Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 901

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Re: side effects of celexa

Posted by oop on October 19, 1998, at 11:35:27

In reply to Re: side effects of celexa, posted by Paul_53 on October 18, 1998, at 14:54:48

> > I'm curious to know what side effects go along with the antidepressant drug, celexa. I recently went to the doctor in reference to a weight problem. I am 2 pounds below state regulations for phentermine. He explained to me that when I take care of my anxiety and depression, that my weight problem would take care of itself. I've searched the web for these side effects, but I only find dry mouth, nausea and sleepiness. I'm definitely sleepy and have nausea. I don't think I can work and take this drug.
>
> I'm a 53 year old male, with a 5 year history of looking for help with my depression. My doctors have tried about all there is in depression medication. Just started celexa, after beeing on max doseage of serzone for about ten months. I have not noticed any adverse side effects, as of yet. Would be interested in learning from others who have tried this drug. I understand it is quite new and has just been approved for us in the US a couple of months ago. I would be interested in finding someone in one of the European countries who has had experiences with celexa. Your patience and attention would be greatly appreciated. paul


I have taken prozac before, which made me very air headed. I'm 26 years old and a reporter for a local newspaper. This new drug, celexa, from what I understand is very new. I haven't had any of the "dry mouth" problems yet. If I had, I'm sure they would be noticeable, for I took pondimin along with phentermine three years ago, and the dry mouth side effect was terrible.
I have noticed myself a lot less motivated to do things since starting celexa. My job is very fast paced and anxiety comes along with it, so I fear that I'm butting my head against a brick wall by taking it. I have, though, had some gastrointestinal problems. I'm not sure if they are related to this drug, or just part of the "anxiety" that my doctor told me I had. These problems surfaced three days after starting celexa. Nausea and fatigue are my biggest problems right now. And I'm not eager to possess either one of these side effects!!

 

Re: side effects of celexa

Posted by paul_523 on October 21, 1998, at 15:39:57

In reply to Re: side effects of celexa, posted by Paul_53 on October 18, 1998, at 14:54:48

> > I'm curious to know what side effects go along with the antidepressant drug, celexa. I recently went to the doctor in reference to a weight problem. I am 2 pounds below state regulations for phentermine. He explained to me that when I take care of my anxiety and depression, that my weight problem would take care of itself. I've searched the web for these side effects, but I only find dry mouth, nausea and sleepiness. I'm definitely sleepy and have nausea. I don't think I can work and take this drug.
>
> I'm a 53 year old male, with a 5 year history of looking for help with my depression. My doctors have tried about all there is in depression medication. Just started celexa, after beeing on max doseage of serzone for about ten months. I have not noticed any adverse side effects, as of yet. Would be interested in learning from others who have tried this drug. I understand it is quite new and has just been approved for us in the US a couple of months ago. I would be interested in finding someone in one of the European countries who has had experiences with celexa. Your patience and attention would be greatly appreciated. paul

This is the second posting about the third day on celexa, have experience head aches for the past two day, but am clear headed today. I do not know if coming down from serzone and coming up on celexa is causing the lack of enthusiam about any, but that is the way i have felt for the past couple of days.

 

Re: side effects of celexa

Posted by Paul53 on October 25, 1998, at 0:10:24

In reply to Re: side effects of celexa, posted by paul_523 on October 21, 1998, at 15:39:57

> > > I'm curious to know what side effects go along with the antidepressant drug, celexa. I recently went to the doctor in reference to a weight problem. I am 2 pounds below state regulations for phentermine. He explained to me that when I take care of my anxiety and depression, that my weight problem would take care of itself. I've searched the web for these side effects, but I only find dry mouth, nausea and sleepiness. I'm definitely sleepy and have nausea. I don't think I can work and take this drug.
> >
> > I'm a 53 year old male, with a 5 year history of looking for help with my depression. My doctors have tried about all there is in depression medication. Just started celexa, after beeing on max doseage of serzone for about ten months. I have not noticed any adverse side effects, as of yet. Would be interested in learning from others who have tried this drug. I understand it is quite new and has just been approved for us in the US a couple of months ago. I would be interested in finding someone in one of the European countries who has had experiences with celexa. Your patience and attention would be greatly appreciated. paul
> This is the second posting about the third day on celexa, have experience head aches for the past two day, but am clear headed today. I do not know if coming down from serzone and coming up on celexa is causing the lack of enthusiam about any, but that is the way i have felt for the past couple of days.

After 7 days of celexa, I no longer have head aches, I getting a little bored with myself. I guess i am coming out of this depression. Things are not better, but i can deal with them now. I just have to do one thing at a time. I hope improvement continues into the next week. It takes two weeks for the full effect to take hold. I am still hoping this drug will be the one that gets me over the hill. Not to much to ask for a guy who has been searching for over 5 years.

 

Re: side effects of celexa

Posted by anne on January 13, 1999, at 20:21:33

In reply to Re: side effects of celexa, posted by Paul53 on October 25, 1998, at 0:10:24

to know what side effects go along with the antidepres> > > > I'm curious sant drug, celexa. I recently went to the doctor in reference to a weight problem. I am 2 pounds below state regulations for phentermine. He explained to me that when I take care of my anxiety and depression, that my weight problem would take care of itself. I've searched the web for these side effects, but I only find dry mouth, nausea and sleepiness. I'm definitely sleepy and have nausea. I don't think I can work and take this drug.
> > >
> > > I'm a 53 year old male, with a 5 year history of looking for help with my depression. My doctors have tried about all there is in depression medication. Just started celexa, after beeing on max doseage of serzone for about ten months. I have not noticed any adverse side effects, as of yet. Would be interested in learning from others who have tried this drug. I understand it is quite new and has just been approved for us in the US a couple of months ago. I would be interested in finding someone in one of the European countries who has had experiences with celexa. Your patience and attention would be greatly appreciated. paul
> > This is the second posting about the third day on celexa, have experience head aches for the past two day, but am clear headed today. I do not know if coming down from serzone and coming up on celexa is causing the lack of enthusiam about any, but that is the way i have felt for the past couple of days.
ione that gets me over the hill. Not to much to ask for a guy who has been searching for over 5 years.
I am a 47 year old female just prescribed with celexa. after taking zoloft, my question is do I take it in the morning or at night. It makes me exceptionally sleepy. Has anyone else had this problem.

