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tonyal celexa help

tonyal

By tonyal
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tonyal Newbie

tonyal

Posted
Posted

hi their i have been taking celexa for panik attacks/gad since i was about 9 years old i am now 22. i was first started at 20mg then after was put on 30mg, it helped me i was doing fine then the panik attaks came back doctor said the your body has got used to 30mg so to have a effect i needed to go to 40mg, i refused because wats the point if i have to up the dose every time, so i stayed at 30mg started getting better reduced to 20mg then through a acupuncturist/herbelist i was doing good the herbalist said i should stop the medication completely i didnt go cold turkey but weened off slowly stopped the meds got sik couldnt leave my house for about 2 years. it seems i cant ever get of this medication, wat am i doing wrong wats the best way to end this cycle, The withdrawl is unbearable I appreciate your help please what should i do. I hope i can stop this medication one day but i need help

Cant eat

Cant sleep

stomach problems

panik

annoying weird scary thoughts

headaches

depressed

tingling zaps on arms and legs

list just goes on and on

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Nikki Newbie

Nikki

Posted
Posted

Hi and welcome....

 

I take celexa too. Are you still on a small dose or have you been off completely for the last two years? The Doctor and the Herbalist both need to be educated.

 

What you are experiencing is Withdrawal Syndrome and yes it can last a long time if you go Cold Turkey. I am not sure how to tell you how to proceed. Are you med-free? There are alot of others on the site you have more knowledge than I do who will be here shortly to help you out.

 

You are not alone. Post freely and often.

 

I was tapering Celexa and it was okay and then it stopped being okay with the last drop in dose.

 

Hang in there...

Intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1902-nikki-hi-my-rundown-with-ads/

 

Paxil 1997-2004

Crossed over to Lexapro Paxil not available

at Pharmacies GSK halted deliveries

Lexapro 40mgs

Lexapro taper (2years)

Imipramine

Imipramine and Celexa

Now Nefazadone/Imipramine 50mgs. each

45mgs. Serzone  50mgs. Imipramine

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tonyal Newbie

tonyal

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hi thanks for posting

I had been of celexa for 2 and a half months, I started taking it again 4 days ago because the withdrawl was horrible

I didnt go cold turkey. im hoping the celexa will kik in and ill start feeling better. Now im wondering if its ever possible to be completly off this drug, and i read all over the internet that it is a bad drug

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Karma Contributor

Karma

Posted
  • Administrator
Posted

Hi Tonyal

 

Welcome to the site. If I'm reading this correctly, you were completely off of Celexa for 2-1/2 months and the withdrawals got so bad that you went back on - is that correct? How much celexa are you taking now?

 

We usually recommend that if you reinstate within 3 months (that's you) that you reinstate at a very low dose. Your system will be sensitized and your former full dose may be too much.

 

When you get a chance add your med history in your signature like so http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/. When you post questions and updates your signature will show your med history and we will be able to give your better suggestions.

 

Karma

2007 @ 375 mg Effexor - 11/29/2011 - 43.75 mg Effexor (regular) & .625 mg Xanax

200 mg Gabapentin 2/27/21 - 194.5 mg, 5/28/21 - 183 mg, 8/2/21 - 170 mg, 11/28/21 - 150 mg, 4/19/22 - 122 mg; 8//7/22 - 100 mg; 12/17 - 75mg; 8/17 - 45 mg; 10/16 40 mg
Xanax taper: 3/11/12 - 0.9375 mg, 3/25/12 - 0.875 mg, 4/6/12 - 0.8125 mg, 4/18/12 - 0.75 ; 10/16 40mg;

1/16 0.6875 mg; at some point 0.625 mg
Effexor taper: 1/29/12 - 40.625 mg, 4/29/12 - 39.875 mg, 5/11/12 - Switched to liquid Effexor, 5/25/12 - 38 mg, 7/6/12 - 35 mg, 8/17/12 - 32 mg, 9/14/12 - 30 mg, 10/19/12 - 28 mg, 11/9/12 - 26 mg, 11/30/12 - 24 mg, 01/14/13 - 22 mg. 02/25/13 - 20.8 mg, 03/18/13 - 19.2 mg, 4/15/13 - 17.6 mg, 8/10/13 - 16.4 mg, 9/7/13 - 15.2 mg, 10/19/13 - 14 mg, 1/15/14 - 13.2 mg, 3/1/2014 - 12.6 mg, 5/4/14 - 12 mg, 8/1/14 - 11.4 mg, 8/29/14 - 10.8 mg; 10/14/14 - 10.2 mg; 12/15/14 - 10 mg, 1/11/15 - 9.5 mg, 2/8/15 - 9 mg, 3/21/15 - 8.5 mg, 5/1/15 - 8 mg, 6/9/15 - 7.5 mg, 7/8/15 - 7 mg, 8/22/15 - 6.5 mg, 10/4/15 - 6 mg; 1/1/16 - 5.6 mg; 2/6/16 - 5.2 mg; 4/9 - 4.8 mg; 7/7 4.5 mg; 10/7 4.25 mg; 11/4 4.0 mg; 11/25 3.8 mg; 4/24 3.6 mg; 5/27 3.4 mg; 7/8 3.2 mg ... 10/18 2.8 mg; 1/18 2.6 mg; 4/7 2.4 mg; 5/26 2.15mg; 8/18 1.85 mg; 10/7 1.7 mg; 12/1 1.45 mg; 3/2 1.2 mg; 5/4 0.90 mg; 6/1 0.80 mg; 6/22 0.65 mg; 08/03 0.50 mg, 08/10 0.45 mg, 10/05 0.325 mg, 11/23 0.2 mg, 12/14 0.15 mg, 12/21 0.125 mg, 02/28 0.03125 mg, 2/15 0.015625 mg, 2/29/20 0.00 mg - OFF Effexor

