Lexapro or Celexa for anxiety? Which is less stimulating?

I was on Prozac for 2 years but had to stop because it was too stimulating, making my anxiety worse :(  I was considering taking Lexapro or Celexa. I know that the are chemically related, but which one is better for GAD? Is one more stimulating than the other?
I don't want to be on an SSRI that will give me anymore anxiety than I have right now :(  I have been on Paxil and Zoloft before, but they made me feel like a zombie :(  Any info would be greately appreciated!
((HUGS))
Michelle

[ilovemykidz]

i took lexapro for post partum after i had my daughter and i didnt have any problems with it.... that would be my suggestion!!

good luck

[Michelle411A]

Thanks so much for the info :)  I am going to my Pdoc Wednesday and I am hoping he can put me on either Lexapro or Celexa.. Or even klonopin.. I really don't want to go back on SSRI's, but I can't handle this anxiety anymore :*(

[29sillygirl]

Hi,
I've taken almost every SSRI and other antidepressants over a 30 yr span.  Generally I also took an anti anxiety, as after years of incorrect diagnoses, severe anxiety was seen to be the core culprit.  I had the same reaction as you to meds you mention, but as time went by the stimulating ones also caused uncontrollable diarrhea.  Not to discourage you...just my experience.

Can't comment on Celexa, but a neighbor is on it, and after a slight increase, due to her anxiety, she is way too sleepy.....so I'm not impressed with results I'm seeing.

Understand  many doctors (and insurance companies) have a negative attitude toward meds like clonazapam (Klonopin..generic).  In my case it is all that I can tolerate and it does not have the multiple side effects I suffered on the other meds.

Good luck.  Getting on the right med or combo of meds is a challenge.  One you and your doctor will resolve.  Soon, I hope!

[Michelle411A]

Thanks for your your kind words and info! I have had such a hard time this week with anxiety.. It seems to have become worse over the past month... I am thinking it is due to not being on Prozac.. My brain has been soakin in seretonin for so long ( Zoloft 5yrs, Prozac 2 yrs) that it is freaking out :(  I have an appt with my pdoc wednesday so hopefully he can help!
((HUGS))
Michelle

[29sillygirl]

I'm no medical expert, but think you are right.  The brain gets used to having lots of seretonin (sp?) and when it is suddenly without....may act up!

[Paxiled]

Having been on both, I would say they are similar and not as similar as some say.  Neither worked that well for me, but that has nothing to do with you.  I think the stimulating or non-stimulating nature of different meds of the same class has more to do with the patient than the med, since we all react differently, so nobody can tell you which is more or less stimulating.  We can tell you Wellbutrin is more stimulating or that snris are more stimulating because they target stimulating neurotransmitters, but with ssris it's just finding one that works best.  If it's any help, though, Prozac appears to be less effective against anxiety than the others, but that's just anecdotal.  It's also easiest to come off of and causes the least weight gain and sexual side effects, so it's a good place to start, but I seem to notice anxiety sufferers tend to move on.  Lexapro is supposed to have fewer side effects, which might indicate it is less sedating, which might feel like more stimulating, but I don't notice it having fewer side effects, so what do I know?  My experience is, the better a med works, the more side effects, which I assume is because it's metabolized better.  Interesting point about long-term affects of taking ssris -- this is controversial, with most psychiatrists and pharmaceutical companies denying there are any permanent changes but many patients experiencing them.  Very interesting, no?