Zen Pizza

Thanks for everyone who wrote. I had been on Celex...

2009-11-07T14:35:20.509-08:00

Thanks for everyone who wrote. I had been on Celexa for 9 yrs mostly on than off. I tapered off only taking 20 mg for the past 9 mths then I went off 2 weeks ago. It was a huge step but at some point I am planning to have a child and needed to get off the celexa.
I know things will get normalize but one huge side affect is feeling off balance and having a feeling of Empty air in my head.
It sucks today I cried about it! I am happy though, I feel things in my life have normalized and I know I can get through it! Either way, thanks everyone for sharing.

First of all.. thank you. This post has saved my ...

2009-11-04T12:05:04.638-08:00

First of all.. thank you. This post has saved my sanity! I have been feeling all of this and it is awful. I am 7 days free after 5 years of 20 mg and 2 months of tapering off.

Second, to Anonymous on November 1 (I think it was!) I understand exactly how you feel with not being able to make a decision and feeling overwhelmed. I felt the same way for so long. It is debilitating.

I am going to power through this with water, sleep and the knowledge that eventually the crying, depression and hopelessness will go away. Thank you so much!

Okay; you'd think I would have learned my lesson. ...

2009-11-02T18:44:11.709-08:00

Okay; you'd think I would have learned my lesson. I went through a horrible experience w/Prozac last year and I swore I'd never be on SSRI's again. Yet, here I am withdrawing from Celexa and feeling awful.

I went off of my meds last year after my husband almost left me. A year of increasing emotional "zombification" nearly destroyed my marriage. We went through counseling and I tapered off the Prozac and I became myself again. Our marriage was saved, but I went into a deep, deep depression. I went to a psychiatrist right before the holidays last year and she put me on Wellbutrin XL 150mg. It worked for a bit, but then the depression came back. She upped the Wellbutrin to 300mg. That made me start feeling really aggressive anger (so weird for me since I'm such a calm pacifist usually). So, back down to 150mg I went. She wanted to supplement that w/the Celexa 20mg. I said okay in a moment of desperation to get out from under the double blow of depression and over-the-top agitation. Well, 20mg became 40mg and then she added in Buspirone 15mg to help reduce the anxiety that developed.

In the last few months my husband and I started to see those old SSRI demons rear their ugly heads: sexual dysfunction, lack of emotion, inability to connect w/my daughter, weight gain, exhaustion. Last week, I decided enough was enough and I tossed the Celexa into a bag of old coffee grinds and threw it in the garbage.

It seemed like such a good idea at the time. Now, the withdrawal has hit me full force. I have the zaps, dizziness, nausea if I don't stay full, that feeling that I'm not 100% in sync between my brain and body, irritability, lack of temper control, muscle aches, and an overall flu-like feeling. Yuck. This is the first day that I've been able to link this grossness to my cessation of Celexa, though. I guess I was a little slow on the uptake.

On the bright side: I had a rush of emotion return to me last night while watching, of all things, the new "Star Trek" movie. I tell ya, that Spock/Kirk friendship gets me everytime. AND, best of all, my husband and I had the best sex we've had in months! TMI, I know; but, it's so significant to me.

Thanks to this blog, I've been able to finally make that vital connection between feeling horrible and coming off of Celexa. I hope the withdrawal ickiness is gone soon. Today seems to be the worst day so far and it's been one week exactly that I went off the meds. There is light at the end of the tunnel, I think.

So, thank you to anyone who read my long-winded story. It helps so much just to get it all off of my chest in a supportive forum.

-Nik

Interesting. I find the crying just leads to more...

2009-11-02T10:48:19.264-08:00

Interesting. I find the crying just leads to more crying, and hurts my chest, and I haven't noticed myself writing again - but there is definitely a different way of thinking. I'm switching from Celexa to another SSRI, but the symptoms are nonetheless right on!

I understand that this is about Withdrawal. I jus...

2009-11-01T15:37:25.409-08:00

I understand that this is about Withdrawal. I just went to a Nurse practitioner and she thought it was a good idea for me to take 10mg of Celexa. I am having a hard time with making decisions and every so often feel as if a huge amount of weight is on my shoulders. In time it passes... But comes back. I have had many life changes in the past and think that that might be an issue to everything. I got engaged and right now it is at the point where my fiance moved out of my house... I have read some of the side effects and honestly do not feel as if I need this medication. Can someone help shed some light for me. Thanks

I've been on Celexa for the last 4 years. My doc ...

