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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Celexa Withdrawal
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Celexa Withdrawal
by Shari, Mar 17, 2000 12:00AM
I have been on Celexa for a number of months now (up to 40 mg/day at one point) to treat chronic back pain that my doctor believes is being brought on by anxiety and depression. Nothing seems to be helping my back pain, and I am trying to wean off of the Celexa.
I reduced my dose to 20 mg for six weeks and then to 10 mg for another four weeks. When I tried to stop taking it all together, I could not stop having facial and body twitches (it almost feels like an electrical jolt). My doctor told me to take 5 mg. for five days and then stop again. Although the twitches are not as severe, they are still present. Is this normal, and for how long can I expect to have them?
Also, in regards to my back pain, I have heard of a supplement called MSM that is supposed to be very helpful in relieving joint pain. Is this something that I should look into taking? The sales person at GNC said that there are potential interactions with the birth control pill, so I am very wary of taking it.
Please help!
Thanks.
I reduced my dose to 20 mg for six weeks and then to 10 mg for another four weeks. When I tried to stop taking it all together, I could not stop having facial and body twitches (it almost feels like an electrical jolt). My doctor told me to take 5 mg. for five days and then stop again. Although the twitches are not as severe, they are still present. Is this normal, and for how long can I expect to have them?
Also, in regards to my back pain, I have heard of a supplement called MSM that is supposed to be very helpful in relieving joint pain. Is this something that I should look into taking? The sales person at GNC said that there are potential interactions with the birth control pill, so I am very wary of taking it.
Please help!
Thanks.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS-M.D.-HG, Mar 20, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Shari
SSRI's (serotonin Specific Reuptake Inhibitors) when stopped abruptly can lead to withdrawal symptoms, one of them being electric shock like sensations. Celexa is one of the SSRI's which has a half life of about 35 hrs. I would not expect the side effects to last more than a week. Many people suffer from anxiety and depression secondary to chronic pain. You may want to discuss with your Psychiatrist about the option of trying on a different anti depressant. I am not the best person to give you recommendation on supplements for joint pain. Consult your physician or a pain specialist for exploring the options for relieving your chronic pain.
Sincerely
HFHS-M.D.
In answer to your first question: I have seen this description of "electrical jolt" with regards to coming off celexa on other forums. You are not alone in having this reaction.
As far as your second post is concerned: You DO sound as though you are suffering quite a lot from depression to me. You describe feelings of being sad and crying jags. Feeling that you are a loser, withdrawing from people, not liking yourself--these are all more indications of real depression.
What kind of Doctor is it that prescribed the Celexa? I truly believe that only psychiatrists should prescribe this medication--to treat the intended illnesses like depression. That psychiatrist should monitor your meds and get you on the right one at the right dosage. GP's, internists, and other docs simply do not have the background or experience to be messing with antidepressants. And certainly I wouldn't expect a psychiatrist to be treating back pain per se.
In your shoes I would seek alternative treatment for your back pain. Perhaps a chiropractor. Definitely I think you should be actively seeking treatment specifically for your depression as well.
Having gone off of the medication has not made my "depression" return, but the physical symptoms of withdrawal are what is really bothering me.
As far as the second Shari is concerned, I recommend seeking further treatment with your psychiatrist, who can perhaps recommend a different drug that maintains more of a sense of who you are and keeps you "feeling alive." It often takes trying a couple of different prescriptions until you find the one that best suits you.
Paul - I have in fact been contemplating going to a chiropractor for some time now. I don't think I have much of a choice anymore, as physical therapy hasn't helped, nor has anti-depressants. Hopefully, this will help. At 30 years old, I'd like to have no pain!