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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Laurie on January 8, 1999, at 13:48:03
I have just recently been switched from Effexor to Celexa. I was only off of the effexor for four days, and had horrible side effects. I did some web-searching, and found out there were many with the same symptoms as I had.
I have only taken the celexa for three days now. The 'brain snapping' has almost dissapeared, but I still feel dizzy and disoriented. I am worried about three things:
1) Will the withdrawls from the celexa be as bad as from the effexor?
2) How similar are these drugs in effect and compostion?
3) Will there be any long-term damage from either of these drugs?
I was quite frightened when I read some of the effexor-withdrawl postings at another site. It seems that many that posted were still feeling horrible effects months after the termination of usage. I haven't really found anything about the effects of withdrawl from celexa. My doctors gave me these drugs as a short-term help through a hard time... I don't plan on taking them forever, and am now wondering if I should have taken them at all. The effexor-withdrawl symptoms are not as bad while taking the celexa, but I'm still feeling very strange. I don't think I can function very well; thank goodness I don't have to leave the house...
Has anyone withdrawn from celexa?
I was taking 37.5 mg of effexor in capsule form daily for about three months. I tried to take the double dose suggested, but thought the 37.5mg was enough. I now am starting 20 mg. of celexa/day.
Posted by David K. on January 10, 1999, at 18:44:26
In reply to celexa from effexor, posted by Laurie on January 8, 1999, at 13:48:03
I just stopped with 487.5mg of Effexor, which was above the recommended dosage, because the side effects were too much. I had to put up with dizzinees (especially if I moved my eyes quickly), sexual dysfunction, urinary problems and some twitching & "jumping" of my hands & feet (mostly when I was relaxed.)
I was supposed to withdraw from the Effexor slowly to reduce the intensity of the side effects, but I ended up speeding it up a little since it was the holidays and I could stay in the house. The worst was the dizziness and feeling generally lousy (similiar to how I feel now... I have a cold.)
I started reducing the dose about two weeks before Christmas ... I don't remember when I stopped.. but it's been at least a week or two. All the side effects have gone away except I still get an occasional twitch which feels the same as the Effexor twitch... but even that seems to be less and less frequent. The diziness persisted for a while, even when I had completely stopped the Effexor.
I'm on 40mg of Celexa now, and I feel okay. Some of that might also have to do with the fact that I got this computer a month ago, and now have a way to occupy my time instead of just THINKING all the time. I dunno. But I've had no side effects with the Celexa except for maybe a bit of a dry mouth. (But it's winter here in NJ and the air is dry, anyway.)
Hope this helps some. So far I'm all for Celexa. (I even made my doctor a T-shirt ... since Celexa's made in Ireland ... of thefront of a box of Lucky Charms with Celexa pills instead of Marshmallows, & it says, "Celexa: It's magically delicious...")
Posted by Laurie on January 14, 1999, at 18:41:50
In reply to Re: celexa from effexor, posted by David K. on January 10, 1999, at 18:44:26
> I just stopped with 487.5mg of Effexor, which was above the recommended dosage, because the side effects were too much. I had to put up with dizzinees (especially if I moved my eyes quickly), sexual dysfunction, urinary problems and some twitching & "jumping" of my hands & feet (mostly when I was relaxed.)
> I was supposed to withdraw from the Effexor slowly to reduce the intensity of the side effects, but I ended up speeding it up a little since it was the holidays and I could stay in the house. The worst was the dizziness and feeling generally lousy (similiar to how I feel now... I have a cold.)
> I started reducing the dose about two weeks before Christmas ... I don't remember when I stopped.. but it's been at least a week or two. All the side effects have gone away except I still get an occasional twitch which feels the same as the Effexor twitch... but even that seems to be less and less frequent. The diziness persisted for a while, even when I had completely stopped the Effexor.
> I'm on 40mg of Celexa now, and I feel okay. Some of that might also have to do with the fact that I got this computer a month ago, and now have a way to occupy my time instead of just THINKING all the time. I dunno. But I've had no side effects with the Celexa except for maybe a bit of a dry mouth. (But it's winter here in NJ and the air is dry, anyway.)
