celexa for arrhythmia?

[nancy]

I have been prescribed Celexa because I have severe anxiety because of my PVC's and short runs of v-tach.  I have a normal heart so my EP doctor says he is not overly concerned about the short runs of v-tach.  He has stated that he thinks I have an abnormal response to my irregular beating. I don't do well on beta blockers or calcium channel blockers and don't want to go on anti-arrhythmic meds.

Could you please tell me if you think this is a good choice of drug for anxiety due to arrhythmia?

Thank you for a great forum.

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

I have not personally prescribed Celexa, but it belongs to a class of antidepressant medications that is believed to be relatively safe for the heart. As such, it may be useful for the treatment of anxiety/depression due to any cause. I would not say that any antidepressant or anti-aniety medication is specific for the treatment of anxiety asociated with arrhythmia, though.

[Cynthia]

I too am taking Celexa for anxiety associated with Afib and Aflutter that I was diagnosed with 2 years ago.  I was such a nervous wreck about my arrythmia all the time that I was  not able to function and started having severe panic attacks.  The Celexa has worked wonders for me. It helped break the vicious cycle that I was in of having an arrythmia attack, panicking about it which made the arrythmia worse, which made the anxiety worse and son on... I still notice if and when I have arrythmia, but I am not panicked about it anymore.  I can acknowledge that it is happening and go on with my life.

I am also taking Rhytmol, Cardizem and Digoxin for my arrythmia and Celexa doesn't seem to affect the other drugs in any way.

[bexter12]

A related discussion, Celexa for treatment of arrhythmia? was started.