible trial with a stabiliser.
____________________LITHIUM/LITHOBID
Years ago I took Lithium successfully to get off Valium. The doctor said I didn't need a tranquilizer; I needed an antidepressant. A few years ago I found out I couldn't take Lithium or Lithobid. I had a severe reaction to Lithobid including hallucinations, tremors and loss of equilibrium, tinnitis, etc.DEPAKOTE
I also took Depakote for a few days but found that I could not take it either because I could not stay awake.TRAZODONE (DESYREL)
I have taken Trazadone successfully for several years.I believe that when you are older, you may not be able to take the same medications as you did when you were younger. I find that there are many medications that I cannot take. I am not allergic to them; I just cannot take them because of their side affects.
I believe that if you cannot drink alcohol that you may have a problem with addiction to certain medications. Alcoholism is a progressive disease. If you quit and then start again, you will pick up where you would be if you had never quit.
Posted by Jewele on May 23, 2002, at 8:01:50
In reply to Re: SCARED TO DEATH to take this med..HELP!!!! » Jewele, posted by Rosa on May 23, 2002, at 7:53:37
Thank you for the information. I took the celexa this morning and so far i think i am ok. but i thought that with the sarafem on the first day too. so i will find out in about 3 days how i feel after taking the medication. I sure hope I dont have a bad reation. I am so scared that it will make things worse. I was just starting to feel a little better and a little stronger. So hopefully this wont set me back. Dont they have something that is a medication you take on an "as needed basis"? do they only have a "take once a day" pill?
Posted by bwdc on June 10, 2002, at 8:25:48
In reply to Celexa, posted by Dawn Owenby on March 1, 1999, at 20:33:19
I am scheduled to start on Celexa next week and I am hoping against hope that the one side effect I do not have is weight gain.
I was on Prozac for 1 1/2 years and enjoyed quite a bit of weight loss (25 lbs). Don't get me wrong, I also enjoyed a relief of my depression. At 1 1/2 years in, having been tired all day long yet anxious at actual bedtime, I switched to taking the Prozac about an hour before bed and this helped with the nightime sleeplessness tremendously. But then I started to feel a return of depression symptoms during the day. We keep the Prozac at night and added Wellbutrin in the mornings. I didn't like the idea of being on two meds - I felt like I was taking "uppers" in the morning and "downers" at night. I went through a period where during an illness I stopped my meds altogether due to just forgetting to take them and being to sick/tired to get up and do it when I remembered. I felt like I was coping ok off the meds so I stayed off for a couple months. Noticing a return of especially the mood swings and anger, I got myself back on the Prozac but I never really had the results I had had previously. Started seeing a therapist and was diagnosed with Post Trauma Stress Disorder due to childhood sexual abuse. Switched to Paxil for panic attacks. The Paxil did work great for panic but the weight gain - 5 to 8 lbs every couple weeks. That brought back a major reoccurrence of the depression. I honestly don't know which was the symptom or the cause. Was the weight gain a symptom of the depression or did the depression come back because of the weight gain? Don't know?! All I know is that I was spiraling out of control. I didn't want to be looked at or touched by my boyfriend 'cause I was ashamed I had gained back all the weight. I didn't want to go anywhere and see in people's faces - "OMG she's huge". It was all in my head but it was real to me and it's hurts a lot!
So, here I am, like I said, scheduled to start Celexa next week and am hopeful. I want what I guess we all want - something to control both my depression and anxiety/panic but won't make me fat.
I'm also concerned about the sleepiness. I've seen people mention 10-13 hrs of sleep a night and trouble waking in the morning. I am a single parent to two young boys and have recently switced my work hours for the summer to avoid child care expenses. I'm worried I'll fall asleep when I should be looking after my kids. Or that I won't be able to keep up with the earlier hours at work. I go throught that now with the fatigue from the depression but I'm trying to fix that not make it worse.
I know all meds effect people different - I'm just hoping to finally have found the right fix.
Posted by Jewele on June 10, 2002, at 8:59:09
In reply to Re: Celexa, posted by bwdc on June 10, 2002, at 8:25:48
Hello, well I only took the celexa for a day and I couldnt sleep the entire night. So I am sure you wont over sleep! and the weight gain, i would not worry about at all, I didnt want to touch food! and i have been on weight watchers for a year and I didnt gain anything when i took it. i actually lost because the thought of food made me want to vomit! but i also cant take medication because i have NO tolerance for medication. I now take a heart medicaion that is suposed to stop the heart palpitaitons and help contol the panic, and so far so good. i am a little tired but that is it so far. when i say i have NO tolerance i mean NONE at all! i have to take baby medicatoin when i get a cold or alergys it is always baby sudifed or something like that. I can not take adult medicaion at all. so i am sure you will do just fine, my doctor told me that the celexa is the most tolerable panic and depresion medication out there but becaue of my tolerance i couldtn take it. i got REALLy sick and had some MASSIVE headacs, BUT keep in mind that is ONLY becaue of my tolerance. So go ahead and take it and DONT worry about it at all! i am sure you will do great!!!
