[Gene53]

Hi,

I have been diagnosed with GAD and panic disorder 12 years ago for which I take clonazepam (1mg twice/daily) and a few months ago, sunk into a severe depression for which I see a therapist.

The therapist suggested I should be prescribed an antidepressant and also have the clonazepam dosage checked and maybe adjusted, being that I might have built a tolerance to it.

Being that I live in Quebec, Canada and that we have a very lousy socialized health care system, finding a "family doctor" is impossible and the only options we have are walk-in clinics (one-shot deal with no follow-ups) so needless to say, they sure as heck won't prescribe antidepressants to someone they don't know (oxymoron) or go to a hospital's ER in where the average waiting time is roughly 26 hours.

To make a long story short, a friend is under a PDoc's care and he called him up to see if he would see me and he agreed. I went to see him and after the usual questions, he prescribed Celexa (20 mg at bedtime) and modified the clonazepam intake from 1mg twice/daily to .5mg four times/daily.

I have now been on this med for 26 days and wish to stop taking it because it seems that I'm intolerant to this drug and the gravity of the side effects outweigh it's benefits.

Here's a partial list of the side effects that affect me on a daily basis:
- blurred vision
- excessive trembling
- complete loss of appetite, frequent nausea, diarrhea and abdominal cramps
- excessive sweating
- frequent urination
- nervousness and agitation
- dizziness
- lack of energy and libido
- tingling and burning sensations on certain parts of my body
- trouble concentrating and sluggishness
- pounding heart
- infrequent mood changes

Also, starting 3 days ago, my left ankle and foot is slightly swollen at night.

I'm aware that these side effects should be reported to my PDoc but 2 days after I saw him, he went on vacation and won't be back until the 25th so I have to take matters in my own hands till he gets back and get off this med.

So, my big question is can I just quit them "cold turkey" after only 26 days or do I need to gradually ween myself off it over a few days to avoid withdrawal symptoms, if any after such a short period?

Thanks,
Gene

Link to detailed Celexa side effects:
http://www.drugs.com/cons/celexa.html

[Christina86]

Hi (((((((((Gene))))))))))))))

I'm from one province over, so I know it can be frustrating getting/keeping a doctor!

Honestly, I was on Lexapro (sister drug to Celexa) and quitting it cold turkey - was massively brutal. But it can be done, but not with some pain... but it sounds like currently being on the meds isn't a healthy thing for you. If you can get through the initial side effects, it gets better for a while - and then you're hit again as the drugs fully leave your system (about 2-3 weeks as I've found). But that's just my experience.

If you decide to go off "cold turkey" I'd forewarn you - it will be horrid, and it will/can likely put you out of commission (aka doing anything) for a few days. Imagine a flu bug. It can be done... if the side effects get too bad, you can always take half a dosage (10mg) for a few days to wean off at a slower rate.

But seriously, if the side effects are that bad, I would honestly see about getting in to see another doctor to get their opinion. Did the current pdoc provide any sort of referral to another doctor (perhaps on their answering machine) to see a specific other person in case of urgent needs?

I'm not a doctor by the way, but I certainly feel for you.

[Rapunzel]

Are there any telephone hotlines that would at least give you some advice? Any doctor covering from the one who went on vacation? Those sound like serious side effects, and if there is any way possible, you should get some qualified medical advice.

[Gene53]

Thanks for the answers.

My PDoc didn't have anyone on "standby" but I did talk with my pharmacist a couple of days ago and after telling her about the side effects (some of them which are considered severe), she told me that I should immediately stop taking the Celexa.

Today, I’m feeling much better, the tremors and some of the side-effects have subsided, my clonazepam worked instead of fighting against the Celexa and hopefully, things will get even better as the Celexa leaves my organism (in approximately 72 hours)

As far as the withdrawal symptoms go, I haven’t felt any yet (but this might change) but my pharmacist told me that if ever would have any, they would be mild to moderate on account that I’ve only been on it for less than 4 weeks and usually, you have to be on this med for 2 months before having to be extra careful when wishing to give it up in order to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms.

In conclusion, I don’t want to be switched to another SSRI and maybe go through hell again so when my PDoc gets back, I’ll just ask him to raise my clonazepam dosage which controls my panic/anxiety disorders because my body has built up a tolerance to it, after all, I’ve been on 2mg’s/daily for over 8 years and it isn’t as effective as it used to be.

As far as the depression goes, I’ll just do as I did for the 3 previous ones, psychotherapy, positive thinking, meditation and staying away from negative stuff as much as I can but NO antidepressants. Gee, I was getting better with therapy and hypnotherapy before I got on this crap.

Thanks again,
Gene