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Celexa Cold Turkey Withdrawal - I'm in hell
I started Celexa for "mild" anxiety and stress back in November. It gave me increased nervousness and anxiety from the start, but I decided to "tough it out" like so many people told me I should do and give it a chance to work. I only took it for 2 months. The anxiety that the drug caused seemed like it started to get better and then just hit me with panic attacks and crying spells that I did not have before taking this drug. I started on 20mg and only tolerated that for a few days and then dropped to 10mg for the remainder of the time I was on it. I only took 5mg for about the last few days I was on it. Anyways, my Dr. told me to just stop taking it, no taper.... and I was out of the med at that point also. That was 3 weeks ago. About 5 days after stopping, all hell broke loose in my mind/body. Here is what I'm experiencing: CONSTANT ANXIETY and nervousness, uncontrollable crying and feeling depressed, dry mouth, no appetite, diarrhea, can't concentrate. I also had a cold right after I stopped it, but that went away. I have xanax that was given to me to help while I "adjusted" to the drug in the first place. I went to the ER yesterday morning because I couldn't take it anymore and they did nothing for me. The Dr. told me that there was no magic pill that was going to fix this at this point and that I should take .5mg xanax 3 times a day for now. The anxiety and crying are so bad in the morning sometimes that I can barely function and get out of bed. I had a couple of days where I thought I felt some improvement, but it was short lived. A pyschiatrist at the hospital told the Dr. I dealt with he believes since I didn't tolerate the drug well to begin with, then quit cold turkey, and also I take Protonix which they said made the drug stay in me longer than normal is causing this, but offered no solution/time frame. I'm very sensitive to most drugs I've ever taken also. I don't want another to put another antidepressant in my body. Will this end? I'm so scared of how I feel right now. I feel extremely hopeless.
took 1 milligram klonopin today and have cried most of the day and been too tired to do anything
Hi there hon.
I'm so sorry you're going through this! You've really been through the ringer, haven't you?!
Good Doctors will absolutely run some tests to make sure a new onset of anxiety symptoms aren't related to a medical condition. There are many different common medical condition that can mimic anxiety (ie thyroid disorders, hormonal imbalances, etc).
I also agree that the doc should have tapered you off. Him not pushing a taper isn't totally outrageous, due to the fairly short time you were on it. Some people could have just stopped taking it at that point with no problems. Personally, from what you've described, it sounds like you may have been sensitive to the med to begin with, which would explain the more severe symptoms coming off of it.
The person who made the most sense, was the doc who said that unfortunately there is no magic pill for this at this point, you just sort of have to give it some time (which totally stinks I know!!!). That's the most honest guidance you have gotten! Even the Klonopin and Xanax will only help to a point..they will help with the anxiety symptoms, but the emotional labilty (crying jags) will take some time.
Who diagnosed you as having a panic disorder? Are you being managed by a psychiatrist? I think it's very premature to make that determination, considering a good bit of what you're going through is directly related to the med. Down the line, if panic symptoms persist, you MAY indeed find out you're contending with PD, but I agree completely that for now...it's premature. After you get to feeling better...find a psychiatrist to thoroughly assess you...your therapist could recommend one I'm sure, then just ask your PCP for a referral.
Here's my suggestions. Continue to take the anti-anxiety meds as prescribed, they WILL help you to a point. You WILL gradually start feeling better, but it may take a little time. Being patient will be a Godsend, as hard as that is (I don't say that as if it's supposed to be easy, trust me!)
I would bet that in another 2-3 weeks, you'll notice a significant improvement, but as for getting back to baseline? That may take a little longer. The VERY best thing you can do, believe it or not..is continue to go about your daily life...go to work, take care of the house...whatever you normally do...keep yourself as busy as possible. You're probably thinking.."are you CRAZY nursegirl? I can't stop crying!!". I'm NOT saying this will be easy, but it WILL help. Stock up on tissues...and try to keep yourself busy. The very thing anxiety thrives on is us focusing on it. We condition ourselves to feel worse by worrying. Meaning, the more you concentrate and stress about how you're feeling, the more likely the anxiety will just continue to feed off those emotions...therefore, your progress will be affected. I've seen people who have still felt horrible months later after similar situations. The med was long gone, but they continued to overanalyze everything...and focus on how they felt to an extreme. Once they threw themselves back into life...they started noticing improvements. If you can start doing this now...you may be able to speed up this "recovery" process.
Therapy is awesome..I'm so glad to hear you're doing that. That would be my other recommendation. Therapy will help you to cope with this...and teach you ways to stop that anxious cycle of thinking.
I'm truly so sorry for what you're going through...just try to remain positive (as hard as that is, I know)..and keep telling yourself this is ONLY temporary..you WILL be feeling better in short order. Try to get some exercise, even if it's just a brisk walk every day. Exercise helps with anxiety a lot.
I hope you're feeling better very soon. Know that we're here for you..you're far from alone. If you haven't yet...check out our anxiety forum for some input on different ways people manage their anxiety. Lots of great people over there too...all in the same (crappy) boat.