> Hope this helps some. So far I'm all for Celexa. (I even made my doctor a T-shirt ... since Celexa's made in Ireland ... of thefront of a box of Lucky Charms with Celexa pills instead of Marshmallows, & it says, "Celexa: It's magically delicious...")Hi David,
It's been a week since I started taking the celexia. So far, so good! I was so afraid after the 4 day effexor withdrawl! I had the same symptoms as you described... I still had horrible headaches and was still pretty dizzy for several days, but didn't know if it was due to the withdrawl of effexor, the starting of the celexia, or a combination of the two. I'm feeling ok now, though! I haven't had any side effects from the celexia at all, except maybe for slight headaches when I wake up, and occasionally in the evening. Asprin usually takes care of it... otherwise, I feel pretty good. I haven't been wanting to eat as much, and only eat when I'm hungry. I think this is an improvement! Send me one of those shirts... ;-)
Laurie
Posted by Hilary on May 5, 1999, at 11:52:14
In reply to Re: celexa from effexor, posted by Laurie on January 14, 1999, at 18:41:50
my doctor just started me on celexia this morning. I ahven't even gone to fill the prescribtion yet. I am a little scared. scared of it not working...scared of feeling worse. This will be the first step in a long precess of healing and I don't know if I should even be writing this here...oh well...anyone listening?
Posted by Victoria on May 5, 1999, at 17:14:01
In reply to Starting Celexia, posted by Hilary on May 5, 1999, at 11:52:14
Yes, we're listening! And most of us have been there! It is a long road for lots of people, but you've got to take the first step to get to the end. Is this your first anti-depressant? If you agree you need it, try it. Stay alert to what happens and let your doc know about any side effects right away. And also, be patient. It may take several weeks to begin working. And if it turns out not to be the drug for you, there are lots of others, and the chances are very high that there is one that will work. Good luck!
> my doctor just started me on celexia this morning. I ahven't even gone to fill the prescribtion yet. I am a little scared. scared of it not working...scared of feeling worse. This will be the first step in a long precess of healing and I don't know if I should even be writing this here...oh well...anyone listening?
Posted by Mark on May 10, 1999, at 5:34:03
In reply to celexa from effexor, posted by Laurie on January 8, 1999, at 13:48:03
Effexor discontinuation can be difficult but
it is time-limited. It's like a bad flu and
Celexa, as is your experience, is will treat it
pretty well. These symptoms are not dangerous
and are not permanent. Celexa, like it's
cousins Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox, and Paxil,
works by increasing serotonin. Effexor
does this but also increases another chemical
called norephinephrine. Effexor and all the
SSRi's can have discontinuation/withdrawal
symptoms but none are permanent. (Prozac
is least likely to cause these symptoms since
it is so long-lasting.> I have just recently been switched from Effexor to Celexa. I was only off of the effexor for four days, and had horrible side effects. I did some web-searching, and found out there were many with the same symptoms as I had.
> I have only taken the celexa for three days now. The 'brain snapping' has almost dissapeared, but I still feel dizzy and disoriented. I am worried about three things:
> 1) Will the withdrawls from the celexa be as bad as from the effexor?
> 2) How similar are these drugs in effect and compostion?
> 3) Will there be any long-term damage from either of these drugs?
> I was quite frightened when I read some of the effexor-withdrawl postings at another site. It seems that many that posted were still feeling horrible effects months after the termination of usage. I haven't really found anything about the effects of withdrawl from celexa. My doctors gave me these drugs as a short-term help through a hard time... I don't plan on taking them forever, and am now wondering if I should have taken them at all. The effexor-withdrawl symptoms are not as bad while taking the celexa, but I'm still feeling very strange. I don't think I can function very well; thank goodness I don't have to leave the house...
> Has anyone withdrawn from celexa?
> I was taking 37.5 mg of effexor in capsule form daily for about three months. I tried to take the double dose suggested, but thought the 37.5mg was enough. I now am starting 20 mg. of celexa/day.
Posted by Thom on May 10, 1999, at 20:00:25
In reply to Re: celexa from effexor, posted by Mark on May 10, 1999, at 5:34:03
I've been reading this thread with understanding and fear.
26 months ago, I sufferred amnesia for 3 months. What apparently brought me back was getting on Paxil. Paxil
became a friend for a while. I could tell when it was working and it really mellowed the highs and the lows.
But the side effects were rough and got worse over time.Eventually, the switched me from Paxil to Effexor and I loved it. It worked as well or better than Paxil and
you did not have the same terrible side effects. Now, Effexor is starting to cause me some serious problems
and concerns. I experience the "Effexor twitch" with my entire body jerking at night. If I am even 3 hours
late on my medication, I begin experiencing the the dizziness and "brain snaps" (I like that - I've been calling
them short circuits). I'm at 150 mg now and I really do not want to go higher.I have tried to "cold turkey" from Effexor becasue I realy do not want to be an anti-depressent and I hate the
sexual dysfunction among other things. I really scared myself with the cold turkey. I became a person I have
never been in my life. It was truely a Dr. Jykel and Mr. Hyde. I was intentionally mean with people. I cursed
like a sailor (I do not swear). I was moody. I was a real jerk! It really scared the daylights out of me that
my entire personality has been taken over by the drugs.I don't know if celexia is a solution. I'm afraid to switch. At least right now I now this monster and while
I do not like it, I know how to work in this world.Has any boby else experience such a personality shift from Effexor or any other medication?
