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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Changing Meds
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
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.
Changing Meds
by Dara, Feb 14, 2002 12:00AM
Thankyou for taking my question. I had been taking Zoloft for the past 6 months for anxiety/panic/depression. When I posted here once before, you suggested that perhaps I was having too much of an adrenergenic response to it. (I was constantly keyed-up which fed that anxious feelings that come with fright and flight). i mentioned it to my doctor and he agreed since there had been no change in my response to the Zoloft in 6 months. He then changed my med to Celexa. I have been on it for 2 weeks. I feel a little less keyed-up, but keyed-up no the less on this med. How long does it take to get the full benefit of the Celexa after changing from Zoloft? Are these 2 meds in the same class, and could my body respond this way to all ssri's? If I find that the Celexa is not the med for me, would then suggest to try something else, or my doctor had mentioned combining 2 low dosages of 2 different ssri's. Which type of ssri's do they mix together? I apologize for rambling, but I was so happy to finally be able to post a question. I so value your input and look forward to your direction. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!I just want to find a med, or combo of meds that works. i would like to feel like myself and not constantly monitor the effects. Thankyou again for caring.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Feb 15, 2002 12:00AM
, Feb 15, 2002 12:00AM
Thank you for thanking me. It is appreciated. You will need about 3 more weeks to settle into the Celexa. It will probably work with you. People respond differently to each of the ssri's, so there are more to try, and there are other medications that are not ssri's that also work well alone. You probably don't want to mix two ssri's at once...you won't be able to figure out what is happening.
Member Comments (1)
by Roo, Feb 20, 2002 12:00AM
Be warned that antidepressants can make you feel great but that the side effects are many and varied. Even if they are far down on the list and your dr. says that it isn't caused by the antidepressant think again. Once you and your dr. feel you are ready to discontinue it expect withdrawal symptoms.
by Hatikvah, Feb 21, 2002 12:00AM
Has anyone experienced severe headache upon discontinuing Celexa abruptly? My doctor prescribed Serzone, which I started taking yesterday morning, the day after stopping Celexa, 40mg. All morning yesterday, all day, all night, and this morning I have a raging headache. Almost like migraine. Any ideas if it is withdrawal, or is it the new medication? Feels like my head is going to explode. Thanks for your input.
by Dara, Feb 28, 2002 12:00AM
To: Hatikva
Hi was taking Zoloft, then I recently switched to Celexa. I have been taking Celexa for three weeks now, and for the past couple weeks I have experienced the raging headaches as you've described. I believe it's the medicine, perhaps it's the new adjustment. best wishes to you.
