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Been on Celexa for 4 weeks today......still waiting

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Posted 6/1/2009 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Celexa for 4 weeks today (I go back to the Dr. June 15th), for depression and high anxiety.  I am making progress but at a snails pace.  I feel maybe 50% better than when I went to the Dr. and I felt terrible that day, my whole body ached, etc.........

I have felt so crappy for so long, I just want to be better.  Should I be feeling really really better by now?  Most side effects I had were minimal and then went away which is great because I am the side effect queen, been on ten or more meds over the last 2 years.

I need some encouragement to not give up and wait this out.  I was so tempted one day last week to just give up on the meds, but I did not and the next day I had a pretty good day.  Is this how it goes until the med is in my system?  I am only on 10mg, if I do not feel any better than now, when I go to the Dr. I will talk to her about increasing the dose.

OK, I am hanging in there.  Please cheer me on, I need it shakehead

Gem

Posted 6/1/2009 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Gem, I can't really advise about the Celexa, but I wanted to drop by and offer you my support. I can tell how much you want to feel better! ((hugs)) Please do hang in there until you can see your doc.......and make notes, if you can, about how you feel each day to give her some ideas about your symptoms and your moods. I really hope things get better for you, and soon!
Posted 6/2/2009 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
gem, hang in there my dear friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

been on the med misery go round for over 20 yrs now, 6wks is the usual adjustment, and since there has been some improvement means that it will kick in soon.

here to cheer you on, and up, me i am the perternal yo-yo, up and down!! cheers to you, keep fightin' stay strong, we are in ya corner. jamie, aka (yo-yo!) smilewinkgrin

Posted 6/2/2009 6:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Gem, I'm 2 weeks behind you on Prozac, had heaps of side effects (worsening anxiety the major one) but I'm hanging in there too because it's gotta be better than not being on anything. I sounded like you did when I first went to the gp to get the script, I was really bad and dont' want to go back there. i've had bad days and take valium now to help me get through while I wait for the meds to work. The advice we got is it will be 6 weeks before full therapeutic effect. You're almost there lucky thing! so if your side effects aren't bad, hang in there. If you want more relief, see your doc about an increased dose (altho I have no medical idea about that!). I'm right alongside you, holding your hand in cyberspace xx
Posted 6/2/2009 11:31 AM (GMT 0)

Good Morning Gem,

I think 50 % is awesome..............so please keep the faith.  I never noticed any miracle cure or feelings of suddenly be much better.  I did notice that gradually I was able to do the things I liked to do again. 

The meds can take up to 6-8 weeks for full therapeutic effect.  Also you may very well need an increase in the dose.

I am here to support you along with all the other members.

(((((((((((((((((((((GEM)))))))))))))))))))))

Take care,
Kitt

Posted 6/2/2009 12:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for all the support!  Today I am feeling pretty darn good, I hope it last.  I have heard that it is a very gradual effect as far as feeling better. 

So I will keep going and hope things keep improving.  Right after I first started taking the med my anxiety seemed worse, but is now subsiding.

Thanks again for the encouragment, I need all I can get wink

Gem

Posted 6/2/2009 1:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Gem,

These guys are right, it takes four to six weeks for your medication to reach its highest potential, and it looks like you have two more weeks before you see your doctor. So that should be about right. And as stated above, you might get a medication adjustment.

I am glad that you are feeling better. Fifty percent is a lot, and hopefully it will only get better. Keep posting and let us know how you are doing.

Hugs to you,
Karen
Posted 6/3/2009 12:45 PM (GMT 0)
gem, good to hear that the meds are kicking in. keep fightin' stay strong and all the very best, luv, jamie. yeah
Posted 6/4/2009 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Gem, I hope today is another good day for you. Please hang in there, and keep us posted!
Posted 6/4/2009 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
i just started celexa a few days ago so i'm not yet able to tell how well it works, but he started me on 20mg and said we may go up to 40, so i was just sorta of surprised on the low dose you're on.

I really hope you have lots of good days ahead of you!

Posted 6/4/2009 6:33 PM (GMT 0)

I have now been on Celexa a little over 4 weeks and today is my first day without any side effects, they were not that bad to begin with just a little nausea and some added anxiety.  I feel the best I have felt in a long time.  I still don't think I am 100%, but darn near close!  It really did take 4 full weeks to start feeling better.  I almost gave up a couple of times, but I am glad I did not!

Thanks for the post and give it time to work.  Eating well and taking vitamins plus walking everyday go along way to helping as well.  Wait it out before you give up.

My Doc started me on a very low dose because I have had a lot of allergic reactions to meds in the past.  This is probably the 12th or 13th med I have been on in two years.  So I am happy to finally be able to tolerate something and actually notice that it is working! tongue

Peace

Gem

Posted 6/4/2009 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
good for you!
Posted 6/5/2009 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
To all who have helped me!  When I woke up two days ago, all side effects (nausea) gone, appetite returning, Yesterday I realized my old energy level was back.  Today I am loving Life again.  It really does take atleast 4 weeks for your meds to kick in.  It was very gradual as I was told, but I really turned a corner in the last forty eight hours.  Thank you for all your encouragement because there was a couple of times that I was very close to quitting my meds.

Thanks is just is not enough to say turn

Gem

Posted 6/5/2009 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
as with other thread, excellent!!!!!!!! go you good thing!!! jamie, aussie slang!! smilewinkgrin smilewinkgrin
Posted 6/6/2009 3:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Gem.
I'm having the same problem with celexa, but I have been on it for about 3 months. I have my days where I feel okay, but then other days I just want to curl into a dark place and cry. My doctor said it could take a while for it to work, but I'm not really sure it's the right dosage or even the right medicine for me. I have had a couple postive changes since I have been on it, but it hasn't done much to help my depression. I hope it works for you & you start feeling better. Wait it out a little longer because it may take up to six weeks for it to actually have it's full effect. If it still doesn't seem to be working I would recommend talking to your doctor about it.

Take care & best wishes.

-Dani
Posted 6/7/2009 4:52 AM (GMT 0)
Glad to see things are working out for you. Oftentimes it is the beginning that is the toughest! I have been on celexa ( or lexapro) for almost ten years now and it works fairly well. Sometimes the doc has to adjust the dose, but I find it still works better than any other ADs I have been on. My advice to you is to carefully monitor your moods and don't be too hasty to assume you are "cured" and go off the meds. I have made that mistake before with disastrous results.
Good Luck with everything!
FS
Posted 6/8/2009 12:05 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everybody!

I go back to the Dr. on the 15th, so we will see then.  I am having more good days than bad and when I start feeling better, the first thing I think is "I do not need this med any more?"  I am assuming from what I have heard that it is like that for alot of people, but I am trying to stay the course this time.  So far, it really helped with depression but has seemed at times to make me more anxious.  Probably a dosage adjustment would help, not sure. 

Well, on with my day...........

Gem

Posted 6/8/2009 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
Gem,

 

Good Morning. I am so glad you are doing great.  You are right, many people forget that they have a med on board that is helping them to feel better and they decide they are cured and do not need the med .  I always think they liken it to taking an antibiotic for an infection.......once they feel better they are done with the antibiotic. 

Depression meds do not work that way.  Many people do come off after a period of time and do fine but others crash so it is something that should be done only under the guidance of a physician.

Keep on feeling good and stay in the moment. 

Gentle Hugs

Kitt

 

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