2009-11-01T12:51:10.591-08:00

I've been on Celexa for the last 4 years. My doc wants me off so that I can try a new pain med for my fibromyalgia. Well, I've tapered off from 40 mg. to 20 mg. to 10 mg, to 10 mg every other day, and this past week to nothing. I'm having freaky symptoms as others have described above. Mostly I feel hugely depressed, and am crying at the drop of a hat. I don't feel good about this, in fact, I'm tempted to go back on the low dose. But I see my doc tomorrow and will let her know how bad it has been. I don't feel myself at all, sweaty then freezing, ringing in the ears constantly, disturbed sleep, etc. etc. I will not go back on any SSRI or any other kind of med like this again. Hang in there -- I've been off now 7 days and counting.

I was on celexa for eight months and kept gaining ...

2009-10-19T13:26:26.320-07:00

I was on celexa for eight months and kept gaining weight even thought I was running and eating right. When I finally went to the doctor again I had gained 15lbs. I asked her if it was from celexa and she said no but gave me a perscription for another drug. When I got on the internet I was amazed at the stories from everyone about the rapid weight gain from celexa. I decided to get off celexa and not try anything else. I feel like a real person again. I have emotions and I cried the other day for the first time in months. I guess while I was on celexa I didnt realize how calm I was with no feelings. I am having a few withdrawl symptoms. I am having trouble sleeping at night, sweating or have hot flashes, I can cry again, and being happy, sad and excited somehow all at the same time. I am glad that I got off celexa

I am on day 6 of withdrawal and don't know if I ca...

2009-10-18T21:36:57.807-07:00

I am on day 6 of withdrawal and don't know if I can make it through. Thank you for all of your comments. It helps a lot. I just don't know how I am supposed to get through my two jobs and take care of my two kids. I quit cold because I wanted to get the withdrawal over with. I've tried tapering down in the past but it just takes so long and I still had withdrawal symptoms. But this is really really bad. Praying to God helps because He is with me through it and I will walk through this and see the other side. The question is how long will it take?

Lisa

WOW! I can not even imagine taking 40 mg. Celexa…...

2009-10-18T16:02:39.218-07:00

WOW! I can not even imagine taking 40 mg. Celexa….for 14 years no less! Or, even 20 mg. and trying to wean off for 10 months! I started on 5 mg. (1st week); increased to 10 mg. (2nd week); then (3rd week), max dose of 20 mg. – with side effects so severe and scary (numbness, tingling, shortness of breath, lightheadedness), I ended up in the E.R. – after which my doctor had me quit “cold” – which is what threw me into the horrors of withdrawal!

It was a nightmare – but, I am happy to report that the WORST symptoms subsided after 10 days – and the others are gradually diminishing. In fact, today is Day 17 and I actually think that today is the closest to “normal” that I have felt – physically and emotionally. So, hang in there! It seems like forever, when you’re going through it. But, it DOES get better. I agree with Elizabeth: Never again!

Thank you all for sharing. It is so enlightening – and reassuring. I wish you well – in every sense of the word – on this “journey” and hope your symptoms subside with each passing day – and stop altogether VERY SOON!

Ah, fellow anti-Celexa travelers. Good to know a ...

2009-10-17T20:53:05.357-07:00

Ah, fellow anti-Celexa travelers. Good to know a name for the "brain zaps". Also experiencing tinnitis, tingling lips and tongue tip, slight dizziness. So good to hear from others going through this withdrawal. I find if I have used Celexa before the withdrawal is more difficult the more "on/off" symptoms I have. Never again!
Elizabeth

Thanks so much for creating this resource. I have...

2009-10-15T19:57:22.557-07:00

Thanks so much for creating this resource. I have been trying to wean myself off of Celexa for the past 10 months! I was on 20mg and cut it to ten for a few months and then quartered the pills to ~5mg. Each time I lowered my dose, I experienced all the unpleasant and disorienting side effects that you and others have mentioned. I decided I may just have to live with the low dosage until I got the courage to brave the withdrawal again.

Now, at 6 weeks pregnant, I have decided I don't have a choice. Even though some medical providers say it is okay for pregnant women to take anti-depressants, it is still a schedule "C" drug. For perspective, Tylenol is a schedule "B" and I think twice before popping one of those in.

