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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Joanie on April 22, 2000, at 10:31:43
In reply to Re: Celexa Side Effects, posted by Rick on March 28, 2000, at 15:39:47
>I started taking Celexa 4 days ago. Took 10 mg. for 3 days and just took 20 mg. today. I noticed immediately that my teeth are clenched; SO clenched, in fact, that my jaw is killing me! I think this is very strange considering how 2 doctors sung this medications praises, and everyone here seems to be miserable from it. Has anybody else experienced this clenching thing?
>
> I've been taking Celexa for 60 days now and I must say it did have an immediate effect on my sexual function, but it only lasted about 4 weeks. During this time I no need or want to do anything. After I had even more stress come into my life the doctor doubled my dose to 40mg/day. I now have an increased desire for sex and my wife and I are getting along just fine. I still have problems with decision making as I tend to say exactly whats on my mind instead of thinking of how it's going to affect everyone before I say it.
Posted by Michele Cohen on April 22, 2000, at 16:28:53
In reply to Re: Celexa Side Effects, posted by Joanie on April 22, 2000, at 10:31:43
> >I started taking Celexa 4 days ago. Took 10 mg. for 3 days and just took 20 mg. today. I noticed immediately that my teeth are clenched; SO clenched, in fact, that my jaw is killing me! I think this is very strange considering how 2 doctors sung this medications praises, and everyone here seems to be miserable from it. Has anybody else experienced this clenching thing?
> >
> > I've been taking Celexa for 60 days now and I must say it did have an immediate effect on my sexual function, but it only lasted about 4 weeks. During this time I no need or want to do anything. After I had even more stress come into my life the doctor doubled my dose to 40mg/day. I now have an increased desire for sex and my wife and I are getting along just fine. I still have problems with decision making as I tend to say exactly whats on my mind instead of thinking of how it's going to affect everyone before I say it.Hi--I started taking Celexa 3 weeks ago-- I have stayed at 10 mg instead of moving up to 20 mg because the side effects were really bad-- no sleep, yawning, clenched jaw, racing heart, and worst of all constant nausea. May jaw still feels tight every once and a while, but it's gotten much better-- so have the rest of the side effects. Hope this helps-- Michele
Posted by Irene on April 27, 2000, at 18:15:39
In reply to more Celexa sharing, posted by torchgrl on February 9, 2000, at 2:46:11
Anyone have any comparative information as to differences between Celexa and Prozac in their effectiveness and side effects?
Posted by whereismychair on April 28, 2000, at 6:44:44
In reply to Re: more Celexa sharing, posted by Irene on April 27, 2000, at 18:15:39
> Anyone have any comparative information as to differences between Celexa and Prozac in their effectiveness and side effects?
hi- i'm a 16 (almost 17) year old female diagnosed with ocd, clinical depression, and manic-depression (somehow, they can't seem to make up their minds). i am on my 5th day of taking celexa, which has really messed up my body. i stayed home from school for 3 and a half days, unable to get out of bed from dizzyness, fatigue, nausea, headache, etc. i am finally able to get up, and all i have to say is- I HOPE THIS IS WORTH IT. i have had trouble breathing and swallowing, also. i was on prozac for 6 years, with NO side effects at all. it worked with in a month. i'm thinking about going back to prozac...but i guess i should give celexa a shot, huh?
Posted by Beth on April 28, 2000, at 12:28:15
In reply to Re: Saint James (somewhat off topic), posted by Jen Hill on March 27, 2000, at 18:09:48
>I only took Celexa for a week because it made me so sleepy.
In fact, I am supposed to be taking this for tension
headaches. Is anyone taking Celexa as a headache treatment? If
so, what type of headaches? Is it helping you?
Posted by tina on April 28, 2000, at 17:15:27
In reply to Re: more Celexa sharing, posted by whereismychair on April 28, 2000, at 6:44:44
I'm with"whereismychair" I've had the most horrible side effects from this crap and i've only taken it twice so far. That's two little white pills ladies and gentlemen. Last night was spent with my face in the toilet and my body shaking so badly and my heart pounding so hard I thought i was dying, literally. After reading all the horror stories you all have written here i''m pretty sure i want to try something else. Any suggestions?? I'm new to the prescription thing and the depression thing and would appreciate any feedback. Thanx.
