Stress Center Peer Support

I have anxiety and have been given 20mg of Celexa. I have a phobia about taking meds since I had my first panic attack 2 years ago. This is the first AD i'll be taking and am worried about side effects. I do I take this without worring about increasing my anxiety. It's been almost 2 weeks and I haven't been able to talk myself into taking this med. Any help please!

I too am very fearful of taking meds. My doctor told me to start at a very low dose and slowly work my way up that way I would be less likely to feel side effects. The slower the easier on the system.

I have liquid lexapro and believe it or not I am going to start with 1mg per week and work up to 5mg

Discuss this idea with your doctor. If he is sensitive and listening I have a feeling he will agree that staring someone at a full 20mg might be a blast to the system. However it depends what you are taking it for, ie if you have severe depression it might be best for you to get started with a higher dose.

Let us know how it goes!

Wishing you the best.

Coco : )

Thanks, I'll check into splitting the pill.

I was scared too but so glad I started them, what a differnce it has made in my life. Start slow and realize it takes time to get better. The SE are no worse than the anxiety you are already having, you can do it.

Thanks Noelle,

Which one are you on?
How many mg's?
Any side effects?

Coco : )

Did you feel anything after the first pill? I know I'm making it worse than what it is. I hate surprises...

I took celexa for a few months and I liked how I felt. It really took the edge off. But I gained twenty pounds while on it. I couldn't explain my weight gain or my inability to to the usual things to lose it. When I did research and realized it could be the meds I reduced my dosage (I never took more than 10 mg) to 5 mg, then went off it. I knew then how powerful it was because I had two weeks of occasional dizzy spells as withdrawal symptoms. It also took awhile before I was able to regain control of my weight loss, but I did. When I saw the pounds that I had worked so hard to lose in the years prior start to come off again, I felt better about my choice. Now, I feel anxiety again at times, but I am trying different techniques, like the ones Lucinda Bassett recommends in her book--working on my thought patterns, trying to see my fear as humorous etc... I wish there was a magic pill for me, but there isn't.

Prozac does not have weight gain as a side effect. I am losing weight on prozac, with walking, at 20 mg. a day.

Originally posted by Coco2:
Thanks Noelle,

Which one are you on?
How many mg's?
Any side effects?

Coco : )

I take 10mg of Lexapro
SE were stomach upset, decreased appetite, diarrhea, slight increase in anxiety, they were all mild enough that they didnt really bother me. They were all gone within 2-4 weeks on the med. Make sure to eat well, get enough sleep, and exercise, this helped alot during the start up of the meds.

Now I am soo glad I started taking them, I am my old self, and I never want to go off of the meds I have not gained weight on Lex either.

thank you so much for that information!
did you start at 10mg or work your way up?
i guess my biggest fear with side effects is getting DP/DR. I have liquid lexapro sitting on my counter. I hope I get up the courage soon.

thanks again!!!

coco : )