Posted by Cam W. on August 20, 2000, at 10:46:25
In reply to Re: Celexa Cam, posted by shantie on August 20, 2000, at 2:19:48
Shantie - Yes, some people have lost hair while taking Celexa, but I have only personally seen it happen to one person who was not also taking mood stabilizers like Depakote™ (divalproex) or lthium.
As for the weight gain thing. Yes, SRIs can cause weight gain in many people and there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason for it. Although, a vast majority of these people are eating more while taking these antidepresssants. Is is do to the ADs causing carbohydrate cravings, changes in leptin levels, changes in energy utilization, changes in metabolism, stimulation of histamine-1 (H1) receptors, or just feeling better and eating more as a result of improved mood? I don't think anyone knows. There are trends, though. Eating more is one (need to stick to rabbit food - salads - even though that is not what you are craving). Another observation that I have made is that the weight gain with antidepressants, unlike with the atypical antipsychotics, is a delayed reaction. The weight doesn't seem to increase until one has been taking the AD for about 2 months. Also, weight gain with ADs does not seem to be as closely linked to the positive effect of the drug (ie decreased depressive symptoms) as is seem with the atypical antipsychotics. (The last two are observations that I have had and I have no proof of them).
In any respect, any side effect, with any drug, is a numbers game. Only a percentage of the population will get a certain side effect. There are very few cases where one can actually predict that a side effect will happen, even within drugs of the same class. I have given up trying to predict percentages, especially when using those found in a drug company's monograph. What I can say with certainty is that very few people lose hair when taking Celexa and more do seem to gain weight. Still, the chances of it happening to you are similar to the chances you have a craps table. You never know the outcome and these dice can't be rigged.
Another thing. Antidepressants are only bandages. They do relieve the depressive symptoms, but they don't "fix" the underlying problem that caused the depression. This is where the hard work comes in. One has to work on recovery, it doesn't happen in a vaccuum. Exercise does help, as does discovering and coming to terms with or changing parameters that caused one to become depressed in the first place.
I saw one cartoon in which a guy buys a box marked "New Life". He opens it up and reads the instructions that say, "Some assembly required." He retorts, "Doh, that figures!" TV and the drug companies (or, at least their ad agencies) have lulled us into a state where we think that we can take a pill to change our lives. It doesn't work that way. Change is hard and necessary for most of us. The medications just bring us to a level of self awareness where we can work on these changes. I think I am, myself, just coming to that realization.
The only way you can work around the dilemma you are having is to eat properly (keep a dieting/depressive symptom journal) and begin to execise, when starting Celexa. Give the Celexa a good 8 week trial and see what happens. Hide the Doritos and don't stop at McDonalds before supper (my downfall).
I hope this helps. I know it doesn't directly answer your question, but I don't think that there are any really definite answers (yet). - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:43277
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000811/msgs/43385.html