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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by carol on February 20, 1999, at 22:53:29
In reply to Re: celexa, good stuff, posted by heather on February 20, 1999, at 13:48:44
After 10 yrs of depression and battling it with St. John's wort, Oct I started 20mg Celexa. 2 weeks brought no effect. Dr. added 37.5 mg. Effexor and 250 mg. Depakote. Side effects: dry mouth, yawning, sleeplessness, weight loss. By Dec side effects went away. Dr. added upped the Depakote to 500mg because of cont'd weight loss. Now my weight is maintained and I have no side effect except for weird dreams at night. I don't like having any medication but this is working great for me.
Posted by Matt on February 22, 1999, at 23:28:20
In reply to Re: celexa, good stuff, posted by heather on February 20, 1999, at 13:48:44
I was taking Celexa and Remeron together, but I found the combo to be too sedating for me (well, I'm also on Klonopin, which was part of the problem, too). Remeron is terrific on anxiety, though, IME, and looks to be a great a-d.
Matt
Posted by Sue on February 23, 1999, at 18:21:43
In reply to Re: celexa, posted by Amy on November 14, 1998, at 20:09:20
> I will be starting Celexa very soon and would like to know if anyone has had any problems with sexual side effects. I have been on Prozac and Zoloft, both ruined an otherwise perfect sex life. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
I just started taking Celexa 1 1/2 weeks ago. I was on Zoloft for about 9 months before I switched. I am taking it for panic/anxiety. So far, I love it. It definitely has less side effects than Zoloft and whereas I had no sex drive with Zoloft, I'm already experiencing better sex and a much stronger desire.
Hope that helps
Posted by ellen on February 27, 1999, at 22:38:19
In reply to Re: celexa, posted by candy on November 3, 1998, at 19:36:31
>I took it it was the best thing I ever tried but it took away my sex drive, I mean I hated sex when I usually love it so I dropped it. Now I love it again. I am now on neurontin. It's pretty good.
Posted by Heidi on April 1, 1999, at 19:21:06
In reply to Re: celexa, posted by Toni on December 30, 1998, at 22:25:42
Posted by yun on November 23, 1999, at 23:58:51
In reply to Re: celexa, posted by shelley on December 31, 1998, at 17:14:24
Shelley, I just started celexa five days ago. I am little scared about switching from zoloft. Celexa is such a new drug. My sister who is a nurse told me that Celexa is a "crap" drug. However, I want to do my own research. Are you having any severe side effects such as decreased libido, neck pains, night sweat, memory loss and weight gain? Sorry for so many questions! How are you doing?
> I just finished my first week on Celexa. I titrated my own dose slowly, increasing to one 20 mg. pill per day. (I had early and severe side effects when I tried Zoloft, probably because my doctor started me on a high dose). Initially, I felt a faint twinge of nausea with Celexa, but it passed very quickly. I will keep increasing my dose to the standard 40mg/day within the next month. It's taking longer to get a response this way, but it is minimizing any side effects I may have encountered and therefore I am more likely to stick with it.
> I have noticed only a very small delay reaching orgasm -- with Zoloft, I was totally anorgasmic from fairly early on. I am a 32 year-old female.
> I'm open to talking to anyone about Celexa, or SSRIs.
Posted by LD on November 24, 1999, at 10:00:33
In reply to Re: celexa, posted by yun on November 23, 1999, at 23:58:51
I have been on Celexa for 2.5 months and am very happy with it. It had brought me to a place I didnt know existed anymore. I went through several meds before Celexa finally worked for me. I had nausea at first, which quickly subsided. The sexual side effects lasted about a month, and now everything is fine, even my drive is coming back. I do have nights sweats, but its not that bad. A little weight gain, but I also quit smoking so it may be that. I'd love to answer any questions I can, and I hope Celexa works for you!
Posted by yun on November 24, 1999, at 22:47:54
In reply to Re: celexa, posted by LD on November 24, 1999, at 10:00:33
>Thanks for responding LD!
I am a little skepical about Celexa. I am just beginning to realize all the weird feelings that I have been enduring are connected to zoloft. I have had tingling sensations, light-headness, night sweat, decreased libido and (irritability due to lowering the dosage).
Lately I want to give up on taking antidepressants;however, I know what it would be like without the medicine. I have to remind myself that despite the side effects, it is better than self-hate and suffocating sadness.I am keeping my fingers crossed about Celexa. It's good to hear that you are handling it fine. Keep me posted on any changes. I'll be keeping my eyes open for any new messages.
