Does anybody take Celxa For Anxiety?

[DoubleAron]

Hi All,
I was just wondering if anybody here takes or has taken Celexa for anxiety and if so did it help and what kinda side effects did you have. My doctor wrote me a script for it a couple of months ago and I'm scared to start taking it giveing all the listed side affects.
Thanks for your time.

[owmyhead1313]

i just recently stopped after 9 days will it affect me withdrawl wise

[ChannahBracha]

DoubleAron:   Same here! My doc prescribed it but when I saw that the side effects are JUST what I need to get rid of; I said NO WAY!!! It's like as if pouring gas on a fire from what I could tell from reading about it!

[mariobryant]

Celexa is a good medication for depression. It's not going to take away life's problems for you, but hopefully it will help you in the way you perceive things and handle them. You might need an additional prescription fir your anxiety (there are many). I take Celexa myself--no problems and coupled with my other "head" drugs: Effexor, Depakote, Lorazepam and Clonazepam https://www.discountdrugnetwork.com/coupons/save-money-on-lorazepam/  I don't get as angry as I once did with people. I'm one of those guys who loves people on a one on one basis, but believe and understand (according to the Bible) "that the human heart is wicked above all things, who can comprehend it." So generally people irritate me. Anyway, the anger and discontent has been brought to a minimum thanks to these drugs. Really. So give it a shot, if it doesn't work for you, switch to something else.

[macmomma3]

What about some behavioral therapy to retrain your thoughts. Sometimes, it really is just in your head and medication cant fix some stuff. You have to make conscious choices to think about something else and busy yourself into distracting your thoughts. Im a big beleiver in mixing counseling with antidepressants and that alot of "depressive" behaviour can be warded off with more positive thinking and action.

[coastalkelly]

I am married to a man with severe anxiety.  When I met him I had no idea, he was tall, handsome, successful in my eyes and charming.  Apparently his charm was well practiced because I now know he's been severely anxious his entire life, inherited from his parents.  I only just realized after a decade of being with him that his rejection, anger, isolationist tendencies, nervous breakdown and neglect of me were due to his GAD.  I read on here, your posts, saying you don't think the medicine is working blah blah...my husband says the same thing.  He's been taking it for 3 months now and he's up to 20  mg of celexa now and he is better but not where he needs to be yet.  I can stand to be around him now.  For the love of God take your medicine.  It is working, your loved ones can tell.  

[Apeter7874]

Not too bad at all!  The panic and stress is much harder on your body and mind then the meds

[krclette]

i have sever anxiety disorder that lead to panic. I often get depression after an attack. I was just wondering how hard is lexapro or celexa on your stomach since my stomach cant tolerate new medications

[jen0317]

I am on Pristiq and it has helped my anxiety so well that I can now drive  on highways which I have not done for years!!!

[mimipris]

MY DOC JUST GAVE ME BOTH OF WHAT YOU ARE TAKING...PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW YOU DID ON THEM

[mimipris]

MY DOC JUST GAVE ME BOTH OF WHAT YOU ARE TAKING...PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW YOU DID ON THEM

[Rhen24]

I have been on celexa for over a year.  I originally was put on it due to a very stressful work situation that sent me into crisis.  I went without sleep for nearly 10 days.  I was obsessed with feeling like I was dying and cried uncontrollably.  Thankfully I have a wonderful husband who helped me through it all.  My son was 3 at the time and I hated having him see me in such a state.  The celexa seemed to help but I also resolved some things at work that helped me gain control.  I have been feeling quite good for a while with my anxiety.  I got pregnant and had another son and went on maternity leave from work for a year.  I was all set to go back to work and was called in to a meeting with my boss.  Apparently while I was gone the staff that I supervise had a meeting with my boss and tore me to shreds and they listed a bunch of changes they want to see in the way I do things.  They really attacked my character and came up with so many lies about me.  I feel like I am being sabatoged and don't know why.  Of course my anxiety came back full tilt and I don't know what to do to help.  I have to start back to work tomorrow and I don't know how to face things.  In times of anxiety like this could I up my dose from 10 mg to 20 mg? Will it help?  I need to see my doctor but can't get in right away and have to book time off work to go.