 

Re: side effects of celexa

Posted by David K. on January 14, 1999, at 5:03:24

In reply to Re: side effects of celexa, posted by anne on January 13, 1999, at 20:21:33

I take my Celexa in the morning, because it keeps me awake at night!

 

Re: side effects of celexa

Posted by Jef* on January 17, 1999, at 17:30:45

In reply to Re: side effects of celexa, posted by anne on January 13, 1999, at 20:21:33

> to know what side effects go along with the > I am a 47 year old female just prescribed with celexa. after taking zoloft, my question is do I take it in the morning or at night. It makes me exceptionally sleepy. Has anyone else had this problem.

Anne, I took Celexa(40mg) for 2 months. It also made me very sleepy. My Doc originally had me take it in the morning, but after I told him how it affected me he changed it to the evening. This help me to go to sleep at night, but the lethargy during the day never cleared up. I am now on Effexor(225mg) and it doesn't make me near as sleepy, plus it has helped my depression more.

GOOD LUCK

 

Re: side effects of celexa

Posted by Melissa on January 18, 1999, at 23:58:36

In reply to Re: side effects of celexa, posted by Jef* on January 17, 1999, at 17:30:45

> > to know what side effects go along with the > I am a 47 year old female just prescribed with celexa. after taking zoloft, my question is do I take it in the morning or at night. It makes me exceptionally sleepy. Has anyone else had this problem.
>
> Anne, I took Celexa(40mg) for 2 months. It also made me very sleepy. My Doc originally had me take it in the morning, but after I told him how it affected me he changed it to the evening. This help me to go to sleep at night, but the lethargy during the day never cleared up. I am now on Effexor(225mg) and it doesn't make me near as sleepy, plus it has helped my depression more.
> GOOD LUCK
I am not a depressed person but I am high anxiety. I have been on very low dosages of Klonpin for 8 years (1mg/day) I am completely addicted to it. I cannot go off it for mor than 24 hours without sevre phyisical withdrawel symptoms. Though I am a high level profesional (university professor) I have a lot of problems getting myself to do my work and sabotage my success. I have been in therapy for 13 years that has been very effective (I wouldn't be were I ma now with all my problems without it) but problems though les severe still remain. A little over a year ago I started taking St John's Wort with 5HTP. It was extremely effective in allieviating negative and despairful feelings but stopped working after 3 mos. It was recently suggested by a leading Psychopharmologicl Psychiatrist that I try Celexa. I have strong reactions to even minute levels of most any drug. I started out at 10mg about 25 days ago. anxiety and dark feelings disappeared almost instantly. I felt very speedy however and alittle foggy in my thinking. I decreased the dosage immediately to 5mg and after 5 days to 2.5mg (recommended dosage is 20 -40 mg / day) About the third day I started experiencing extreme tiredness in the afternoon that it was noticeable to others. My motivatioon to do things (work out in gym--which I normally do several days a week, grading my papers which I normally finish by New Years remained undone) and eating excessively started to increase. The tiredness grew worse, motivation drop to near zero but my mood was great. Graded some exams (I am a law professor) Went to my annual meetings where I chaired a panel that I put together and could not focus on what anyone said. Came home tiredness got worse. Had bouts of nausea. But was in great mood through all this. Did not want to stop. Liked being happy all the time. Negative symptoms grew progressively worse. Started sleeping 12 to 15 hours a day and barely able to get out of bed. No gym whatsoever. Finally decided to quit 5 days ago. My energy is returning rapidly. Started to develop headaches. Got back to my grading and discovered my essay answer had a number of serious errors and very sloppily developed. I lost a complete week of work and I have to regrade all the papers I had already graded. My mind is comming back, my excessive eating is slowing down, I am getting back to the gym and sleeping better. But the dark feelings, the excessive self-consciousness and the negativity has also returned. What a trade off. But I will never go on Celexa again. I had tried Prozac 10 years ago with the same deep in the bones tiredness effect after three months. At that time I tried other antidpressants (non-SSRI) but they all triggered compulsive over eating. I am just reporting this because I am know I am not alone in this level of side effects to SSRI's and I don't think it is very well or accurately reported. I really like the positive effects on my outlook and I regret losing that. But I am going to pay for what Celexa did to me intelectually and physically for the entire spring term. I am a law professor and at a school where teaching and gradingis exceptionally demanding (which it is in general in law compared to other academic fields but it is more so here because the students are weak.) I am female, 51 years old, normally very high energy and very youthful. I even have to show proof of age in nightclubs on occaision believe it or not.

