Anyone else just starting on anti-depressant?

[Northcoast]

I finally listened to reason and has a consultation with a nurse practioner about my anxiety and depression.  Have been told many times that I should be on an anti-depressant mostly for anxiety but always fought it for some reason. I am taking klonopin and I never really understood that anti-depressants have an anti-anxiety component too.  Anyway, I just started on Celexa last week and will slowly up the dose per the instructions.  Last night was the first night I took a whole pill. This morning  I woke up with a dull headache which is not normal for me.  Still have it tonight.  Is this just something that the drug is causing but will go away?  But my main reason for posting is that I'm wondering if others can share their experiences of their first weeks on an anti-depressant.  Thanks for your feedback.  Good luck to all!

[Northcoast]

Just wanted to follow up with the answer from my nurse practioner. She said the headache was a normal reaction to the upped dosage.   I asked her about the paperwork with the prescription that said to mention to your doctor if you are dehydrated, which I usually am cuz I just don't drink enough during the day.   She said that it is very important to drink a lot of non-caffeine fluids while on Celexa. I've upped my water intake and the headache seems to have subsided.  ;)

[lynn57]

I had the dull headache on Celexa and what felt like sinus pressure.  It went away in the second month.  I am still on it.  Give it a chance.  Klonopin is also excellent for the anxiety until the Celexa kicks in.  Some people stay on both meds.  Not a problem.  Glad you got help and I'm sure better days are coming.

[Northcoast]

Well,  after ten days on Celexa, I got thru the final song at church this morning without tearing up for the first time in a while.  So maybe this stuff is working. Still have a dull headache though, going on 3 days now.  So I emailed my nurse practioner to see what her advice is.  Still would love to hear other people's stories about their first few weeks on an antidepressant.  

[cj29]

I am a proponent of medications like Celexa.  I have used it in the past as well as another SSRI just like it.  For me, it does take a while to 'kick in.'  It probably took a good couple of weeks before I noticed anything, but in my experience it was a great tool to use while I sought counseling to learn about my anxiety.  

There was an adjustment period for me whenever I start, stop, or adjust the dosage of medications like me.  Initially, it actually raised my anxiety a little bit and I did notice some side effects, but they were probably two-fold.  While I am sure that some of the side effects were definitely there, I am also pretty convinced they were magnified because I was already nervous about taking it.  

Overall, I am very happy with the results of medications like Celexa.  For me, it helped while I sought help in talk therapy.  Medications like these will not 'cure' you of anything but can be an asset while you learn about and confront your anxiety.  I stress patience with meds like Celexa and keep in communication with your prescribing doctor about it.  Keep us posted!