> > Anyone have any comparative information as to differences between Celexa and Prozac in their effectiveness and side effects?
>
>
> hi- i'm a 16 (almost 17) year old female diagnosed with ocd, clinical depression, and manic-depression (somehow, they can't seem to make up their minds). i am on my 5th day of taking celexa, which has really messed up my body. i stayed home from school for 3 and a half days, unable to get out of bed from dizzyness, fatigue, nausea, headache, etc. i am finally able to get up, and all i have to say is- I HOPE THIS IS WORTH IT. i have had trouble breathing and swallowing, also. i was on prozac for 6 years, with NO side effects at all. it worked with in a month. i'm thinking about going back to prozac...but i guess i should give celexa a shot, huh?
Posted by Charles on April 29, 2000, at 9:17:23
In reply to Beginning Celexa, posted by Beth on April 28, 2000, at 12:28:15
> >
I'm been taking Celexa for almst 2 weeks.
I have noticed both my frequent (4x a week) tension headaches and peptic ulcers have almost disappeared. Good luck.
Posted by Eliza on May 1, 2000, at 12:20:45
In reply to Re: more Celexa sharing, posted by Irene on April 27, 2000, at 18:15:39
I've been on Celexa (20 mg) for almost eight months. For me, it has been a wonder drug. I really don't experience any side effects to speak of (although when I tried to up the dose to 40 mg) it made me very very sleepy. My attitude has improved 100%, my outlook is more positive, and slowly but surely I am making small but important changes in my life, exercising more, moving to a nicer place, etc., and the best news of all, I have been dating someone quite wonderful since December.
I tried Prozac at two different times in the past, 4 to 6 months each time. The best thing about Prozac was the immediacy and intensity of its effect (it was like the world went from black and white to color in a matter of days). Celexa's effect was much more gradual and subtle. I did experience an increase in self-confidence on Prozac, but no accompanying desire to really better my life, just no longer caring about not having achieved much of anything. And then the really bad thing about Prozac for me were some of the paradoxical effects. It made me very sleepy (I would sleep nine or ten hours a night on it, and still have a hard time getting up in the morning) and I GAINED weight. I know they say that's not supposed to happen, but the first time I took Prozac my weight went from 105 to about 120 in six months. I did lose about 5 pounds when I stopped taking it, but I've never lost that other 10 lbs. When I took it again (for only four months), again my weight started to creep up, but I stopped it, because I really didn't want to experience another permanent weight gain.
I went to a psychiatrist this time around with the hopes of being placed on Welbutrin, but she is one of these doctors who doesn't like Welbutrin, and suggested Celexa. It's been (for me) really wonderful.
Hope this is helpful. EVeryone responds so differently to these medications!!
Posted by D on May 1, 2000, at 13:43:54
In reply to Re: whereismychair, posted by tina on April 28, 2000, at 17:15:27
Tina,
I'm sorry to hear that you had such bad results w/ Celexa. I had wonderful results w/ Zoloft (50mg). Maybe that would work for you. Best wishes.
Posted by tina on May 1, 2000, at 14:01:50
In reply to Re: whereismychair, posted by D on May 1, 2000, at 13:43:54
D:
thanks for the advice about zoloft. I'm seeing my pdoc on thursday and I'll ask about it. Can you fill me in on any side effects of it that the docs don't mention?Tina,
> I'm sorry to hear that you had such bad results w/ Celexa. I had wonderful results w/ Zoloft (50mg). Maybe that would work for you. Best wishes.
Posted by DAVE on May 4, 2000, at 1:33:08
In reply to Re: Celexa, posted by Jen on March 19, 2000, at 8:11:15
>Hello everyone- I had a strange experience with celexa and wonder if others have had it and what it may suggest (if anything) about my own brain chemistry.