 

Sorry for lousy typing

Posted by Melissa on January 19, 1999, at 0:03:11

In reply to Re: side effects of celexa, posted by Melissa on January 18, 1999, at 23:58:36

> > > to know what side effects go along with the > I am a 47 year old female just prescribed with celexa. after taking zoloft, my question is do I take it in the morning or at night. It makes me exceptionally sleepy. Has anyone else had this problem.
> >
> > Anne, I took Celexa(40mg) for 2 months. It also made me very sleepy. My Doc originally had me take it in the morning, but after I told him how it affected me he changed it to the evening. This help me to go to sleep at night, but the lethargy during the day never cleared up. I am now on Effexor(225mg) and it doesn't make me near as sleepy, plus it has helped my depression more.
> > GOOD LUCK
> I am not a depressed person but I am high anxiety. I have been on very low dosages of Klonpin for 8 years (1mg/day) I am completely addicted to it. I cannot go off it for mor than 24 hours without sevre phyisical withdrawel symptoms. Though I am a high level profesional (university professor) I have a lot of problems getting myself to do my work and sabotage my success. I have been in therapy for 13 years that has been very effective (I wouldn't be were I ma now with all my problems without it) but problems though les severe still remain. A little over a year ago I started taking St John's Wort with 5HTP. It was extremely effective in allieviating negative and despairful feelings but stopped working after 3 mos. It was recently suggested by a leading Psychopharmologicl Psychiatrist that I try Celexa. I have strong reactions to even minute levels of most any drug. I started out at 10mg about 25 days ago. anxiety and dark feelings disappeared almost instantly. I felt very speedy however and alittle foggy in my thinking. I decreased the dosage immediately to 5mg and after 5 days to 2.5mg (recommended dosage is 20 -40 mg / day) About the third day I started experiencing extreme tiredness in the afternoon that it was noticeable to others. My motivatioon to do things (work out in gym--which I normally do several days a week, grading my papers which I normally finish by New Years remained undone) and eating excessively started to increase. The tiredness grew worse, motivation drop to near zero but my mood was great. Graded some exams (I am a law professor) Went to my annual meetings where I chaired a panel that I put together and could not focus on what anyone said. Came home tiredness got worse. Had bouts of nausea. But was in great mood through all this. Did not want to stop. Liked being happy all the time. Negative symptoms grew progressively worse. Started sleeping 12 to 15 hours a day and barely able to get out of bed. No gym whatsoever. Finally decided to quit 5 days ago. My energy is returning rapidly. Started to develop headaches. Got back to my grading and discovered my essay answer had a number of serious errors and very sloppily developed. I lost a complete week of work and I have to regrade all the papers I had already graded. My mind is comming back, my excessive eating is slowing down, I am getting back to the gym and sleeping better. But the dark feelings, the excessive self-consciousness and the negativity has also returned. What a trade off. But I will never go on Celexa again. I had tried Prozac 10 years ago with the same deep in the bones tiredness effect after three months. At that time I tried other antidpressants (non-SSRI) but they all triggered compulsive over eating. I am just reporting this because I am know I am not alone in this level of side effects to SSRI's and I don't think it is very well or accurately reported. I really like the positive effects on my outlook and I regret losing that. But I am going to pay for what Celexa did to me intelectually and physically for the entire spring term. I am a law professor and at a school where teaching and gradingis exceptionally demanding (which it is in general in law compared to other academic fields but it is more so here because the students are weak.) I am female, 51 years old, normally very high energy and very youthful. I even have to show proof of age in nightclubs on occaision believe it or not.

I am not a good speller and an even worse typist. I should have proof-read what I wrote before I posted it. I must seem illiterate but I am not. Just an extremely lousy and dyslexic typist

 

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Posted by Melissa on January 19, 1999, at 0:41:34

In reply to Sorry for lousy typing, posted by Melissa on January 19, 1999, at 0:03:11

Now I know to delete old message. Sorry for the repetition. I also wanted mention that I went into menopause about 3 years ago and when I went on (natural) hormone replacement therapy, that did more to dispel my negative feelings than anything else I have ever done. I take estrace a prescibed natural estrogen and progesterone (long acting Yam) another prescribed natural hormone. Once I got on it I felt emotionally better and looked better than I had in years and that has sustained. It doesn;t offer much help for men but for women it might. I realized after I became more knowledgeable about it that I was showing early signs of the beginnings of peri-meopause in my early 40's, about the time things started to go darker for me. I know lot of women in their 40's do start to become quite negative. I am now beginning t suspect it is the beginning of the drop off in estrogen production. For what this is worth.

 

Re:Celexa sied effects

Posted by Jeanne on January 22, 1999, at 20:45:31

In reply to Sorry for lousy typing, posted by Melissa on January 19, 1999, at 0:03:11