Thanks a lot again! Happy Thanksgiving!! Yun
I have been on Celexa for 2.5 months and am very happy with it. It had brought me to a place I didnt know existed anymore. I went through several meds before Celexa finally worked for me. I had nausea at first, which quickly subsided. The sexual side effects lasted about a month, and now everything is fine, even my drive is coming back. I do have nights sweats, but its not that bad. A little weight gain, but I also quit smoking so it may be that. I'd love to answer any questions I can, and I hope Celexa works for you!
Posted by LD on November 26, 1999, at 11:42:58
In reply to Re: celexa, posted by yun on November 24, 1999, at 22:47:54
Yun,
I know what if feels like to want to give up on antidepressants, its very frustrating when one after another doesnt work. But there is one out there for you, just keep trying, it is so worth the wait. It took me 6 months of trials before celexa worked for me. I was lucky, it takes some people alot longer. Just please keep trying, and good luck with the Celexa! Let me know if you have any questions.
Posted by Ben on March 1, 2000, at 23:43:32
In reply to Re: celexa yes, deseryl yuck., posted by Nancy on December 31, 1998, at 10:42:56
> >I have been on Celexa 20 mg combo w/ Deseryl 100mg for a couple of months. The Celexa showed great signs of working at first, but now things are starting to degenerate again. As for Deseryl, it was prescribed to fight insomnia that accompanied major depression, and it is virtually worthless both as an antidepressant, and a sleep aid. Also, I have developed rashes around my neck and arms, which I belive is from the medication.
BenI started Celexa a couple of weeks ago in addition to
> > Deseryl, both taken at night. Does anybody else itch
> > on this?
> Hi Toni,
> Yeah, I tried Deseryl. Then, I immediately threw it away. I consider it another garbage drug in the same sorry class as Lithium, Depakote and Tegretol. They all have aweful side-effects, but not much going for them in the way of therapeutic functionality.
> I tell it like it is...
> Happy New Year,
> Nancy
Posted by Missy on April 21, 2000, at 14:24:42
In reply to Re: celexa, posted by Amy on November 14, 1998, at 20:09:20
> I will be starting Celexa very soon and would like to know if anyone has had any problems with sexual side effects. I have been on Prozac and Zoloft, both ruined an otherwise perfect sex life. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
I have been on Celexa for about a month now. I found it to be so much better than Prozac and the older drugs. I found it does affect your sex drive somewhat but only about half as bad as with Prozac. My depression and anxiety were pretty bad and within a week on 20 mg of Celexa I felt a lot better. Good luck!
Posted by Steph on May 18, 2000, at 8:30:34
In reply to Re: celexa, posted by Rodger on December 29, 1998, at 9:59:12
> I've been taking Celexa since it was first released. I am unable to tolerate any of the other antidepressants at a theraputic level for a variety of unwanted side effects. I have read that 75% of people treated in Europe are on 20 mg daily. I take 20 mg at bedtime and I have not noticed any side effects. In the past, I used sex as a stress reducer for my depression. I felt like I had to have it. With Celexa I don't feel that way. I can go for days without it and not start a major argument by making it a priority. I have sex about 4x a week and I experience NO side effects. I am on a drug cocktail...I don't want to take up a whole page here, but if anyone would like to ask me any further questions, please feel free to email. I am a very open person and I don't think anything you would ask me would offend me
HiIs anyone taking celexa for PMS? I realize I have probably been self medicating (with pot--very little and alcohol--about 2-3 glasses wine every night) and maybe mildly depressed but when that time of the month comes around I just turn mean and don't like myself very much. It was one thing when I was single. Another thing to subject my husband. But now I have two small children and I just don't want to subject them to it anymore. Mommy just cant disappear for a few days until she is nice enough to be around. So is anyone else on Celexa for this? I am on 1/2 a 20mg pill and have been for a few days. My husband is skeptical about this . Wants to know why I don't try alterenative (natural). I have. I have noticed that I don't desire a drink with dinner and I have taken this as a good sign. I also enjoy that it has decreased my appetite. Antoher good thing. I am going to wait another week before I up the dosage to 20mg. as the doctor suggested. Thanks in adavance for any coments or suggestions
Steph
Posted by vickie on May 26, 2000, at 15:11:43
In reply to Re: celexa, posted by Patty on December 30, 1998, at 14:46:00
I have never used any meds prior to Celexa. Have depression and PTSD and I no longer panic and totally obsess. I began taking Celexa 4/17/00 in conjunction with a sleep med. at night. I do experience very low energy but not the exhausted defeated depression drain I felt prior to taking Celexa. I lost the majority of my sexual desire due to PTSD. I believe sexual desire is augmented by dreams and fantasy and if you are not sleeping well or obsessing over fears to the point of having no room for the polite day dreaming that feeds sexual interest it's hard to
be turned on or excited.DOSAGE 20mg
Posted by Noa on May 26, 2000, at 16:04:37
In reply to Re: celexa, posted by vickie on May 26, 2000, at 15:11:43
>I do experience very low energy but not the exhausted defeated depression drain I felt prior
To me, when this happens, it is like being able to come up to the surface to take a breath.Be good to yourself now, because although this state is so much better than the defeated state, it is still no walk in the park.