I took celexa for a bout a month- and from about the second day felt extremely peaceful and in control of my life- however after about a month it wore off and i felt terrible- maybe worse than before or it could just have been the contrast fromt he drug not "working: and then not "working"- has anyone had this before?I have experimented with other AD's and have found that if you take a tiny dose every second day sometimes the same reaction can be achieved- but it will always only last for a month-
thanks- bye.
Posted by jacquie on May 4, 2000, at 4:56:14
In reply to Re: Celexa, posted by DAVE on May 4, 2000, at 1:33:15
Hi Dave...I'm not an authority on ADs , but I also took Celexa and wondered what dose you were taking. I started at 10mg for a week (went to 20mg sooner because 10mg made so tired) then to 20mg within 4 days and stayed on 20mg for over a month. By 5 weeks going into 6 I felt unmotivated, had to desire to even talk in therapy and had an overall sense of "well, this is it" then the docs booted me to 40mg and by the second weekof that I was feeling quite good. The only reason I have stopped is because Celexa gave me insomnia that I strugled to combat well. I think it is a very good drug for some and I am not thrilled I had to get off it. I have found, at least for me, that dosing is critical with these things. Ihope this has shed a little light on the area for you and that ou are feeling better. Take care. Jacquie
> >Hello everyone- I had a strange experience with celexa and wonder if others have had it and what it may suggest (if anything) about my own brain chemistry.
> I took celexa for a bout a month- and from about the second day felt extremely peaceful and in control of my life- however after about a month it wore off and i felt terrible- maybe worse than before or it could just have been the contrast fromt he drug not "working: and then not "working"- has anyone had this before?
>
> I have experimented with other AD's and have found that if you take a tiny dose every second day sometimes the same reaction can be achieved- but it will always only last for a month-
>
>
>
> thanks- bye.
Posted by Wondering on May 4, 2000, at 13:54:21
In reply to Re: IM SOOOOO CONFUSED! HELP! , posted by Elizabeth on April 19, 2000, at 0:47:10
Going down this board, I've seen a rainbow of side effects, from weight gain to weight loss, sleepiness to insomnia, apathy to renewed vigor. I've taken a few handful of SSRIs over the past 6 years or so and I'm wondering I anyone can offer any comparisons.
The most effective med I've yet taken has been Prozac, specfically when combined with Klonopin. It seemed the perfect match to alleviate my anxiety while boosting me up. I tried Paxil, which I compare to eating peanuts if peanuts gave you sexual side effects. I've also tried Serzone, which was an awful drug for me. It kept me up at nights, gave me twitches and chills that felt like petite mal seizures, and offered no relief from symptoms. Today, after a month of wending through "therapy" (Try breathing differently!?) I finally got to see a doc. He offered this Celexa. Whatever. These SSRIs are all starting to sound like new sedans.
Anyway, the doc gives me the choice between Celexa and some other drug. What can I expect here? By the way, this doc has problems with and won't prescribe Prozac (Too many unmetabolized somethings) or Klonopin (Some people have seizures if they go off it quickly). After having to wait so long to find a doc (I live in NYC and believe me, those sofas are harder to reserve than box seats on Broadway)I just want to start something. I don't want to wait weeks to get what I need. So I'm trying this.
Can anyone respond to this half-question, half-rant post?
Posted by D on May 4, 2000, at 14:15:06
In reply to Re:thanks D, posted by tina on May 1, 2000, at 14:01:50
Tina,
Any side effects that I did have while on Zoloft, seem to be very mild compared to the beneficial effects that I recieved from taking it. Originally, the health professionals said that there were NO withdrawal symptoms. I found otherwise, and now everyone is saying yes there are withdrwal symptoms. Mine were, again, mild compared to the benefits. Just be sure to taper if you come off of it. I did notice a decrease in sex drive----that really wasn't a problem for me, though,since I am not involved with anyone in that way. Also, especially at first,
I felt sleepy a lot. But it was almost kind of nice. Kind of a relaxing feeling. I definitely had an increase in thirst, and dry mouth. Zoloft really put me in a different place mentally, though. Problems that had been on my mind for years, I seemed to be able to not think about (unless I wanted to). Everything about life seemed to take on a whole new color for me. I hope you have good results with Zoloft, or anything else that you decide to try.