> > > > to know what side effects go along with the > I am a 47 year old female just prescribed with celexa. after taking zoloft, my question is do I take it in the morning or at night. It makes me exceptionally sleepy. Has anyone else had this problem.
> > >
> > > Anne, I took Celexa(40mg) for 2 months. It also made me very sleepy. My Doc originally had me take it in the morning, but after I told him how it affected me he changed it to the evening. This help me to go to sleep at night, but the lethargy during the day never cleared up. I am now on Effexor(225mg) and it doesn't make me near as sleepy, plus it has helped my depression more.
> > > GOOD LUCK
> > I am not a depressed person but I am high anxiety. I have been on very low dosages of Klonpin for 8 years (1mg/day) I am completely addicted to it. I cannot go off it for mor than 24 hours without sevre phyisical withdrawel symptoms. Though I am a high level profesional (university professor) I have a lot of problems getting myself to do my work and sabotage my success. I have been in therapy for 13 years that has been very effective (I wouldn't be were I ma now with all my problems without it) but problems though les severe still remain. A little over a year ago I started taking St John's Wort with 5HTP. It was extremely effective in allieviating negative and despairful feelings but stopped working after 3 mos. It was recently suggested by a leading Psychopharmologicl Psychiatrist that I try Celexa. I have strong reactions to even minute levels of most any drug. I started out at 10mg about 25 days ago. anxiety and dark feelings disappeared almost instantly. I felt very speedy however and alittle foggy in my thinking. I decreased the dosage immediately to 5mg and after 5 days to 2.5mg (recommended dosage is 20 -40 mg / day) About the third day I started experiencing extreme tiredness in the afternoon that it was noticeable to others. My motivatioon to do things (work out in gym--which I normally do several days a week, grading my papers which I normally finish by New Years remained undone) and eating excessively started to increase. The tiredness grew worse, motivation drop to near zero but my mood was great. Graded some exams (I am a law professor) Went to my annual meetings where I chaired a panel that I put together and could not focus on what anyone said. Came home tiredness got worse. Had bouts of nausea. But was in great mood through all this. Did not want to stop. Liked being happy all the time. Negative symptoms grew progressively worse. Started sleeping 12 to 15 hours a day and barely able to get out of bed. No gym whatsoever. Finally decided to quit 5 days ago. My energy is returning rapidly. Started to develop headaches. Got back to my grading and discovered my essay answer had a number of serious errors and very sloppily developed. I lost a complete week of work and I have to regrade all the papers I had already graded. My mind is comming back, my excessive eating is slowing down, I am getting back to the gym and sleeping better. But the dark feelings, the excessive self-consciousness and the negativity has also returned. What a trade off. But I will never go on Celexa again. I had tried Prozac 10 years ago with the same deep in the bones tiredness effect after three months. At that time I tried other antidpressants (non-SSRI) but they all triggered compulsive over eating. I am just reporting this because I am know I am not alone in this level of side effects to SSRI's and I don't think it is very well or accurately reported. I really like the positive effects on my outlook and I regret losing that. But I am going to pay for what Celexa did to me intelectually and physically for the entire spring term. I am a law professor and at a school where teaching and gradingis exceptionally demanding (which it is in general in law compared to other academic fields but it is more so here because the students are weak.) I am female, 51 years old, normally very high energy and very youthful. I even have to show proof of age in nightclubs on occaision believe it or not.
> I am not a good speller and an even worse typist. I should have proof-read what I wrote before I posted it. I must seem illiterate but I am not. Just an extremely lousy and dyslexic typist

I just went through my first day on Celexa and it was rough. After reading these post I think I should go back to Effexor.... I am having all of these and have a biz show to do on Weds. It is now Fri. I cannot sleep through this show.... I think I will call my dr. and ask for Effexor instead.

 

Re:Celexa sied effects

Posted by Laura on January 25, 1999, at 20:35:21

In reply to Re:Celexa sied effects, posted by Jeanne on January 22, 1999, at 20:45:31

> > > > > to know what side effects go along with the > I am a 47 year old female just prescribed with celexa. after taking zoloft, my question is do I take it in the morning or at night. It makes me exceptionally sleepy. Has anyone else had this problem.
> > > >
> > > > Anne, I took Celexa(40mg) for 2 months. It also made me very sleepy. My Doc originally had me take it in the morning, but after I told him how it affected me he changed it to the evening. This help me to go to sleep at night, but the lethargy during the day never cleared up. I am now on Effexor(225mg) and it doesn't make me near as sleepy, plus it has helped my depression more.
> > > > GOOD LUCK
> > > I am not a depressed person but I am high anxiety. I have been on very low dosages of Klonpin for 8 years (1mg/day) I am completely addicted to it. I cannot go off it for mor than 24 hours without sevre phyisical withdrawel symptoms. Though I am a high level profesional (university professor) I have a lot of problems getting myself to do my work and sabotage my success. I have been in therapy for 13 years that has been very effective (I wouldn't be were I ma now with all my problems without it) but problems though les severe still remain. A little over a year ago I started taking St John's Wort with 5HTP. It was extremely effective in allieviating negative and despairful feelings but stopped working after 3 mos. It was recently suggested by a leading Psychopharmologicl Psychiatrist that I try Celexa. I have strong reactions to even minute levels of most any drug. I started out at 10mg about 25 days ago. anxiety and dark feelings disappeared almost instantly. I felt very speedy however and alittle foggy in my thinking. I decreased the dosage immediately to 5mg and after 5 days to 2.5mg (recommended dosage is 20 -40 mg / day) About the third day I started experiencing extreme tiredness in the afternoon that it was noticeable to others. My motivatioon to do things (work out in gym--which I normally do several days a week, grading my papers which I normally finish by New Years remained undone) and eating excessively started to increase. The tiredness grew worse, motivation drop to near zero but my mood was great. Graded some exams (I am a law professor) Went to my annual meetings where I chaired a panel that I put together and could not focus on what anyone said. Came home tiredness got worse. Had bouts of nausea. But was in great mood through all this. Did not want to stop. Liked being happy all the time. Negative symptoms grew progressively worse. Started sleeping 12 to 15 hours a day and barely able to get out of bed. No gym whatsoever. Finally decided to quit 5 days ago. My energy is returning rapidly. Started to develop headaches. Got back to my grading and discovered my essay answer had a number of serious errors and very sloppily developed. I lost a complete week of work and I have to regrade all the papers I had already graded. My mind is comming back, my excessive eating is slowing down, I am getting back to the gym and sleeping better. But the dark feelings, the excessive self-consciousness and the negativity has also returned. What a trade off. But I will never go on Celexa again. I had tried Prozac 10 years ago with the same deep in the bones tiredness effect after three months. At that time I tried other antidpressants (non-SSRI) but they all triggered compulsive over eating. I am just reporting this because I am know I am not alone in this level of side effects to SSRI's and I don't think it is very well or accurately reported. I really like the positive effects on my outlook and I regret losing that. But I am going to pay for what Celexa did to me intelectually and physically for the entire spring term. I am a law professor and at a school where teaching and gradingis exceptionally demanding (which it is in general in law compared to other academic fields but it is more so here because the students are weak.) I am female, 51 years old, normally very high energy and very youthful. I even have to show proof of age in nightclubs on occaision believe it or not.
> > I am not a good speller and an even worse typist. I should have proof-read what I wrote before I posted it. I must seem illiterate but I am not. Just an extremely lousy and dyslexic typist
> I just went through my first day on Celexa and it was rough. After reading these post I think I should go back to Effexor.... I am having all of these and have a biz show to do on Weds. It is now Fri. I cannot sleep through this show.... I think I will call my dr. and ask for Effexor instead.

