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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jaynee on August 3, 2002, at 21:41:15
What is up with this. I went from 20 to 10mg about 5 days ago. Then I tried none for about 2 days, and felt very awful. So went back on 10mg. But I am starting to feel really lethargic and blah. I haven't left the house all day, have done nothing, slept approx., 14 hours plus, and when I do get up I am eating none stop. I am so so so hungry. I have put away 8 chocolate bars, and eat until I feel sick. I never do that. I don't understand what is going on. I am an anxious depressive so this is a new experience for me. Part of me wants to go for a jog, but the other fat useless pig side of me won't get off the couch or bed. Man this is sucking. How long should this last, and is this normal when you cut back on anti-depressants. This is my first go-around with AD's, so this is new to me.
Posted by Shawn. T. on August 4, 2002, at 2:56:20
In reply to Cut back on Celexa to 10mg, And eating like a pig, posted by Jaynee on August 3, 2002, at 21:41:15
Don't worry; that is completely normal. Three weeks is a standard length of time for experiencing withdrawal effects from SSRI's, but I think I remember hearing that Celexa withdrawal isn't quite that bad. The most important thing you could do to aid in your recovery would be to fight the anxiety (I'm aware that it's not easy). I know what it's like to drop from 40mg of Paxil to 20mg; I was out of my mind. Anything that you can do to relieve stress is pretty much a good idea. You might want to try cutting your pills into 5mg pieces when you decide to take less than 10mg. If you really can't take it anymore, you could ask your doc to prescribe you a few Prozac, which has a very long halflife and has very mild withdrawal symptoms (if any).
Shawn
Posted by Calamity on August 4, 2002, at 12:23:58
In reply to Cut back on Celexa to 10mg, And eating like a pig, posted by Jaynee on August 3, 2002, at 21:41:15
Jaynee -- I was on Celexa for over a year at 40mg. I went down to 20 mg for a month, and am currently at 10 mg. for another two weeks. The first two weeks of each lower dose through me for a loop. Very very tired, weepy, generally miserable. But those feelings passed and now I'm anxious to get off completely -- never thought I'd say that. Celexa really brought me out of depression, which felt wonderful; but for the past year on Celexa, I've been forgetful, tired all the time, unmotivated, albeit happy as a lark.
As suggested by Shawn, lowering the dose very slowly,and over a period of time, may be of help to you.
The best to you -
Calamity
Posted by Jaynee on August 4, 2002, at 14:24:14
In reply to Re: Cut back on Celexa to 10mg, And eating like a pig, posted by Calamity on August 4, 2002, at 12:23:58
Thanks for sharing your experiences with me. I feel better knowing I am not experiencing something no-one else has. I will cut back slowly. I too am anxious to get off Celexa. It has helped me, but I feel to apathetic on it. I guess what really hit me was when my girlfriend phoned for my 38th birthday and said, "so what are you going to do for the next 2 years before you hit 40". I said "nothing". My husband phoned the same day and asked what I had done that day. I said "nothing". I realized "nothing" was becoming my frame of mind. That is not me. I miss being goal oriented and motivated to reach those goals. I don't miss being pyscho about those goals and burning out before I get there, a happy medium would be nice. But Celexa was making me to lazy. Maybe I needed that for awhile, but I feel like joining the world again.
I could experiment more with the different drugs, but I just don't think that is the answer right now. My bouts of depression come every 5 to 6 years, so I should be good to go for about another 4 or 5 years. I did like the way Celexa made me more level headed and really helped with PMS. Hmmmm, I just don't know what the answer is.
If anyone finds the solution, please let me know.
Thanks again.
Posted by Fuscia on August 4, 2002, at 14:27:02
In reply to Cut back on Celexa to 10mg, And eating like a pig, posted by Jaynee on August 3, 2002, at 21:41:15
Hi,
I'm curious how long have you been taking 20mg of Celexa?
The reducing schedule posted by others is great! Take it at a very slow taper if you are experiencing such side effects.
As for helping with the appetite problem, which sounds very much like a hypoglycemic-type reaction, then it would be good for you to try eating several small meals a day. Omit simple carbs from you diet and replace them with complex carbs; like whole grains, apples, almonds and other nuts, whole grain cereals without added sugar, whole grain breads, such as Health Nut, by Oroweat. Eat more quality protein, such as chicken breast, turkey breast, and fresh deep sea fish. Include cottage cheese. Cottage cheese on a WASA whole grain cracker is excellent as an in-between meal snack. Omit caffeine from your diet as caffeine worsens hypogylcemic reactions.
Take spirulina supplement-excellent for preventing hypoglycemic reaction - take between meals on an empty stomach, as well as good taken at bedtime.
The amino acid L-glutamate can also help reduce sugar cravings - take on an empty stomach with water or juice. Take with a small amount of vitamin B6 and vitamin C for better absorption. If you have no yeast allergy, consider Nutritional or Brewer's yeast. It is best taken before breakfast or half hour after a carbohydrate-rich breakfast.