So five days ago, I stopped taking the little "whiff" of Celexa I've been on for the last eight months. The withdrawal has come crashing down on me and I am feeling absolutely awful. The dizziness is the worst, especially since I just recovered from a case of benign positional vertigo. I am hoping that all these symptoms will subside before morning sickness sets in.

Your post and the comments that follow have definitely given me hope that I can come out a better person on the other side of all this mind altering ickiness. In the meantime, I am trying hard to remain functional and keep my emotions in check. The real reward will be getting back to my old self and then giving birth to a naturally healthy and happy baby.

Thanks again and best to all who have shared their experiences here.

Thank you so much for writing this. I am currently...

2009-10-13T07:28:29.032-07:00

Thank you so much for writing this. I am currently in withdrawals after taking the maximum dose of Celexa (40mg) for the past 14 years. I am feeling all of these things but at least I am feeling again. I love it and hate it all at the same time!! Thank you again.

Thank you so much for this! I suffer from periodi...

2009-10-08T20:20:01.134-07:00

Thank you so much for this! I suffer from periodic panic attacks but, a series of life crises several months ago sent me to the doctor, where I was diagnosed with full-blown anxiety disorder. I am a “non-medication” person – use only natural and alternative remedies – but, I was so desperate and could not function that I “gave in” and accepted a prescription for Celexa. Then I read the accompanying literature….which scared me MORE than the panic/anxiety attacks….so, I would not take it. Then, 5 weeks ago, I had a worse panic/anxiety episode….went to the doctor again, and was convinced to take it – along with Xanax, as needed. Almost 4 weeks “in” I thought I was feeling and functioning better….until I experienced horrible, scary tingling and numbness in arms and legs….plus shortness of breath….which scared the daylights out of me and sent me to the E.R., where I was assured it was “only paresthesia” (look THAT one up!). Followed-up with my doctor 2 days later and was told to stop Celexa “cold turkey.” I questioned not gradually weaning off, but was told that since I had only taken it for "only 4 weeks," it would be fine. Ha! For the past week, I have experienced most of the symptoms described by everyone here: dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, feeling wobbly, tingling, numbness, headache, insomnia. It’s debilitating! I feel so much better, though, that I am NOT GOING CRAZY….that this is “normal” withdrawal stuff! I’m just so frustrated, because I resisted taking anything like this for so long….and, now I know why! I’ll take the panic and anxiety over THIS….ANY time! Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I wish you all luck and may your symptoms cease SOON….VERY SOON!

Great Information on this website!! I have only b...

2009-10-08T14:08:09.865-07:00

Great Information on this website!! I have only been off Celexa for about a week now and am starting to feel some side effects - brain zaps, fatigue, flu like symptoms. It is crazy how one little pill can cause so much to go on in your body. I know that my Lord will help me get thru this - without Him, I can do nothing. I love Him with all my heart and only want to give Him the glory for this.

One question - I probably haven't cried 5 times in the past 3 years - is this a side effect of the celexa??? Crying is such a good thing - sometimes I want to cry and just can't. This past week I have cried 2 times. It felt soooo good!!

Hey Everyone, So here is my little story on being...

2009-10-08T11:24:32.388-07:00

Hey Everyone,

So here is my little story on being on Celexa. It might not be the best story in the world but it is the truth. Remember everyone's experience is different and this doesn't mean this will happen to you.

It all started with me in June of 2006. I was in the process of getting divorced and was in a deep depression. I was seeing a therapist and asked if i could take an antidepressant. I was prescribed Celexa.

I started taking Celexa and worked my way up to 40 Mg a day. I tell you when I started taking it, I felt like a million bucks. I was what you would say Manic. I was more sociable, it helped me ignore the pain of my divorce, and many more things. I would say this was a happy time for me until October of 06.

In October of 06 I was at a movie and I had a panic attack. My heart started racing and my skin became flush. This is when I started to doubt my medication. I also began to notice that this medication was turning me into an insomniac. I decided I could live with this.

In december of 06 I decided to take myself off of Celexa cold turkey. I had good reason to. My divorce was finalized, I had a good realationship going for me, and much more.

Right away there were symptoms of withdrawal. Panic Attack, Vertigo, Brain Zaps, Nerve pain in right side of body, Hot and Cold feeling, Stabbing pain in occipital area in back of neck.