I am not a medical professional - this is not medical advice. My suggestions are based on personal experience, reading, observation and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers

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tonyal Newbie

tonyal

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hi

yes thats correct. i was off the celexa for 2/half months. i started back on 20mg

 

i see so much bad things about this drug i never imagined it because i used to think if doctors gives you something they know what their doing

now i see the reality but im thinking its to late that its not possible to come of these meds. i guess its all about money selling posion to people

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Karma Contributor

Karma

Posted
  • Administrator
Posted

Hi Tonyal

 

20 mg is probably too much for your system after being off for 2-1/2 months. Are you on a 20 mg tablet? Can you quarter it?

 

If you stabilize on a small dose of celexa you can then come off of it slowly. You may need to make some adjustments to your lifestyle or diet, but it is possible to come off of these medications and live a productive life.

 

Let me know about the pills you have a available and we will go from there.

 

Karma

2007 @ 375 mg Effexor - 11/29/2011 - 43.75 mg Effexor (regular) & .625 mg Xanax

200 mg Gabapentin 2/27/21 - 194.5 mg, 5/28/21 - 183 mg, 8/2/21 - 170 mg, 11/28/21 - 150 mg, 4/19/22 - 122 mg; 8//7/22 - 100 mg; 12/17 - 75mg; 8/17 - 45 mg; 10/16 40 mg
Xanax taper: 3/11/12 - 0.9375 mg, 3/25/12 - 0.875 mg, 4/6/12 - 0.8125 mg, 4/18/12 - 0.75 ; 10/16 40mg;

1/16 0.6875 mg; at some point 0.625 mg
Effexor taper: 1/29/12 - 40.625 mg, 4/29/12 - 39.875 mg, 5/11/12 - Switched to liquid Effexor, 5/25/12 - 38 mg, 7/6/12 - 35 mg, 8/17/12 - 32 mg, 9/14/12 - 30 mg, 10/19/12 - 28 mg, 11/9/12 - 26 mg, 11/30/12 - 24 mg, 01/14/13 - 22 mg. 02/25/13 - 20.8 mg, 03/18/13 - 19.2 mg, 4/15/13 - 17.6 mg, 8/10/13 - 16.4 mg, 9/7/13 - 15.2 mg, 10/19/13 - 14 mg, 1/15/14 - 13.2 mg, 3/1/2014 - 12.6 mg, 5/4/14 - 12 mg, 8/1/14 - 11.4 mg, 8/29/14 - 10.8 mg; 10/14/14 - 10.2 mg; 12/15/14 - 10 mg, 1/11/15 - 9.5 mg, 2/8/15 - 9 mg, 3/21/15 - 8.5 mg, 5/1/15 - 8 mg, 6/9/15 - 7.5 mg, 7/8/15 - 7 mg, 8/22/15 - 6.5 mg, 10/4/15 - 6 mg; 1/1/16 - 5.6 mg; 2/6/16 - 5.2 mg; 4/9 - 4.8 mg; 7/7 4.5 mg; 10/7 4.25 mg; 11/4 4.0 mg; 11/25 3.8 mg; 4/24 3.6 mg; 5/27 3.4 mg; 7/8 3.2 mg ... 10/18 2.8 mg; 1/18 2.6 mg; 4/7 2.4 mg; 5/26 2.15mg; 8/18 1.85 mg; 10/7 1.7 mg; 12/1 1.45 mg; 3/2 1.2 mg; 5/4 0.90 mg; 6/1 0.80 mg; 6/22 0.65 mg; 08/03 0.50 mg, 08/10 0.45 mg, 10/05 0.325 mg, 11/23 0.2 mg, 12/14 0.15 mg, 12/21 0.125 mg, 02/28 0.03125 mg, 2/15 0.015625 mg, 2/29/20 0.00 mg - OFF Effexor

