Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 348

Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 40. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

celexa

Posted by sally on August 21, 1998, at 20:08:58

anyone try celexa...any side affects my brother has been on
lythium and zolof and several other drugs to hep his manic
depression. The lythium is the only drug that has helped but
it no longer works since his body has become immuned to it i
guess because he went into his manic state then his confused
depression state while on this medication. the doctors now want
hime to try the new drug CELEXA. If this does not work then they want
to try shock treatment. My family is goinf nuts with this and we need
help

 

Re: celexa

Posted by Toby on August 24, 1998, at 12:49:51

In reply to celexa, posted by sally on August 21, 1998, at 20:08:58

Go back to Dr. Bub's home page and look under the Search area. Type in "Celexa" and there's a nice write up on it, all the side effects and other info you need. It is new to the U.S. but has been in use in the rest of the world for a long time with good results and fewer side effects. It is similar to Zoloft but more selective in the way it works. Find out if your brother's doctors have tried combinations of antidepressants or have considered adding Pindolol or Ritalin to his antidepressants. If they do decide to try ECT, please be assured that ECT is very effective for depression, is safe, not painful, and works super fast relative to the time it takes medications to work. ECT is also effective for mania. Once your brother is stable, he definitely needs to stay on his medication because bipolar patients can become resistant to lithium and other medications if they go on and off medications too often.

 

Re: celexa

Posted by Toby on April 13, 1999, at 13:33:42

In reply to Re: celexa, posted by lisa bartlett on April 12, 1999, at 17:40:21

Celexa is an SSRI just like the Zoloft. No one can predict if he will respond better to it than any other SSRI. The current thinking is to go to a different class of antidepressant if someone has failed to respond to a particular one. Some of the more "potent" ones are Effexor, Remeron, Serzone, or Wellbutrin. Since your brother is bipolar, he will probably still need to be on a mood stabilizer to prevent switching into mania when the antidepressant is started. There are now more options for that as well: Lithium, Depakote, Neurontin, Lamictal, Topamax, Verapamil, Zyprexa. With regard to the ECT, other than the up front financial costs, do not fear it. It is safe now, effective, and quick (don't have to wait 4-8 weeks for it to work). It also works for mania. Good luck.

 

Re: celexa

Posted by Kelly on April 28, 1999, at 21:07:03

In reply to Re: celexa, posted by Toby on August 24, 1998, at 12:49:51

> Go back to Dr. Bub's home page and look under the Search area. Type in "Celexa" and there's a nice write up on it, all the side effects and other info you need. It is new to the U.S. but has been in use in the rest of the world for a long time with good results and fewer side effects. It is similar to Zoloft but more selective in the way it works. Find out if your brother's doctors have tried combinations of antidepressants or have considered adding Pindolol or Ritalin to his antidepressants. If they do decide to try ECT, please be assured that ECT is very effective for depression, is safe, not painful, and works super fast relative to the time it takes medications to work. ECT is also effective for mania. Once your brother is stable, he definitely needs to stay on his medication because bipolar patients can become resistant to lithium and other medications if they go on and off medications too often.

I just started taking Celexa 10 days ago. My family was looking into having me pink slipped. I take 20MG and 2.5MG of Zyprexa daily. Within about 3 days I was really radically leveled out. I don't feel so groggy or out of it as I have on other meds either. Best of luck with your brother and for your brother, it's a long road, Kelly

 

Re: celexa

Posted by Carissa on May 4, 1999, at 12:25:16

In reply to celexa, posted by sally on August 21, 1998, at 20:08:58

I did not know it was a drug for depression.....until now
I have been taking Celexa since last monday,a week from yesterday, and it seems as if i am not supposed to be taking this drug. I was supposed to take a medicine only for migranes, now all of a sudden I am a victim of malpractice.

 

Re: celexa

Posted by Ruth on May 4, 1999, at 21:02:05

In reply to Re: celexa, posted by Carissa on May 4, 1999, at 12:25:16

Before you jump to conclusions you should speak to your doctor. Sometimes a drug can have multiple uses.

> I did not know it was a drug for depression.....until now
> I have been taking Celexa since last monday,a week from yesterday, and it seems as if i am not supposed to be taking this drug. I was supposed to take a medicine only for migranes, now all of a sudden I am a victim of malpractice.

