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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Jane D on June 20, 2001, at 17:29:05
In reply to fatigue, posted by Josa on June 19, 2001, at 20:34:38
> i'm afraid of weight gain and had been going to a gym, but now i have no energy to go. but from what i hear, exercise doesn't help gain on this drug....
Josa -
If you can force yourself to go it will probably help. Whether it will help enough you will have to wait and see. Good luck.Jane
Posted by Trista M. on June 29, 2001, at 17:53:24
In reply to Re: Celexa , posted by Dawn on March 14, 1999, at 8:28:25
well,i am now among the many that use celexa,today is my first day.i was prescribed this paticular drug because i was diagnosed with anxiety depressive disorder(add)i hope it does well.i feel better just knowing that i will get better.i haven't much to say,yet,but in time i will.sorry if this is odd,but its nice to know their are other people have this thing too,thta you aren't alone in your fight,thnx again.i am sooo happy to have found this strand
Posted by Trista M. on June 29, 2001, at 17:53:32
In reply to Re: Celexa , posted by Dawn on March 14, 1999, at 8:28:25
well,i am now among the many that use celexa,today is my first day.i was prescribed this paticular drug because i was diagnosed with anxiety depressive disorder(add)i hope it does well.i feel better just knowing that i will get better.i haven't much to say,yet,but in time i will.sorry if this is odd,but its nice to know their are other people have this thing too,thta you aren't alone in your fight,thnx again.i am sooo happy to have found this strand
Posted by Josa on June 29, 2001, at 20:35:28
In reply to fatigue, posted by Josa on June 19, 2001, at 20:34:38
hey everyone,
one thing after another is happening--friends with HIV, fired from my job (perhaps because of the total absentmindedness i experience from celexa)...so in other words, after more than a month, i'm feeling worse, but i don't know if it's simply because the medicine isn't working or if it's because things arent that great right now...i don't think things could get worse...
what do you all think? if i change meds, what has good rep?
thanks
-josa
Posted by Trista M. on June 30, 2001, at 7:52:37
In reply to Re: Celexa , posted by Trista M. on June 29, 2001, at 17:53:24
i don't have ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER.i left the first word of the name of.i have MIX ANXIETY DEPRESSIVE DISORDER(MADD)but in the last post i left mix off,there for it looked like the ADD.sorry about the misunderstanding.anyway,it seems as if i can already feel a difference.i don't have the nagging anxious feeling in my chest,i can actually think straight,and i don't feel like my heart is pounding.i also wanted to ask a queston,i had noticed something,i can't cry at all,this is part of the med,right?
Posted by Calamity on June 30, 2001, at 12:12:21
In reply to Re: Celexa , posted by Trista M. on June 30, 2001, at 7:52:37
> i don't have ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER.i left the first word of the name of.i have MIX ANXIETY DEPRESSIVE DISORDER(MADD)but in the last post i left mix off,there for it looked like the ADD.sorry about the misunderstanding.anyway,it seems as if i can already feel a difference.i don't have the nagging anxious feeling in my chest,i can actually think straight,and i don't feel like my heart is pounding.i also wanted to ask a queston,i had noticed something,i can't cry at all,this is part of the med,right?
Trista -- I've been on Celexa for about 4 weeks. I wasn't able to cry either for the first 3 weeks.
That passed.
Posted by Bijou on June 30, 2001, at 21:56:37
In reply to Re: Celexa , posted by Trista M. on June 29, 2001, at 17:53:24
> well,i am now among the many that use celexa,today is my first day.i was prescribed this paticular drug because i was diagnosed with anxiety depressive disorder(add)i hope it does well.i feel better just knowing that i will get better.i haven't much to say,yet,but in time i will.sorry if this is odd,but its nice to know their are other people have this thing too,thta you aren't alone in your fight,thnx again.i am sooo happy to have found this strand
> I just started to take Celexa too,and I haven't experienced the weight gain or fatigue,but I do have a red rash on my chest and neck that itches like crazy! Anyone ever heard of this?
