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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Linda from Sweden on September 27, 2002, at 11:18:07
Hi, I have been using Celexa on and off the last 5 years, and it has been great for anxiety and depression. But now I experience more problems each time, in the beginning flu-symptoms and I feel bloated with some urinary problems and infections, and after I stabilize on a dose I can tolerate in terms of side effects (20-30 mg) things are great for a couple of months, then just apathy and weakness with flu-symptoms…..then I stop taking it! But after a couple of months I realize that I need medication again, because of returning anxiety and depression…and here we go again!
Now I am using 1,0 Klonopin, but my motivation is a little bit low, and I really don’t feel comfortable taking a benzo on a regularly basis.
So now I am hoping for some advice from this great board! I think SSRI is the medication for me, because of anxiety and I seem to be dependent on the
“I can handle it–feeling”. Paxil is not an option because of possible weight gain.Please give some advice and experiences!
Linda
Posted by Phil on September 27, 2002, at 12:35:44
In reply to Plz, advice...Celexa to Prozac, Zoloft or Lexapro?, posted by Linda from Sweden on September 27, 2002, at 11:18:07
Have you tried Serzone? It worked real well for me with few SE's. After being on it a while, I started getting a very bad temper and didn't realize it. BUT, it could work for you.
I used to take Remeron at 60mg; at that dose, no weight gain or sexual dysfuntion. My first 15 mg dose hit me so hard I had to crawl to bed! That goes away quickly.Good luck, hope you get a lot of replies.
Phil
Posted by Geezer on September 28, 2002, at 21:44:07
In reply to Plz, advice...Celexa to Prozac, Zoloft or Lexapro?, posted by Linda from Sweden on September 27, 2002, at 11:18:07
Hi Linda,
Just a guess here OK? Prozac was the only SSRI that I ever responded to and got very close to full remission for almost two years (before poop-out). Took Zoloft at 200mg for 4 months with no response. Both Prozac and Zoloft can be activating for people (I have no anxiety - essentially brain dead) so if you have anxiety and you are convinced SSRIs are right for you Lexapro might be your most conservative next move. I never took Lex. so I can't give my opinion. Lex. has been the longest running topic I have seen on this board - lots of comments both pro and con.
I can understand your concern about benzos but it is probably more harmful to your brain to tolerate excessive stress and anxiety than it is to take the benzos. I have been taking Klonopin for 15 mos. @ 0.5mg for sleep. It gives me no eurphoria but does help me sleep - I like the long half life.
Wish you the best,
Posted by Linda from Sweden on September 29, 2002, at 6:25:23
In reply to Re: Plz, advice...Celexa to Prozac, Zoloft or Lexapro? » Linda from Sweden, posted by Geezer on September 28, 2002, at 21:44:07
Hi Geezer, thanks for answering! How would you compare Prozac and Zoloft in terms of side effects?
Linda
Posted by Linda from Sweden on September 29, 2002, at 7:06:54
In reply to Re: Plz, advice...Celexa to Prozac, Zoloft or Lexapro? » Linda from Sweden, posted by Geezer on September 28, 2002, at 21:44:07
BTW, how do you feel taking Klonopin only at night? It's such a good drug, but a little strange too I think, nothing like other benzos I have tried.
Linda
Posted by Phil on September 29, 2002, at 8:41:24
In reply to Re: Plz, advice...Celexa to Prozac, Zoloft or Lexapro? » Geezer, posted by Linda from Sweden on September 29, 2002, at 7:06:54
Celexa was a long running topic when it came out too. Not a heated topic like Lexapro, whew!
I don't know what geezer will answer, obviously, but Prozac seemed to not kill the sex drive, etc. the way Zoloft could. I know a woman on Zoloft having no difficulties but for me and others, Zoloft just killed anything having to do with sex. I couldn't tell the difference between sex and zucchini.
Posted by Geezer on September 29, 2002, at 12:17:45
In reply to Re: Plz, advice...Celexa to Prozac, Zoloft or Lexapro? » Geezer, posted by Linda from Sweden on September 29, 2002, at 6:25:23
> Hi Geezer, thanks for answering! How would you compare Prozac and Zoloft in terms of side effects?
>
> LindaHi Linda,
I never had any side effects from Prozac that I can recall. It brought me out of a bad depression after about 3 weeks at 20mg. (the only AD that ever helped). After two years the poop-out occurred and dose increases to 60mg made no difference. No ad has worked since.
I took Zoloft for three or four months up to 200mg. per day with no benefit. The only side effect I can remember was a "wired" feeling with some anger and sleep disruption at the 200mg. dose.
D/Ced both meds cold turkey with no withdrawal (would not advise you D/C in this manner....you are young with a viable brain....I am brain dead).
My best wishes in your treatment.
Posted by Geezer on September 29, 2002, at 12:33:30
In reply to Re: Plz, advice...Celexa to Prozac, Zoloft or Lexapro? » Geezer, posted by Linda from Sweden on September 29, 2002, at 7:06:54
> BTW, how do you feel taking Klonopin only at night? It's such a good drug, but a little strange too I think, nothing like other benzos I have tried.
>
> LindaHi again Linda,
I agree Klonopin is a good benzo. for several reasons. I got into a huge abuse problem with Valium in 1984. I detoxed and literally "shook-it-out" in a psyc-ward (my old pdoc had a way of teaching hard lessons - somehow I avoided convulsions). I get no anxiolitic effect from Klonopin but it does help me sleep at night. For me there is no euphoria, therefore no temptation to increase dose (I will go from .5mg to .75mg on those occassions when I come off some AD and insomnia is a real problem....always go back to .5). I like the long half life.
Good luck
Posted by Geezer on September 29, 2002, at 12:56:48
In reply to Re: Plz, advice...Celexa to Prozac, Zoloft or Lexapro?, posted by Phil on September 29, 2002, at 8:41:24
> Celexa was a long running topic when it came out too. Not a heated topic like Lexapro, whew!
> I don't know what geezer will answer, obviously, but Prozac seemed to not kill the sex drive, etc. the way Zoloft could. I know a woman on Zoloft having no difficulties but for me and others, Zoloft just killed anything having to do with sex. I couldn't tell the difference between sex and zucchini.Hi Phil,
Glad you brought this point up. It seems the majority of the complaints on this board relate to sexual dysfunction due to ADs. I am "A-Sexual" - no libido with or without ADs. To be perfectly honest I couldn't care less. Please....I don't mean to be demeaning in regard to this very real problem. I have some faint recollection of the importance of sex when I was younger and my brain wasen't so totally "trashed". My focus today is to find some relief from the psychic pain resulting from the TRD. I would agree Prozac (for me) probably had less to do with sexual dysfunction than any other drug. What I can't tell for sure - was the effect Prozac had on lifting the depression the cause for improvment or was it the drug itself?
Good cheer
This is the end of the thread.
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