Posted by Jaynee on August 4, 2002, at 14:31:50
In reply to Re: Cut back on Celexa to 10mg, And eating like a pig, posted by Fuscia on August 4, 2002, at 14:27:02
I have been taking Celexa 20 mg for about 8 months.
I will try some of your advice, but I know I should eat better, but right now I am just wanting to stuff my face with crap. I am about to go for a jog though. This is a very big deal for me, I am going to pull myself off this computer and get out the door. I am really hoping that will motivate me to do something, anything other than eat and just hang around the house.
Posted by Fuscia on August 4, 2002, at 17:32:53
In reply to Thanks Fuscia, posted by Jaynee on August 4, 2002, at 14:31:50
Hi Jaynee,
Thanks for the feedback. I too had big problem with apathy while taking 20mg of Celexa. I started out at 20mg last October and took it until February this year. I didn't like the apathy, plus the lethargic feeling during the day. It was very hard to get out of bed while on it, and my short-term memory was worse while taking it compared to what I'm taking now, which is 20mg of Prozac twice a week. It also didn't work well prior to start of my period. It's good point: it didn't cause inability to orgasm for me. Prior to Celexa I was taking a low dose of Zoloft (25mg and 50mg), which did cause anorgasmia and lack of libido. My current Prozac regimen is in-between - it's the lack of interest (no libido) that is the current problem, but that may be just my personality. I think all of the SSRI's tend to cause apathy and difficulty with concentration, which can make many pleasures simply uninteresting.
If you are taking a low enough dose of Celexa, at least lower than 10mg, you might consider taking 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) supplement. This supplement is very helpful at curbing food cravings, and a 50mg dose of 5-HTP should be safe enough to take with a very low dose of Celexa (less than 10mg daily). This way after weaning off of Celexa, you can keep taking the 5-HTP for a month or two, and then discontinue it as well. I wouldn't suggest taking 5-HTP for longer than two months. It is best to take a month's break from it so your body doesn't get used to taking it on a daily basis. A good 5-HTP product is from Nature's Way, containing 50mg of 5-HTP, plus 120mg of vitamin C and 20mg of vitamin B6 for better absorption. Take it on an empty stomach between meals or at bedtime. It also helps you get a good night's sleep. It can cause vivid dreams. Once you have weaned completely off of Celexa, you can increase 5-HTP to twice daily (100mg total) if you feel you need to. If you experience any unwanted side effects while taking a very low dose of Celexa and the 50mg of 5-HTP, then discontinue the 5-HTP, and try taking it after you have discontinued Celexa.
I think the jog is a great idea and will burn off some of the food cravings. Drink lots of water as well.
Take care, Fuscia
Posted by awake at last on August 6, 2002, at 22:41:06
In reply to Re: Cut back on Celexa to 10mg, And eating like a pig, posted by Fuscia on August 4, 2002, at 14:27:02
> Hi,
>
> I'm curious how long have you been taking 20mg of Celexa?
>
> The reducing schedule posted by others is great! Take it at a very slow taper if you are experiencing such side effects.
>
> As for helping with the appetite problem, which sounds very much like a hypoglycemic-type reaction, then it would be good for you to try eating several small meals a day. Omit simple carbs from you diet and replace them with complex carbs; like whole grains, apples, almonds and other nuts, whole grain cereals without added sugar, whole grain breads, such as Health Nut, by Oroweat. Eat more quality protein, such as chicken breast, turkey breast, and fresh deep sea fish. Include cottage cheese. Cottage cheese on a WASA whole grain cracker is excellent as an in-between meal snack. Omit caffeine from your diet as caffeine worsens hypogylcemic reactions.
>
> Take spirulina supplement-excellent for preventing hypoglycemic reaction - take between meals on an empty stomach, as well as good taken at bedtime.
>
> The amino acid L-glutamate can also help reduce sugar cravings - take on an empty stomach with water or juice. Take with a small amount of vitamin B6 and vitamin C for better absorption. If you have no yeast allergy, consider Nutritional or Brewer's yeast. It is best taken before breakfast or half hour after a carbohydrate-rich breakfast.
************************************************
I'm hypoglycemic and have been on Celexa before. What you are experiencing is a drop in serotonin levels, which in turn is causing a drop in your blood sugar levels - if you eat junk food to feel better, you will put yourself in a vicious cycle and feel worse. I agree with the suggestions above - if it's overwhelming, go on-line and find a hypoglycemic diet to follow - it's not that hard. I as well take sprulina, and several vitamins, but trying to start all this at once can be overwhelming - start with the diet. Becareful about the jogging though, exercise will only lower your blood sugar, so make sure you eat a little something first (A whole wheat bagel or something like that).
This is the end of the thread.
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