I have had a hard time switching from Effexor to Celexa. I've been on the Celexa now for almost three weeks, and still haven't worked out the dosage yet. When I first started taking the Celexa, I took 20 mg/day. I was ok for the first few days, but progressively kept getting sleepier. I was sleeping 14-16 hours a day. I was starting to get really depressed. My pdoc told me to stop taking it for one day, and then half the dose. I was worried that I would have the same withdrawals as from the Effexor, but didn't. I felt fine the non-dose day, and ok the next day. I was actually awake & feeling ok!

Today (the third day) I've been sleeping normal hours, but a few hours after taking my Celexa, I was really dizzy and couldn't keep my mind focused. I was writing something on the computer, and had a really hard time doing things that were second nature to me. I feel much better in all, but still have to adjust the amount. I never would have thought that too much would make me sleepy, and less would keep me awake! I guess I should just let this dosage stay the same for awhile to see what happens. But, if I would have cut my dosage of Effexor in half so drastically after three weeks, I would have been going through horrible withdrawals right now. Perhaps switching was a good thing if I think of it that way... Hope this helps a little, and good luck to all!

 

Re:Celexa sied effects

Posted by Leslie on January 26, 1999, at 18:41:03

In reply to Re:Celexa sied effects, posted by Laura on January 25, 1999, at 20:35:21

I was put on celexa a week ago. It has been a nightmare. I have not been able to sleep and one of my main complaints was not being able to sleep. That is just on 10 mg. I tried 20, but became extremely aggitated with shaking and rocking. Also, have had a head ache constantly. My doctor said celexa is supposed to have fewer side effects. I took Paxil- worked well except for sexual dysfunction. Never missed a night of sleep with Paxil.

Is this typical? If I stayed on it would this insomnia go away?

> > > > > > to know what side effects go along with the > I am a 47 year old female just prescribed with celexa. after taking zoloft, my question is do I take it in the morning or at night. It makes me exceptionally sleepy. Has anyone else had this problem.
> > > > >
> > > > > Anne, I took Celexa(40mg) for 2 months. It also made me very sleepy. My Doc originally had me take it in the morning, but after I told him how it affected me he changed it to the evening. This help me to go to sleep at night, but the lethargy during the day never cleared up. I am now on Effexor(225mg) and it doesn't make me near as sleepy, plus it has helped my depression more.
> > > > > GOOD LUCK
> > > > I am not a depressed person but I am high anxiety. I have been on very low dosages of Klonpin for 8 years (1mg/day) I am completely addicted to it. I cannot go off it for mor than 24 hours without sevre phyisical withdrawel symptoms. Though I am a high level profesional (university professor) I have a lot of problems getting myself to do my work and sabotage my success. I have been in therapy for 13 years that has been very effective (I wouldn't be were I ma now with all my problems without it) but problems though les severe still remain. A little over a year ago I started taking St John's Wort with 5HTP. It was extremely effective in allieviating negative and despairful feelings but stopped working after 3 mos. It was recently suggested by a leading Psychopharmologicl Psychiatrist that I try Celexa. I have strong reactions to even minute levels of most any drug. I started out at 10mg about 25 days ago. anxiety and dark feelings disappeared almost instantly. I felt very speedy however and alittle foggy in my thinking. I decreased the dosage immediately to 5mg and after 5 days to 2.5mg (recommended dosage is 20 -40 mg / day) About the third day I started experiencing extreme tiredness in the afternoon that it was noticeable to others. My motivatioon to do things (work out in gym--which I normally do several days a week, grading my papers which I normally finish by New Years remained undone) and eating excessively started to increase. The tiredness grew worse, motivation drop to near zero but my mood was great. Graded some exams (I am a law professor) Went to my annual meetings where I chaired a panel that I put together and could not focus on what anyone said. Came home tiredness got worse. Had bouts of nausea. But was in great mood through all this. Did not want to stop. Liked being happy all the time. Negative symptoms grew progressively worse. Started sleeping 12 to 15 hours a day and barely able to get out of bed. No gym whatsoever. Finally decided to quit 5 days ago. My energy is returning rapidly. Started to develop headaches. Got back to my grading and discovered my essay answer had a number of serious errors and very sloppily developed. I lost a complete week of work and I have to regrade all the papers I had already graded. My mind is comming back, my excessive eating is slowing down, I am getting back to the gym and sleeping better. But the dark feelings, the excessive self-consciousness and the negativity has also returned. What a trade off. But I will never go on Celexa again. I had tried Prozac 10 years ago with the same deep in the bones tiredness effect after three months. At that time I tried other antidpressants (non-SSRI) but they all triggered compulsive over eating. I am just reporting this because I am know I am not alone in this level of side effects to SSRI's and I don't think it is very well or accurately reported. I really like the positive effects on my outlook and I regret losing that. But I am going to pay for what Celexa did to me intelectually and physically for the entire spring term. I am a law professor and at a school where teaching and gradingis exceptionally demanding (which it is in general in law compared to other academic fields but it is more so here because the students are weak.) I am female, 51 years old, normally very high energy and very youthful. I even have to show proof of age in nightclubs on occaision believe it or not.
> > > I am not a good speller and an even worse typist. I should have proof-read what I wrote before I posted it. I must seem illiterate but I am not. Just an extremely lousy and dyslexic typist
> > I just went through my first day on Celexa and it was rough. After reading these post I think I should go back to Effexor.... I am having all of these and have a biz show to do on Weds. It is now Fri. I cannot sleep through this show.... I think I will call my dr. and ask for Effexor instead.
> I have had a hard time switching from Effexor to Celexa. I've been on the Celexa now for almost three weeks, and still haven't worked out the dosage yet. When I first started taking the Celexa, I took 20 mg/day. I was ok for the first few days, but progressively kept getting sleepier. I was sleeping 14-16 hours a day. I was starting to get really depressed. My pdoc told me to stop taking it for one day, and then half the dose. I was worried that I would have the same withdrawals as from the Effexor, but didn't. I felt fine the non-dose day, and ok the next day. I was actually awake & feeling ok!
> Today (the third day) I've been sleeping normal hours, but a few hours after taking my Celexa, I was really dizzy and couldn't keep my mind focused. I was writing something on the computer, and had a really hard time doing things that were second nature to me. I feel much better in all, but still have to adjust the amount. I never would have thought that too much would make me sleepy, and less would keep me awake! I guess I should just let this dosage stay the same for awhile to see what happens. But, if I would have cut my dosage of Effexor in half so drastically after three weeks, I would have been going through horrible withdrawals right now. Perhaps switching was a good thing if I think of it that way... Hope this helps a little, and good luck to all!