You're in my thoughts.
I'm so sorry you're going through this! You've really been through the ringer, haven't you?!
Good Doctors will absolutely run some tests to make sure a new onset of anxiety symptoms aren't related to a medical condition. There are many different common medical condition that can mimic anxiety (ie thyroid disorders, hormonal imbalances, etc).
I also agree that the doc should have tapered you off. Him not pushing a taper isn't totally outrageous, due to the fairly short time you were on it. Some people could have just stopped taking it at that point with no problems. Personally, from what you've described, it sounds like you may have been sensitive to the med to begin with, which would explain the more severe symptoms coming off of it.
The person who made the most sense, was the doc who said that unfortunately there is no magic pill for this at this point, you just sort of have to give it some time (which totally stinks I know!!!). That's the most honest guidance you have gotten! Even the Klonopin and Xanax will only help to a point..they will help with the anxiety symptoms, but the emotional labilty (crying jags) will take some time.
Who diagnosed you as having a panic disorder? Are you being managed by a psychiatrist? I think it's very premature to make that determination, considering a good bit of what you're going through is directly related to the med. Down the line, if panic symptoms persist, you MAY indeed find out you're contending with PD, but I agree completely that for now...it's premature. After you get to feeling better...find a psychiatrist to thoroughly assess you...your therapist could recommend one I'm sure, then just ask your PCP for a referral.
Here's my suggestions. Continue to take the anti-anxiety meds as prescribed, they WILL help you to a point. You WILL gradually start feeling better, but it may take a little time. Being patient will be a Godsend, as hard as that is (I don't say that as if it's supposed to be easy, trust me!)
I would bet that in another 2-3 weeks, you'll notice a significant improvement, but as for getting back to baseline? That may take a little longer. The VERY best thing you can do, believe it or not..is continue to go about your daily life...go to work, take care of the house...whatever you normally do...keep yourself as busy as possible. You're probably thinking.."are you CRAZY nursegirl? I can't stop crying!!". I'm NOT saying this will be easy, but it WILL help. Stock up on tissues...and try to keep yourself busy. The very thing anxiety thrives on is us focusing on it. We condition ourselves to feel worse by worrying. Meaning, the more you concentrate and stress about how you're feeling, the more likely the anxiety will just continue to feed off those emotions...therefore, your progress will be affected. I've seen people who have still felt horrible months later after similar situations. The med was long gone, but they continued to overanalyze everything...and focus on how they felt to an extreme. Once they threw themselves back into life...they started noticing improvements. If you can start doing this now...you may be able to speed up this "recovery" process.
Therapy is awesome..I'm so glad to hear you're doing that. That would be my other recommendation. Therapy will help you to cope with this...and teach you ways to stop that anxious cycle of thinking.
I'm truly so sorry for what you're going through...just try to remain positive (as hard as that is, I know)..and keep telling yourself this is ONLY temporary..you WILL be feeling better in short order. Try to get some exercise, even if it's just a brisk walk every day. Exercise helps with anxiety a lot.
I hope you're feeling better very soon. Know that we're here for you..you're far from alone. If you haven't yet...check out our anxiety forum for some input on different ways people manage their anxiety. Lots of great people over there too...all in the same (crappy) boat.
You're in my thoughts.
Thank you so much for your in depth reply.....I really appreciate it more than you know.
Should I try to stay off antidepressants? The klonopin they switched me to is making me feel irritated and depressed and tired all day. It's helping the anxiety, but causing a new problem. I lowered down to .5mg twice a day (started at 1mg twice a day) because at 1mg I felt really depressed and was crying alot. Been on it for about 6 days. The .5 is a little better as far as the tiredness, but I still have that empty depressed feeling inside...not crying as much, but crying while I'm writing this :(. I was on xanax for a few months before switching to klonopin because of what the celexa did to me but he thought klonopin would be better since it works longer and I was back to having anxiety once the xanax would wear off. For the past few weeks I was taking an average of between 1mg and 2mg of xanax a day before switching to klonopin....before that I was probably taking 1mg a day. I was EXTREMELY sensitive to the celexa, which is why I stopped after 2 months. My dr. doesn't seem to think it's withdrawal because he said he's never had a patient react that way to it. I have NEVER had anxiety like this before I started on all this medicine. I was only on xanax as needed for mild anxiety before all of this (probably used it once or twice a week), and now I'm on a benzo daily and terrified of what's going to happen when I stop taking it. I don't know what emotions are mine, the klonopin, or possibly still the celexa withdrawal. I'm very sensitive to medicines usually no matter what it is.
I'm seeing my primary care dr. this week about bloodwork that showed I'm anemic and will tell him about the klonopin making me feel depressed. No idea why I'm anemic. I'm hoping maybe just because I have heavy periods or at least something not serious. Wish they would've done bloodwork before I ever agreed to take any medication. I wish I never went down the medication road and I don't know what to do from here. I didn't feel horrible like this when I initially asked for something to help with mild stress/anxiety and now everything has snowballed and I don't know how to get out of it. I feel like I'm in some kind of medication trap. I don't even know at what point it's safe to try stopping the benzos. I never planned on using them daily for this long. I'm really just so scared and confused of how to get out of this mess.
