msjones Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 Has anyone on here been on celexa for depression? I just started it on Tuesday and am really struggling with it. So drowsy, no appetite, sleeping issues, and just feeling slow and drugged. I want to just go off of it, but am willing to stick it out if there's some hope. I'm only on 5mg, so the dose can't get much smaller. I've never been on any meds of any kind before, so this is very discouraging. Can anyone offer me some hope? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
higginszoo Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 My ds was always a bit off for about a week when starting or upping the dose on Celexa. After that, it got a whole lot better, and it did a great job managing his anxiety for a couple of years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendi Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 I take Paxil, and the first two weeks, I felt very sleepy and dopey. After that, I felt normal, and it helped my OCD immensely! I'd encourage you to stick it out; the side effects will very likely diminish. Wendi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 I've been on 20mg of Celexa off and on for years to treat my depression and OCD. There's always an adjustment period where you feel really off for a week or two, but after that it should get much better. The only time you shouldn't try to stick it out is if you're having any kind of severe reaction, like suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, etc. If the side effects are tolerable, stick it out. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyinND Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 I take Paxil, and the first two weeks, I felt very sleepy and dopey. After that, I felt normal, and it helped my OCD immensely! I'd encourage you to stick it out; the side effects will very likely diminish. Wendi :iagree:This is me, too. That first couple of weeks, I probably could've fallen asleep standing up! I also started clenching my teeth & would have headaches all the time. I considered stopping right then, but decided to stick it out. Glad I did. I felt so good, and everyone else around me was happier, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTwinsMom1 Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 Have you asked your doctor if you can take it at bedtime if it makes you sleepy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 Dd11 takes Celexa at bedtime because it makes her sleepy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elise1mds Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 Celexa never worked for me. And the side effects lasted for months even after I quit taking it. I would still give it a few weeks to see how it really works for you, but don't be afraid to switch meds if it really isn't working for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancer67 Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 I took one dose and vomited. Tried again, and it happened again. Didn't agree with me. I took Effexor XR with no issues. But getting off of it was H E double hockey sticks. AD take a while before you get adjusted. Take it at night if it makes you tired, and give a good 6 weeks. Good luck and best wishes to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaSheep Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 I was on it for a few days a couple of years ago. I stopped taking it when it made the floor tilt up and whack me in the face. Having never fainted before it was a really weird sensation. And not one I cared to repeat. For me, Wellbutrin seems to be better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 I tried Lexapro (a derivative of Celexa) and it was horrible--horribly sleepy and couldn't sleep, s*x issues, spaced, and awful. I tried shaving the pill down to essentially nothing and I had the same issues until it was down to nothing. The doctor said to give it a chance. I have to say that my son took Celexa and did well with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 Every med is different for every person. I've taken things for long periods of time that my dd31 was unable to tolerate for more than a dose -- it's different for everyone. check out www.crazymeds.com and you will find excellent info about meds -- someone here suggested the website and it has becone my go-to place when I need info.:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msjones Posted December 26, 2011 Author Share Posted December 26, 2011 It is helpful to read others' experiences. I'm only on a measly 5 milligrams and it just floors me every time I take it. It makes me feel MORE anxious and depressed. I will say, though, that today I only felt miserable for about an hour after taking it -- earlier this week it was more like 3 hours. So, maybe it's getting better? I did try taking it at night once, and that was a big mistake. I was super sleepy, but could not sleep a wink. It was a terrible, long, depressing night. I was reading today (in some info from my doctor) that the biggest mistake people make with antidepressants is going off of them too soon. So I'm going to try hard to get through this. I do feel pretty good (not exactly normal, but it's only been 6 days) the rest of the day. My depression seems to have lifted and the anxiety is minimal. That is a very good feeling! Could it be helping that quickly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted December 26, 2011 Share Posted December 26, 2011 It is helpful to read others' experiences. I'm only on a measly 5 milligrams and it just floors me every time I take it. It makes me feel MORE anxious and depressed. I will say, though, that today I only felt miserable for about an hour after taking it -- earlier this week it was more like 3 hours. So, maybe it's getting better? I did try taking it at night once, and that was a big mistake. I was super sleepy, but could not sleep a wink. It was a terrible, long, depressing night. I was reading today (in some info from my doctor) that the biggest mistake people make with antidepressants is going off of them too soon. So I'm going to try hard to get through this. I do feel pretty good (not exactly normal, but it's only been 6 days) the rest of the day. My depression seems to have lifted and the anxiety is minimal. That is a very good feeling! Could it be helping that