 

Re: side effects of celexa

Posted by Sally on May 4, 1999, at 18:55:54

In reply to side effects of celexa, posted by oop on October 16, 1998, at 18:54:33

> I'm curious to know what side effects go along with the antidepressant drug, celexa. I recently went to the doctor in reference to a weight problem. I am 2 pounds below state regulations for phentermine. He explained to me that when I take care of my anxiety and depression, that my weight problem would take care of itself. I've searched the web for these side effects, but I only find dry mouth, nausea and sleepiness. I'm definitely sleepy and have nausea. I don't think I can work and take this drug.

I would like to know if there is anyone out there that is taking Celexa has gained any weight. I am on Wellbutrin, and have been doing well, then the doctor put me on Celexa also to take care of my attention. I am 49 years old and I do not act or look like it. I love doing sports, and I have two jobs. I was just having trouble remembering everything, I am going thru the change also. Please anyone out there please let me know about the weight gain. Thank you. Sally

 

Re: side effects of celexa

Posted by Leonora on May 5, 1999, at 19:28:35

In reply to Re: side effects of celexa, posted by Sally on May 4, 1999, at 18:55:54

I've been on 10 mgs of Celexa for 3 weeks. Just got upped to 20 mgs. Am experiencing sleepiness, which I'm coping with by taking meds at night instead of AM. Think I've also gained a couple of pounds after working hard on the Atkins diet to lose 17 lbs. But the worst I think is that I may be anorgasmic. I never know if it's the meds or just the anxiety of trying a new med. I did not have this problem during 8 years on Prozac, but after a period off of Prozac, it no longer worked for me. Woe. SO, please post any relevant info regarding weight gain or sexual side effects. Feel free to email me at gritslad@hotmail.com. I really need to know if I should continue with Celexa because side effects will subside. Some posts say they will, or am I just wasting time and needing to move on. Effexor also makes me anorgasmic. Paxil doesn't work and makes me gain weight. Serzone? What's next?

 

Re: side effects of celexa

Posted by Melissa R on May 7, 1999, at 23:24:19

In reply to Re: side effects of celexa, posted by Melissa on January 18, 1999, at 23:58:36

> >I am 22, bipolar I with psychosis, rapid cycling and take Lamictal, Celexa, Klonopin, Seroquel, and Artane....I have FINALLY found the solution to a HORRIBLE illness but want to get pregnant so i am going off it all....Weird thing about Celexa and all SSRI's is that while I've heard from a lot of people who have depression or are bipolar II that they induce sleepiness...with me they make me manic and I can't sleep although Celexa has been less problematic for me than others. It hasn't done much for my OCD though (they said it would)

 

Re: side effects of celexa

Posted by Gigi on May 8, 1999, at 19:05:39

In reply to Re: side effects of celexa, posted by Sally on May 4, 1999, at 18:55:54

> > I'm curious to know what side effects go along with the antidepressant drug, celexa. I recently went to the doctor in reference to a weight problem. I am 2 pounds below state regulations for phentermine. He explained to me that when I take care of my anxiety and depression, that my weight problem would take care of itself. I've searched the web for these side effects, but I only find dry mouth, nausea and sleepiness. I'm definitely sleepy and have nausea. I don't think I can work and take this drug.
>
> I would like to know if there is anyone out there that is taking Celexa has gained any weight. I am on Wellbutrin, and have been doing well, then the doctor put me on Celexa also to take care of my attention. I am 49 years old and I do not act or look like it. I love doing sports, and I have two jobs. I was just having trouble remembering everything, I am going thru the change also. Please anyone out there please let me know about the weight gain. Thank you. Sally

I gained about 10-15 pounds on celexa, which i only took for about six weeks; however, the weight gain was almost immediate. Suffering from eating disorders, I am very careful what I eat, so it wasn't my calorie or fat intake.
I also experienced disgustingly massive sweating and insomina, my doc put me on Prozac and although its been about month, the weight hasn't gone down yet, but I am not gaining. Additionally the sweating is decreased.
Good Luck! What doctors don't understand is that if you are depressed and then you gain weight, the depression is even more severe - we can't win can we?