 

Re: celexa

Posted by patty on May 9, 1999, at 21:46:04

In reply to celexa, posted by sally on August 21, 1998, at 20:08:58

> anyone try celexa...any side affects my brother has been on
> lythium and zolof and several other drugs to hep his manic
> depression. The lythium is the only drug that has helped but
> it no longer works since his body has become immuned to it i
> guess because he went into his manic state then his confused
> depression state while on this medication. the doctors now want
> hime to try the new drug CELEXA. If this does not work then they want
> to try shock treatment. My family is goinf nuts with this and we need
> help

Actually, I just came to this web site because my brother was on celexa and did not do well. He was doing fine on Prozac, ( depression and attention deficit disorder), his doc wanted him to try celexa and he seemed to get much worse ( the depression) - it may be incidents in his life also, but I feel he did much much better on Prozac. I have also read that Prozac helps with Manic - depression also. YOu should definetly get a second opinion before you let your brother go to shock therapy. -

 

Re: celexa

Posted by Brett on May 10, 1999, at 0:48:49

In reply to celexa, posted by sally on August 21, 1998, at 20:08:58

I've been on Celexa for about 3 months and it seems to do really well for me. My depression is low grade though, so I don't know if it will help with your brothers serious condition. But, like I said, it seems to have done really well for me with no side effects. Except a little sleepiness after taking it.

 

Re: celexa

Posted by Mark on May 10, 1999, at 2:44:05

In reply to Re: celexa, posted by patty on May 9, 1999, at 21:46:04

Sally--

Prozac and Celexa are nearly identical--however,
people seem to react differently to each
of the many SSRI's (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil,
Luvox, Celexa). Prozac doesn't help with
manic-depression as much as depression whether
it is major depression or depression within a
bipolar disorder. All antidepressants have a risk
of flipping someone from depression to mania,
especially if one has a diagnosis of bipolar
(manic-depression). Electroconvulsive therapy
is very safe and effective, but I agree that
careful consideration with a psychiatrist is
important.

> > anyone try celexa...any side affects my brother has been on
> > lythium and zolof and several other drugs to hep his manic
> > depression. The lythium is the only drug that has helped but
> > it no longer works since his body has become immuned to it i
> > guess because he went into his manic state then his confused
> > depression state while on this medication. the doctors now want
> > hime to try the new drug CELEXA. If this does not work then they want
> > to try shock treatment. My family is goinf nuts with this and we need
> > help
>
> Actually, I just came to this web site because my brother was on celexa and did not do well. He was doing fine on Prozac, ( depression and attention deficit disorder), his doc wanted him to try celexa and he seemed to get much worse ( the depression) - it may be incidents in his life also, but I feel he did much much better on Prozac. I have also read that Prozac helps with Manic - depression also. YOu should definetly get a second opinion before you let your brother go to shock therapy. -

 

Re: celexa

Posted by jo on May 10, 1999, at 6:47:12

In reply to Re: celexa, posted by Toby on April 13, 1999, at 13:33:42

> Celexa is an SSRI just like the Zoloft. No one can predict if he will respond better to it than any other SSRI. The current thinking is to go to a different class of antidepressant if someone has failed to respond to a particular one. Some of the more "potent" ones are Effexor, Remeron, Serzone, or Wellbutrin. Since your brother is bipolar, he will probably still need to be on a mood stabilizer to prevent switching into mania when the antidepressant is started. There are now more options for that as well: Lithium, Depakote, Neurontin, Lamictal, Topamax, Verapamil, Zyprexa. With regard to the ECT, other than the up front financial costs, do not fear it. It is safe now, effective, and quick (don't have to wait 4-8 weeks for it to work). It also works for mania. Good luck.

I just began taking Celxa about 10 days ago and it seems to be helpin my low grade depression without many side affects. although I don't what side affects are due to the medication or reaction to ther things in my life.
I've always had trouble sleeping, and with headaches. but I've had migraine headaches for 3 days in a row. this is 20 days after tkaing the first dose. that's what makes makes suspect it's not the medication.

If anyone has any advice, it would be welcome.
thanks

 

Re: celexa

Posted by Elizabeth on May 10, 1999, at 8:16:19

In reply to Re: celexa, posted by Mark on May 10, 1999, at 2:44:05

> Prozac and Celexa are nearly identical--however,
> people seem to react differently to each
> of the many SSRI's (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil,
> Luvox, Celexa). Prozac doesn't help with
> manic-depression as much as depression whether
> it is major depression or depression within a
> bipolar disorder. All antidepressants have a risk
> of flipping someone from depression to mania,
> especially if one has a diagnosis of bipolar
> (manic-depression).