These things caused me to go to the emergency room like 5 times. They did every test you can imagine. They even did an MRA to see if I had an Aneurism. So these withdrawal symptoms got so bad that in March of 09 I had my doctor put me on Short Term disability for six weeks.

During these six weeks i just rested and tried to tell my body that this pain was my friend. and this pain would still be with me when I got back to work six weeks later. I just decided that it would exist with me but not affect me. It's kind of like in the movie "A Beautiful Mind" when Russel Crowe decided to not acknowledge his skitzofrenic hallucinations anymore. They were there but he ignored them.

So that summer I broke up with my girlfriend and moved back in with my dad. I decided to go back to school. I still had all of these withdrawal symptoms but they were slowly weening away. School helped me take my mind off of the pain. I would say that by Christmas of 07 I was having minimal withdrawal effects. It seemed like they became more like episodes rather than a continuing pain.

The neck pain, dizziness, vertigo, nerve pain in leg was completely gone by christmas of 07. I would say that the brain zaps were completely gone by the summer of 08.
To this day I still get that flashing in my vision but it doesn't bug me. I still get leg jerks every once in awhile. For the most part as of October of 09 I am symptom free. I have not taken a single anti-depressant since december of 06 and don't plan on taking any again in my life.

I am personally torn on antidepressents. It helped me but I also believe it scarred my body as well. No one knows what the long term affects are of SSRI's. I would just say use with caution. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Today, life for me is doing pretty good. Yes, life has it's challenges but I know I can deal with it on my own. Please also don't get freaked out and think that my case will happen to you. I believe I was on the extreme end of the Withdrawal symptoms. Please, if you think you can't handle the pain just deal with it and invite the pain to be your friend. It is only temporary and it will go away. Don't give in to taking more of this drug if you don't have to. I believe in all of you! Take care you all!

I have been on Celexa for almost 9 years and have ...

2009-10-06T03:33:15.937-07:00

I have been on Celexa for almost 9 years and have found the withdrawl process quite awful. I stopped because I am having a sleep study for narcolepsy in 2 weeks and the doctor wants me clear of all meds (Celexa, Concerta)for 2 weeks prior to the test. The plan is for me to resume the pills once the test is completed.

After 9 years I can't remember who I was before taking the pills. People have written that after stopping the meds their creativity and drive for life has returned. Part of me is curious to see what life is like without all of these medications. I am not sure if I should "resume" or try living life med free. One thing I do know is that I can't wait to stop feeling so sick from the withdrawl symptoms.

I am 18 and have been on celexa for about a year n...

2009-10-02T16:17:04.931-07:00

I am 18 and have been on celexa for about a year now for my depression and eating disorder. The past few months i have gained 10-15 lbs and it is very depressing. Once i found out it was the celexa that was causing this i went off. i usually take 40mg a day then one day i took 20mg and then i took none. I have had a couple of really bad panic attacks and crying. Even a few days later i am feeling better other than the constant dizziness and nausea.
I will only get better from here.

I decreased to 10 mg from 50mg over a 4 mth period...

2009-10-02T08:09:59.203-07:00

I decreased to 10 mg from 50mg over a 4 mth period at a rate of 5mg/decrease every 10-14 days.
Now at 10mg, I am feeling it. Anxiety after 5 days and depression and neck and shoulder pain after 11 days. Off work the last couple of days. I am due to reduce to 5mg tomorrow. Any suggestions as to reduce or wait til symptoms get better. Thanks. Brads.

This is a good point. I take all three omegas, fis...

2009-09-28T13:06:09.645-07:00

This is a good point. I take all three omegas, fish, flax and borage. It does seem to help. I also take vitamin D and
E every day along with injectable B-12 once a week.

Jon

Fish oil helps with brain zap! Many people are rep...

2009-09-28T12:37:56.171-07:00

Fish oil helps with brain zap! Many people are reporting "brain zaps" from celexa withdrawal. Someone else mentioned that fish oil helps with that and I wanted to second that. The fish oil pretty much eliminates the brain zap, at least in my case. I take the Nordic Naturals; 2 caps per day.

I've read of the rage that sometimes occurs. I don...

2009-09-27T14:32:44.975-07:00

I've read of the rage that sometimes occurs. I don't think you're alone. I've had a taste of it myself. After almost three months being away from Celexa things had almost calmed down. It's been a long haul for me. I went on Prozac for a week to settle things down and that helped. As for The Road Back, I basically agree with you. I've tried some of the supplements and they've been some benefit but maybe not so much as their priced tag would have you think.

