Severe anxiety...going to try Celexa but so SCARED!

[fearfactor]

Guys, I have severe, almost debiliating anxiety - GAD and panic attacks along with social anxiety and health anxiety (hypochondria).  My doctor has talked me into trying Celexa but I'm terrified because I read it can cause weight gain and heart palpitations (two things I fear a LOT).  I want to get help, I can't go on like this...I am so depressed sometimes I want to die and I want it to change but I'm scared to take this drug.  Should I try it or what?  I am so afraid of the side effects I don't know what to do.  

[tlpl]

Hi Fearfactor.

I tried Celexa and it helped calm me considerably but I did gain about 30 lbs in about 3 months  but I also ate whatever I wanted and didn't exercise at all. I know that you are scared to take it but it is just like being scared of everything else, you have to try it first and if you are scared then just get off of it. For me, I was scared to try it because I thought that if I tried it and it didnt work then that was it for me and my options would run out. Anyways, it did work but I got off of it, one because I felt somewhat normal and didnt think that I needed it, and also because of the weight gain and now I am full of anxiety once again. I considered trying something else and just make sure that I exercise once a day to ward off the weight gain but am not convinced yet. The other thing that I did at the same times as the Celexa was I purchased a subliminal cd off of the internet in the States called "Freedom from Fears" by Progressive Awareness Research Inc - www.innertalk.com / 1-800-964-3551. I played it everyday with headphones and took a nap while it played. I remember I started walking more confident, with my head up and felt calmer. I also meditated everyday for a few minutes, usually while I listed to the cd, and envisioned myself walking calmly and being calm. Celexa helped alot, enough so that I could calmly think. Hope that helps. Thanks.

[fearfactor]

Oh God...now I'm totally not going to take it.  If I gained 30 lb. I would be eating a shotgun like Kurt Cobain...no kidding.  Thanks for letting me know.

[sparkeler]

I'm not on Celexa but potential weight gain OR loss is a side effect of most SSRI's.  You never know how your body will react.  I am currently on Lexapro & it says weight gain is a side effect, but I actually lost close to 15 pounds.  Keep in my mind that everyone is different.  And your not just going to wake the day after trying Celexa & be 30 pounds heavier.  You will be able to tell if you start putting on weight.  If that is the case, switch.  Otherwise, eat healthy & exercise.  

[tanns]

I agree.  It is a basic calories in versus calories out thing.  

I took Lexapro also, I lost weight at first too.  I think once it kicks in and you feel better, you eat.  Or some do.  Anyway, if you find yourself eating more, add more exercise.  The weight doesn't come on by itself in most people.  I think my doctor told me that although some people gain weight on SSRI's, it isn't because of the medicine directly, it's because they feel better, happier and eat more.  Very few, he said 2%, had unexplained weight gain.  

I didn't have any heart issues though, at least not related to the medicine.  I have a HUGE heart awareness issue and would have definitely noticed that.

Good luck to you!!!!

[tanns]

I think that you hear so much about SSRI's and weight gain because the people that are not gaining weight and doing okay are not spending as much time on the computer talking about it and trying to figure it out.  You will almost ALWAYS see more bad than good about something like that because the people that are still working through it and having problems are online.  The others have, luckily for them, have gone on!!  (I wish I was one of them!!!)

I'm sending good thoughts your way!

[fearfactor]

That is probably true about the people who are doing better just going on with life and not talking about it.  I am still going to try the Celexa.  I really do hope it works.  I workout and eat healthy anyway and maybe I will just be a little more vigilant, and avoid sugar, etc.  If it turns out bad, I can just stop.  Thanks, everyone.  I am just going through a rough patch right now but hope this medicine can help me.

[tanns]

I wish you the very best.  Have you taken an SSRI before?  When I started Lexapro the first 8 days were hard but after that I felt no side effects.  No insomnia, no dizziness or anything.  I went off of it because my chest weirdness wasn't going away and so I thought that the anxiety diagnosis was wrong.  I know now that I am having anxiety along with whatever is happening to my chest (I want to say heart but all my tests say it's okay!).

Again, good luck and keep us posted.

[worried412]

I just stopped taking celexa because i had a severe panic attack 5 days into it Do you think it was from the medication or in my head. It was the first anxiety attack i every had

[JENNIKM169]

I've been on Celexa for almost two years now.  It takes a few weeks for it to kick in full effect.  But once it did, I was so glad I tried it.  I had severe anxiety and mild depression that I no longer stuggle with and haven't in almost two years.  With any medication, it takes time to work.  If you were nervous about taking it, it very well could've been in you head.  Have you talked to the doctor that prescribed it?

[stef115]

Hello i am supposed to be trying celexa as well and i am so scared to try it so i have not done so yet the doc wants me to start out at 30 for 2 weeks then go to 60mg i dont want to cause there are alot of side effects to the medications perhaps we are all stronger than we think and there are other ways to deal with this than to take these meds i dont know tho i might end up taking it depending on how i feel and stuff but them 2 things that u mentioned are scary to me as well i am already a lil over weight and i dont want to be more over weight i want to lose the weight u just keep us posted on how ur doing and if u tryed this please

[ruffles1]

stef115  Usually the doctor starts at a lower dose then increases. 30 mg. first go
seems a lot.


fearfactor  As for the weight part. Everyone does react differently to anti-depressants.
If you exercise .....like go for walks if you are not athletic and eat not too much
starchy foods or sweets it does help.

worried 412  It might be all in your head....anxiety is tricky ....the mind is very
powerful....maybe mention it to your doctor next visit.

[paula00750]

#1 - DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THE SIDE EFFECTS! seriously.
#2 - most antidepressant drugs cause weight gain.

I was on celexa for about 1.5y and gained around 50 pounds! I went from 130 - 180! The heaviest I ahve ever been and i feel like a big tub of goo. I feel unattractive and therefore do not put out the right vibes to meet anyone. I went from eating mcd's for breakfast/lunch/dinner to less than 1100 calories (mostly veggies and fruits) per day for about 3 months or so with exercise and i GAINED weight!!! I should've easily lost at least 5 pounds a month without exercise.

I have recently weened off the meds w/doc's guidance. But, i really feel i need to get back on. I really am tired of crying over commercials and anything touching. I've been able to manage the anger issues I had (which I think went back to my ex hubby) But i can't deal with the weight gain. there's nothing worse than being on antidepressants and being depressed.

FYI: Another side effect I experienced was acne. it's gotten much better.

Good luck! I would definitely say you NEED some kind of antidpressant. But, like my doc said, you may have to go through several before you find the right one.