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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BillD on November 5, 2000, at 7:37:13
I have been on Celexa for just two weeks. Almost all side effects have now gone and I am feeling more relaxed and upbeat. However I still have absolutely no concentration to get anything accomplished. A question for all: How long after starting ADs has your concentration returned to somewhere near normal? Thanks for helping.
Bill
Posted by B Day on November 5, 2000, at 8:56:37
In reply to How long till concentration returns?, posted by BillD on November 5, 2000, at 7:37:13
Bill,
I will be finishing my third week on Celexa tomorrow. I wish I could give you more encouragement, but my own experience thus far is very similar to yours. I find I can concentrate on only the briefest and usually least demanding of activities. I'm also still quite unorganized and forgetful. All of this is making it near impossible for me to work or accomplish any but the most simple tasks.
I may be a bit drug-resistant, but I am told that, on average, it takes around four weeks for Celexa to reach "therapeutic level". I'm also told that there is a range of variance in AD response from one person to another. I suppose I'm just impatient. At least we are feeling a little better, huh?
Good luck!
B
Posted by Shirley on November 5, 2000, at 12:20:13
In reply to How long till concentration returns?, posted by BillD on November 5, 2000, at 7:37:13
Bill,
You might want to consider asking your psychiatrist for a stimulant such as ritalin, adderall, dexedrine, cylert, or concerta. That would help tremendously with your concentration if hey work for you. Of course, he/she may want to first get you stabalized on the celexa before trying another medicine. Still, it can't hurt to ask if you think a stimulant is a good idea.
Shirley
Posted by JS on November 5, 2000, at 12:45:22
In reply to How long till concentration returns?, posted by BillD on November 5, 2000, at 7:37:13
> I have been on Celexa for just two weeks. Almost all side effects have now gone and I am feeling more relaxed and upbeat. However I still have absolutely no concentration to get anything accomplished. A question for all: How long after starting ADs has your concentration returned to somewhere near normal? Thanks for helping.
It doesn't necessarily return with Celexa. My
experience has been that SSRI's make my concentration
worse, not better.Try to augment with stimulants, bupropion, mirtazapine,
or reboxetine.
Posted by danf on November 6, 2000, at 9:37:31
In reply to Re: How long till concentration returns?, posted by JS on November 5, 2000, at 12:45:22
In contrast to the earlier replys... depression often is slow to resolve even when on the right med. 2 weeks is not near enough time.
depression is not just a mood thing... there are significant brain chemical changes that have to correct. the correction takes time
short attention span & poor concentration are hallmarks of depression. full recovery is often slow & may take months, for some of the symptoms. depression & its effects do not happen in a day or even 2 weeks.
Significant recovery is slow. give it more time. 6 to 8 weeks is not uncommon to get to an even keel.
augmentation with stimulants at this point is way too soon...
Posted by Cam W. on November 6, 2000, at 16:14:57
In reply to You need more time, posted by danf on November 6, 2000, at 9:37:31
Bill - I agree with danf. Two weeks is far too soon to think about adding stimulants. Many times the concentration difficulties take some time to resolve (ie 6 - 8 weeks). Sometimes the concentration difficulties don't resolve, but 2 weeks is far too early to say this is going to happen to you.
Hang in there - Cam
Posted by Christina on November 6, 2000, at 21:35:38
In reply to How long till concentration returns?, posted by BillD on November 5, 2000, at 7:37:13
> I have been on Celexa for just two weeks. Almost all side effects have now gone and I am feeling more relaxed and upbeat. However I still have absolutely no concentration to get anything accomplished. A question for all: How long after starting ADs has your concentration returned to somewhere near normal? Thanks for helping.
>
> Bill
Posted by JohnB on November 7, 2000, at 1:14:46
In reply to NEVER!, posted by Christina on November 6, 2000, at 21:35:38
I agree about giving your AD a chance to work, but:
For those "NEVER!", folks - you might consider Piracetam. It's used in Europe. You have to order from overseas. It's helped me.
Posted by Shirley on November 8, 2000, at 19:05:14
In reply to Re: You need more time , posted by Cam W. on November 6, 2000, at 16:14:57
Cam and Dnf,
I wanted to clarify what I said in my first post as far as adding stimulants. Of course I could be wrong but it sounded like Bill was responding very well to the Celexa with the exception of the concentration problems. That's why I suggested the stimulants with the caveat that the doctor might first want to make sure he is stabalized on the Celexa before considering that option. So, we're not totally disagreeing in my opinion.
Also, even though Bill didn't say anything about ADD, his concentration problems could be attributed to that as well as Depression and that's why I mentioned the stimulants. Yes, there are people with depression who are misdiagnosed as ADD but it has also happened in the reverse as well as being missed as a co-existing disorder and that's why I suggested the stimulants. But Bill and his doctor are the ones who know the best.
Shirley
Posted by Christina on November 10, 2000, at 18:27:45
In reply to How long till concentration returns?, posted by BillD on November 5, 2000, at 7:37:13
When I wrote NEVER! I was coming out of an Effexor/Lithium induced mental fog, and making a gradual switch back to Celexa.
In just a few short days, some of my former mental clarity has returnd (I said SOME, not much, and certainly not all), but it's getting better.
> I have been on Celexa for just two weeks. Almost all side effects have now gone and I am feeling more relaxed and upbeat. However I still have absolutely no concentration to get anything accomplished. A question for all: How long after starting ADs has your concentration returned to somewhere near normal? Thanks for helping.
>
> Bill
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