quickly? I've had it start working within the first week. Sometimes, when I've been off my Celexa for awhile and then go back on, I have terrible insomnia the first week. It always passes, though. From what I've read, that's fairly common. Once your side effects start to subside, you could try taking it at night then and see if you have more success. I always take mine at night now and have no problem sleeping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsbaby Posted December 26, 2011 Share Posted December 26, 2011 I have taken it for anxiety for about 7 years now. The first few weeks I felt awful....so sleepy, headaches, nausea. Since then, I have had zero side effects. It has helped me tremendously! I would try to wait it out if you are just having a general sick feeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted December 26, 2011 Share Posted December 26, 2011 It is helpful to read others' experiences. I'm only on a measly 5 milligrams and it just floors me every time I take it. It makes me feel MORE anxious and depressed. I will say, though, that today I only felt miserable for about an hour after taking it -- earlier this week it was more like 3 hours. So, maybe it's getting better? I did try taking it at night once, and that was a big mistake. I was super sleepy, but could not sleep a wink. It was a terrible, long, depressing night. I was reading today (in some info from my doctor) that the biggest mistake people make with antidepressants is going off of them too soon. So I'm going to try hard to get through this. I do feel pretty good (not exactly normal, but it's only been 6 days) the rest of the day. My depression seems to have lifted and the anxiety is minimal. That is a very good feeling! Could it be helping that quickly? Yes, it could help that quickly - or what you are feeling is better than how you felt. You clearly are very aware of how it is making you feel and that will be to your benefit. Somethings help quickly, peak, then become less effective - that was my experience with zoloft. When I took Effexor XR, I noticed a change in three days - a good change. I was on it for a very long time. When I tried Wellbutrin, I stopped after about a week. I stayed on Zoloft for 3 weeks, then switched to Cymbalta. The cymbalta took a really long time to reach its peak, but I have been taking it for 11 months now and while I do have highs and lows, I am pleased with it. And, as someone told me, you can't have the highs without the lows. Someone I know took Paxil and had to be taken off it immediately -- they had the same experience with lexapro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msjones Posted December 26, 2011 Author Share Posted December 26, 2011 I've had it start working within the first week. Sometimes, when I've been off my Celexa for awhile and then go back on, I have terrible insomnia the first week. It always passes, though. From what I've read, that's fairly common. Once your side effects start to subside, you could try taking it at night then and see if you have more success. I always take mine at night now and have no problem sleeping. I sure hope this is my experience. The insomnia has been rough, but I had that to some extent before starting the celexa. The only other side effects I'm having are the drowsy, anxious, ick right after I take it. And today, it wasn't too bad. Much better than earlier in the week. And really, my depression seems minimal now. Hard to believe, given where I was a week ago. I did also start some counseling, which was very encouraging right away, so I know that helped, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msjones Posted December 26, 2011 Author Share Posted December 26, 2011 I have taken it for anxiety for about 7 years now. The first few weeks I felt awful....so sleepy, headaches, nausea. Since then, I have had zero side effects. It has helped me tremendously! I would try to wait it out if you are just having a general sick feeling. I'm going to try to stick it out. It is kind of a general sick feeling -- drowsy and loopy and anxious. But, since I started this thread I've noticed significant improvement. I'm hoping that lasts. I knew nothing about antidepressants before this -- never knew people had to go through all this to get them working for them. Ugh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msjones Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 Just an update from the OP... I'm still on my 5mg of Celexa, and all the side effects are gone. I feel completely like my normal self again (!!!), and am so glad that I didn't quit. Thanks to those of you who shared some encouragement -- it helped! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 I started taking Wellbutrin four days ago. It makes me feel so bad that I skipped it on the third day. I took it again this morning and it was slightly better. I intend to give it a month because I don't really have a lot of options but I hope things get better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Just an update from the OP... I'm still on my 5mg of Celexa, and all the side effects are gone. I feel completely like my normal self again (!!!), and am so glad that I didn't quit. Thanks to those of you who shared some encouragement -- it helped! I'm so glad to hear it! :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cammie Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Glad to hear it. I was going to post that Celexa did wonder's for my anxiety...really helped me function at a time I was not functioning at all. I stayed on for about 2 years and then reduced slowly. No problems going off it. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msjones Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 I started taking Wellbutrin four days ago. It makes me feel so bad that I skipped it on the third day. I took it again this morning and it was slightly better. I intend to give it a month because I don't really have a lot of options but I hope things get better soon. I'm sorry you're feeling so crummy. It was really hard those first few days for me. I think it was the third day that was the worst for me. I'm a follow-the-doctor's-orders kind of gal, and I was ready to quit. I hope you'll start feeling the benefits right away. It sure has been worth it for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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