Celexa

My doctor has prescribed my Celexa for panic with agoraphobia and severe anxiety.  I'm scared to take the meds because I also have a phobia of medications, fear I will have an allergic reaction and die.  Have you heard of anyone being alllergic to celexa?

[MrsMacDugle]

Hey there, sorry to hear that you have a fear of medications too.  But an allergic reaction would be say like how you would be if you were to stumble into poison ivy or poison oak.  An ichy rash, things of that nature, you would notice within the 1st 15 minutes of taking it.  As soon as you start having an allergic reaction, stop taking your medication, take some benedryl for relief & call your doctor & report it.

I know how difficult it is trying to receive relief for your agoraphobia but I suppose that I've not be placed on that medicine due to the fact that I have to many other complications in my medical history that prevents me from trying certain medications out.  So I know that I'm not much help as I've wasn't even aware of the medicine, I had to look it up.  I do know what the mild forms of an allergic reaction are since I am allergic to many medications that the doctors have tried for me on one or another of my many ailments.

Hope you get brave & try your medication.

I'll lift you up in prayers.

[rogersd]

Thanks for the reply, I very much appreciate your imput.  I have tried Celexa before and I was itchy with a blotchy rash, the doctor thinks it may just be my anxiety causing the rash.  It goes away quickly after I calm my self down.  The minute I take a new medication I instantly think I having an allergic reaction, I know this cannot be true because it would be unlikey that I'm allergic to all medications out there.

My biggest fear is that my throat is going to close on me and I won't be able to get help.  My understanding is that this is rare to happen and a rash would probably happen first.

I know you think you were not much help but just knowing that I'm not alone if very helpful to me, thank you!

[MrsMacDugle]

I was quite sure I couldn't be allergic to alot of medications, but I'm Lactose intolerant which is a base that they use to bind a lot of medications together, So I didn't think I could be allergic to so many either, but I am.  So my advise to you would be to keep some benadryl handy.  I know it helps me quite often when they doctors try a new medication out on me in hopes that it would be easier on my now fragile & failing body.  They keep watch over my liver & kidney functions since most of the medications that they have me on cause harm to those organs.

I don't get out from my house that often other to my doctors & maybe to the local store but I have my security team with me at all times,  God & my husband.

I'll continue to lift you up  in prayers that you are able to find some resolution for your medicines.

Debra

[Julie359]

Medication phobia is farly common and alot of people with anxiety do have it.  I would suggest that if for example the doc prescribed you 10mg of Celexa then to start off with take half of it, take 5mg.... this way if you will feel better mentally cause if an allergic reaction did happen it wont be as bad on 5mg as 10mg will it..... Then for a week or so take 5mg and see how you feel, if a rash does occur monitor it, if its mild keep an eye on it but if its severe then stop taking the med, take a picture of the rash to show your doc so they can see exactly what the rash looks like....... Anxiety can cause a rash but is totally different to that of a allergic rash.  

[jimgreg]

i kinda have the fears you do..but overcome a med that will help u not have the fears..i was on celexa ..but im bipolar it threw me into manina..trust i us here,,celexa wont kill you..it mite at the most cause a rash and then if so just stop it...i do understand,,so do alot of of us on this site God bless you     james