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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by A. on March 29, 2000, at 17:37:30
I read on here a lot of Celexa users are taking it for depression. Well, I happen to be taking Celexa now for panic disorder (and anxiety attacks). I do not consider myself depressed at all. I generally am in a pretty good mood. However, every once in a while I get overwhelmed with anxiety and feel like everything is suffocating me. I tend to worry a lot about small things, too.
It had gotten to the point where I was getting them more frequently, and as a college student, I would get an attack before a class and just have to go home to recooperate, or else I thought I would literally go insane. This of course began to interfere with classes, and also in other areas of my life, such as going on trips by myself (which didn't used to be a problem).
So I talked to the doctor and told him everything, and he prescribed Celexa. There is a study going on at the local medical college on Celexa and treating panic disorder/attacks. So I guess this link b/w Celexa and panic is still being studied.
But I just want to know if anyone is in the same boat as myself, and if this has helped anyone. I just started a week ago, and haven't noticed any overwhelming attacks (although at first, the Celexa made me unable to sit still). Any words on Celexa and panic would be appreciated - thanks. I don't know what to expect here.
Posted by ChrisK on March 30, 2000, at 6:29:14
In reply to Anyone taking Celexa for Panic Disorder???, posted by A. on March 29, 2000, at 17:37:30
There are a lot of people who get help for PD with SSRI's. I know quite a few whowere greatly helped by Paxil in the past. The one thing though that you didn't mention was whether you have a benzo like Xanex to tkae PRN. If you do feel an attack coming on it can calm the attack rather quickly.
Right now, if the Celexa is calming you then I would stick with it.
After I got my anti-depressants straightened out I haven't had a panic attack in two years. You can find an equilibrium with Ad's sometimes.
Chris
Posted by A. on March 30, 2000, at 12:37:00
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Celexa for Panic Disorder???, posted by ChrisK on March 30, 2000, at 6:29:14
> The one thing though that you didn't mention was whether you have a benzo like Xanex to tkae PRN. If you do feel an attack coming on it can calm the attack rather quickly.
Well, Celexa is my only med. I don't think my doctor took me seriously -- he wanted to get me to take a class on breathing techniques before he would prescribe any medicine.
I have tried Xanax before -- not my prescription, but a friend's -- just to see if it would help -- and it did. It really soothed me. I would have preferred xanax to this SSRI treatment trial, but I wasn't sure how to tell my doctor I had experimented with xanax without a prescription -- since I believe some people abuse xanax and I certainly am not one of them, and did not want to appear that I was.
Regardless, this is my first week - no telling where it is going to go from here.
Posted by Rebekah on March 24, 2001, at 21:21:50
In reply to Anyone taking Celexa for Panic Disorder???, posted by A. on March 29, 2000, at 17:37:30
Hello. I have experienced a situation very similar to yours. I take a combination of Celexa, BuSpar, and Klonopin for my Panic Disorder and secondary Depression. I believe that I'm about as symptom-free as I will ever be. These meds have worked a miracle for me. I too was in college when the panic attacks first started becoming serious. Luckily I made it through graduation without loosing my mind! At first Celexa is known to worsen anxiety so it's good to also have a benzo, such as Xanax or Klonopin to counter-act that side-effect. Even when the SSRI side-effects subside, you would be very lucky if Celexa alone effectively controlled your panic attacks. I know that I also need anti-anxiety medications to control my attacks. As you already know, some doctors are hesitant to prescribe these meds due to their potential for addiction. I believe that this is a valid concern, however most patients who take these medications to treat an actual illness, such as Panic Disorder, rarely abuse them. I've taken Klonopin for almost 1 year and have never increased my dosage. In fact, I've lowered it numerous times. Unfortunately, sometimes you have to "shop around" to find a doctor who has enough experience with anxiety, to properly treat your condition. Good Luck!
Posted by ladyme on May 28, 2001, at 19:38:04
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Celexa for Panic Disorder???, posted by Rebekah on March 24, 2001, at 21:21:50
> Hello I am taking celexa for panic/anxiety- I agree w/ what Rebecka said @ having a doctor comfortable& familiar w/ anxiety/ panic-- My Dr. (primary care) deals w/ a lot of this- and he gave me xanax along with celexa- said I would need it particularly in the beginning as the celexa might make me edgy. I haven't needed to refill my prescription yet-- so far the celexa is doing good, but the xanax helps when the panic really picks up-- I also find for myself- that just KNOWING I have the xanax, SHOULD I need it, is a huge comfort, even though I can usually get through with out it.
Posted by crazychickuk on February 12, 2002, at 10:19:52
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Celexa for Panic Disorder???, posted by ladyme on May 28, 2001, at 19:38:04
i have just started to take 10mg celexa going into my 3rd week for anxiety and panick attacks, only now for some reason i am beggining to have side affects, very slepy especially in the day, feeling unwell, (i take it at night) headaches and generally exhausted cant put my mind to do anything, i am a single parent of a 2 yr old, been suffering badly with this for 2 yrs ever since i was being treated for depression and i was taking effexor, why only now having these afects i am so tired all the time and i feel so unwell..... plse some one help me...
crazychickuk@aol.com
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