I am not a medical professional - this is not medical advice. My suggestions are based on personal experience, reading, observation and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers

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tonyal Newbie

tonyal

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  • Author
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hi thanks for the reply. Yes it is a 20mg tablet that i can cut in half to make it 10

my hope is that the celexa will kik in and i get better for now, however after that to restart the withdrawle procces seems very scary to me

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Karma Contributor

Karma

Posted
  • Administrator
Posted

Tonyal, what did your taper look like before you stopped celexa completely 2-1/2 months ago?

 

Don't worry about tapering off right now. You are not in a state of mind where you can wrap your brain around tapering right now. Once we get you stable then we can talk about what a safe taper would look like.

 

Karma

2007 @ 375 mg Effexor - 11/29/2011 - 43.75 mg Effexor (regular) & .625 mg Xanax

200 mg Gabapentin 2/27/21 - 194.5 mg, 5/28/21 - 183 mg, 8/2/21 - 170 mg, 11/28/21 - 150 mg, 4/19/22 - 122 mg; 8//7/22 - 100 mg; 12/17 - 75mg; 8/17 - 45 mg; 10/16 40 mg
Xanax taper: 3/11/12 - 0.9375 mg, 3/25/12 - 0.875 mg, 4/6/12 - 0.8125 mg, 4/18/12 - 0.75 ; 10/16 40mg;

1/16 0.6875 mg; at some point 0.625 mg
Effexor taper: 1/29/12 - 40.625 mg, 4/29/12 - 39.875 mg, 5/11/12 - Switched to liquid Effexor, 5/25/12 - 38 mg, 7/6/12 - 35 mg, 8/17/12 - 32 mg, 9/14/12 - 30 mg, 10/19/12 - 28 mg, 11/9/12 - 26 mg, 11/30/12 - 24 mg, 01/14/13 - 22 mg. 02/25/13 - 20.8 mg, 03/18/13 - 19.2 mg, 4/15/13 - 17.6 mg, 8/10/13 - 16.4 mg, 9/7/13 - 15.2 mg, 10/19/13 - 14 mg, 1/15/14 - 13.2 mg, 3/1/2014 - 12.6 mg, 5/4/14 - 12 mg, 8/1/14 - 11.4 mg, 8/29/14 - 10.8 mg; 10/14/14 - 10.2 mg; 12/15/14 - 10 mg, 1/11/15 - 9.5 mg, 2/8/15 - 9 mg, 3/21/15 - 8.5 mg, 5/1/15 - 8 mg, 6/9/15 - 7.5 mg, 7/8/15 - 7 mg, 8/22/15 - 6.5 mg, 10/4/15 - 6 mg; 1/1/16 - 5.6 mg; 2/6/16 - 5.2 mg; 4/9 - 4.8 mg; 7/7 4.5 mg; 10/7 4.25 mg; 11/4 4.0 mg; 11/25 3.8 mg; 4/24 3.6 mg; 5/27 3.4 mg; 7/8 3.2 mg ... 10/18 2.8 mg; 1/18 2.6 mg; 4/7 2.4 mg; 5/26 2.15mg; 8/18 1.85 mg; 10/7 1.7 mg; 12/1 1.45 mg; 3/2 1.2 mg; 5/4 0.90 mg; 6/1 0.80 mg; 6/22 0.65 mg; 08/03 0.50 mg, 08/10 0.45 mg, 10/05 0.325 mg, 11/23 0.2 mg, 12/14 0.15 mg, 12/21 0.125 mg, 02/28 0.03125 mg, 2/15 0.015625 mg, 2/29/20 0.00 mg - OFF Effexor

I am not a medical professional - this is not medical advice. My suggestions are based on personal experience, reading, observation and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers

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Altostrata Grand Master

Altostrata

Posted
  • Administrator
Posted

Welcome, tonyal.

 

Did taking 20mg Celexa reduce the withdrawal symptoms? How are you feeling now that you've been on it a few days?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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tonyal Newbie

tonyal

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i went from 20mg to 15mg every other day , so 20mg 15mg 20mg 15mg for one month then from 15mg to 10 every other day for another month then 10 5 10 5

then 5mg for one month then 5 one day 0 the next for another month then i stopped taking it

 

let me know if u undertand this if not i can explain more

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Altostrata Grand Master

Altostrata

Posted
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Posted

Alternating dosages is a great way to bring on withdrawal symptoms.