Posted by di on July 1, 2001, at 8:04:40
In reply to fatigue, posted by Josa on June 19, 2001, at 20:34:38
> hey,
>
> I've been on celexa for almost two weeks now, and I am *exhausted*--I can't get enough sleep. I sleep about 11-12 hours a night, and then have to take 2 or 3 hour long naps during the day. The quality of my sleep is poor; i frequently wake and my muscles feel very restless, as if i need to stretch. I've heard a lot of people complain about the fatigue, but not too many people say anything about it subsiding. I am on 30 milligrams and have little change in my mood...increased irritability at times, but less depression, but not so much of a decrease in depression that i feel i can lower my dosage (at this point anyway...it has only been two weeks).
>
> is there anything i can do about the amount of sleep i need? will it go away eventually?
> i'm afraid of weight gain and had been going to a gym, but now i have no energy to go. but from what i hear, exercise doesn't help gain on this drug....
>
> thanks!i am celexa 20 mg since march i to was very tired slept for a whole weekend and was not refresed when got up want ed to sleep more it did get better not as tired but still can sleep if i give in to it. Have to say i have put on a few lbs not alot but enough to be concerned have no energy to get to the gym and no desire to just added 100mg wellbutrin sr to see if it will give me a boost and help with weight gain its only been a week i'll let you know but the celexa has helped alot and the side effects evcept for being tired were mininal
Posted by MB on July 3, 2001, at 16:42:25
In reply to fatigue, posted by Josa on June 19, 2001, at 20:34:38
> hey,
>
> I've been on celexa for almost two weeks now, and I am *exhausted*--I can't get enough sleep. I sleep about 11-12 hours a night, and then have to take 2 or 3 hour long naps during the day. The quality of my sleep is poor; i frequently wake and my muscles feel very restless, as if i need to stretch. I've heard a lot of people complain about the fatigue, but not too many people say anything about it subsiding. I am on 30 milligrams and have little change in my mood...increased irritability at times, but less depression, but not so much of a decrease in depression that i feel i can lower my dosage (at this point anyway...it has only been two weeks).
>
> is there anything i can do about the amount of sleep i need? will it go away eventually?
> i'm afraid of weight gain and had been going to a gym, but now i have no energy to go. but from what i hear, exercise doesn't help gain on this drug....
>
> thanks!
Hey, I'm glad someone has mentioned the restless muscles with the "need to stretch." I had this *really* bad as a kid, and it went away in my teens. It was mostly in my legs. I was an incessant foot-wiggler. *All* the SSRIs have made this condition come back to haunt me. I feel like I have to tense up my thigh muscles as tight as I can (as if it will make the horrible sensation go away). This always gives me tachycardia. I know it's strange, but the sensation is as if toxins are storing up in my leg muscles (making them restless), and when I squeeze them, the toxins are released into my blood, giving me tachycardia. I know it seems ridiculous, but that's what it feels like.But to answer your question (sorry about the long ramble about legs), SSRIs give me really bad fatigue I *think.* I've been off of SSRIs for 8 months now. At first the fatigue went away, it was great. Now it's back. I FORCE myself to excercise so I don't crash and/or get fat, but the fatigue is unbearable. I think it's just a somatic symptom of depresion...(somatic? did I use that word correctly?)
Posted by MB on July 3, 2001, at 16:50:42
In reply to Re: fatigue, posted by SalArmy4me on June 19, 2001, at 22:48:37
> Eventually you will develop a tolerance to Celexa where you won't have any more drowsiness.
