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Celexa and Valium - Doctors Don't Agree? Input Needed!
Hi, all - I am currently on 2 mg. diazapam (valium) and 5 mg. celexa (half a 10 mg. pill). I just started the celexa about 3 weeks ago, and have been on an even lower dose (working up frm 1/4 to half to 3/4 to 2 mg last month - my own way - I was prescribed the 2 mg.).
Prior to the valium, I was on Ativan for about 2 months.
My understanding from my psychiatrist is that the 'plan' is up the celexa (although I don't know how far - I have dysthymia and ocd, so I hear...) and at some point come off the valium. I also have hypertension, so take atenolol and lisinopril and a baby asprin each day. I'm 59 years old. Anyway, I see my primary care doc once a month - he is a cool old-school guy, who used to see me primarily for 'reassurance' for various anxiety / ocd issues until he decided I needed a psychiatrist to give me meds. He sent me to a colleague, who has me on these meds. Those close to me - my husband, therapist and a friend who is a former RN and who herself takes lexapro, all say I am doing 'much better' than I was. When I started posting here, I could barely eat solid food - mashed potatoes were difficult. Now, I have made some real improvement (hamburger, cut up, soft veg, and so on), although I'm not yet where I need to be (can't eat chicken, and so on.).
When I saw my primary care guy yesterday, I saw I'd gained 5 lbs. OMG! I want to blame the meds but the reality is as I can eat stuff, I grab all the things that are bad for me, like donuts, cakes, chips and mex food. In any event, 5 lbs in one month seems high. My BP was also up but the doc wasn't concerned so much. He thought I might ask the psych to 'cut back' on the valium, as I complain of being 'lazy' and 'tired.' I will have been on some sort of valium in any case since February, albeit at a low dose. He also suggested asking to cut back on the celexa - to 2 mg. Huh? My psych said I wouldn't feel anything on 5 mg. I do feel somewhat tired, but I really doubt she's going to go down to 2 mg.
I think my primary care doc's focus was to get me to a point where I could eat again. The psych seems to be looking at things differently - telling me I might have to take meds for my ocd 'for the rest of my life.' I am just starting the process of trying to get ON SSRI's, not off them. Aside from some nausea and tiredness / apathy, no big deal on the side effects. But I am confused. Do I try to get OFF this stuff now? If I do, will I still be able to eat? Will folks think I'm 'better?' I'm inclined to think my success is from the meds, and that if I go off, it won't be long before I'm back to square 1. I don't want to be, but why would my primary care suggest I cut back on such low doses? I serously doubt my psych would consider lowering anything at this point, I"m almost afraid to ask. I hate to bring up that my primary care doc suggested it, as they are colleagues at the same clinic - and well, in a showdown, you know who gets thrown under the bus - and it aint either of them. One or the other will say I didn't understand or whatall, just to save face... at least that's how that stuff usuall works. Ok, any one have any ideas on what i can do here? How can I discuss this w/ my psych diplomatically? She's a bit of a diva, but she seems to be very smart and I like her. I like my primary care doc too, though, and that's the problem. They both seem to have divergent opinions. As I see my psych next week, I need input asap - thanks. Anna
Prior to the valium, I was on Ativan for about 2 months.
My understanding from my psychiatrist is that the 'plan' is up the celexa (although I don't know how far - I have dysthymia and ocd, so I hear...) and at some point come off the valium. I also have hypertension, so take atenolol and lisinopril and a baby asprin each day. I'm 59 years old. Anyway, I see my primary care doc once a month - he is a cool old-school guy, who used to see me primarily for 'reassurance' for various anxiety / ocd issues until he decided I needed a psychiatrist to give me meds. He sent me to a colleague, who has me on these meds. Those close to me - my husband, therapist and a friend who is a former RN and who herself takes lexapro, all say I am doing 'much better' than I was. When I started posting here, I could barely eat solid food - mashed potatoes were difficult. Now, I have made some real improvement (hamburger, cut up, soft veg, and so on), although I'm not yet where I need to be (can't eat chicken, and so on.).
When I saw my primary care guy yesterday, I saw I'd gained 5 lbs. OMG! I want to blame the meds but the reality is as I can eat stuff, I grab all the things that are bad for me, like donuts, cakes, chips and mex food. In any event, 5 lbs in one month seems high. My BP was also up but the doc wasn't concerned so much. He thought I might ask the psych to 'cut back' on the valium, as I complain of being 'lazy' and 'tired.' I will have been on some sort of valium in any case since February, albeit at a low dose. He also suggested asking to cut back on the celexa - to 2 mg. Huh? My psych said I wouldn't feel anything on 5 mg. I do feel somewhat tired, but I really doubt she's going to go down to 2 mg.
I think my primary care doc's focus was to get me to a point where I could eat again. The psych seems to be looking at things differently - telling me I might have to take meds for my ocd 'for the rest of my life.' I am just starting the process of trying to get ON SSRI's, not off them. Aside from some nausea and tiredness / apathy, no big deal on the side effects. But I am confused. Do I try to get OFF this stuff now? If I do, will I still be able to eat? Will folks think I'm 'better?' I'm inclined to think my success is from the meds, and that if I go off, it won't be long before I'm back to square 1. I don't want to be, but why would my primary care suggest I cut back on such low doses? I serously doubt my psych would consider lowering anything at this point, I"m almost afraid to ask. I hate to bring up that my primary care doc suggested it, as they are colleagues at the same clinic - and well, in a showdown, you know who gets thrown under the bus - and it aint either of them. One or the other will say I didn't understand or whatall, just to save face... at least that's how that stuff usuall works. Ok, any one have any ideas on what i can do here? How can I discuss this w/ my psych diplomatically? She's a bit of a diva, but she seems to be very smart and I like her. I like my primary care doc too, though, and that's the problem. They both seem to have divergent opinions. As I see my psych next week, I need input asap - thanks. Anna
5 mg is a therapeutic dose? cool. i thought that started at 10 mg. i bet she ups it to 10.
Yes I totally agree with Mammo, a psychiatrist will know far more about these types of drugs than ur PC.
When u see your psych next week I would mention what ur PC has said and include your feelings and confusion and see what she says. I really can't see your psych reducing the Celexa to 2mg, that is not a theraputic dose, however 5mg is and seeing as ur making improvements I can't see her weaning u off just yet.
When u see your psych next week I would mention what ur PC has said and include your feelings and confusion and see what she says. I really can't see your psych reducing the Celexa to 2mg, that is not a theraputic dose, however 5mg is and seeing as ur making improvements I can't see her weaning u off just yet.
Listen to your psychiatrist, they are much more knowlegable when it comes to these types of medications and what is best for you. If your PCP gets concerned enough, let her talk to your psych about it, and not get you involved. You're doing better and that speaks volumes about how well the meds are working for you. Hope this helps and take care.
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