Celexa High Anxiety, Ativan, Few Days, Panic Attack, Panic Attacks
Posted over a year ago
I have been on Celexa for a little over a week for panic attacks/anxiety. The first 2 days I took it I felt like I was in a dream, light headed, tingly, pretty much just intensifying my problems in the first place so I stopped taking Celexa for a few ... more »
I have been on Celexa for a little over a week for panic attacks/anxiety. The first 2 days I took it I felt like I was in a dream, light headed, tingly, pretty much just intensifying my problems in the first place so I stopped taking Celexa for a few days.. then I spoke with my doctor and she said to try taking it at night instead of the morning. So I began taking Celexa at bedtime. I didn't have much side effects except for a little trouble sleeping, but I actually was starting to feel "better", for about 4 days I was feeling really well and resuming normal activities. Then out of nowhere on that 4th day in the evening I got a really bad panic attack, and for the past 3 days since I've been feeling high anxiety and panic again. I don't understand, because I really felt like I was getting better. I told my doctor what has been happening and all she said was that its normal to have set backs and to continue the Celexa. I'm also taking Ativan to help control the anxiety until the Celexa "kicks in", but in the past few days nothing has been seeming to help. Has anyone experienced this? Is it because I've only been on Celexa for a week? I feel like I am going crazy being back in this lightheaded fog.
Bethontheriver - It takes at least 2 weeks to feel the beneficial effects of Celexa. The adjustment period is terrible, I remember it well. But after a couple of weeks, things begin to even out and you should feel better. Please give it a couple of weeks before you stop. You can ween yourself onto the drug if it helps, taking on every other day for the first week, then increasing to one every day. But you must give it a chance to build in your system. If after 2-3 weeks you don't feel any better, then you should talk to your doctor about alternative or additional treatment. The Ativan should help you get through the adjustment period. If it doesn't, ask your doctor if you can increase your dose or frequency for a couple of days, to help your body adjust to the new drug.
Good luck. And don't let them tell you it's all in your head!
Wnbs - I have been on Celexa for over a year with no known side effects except maybe wanting to eat more and gaining weigh (but I'm not sure if this is the Celexa). Of course, no one body is the same. Take your doctor's advice and continue taking the Celexa and if you have any more panic attacks, she might can recommend another medicine. Hang in there and try not to stress out during the holidays. Keep it low key if you can. God bless.
Btjnark - I went through exactly the same thing! Please stick with it, because after another week you'll be so glad you did! My anxiety intensified so much in the first week I thought I was "going crazy." I wanted to go off the Celexa so badly, but my doctor (and husband) insisted I stick it out - and they were right. I know how awful panic attacks are, and I feel for you - but don't give up on the Celexa. You won't regret it. Good luck, and God Bless. ~Traci
Godlysilver - I was put on Celexa a while back for depression and anxiety. I had been on it before but for some reason this time I seemed more sensitive for me. I started feeling overwhelming panic, anxiety, and disconnected from everyone. I got off of that immediately and tried Effexor. I noticed a difference immediately after the first pill. Even though not everyone's feel okay that quickly, I had a few days after that where I did not feel as good as other days, but it was definately better from that day on. That was almost 2 years ago and now I am on nothing. The bottom line is that you may need to try a couple of medications to see what works for you best.
Trishamorris - I know this is sort of after the fact, but I was prescribed Celexa for OCD, I really wanted to give it a try although I am functioning OK, but life could be a little easier.... so I went on it for a week and after a week experienced nausea so bad that I missed work. (the same thing happened with Zoloft). So I went off of it this past Monday, and I am still waking up nauseous in the night and mornings. Is this normal to have withdrawal after only taking it for a week? I also take Ativan to aleviate anxiety and I have never experienced side effects with it aside from a little tiredness, I hear a lot of people stop because of the nausea- I just wish there was something I could do to get through this, I just feel like being nauseous every day is hard, and not a great quality of life. It also gives me more anxiety. Anyway- I am just sharing my experience, I am going to instead schedule 10 sessions of cognitive therapy, which has helped before. This anti depressant stuff just doesnt like my body...