>
> Weight gain can be combatted with Wellbutrin or better, Topamax.My personal experience is that SSRIs make me agitated, give me insomnia, and cure my depression *at first.* Then, as I build a tolerance, the fatigue, carbo-cravings and recurrant depression set in (let's say after 3-4 weeks of being on the SSRI). I've tried SSRI therapy for up to a year, and after the first few weeks, the SSRIs stop working, and the efficacy never comes back, I'm just a zombie. I don't understand what is wrong with me because everyone else has to wait 3-4 weeks for the drugs to work not *stop working* as in my case. It must be genetic (or, at least, the psychobiological pattern is genetic) because my dad has *the same* reaction to these meds as I, and when unmedicated, our neuroses are identical.
Posted by Josa on July 3, 2001, at 21:23:22
In reply to Re: fatigue, posted by MB on July 3, 2001, at 16:50:42
> My personal experience is that SSRIs make me agitated, give me insomnia, and cure my depression *at first.* Then, as I build a tolerance, the fatigue, carbo-cravings and recurrant depression set in (let's say after 3-4 weeks of being on the SSRI). I've tried SSRI therapy for up to a year, and after the first few weeks, the SSRIs stop working, and the efficacy never comes back, I'm just a zombie. I don't understand what is wrong with me because everyone else has to wait 3-4 weeks for the drugs to work not *stop working* as in my case. It must be genetic (or, at least, the psychobiological pattern is genetic) because my dad has *the same* reaction to these meds as I, and when unmedicated, our neuroses are identical.a friend of mine had the same problem...he went on an AD, i don't know which one, and within about three weeks his *severe* depression had returned. he gave up on ADs right then and there---figured it wasn't worth the "trouble" i guess.
after about a month on celexa, i don't feel a bit better, so i'm thinking of changing prescriptions...i felt pretty good for about a week, and now i'm back to the same old thing. also, although i'm less tired now, i have gained about 2 pounds.
Posted by L.Marie on July 5, 2001, at 19:59:47
In reply to Re: fatigue, posted by MB on July 3, 2001, at 16:50:42
I have the same reaction to anti depressants. They work really well (more energy, no depression, no appetite) for the first few weeks, then they just make me really tired.
This has happened with Celexa (I turned into slug woman after 3 weeks). Recently started taking Zoloft, increasing the dosage when I start to feel the "poop out."
I wonder why this happens....
Posted by JaneB on July 5, 2001, at 23:46:16
In reply to Re: fatigue, posted by L.Marie on July 5, 2001, at 19:59:47
> I have the same reaction to anti depressants. They work really well (more energy, no depression, no appetite) for the first few weeks, then they just make me really tired.
>
> This has happened with Celexa (I turned into slug woman after 3 weeks). Recently started taking Zoloft, increasing the dosage when I start to feel the "poop out."
>
> I wonder why this happens....
>
I wish I knew. How can we tell if the tiredness is from depression or ADs? My pdoc added Wellbutrin to Celexa to counteract the tiredness. At first I was wired and now I am tired again. So he will probably up the dose. Does this make sense?
Confused,
JaneB
Posted by maureenMc on July 6, 2001, at 9:39:21
In reply to fatigue or depression, posted by JaneB on July 5, 2001, at 23:46:16
I found a site that is all about Celexa Side Effects..
Posted by E_Canuck on July 9, 2001, at 4:37:32
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects/weight gain, posted by ladyme on May 26, 2001, at 23:46:14
(previous posts not re-quoted: ...weight gain, sleepiness etc. mentioned most frequently.)
Egad, I found my way to this newsgroup as I'm supposed begin my free trial packet of Celexa tomorrow. I'm hoping the adage about everyone being different holds true, since so many people posting here seem certain they've gained weight owing to the drug.
I've wondered about side effects of Wellbutrin, mentioned by a number of people as a benign alternative drug. I've certainly attained my heaviest lifetime weight in the several years I've been on Wellbutrin, and I've also suffered nausea, mainly in the mornings. In fact, I've never enjoyed much of a mood lift on Wellbutrin and I've been more withdrawn and less active in all life spheres. I've kept going with it for 2 years in a more or less superstitious mode, fearing I'd be worse without anything. (already tried and ruled out other SSRIs and MOA inhibitors for side effects reasons, too. Wellbutrin, at least, DOESN'T seem to invade the bedroom and confiscate the twinkle in one's eye.)
