Celexa? any oppinions?

[EMT9549]

I was just curious if anyone had some good experiences, or bad... while taking Celexa...? any withdrawal symptoms?

[Paxiled]

Has anyone ever switched from Lexapro to Celexa?  I'm trying to come back from an extreme case of Paxil withdrawal that wasn't treated correctly by my health plan shrink.  I've been on Lexapro and it hasn't worked very well for all these new symptoms I have that I never had before, and a psychiatrist I see on my own dime suggested Celexa does affect people differently than Lexapro even though my health plan shrink says they're the same thing in essence.  Has anyone had experience of being on both?

[ourzeitgeist]

I began taking Celexa for anxiety and depression three months ago. The first week of adjustment was hell, and I dropped 10 lbs in 6 days, but once I got adjusted the effects were amazing. With the exception of a slightly intoxicated feeling behind my eyes, I was completely symptom-free and very excited at the results.  About 6 weeks in, however, my anxiety began to come back. A skipped my dose for a day and, like you, felt much better.  My doctor upped my dosage to 30mg a day, and my depression came back worse than I'd ever had it, to the point that I tried to harm myself.  After that episode, I went back down on the dosage, and about that time skipped again for two days.  Once again I felt better when not on the medication.  I realized that, while I was symptom-free, I also wasn't myself any longer. 9 days ago I quite Celexa cold turkey, and for the first week I was doing amazingly well, better than when I was on the medication.  With the exception of increased dizziness, nausea, and overwhelming attack of stomach pain and headache with symptoms of a blackout, it was good. The withdrawal symptoms have already begun to get better, but my depression and anxiety are back full force.  Funny thing is, I had forgotten what it was like to be in my own head without the drugs, and I don't think I'll be going back on medication ever again.

It's hard to say one way or another what your experience will be, because as I have found in these forums and through my psychiatrist, EVERYONE has a different experience. I hope your continues to be a good one.

:)

[Sue357]

Hi.  I have been on meds for years.  I am a clinical depressive, having my first episode at age 9.  I have been on several meds, as well as meds for anxiety as I have GAD, too.  A year ago, my doc switched me from Celexa to Zoloft( which I had been on for years, since the mid 90s).  Well, we just switched back as I experienced what he called " Zoloft failure".  In a year, I went from 50 mg to 200 mg ( max dose) and was miserable.  I just switched back to Celexa, about 2 weeks ago and am already feeling better.  .  I also take Klonopin ( .5 mg three times a day ) for the anxiety.  The only side effect I am experiencing with the Celexa is some constipation, at times, but I can handle that.  I had colon surgery, 7 months ago, so this is nothing new...lol..BTW, I think the surgery is what caused the GAD to come to light....anyway, I hope this helps.

[EMT9549]

Yes celexa has for sure helped me... but the funny thing is that when i didnt take it for two days I almost felt alot better... and yes insomnia was a huge side effect for me it sucked.. i had really bad stomach aches and very vivid dreams which is normal for any ssri... anyway i can still orgasm but i feel like its not as good as it was before i started taking celexa... if that makes sence.. lol

[toomuchmoney]

I am just started on weaning from tramadol. I am prescribed. Xanax and Celexa. I never started the celexa because the scare of SSRI syndrome. To much seretonin release. do you like Celexa had helped you.

[linzedot]

Since this post, have you started taking the celexa? I took it for one month two months ago. The only symptoms I had were trouble sleeping and I could not orgasm. It helped me with anxiety though and when I got angry, I did not get as agitated as usual. I then tried zoloft and experienced the same symptoms only worse insomnia and I didn't feel like it helped my anxiety. Oh, and I did not have withdrawl symptoms.