Posted by Noa on May 26, 2000, at 16:09:19
In reply to Re: celexa, posted by Noa on May 26, 2000, at 16:04:37
I know I sometimes sound like a broken record, but I gotta ask, cuz I believe this should always be screened out:
Have you had your thyroid checked? If so, did your doctor give you your actual lab numbers or just tell you they were "normal"?
Posted by SLS on May 28, 2000, at 10:05:21
In reply to Re: celexa/thyroid, posted by Noa on May 26, 2000, at 16:09:19
> I know I sometimes sound like a broken record, but I gotta ask, cuz I believe this should always be screened out:
>
> Have you had your thyroid checked? If so, did your doctor give you your actual lab numbers or just tell you they were "normal"?
What thyroid preparation are you taking, and how much? I know someone for whom supratherapeutic thyroid treatment may be helpul.What are your thoughts regarding the place for T4 in this context and the value of knowing the T3/T4 ratio?
If one is partially responsive to T3, does this give an indication as to which other drugs they may be responsive to?
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by Anne on May 28, 2000, at 13:39:53
In reply to Celexa, Effexor and Depakote, posted by carol on February 20, 1999, at 22:53:29
Also dealing with bipolar-2, i have tried various antidepressants with depakote. effexor has caused major loss of appetite at 225 mg. This is along with the 1000mg of depakote. I have recently cut back to 75 mg of effexor to see if my appetite comes back. I have been experiencing horrible nightmares on occasion; strange dreams are experienced nightly. Recently, my liver functioning has fluxuated so my doctors and I will have to pay special attention to my liver and depakote levels. Does anyone ever experience very cracked lips from this? This is definitely NOT herpes.
Posted by Noa on May 30, 2000, at 11:41:00
In reply to Re: celexa/thyroid T3/T4 ?, posted by SLS on May 28, 2000, at 10:05:21
Scott, I don't know the specifics for T3/4 ratios. However, I do know that family docs often overlook the need for T3, when T4 levels are normal and TSH is within normal limits. Pdocs like to use T3 to augment ADs and other meds, because it heightens the effectivness of those meds.
I think a good eval of thyroid functioning would include TSH, Total T4, Total T3 at the very least, but there are other tests that are helpful, too. Abby might know them better.
>
Posted by Abby on May 31, 2000, at 12:21:44
In reply to Re: celexa/thyroid T3/T4 ?, posted by Noa on May 30, 2000, at 11:41:00
> Scott, I don't know the specifics for T3/4 ratios. However, I do know that family docs often overlook the need for T3, when T4 levels are normal and TSH is within normal limits. Pdocs like to use T3 to augment ADs and other meds, because it heightens the effectivness of those meds.
>
> I think a good eval of thyroid functioning would include TSH, Total T4, Total T3 at the very least, but there are other tests that are helpful, too. Abby might know them better.
> >I'm getting this from Mary Shomon's book (also check out her web site http://www.thyroid-info.com) --which is okay,but I think I'm going to like Ridha Arem's better. Well, there's the RT3 which is reverse T3 test. RT3 is an inactive form of T3 made when the body is under stress. Some people theorize that the body can get stuck in this mode and then have inadequate levels of T3. I think maybe sopme doctors look atthe ratio of T3 to RT3, but I'd have to look, because I'm really not sure.
Also there's the TRH test---Thyrotropin releasing hormone. Basically this is the hormone which stimulates the production of thyrotropin also known as thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH. Really TRH should be called HSTSH or something.
TRH tests are harder to come by, because doctors don't believe the labs do them. Basically, blood is drawn for a TSH test. Then TRH is injected and 30 minutes later a new blood sample is taken. This makes the TSH go up, and teh amount by which it goes up means something, but I don't really understand it. If it rises over 30 it's supposed to be bad, but I don't know why, because it would seem that thatjust means that the pituitary is sensitive and working well. I guess it means that, though, the TSH is low,something is wrong with the production of TRH, but that given adequate TRH, the TSH rises, since thyroid production is impaired, but I'm just running my mouth speculating.
