Switching from Cymbalta to Celexa now

Well, I went to the doctor today and told him I have been feeling sad and having panic attacks again along with being sooooo exhausted and wanting to do nothing but sleep!  I also told him everything that was going on in my life right now...and for those of you who may not have read my prior post, my huge stressors include a death in the family, selling my house, moving back in with my parents and waiting to close on my new house (all in a matter of 2 and a 1/2 weeks)...but it isn't just myself - I am married and have 2 small children.  For those of you who have read my prior post, sorry for repeating.

So anyway, he switched me from my Effexor XR to Cymbalta about a month and a half ago.  I am on 60 mg of the Cymbalta.  He decided that he did not want to increase my Cymbalta because of me being so stinking tired all of the time but instead switch my meds yet again.  I also take xanax .5mg twice a day too.  He gave me a prescription for Klonopin in place of the xanax.

According to my doctor, he said I could just quit the 60 mg of Cymbalta and start the Celexa the folowing day.  I have read through a lot of the older posts and from what I have read, I don't like what I saw about Celexa.  Also, when I went to the Celexa website, it didn't say anything about treating panic disorder, just depression.  I have both and need something that is going to treat both of them.

So, here we go again, I am terrified once more to have to switch my meds with so much going on right now along with the holidays coming up.  I feel like I am caught between a rock and a hard place.

I feel like I am being a BIG baby, but I need some encouragement!!

Thanks for letting me vent and sorry so long!!!!

Sylk

Sylk--- you are always welcome to vent here---I do it a lot myself (LOL)!

It does sound like you have a lot going on with your life----I am so sorry to hear about all that is going on with you.....That is a lot to handle---even for people who don't get "depressed, anxious"---etc....

I, was one of those people who didn't have a good experience with Celexa (or Lexapro)---but, everyone is different----and maybe taking the Klonopin with it will help a lot! I know a lot of people here take Klonopin with good results -- and I take Klonopin (.5 mg) as needed---and it helps me......

I will actually be trying Effexor after the holiday---12/2---I am scared to take that b/c of my experience with the other meds----but, am hoping if I take it with Klonopin--that I will be OK.... what was your experience with Effexor?

I also have three small kids (9, 7, 5)---and sometimes I feel like it's bittersweet: they are the loves of my life---I love them with all of my heart---but, it's also hard to have them be so needy----and also, sometimes I just want to be left alone--and sleep, or chill, or whatever....... that is when I get super guilty---and I am really hard on myself.

But, anyway---I hope things will look up for you---and you continue to come here and post for support! I do--and even if I don't get a lot of responses---just typing out my feelings actually helps me (vent)! Cyber hugs to you!
Laurel

PS--you are NOT a big baby either! stop that----we all need encouragement!

Just wanted to give my experience with Celexa. I have been taking it for about two years now and it has been great! I have been on many, many drugs for my panic disorder and mild depression - Prozac, Luvox, Buspar, Paxil, Zoloft and now Celexa. I also took Xanax along with the Prozac. The only two that worked were Paxil and Celexa. The problem with Paxil, for me, was that it made me EXTREMELY tired and apathetic. I also had severe withdrawal when I went straight from Paxil to Zoloft. At that time, the doctors didn't know there were problems with Paxil. I still have the occasional generalized anxiety, but have only had a few mild panic attacks over the course of the last year, and they are usually associated with a specific stressor in my life. Celexa, combined with cognitive behavior therapy, has been the best course of treatment for me. Good luck with the new meds!

i take 40 mg of celexa, i was doing really bad when i first went to to doctor shaking really bad and scared to death, once the medicine kicked in i can deal with thing without the anxiety overwhelming me, i feel almost normal again, maybe better

Post Edited (machelle) : 11/21/2007 12:53:43 PM (GMT-7)

I am glad to see that the Celexa helps with the anxiety portion too.  I was worried about that because I am having the attacks again, along with the depression.  I just want to find the medication that will work for me again!  Why can't there be a magic pill to just make it all go away!!??  lol  Wouldn't that be lovely?  Wishful thinking though...oh well, I think I am going to just have to start the Celexa on Friday and see what happens, right?  Thanks again for all of your replies...they really do mean the world to me to see that you have had success with Celexa!  God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving!

Sylk