Jon

Wow I decided to google this topic and am very sur...

2009-09-22T03:46:59.103-07:00

Wow I decided to google this topic and am very surprised. What seemed a good friend at first and became a housemate has turned extremely sour and into some maniac. I too am in touch with the universe and want good for all but in our flat at the moment seems to be jealousy, anger, control, gossip and control all caused by this person. I've now confronted him over this and was greeted with further rubbish and have asked him to move out. There have been times where bottles and knives were brought as a threatening tool against me for speaking my mind about his behaviour. All this followed by no apology after he cooled down followed by more P/A behaviour it seems like P/A are caught up in a cycle. I have now told him any more of these fits of rage until he moves will be dealt with by the police. It seems that P/A ride friendships to the maximum thinking that its a tug of war and we go back to them cos we have nothing else. Well unfortunately this isn't the case. Take a stand and confront them. Our other friend X has had enough also after a weekend fit in a nightclub in the city. I was called Saturday and told about his behaviour which X like me had tolerated for some time. He too has finally taken a stand and told our friend that its time for him to move on. It seems P/A love to display "I will get you behaviours" they can't hold friendships and like quiet people as friends until you speak up to them. They take no responsibility for what comes out of their mouths love to bully and talk behind other peoples backs. They are scared and fearful when it comes to making decisions that involve their life or has to do with the law. They lie and manipulate and fear being caught out. They ride other peoples weaknesses and like to sneak and like to think they have something that will hold you cornered. They suffer regular depression bouts and often speak of their ailments, illnesses and health problems openly seeking attention. They are very tiring to be around and seem to be alone because of this. Wow look at this amazing. Keep being great people and never stoop to arguing with them. The great people pick themselves up and keep being awesome.

I too am intimately connected with several p/a in ...

2009-09-21T21:49:04.172-07:00

I too am intimately connected with several p/a in my family. I have tried without sucess "to just be honest" with one particular person for years. This is met with anger, avoidance, sarcasm, forgetfulness, and a history of gossip so damaging as to almost destroy our family. The person I have been trying to deal with is my mother.

She is also a perfectionist and has developed a hero-worship of a select few, while others such as myself, are "bad". I am bad as i have been divorced, therefore, i have failed, never to be forgiven, treated with respect etc. Of course this has made our parent/ grandparent relationship a long, painful, murky mess.

It has greatly worsened through the years. I have requested, implored, begged for any kind of family counseling. She has refused for 20 years.

I have been at my wit's end as to how to deal with her. How to have any sort of warm relationship with a person who doesn't believe i have a place of respect and authority in my own kids' lives.

My college-aged son now lives with her, while attending school, and while her generosity is most appreciated, his presence has made her even more possesive of him and antagonistic toward me.

So i have been making all sorts of mistakes. Mainly I have been willing to do almost anything for her approval (so as to stay in my son's life), try to be honest and straightforward, & allowing myself to rely upon financially at times.

Yes, things used to be much better when i did not rely on her for anything. And I did not try nearly so hard.

As of earlier tonite, my people-pleasing son, has just cancelled long-standing holiday plans with us due to this situation. My mom had been included in theory to travel with us, however, she has turned down the offer for years. I addressed this situation in a straightforward manner by both telephone and letter (to her).

Her response: More gossip, more drama, and now we have no plans for Christmas. (& they live 3,000 miles away)

He will live with her for years to come, as there is still much of his academic life.

I am so sad to imagine that this pressure will be put on him & the end result will likely look something like this Christmas.

And, yes, my son is a "grown-up", but he is living by her good grace.

It is just one very painful mess that affects many including my young daughter.

Any ideas, anyone?
Thanks.

Thank you.

My doctor told me I should be fine and have little...

2009-09-20T11:25:27.782-07:00

My doctor told me I should be fine and have little adverse effects within a week. Wrong! It's been ten weeks and I'm still suffering, but not as much. I took Prozac-like drugs for eighteen years, so I would expect my experience to be the way it has been. No doctor I've spoken to about this has a realistic view of how powerful these drugs are and how long it takes to get off of them. I'm no expert, but I wouldn't think it would be very long before you felt fine. I don't feel comfortable telling you what to do, so use your best judgment. And call the nurse tomorrow.

Jon