I was recently removed from taking Amitriptiline and Mirtazapine completely. My psych felt those, along with Celexa and Buspar, was a toxic antidepressant combination for me. Now she has switched me to Zoloft 50mg along with Abilify 2.5mg. Ive been having really strange feelings like being high, etc. Is this kinda the norm when switching around like this? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Seeking peace,
Tee
Celexa to Zoloft, better or worse?
Question posted by Tee6759 on 5 June 2013
Last updated on 8 October 2019 by goved6
15 Answers
goved6
8 Oct 2019
I've read some of the other responses to the question and I have to say that for me Zoloft works very well, it helps not only with the depression but also the anxiety and the PTSD symptoms that I have, it doesn't take them all away but it does help, I'm sure that everyone has they're own opinion on Zoloft but mine is that it works well.
wannabbetter
14 Aug 2015
I'm on celexa 20 mg & I'm tired & get stomach upset. I am thinking of switching to 50 mg Zoloft because it doesn't upset my stomach. I'm afraid to take Wellbutrin due to the seizure risk but I hear it works well for some. I have major depression.
Inactive
20 Jan 2015
After a year on Celexa, I opted to change to Zoloft. I changed because Celexa had the nasty side effect of essentially making me numb below the waist.
On the recommendation of my doctor, changed from 20mg Celexa to 100mg of Zoloft. No side effects or even much of a noticeable change in the first couple of months. I loved being on Zoloft - I felt totally stable, calm & collected (but not like a zombie or anything). I think Zoloft is definately the stronger of the two drugs, and definitely carries the stronger of the side effects. After six months on Zoloft I developed SEVERE menorrhagia.
I am a forgetful person and occasionally forget to take a pill. On Celexa, I'd feel a little nervous after a day and that would remind me I'd not taken it. On Zoloft? BLIND PANIC if I forget to take it after a day. Blind, irrational, all-encompassing panic in a manner I've never experienced before in my life. I once forgot to fill my prescription and went two days without my Zoloft meds - I couldn't walk. Literally, my legs kept giving out from under me. I sprained both ankles on the same day, and was too afraid to try walking to the pharmacy to refill my prescription.
That day was enough to make me want to come off the meds altogether. So my doctor switched me back to Celexa (in drop form) to very gradually wean myself off of them. So far so good, but got another 5 weeks of drops to go!
Inactive
20 Jan 2015
I am on celexa. Been on 30 mg and today is my second day on 40 mg. This Friday will be six weeks altogether. I am past the horrible side effects but, I am still waking up with anxiety. Some days are better than others but, I am still suffering with the anxiety. Although it has helped my depression, I am wondering if I should switch to a different med because of the anxiety. My girlfriend is on Zoloft and doing well. Should I continue with celexa and see what happens or ask my doc about Zoloft? I refuse to take benzos so, that isn't an option. Any advice? Thanks.
Inactive
30 June 2013
Dear Tee6759
You were taking amitriptyline,mirtazipine citalopram and buspar all together?Now Zoloft and Abilify I am puzzled as how a doc would put you on a tricyclic and SSRi and mirtazapine..and throw in some buspar
I like buspar..but to switch you from Celexa to Zoloft I hate Zoloft had a bad reaction to it all keyed up Are all these meds from one doc? I take Effexor and buspar and Xanax so am not adverse to polypharmacy..but I think you need a new doc
Inactive
9 June 2013
Hello Tee-seeking peace. Yes, it is, and not at all uncommon. Regards pledge
Tee6759
11 June 2013
Thanks, Pledge. It's nice to hear from you again! I've missed your comments!
Take care,
Tee
sara12345
9 June 2013
Hi Tee,
I hope that you saw the ton of birthday messages to you.
Happy Birthday again.
Tee6759
11 June 2013
Dear Sara,
Yes, I saw all the wonderful BD wishes and was totally caught off guard! It was a very wonderful surprise and was a great boost to my feelings.
Thanks,
Tee
sara12345
11 June 2013
Tee,
That's wonderful. So glad to hear it. You certainly deserve it. That's the way that I felt when so many people remarked about my cleaning lady rejecting me. It meant everything to me.
Sara
pickles503
7 June 2013
Hi lil chickie Tee.
Sheesh, Sis, I am all over the place with my answer. I'm just going throw what I have together and make a mud pie.
Zoloft and Abilify can interact with 400 drugs. That's kinda cool. Celexa can cause gastrointestinal side effects and it also can cause difficult concentrating and confusion (what med doesn't?). Otherwise, their the basically the same med. Be sure to drink a full glass of water with these meds.
I have so much info on this search, that I have a page and a half. Most of it is impertinent to your question. The only thing I can think of is Celexa that causes difficulty concentrating and confusion.
That's as far as I feel comfortable sharing with you. The rest is on so many different sites that I believe I'd be giving you conflicting information.
I haven't taken either, so really, I'm no help at all in reality. I'm so sorry.
I pray this combination works for you. It's always so difficult to find the right meds because we never know how we're going to react to changes.
God bless you and I love you, Tee. Your big sis, Anna
Tee6759
11 June 2013
Thank you, Big Sis, for everything especially the bday notes. That was such a sweet and thoughtful thing to do. It made me feel so good!
