Weaning off Celexa and it's Side Effects

[LIZ1971]

My Dr. prescribed Celexa for anxiety from 20 mg to 30 mg to 40mg.  I find I am feeling worse and worse with each dosage increase is this normal.  I find i'm continually crying, feeling really down etc.. I've never suffered from depression only anxiety.   I also take Ativan which helps greatly with the anxiety.  I would like to start weaning off the Celexa gradually but am not sure how to go about doing this.  I am confident that the Ativan is what I require for the anxiety.  As well, 5 years ago I suffered bilateral Pulmonary Embolisms (after having a PICC line removed after 6 months), is it true that Celexa can cause blood clots and PE's?  I really dont trust what I read on the internet other than this site.  Your assistance is most appreciated.

Many thanks
Elizabeth

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Celexa can act both as a stimulant and also, with increase doses, something that interferes with your thinking, which might explain why you are feeling worse.  In consultation with your doctor you should think of weaning yourself of the medication over a three week period.  The first week go down to the lowest dose possible every day. the second week, that dose every second day; the third week, that dose every third day...then stop.

[Jaquta]

That's a great endorsement for this site!!  I enjoy having access to experts opinions too.

I can only speak from personal experience and that is that I personally felt worse when my dose of ciprimil was increased to 40 mg.  I didn't persevere with the dose or the medication so I couldn't say if the symptoms would have resolved themselves or not.
It's always a hard one when you're not feeling 100% and someone says to increase the dose which you feel is contributing to you not feeling well.

I think it is probably normal to experience side-effects after each initial increase but then I would expect you to build up a tolerance to them.  I expect you possibly had side-effects after you started with the 20 mg too.

Some practitioners are wary about the Ativan because they say it can become habit forming.  I don't think it was intended to be used long term.  Although it can be.

I haven't heard of this medication causing blood clots.  Your doctor should have been aware of your medical history though when prescribing it.  I don't think they would have given it to you if they thought there was a risk.  I would sincerely hope not anyway.
[My mother had pulmonary emboli after breaking her back which doctors said were as big as tennis balls.  She was on massive doses of warfrin for ages.]

I hope the doctor is able to offer you some reassurance.

J