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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Victoria on April 8, 1999, at 21:58:33
I have just be given Celexa for Depression and Obsessive compulsive disorder. I have never taken anti-depressants and HATE taking medication period. I am very nervous about taking something that will alter my brain chemistry and also nervous about having to take this indefinately. I have been reading about side effects and it doesn't seem a lot of people experience nausea. I heard that was a possible side effect. Can someone tell me more about side effects and about how long they last? Also, I am wondering if I should take Celexa with food? My psychiatrist recommends it to help with any nausea. He also recommended I take it at night until I figure out what it does to me. I am just terrified to take this, but life is unmanagable right now. Can anyone offer information or share their experience? I would really appreciate anything you can offer. Thanks
Posted by Mare on April 9, 1999, at 7:46:45
In reply to Celexa - questions and concerns, posted by Victoria on April 8, 1999, at 21:58:33
Victoria. Please take heart. I have been suffering with depression for many, many years. It wasn't until February until I was correctly diagnosed, and I started Celexa on Feb. 23. I was afraid, too, but hopeful that finally there was some hope for me. I take it with my dinner, around 8:00 p.m. The first couple of days I noticed some nausea (but not to the point of vomiting and was not that troubling). I also had dry mouth and increased sweating during exercise. I also had some fatigue at first. That was it. The nausea is totally gone. The dry mouth and increased sweating have decreased. But the best thing is that my depression has lifted considerably, and I feel like a new person. Take the medicine. I have been reading the horror stories here about side effects of other drugs, and Celexa sounds like nothing compared to them, but still has the benefits. I am on 20 mg./day. I understand your fear, I really do. I was not really afraid to take the medicine, but afraid that it wouldn't work, and felt like medicine was my last hope -- if it didn't work, nothing would and I would be sentenced to live out my life a sad, unfulfilled person. My doctor has told me that depression is not curable -- it's a condition that must be managed and treated. I am prepared to stay on the medication for a long time. But believe me, I don't regret finally seeking treatment. My life is finally coming back to me! Please keep in touch and let me know how you're doing. By the way, are you having any talk therapy as well?
Posted by Victoria on April 9, 1999, at 14:40:23
In reply to Celexa - questions and concerns, posted by Victoria on April 8, 1999, at 21:58:33
I'm the Victoria who has posted most of the other "Victoria" posts. Can we figure out a way to avoid confusion between us? (I like putting together the various posts by other people and developing a sense of who they are. By the way, I've been taking medication for depression for about 2 years now, hasn't always been easy (I had to go on disability for 3 months from what turned out to be undiagnosed side-effects from one med) and I'm still working on finding the right combo for me, but it's made a big difference. I feel so much better now than I did 2 years ago. I had a lot of doubts about medication at first, too, but the more I learn, the more sense it makes. Would you take medication if you had diabetes or high blood pressure? It seems to me to be about the same thing (except that science doesn't yet know as much about the brain as other systems, so we are venturing into the unknown a bit). Sometimes I feel like a walking chemistry experiment; sometimes I worry that 20 years from now, some long-term damage from these drugs will be revealed. But then I think, what would I rather, have 20 good years and then die of an unanticipated effect of the meds, or have 20 miserable years and then die of something else? The choice is easy for me, and I take the meds.
> I have just be given Celexa for Depression and Obsessive compulsive disorder. I have never taken anti-depressants and HATE taking medication period. I am very nervous about taking something that will alter my brain chemistry and also nervous about having to take this indefinately. I have been reading about side effects and it doesn't seem a lot of people experience nausea. I heard that was a possible side effect. Can someone tell me more about side effects and about how long they last? Also, I am wondering if I should take Celexa with food? My psychiatrist recommends it to help with any nausea. He also recommended I take it at night until I figure out what it does to me. I am just terrified to take this, but life is unmanagable right now. Can anyone offer information or share their experience? I would really appreciate anything you can offer. Thanks
Posted by Michael on April 9, 1999, at 22:41:21
In reply to Some answers for you, plus a success story!, posted by Mare on April 9, 1999, at 7:46:45
I have had the same experience as Mare. I have tried almost everything else and Celexa is the first to really help me. I take 10 mgs in the morning with water. Celexa seems to be a lot "cleaner", few side effects. I was losing it myself after trying so many things with bad results so I understand your concern but don't give up. Talking to someone professionally is probably a good idea too, it helps to know that you are not alone out there. You may not know it, but there are a lot of people who care about you and are hoping you find your own answer to this terrible problem. Keep trying and keep posting so we know how you are doing.
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 10, 1999, at 11:25:23
In reply to Same name, posted by Victoria on April 9, 1999, at 14:40:23
> I'm the Victoria who has posted most of the other "Victoria" posts. Can we figure out a way to avoid confusion between us?
Maybe one of you could be Queen? :-)
Bob
Posted by Jan on April 10, 1999, at 21:12:23
In reply to Some answers for you, plus a success story!, posted by Mare on April 9, 1999, at 7:46:45
Hi Victoria, I have been on celexa for 4 weeks now, and i too have had great success. The dry mouth & nausea has gone, the only side effect that i still have is i have lost my ability to orgasm. I posted previous asking if this was as good as it gets, but i can report back now & say NO...it does get better :) I am taking Ginkgo Biloba also, as i have read that this can help the sexual side effects, but its too early to say if this is working. Please give Celexa a go Victoria, it can make such a difference to your life. You can stop living long before you are dead.....stay safe :)
Posted by CJ on April 27, 1999, at 12:00:59
In reply to Re: Same name, posted by Dr. Bob on April 10, 1999, at 11:25:23
> > I'm the Victoria who has posted most of the other "Victoria" posts. Can we figure out a way to avoid confusion between us?
>
> Maybe one of you could be Queen? :-)
>
> BobGood one! LOL, LOL.
CJ
Posted by Sherry on April 30, 1999, at 21:59:50
In reply to Re: Same name, posted by CJ on April 27, 1999, at 12:00:59
> > > I'm the Victoria who has posted most...
> > Can we figure out a way to avoid confusion between us?Uh-OHH Me too!!!
I just saw a post from another "Sherry" (I'm the one who took Meridia)
Any suggestions?
This is the end of the thread.
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