Posted by Frankie on February 15, 2002, at 0:40:15
In reply to Celexa for anxiety-Comments PLEASE, posted by Pamela Lynn on February 15, 2002, at 0:22:07
> Hi everyone. Thank you for reading my post.
>
> My Father was just started today on Celexa (equivalent to 20 mgs of Citalopram, as a starting point, to be raised in the future if needed). He is 60+ yrs. old. In the past month or so he as been waking up in the early AM hours with horrible anxiety and worry-over what exactly he does not know-This causes him to NOT sleep all night and to feel like hell all the next day; sometimes the anxiety even runs into the next day!! Poor guy. FINALLY my Mother convinced him to change his Doctor (as the one he had just wasn't cutting it). My Mother emailed me tonight to tell me what he had been prescribed.
> Now, I too suffer from anxiety attacks, but I take Klonipin and Xanax to combat my attacks, so I am very unsure of what exactly Celexa does for anxiety/panic attacks. I take other meds. for my depression, and have tried in the past alot of other ones, never Celexa though.
> This is the FIRST time my Father has been on ANY type of med. for anxiety, and he has only 'seen' the side effects of anxiety drugs through what he has heard/seen of me while on them.
> If anyone (please) would shed some light on Celexa (please no fancy 'Doctor terminology', laymens terms would be great! lol) taken for anxiety; and/or their personal experience being on Celexa for anxiety that would help immensely. Side effects of the med. would also be very welcome.
> He's my Father, you know? I love him very much and just want to help him and be as best educated as I can when it comes to what he is taking for the anxiety.
> Sorry this is so long. P.L.Hello Pamela,
I am currently taking Celexa for OCD, and partial panic disorder. I would like to say that it is very effective for both. It will, however, initially increase the anxiety levels. Each one of the SSRI's do this. So, it is normal. I would advise you to try to get some Xanax or Klonopin for your dad just for a short time, until he adjusts to this Celexa. It decreases the initial anxiety from the SSRI's, and as you know, causes very few side effects. I too take Xanax at nite to sleep well and unwind. Just .25 mg., but have taken it for years with no addiction problems and no signs of me needing a dose increase. Celexa is the best I have tried for anxiety because Paxil and Zoloft are way too strong. They make you feel like you are on acid or something. Celexa is mild and therefore he will be able to reach a good dose. And very few side effects. But, everyone is different. If it does not work over a few months, at least, I would advise Prozac or Paxil. Not Zoloft! Very spacey medicine. Trust me! Does your dad have anxiety attacks? Or does he just worry about everything all day. If he has a racing mind, he has the GAD. (Generalized Anxiety Disorder.) The SSRI's will worsen this initially too. Buspar would be good then too with Celexa. I take that too. Good results combining the 2. Hope this helped you out.
Frankie.
poster:Frankie
thread:94204
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020208/msgs/94206.html