Posted by Rictis on May 5, 2000, at 13:18:03
In reply to Just starting Celexa, posted by Wondering on May 4, 2000, at 13:54:21
I had just started taking celexa about 6 days ago.The doc has me taking 20 mgs a day.By the third day it really started to hit me.Then the next day after that I got out of bed, turned on the T.V. and sat on the couch and just laid there all day. For some reason when nite time comes I feel good, alert, and like I have it all together.Just making it through the majority of the day is really hard though.Im kind of wondering if I should stop taking it.I read that men have sexual problems while on celexa. I have noticed the past couple of days when i have become sexually aroused, I dont seem to get a full erection, and it doesnt last very long.I was wondering if this problem will persist while on celexa? If somebody knows the answer to my problem, could you get back to me. thanks Rictis
Posted by D on May 5, 2000, at 13:28:11
In reply to Re: Just starting Celexa, posted by Rictis on May 5, 2000, at 13:18:03
Rictis,
Maybe you need to take the med. at a different time of day. I think sometimes that can make a difference. Also, if you can take it for this long, maybe you could wait another few weeks and see if your body adjust to the new medication. I think a lot of times many of the side effects wear off after awhile. Hope things get better!
D
Posted by harry b. on May 5, 2000, at 17:26:04
In reply to Re: Just starting Celexa, posted by Rictis on May 5, 2000, at 13:18:03
Rictis- I'll start with the usual comment that we
all react differently to any particular med.I've been taking 20mg Celexa for 4 or 5 weeks. The
nausea I experienced has gone away. Sexually, I
have no problem becoming erect. The problem is
that orgasm is inhibited. Lately it has become
worse, I cannot achieve orgasm. If this continues
to be a problem for you, adding Wellbutrin to your
meds is supposed to help.I was staying in bed all day when I began taking
Celexa, but I had been doing that for the past
several months. The Celexa improved my mood but
it did not help with motivation. I recently began
taking Ritalin to help with my lethargy. There has
been some improvement, but not what I had hoped
for. I have forced myself to excercise daily, even
if it's only a 15 minute walk. This has helped.Good Luck
Posted by Kimberly on May 6, 2000, at 10:28:49
In reply to Beginning Celexa, posted by Beth on April 28, 2000, at 12:28:15
I just got off of celexa after being on it for 3 weeks. It was a nightmare. It made my daily tension headaches three times worse and actually turned them to migraines a couple times a week. I could not sleep even with ambien and my neck and shoulders were agonized with muscle tension. I am now on serzone and have big hopes for it. Of course this was only my experience but as far as I am concerned celexa was a nightmare for me and only worsened my headaches.
> >I only took Celexa for a week because it made me so sleepy.
> In fact, I am supposed to be taking this for tension
> headaches. Is anyone taking Celexa as a headache treatment? If
> so, what type of headaches? Is it helping you?I
Posted by Daciana on May 9, 2000, at 16:21:41
In reply to Re: Decisions - To Joy, posted by Cam W. on March 25, 2000, at 11:06:04
thank you Cam for your advice to Joy...it really helped me...I have been on Zoloft for about 2 or so months (started at 25mg and was upped to 100mg/day) and although I did notice a change when I didn't take it one day I also noticed an increased amount of anxiety even as a result of trivial things such as going to the mailroom at work...So today I went to my doctor and was changed to Celexa...My good friend and my sister are also both on Celexa and have been raving about their results...after reading many of the negatives of Celexa I got really nervous and although I will try it out I am not as confident as I was when she first prescribed it to me this morning...your note to Joy renewed my resolve and helped me remember that every medicinal effect is different for every person.
thanks
daciana
Posted by D on May 11, 2000, at 7:44:13
In reply to Re: Decisions - To Joy, posted by Daciana on May 9, 2000, at 16:21:41
Daciana,
I hope that you have really good results with Celexa. I do have to wonder , though, if you were taking to much Zoloft----maybe that's what was causing the anxiety---too much.
