Celexa (posted on the main board too, but wanted my VA friends feedback

hi,

has anyone taken Celexa for depression/anxiety?     Its sorta knocking me for a loop!    I started it on friday (along with a low dosage of valium....) and I had to actually cut the valium in half.    NEVER in my life have i taken anything for depression/anxiety/panic attacks, but found that I had to... going into work with the 'shakes/ and having these extreme mood swings are just too much to cope with.

So far today 4 people have asked me if i am ok.   Not sure if this roots from the days of when i was losing, but I am SUCH A PRIVATE person that it is making me so uncomfortable.    I find that on the weeknights/weekends I dont even want to leave my house (except for to walk my dog).

Its scary...... sometimes I wonder if the heavy/obese girl was more adjusted to life..... even though its been 4 years (3 since I was at goal)  i still hate it when i get attention.  

just looking for some feedback....... (so feed away...... NO PUN INTENDED!!)

hugs,
J.

Jill I have not taken Celexa for depression but I have been on various medications for depression and anxiety for 15 years.  I began having panic attacks after my 2nd child was born.  Had major depression after my third child was born.  I can tell you that when they work medications make life a lot easier.  Over the years I have tried different medications.  Some we discovered after a couple of weeks were not for me.  The goal is to make you feel "normal" not hyper or dazed.  Sometimes it can take a couple of weeks to adjust to a new medication but if you find the side effects unbearable contact your prescribing doctor.  There are a lot of different medications out there and one that works for one person might totally not work for another.  I am very medication sensitive so I keep a list of side effects to share with my doctor when I begin a new drug.  I tried paxil early on for about a week.  I felt a bit better but I was dazed and remember spending 30 minutes trying to decide which cut of meat to buy for dinner.  Hang in there.  It will get better but it may take some patience.  Don't hesitate to keep in close contact with your prescribing doctor that is what they get paid for.  One of my pet peeves are doctors that write prescriptions for drugs like this and don't do close follow-ups. 

hi,

thanks for the very thoughtful and kind response.  I HATED the zoloft.... gave it like 7 wks... uggh.. plus i take topomax for migraines and it works WONDERFULLY for migraines, but i think the mix of it with the zoloft really F'd me up???   then they gave me cholonoprin (sp???) and i didnt like that mushy feeling (funny how in high school i would have payed top dollar for that!!!  hahahahaha) so he switched me over to valium, but i can only tolerate a 1/2 a pill while i am at work and i take the celexa at bed time.   its only day 4 so i will give it time.    I also do not want weight gain.   For the first time in my life i am in a size i am comfortable with and i'd rather be depressed from not taking pills than depressed from being in a bigger size....... (yeah.... I AM SEEING  A THERAPIST at the same time..... hahahahahahahahahaha)

Anyway..... i know there are a ton of pills out there, and upon first meeting the phychatrist i really liked him, and i have been seeing a therapist at the same practice for months.  she is very cool and i clicked with her instantly.   i have a lot to deal with.  i moved 6 states away just because i couldnt handle all the attention of losing all this weight and then a major break up and so on and so on.....

Patience is a virtue my friends....... if anyone out there is religious (i happen to be more spiritual) please PRAY for me........ because i am at the end of my rope.    

hugs and friendship
Jill

xoxo

I've been on high dose Celexa for about 7 years with no problem.  My brother went on it and had trouble with it.  Just goes to prove that everyone can have different responses to the same meds.  Like you said there are bunches of different medicines out there, so if one causes you problems, have your doc try something different.  Remember the golden rule about anti-depression meds "Never just stop them cold turkey, talk to your doc first"

Later
Dave