[toddy37]

I started Celexa just before my second son went off to college.  I have probably always had anxiety but when an empty nest was closing in, It got a lot worse. I went on Celexa and it worked great.  Per my Dr. it works faster for my anxiety, and my experience was that it took about 3 weeks to feel a difference.  The great part is that after the first few days of slight h/a's and mild haziness (started at 5mg then to 10mg after 7days), I didn't feel like I was on anything.  Things just didn't bother me as much.  I have never had panic attacks, just intense worry and the slightest annoyance would make me want to jump out of my skin.  The celexa helped with all of that and what I noticed most after awhile is that my feelings towards things were more appropriate and I could let things go and not dwell on them.  Also a big part of getting a handle on anxiety is learning skills to help deal, such as self talk, relaxation and therapy.  These things go hand in hand with medication.  I have come to the realization that I may need some sort of antianxiety med for the rest of my life.  But maybe not!!  I have been learning skills to help decrease anxiety from my therapy, which I think everyone needs, whether they think so or not.  Lifes to short to not be at the top of your game on a daily basis.  Do what needs to be done and don't be ashamed of it.  Also don't get discouraged if the first med you try doesn't work right with your body chemistry.  There are many medications out there and there is one that will work for you.  Don't listen to others who say those things don't work and you'll just feel numb.  Everyone is different, what works for me might not work for you!  But help yourself, don't live an unhappy life!!

Best,

Toddy37

[hub25hm]

I keep reading these stories about anxiety on here.. Has anyone even tried to face their fears or study about the biological aspects of anxiety.. The reason that panic attacks get worse is because of the "fear of fear" sensation.. I have struggled with anxiety for a while now and what one must realize is that you are being dooped by your feelings.. Anxiety can not hurt you, make you go crazy, pass out, etc.. Anti-depressants work, but you must be prepared to do some of the work yourself.. I highly recommend the book by Doctor Claire Weeks called "Hope and Help for your Nerves". You can find it on Amazon.. Remember, you are the cause of your own anxiety and you have the ability to choose whether or not to have a panic attack.. It isn't about controlling the panic as much as understanding what is happening in your body and mind the moment they hit.. What if thinking leads you into a panic attack.. It isn't people, places or things, it is you.. The reason I keep reading that people on here are afraid of the anti-depressants is because most people with anxiety are afraid of taking medication anyhow. Pills aren't the magic switch to turn it off, they only help you cope with the symptoms.. You have to put your hand in the fire and face the things and situations that you are afraid of. There is no safe place or person because you are the one responsible for your own anxiety.. Read the book seriously.. A panic attack isn't awaiting your arrival at the grocery store, you are only assuming that it will happen.. Read, understand and that is the key to recovery...

[Mk0611]

Originally I started taking Lexapro on the lowest does and bam the panic attacks were almost completly gone... I thought well Im better now and quit taking it after a year.  Needless to say that I started to have them again after about 3 Months... They were worse than ever before I went to my Dr. and asked him to put me back on the Lexpro but it did not work...
I asked for the Celexa and It seem to be worse than ever... I think that I have the Gorraphobia with this also because I am so afarid to leave my comfort zone and have been dealing with this now for almost 5 years.... this started after my 3rd child was born at 6 months of age \\ I also gained 30 pounds!!! My only thing that gets rid of the Pannic attacks are the Xanex Thank god for that I am so afraid to try something else it just seem Hopless,,, I cant even ride in the car for more than 10 mins or I just loose it Completly....

[nicki0808]

Hi Nancy, I know it was a long time since your made your post about celexa. I just recently started taking it 20mg I will be on week 6 tomorrow, I am also married with 3 kids 8,6 and 3 and I was wondering how you were doing? Did you get any relief from the Celexa? Are you feeling great now. I am getting desperate, I have been dealing with this anxiety for a year now. I just want my life back, I want to feel relaxed and happy again. So far I my anxiety is worse with this celexa and I am just holding on hoping it gets better with time. Any good news to share?