Onewhoknows - I am so sorry you have been going through so much with this drug. I too was prescribed Celexa on tuesday the 22nd of January. I told my doctor about the other drugs I've tried and what happened taking them but he told me, just be patient, it takes time. Well, I took my first dose that night and awoke at 4 am with such anxiety I thought I would climb the walls. I couldn't relax, was so nervous and on the verge of having a panic attack which I've had many times since 1995. I have GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) it has kept me a prisoner in my own home as I am afraid to go anywhere alone nor drive alone. Living like this is not living and then to take a drug that only worsens the condition I already suffer with, is ridiculous. I called and told my doctor what had happened and I get told, keep taking it as the side effects will go away in time. Well, he doesn't have to live like I do so I will NOT take another pill. I will stick with what I know works and that is valium and some herbal remedies like passion flower and Calms Forte. In my opinion and I am a retired nurse, I think doctors need to go back to medical school and learn more about supplements and herbs. If the Chinese have had success with herbs for centuries, why can't we learn from them?
Nicsnice2u - I've been prescribed celexa 3 weeks ago for severe depression, This episode was stress related imo. Anyway I never had much of a problem with panic attacks when I wasn't taking med but since on celexa I've been feeling very anxious and have had a couple panic attacks. Is this just a side effect and will go away?
Its been 3 weeks I'm hoping by next week I feel less anxious, I hate this feeling! It also is making me obsess about stupid things (never had this before) Imo I'd be better on natural pills SSRIs are no good, Zoloft gave me the same reaction when it stopped working, major panic attacks and racing heart beat it was terrible but what I feel now isn't nearly as bad as that I was practically bed ridden.
Any help/responses would be appreciated
Angforj123 - I just got on celexa, its been five days my doc gave it to me for depression. on about day 4 i had a really bad panic attack and i have never had a panic attack before in my life. today is day 5 and i had another panic attack im not taking celexa anymore i think it caused me to have a panic attack. hope this helps
Bodieprincess - I too was prescribed celexa. I would wake up in the morning having horrible heart racing. If I went back to sleep I would wake up with the same symptoms. During the day I would feel fine. I had an Mri if my brain and 2 ct scans, saw 3 specialists and turns out to be an anxiety disorder. The second week on the pills, my symptoms got worse, an I had 3 full blown panic attacks. I wanted so much to stop the drug but I just told myself it was just a side effect and it would pass. I am now in the middle of week 4 and I have had 3 days now with no symptoms. It is starting to work.
Lz - I have had such similar experiences to you all! Day 1 and 2 were ok, then I switched to taking my celexa at night. I had awful dreams and woke up for 2 days having horrible anxiety that turned into full blown panic attacks. I'm going to try to stick with it because I've heard so many success stories with it. However I'll be taking it in the morning again. I'm just hoping I'll have a success story to share with you all.
LZ
Fixme - fixme - So.. first night on this, I slept walk, assaulted my fiance while doing so (she punched me in the face for it), and tried to leave the house, packing my 6 month old belongings. When I awoke the next day to see his walker in the street with the car door wide open, my fiance hit me with the horrible event that took place. I cannot recall anything of the sort. I have never been violent or abusive, and do not have a history of sleepwalking. Really freaked us both out, now I can totally see how one may not be responsible for his actions. Thank god she hid the keys from me! I'm wanting this to work so bad, I have not discontinued use. End of day 3 and not another episode yet. I am feeling waves of anger, and sadness, and overall weird but a twist of get.r.done.
Lomanro - Hi, I am new to this whole anxiety thing. About six months ago, while standing in front of a room full of high school seniors (I'm a teacher), I had a bout of extreme dizziness. That event seemed to trigger something in my brain because from that point forward, I began to experience extreme anxiety. I was so worried that I would feel that vertigo again, that I would be in the middle of the lesson, and that I wouldn't be able to escape. Suddenly, just going to work became an ordeal. Which is weird because I've not really experienced anything like this before.
I spoke to a medical professional who prescribed Xanax, but I did NOT like that feeling at all (even though I only took 1/4 of a pill). Then she prescribed Celexa for me. I began taking it, knowing that it could take two to six weeks for it to take effect. It has now been almost four weeks since I started taking it (20 mg). I've been feeling SO good, but then a few evenings ago, some friends stopped by and in the middle of their visit, I felt the skin on my back and on my scalp begin to warm; it felt like my skin was "crawling." I have been a fainter since I was quite young, so I knew that if I didn't lay down that I was going down. Of course, this made me very anxious and I felt like I had reverted to the way I was before I began taking the medication, but I quickly ascribed the cause to the fact that I was enjoying a cocktail with them (yes, I know that I'm not supposed to drink while on Celexa). Lesson learned: no more alcohol. But then, just last night, I was visiting my parents when that same flushed feeling/anxiety creeped up on me.
Has anyone else experienced this??
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