Reactions to Celexa?

[Lizamum]

I just started taking celexa two days ago and have been feeling worse than ever. Yesterday I had some sort of sudden severe episode where my whole inside felt hot and it moved it's way up to the bottom of my mouth (can't really describe the feeling in my mouth-kind of fuzzy, slighlty tingly). I felt "not right" and was certain I was about to pass out. It was more terrifying than any panic attack I had.  I also felt like I was slowly rocking and swaying.  I'm wondering if I took my meds to close together(first pill friday @ 6pm and the next on saturday at 8am).  It's now sunday 1pm and I haven't taken any more pills but am still getting weird sensations all over and feeling really anxious. Have decided maybe these pills aren't for me and am not taking any more. Anyone else having trouble with celexa?  Thanks

[79miriam]

i took celexia on friday and saturday and yesterday i felt worse than ever i felt like i was going through menopause and i had extreme fear while driving, for now im just taking xanax here and there and i took paxil but i felt more depressed, but slowly coming off, i did have some depression last week, i dont want to take anything anymore i was fine before i took all these different meds..im tring to keep busy, i have 3 kids and my husband and church to help me with depression.

[aj675]

i started celexa 6 weeks ago at 10mg then after a week 20 mg,,,before i started i wasnt having actual anxiety attacks but was very anxious..after upping my dose to 20mg after about 2 weeks i started having anxiety attacks!!! So my doctor upped it to 30mg almost 2 weeks ago and ive felt awful, depressed anxious, racing thoughts...i dont know what to do. will this pass? am i on too much? not enough? is this medicine making me worse? please help

[tbear104]

I have been on Celexa for  A month now 2 weeks ago I was moved from 20 to 40 mil and I am having one hell of a time sleeping. I typically take my meds between 8-9 am and at noon I am fighting to stay awake so  I walk around pushing through.  Then at between 5 & 6 I am exhausted and all I want to do is sleep again I push through it.  Then when it is time to go to bed I am wide awake.  Does that go away cause right now I have no energy to do anything and I have family with a 2 yr that I need to be present for.

[westtowngirl24]

It is absolutely NOT okay to start and stop a drug like Celexa (or any SRI) on your own without the direction of a doctor.  The side effects of that behavior can be far more dangerous than the side effects you may have using the drug as prescribed.  If you don't have a doctor that you feel comfortable calling or visiting to discuss your side effects then you need a new doctor.  When using pharmaceuticals to treat such serious problems like anxiety and depression is serious- maybe if you discuss with your doctor before starting a new drug different scenarios that you are concerned about it would prevent some of the horrible things you are experiencing- for example when you see your doctor ask "if i take this and i feel worse and/or just terrible/zombie-like/depressed/ etc what do I do?  Maybe starting on an introductory dose will allow you to become aware of your side effects on a particular medication at a weaker level; if the side effects aren't too severe keep a journal of how your medication is affecting you (times and descriptions) and take that to your doctor- an adjustment of dosage, dosing time, or the drug itself may eliminate the issue and allow you to experience the relief you are seeking.
Also, for those who are searching the internet for information on people's experiences with Celexa I would just like to say that the drug has helped me turn my life of isolation and panic attacks into one where I live normally and happily.  I have experienced some diarrhea and drowsiness on a 20 mg dose but that has become rare after about 2 months of use, also adjusting the time of day that you take your meds can make a world of difference.  I was like a zombie from 12- 3 every day for about a week (a problem when youre at work) but not sleeping well.  I changed my dosage time from 5-6pm to 7-8am and not only do I sleep great, my energy level is stable all day.
Then again- my brother in law tried Celexa and it gave him severe depression- he consulted his doctor and they made a safe switch to a better matched drug for him (no withdrawal, limited time during which he was untreated and depressed, and a physician monitored his progress).  Unless (and even if) you are a physician yourself, you have to consult one before making decisions about prescription drug use!!!

[sarahjane905]

I am so upset, but so glad I found all of you at the same time. I just had my dose of celexa increased from 10mg. to 20mg. and had an awful reaction and thought it was all me. An intense fear came over me, I became delusional, thinking something terrible was about to happen. Every thought that came into my head was fearful. This lasted intensley for 2 days and is now tapering off, but slowly. Today is the sixth day. I've had a euphoric feeling off and on throughout the day followed by heavy drowsiness. I haven't taken the medication since the day it started six days ago. I don't know what to do. I'm obviously going to speak to my doctor about it, but I'm waiting to feel a little more comfortable with bringing the whole thing up. I'm gathering my thoughts and such. Everyone, your not alone, these symptoms are real. Thankyou for your posts in helping me realize this.

[MMomma]

I also started celaxe about 5 days ago... Since then i have been getting wierd "burning sentstations in my head along with a feeling in my neck like i can;'t control it.. My head hets so bad were i can't focus and I feel like i can;t focus or anything..I thought i was having a anurism or something.. it freaked me out.Anybody else get this?