Coming off Celexa

[LIZ1971]

My Dr. prescribed Celexa for anxiety from 20 mg to 30 mg to 40mg.  I find I am feeling worse and worse with each dosage increase.  I also take Ativan which helps greatly with the anxiety.  I would like to start weaning off the Celexa gradually but am not sure how to go about doing this.  I am confident that the Ativan is what I require for the anxiety.  As well, 5 years ago I suffered bilateral Pulmonary Embolisms (after having a PICC line removed after 6 months), is it true that Celexa can cause blood clots and PE's?  I really dont trust what I read on the internet other than this site.

Many thanks
Elizabeth

[birdie0907]

I see from your site that you go for days with no anxiety, so maybe you are right that Ativan is all you need. Be sure to explain all this to your doc. The doc started me on Ativan because I told her the problem wasn't constant, but that was just denial. My point is I am surprised that you are on Celexa if you have long problem-free periods.

[birdie0907]

Celexa is for long term use, but in my case that was about 9 months. I could have possibly quit earlier but after what I went through I didn't bother experimenting until I knew I was ready to quit.
Ativan is more for people who have an intermittent anxiety problem. My pharmacist said Ativan is the only drug that provides guaranteed anxiety relief, ...or something like that. I also thought you were only supposed to be on it for a certain time due to resistance buildup that might cause a problem if the anxiety builds up in future, but I might not be totally correct. You can check with your pharmacist about that kind of thing if you want info now, but that is just background info for when you see a Doc to figure what is best for you.
My doc said I needed something to get me off my depressed/anxiety combo mood and into a normal phase, so he started on Wellbutrin which didn't do the job after 2 months so I was then switched to Celexa which solved everything. I assume Celexa is your first med, so maybe your doc will consider trying you on another one as the effects can be different for different people.

[LeftCoastChick]

I should have asked is it your GP, Cardiologist or a Psychiatrist who prescribed the meds to you? I would really recommend seeing a Pdoc, anxiety is a complex beast, and there are a multitude of meds which can help, that a GP may not be aware of. I personally use Ativan as a last back up. I have a med on board that controls most of it.
If you dont' have a Pdoc, get a referral, it couldn't hurt.

[LeftCoastChick]

I hope this helps, and keep in touch :)

[LIZ1971]

Thank you so much!  I am Canadian as well.

[LeftCoastChick]

I would call your pharmacist, because this is a really complex question. Celexa can cause anxiety is some folks as well.

Here's a link an excellent website, it's Canadian. My country has much more guidelines to pass before drug approval.

http://chealth.canoe.ca/drug_info_details.asp?channel_id=0&relation_id=0&brand_name_id=1114&page_no=1