Posted by Rosa on June 10, 2002, at 12:22:06
In reply to Re: Celexa, posted by bwdc on June 10, 2002, at 8:25:48
For more information about childhood issues including sexual abuse and abandonment go to:
You are not alone!
____________________
> I am scheduled to start on Celexa next week and I am hoping against hope that the one side effect I do not have is weight gain.
>
> I was on Prozac for 1 1/2 years and enjoyed quite a bit of weight loss (25 lbs). Don't get me wrong, I also enjoyed a relief of my depression. At 1 1/2 years in, having been tired all day long yet anxious at actual bedtime, I switched to taking the Prozac about an hour before bed and this helped with the nightime sleeplessness tremendously. But then I started to feel a return of depression symptoms during the day. We keep the Prozac at night and added Wellbutrin in the mornings. I didn't like the idea of being on two meds - I felt like I was taking "uppers" in the morning and "downers" at night. I went through a period where during an illness I stopped my meds altogether due to just forgetting to take them and being to sick/tired to get up and do it when I remembered. I felt like I was coping ok off the meds so I stayed off for a couple months. Noticing a return of especially the mood swings and anger, I got myself back on the Prozac but I never really had the results I had had previously. Started seeing a therapist and was diagnosed with Post Trauma Stress Disorder due to childhood sexual abuse. Switched to Paxil for panic attacks. The Paxil did work great for panic but the weight gain - 5 to 8 lbs every couple weeks. That brought back a major reoccurrence of the depression. I honestly don't know which was the symptom or the cause. Was the weight gain a symptom of the depression or did the depression come back because of the weight gain? Don't know?! All I know is that I was spiraling out of control. I didn't want to be looked at or touched by my boyfriend 'cause I was ashamed I had gained back all the weight. I didn't want to go anywhere and see in people's faces - "OMG she's huge". It was all in my head but it was real to me and it's hurts a lot!
>
> So, here I am, like I said, scheduled to start Celexa next week and am hopeful. I want what I guess we all want - something to control both my depression and anxiety/panic but won't make me fat.
>
> I'm also concerned about the sleepiness. I've seen people mention 10-13 hrs of sleep a night and trouble waking in the morning. I am a single parent to two young boys and have recently switced my work hours for the summer to avoid child care expenses. I'm worried I'll fall asleep when I should be looking after my kids. Or that I won't be able to keep up with the earlier hours at work. I go throught that now with the fatigue from the depression but I'm trying to fix that not make it worse.
>
> I know all meds effect people different - I'm just hoping to finally have found the right fix.
Posted by Spunky on July 20, 2002, at 8:48:57
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects/weight gain, posted by ladyme on May 26, 2001, at 23:46:14
I have been on Zoloft for one year...Thirty pounds later I hate myself. Yesterday my doctor switched me to Celexa. Does anyone have words of wisdom of what I should expect?
Posted by mhv17 on January 11, 2003, at 0:14:49
In reply to Re: Celexa-Tomjay, posted by gldngodess on April 11, 2001, at 10:53:51
Hi everyone!
My situation is sort of complicated, so I hope this is understandable. I recently went to a psychiatrist for the first time after dealing with emotional mood swings and intense irritability for about a year. He suggested I try Zoloft, starting with a 12.5 mg dose, and gradually working up to 50 mg over a period of a couple of weeks. I felt fine on the 12.5, but really awful on the 25, so I went back to the 12.5 where I've been for the past month. I've seen some of my emotional problems even out, but the majority of the irritability is still there. When I saw my doctor again, he said that the 12.5 mg was probably not a high enough dosage to really get rid of all my symptoms, and he suggested trying to work up to the 50 mg again. He did say that if I experienced the same side effects I had the first time, that I could try a new drug, Celexa. So here's my question: for people who have been on Zoloft and Celexa, which one did you like better? I really do not want to be on these drugs forever, and I'd like to try and get the best possible results as quickly as I can without going back and forth between meds. From what I've read so far on the Celexa, it sounds like a pretty good drug and could be worth a shot, but on the flipside, I've already got a month's worth of Zoloft in my system, and I don't want to have to start over at square one if the Celexa does not work. Any help I could get would be greatly appreciated, as I'm really torn with what to do. Thanks, MHV17
Posted by Ritch on January 11, 2003, at 9:00:49
In reply to Switching from Zoloft to Celexa, posted by mhv17 on January 11, 2003, at 0:14:49
> Hi everyone!