Sometimes, depression in bipolar disorder is called "bipolar depression." I can see how it could confuse people if they read somewhere that Prozac helps with bipolar depression.

Basically, my understanding is that if you have bipolar disorder (manic-depression) you should be taking a mood stabilizer of some sort, especially if you are also taking an antidepressant such as Prozac.

 

Re: celexa

Posted by linda on May 12, 1999, at 18:04:50

In reply to Re: celexa, posted by jo on May 10, 1999, at 6:47:12

i was just prescpribed celexa for prevention of migraines, but if it can also cause them, i want to stay away from it.

anyone else taking it for migraine prevention?

 

Re: celexa

Posted by Judy on May 13, 1999, at 18:44:12

In reply to celexa, posted by sally on August 21, 1998, at 20:08:58


> anyone try celexa...any side affects my brother has been on
> lythium and zolof and several other drugs to hep his manic
> depression. The lythium is the only drug that has helped but
> it no longer works since his body has become immuned to it i
> guess because he went into his manic state then his confused
> depression state while on this medication. the doctors now want
> hime to try the new drug CELEXA. If this does not work then they want
> to try shock treatment. My family is goinf nuts with this and we need
> help

I Have been taking Celexa in the morning for approx. 2 months 20 mgs for extreme fatigue, Possibly Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It seems to help with the Anxiety that I was having about being sick all the time. I seem to have more energy throughout the day. I have had some sweating during sleep at night time, and some whammy nightmares. I cannot attribute those completely to Celexa since I also take 10mg of Elivil at night so I can sleep. However these side effect are livable for me.

 

Dr. Bob or Toby: celexa and early pregnancy

Posted by Trish on May 15, 1999, at 10:37:22

In reply to Re: celexa, posted by Judy on May 13, 1999, at 18:44:12

Mu husband and I just discovered I was pregnant and I had begun taking Celexa about one month ago, which I love, for GAD. I can't get an appt. with my Dr. for sometime and am concerned about continuing to take the Celexa until I do. I know she had mentioned something about switching me to Zoloft if our efforts at getting pregnant were successful. I know for a fact I will immediately discontinue the Klonopin I've been prescribed. Class D, I believe. Anyway? Any words of comfort on this and also, does anxiety get worse during pregnancy or generally does your body 'straighten' it's self out? I know I sound ridiculous with all these questions but I've had GAD/depression off and on forever it seems like, have never been pregnant, never off meds for too long and am 39!!!!! Any help would be appreciated.

 

Re: celexa

Posted by JK on May 15, 1999, at 15:16:05

In reply to celexa, posted by sally on August 21, 1998, at 20:08:58

After brain surgery to correct a seizure disorder (successfully) my daughter experienced severe depression. The doctor put her on Paxil. After a year of good results, her took her off. The depression returned. She started Paxil again, but no effect. The doctor wants to try Celexa. Any thoughts from anyone? Thanks. jk

 

Re: celexa

Posted by Ruth on May 15, 1999, at 21:05:22

In reply to Re: celexa, posted by JK on May 15, 1999, at 15:16:05

It is, unfortunately, not unusual for a med that has worked to stop working, so the doctor wanting to switch to the celexa (another SSRI) makes lots of sense.

> After brain surgery to correct a seizure disorder (successfully) my daughter experienced severe depression. The doctor put her on Paxil. After a year of good results, her took her off. The depression returned. She started Paxil again, but no effect. The doctor wants to try Celexa. Any thoughts from anyone? Thanks. jk

 

Re: celexa

Posted by Steve Graves on May 16, 1999, at 18:39:47

In reply to Re: celexa, posted by Ruth on May 15, 1999, at 21:05:22

>
>
> Been on Celexa now for 3 weeks. Just increased dosage to 40 mg. per day. Have not had any major side effects. (Some troubl sleeping but much better now) Haven,t felt like this in several years. I really don't think I knew how badly depressed I was. Stick with the med if you can. I was told it would take about 2-3 weeks to take hold. I felt a little better the first week, but still slipped back about 2 out of 3 days. Now I have had 3 wonderful days in a row and am starting to enjoy doing things again. So far it's helping.
Steve

 

Celexa is it the answer?

