Memory 'glitches'

[Anne]

I have been on Celexa for a couple of months, after having been on Zoloft then Paxil for a couple of years. Since have been on Celexa, am very forgetful and have some word-finding difficulty. Have also had 2 panic attacks in a week after not having had panic or anxiety for about 3 years. Am very fixated on death and dying and loss and am feeling pretty shaky about it. I keep trying to think rationally, but that's not always easy and doesn't always help! My pastor told me something about "annual disease" - depression and grief, etc., that occur the same time each year after a traumatic experience (like loss of a loved one - my mother died 2 years ago May 24 from a rare disease - cardiac amyloid). Is that for real? I just keep getting horrible lightheadedness and heat down my back and arms and just ridiculous thoughts. I'm only 33 and really want to LIVE! I'd be so grateful for any info!

[HFHS-M.D.-HG]

Dear Anne
It is true that some people with traumatic experience can re-experience the emotions every year at the same time the incident had occurred. Symptoms of depression and anxiety can worsen around that time period.

I am not sure how much of celexa you are taking per day. If you are unable to tolerate the medication, you may want to discuss other options available with your Psychiatrist. Medications such as Prozac, Luvox, Benzodiazepines, MAOI’s (Mono Amino Oxidase Inhibitors) Tricyclic anti depressants are shown to be effective in the treatment of panic disorder. Combination of medications and cognitive behavioral therapy will be very effective.
Sincerely
HFHS-M.D.

[barbara to pain and lortab]

I too am on Celexa and now I feel my mind wandering into nowhere-land.

I went into the psych ward one week ago for alcohol detox and find myself going nuttier than then nuts already there. Many of them are court ordered violent offenders mixed with the suicidal people etc. I find myself feeling very homicidal and have wanted to kill some of these people. I entered on my own free will and my brain is now like scrambled eggs. I can't even concentrate on TV, reading or writing anything. I just sit and think about dying!

I am taking 1 1/4 Klonopin every four hours to fight the alcohol withdrawal, seizures and DT's and to calm down. Surprisingly I have been barely able perform my work. They allow work passes for me. When I was drinking I could get things done and think logically most of the time unless I was hammered of course.

Now I can barely function and see no future, I don't know where to go from here. I should be out of detox in a few days but now the deep depression is hitting after the withdrawal which is almost just as bad.

Sorry for the babbling, but maybe the Celexa has soemthing to do with it, similar to your sudden confusion and forgetfulness.

[Silent all these years]

Barbara,
I doubt it is the medication that is making your brains feel like scrambled eggs. Your brain was used to functioning with alcohol fueling it; now it is trying to get by on plain old air, water and cornflakes like it used to. Detox isn't enough, you need some treatment to work out whatever it was that made daily doses of anesthesia necessary to function in your life. Don't let the court-ordered homocidal maniacs discourage you from getting yourself the help you need. If you opt-out now you'll just end up starting over from a lower hole later on, if you're lucky.

[barbara to pain and lortab]

Thanks for the advice. I stuck out the ten day detox and now feel much better. I am still on the 7 1/4 mg of Klonopin a day split up every four hours. My brain is no longer scrambled.

The minor delirium from the withdrawal is gone and now I am functioning well. My psychiatrist wants me to stay at the Klonopin dose for a couple of more weeks until the Celexa is clearly controlling my anxiety, OCD and panic disorders. Then she will do a slow taper off the Klonopin until I am off it completely.

My psychiatrist is ordering a sleep specialist for me when he arrives in a few weeks since she thinks that sleep apnea is a major problem as well.

I have no more desire to drink at this time and am once again attending A.A. on a daily basis.

Thanks for your concern.

[Silent all these years]

Glad to hear that you are unscrambled. Don't stop, you're on the right track. One minute at a time, if one day seems like too much to tackle!!!

[barbara to pain and lortab]

Thanks for the nice comment. Yes one minute or day at a time!