>
> My situation is sort of complicated, so I hope this is understandable. I recently went to a psychiatrist for the first time after dealing with emotional mood swings and intense irritability for about a year. He suggested I try Zoloft, starting with a 12.5 mg dose, and gradually working up to 50 mg over a period of a couple of weeks. I felt fine on the 12.5, but really awful on the 25, so I went back to the 12.5 where I've been for the past month. I've seen some of my emotional problems even out, but the majority of the irritability is still there. When I saw my doctor again, he said that the 12.5 mg was probably not a high enough dosage to really get rid of all my symptoms, and he suggested trying to work up to the 50 mg again. He did say that if I experienced the same side effects I had the first time, that I could try a new drug, Celexa. So here's my question: for people who have been on Zoloft and Celexa, which one did you like better? I really do not want to be on these drugs forever, and I'd like to try and get the best possible results as quickly as I can without going back and forth between meds. From what I've read so far on the Celexa, it sounds like a pretty good drug and could be worth a shot, but on the flipside, I've already got a month's worth of Zoloft in my system, and I don't want to have to start over at square one if the Celexa does not work. Any help I could get would be greatly appreciated, as I'm really torn with what to do. Thanks, MHV17Hi, I would suggest the flip to Celexa. Going back with Zoloft and increasing it again is likely to make you feel the same way and you might just be wasting your time, IMO. You said you had been on it a month. OTOH, most SSRI side effects tend to fade after a few weeks (if they are going to that is). It is possible that you didn't give the 25mg enough time (say 2-3 weeks) for you to get accustomed to it. If you make the flip to Celexa and it doesn't work either (or you find it intolerable as well) you are not any worse off because you now have the knowledge that those two meds aren't for you, and perhaps your pdoc can try a drug from a different class entirely. Hope this helps.
Posted by H123 on February 17, 2004, at 19:27:57
In reply to Re: Switching from Zoloft to Celexa » mhv17, posted by Ritch on January 11, 2003, at 9:00:49
Hi
I'm new to this page and so glad to find online conversation about Celexa. I've been taking Celexa for 3+ years now and am enjoying much better mood, although the only complaint is sometime tiredness and feeling of lethargy. It's hard to get motivated to exercise, something that I've always enjoyed! Sexual drive has not diminished, thank goodness.
I would recommend Celexa to anyone who is qualified and thinking about taking an SSRI. I had taken Zoloft and Paxil for about 2 years each, and experienced diminished depression with both of these. However, the Zoloft diminished my sexual drive and the Paxil never really calmed me down enough.
So far, Celexa has been the most helpful.
Hope this helps, and here's to good health!
H123> > Hi everyone!
> >
> > My situation is sort of complicated, so I hope this is understandable. I recently went to a psychiatrist for the first time after dealing with emotional mood swings and intense irritability for about a year. He suggested I try Zoloft, starting with a 12.5 mg dose, and gradually working up to 50 mg over a period of a couple of weeks. I felt fine on the 12.5, but really awful on the 25, so I went back to the 12.5 where I've been for the past month. I've seen some of my emotional problems even out, but the majority of the irritability is still there. When I saw my doctor again, he said that the 12.5 mg was probably not a high enough dosage to really get rid of all my symptoms, and he suggested trying to work up to the 50 mg again. He did say that if I experienced the same side effects I had the first time, that I could try a new drug, Celexa. So here's my question: for people who have been on Zoloft and Celexa, which one did you like better? I really do not want to be on these drugs forever, and I'd like to try and get the best possible results as quickly as I can without going back and forth between meds. From what I've read so far on the Celexa, it sounds like a pretty good drug and could be worth a shot, but on the flipside, I've already got a month's worth of Zoloft in my system, and I don't want to have to start over at square one if the Celexa does not work. Any help I could get would be greatly appreciated, as I'm really torn with what to do. Thanks, MHV17
>
> Hi, I would suggest the flip to Celexa. Going back with Zoloft and increasing it again is likely to make you feel the same way and you might just be wasting your time, IMO. You said you had been on it a month. OTOH, most SSRI side effects tend to fade after a few weeks (if they are going to that is). It is possible that you didn't give the 25mg enough time (say 2-3 weeks) for you to get accustomed to it. If you make the flip to Celexa and it doesn't work either (or you find it intolerable as well) you are not any worse off because you now have the knowledge that those two meds aren't for you, and perhaps your pdoc can try a drug from a different class entirely. Hope this helps.
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