Progress report – quit Celexa

I'm in week 52 of 72. If you go back and read my posts, you'll see that the treatment hit me about as hard as anyone about two months in. Dropped a ton of weight, couldn't eat, brain fog, major depression, yada yada. I had not chosen to go on an AD at the start since I'd never suffered from major depression. Went on it once things got bad and considered it a lifesaver.

However, I stopped taking the Celexa a week ago. Since my low point things have improved dramatically. My main tx at this point are fatigue and dryness. But it's manageable. I've even gained back some of the weight I lost.

Why did I go off the Celexa? I don't really know. I'm feeling pretty good these days. I run a small business and I think I was concerned that I was a little too laid back and lacking in drive. Plus it's another drug. One day, I just skipped taking it and haven't taken it since. I didn't ask my hepatologist. He'd be really worthless on an issue like this. I figure if things get bad I can always go back on it.

I'll let you know in a few weeks how things have gone. For now, the major impacts are that I have insomnia bigtime, and I'm actually a bit manic and energized. Makes sense that if the drug has some effect that going off it would change body chemistry. But so far I'm happy with my decision. I feel some good old fashioned anxiety creeping back into my life. Nothing unmanageable but the sort of thing I used to feel before going on the drug. I feel more like myself. Thought some of you folks might be interested since ADs are a pretty constant topic on the board.

[Trinity4]

Glad the Ad's gave you some relief.  You know your body and mind better than anyone so you know when it's time to quit.  Ad's should not be considered a prerequisite to treating.  There was a discussion some time ago and one member believed EVERYONE should be required to take an Ad prior to starting and during treatment.  That's just bunk!  If that were the case I would have been on them needlessly as I have never experienced depression on treatment that required medication.  I've had my moments, but nothing extreme.  My experience with Ad's at one point in my life was more like a trade-off.  No highs, no lows, no nothing.  Flat....plus I was extremely unmotivated and tired all the time.  They would never work in my case.  We all should have the good sense to know when it's time to make changes and that includes when to start and when to stop the AD's.  Sounds like you've got a good grip on that Marc.  Good Luck.  You're right about the anxiety in life, it's always been a part of my life whether it was on a personal or professional level.  Haven't ever figured out a way to eliminate it yet.
Trin

[dorsey15]

I commend you on your decision to stop the AD's ...I spank you on your decision not to tell the hepatoligist that you were stopping them.  Most AD's need to be weened off since they cause crazyyyyy emotional problems when stopping them abruttly. Depending on how long you were on them YOU really needed to be weened off them...
I hope that you will continue to FEEL --oh and oops feel better that you're not on the AD's. They have their own set of side affects we really don't need; but you know my story --I have to take a handful a day...just to stay a live.
I miss talking to you...I don't get on line as much...trying to adjust my phyc meds --hee hee...I'm in a full blown bipolar relapse...so I'm real crazy right now.
Love ya Marc--hope you have a blessed day today!!! Dorsey

[nygirl7]

I'm just sort of confused, you found major relief with them and still have five months to go.  Considering they take about a month to really get into your system and working, it seems like a big gamble to take without telling the doctor. I mean you were having some pretty tough symptoms there........it's not like taking one day here or there will change anything (skipping days - they do have a long half life) it does take time for them to work and then to come out of your system as well.


I don't know, to me it makes no sense but everybody is different.  I just consider the whole point of taking them is that you want to feel normal and now you did.....and you stopped?  Five months is a long time....maybe I'm just a big baby but I woudln't have stopped that early since you are going to have having five more months of interferon going on.

Good luck Marc.  I would at least tell the doc that you stopped taking them.

[meakea]

Congrats on being on week 52!!!  I'm at week 19/48 so you are a warrior in my book!!

I'm always interested to read about someone's experience with or without ADs.  Glad you are doing okay without it but, as dorsey said, you probably should have weaned off it...but you are obviously doing well without doing it that way.

I tried two different ADs (Celexa and Zoloft) because I was having a little anxiety during my first 4 wks on TX and my NP thought I should try an AD.  Both of those drugs made me sicker than the tx meds so I chose not to take them.  I am doing well without ADs except I do have a bit of anxiety now and then which is helped tremendously by Xanax.  My NP seems very leary of giving me Xanax (even though I've never ever had a drug problem) and she'll only give me 12/month so I'm pretty stingy with them.

If intermittent anxiety becomes an issue for you, mention Xanax to your doc.  It's taken only when needed...not a daily pill.

Best of luck to you!!

[granitekonig]

Marc, excellent post. Your concern with the AD's effect and your recognition of your own manic states and how anxiety can be GOOD and a natural aspect of one's mind is refreshing and comes from good self awareness. I'm interested in how you feel after a week or two of being off the AD's as I think your personality is pretty similar to mine.

[Marc1955]

One point of clarification – I spoke to my hepatologist a few months ago about the issue of weaning myself off the ADs, because it was my understanding that this was necessary. He said that you just stop them cold turkey. He's just a cowboy and not a very good doctor. I'm planning on sticking with him until the end of treatment, but regardless of the outcome, I'll switch to someone else for future care. I don't think it makes sense switching at this time, since the treatment is tied up with my insurance coverage, etc.

NYGirl – I found major relief with the ADs, but the symptoms for which I went on them have virtually disappeared.

Thanks so much for your perspective. That's what makes this board so valuable. Obviously there is a limit to the information you can obtain from your own medical practitioners. This board provides a vital service.