Abby
P.S. Some people think that your thyroid levels can be fine, but that if you have thyroid antibodies, it is a sign of impending thyroid failure in the manner of the auto-immune disease Hashimoto's, which I guess is the most common cause of hypothyroidism.
P.S.2 Also Free T3 and Free T$. Don't know the value of these and why total values are also needed.
Posted by cassandra on May 31, 2000, at 12:58:16
In reply to Re: celexa, posted by Sue on February 23, 1999, at 18:21:43
I've been on Celexa for a month and a half now. I had been on Paxil for a few years, but switched because I was frustrated that I had no sex drive. Initially my sex drive returned on celexa, but now it's gone again. Also, I have had a lot of gas recently, has anyone else had this incredibly awful problem from celexa?
Posted by Noa on May 31, 2000, at 14:54:55
In reply to Re: I'm the thyroid expert now?!, posted by Abby on May 31, 2000, at 12:21:44
Thanks, Abby. BTW, for help in interpreting thyroid lab tests, see this web page:
http://thyroid.about.com/health/thyroid/library/howto/htthyroid-test.htm?
Posted by SLS on May 31, 2000, at 15:12:08
In reply to Re: I'm the thyroid expert now?!, posted by Abby on May 31, 2000, at 12:21:44
Dear Abby,
(That was so much fun to write)
I really appreciate your taking the time to explain what you have learned about thyroid function. I didn't know that there was such a thing as RT3. That the rate of conversion of T3 to RT3 is accelerated during stress is very interesting. It sounds like this system may get "stuck" in the same way the cortisol system may get "stuck". Both dysregulations might be the result of chronic stress and be contributory to the evolution of a sustained depression, but I'm just running my mouth speculating. :-)
My friend's sister has Hashimoto's Disease and has suffered chronic depression for most of her life. My friend, who also suffers from chronic depression, has a thyroid level that is in the lower part of the normal range. Both have been helped by antidepressants, although not completely. Wellbutrin, Effexor, and Parnate have been partially effective for both of them.
Is Hashimoto's Disease hereditary?
How is it treated?
Any other comments?
Don't worry, you are not being graded on your expertise. I'm sure anything you have to say will be helpful. I wish I were able to say "I don't know" as easily as you. It is a virtue.
> TRH tests are harder to come by, because doctors don't believe the labs do them. Basically, blood is drawn for a TSH test. Then TRH is injected and 30 minutes later a new blood sample is taken. This makes the TSH go up, and teh amount by which it goes up means something, but I don't really understand it. If it rises over 30 it's supposed to be bad, but I don't know why, because it would seem that that just means that the pituitary is sensitive and working well. I guess it means that, though, the TSH is low, something is wrong with the production of TRH, but that given adequate TRH, the TSH rises, since thyroid production is impaired, but I'm just running my mouth speculating.Keep running.
> Abby
>
> P.S. Some people think that your thyroid levels can be fine, but that if you have thyroid antibodies, it is a sign of impending thyroid failure in the manner of the auto-immune disease Hashimoto's, which I guess is the most common cause of hypothyroidism.This is great information. I think I'll tell my friend to be screened for these antibodies.
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by Noa on May 31, 2000, at 15:26:55
In reply to Re: I'm the thyroid expert now?! - Thanks, posted by SLS on May 31, 2000, at 15:12:08
Scott, from what I understand, thyroid illness does run in families, although I have yet to come across any info that specifies how strong a hereditary link there is and whether the family tendency covers both hyper- and hypothyroid.
An interesting case is that of George and Barbara Bush, who both came down with Graves Disease around the same time, and who dog, Millie also had hyperthyroid symptoms at that time. Of course, this suggests some kind of environmental toxin, rather than a hereditary link!
Posted by connie ann on May 31, 2000, at 20:33:51
In reply to Re: celexa, good stuff, posted by heather on February 20, 1999, at 13:48:44
Has anyone noticed that they felt relief within 10 days.
Posted by Chris A. on June 1, 2000, at 0:45:00
In reply to Re: Thyroid Values, posted by Noa on May 31, 2000, at 14:54:55
Does anyone know if keeping the TSH level supressed can contribute to mania as any other antidepressant treatment can do? Sorry, I am too exhausted for long conversations and am not feeling too bright with my ongoing ECT treatments. Haven't forgotten you all or dropped off of the face of the earth. Hope you're all doing well or are least finding some hope.
Here's to health,
Chris A.
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