[tz90]

I've decided to take celexa 20 mg daily for my depression and I hate this, but my therapist says this is normal? I'm just 4 days in and feel drugged real hard. My body is shaking, eyes wide open and staring into emptiness. I look messed up in the face. I'm emotionally numb. It makes me sad to see me like this It makes me nauseous. I'm getting headaches, can't concentrate and just zone out all the time. I'm far too valuable for myself to do this damage to my mental health and body. It's like poison. I can't take this.

How is this a normal reaction to an SSRI? I don't take any other meds. My therapist said I should continue anyway, as my body needs to adjust to it. This doesn't feel right and I don't want to go through another day of this. Has anyone else experienced this? Should I stop with this and try another med so soon already?

[SingDanceRunLife]

Celexa pretty much made me bed bound. I was super sick to my stomach and so tired I could barely move. I also lost about 10lbs in the 2 weeks I was on it.

In your situation, it sounds like you might benefit from going down to 10mg. I think 20mg is a bit of a high starting dose.

[*Laurie*]

My advice, based on my own experience, is to start the dose at half (so, 10mg) and stay with that dose for a week to 10 days. Then go up to 15mg. for a week. Then try 20mg.

[Nammu]

I had awaful side effects with all ADs, you might ask if a mood stabilizer could be considered instead. I really hat MI professionals who down play side effects at least she could have suggested cutting it in half while adjusting to it!

[tz90]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've tried 10 mg today and it's not much easier on my body. I'm agitated, feel sick and uneasy. It gave me diarrhea too now. It's driving me crazy. I'm done with this. no more Celexa.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by tz90

Thanks for the suggestions. I've tried 10 mg today and it's not much easier on my body. I'm agitated, feel sick and uneasy. It gave me diarrhea too now. It's driving me crazy. I'm done with this. no more Celexa.

You could go down to 5mg. for a week.

[PatternsInTheIvy]

I was on its cousin, Lexapro, for 5 years. Started at 10mg at 15. Made me sick for a few days... but it should jack you up so bad for that long. When it gets to the point where the side effects are intolerable, ya need to let your doc know and either titrate up from a lower dose or be like "nah, can I switch?" SSRIs tend to be hard to tolerate. I'm on Welbutrin, the only defined DRI. That TENDS to be well-tolerated depending on what else they're treating you for. I had no side effects starting it, but everyone's brain chem is different.

I give meds two to three weeks for initial side effects to go away. It sucks but it has worked for me, overall. I've found a lot of heavy side effects disappear but it may take a week or two. I hope you feel better.

[ickydog2006]

Most side effects like that usually go away within three weeks. I know that sounds like an insanely long time, and yes, starting new meds can be hell. Both Paxil and Prozac I couldn't take because even 1/4 the typical starting dose made me throw up. Zoloft made me throw up a few times and I could barely walk for 2 weeks and had tremors that lasted 3 mths, but at the time it was worth it to me. Effexor, I lasted three days on, they gave me anti convulsants to counteract the muscle spasms but I couldn't handle it. Those are just some of the meds and physical side effects I've had. So yes, what you are experiencing, especially nausea, is very common. Whether it is worth it or not is really up to you and your Dr, but side effects are usually much more manageable after the three week point (although there are always exceptions to that.)

[tz90]

Originally Posted by ickydog2006

Most side effects like that usually go away within three weeks. I know that sounds like an insanely long time, and yes, starting new meds can be hell. Both Paxil and Prozac I couldn't take because even 1/4 the typical starting dose made me throw up. Zoloft made me throw up a few times and I could barely walk for 2 weeks and had tremors that lasted 3 mths, but at the time it was worth it to me. Effexor, I lasted three days on, they gave me anti convulsants to counteract the muscle spasms but I couldn't handle it. Those are just some of the meds and physical side effects I've had. So yes, what you are experiencing, especially nausea, is very common. Whether it is worth it or not is really up to you and your Dr, but side effects are usually much more manageable after the three week point (although there are always exceptions to that.)

Wow.. sorry to hear about that. I hope it was worth it to go through hell like that for weeks! There was no way for me to take just one more mg of this SSRI, let alone go through that initial phase for up to three weeks. I was disgusted by the effects. It felt wrong. As if I was destroying my body and personality in the process and so I went through a short withdrawal. Might try an NDRI in the future as they seems to be easier on the body. But for now it feels good to be back and myself again.

[Paracelsus]

Paxil and prozac come in tiny doses like 1-2 mg that you mix in juice for people who are sensitive. if your insurance covers it ask your doctor about it.

[-jimi-]

Starting SSRIs can be harsh. Celexa also gave me very bad nausea to begin with but it went away. Those I stopped I gave several weeks.