Posted by Andrea on May 19, 1999, at 10:44:27

In reply to Dr. Bob or Toby: celexa and early pregnancy, posted by Trish on May 15, 1999, at 10:37:22

My fiance and I are due to be married in a month, he has been depressed all of his life and tried several anti depressants. Before he and I started dating he found success with prozac except that it effected his sex drive to such a point that he didn't even think any sexual thoughts. This was fine for him until he met me. After we started dating, he stopped taking prozac because it was effecting our sex life (or lack there of). A few weeks passed and he was able to have an erection and another week after that he could ejaculate. Well, it has been 10 months since he has been off anti depressants and he is starting to slip back into depression. We are searching for an anti depressant that will do its job but not erase his sex drive. Is celexa the answer?

 

Re: Celexa is it the answer?

Posted by Melissa on May 19, 1999, at 17:24:43

In reply to Celexa is it the answer?, posted by Andrea on May 19, 1999, at 10:44:27

> My fiance and I are due to be married in a month, he has been depressed all of his life and tried several anti depressants. Before he and I started dating he found success with prozac except that it effected his sex drive to such a point that he didn't even think any sexual thoughts. This was fine for him until he met me. After we started dating, he stopped taking prozac because it was effecting our sex life (or lack there of). A few weeks passed and he was able to have an erection and another week after that he could ejaculate. Well, it has been 10 months since he has been off anti depressants and he is starting to slip back into depression. We are searching for an anti depressant that will do its job but not erase his sex drive. Is celexa the answer?

Obviously the people who write here are ones who have had problems with the drugs. My experience is that Celexa made me instantaniously non-sexual. I have found that whatever side effects I had with prozac, they were worse with Celexa-the tiredness most particularly. But when I took Prozac ten years ago I wasn't very functional with regard to sex any way. One side effect I had with Celexa, which I did not have with Prozac, was compulsive over-eating and quick weight gain. A number of people here have reported the same effects. But it is highly individual and it is not hard to get off Celexa if the side effects are too negative. Plus it might give a kick out of the depression. Celexa is marketed as the SSRI with the least side effects--though obviously not for the people reporting here. So I woould try it and wait out at least two weks and see how it goes.
Melissa

 

Re: celexa

Posted by elaine on May 28, 1999, at 11:20:36

In reply to Re: celexa, posted by Ruth on May 4, 1999, at 21:02:05

Amen: My husband takes a low dosage of prozac
for his migraines and has almost total freedom
after 45 YEARS of headaches sometimes twice weekly.
>
Before you jump to conclusions you should speak to your doctor. Sometimes a drug can have multiple uses.
>
> > I did not know it was a drug for depression.....until now
> > I have been taking Celexa since last monday,a week from yesterday, and it seems as if i am not supposed to be taking this drug. I was supposed to take a medicine only for migranes, now all of a sudden I am a victim of malpractice.

 

Celexa-Can't Get Back to Where I Was!

Posted by Jim on June 7, 1999, at 13:36:42

In reply to Re: Celexa is it the answer?, posted by Melissa on May 19, 1999, at 17:24:43

I have had depression since 1/99. 3/99 I started taking Celexa and by 4/15 I was feeling great.
No worries with great future outlook. Having never taken an antidepressant before,and since I was feeling so good,I slowly began to
wain off the Celexa (I know this was stupid!) When I got to 10mg per day, the depression began to
return. Now I'm trying to get back. I slowly went from 10,20 to 40 mg over three weeks, but have now
been on 40mg for a month and am still depressed although it does seem to be getting better.
My Doc. says you always can get back where you were once something has worked well.

Anybody have any experience like this?

 

Re: Celexa-Can't Get Back to Where I Was!

Posted by Melissa on June 8, 1999, at 9:17:09

In reply to Celexa-Can't Get Back to Where I Was!, posted by Jim on June 7, 1999, at 13:36:42

> I have had depression since 1/99. 3/99 I started taking Celexa and by 4/15 I was feeling great.
> No worries with great future outlook. Having never taken an antidepressant before,and since I was feeling so good,I slowly began to
> wain off the Celexa (I know this was stupid!) When I got to 10mg per day, the depression began to
> return. Now I'm trying to get back. I slowly went from 10,20 to 40 mg over three weeks, but have now
> been on 40mg for a month and am still depressed although it does seem to be getting better.
> My Doc. says you always can get back where you were once something has worked well.
>
> Anybody have any experience like this?

