Posted by Fuscia on August 4, 2002, at 17:32:53
In reply to Thanks Fuscia, posted by Jaynee on August 4, 2002, at 14:31:50
Hi Jaynee,
Thanks for the feedback. I too had big problem with apathy while taking 20mg of Celexa. I started out at 20mg last October and took it until February this year. I didn't like the apathy, plus the lethargic feeling during the day. It was very hard to get out of bed while on it, and my short-term memory was worse while taking it compared to what I'm taking now, which is 20mg of Prozac twice a week. It also didn't work well prior to start of my period. It's good point: it didn't cause inability to orgasm for me. Prior to Celexa I was taking a low dose of Zoloft (25mg and 50mg), which did cause anorgasmia and lack of libido. My current Prozac regimen is in-between - it's the lack of interest (no libido) that is the current problem, but that may be just my personality. I think all of the SSRI's tend to cause apathy and difficulty with concentration, which can make many pleasures simply uninteresting.
If you are taking a low enough dose of Celexa, at least lower than 10mg, you might consider taking 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) supplement. This supplement is very helpful at curbing food cravings, and a 50mg dose of 5-HTP should be safe enough to take with a very low dose of Celexa (less than 10mg daily). This way after weaning off of Celexa, you can keep taking the 5-HTP for a month or two, and then discontinue it as well. I wouldn't suggest taking 5-HTP for longer than two months. It is best to take a month's break from it so your body doesn't get used to taking it on a daily basis. A good 5-HTP product is from Nature's Way, containing 50mg of 5-HTP, plus 120mg of vitamin C and 20mg of vitamin B6 for better absorption. Take it on an empty stomach between meals or at bedtime. It also helps you get a good night's sleep. It can cause vivid dreams. Once you have weaned completely off of Celexa, you can increase 5-HTP to twice daily (100mg total) if you feel you need to. If you experience any unwanted side effects while taking a very low dose of Celexa and the 50mg of 5-HTP, then discontinue the 5-HTP, and try taking it after you have discontinued Celexa.
I think the jog is a great idea and will burn off some of the food cravings. Drink lots of water as well.
Take care, Fuscia
poster:Fuscia
thread:115107
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020731/msgs/115187.html