 

Re: side effects of celexa

Posted by Jazz on May 10, 1999, at 10:11:26

In reply to Re: side effects of celexa, posted by Gigi on May 8, 1999, at 19:05:39

> > >I just recently started Celexa and although it seems to be helping my depression/anxiety
I am suffering with insomnia. I haven't noticed any other side affects, but am little nervous
about weight gain. Is anyone experiencing insomnia while taking Celexa???

 

Re: side effects of celexa

Posted by Gigi on May 10, 1999, at 11:58:01

In reply to Re: side effects of celexa, posted by Jazz on May 10, 1999, at 10:11:26

I had severe insomnia to the point where I could not sleep for more than ten minutes
at one time; even tranquilizers, otc sleep-aids, did not work. Since I have been off
the celexa, my sleep is much better (and it improved within 3 days of quitting).

 

Re: side effects of celexa

Posted by JK on May 18, 1999, at 20:20:23

In reply to Re: side effects of celexa, posted by Jazz on May 10, 1999, at 10:11:26

My daughter started taking Celexa yesterday after being on Paxil for over a year. She said that the Celexa "knocks her out" for about 3 hours after taking it. jk

 

tried celexa once again

Posted by Melissa on May 18, 1999, at 23:17:36

In reply to Re: side effects of celexa, posted by JK on May 18, 1999, at 20:20:23

Three times now I have tried to start Celesa again because I have been so down. The first time I reduced the dosage to 1.25 mg (my doctore said to disolve my 2.5 miligrams --yes 2.5 mg--not a typo error into a galss of water and rink half to cut the dosage further. I took it once and my eating was triggered very quickly. 10 days later I took the other half and I became exhuasted within 12 hours of taking it (at 8:00 am). My exhaustion just hit quite suddenly and was so obvious that I was at a meeting when it occurred and people asked me if something was wrong, that I looked extraordinarily tired. I tried a third time today. Actually I tried it to take before going to bed to see if that helped. I also cut the dosage in half again -- .635 mg. 12 hours later, though now it was midday, I crashed completely. ANd eating has been non-stop. It lifted me out of my dodrums. But that is it for me and Celexa. I am angry that there is no anti-depressant for me that doesn't have terrible side-effects when I clearly need one. Over the last few wekks I must have gained close to 10 pounds. And that is with only three tiny doses at least a week apart.

 

side effects of celexa:JK

Posted by maybelle on May 19, 1999, at 1:05:41

In reply to Re: side effects of celexa, posted by JK on May 18, 1999, at 20:20:23

JK,
You did not say how much celexa your daughter is taking. Also, are there any other meds she's taking? Does she have any other diagnosed conditions (ex: hypoglycemia, diabetes, etc.)? Some other variables that affect how medication works include:
1. what time of day the med is taken
2. what other things are eaten/drunk at the same time as the med
3. the length of time (weeks, years, etc.) that someone has been taking a particular med

I am in the process of switching from Zoloft to Celexa after being on Zoloft for appx. two years. I have also been treated with Imipramine in the past; with Imipramine, I was directed to take that med at bedtime because of its strong sedative effects. But after taking Imipramine for a long time (months), as with other antidepressants I've taken, the side effects became much less noticable. Our bodies can become accustomed to the effects of many substances--someone who drinks caffeinated drinks every day will attest to that. :)

I'm not sure whether your daughter will adjust to Celexa similarly, but I would be sure to give an otherwise-effective antidepressant a good chance by examining some of the questions above. And keep your doc regularly up-to-date on problematic side effects...they are very aware that these kinds of problems can result in a patient not taking their meds, and are usually eager to prevent that lapse.

 

Re: tried celexa once again-Melissa

Posted by Jessi on May 19, 1999, at 16:41:54

In reply to tried celexa once again, posted by Melissa on May 18, 1999, at 23:17:36

I understand your frustration. I recently took myself
completely off of Celexa. During the time I was on
Celexa I gained an extraordinary amount of weight.
Not to mention that my memory became so poor that
people around me started to notice. I also began
sleeping 12-14 hours in a night. It took me quite
some time to realize that Celexa was the problem,
the side effects that I was experiencing were not
noted anywhere, until I found this web site. I
mentioned these side effects to my doctor and he
had doubled my dosage to 40mg, thus, making every-
thing worse. I'm not sure how I am going to handle
it when the depression returns, I do know that I am
tired of trying things that aren't effective.

I wish you all the best!!!!

Jessi


> Three times now I have tried to start Celesa again because I have been so down. The first time I reduced the dosage to 1.25 mg (my doctore said to disolve my 2.5 miligrams --yes 2.5 mg--not a typo error into a galss of water and rink half to cut the dosage further. I took it once and my eating was triggered very quickly. 10 days later I took the other half and I became exhuasted within 12 hours of taking it (at 8:00 am). My exhaustion just hit quite suddenly and was so obvious that I was at a meeting when it occurred and people asked me if something was wrong, that I looked extraordinarily tired. I tried a third time today. Actually I tried it to take before going to bed to see if that helped. I also cut the dosage in half again -- .635 mg. 12 hours later, though now it was midday, I crashed completely. ANd eating has been non-stop. It lifted me out of my dodrums. But that is it for me and Celexa. I am angry that there is no anti-depressant for me that doesn't have terrible side-effects when I clearly need one. Over the last few wekks I must have gained close to 10 pounds. And that is with only three tiny doses at least a week apart.