It seems like the natural thing, when upping the dose, would be for the doctor to up to 50 mg and gradually increase
to 75 mg and then to 100 if needed. Best wishes, D
Posted by carolyn on May 11, 2000, at 9:53:38
In reply to Just starting Celexa, posted by Wondering on May 4, 2000, at 13:54:21
I, like several of you, am preparing to take my first celexa tonight. Reading all these side effects scares me silly. I had taken Prozac for three years with good results until I began having hyper/nervous spells which Drs attributed to buld-up/intoleralnce (too much too long is my interpretation). I'm in a deep dark hole without meds so I'm trying celexa I guess. I don't like taking pills but desparately want my life back. Thanks for the inputs. Any suggestions?
Posted by Daciana on May 11, 2000, at 13:49:11
In reply to Re: Decisions for Daciana, posted by D on May 11, 2000, at 7:44:13
My dr did start me out with 25 and after a week I was up to 50mg of Zoloft...after a month of no noticeable changes she upped my dose to 100mg. that's when I began to notice more anxiety... so after about 2 weeks I went in and she switched me over to Celexa...I've only been on for 2 days...(today will be my 3rd) but I haven't noticed anything...which I understand is normal for many people...I just hope something starts to happen soon...hopefully not all those nasty side effects I've been reading about...
> I hope that you have really good results with Celexa. I do have to wonder , though, if you were taking to much Zoloft----maybe that's what was causing the anxiety---too much.
> It seems like the natural thing, when upping the dose, would be for the doctor to up to 50 mg and gradually increase
> to 75 mg and then to 100 if needed. Best wishes, D
Posted by Daciana on May 11, 2000, at 13:56:28
In reply to Re: Just starting Celexa, posted by carolyn on May 11, 2000, at 9:53:38
Reading all the messages posted scared me too...but then I realized that it was all worth it to feel good - somethign that I don't think I've ever really experienced...I am willing to experience a little more rain so that I can enjoy the sun. Just remember to keep your dr involved and let them know what the medicine is doing... I have heard that sometimes the side effects will go away after a while so maybe that is what will happen or maybe you will need to hit and miss a couple more times...but once we find the right medicine it will be so worth it...good luck
daciana
> I, like several of you, am preparing to take my first celexa tonight. Reading all these side effects scares me silly. I had taken Prozac for three years with good results until I began having hyper/nervous spells which Drs attributed to buld-up/intoleralnce (too much too long is my interpretation). I'm in a deep dark hole without meds so I'm trying celexa I guess. I don't like taking pills but desparately want my life back. Thanks for the inputs. Any suggestions?
Posted by celexy on May 11, 2000, at 18:54:37
In reply to Re: Just starting Celexa, posted by carolyn on May 11, 2000, at 9:53:38
hi wondering,i was in a big black hole for a long time also.i have never been on any other drugs before because of my depression.my doctor started me on celexa three weeks ago and i feel so much better.i too had read about all the side effects and they scared me too,but i stuck to it and happier now than i was before.sure there are side effects but they were mild.i worked every day ,i yawned a bit more and my stomatch made noises but that was all gone by the first week.so give it a try,its alot better than where your at right now.good luck.hang in there.
Posted by Stephen on May 14, 2000, at 14:47:54
In reply to Re: Celexa Side Effects, posted by Michele Cohen on April 22, 2000, at 16:28:53
When I started taking Celexa the first things I noticed was increased asthma and itchiness/hives. I was really upset because of all the anti's I had taken Celexa put me in the best mental state. Fortunately these inital side effects were transient. However there was more to come. After starting Celexa I also became very constipated. It seemed managable in the beginning, but then one night I experienced severe intestinal pain which lead to diarrhea and vomiting.
Within a couple of hrs. I was in the emergency room getting IV pain killers and liquids. It turns out that I was a bit dehydrated and had some intestinal blockage due to the constipation. I have since begun to drink a lot more and have increased the fiber in my diet. Celexa definitely makes me sweat a lot more so I can understand how I may have become dehydrated. I have been on Celexa for about three months now. Mentally I feel fairly good, although I do suffer
from regular drowsiness and periods of zero motivation. My sex drive is definitely better after having been nearly nonexsistent on other meds.Steve
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