Celexa

[Shannon Wyatt]

Folks, I've just started taking 20mg of Celexa -- have been on 10mg for the past week in order to get used to the medication (per my doctor).  I'm taking this both for depression and anxiety.  I have to say after a week on the medication @ 10mg -- that I'm having these flashes of normalcy -- where life seems ok and right -- like I'm  back to normal.  But then they go eventually.  Usually I get these flashes in the evening/night -- but when I wake up in the morning, they are gone.  Mornings are rough for me anyway.  I'm curious if anyone has experienced this?  Do you think it is just the medication working, albeit slowly?  Or something else?  Thanks!  Shannon

[Maximized702]

Hey there. I started on 20mg and now I;m up to 40 and its been a few months. I still have hardcore anxiety and panic. The panic lingers over my head all day. I dont know whats wrong. It really ***** to constantly fear that something is gonna happen to you.

[shell123609]

fear factor if i were you i would take it now i have not been taking it untill the last three days i freak out been to er 20 times and call the ambulance daily i dont like the way i feel with it but cant stand the way i feel without it

[Shannon Wyatt]

The only side effects I have had is dry mouth and head pressure (sorta like a very mild headache).  I think the trick is to start out small, say at 10mg for a week, then go to 20mg for a week -- and so on.  That way your body adjusts to the medication slowly without any huge side effects.   Good luck!

[fearfactor]

Good for you for feeling better!  My doctor has prescribed Celexa and I have the prescription filled and the bottle in my medicine cabinet but I'm too scared to take it!  Have you had any side effects?  I'm scared of having side effects, that is why I'm scared to take it.

[spade22]

It "typically" takes 1-2 weeks for Celexa to reach steady state concentration (it can take a longer or shorter period of time depending on the person though) so it is entirely possible it hasnt taken full effect yet.

Once ingested Celexa takes, on "average", 4-6 hours to "kick in" (during the period BEFORE it reaches a  steady state concentration).  If you take it in the morning and feel "normal" during the evening/night it could be the effect of the medicine peaking - this effect which will wear off by the morning so you will feel anxious again.  Once the Celexa has reached a steady-state concentration in your system you shouldnt experience this plateau-like effect.

[Shannon Wyatt]

I take my Celexa first thing in the morning.  I don't have trouble falling asleep, but I wake up very early -- very anxious -- and usually can't go back to sleep.  I yawn alot during the day too.  Hopefully it is just the SSRI taking a while to kick in.  Granted it has only been 10 days -- but I was so elated yesterday (Saturday) when part of the day was normal to me -- but deflated today (Sunday) when I did not experience anything.

[spade22]

Shannon,

what time of the day are you taking the Celexa?

[Raine9]

Probably the med working slowly.  SSRIs usually takes a bit to kick in.  So you didn't experience insomnia?  Man when I took it many years ago, I didn't sleep the first week!  It was awful!