 

Re: tried celexa once again-Melissa

Posted by Ruth on May 19, 1999, at 20:49:38

In reply to Re: tried celexa once again-Melissa, posted by Jessi on May 19, 1999, at 16:41:54

I've had a variation on the theme reaction to celexa. I've been on it for about 2 months and seemed to be responding well (I had had to stop the parnate when it seemed to stop being effective). But in the past 4 days I've suddenly become totally exhausted and have been crashing in the afternoon, something that I hadn't been doing in the past two months.
Has anyone had the experience and had it resolve without having to stop the celexa?>

I understand your frustration. I recently took myself
> completely off of Celexa. During the time I was on
> Celexa I gained an extraordinary amount of weight.
> Not to mention that my memory became so poor that
> people around me started to notice. I also began
> sleeping 12-14 hours in a night. It took me quite
> some time to realize that Celexa was the problem,
> the side effects that I was experiencing were not
> noted anywhere, until I found this web site. I
> mentioned these side effects to my doctor and he
> had doubled my dosage to 40mg, thus, making every-
> thing worse. I'm not sure how I am going to handle
> it when the depression returns, I do know that I am
> tired of trying things that aren't effective.
>
> I wish you all the best!!!!
>
> Jessi
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Three times now I have tried to start Celesa again because I have been so down. The first time I reduced the dosage to 1.25 mg (my doctore said to disolve my 2.5 miligrams --yes 2.5 mg--not a typo error into a galss of water and rink half to cut the dosage further. I took it once and my eating was triggered very quickly. 10 days later I took the other half and I became exhuasted within 12 hours of taking it (at 8:00 am). My exhaustion just hit quite suddenly and was so obvious that I was at a meeting when it occurred and people asked me if something was wrong, that I looked extraordinarily tired. I tried a third time today. Actually I tried it to take before going to bed to see if that helped. I also cut the dosage in half again -- .635 mg. 12 hours later, though now it was midday, I crashed completely. ANd eating has been non-stop. It lifted me out of my dodrums. But that is it for me and Celexa. I am angry that there is no anti-depressant for me that doesn't have terrible side-effects when I clearly need one. Over the last few wekks I must have gained close to 10 pounds. And that is with only three tiny doses at least a week apart.

 

Re: side effects of celexa

Posted by Marie on May 19, 1999, at 22:01:50

In reply to Re: side effects of celexa, posted by Jazz on May 10, 1999, at 10:11:26

> > > >I just recently started Celexa and although it seems to be helping my depression/anxiety
> I am suffering with insomnia. I haven't noticed any other side affects, but am little nervous
> about weight gain. Is anyone experiencing insomnia while taking Celexa???

I have sure have. It takes forever to go to sleep and then I wake up about 3 or 4 and can't go back to sleep. I'm also concerned about weight gain. I guess I'll be watching that closely

 

Re: tried celexa once again-Melissa

Posted by Melissa on May 19, 1999, at 22:44:52

In reply to Re: tried celexa once again-Melissa, posted by Ruth on May 19, 1999, at 20:49:38

> I've had a variation on the theme reaction to celexa. I've been on it for about 2 months and seemed to be responding well (I had had to stop the parnate when it seemed to stop being effective). But in the past 4 days I've suddenly become totally exhausted and have been crashing in the afternoon, something that I hadn't been doing in the past two months.
> Has anyone had the experience and had it resolve without having to stop the celexa?>


The first time I went on Celexa, it was several days before I got the extreme tiredness. At first just a nap took care of it. My energy could often override it. But by the end of the 5 weeks I was sleeping 14-16 hours a day. Nothing cured it except going off. I had the same reaction on prozac when I took that 10 years ago. It was an unreported side effect. I thought it was due to something else in spite fo the fact that the psychiatrist I was seeing warned me to be on thelook out for it. When on prozac it didn't hot me for two months and then it started to hit. My psychiatrist observed this effect in 70% of his patients on prozac. As soon as it hit them, he took them off prozac immediately. He said that that two month delay only seemed to work the first time. If he took patients off it for a while, no mater how long, once they went back on prozac the tiredness effect came back almost immediately, not even the two month delay. Given that Celaxa is a next generation of prozac, the fact that I started to get the tiredness within a few days even after being off of prozac for ten years (I was on prozac for about 4-5 months before I told my doctor of my tiredness) suggests that if this is a side effect of SSRI's that an individual experiences, the only cure is to get off it. Because so many of those patients really appreciated the positive effects of prozac, that doctor experimented with very low dosages in conjunction with other anti-depressants, hoping the presence of the other would neutralize the tiredness effect of prozac. I don't recall what he experimented with. But except in rare instances it di not help. In the rare instances, it was merely that the tiredness was made a little more tolerable. So I would conclude that if you get the tirednes with Celexa, the only cure is to get off. One bright note...I know that not everyone hwo got tiredness on one SSRI had it on all the SSRI's. So if you like the positive benefits of Celexa, you might want to try one of the other SSRI's to see how they do. I have to say the negative side effects of Celexa for me were far worse than the negative side effects of prozac. But the positive benefits were better as well.


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