I'm going to hope that the weight gain I've seen before now is owing to other non-drug causes (such as reduced physical activity level.) I'm in a mood to get out on my bike more often and peddle myself into a better mood, and I'm certain I can. If I hadn't a stressful work environment (whose isn't?) I'd thumb my nose at the multinational drug companies and snip my antidepressant umbilical cord, but, as I said, I'm superstitious :-)
Posted by Pattisun on July 9, 2001, at 5:48:48
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects/weight gain, posted by E_Canuck on July 9, 2001, at 4:37:32
I hope the Celexa works for you. It is not encouraging to hear about weight gain no matter what we take. But, lack of sex in my marriage--didn't even occur to me that it could be the Paxil until I started reading this board. I am trying to wean off, but finding it (just this first week), damn hard.
Good luck and repost and let us know how you do with the Celexa.
Pattisun> I've wondered about side effects of Wellbutrin, mentioned by a number of people as a benign alternative drug. I've certainly attained my heaviest lifetime weight in the several years I've been on Wellbutrin, and I've also suffered nausea, mainly in the mornings. In fact, I've never enjoyed much of a mood lift on Wellbutrin and I've been more withdrawn and less active in all life spheres. I've kept going with it for 2 years in a more or less superstitious mode, fearing I'd be worse without anything. (already tried and ruled out other SSRIs and MOA inhibitors for side effects reasons, too. Wellbutrin, at least, DOESN'T seem to invade the bedroom and confiscate the twinkle in one's eye.)
>
> I'm going to hope that the weight gain I've seen before now is owing to other non-drug causes (such as reduced physical activity level.) I'm in a mood to get out on my bike more often and peddle myself into a better mood, and I'm certain I can. If I hadn't a stressful work environment (whose isn't?) I'd thumb my nose at the multinational drug companies and snip my antidepressant umbilical cord, but, as I said, I'm superstitious :-)
Posted by YMN on July 9, 2001, at 20:44:44
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects/weight gain, posted by E_Canuck on July 9, 2001, at 4:37:32
I too gained weight on Celexa, about 15 pounds the first month. I went to the doc and asked to switch to Wellbutrin...well folks, gained on that too. I have decided to quit this stuff all together. Wondering if there is any info on quitting the Wellbutrin. I was just going to stop cold turkey, since I have only been on it for about 2 months, and a whole bunch of pounds later!
Any input? so far I have been 2 days without it, I feel a little spacey, and slightly headachy, but other than that, not much else!
> (previous posts not re-quoted: ...weight gain, sleepiness etc. mentioned most frequently.)
>
> Egad, I found my way to this newsgroup as I'm supposed begin my free trial packet of Celexa tomorrow. I'm hoping the adage about everyone being different holds true, since so many people posting here seem certain they've gained weight owing to the drug.
>
> I've wondered about side effects of Wellbutrin, mentioned by a number of people as a benign alternative drug. I've certainly attained my heaviest lifetime weight in the several years I've been on Wellbutrin, and I've also suffered nausea, mainly in the mornings. In fact, I've never enjoyed much of a mood lift on Wellbutrin and I've been more withdrawn and less active in all life spheres. I've kept going with it for 2 years in a more or less superstitious mode, fearing I'd be worse without anything. (already tried and ruled out other SSRIs and MOA inhibitors for side effects reasons, too. Wellbutrin, at least, DOESN'T seem to invade the bedroom and confiscate the twinkle in one's eye.)
