Celexa?

[AchtungBaby80]

Does anyone know anything about or have any experiences with this drug? I've been on it for about four years now and I'm trying to wean myself off of it, but I've been having awful mood swings...some days I'm so happy I could dance down the road and other times the tiniest thing will make me sad for days. I talked to the doctor and he didn't sound too concerned, but I read somewhere that seratonin-inhibitor drugs (or whatever they're called) like this can mess you up, so now I'm scared.

[Lady Pi Phi]

I took Celexa for a year. It didn't work for me. It did make me lose a lot of weight (which was good), but to help with my depression anxiety it wasn't for me. It got to the point where I was on the maximum dosage and it wasn't making my moods better.
I've heard that Celexa is usually prescribed to people with OCD. So that's maybe why it doesn't work so well for people with depression and anxiety.
I've been switch to Prozac, which also doesn't work for me.

But no I'll have to wait 5 years before I can see an psychiatrist because I don't have insurance so I need to be refered to one that with take OHIP * or whatever it's called here now)

I would talk to your doctor about alternative treatments, if possible. I haven't heard anything about these kind of drugs messing with your mind (I mean your mind has to be pretty messed up to begin with if you're on drugs...that was not directed at you, but a more general YOU, as in people suffereing from depression)

Whatever you do, just don't drop it cold turkey. I did that and I was not a happy camper to say the least.

[ZetaMelOU]

Hey,

I used to take it too and it helped me as I have a very mild case, but I put on some weight because it always made me hungry, so I'd eat all the time. Now I take prozac and it's a lot better cause I have a normal appetite again.

[DZHBrown]

Are you weaning yourself off without a doctor monitoring it?

[PsychTau]

How are you weaning yourself off of it?

When starting Celexa, it's usually increase no more than 20 mg a week until a proper dose is obtained. That being said, the best way for most people to stop Celexa is to decrease the dose by 10-20mg a week (or a little longer, depending on your reaction) until you aren't taking it anymore.

Also, keep in mind that you won't really know how you are going to be without the Celexa for at least a week or more after you've taken your last pill. Celexa stays in your system longer than 24 hours. Meaning it will take longer than 24 hours after the last pill to have the effects completely disappear. So the mood swings may be an effect of the Celexa still, and not how you will actually be forever.

Still, talk to your doctor. If he/she won't listen, find a psychatric nurse or someone who knows enough about it to tell you. **I am not a doctor or a nurse....the above info I learned while working in a psych hospital. Caveat emptor (or however you spell it)**

[PsychTau]

Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
But no I'll have to wait 5 years before I can see an psychiatrist because I don't have insurance so I need to be refered to one that with take OHIP * or whatever it's called here now)

What about talking to your PCP? Or seeing a psychiatric nurse practitioner? Some general physicians have learned enough about depression on their own (thru continuing education, etc) that they are comfortable prescribing the first line antidepressants without consulting a psychiatrist. Most insurance plans are going for that option anyway, cause it's cheaper.

It depends on the PCP. Some will, some won't touch it with a ten foot pole.

[33girl]

OK, this is really weird.

I was just talking to one of my sisters on the phone and could have sworn this is what she said she was taking - however, what she is taking is a steroid to help her with a back problem.

Am I getting confused or can this drug be used for multiple things?

[absolutuscchick]

Originally posted by AchtungBaby80
Does anyone know anything about or have any experiences with this drug? I've been on it for about four years now and I'm trying to wean myself off of it, but I've been having awful mood swings...some days I'm so happy I could dance down the road and other times the tiniest thing will make me sad for days. I talked to the doctor and he didn't sound too concerned, but I read somewhere that seratonin-inhibitor drugs (or whatever they're called) like this can mess you up, so now I'm scared.

Have you been checked out for bipolar? Sometimes antidepressants can cause rapid manic shifts in bipolar patients taking them. Otherwisze, get a second opinion if your doctor is not taking appropriate response!!!

[DZHBrown]

33girl, you might be thinking of Celebrex!

[33girl]

thanks Heather!! That's it. She's on quite the cornucopia of stuff right now.

[Lady Pi Phi]

Originally posted by PsychTau
What about talking to your PCP? Or seeing a psychiatric nurse practitioner? Some general physicians have learned enough about depression on their own (thru continuing education, etc) that they are comfortable prescribing the first line antidepressants without consulting a psychiatrist. Most insurance plans are going for that option anyway, cause it's cheaper.

It depends on the PCP. Some will, some won't touch it with a ten foot pole.

PCP???

I don't think my GP knows enough to change my medication. I only go to her for refills.

I also need and would like some sort of talk therapy. My GP isn't enough. I also don't believe that depression can be effectivly treated without talk therapy.

I also don't have insurance. I'm not in school right now (because of my depression), and because I'm not in school I'm not covered under my parents. That's why I need to be refered to a doctor through a hospital so I can have healthcare pay for it.

The wait isn't five years, I was exaggerating, but she did tell me it would be a while.

My parents are already paying for my prescriptions, and being the walking pharmacy that I am, that's a lot of money. I can't ask them to shell out anymore for a psychiatrist.

As for prozac. That doesn't work for me either. I put on weight and a lot of it. I know it's prescribed to bulemics, but how can that be because it certainly doesn't work for me, and an eating disorder is one of my problems. But I'm glad it's worked for you. I guess they affect everyone differently.

[OrigamiTulip]

Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
PCP???

Primary Care Provider. Sme general concept as a general physician, but part of an HMO

Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
As for prozac. That doesn't work for me either. I put on weight and a lot of it. I know it's prescribed to bulemics, but how can that be because it certainly doesn't work for me, and an eating disorder is one of my problems.

Ugh. Same here. I was on Prozac for about 6 weeks, and I gained 45 lbs in that time span. Needless to say, I got off that fast.

[JohnsDGsweethrt]

I am taking a small amt of Celexa now and I haven't had any problems w/ it. I have always been a worrier and now that has pretty much gone away. Which is good b/c my husband my deploy soon! LOL

[juniorgrrl]

I was taking Lexapro, a concentrated form of Celexa for about 4 months. I gained 15 lbs in that time and was tired all the time. I had scarily vivid dreams (a proven side effect of the drug). When I went off it, I was unable to get out of bed for 3 days from the effects of the withdrawal.

No matter how miserable I am now, I think about how bad the meds made me feel, especially when I tried to get off them.

Just remember: the drug companies don't make them to help you; they make them to make lots and lots of money. And, if you're getting this drug from a GP, chances are they only know what the drug rep tells them. My doctor told me there were no side effects to this drug because its so concentrated.

I've been off mine for a month and a half now, and I still feel really wonky - lots of mood swings, etc. Hope you feel better!

[Lady Pi Phi]

Originally posted by BetaRose
Primary Care Provider. Sme general concept as a general physician, but part of an HMO...

Ahhh. I see. Well, no HMO's here. So I did see my GP, but I still have to wait.