Not me, but I have several friends for whom this has happened for a number of anti-depressants. THey felt so good, it has been effective for a long time. THey decide they don't need it any more. They go off. The symptoms come back. They go back on and the anti-depressant doesn work any more. One of my friend's doctor says this is not uncommon. My friend did this three times over several years with three different anti-depressants. The doctor warned her they were going to run out of different anti-depressants if she did this again. The only solution was to start her on a different one. I fully understand not wanting to feel like one has to take a pill for mental issues for the rest of one's life. But for many people that is true. And really that is not so bad. I am on Hormone replacement therapy and I have to take an antiinflammatory that I will have to take the rest of my life. I am on klonopin which I cannot get off of even thoough it is not effective for me anymore (I get very dark and despairful with even the minutest drop in dosage, something I never even felt before I got on it.) Given that you've lost the Celexa effect and you are lucky not to have the negativ side-effects, I would try one of the earlier SSRI's like Zoloft or Prozac. If you have no negative side-effects (watch out for feeling very tired and having to sleep a lot and losing motivation--these are side effects some people --including myself--have had on all the SSRI's). If it goes well--stay on it!!! Don't risk going off and then not having any benefit when the symptoms return when you go back. Be grateful you are one of the lucky ones. THere is not shame in taking an antidepressant the rest of your life. I just heard a broadcast of the conference on Mental health with Tipper Gore and the Clintons. On it was Mike Wallace of "60 minutes." He told his story with antidepressants. And his efforts to try to get off it only to have to get back on. He's says he has finally accepted that he has to be on it the rest of his life. He also says that he has never felt as well and happy and content with his life ever before and he is extremely grateful for the existance of anti-depressants. He has joind the compaign on mental health awareness because he feels that he can be an excellant role model for it. So try a new one, if it works stay on it and count your blessings. I would give anything to find one I can stay on the rest of my life. But in addition to the wonderful benefits, I have had horrible side effects that were intolerable. Be grateful.

 

Re: Celexa-Can't Get Back to Where I Was!

Posted by Jim on June 8, 1999, at 11:59:54

In reply to Re: Celexa-Can't Get Back to Where I Was!, posted by Melissa on June 8, 1999, at 9:17:09

>Thanks Melissa. Not exactly what I wanted to hear
But I am feeling better so I'll try to say on the
Celexa for a while longer! It's not that it has
done nothing the second time around! It took 6 weeks
the first time! Thanks for the info!

 

Re: Celexa-Can't Get Back to Where I Was!

Posted by mary on June 9, 1999, at 17:28:10

In reply to Re: Celexa-Can't Get Back to Where I Was!, posted by Jim on June 8, 1999, at 12:00:04

I agree with Melissa. I took Prozac for years at varying dosages to treat my depression. I finally achieved a very long time depression free period and decided to see what would happen if I went off Prozac altogether(partially because I wanted to reawaken my sexual side of life). I did okay for four or five months but the depression returned and I have never achieved that level of relief again. In fact, Prozac never relieved the
depression like it had earlier. Ive been searching and trying since. Should I ever be depression free with medication help, I doubt I'd ever try to mess with success. It's sort of depressing to think I blew the only chance I had at a socalled "normal" life albeit dependent on Prozac. Stay ont the medication if it works. Good luck!
mary
> >Thanks Melissa. Not exactly what I wanted to hear
> But I am feeling better so I'll try to say on the
> Celexa for a while longer! It's not that it has
> done nothing the second time around! It took 6 weeks
> the first time! Thanks for the info!

 

Re: Celexa-Can't Get Back to Where I Was!

Posted by Kelly on June 13, 1999, at 6:19:10

In reply to Re: Celexa-Can't Get Back to Where I Was!, posted by mary on June 9, 1999, at 17:28:10

I was wondering if I could ask you a question.
Have you started to feel better again after being on celexa again for a while? I guess the reason I was asking is that I am thinking about trying to wean off of it because I absolutely hate the side effects and maybe try St. John's wort. But, if it will be really hard to stablize myself again if I run into problems, maybe I should just live with the side effects. Anyway, I was just wondering about your experience if thats ok. Thank you very much. : )
Kelly

alternate email address : bolling@students.wisc.edu
> > >Thanks Melissa. Not exactly what I wanted to hear
> > But I am feeling better so I'll try to say on the
> > Celexa for a while longer! It's not that it has
> > done nothing the second time around! It took 6 weeks
> > the first time! Thanks for the info!


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