Anyone else on Celexa?

[glamazon]

I finally broke down and started an AD called Celexa last night, a 20mg dose. As a result I got maybe 4 hours of sleep (2 + 2) and I feel weird today. I have had the following suggestions made to me: (A) take it in the AM so the insomnia doesn't rob me of sleep and (B) cut back to a 10mg dose to see if I get relief from that dosage.

Anyone else have expereince with Celexa?

Thanks!

Christine

[RobinV]

Taking a AD was a big step for me too. To look at me you'd think that everything in my life is great, so I felt "guilty" for feeling this way. I just started Celexa almost 2 weeks ago - aside from feeling a little heavy headed at first there have been no real side effects. What I'm concerned about is they don't appear to be working yet - I'm still feeling the same. Any comments?

[kathyf]

I started taking Celexa after one month on treatment and it helped me so much! I took it in the morning and never had a problem sleeping. I had to increase my dosage twice while on treatment. Prior to taking Celexa, I had a really negative attitude about anti-depressants, but I can't beleive what a difference it made. I slowly decreased my dosage after tx and I feel great now, being off it.

Kathy

[latrobe]

i've been thinking about what you called isolating yourself on purpose and feeling better when you are alone. sometimes that's all  it is--and not depression.  lif you feel better, and less stressed alone, it might be time to ook into the FMLA and take some time.  a lot of us do feel better if we can heal in solitude.  this disease and treatment makes us all vunerable, and soemtimes just being alone can really help. your body and mind are fighting hard to get well. ther's a limit to the energy we hace...taking a break is not such a bad thing. being kind to your self is good.
take care, christine.
macky

[BillyV102]

Give it a while to build up in your system. That is the only Anti-Depress. I have taken besides Paxil.  That caused some wierd dreams.  I do like Celexa and were no real side effects on it for me.  Ask your Dr. about taking it at bed time until it build up.  To be safe with any medication you take, make sure to
inform your Dr first and let him or her no what else you are taking. Some drugs have problems if nixed with other drugs. You didn't break down and start taking anti-depress. You finally acknowledged that they may help.  Good luck to all.

[Revenire]

I work in telecom, used to work IT -- they are both two shaky industries. The people doing hiring for either of them have their pick of the top talent, for lower pay they want more skills, etc. The comes the news that they are moving your jobs to India or somewhere that they don't have the same labor costs. I am sure you know all this.

I have used FMLA to cover myself at work. That way the company can't use the time away against you. I've had to take maybe 4-6 days off in 8+ months, mainly due to fatigue.

[glamazon]

I agree that "breaking down" is not the greatest characterization, however, I have been trying to avoid ADs (see thread "Alternative to Antidepressants" for some time. However when I caught myself isolating on purpose and noticed how much better I felt when I was by myself, I realized that as a danger signal.

My therapist suggested I might try starting with a 10 mg dose and seeing if I get enough relief from that. I can always go back to the full 20mg pill if it proves insufficient. My #1 concern (after alleviating the severe depression) is being able to function at work. Taking disability is not something I would do lightly; I work in the IT industry, and people's jobs are being exported overseas every day.

Christine

[latrobe]

i take celexa and i find it helpful.  i always take it early in the day... AD's take a while to get into the brain part that it works on--though it took me about three days--it can take weeks.
i started on twenty mgs, but went up to 40mg an stayed there...

try taking it in the morning...and give it some time.
i agree with "minnie"--taking an D is not breaking down.  breaking down is when you don't deal with the depression and try to deny it and the whole thing comes crashing down...you're jsut being pro-active
best,
-m

[minneapolis]

using an anti-depressant is not breaking down. call the dr before making any dosage changes. and ask them about a good time to take it. me, i take it at 5 am with the ribavirin. lynn