Posted by wendy on December 16, 1999, at 23:58:09
In reply to Re: Starting Celexia, posted by Victoria on May 5, 1999, at 17:14:01
> Yes, we're listening! And most of us have been there! It is a long road for lots of people, but you've got to take the first step to get to the end. Is this your first anti-depressant? If you agree you need it, try it. Stay alert to what happens and let your doc know about any side effects right away. And also, be patient. It may take several weeks to begin working. And if it turns out not to be the drug for you, there are lots of others, and the chances are very high that there is one that will work. Good luck!
> I started several months ago, because I always felt grumpy, miseable and basically constant PMS'ing. I couln't believe how cheerfull I had become. I started forgeting to take it at times, and thought I don't need medicine, till I finally stopped two weeks ago. My husband wondered if I had stopped and I also noticed I was back to my moody, miseable self. I also started getting headaches, and could't sleep right. I started back on two days ago. I understand
celexia increases seratonin levels in the brain. It is a chemical which can be imbalanced in some people. I'd like more info. I'll keep in touch.>
> > my doctor just started me on celexia this morning. I ahven't even gone to fill the prescribtion yet. I am a little scared. scared of it not working...scared of feeling worse. This will be the first step in a long precess of healing and I don't know if I should even be writing this here...oh well...anyone listening?
Posted by Liz on December 21, 1999, at 11:32:02
In reply to Re: celexa from effexor, posted by Liz on December 21, 1999, at 11:29:10
> >I have been on Prozac for two years, and I REALLY LIKED IT, BUT two weeks ago I started Efflexor 37.5 and am now more awake but am experiencing headaches, and crabiness. I need to stay awake, but I liked the added ability Prozac gave me in dealing with stress. After reading all of the mail about withdrawels, etc, I'm wondering if I havn't entered the valley of the dolls or something. i just want the ability to think clearly, stay awake, and have the ability to deal better with stress. I wasn't even depressed when this started, I had had a hysterectomy!
Posted by Laurie on December 30, 1999, at 15:01:05
In reply to Re: celexa from effexor, posted by Liz on December 21, 1999, at 11:32:02
Hi All!
Thanks for the responses! I guess it's been almost a year since my first post here. I've been on the Celexa since last Jan, and so far, so good!
The Effexor withdrawls lasted about a month, or maybe it was a combo of the switch. I had the shakes, brainsnaps, etc for about two weeks until I started the Celexa. It took me a looooooooong time to get used to the Celexa, and I increased the dosage in very small increments. All the side effects from the Celexa are gone now (sexual disfunction, headaches, etc.) and I feel good now. I don't have any of the headaches like I did from the Effexor. Sometimes I still get a little down from the crazy things going on in my life, but I don't shut down like I used to. To everyone that posted, thank you very much. I hope you're all doing ok, too!
Hang in there - it may be hard getting used to the meds, but the trouble could be well worth it! Good luck & good health to all of you! Let me know how you're all doing!
Laurie
Posted by alexis on April 21, 2000, at 12:21:00
In reply to Re: celexa from effexor, posted by Laurie on January 14, 1999, at 18:41:50
> >I just stopped from Effexor 225 because I'd been having some bad side effects, and am now just starting Celexa... I too am worried expecially since I am in my last semester of school and have exams to take in order to graduate. Hang in there.. I've been battling depression for a year and a half.
Alexis
Posted by Sandra on April 27, 2000, at 21:49:10
In reply to Re: celexa from effexor, posted by alexis on April 21, 2000, at 12:21:00
I was fortunate with celexa to have no side affects with one exception...sex drive. I have none...feel numb in the erogenous zones unfortunately. This is not the case with all individuals though... it worked wonderfully for the depression for me. No drowsiness or nausea or anything. Restless legs the first 2 or 3 days and a little slight headachey feeling the second day for a few hours but that could have been stress also from work. But if it does not affect your sex life this could be a good possiblity for you to find it works.
> > >I just stopped from Effexor 225 because I'd been having some bad side effects, and am now just starting Celexa... I too am worried expecially since I am in my last semester of school and have exams to take in order to graduate. Hang in there.. I've been battling depression for a year and a half.
> Alexis
This is the end of the thread.
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