[lynn57]

You really have to give any SSRI more than a couple of days for the side-effects to diminish.  I'm sure your doctor will tell you to try it a little longer.  If it is not making your anxiety worse you are lucky.  Some people have a couple weeks of increased anxiety.  Hope it turns out all right for you.

[gns]

I have started with celexa on Friday....today is Saturday and I feel really strange. Headaches, dizzzzzy,more moody than before. But one good thing is I'm not frustrated with my kids like ican get at times due to stress. I think I will ask the the doc forsomething else had refrain frm celexa.

[nerdberglar]

I have really really bad anxiety and my doctor prescribed me celexa and I will not take it because of the horror stories I have heard.I heard that celexa like prozac has lithium in it and takes two weeks to actually take effect and when you go off of it your symptoms become worst like thoughts of suicide. I used to be a heroin addict and quit it cold turkey cause getting on methadone is just as bad if not worst and ive been clean since March of 1998 and if I went to methadone I probably still be on it.My point being is,Ive had anxiety ever since I kicked dope and the only thing that really helps is MARIJUANA or xanax

[jhp1984]

I have social anxiety disorder I started taking zoloft at 50mgs a day and it really did work.  It helped with my fear of large crowds and interviews and other social situations.  But i went off of it because I had just gotten married and it absolutely killed my sex drive and worse i could not orgasm as quickly and sometimes not at all, which had not been an issue before.  So I stopped taking it.  I also couldn't drink with it, and I do enjoy drinking socially.  I could have two drinks and wake up the next day throwing up it was not good.  
I just started taking celexa, I moved to a new town and this is what the new doctor prescibed.  I'm hoping that it will work the same as zoloft hopefully without all the negative side effects.  Has anyone experienced the sexual and/or alcohol side effects with celexa? (it says on the bottle night to drink with alcohol, but is that mainly just for the depression/suicide risk, or does that pretain to the anxiety side of it as well?)  and also what does the klonpin do, does it aid the effects of the ssri's?    

[Nancy505]

I just started Celexa 10 mg 5 days ago, and I keep praying to God to make me strong until it starts working. I am married, mother of 3 children 8, 6, and 3 they need me so much.  I will keep you updated as to my improvement.  I refuse to let anxiety take over me... I can't wait for the day I feel normal, happy, joyful as I was! God bless everyone.

[Heasha]

I just recieved 20mg Celexa yesterday, I am really nervous about taking it because I dont want to have to be on a medication forever for my anxiety. What has anyone done to naturally help with anxiety on top of their medication? And what have been some of your side effects?

[Sue357]

Hi.  I was just recently put back on Celexa, 60 mg., as Zoloft stopped working.  I feel like a new person....plus I take Klonopin, 3 x perday, .5 mg, but I am starting to taper a bit there, as I feel like I can.  

[MirzaF256]

Guys, for the second time in my life I got onto Celexa again and IT IS THE ONLY SSRI that works for me! My mother is taking the same medicine and none of the other ones helped. I have tried Paxil, nightmares, tried Trazodone, depersonalization, derealization. Three years ago when I started Celexa I stayed the whole time on 20 mg for 2 years, FELT AMAZING, anxiety and depression GONE, like that, but 1 year off and stress in my life, I started FOCUSING ON MY BREATHING AGAIN, which nearly drove me insane and simply had to start Celexa again, only this time 20mg didn't help. I felt 50/50 until I went onto 40mg. I am thanking God, that I have this medicine and that I don't have to think about my breathing anymore that often.

God Bless you all!

Mirza

[lynn57]

I am presently on 60mgs of Celexa per day.  40 mgs. is the usual max dose, but it just didn't stop the anxiety.  My doctor assured me that some people react differently and could benefit from the higher dose.  I was having break thru panic attacks before the increase and haven't had any since a week on the higher dose.  I take .5 mgs of klonopin 2x a day.  Increasing that was not an option because the doc doesn't like benzos.  At least everything turned out all right.  I think you do feel a little spaced out and tired when you first start an SSRI, but anything is better than continuous panick attacks.  Try the Celexa.