Going off then on again.... CELEXA..NOT WORKING NOW - Anxiety Message Board

byrdleg · 09-11-2003, 01:22 PM

Hello
Can anyone give me any input. I have been on Celexa for 3-4 years and had NO anxiety or painic. I went off it in December because it made agitated. Took Lexapro and hated it. Took nothing for about a month BUT the dizziness and withdrawls were horrible so I went back on Celexa. Now it does not touch my anxiety. Anyone know why it would work great then after stopping it then going back on it does not work. If you have any input or have been thru this your comments are greatly appreciated
THANKS!

franjava22 · 09-11-2003, 01:54 PM

I took Celexa for postpartum, then went off after a while. The only withdrawal symptom I had was dizziness, but it lasted for about two weeks. I recently went back on. When I had my follow up consultation, the doc said she was surprised I felt relief so quickly this time around. I guess it takes longer to react when you go off and then back on again. I'd assume you'll take even longer since you were on a different medication in between. I also noticed my side effects going on were not as bad as last time. I don't know when you started it back up, but I'd give it at least four-six months. Also, you should definitley let your doc know what you're experiencing. Meanwhile, keep a log of your anxiety/depression issues. You might need a stronger dose (even just for a while,) or a different med altogether.

byrdleg · 09-11-2003, 04:15 PM

Thanks for the input. I have been back on it since April. I have been uping the dose but I think that may be making me even more anxious. My doctor wants to add Busbar to my combination of Celexa and Klonopin.
Not sure I want to add another drug when I am not feeling well on these 2. I used to feel so much better. I keep waiting for it to kick in. Anyway, thanks again. I appreciate you help!

hry33 · 09-11-2003, 06:44 PM

to byrd, do you really need to be on an antidepressant at all, maybe the klonapin would be ebough for the anxiety, buspar is being promoted to augment antidepressants that stop working but I think a new antidepressant of a different type, effexor perhaps would be better, assuming you need an antidepressant med

byrdleg · 09-11-2003, 08:53 PM

Hello HRY,
Yes I believe I do need the anti-depressant. I have been on them ALL in the SSRI area. I have to take minute amounts as I am very sensitive to them. If I do not take them I get full blown panic and depression. Not to mention as I have tried to get off them slowly and after 6 months of dizziness I start back on them. It is really hard for me to figure out why it would work before but it won't now. As for effexor it was the worst one I took and ended up in the ER with horrid side effects after 2 days. YIKES! I would love to take just Klonopin, but It just does not cut it alone. Can you tell me more about the Buspar issue and it being toted as an addition to SSRI drugs?

THanks!