Celexa/Buspar

Hello All,
This is my first time writing. I have suffered with anxiety and panic attacks for about 25 years. Over this time I have tried many medications. I was taking 2mg. of Xanax 2 times a day for about the last 7 years. Well, long story short, I lost my job in Oct. and do not have medical coverage anymore, so for the last 5 months I have been on no medications. I went to a small inexpensive clinic today and the doctor there prescribed celexa and buspar.I took buspar many years ago and it did not help very much. I have never tried Celexa. I would have preferred Xanax, but I need to go to a psychiatrist for any habit forming meds, and my finances don't permit that. I know Xanax is really not good long term because of addiction, and I did have a hard time coming off of it, so I am willing to give this drug therapy a chance.

My question is, does anyone here take these 2 medications, and how have they helped you and what are common side effects. I have to be on something because I am basically a hermit, I am afraid to interact with people and to leave my house. I also must find a new job, so I have to be able to leave my house. Also I have a plane ticket to go and see my son in 2 weeks and I am actually dreading the trip because of my condition. It is horrible because I want to see my son so badly, but I am afraid. Anyway, if someone can give me thier experiences with these meds I would appreciate it.

Thanks to all,
Fraidy Cat

Fraidy cat,

I am also sorry that things aren't great for you right now. I have been taking Celexa for a little over a year now and so I wanted to give you some info on my personal experience with it. I also suffer from anxiety that makes me afraid to go out and to meet people. Since I have been on the Celexa, I have improved a lot. While my anxiety is not completely gone (and probably never will be), I am now able to function normally and am anxious much less often and much less severely. I think that the Celexa at least played a part in this (though I was also in therapy).

I think I should tell you though that you definitely need to be patient with it.. it took it over a month before I really noticed that I was doing better (as with all SSRIs). I also had really bad side effects for the first week or two. Basically, the Celexa made me a lot more anxious than I already was and I would wake up in the middle of the night feeling really dizzy and weird. I was told though that most people do not have these side effects and that for most people the Celexa is actually calming when they first take it. So I think it just depends on how your body reacts to it. Obviously, it is important to work with your doctor when you are starting it and tell him/her about any side effects you have. You may not have any side effects, but if you do, know that if you stick them out and be patient, they will go away and you will eventually start to feel better.

By the way, I also do not have insurance, and I take the generic version of Celexa which is available for $4 a month at walmart without insurance or anything. I'm not sure if that is specifically what you were prescribed or if you were prescribed the name brand, but if you were given a prescription for the name brand, I would definitely ask about getting the generic form instead.

I hope things get better for you soon! Know that while it may seem impossible now, the anxiety really can get better.

toutserabon