I had breast cancer when I was 31 and I haven't felt this bad since that happened. I am trying to do things around the house (I work from home) like light cleaning, laundry, riding exercise bike, but nothing seems to help make me feel better. I just want this to stop and I'm scared that if I start trying more antidepressants I'll end up in a bigger mess. Can you tell I have anxiety about everything at this point?? :) I wish I could turn back the clock a few months. I would have tried therapy before even considering my Dr's offer for medicine. I feel hopeless right now.
Should I try to stay off antidepressants? The klonopin they switched me to is making me feel irritated and depressed and tired all day. It's helping the anxiety, but causing a new problem. I lowered down to .5mg twice a day (started at 1mg twice a day) because at 1mg I felt really depressed and was crying alot. Been on it for about 6 days. The .5 is a little better as far as the tiredness, but I still have that empty depressed feeling inside...not crying as much, but crying while I'm writing this :(. I was on xanax for a few months before switching to klonopin because of what the celexa did to me but he thought klonopin would be better since it works longer and I was back to having anxiety once the xanax would wear off. For the past few weeks I was taking an average of between 1mg and 2mg of xanax a day before switching to klonopin....before that I was probably taking 1mg a day. I was EXTREMELY sensitive to the celexa, which is why I stopped after 2 months. My dr. doesn't seem to think it's withdrawal because he said he's never had a patient react that way to it. I have NEVER had anxiety like this before I started on all this medicine. I was only on xanax as needed for mild anxiety before all of this (probably used it once or twice a week), and now I'm on a benzo daily and terrified of what's going to happen when I stop taking it. I don't know what emotions are mine, the klonopin, or possibly still the celexa withdrawal. I'm very sensitive to medicines usually no matter what it is.
I'm seeing my primary care dr. this week about bloodwork that showed I'm anemic and will tell him about the klonopin making me feel depressed. No idea why I'm anemic. I'm hoping maybe just because I have heavy periods or at least something not serious. Wish they would've done bloodwork before I ever agreed to take any medication. I wish I never went down the medication road and I don't know what to do from here. I didn't feel horrible like this when I initially asked for something to help with mild stress/anxiety and now everything has snowballed and I don't know how to get out of it. I feel like I'm in some kind of medication trap. I don't even know at what point it's safe to try stopping the benzos. I never planned on using them daily for this long. I'm really just so scared and confused of how to get out of this mess.
I had breast cancer when I was 31 and I haven't felt this bad since that happened. I am trying to do things around the house (I work from home) like light cleaning, laundry, riding exercise bike, but nothing seems to help make me feel better. I just want this to stop and I'm scared that if I start trying more antidepressants I'll end up in a bigger mess. Can you tell I have anxiety about everything at this point?? :) I wish I could turn back the clock a few months. I would have tried therapy before even considering my Dr's offer for medicine. I feel hopeless right now.
1 Comments
Do not take the klonopin, I am coming off of celexa, klonopin,and topamate and I want to scream,,. I feel like I am actually losing my mind. I have, crying spells, angry fits, heart racing, insominia . My hand shakes .I have tremors, these medications are dangerous
I think Therapy would help you out with your anxiety. I would try to start as soon as you can. Some meds can take longer to get out of your body than others. Not all antidepressants work for people, some are med resistant. When you do decide to quit taking Klonipin/Xanax, taper off very slowly, this will lessen the withdraws or you may not even have any if you do it very slowly. I too am very sensitive to meds and my reactions seem to be worse than other peoples. If you don't want to try any more antidepressants, you have other choices, such as mood stabilizers and more. It's your choice to take meds or not. Although you are going thru a difficult time, you still seem to be strong andI feel confident you'll make the decision that's best for you.
It's possible the residual Xanax in your system, withdraw, immediately following having taken the Klonipin could cause cause some side effects as well as the Celexa. For me, i can take Klonipin without a problem but I cannot take Xanax. Go figure. Everyone is different and those of us who are so sensitive to meds seem to be on a different path than others. Give Therapy a good try, you have nothing to loose and possibly a lot to gain. Crystal
It's possible the residual Xanax in your system, withdraw, immediately following having taken the Klonipin could cause cause some side effects as well as the Celexa. For me, i can take Klonipin without a problem but I cannot take Xanax. Go figure. Everyone is different and those of us who are so sensitive to meds seem to be on a different path than others. Give Therapy a good try, you have nothing to loose and possibly a lot to gain. Crystal
One more thought. Since you are going back to the dr, ask that they check your Thyroid, vitamin b's and vitamin d. Thyroid issues can contribute to depression and being deficient in these vitamins can contribute to depression. I had a problem with these. Taking fish oil (no mercury in it) can help a lot too. Take care, Crystal
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