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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ggrrl on April 10, 2002, at 16:25:44
I've been on celexa for over eight months. The side effects were awful at the beginning - I was hot, sleepless, shaking, and woozy. Those effects went away in the first few days, except for the sleeplessness. Sometimes I still have problems going to sleep, but mostly i just want to sleep a lot. I have noticed a decrease in my depression and that has been great or else I would not have stayed on it for this long. but my libido is nil and that is getting really old. It's funny to just not want it at all - why miss something you don't even want? and it makes me wonder why depression and sex are so interlinked. and it's been good for my relationship because i used to be a sex fiend and now we are more evenly matched (maybe that is more of a problem than a solution?)
Anyway, I yawn all the time and always want to take a nap in the afternoon. So I reduced my dose from 20 to 30 mgs a few days ago. After reading this board, I wonder if i just need to switch to another med or just quit altogether. This is the only med I've tried. I'm scared to get off it because I'm afraid my relationship will suffer and that I'll get depressed again. I never thought I was clinically depressed before, just that i had some problems, but my therapist (who i don't need to see anymore now that celexa has cured my depression) gave me a depression test and i passed with flying colors ;) but was that just a period of depression or am i depressed all the time? i still don't get it. i just don't want to believe i need a drug to cure me, especially one that messes with me so much. i used to cry about once or twice a month and feel like my partner didn't love me and i would get really resentful and i never feel like taht anymore - and we've gotten married and our relationship is really great. i'm scared!
maybe i should go back to my therapist or doctor and ask them.
what do you guys think?
thanks.
Posted by allisonm on April 10, 2002, at 16:51:38
In reply to celexa - worth it?, posted by ggrrl on April 10, 2002, at 16:25:44
You have the answer (IMHO): "go back to my therapist or doctor and ask them." You could try to slowly get off the Celexa and see what happens, but I would do that with a doctor who can advise you and find other options if Celexa or no drugs are not the answers.
Take care.
Posted by Bill L on April 11, 2002, at 9:04:29
In reply to celexa - worth it?, posted by ggrrl on April 10, 2002, at 16:25:44
Stay on Celexa. In June of this year (2002) a new version of Celexa will hit the market. It is called Lexapro in the US (escitalopram). It has less side effects than Celexa in 2 areas:
1) daytime sleepiness
2) sexual side effectsUntil then, try Ginkgo Biloba. I had daytime tiredness with Celexa (I take 40 mg) until using Ginkgo. I take 120 mg twice a day (240 mg total). Use a reputable brand. The only risk is if you have bleeding problems you may not be able to take it. Check with your doctor. Ginkgo is also recommended to counteract sexual side effects from SSRI's.
Posted by ggrrl on April 11, 2002, at 18:54:21
In reply to Re: celexa - worth it?, posted by Bill L on April 11, 2002, at 9:04:29
that is awesome! i did make an appt with a doctor today, but i won't meet with her until next month. it's a new doctor, i don't like my old doctor (who said, "celexa doesn't have side effects" and sent me home with a sample - i was so pissed when i was hit with the side effects in the middle of work!).
just in the past five days of going to 30mg to 20mg on my own i have more depressed than i've been so far since i got on it. i went back to 30mg today. i'll try ginko and see what happens.
thanks for your help!
> Stay on Celexa. In June of this year (2002) a new version of Celexa will hit the market. It is called Lexapro in the US (escitalopram). It has less side effects than Celexa in 2 areas:
> 1) daytime sleepiness
> 2) sexual side effects
>
> Until then, try Ginkgo Biloba. I had daytime tiredness with Celexa (I take 40 mg) until using Ginkgo. I take 120 mg twice a day (240 mg total). Use a reputable brand. The only risk is if you have bleeding problems you may not be able to take it. Check with your doctor. Ginkgo is also recommended to counteract sexual side effects from SSRI's.
This is the end of the thread.
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