>
> I'm going to hope that the weight gain I've seen before now is owing to other non-drug causes (such as reduced physical activity level.) I'm in a mood to get out on my bike more often and peddle myself into a better mood, and I'm certain I can. If I hadn't a stressful work environment (whose isn't?) I'd thumb my nose at the multinational drug companies and snip my antidepressant umbilical cord, but, as I said, I'm superstitious :-)
Posted by Loquesea on July 9, 2001, at 21:01:36
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects/weight gain, posted by YMN on July 9, 2001, at 20:44:44
Hi,
I'm wondering if those with weight-gain side effects from Celexa (or any other antidepressant) can correlate their weight gain with their eating patterns.
In other words, tales of weight gain are scaring me! I have been on Celexa for a few months now, but my weight has been stable. I am wondering if this is because I adhere to a good diet and run about 5 miles a day. I asked my doctor if it's possible that weight gain is a side effect whether or not you increase your food intake, and he said he didn't know, although it might be possible that SSRIs do "something" that changes the metabolism such that weight gain can occur even without a change in eating or exercise.
So I'd be really curious to know if any of you attribute your weight gain to a desire for fats/carbohydrates and your intake of them, or if it just happened on its own.
Thanks!
-Loquesea> I too gained weight on Celexa, about 15 pounds the first month. I went to the doc and asked to switch to Wellbutrin...well folks, gained on that too. I have decided to quit this stuff all together. Wondering if there is any info on quitting the Wellbutrin. I was just going to stop cold turkey, since I have only been on it for about 2 months, and a whole bunch of pounds later!
> Any input? so far I have been 2 days without it, I feel a little spacey, and slightly headachy, but other than that, not much else!
> > (previous posts not re-quoted: ...weight gain, sleepiness etc. mentioned most frequently.)
> >
> > Egad, I found my way to this newsgroup as I'm supposed begin my free trial packet of Celexa tomorrow. I'm hoping the adage about everyone being different holds true, since so many people posting here seem certain they've gained weight owing to the drug.
> >
> > I've wondered about side effects of Wellbutrin, mentioned by a number of people as a benign alternative drug. I've certainly attained my heaviest lifetime weight in the several years I've been on Wellbutrin, and I've also suffered nausea, mainly in the mornings. In fact, I've never enjoyed much of a mood lift on Wellbutrin and I've been more withdrawn and less active in all life spheres. I've kept going with it for 2 years in a more or less superstitious mode, fearing I'd be worse without anything. (already tried and ruled out other SSRIs and MOA inhibitors for side effects reasons, too. Wellbutrin, at least, DOESN'T seem to invade the bedroom and confiscate the twinkle in one's eye.)
> >
> > I'm going to hope that the weight gain I've seen before now is owing to other non-drug causes (such as reduced physical activity level.) I'm in a mood to get out on my bike more often and peddle myself into a better mood, and I'm certain I can. If I hadn't a stressful work environment (whose isn't?) I'd thumb my nose at the multinational drug companies and snip my antidepressant umbilical cord, but, as I said, I'm superstitious :-)
Posted by MB on July 9, 2001, at 21:17:49
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects/weight gain, posted by YMN on July 9, 2001, at 20:44:44
> I too gained weight on Celexa, about 15 pounds the first month. I went to the doc and asked to switch to Wellbutrin...well folks, gained on that too. I have decided to quit this stuff all together. Wondering if there is any info on quitting the Wellbutrin. I was just going to stop cold turkey, since I have only been on it for about 2 months, and a whole bunch of pounds later!
> Any input? so far I have been 2 days without it, I feel a little spacey, and slightly headachy, but other than that, not much else!Quitting Wellbutrin, for me, was easier than quitting any of the other ADs (SSRIs + Effexor). I just quit cold turkey with no physical side effects. Got a little weepy over certain cheesy commercials once in a while, but it was nothing compared to the nauseating, head-splitting, incapacitating withdrawal that I suffered getting off of SSRIs.
Posted by Josa on July 9, 2001, at 21:20:27
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects/weight gain, posted by Loquesea on July 9, 2001, at 21:01:36
I for one have been eating less, but sleeping more, although i'm not less active than before. I'm in a physically demanding job now, but i've still gained about 3 pounds in a month, which isn't actually that bad, considering some of the horror stories....
