Posted by Daveman on March 31, 2001, at 0:18:11
In reply to Re: experiences with ssri's? to DAVEMAN, posted by Amy Blue on March 30, 2001, at 18:58:15
Amy:
I am being treated for depression, anxiety/panic, and insomnia. I was first placed on Paxil 20 mg. per day and Xanax, 1 mg. per day. I stayed on Paxil 4 weeks with no result, other than I was wiped out, still could not sleep without taking Xanax .5mg at bedtime, and totally lost my libido(I'm no fan of Paxil, if you can't tell:). I was then switched to Celexa, the first week at 20 mgs, then up to my current dose of 40 mgs. I noticed slight changes in my third week (second week at 40 mgs), at which point I was switched from Xanax to Klonopin, .5 mg. at bedtime, .25 twice daily, total of 1 mg. A week later, my Celexa was augmented with 15 mg. Remeron at bedtime for sleep.
I have continually gotten steadily better, have now been on Celexa 40 mgs. two months and have completely tapered off Klonopin. I am now in almost total remission, the only thing that remains is that I cannot sleep through the night, I can get to sleep but have frequent awakenings. Don't know if this is due to the underlying illness or is a side effect of Celexa. Whatever, I'm tons better on it than I was off it and am at present a satisfied customer. I have the benzos on hand for as-needed use but haven't needed one for a month now.
Sorry to have rambled on so long but wanted to give you a complete answer to evaluate. I've discussed Celexa extensively with my pdoc (who I think is excellent, btw) and he told me that both the research he's read and the clinical results he's had in his own patients have convinced him that for most patients, Celexa does not show its full effects until you get up to 40 mgs. He told me he likes Celexa best amongst the SSRI's because it has the lowest side effect profile, even in the sexual area, which allows fast titration up to the therapeutic dose (That's been my experience, too- Paxil totally eliminated my libido, which has returned, albeit not fully, under Celexa). So why was I started on Paxil? Because, he said, Paxil is the most sedating and I was having trouble sleeping. Funny thing, though- I've since read the testing info on both and Paxil, even though it is more sedating, caused more insomnia than Celexa in double-blind tests as against placebo. Go figure.
Hope this is of some use to you. I'd say if you can tolerate Celexa, talk to your doc about increasing the dose. Good luck and keep me posted on how you're doing!
Dave
> Dave - If you don't mind giving me some more info. I am considering going off Celexa - I am on almost 4 weeks at 10 mgs/day, for major depression and anxiety. Also taking klonopin. When did you start to have a positive effect and what are you taking it for?
>
> Background: Prozac and Paxil had no effect on me in large doses, and Zoloft and Effexor XR had awful effects on me in small doses (thus the low dose of Celexa so far).
>
> Grateful for your input,
> Amy
>
> > This corresponds to my experience. I did not respond at all to Paxil. By contrast, I'm doing well on Celexa. Go figure.
> >
> > Dave
poster:Daveman
thread:57861
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010327/msgs/58174.html