 

How are you feeling on 20mg Celexa for a few days?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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tonyal Newbie

tonyal

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its too soon to say if its helped the withdrawl since i been on the medication for only 4 days. Still feeling bad only sleeping 2 hours a night having panik throgh the day and at night extreme panik attaks

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Altostrata Grand Master

Altostrata

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Is that any different from your withdrawal symptoms?

 

When do you take the Celexa?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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tonyal Newbie

tonyal

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also i have used ativan 3 times when the attaks are to extreme. the ativan make me feel worse at first but then make me go to sleep but i know its addactive i try really hard not to use it and i hope i dont have to

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Altostrata Grand Master

Altostrata

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I agree with Karma, sounds like 20mg Celexa is too much for you. That's made those symptoms worse.

 

I would immediately reduce to 5mg Celexa, a quarter of a tablet. Read this topic http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2023-tips-for-tapering-off-celexa-citalopram/ , it explains how to measure small amounts of Celexa.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Karma Contributor

Karma

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  • Administrator
Posted

Your system is fragile right now since alternating doses to taper off of celexa and being off of it for 2-1/2 months. The same amount of drug you took before is like a sledge hammer to your system now that it is destabilized. We recommend the lower dose to gently support your system and help relieve the withdrawal symptoms. Based on your report of anxiety and longer panic attacks it appears that 20 mg is too much.

 

Give the 5 mg a try and let us know how you are doing. You'll get through this.

 

Karma

2007 @ 375 mg Effexor - 11/29/2011 - 43.75 mg Effexor (regular) & .625 mg Xanax

200 mg Gabapentin 2/27/21 - 194.5 mg, 5/28/21 - 183 mg, 8/2/21 - 170 mg, 11/28/21 - 150 mg, 4/19/22 - 122 mg; 8//7/22 - 100 mg; 12/17 - 75mg; 8/17 - 45 mg; 10/16 40 mg
Xanax taper: 3/11/12 - 0.9375 mg, 3/25/12 - 0.875 mg, 4/6/12 - 0.8125 mg, 4/18/12 - 0.75 ; 10/16 40mg;

1/16 0.6875 mg; at some point 0.625 mg
Effexor taper: 1/29/12 - 40.625 mg, 4/29/12 - 39.875 mg, 5/11/12 - Switched to liquid Effexor, 5/25/12 - 38 mg, 7/6/12 - 35 mg, 8/17/12 - 32 mg, 9/14/12 - 30 mg, 10/19/12 - 28 mg, 11/9/12 - 26 mg, 11/30/12 - 24 mg, 01/14/13 - 22 mg. 02/25/13 - 20.8 mg, 03/18/13 - 19.2 mg, 4/15/13 - 17.6 mg, 8/10/13 - 16.4 mg, 9/7/13 - 15.2 mg, 10/19/13 - 14 mg, 1/15/14 - 13.2 mg, 3/1/2014 - 12.6 mg, 5/4/14 - 12 mg, 8/1/14 - 11.4 mg, 8/29/14 - 10.8 mg; 10/14/14 - 10.2 mg; 12/15/14 - 10 mg, 1/11/15 - 9.5 mg, 2/8/15 - 9 mg, 3/21/15 - 8.5 mg, 5/1/15 - 8 mg, 6/9/15 - 7.5 mg, 7/8/15 - 7 mg, 8/22/15 - 6.5 mg, 10/4/15 - 6 mg; 1/1/16 - 5.6 mg; 2/6/16 - 5.2 mg; 4/9 - 4.8 mg; 7/7 4.5 mg; 10/7 4.25 mg; 11/4 4.0 mg; 11/25 3.8 mg; 4/24 3.6 mg; 5/27 3.4 mg; 7/8 3.2 mg ... 10/18 2.8 mg; 1/18 2.6 mg; 4/7 2.4 mg; 5/26 2.15mg; 8/18 1.85 mg; 10/7 1.7 mg; 12/1 1.45 mg; 3/2 1.2 mg; 5/4 0.90 mg; 6/1 0.80 mg; 6/22 0.65 mg; 08/03 0.50 mg, 08/10 0.45 mg, 10/05 0.325 mg, 11/23 0.2 mg, 12/14 0.15 mg, 12/21 0.125 mg, 02/28 0.03125 mg, 2/15 0.015625 mg, 2/29/20 0.00 mg - OFF Effexor

I am not a medical professional - this is not medical advice. My suggestions are based on personal experience, reading, observation and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers

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tonyal Newbie

tonyal

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Posted

how long should i stay on the 5mg? would u have an idea as to how long it would take to feel better, thanks by the way i really appriciate this

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Altostrata Grand Master

Altostrata

Posted
  • Administrator
Posted

Give it a try for 4-7 days to see if it helps. If it does help, plan on staying on 5mg for at least a couple of months before tapering by 10% per month.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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