-Josa
> Hi,
>
> I'm wondering if those with weight-gain side effects from Celexa (or any other antidepressant) can correlate their weight gain with their eating patterns.
>
> In other words, tales of weight gain are scaring me! I have been on Celexa for a few months now, but my weight has been stable. I am wondering if this is because I adhere to a good diet and run about 5 miles a day. I asked my doctor if it's possible that weight gain is a side effect whether or not you increase your food intake, and he said he didn't know, although it might be possible that SSRIs do "something" that changes the metabolism such that weight gain can occur even without a change in eating or exercise.
>
> So I'd be really curious to know if any of you attribute your weight gain to a desire for fats/carbohydrates and your intake of them, or if it just happened on its own.
>
> Thanks!
> -Loquesea
Posted by KB on July 10, 2001, at 9:09:10
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects/weight gain, posted by E_Canuck on July 9, 2001, at 4:37:32
This is different from what happens to many people, but I've been losing weight on Celexa - being depressed made me eat a lot and do nothing.
Celexa has restored my energy and taken away the constant desire to eat - I still get hungry and eat meals, just not all the time and not as much junk. Having the energy to cook instead of eating stuff from boxes probably helps, too.
I do have an almost irrestistable urge to nap in the late afternoon, though.
Posted by MB on July 10, 2001, at 10:43:26
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects/weight gain, posted by KB on July 10, 2001, at 9:09:10
> This is different from what happens to many people, but I've been losing weight on Celexa - being depressed made me eat a lot and do nothing.
> Celexa has restored my energy and taken away the constant desire to eat - I still get hungry and eat meals, just not all the time and not as much junk. Having the energy to cook instead of eating stuff from boxes probably helps, too.
> I do have an almost irrestistable urge to nap in the late afternoon, though.
How long have you been on the Celexa? Thats great that it's working for you!!
Posted by Amy Blue on July 10, 2001, at 11:35:45
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects/weight gain, posted by E_Canuck on July 9, 2001, at 4:37:32
I was on Celexa for about 4 months and didn't gain weight. When I first started I had cravings for junk food, and put on a few pounds, but after about 8 weeks that went away and I lost the weight. My weight was completely stable, or rather the same as it always is without meds.
I lost a great deal of weight when I took each of these drugs: prozac, paxil and effexor. But none worked on my depression/anxiety. Only Celexa worked for me in that regard.
Posted by KB on July 10, 2001, at 20:31:53
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects/weight gain » KB, posted by MB on July 10, 2001, at 10:43:26
> How long have you been on the Celexa? Thats great that it's working for you!!I've been taking it for about a month now. I'm hoping that the nap thing will pass in time - the other day I fell asleep changing the rabbit cage, and woke up covered in fur with the rabbit and two cats sitting on me!
Posted by MB on July 11, 2001, at 1:16:25
In reply to Re: Celexa side-effects/weight gain » MB, posted by KB on July 10, 2001, at 20:31:53
>
> > How long have you been on the Celexa? Thats great that it's working for you!!
>
> I've been taking it for about a month now. I'm hoping that the nap thing will pass in time - the other day I fell asleep changing the rabbit cage, and woke up covered in fur with the rabbit and two cats sitting on me!HAHAHA!! LOL! That is funny! Of course, naps are kind of nice if you feel like taking them...but *having* to take them when you don't want to is no fun. Have you ever tried taking inositol with the Celexa? I had a pdoc suggest this combo to avoid fatigue and poop-out (supposed to help with carb cravings too). However, I couldn't tolerate the creepy-crawlees I got when I started the medication, so I never got to that point. Since you're already doing well on the Celexa, maybe adding inositol would help you. You can buy it at the health food store in a powder. It is pleasant tasting. I think it's one of the B vitimins (B-8?). Probably should tell your doctor first, just in case. Good luck.
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