Love n hugs,
Tee
Delila
6 June 2013
Hi, you may experience some withdrawal symptoms from stopping the other medications, but by starting on the new ones immediately, this will help the way you feel. Celexa & Zoloft are both SSRI medications, so hopefully you will make a smooth transaction. As already stated, everyone responds to medications differently, so it is hard to say, but give it a go and see how you feel. Be sure to keep your psychiatrist up to date. The Abilify is an antipsychotic medication, and will probably make you feel sleepy to start with. It is probably best to take it at night, unless your psychiatrist has advised you differently. I am also on an antipsychotic, and it helps me sleep, which is great for me! Good luck on the new med's, & let us know how you get on?
Tee6759
11 June 2013
As you can see by my other answers, so far I seem to be doing ok. I'll know better in a couple more weeks. I'll keep you posted.
Hugs,
Tee
lady2882
6 June 2013
Hi Tee
I tried Abilify and it made me feel high and then start to feel extreme restlessness and then it got worse. I had to be moving constantly.
The doctor said I was having a side effect called Akathisia and that it should go away once I got used to the med. I couldn't handle that side effect so I stopped taking it.
I won't wish that on my worst enemy and hope that is not what you are experiencing.
Take care of you
Tee6759
11 June 2013
So far, gf, I've not had anything like you described. The simple side effects I've had are ones I can live with. Thanks for the information and support.
Hugs,
Tee
kalowiley
21 Aug 2015
I totally understand about the Akathisia. I experienced it with both Geodone and Latuda. My doctor wanted me to up my dose on Latuda even though I was having the horrible Akathisia. I discontinued the Latuda and am now taking Zoloft for the 4th time in 16 years. First time it helped. Second time it didn't and I hated the side effects. Third time it was possible making me shift towards mania. This time I am not depressed and have been taking it for 5 weeks, but I am still bothered by side effects. Just trying to hang in there as I am 300% better mentally.
madhupjoshimd
6 June 2013
I agree with most of the responses. Everybody responds 2 medication differently. Definitely explain your response 2 your prescribing Doctor & follow their recommendations.
Sincerely,
Madhup Joshi, MD
Maui, Hawaii
Tee6759
11 June 2013
Thanks for the response. I am following her advice to the letter.
Take care,
Tee
endlessPred
6 June 2013
Hello Tee. What our body needs is specific to the person. That is why there are so many SSRI Med's to consider. Try one see how it does, try another if the first does not work. So only you will know. I made that switch a few months ago. Doing better on Zoloft. Had tried it before and had different response.
Please talk with the doctor and report your current symptoms. There may be a dose adjustment needed. Good luck with this. Karen
Tee6759
11 June 2013
As you can see above, she upped my dose and will monitor for 8 weeks. I'm feeling more even now. Thanks for the support.
Hugs,
Tee
endlessPred
11 June 2013
Thanks for the update. K
Darling Di
5 June 2013
I've seen a lot of my clients react better to Zoloft than Celexa but everyone's different. My concern with you feeling high on the Zoloft & Abilify is it maybe a symptom of going into a manic phase. Please call & ask your MD or counselor! All the best as always!!
Tee6759
11 June 2013
I checked with my doc and she feels it's bc of the drug changes I'm going thru. Nothing to fear right now. She is now monitoring me on 75mg of zoloft and 2.5mg of Abilify. Hopefully this will straighten out all my symptoms. I will keep you posted.
Hugs,
Tee
Needhelp18
28 May 2018
Hi, read this post of yours from a while back and thought I’d check in. Age 55, I’ve been on 40mg citalopram for anxiety/depression for about 12 years. A very stressful marriage and beginning menopause may be bringing me down for the past few months, but citalopram def no longer helping. Afraid to try different med altogether but a couple of 50+ female friends have had success with Sertraline so I asked my doctor. He explained about wraning off citalopram and called in a script for Sertraline. My anxiety and depression are through the roof (and the floor), which I guess is from withdrawal, but suddenly reading many posts about severe worsening of anxiety on Sertraline. My doc is sort of “meh” whenever I try to get some real advice so until I find a better doc, just checking with medical professionals and age 50+ women who have experience with Sertraline. Thought it would help and now I’m scared to try it. Thanks for any input.
Inactive
5 June 2013
Tee, hand in there. I was on celexa and am now on Zoloft. I went from 25mg, to 50mg to 75mg. I see my doctor tomorrow. I want her to up it again. Each time, I can tell I am getting better. Just slower than I want. Maybe it's the Abilify. I took it w/Cymbalta. I had problems with my tongue burning. I quite them both. Don't know which one it was. But, I couldn't afford the co pay anyway. Also, I am now on 100mg of Zoloft. I will let you know what my doctor says. I think it is going to work, just take time. I have been on so many and quite for one reason or another. I am just thinking positive on Zoloft because I am so tired of trying diff meds. I think our anxiety goes up when we feel the meds aren't going to work. I understand. Let me know how you are doing.
pickles503
6 June 2013
Good explanation of your personal experience, b.
Tee6759
9 June 2013
Dear B,
Thanks for the info. Im now on 75mg of Zoloft now. My psych feels this is best for me. And you are right about the anxiety levels going up. So far, I seem to be doing well. I will keep you posted. Take care.
In peace,
Tee
Inactive
9 June 2013
I did go see my doctor. She wants me to stay on the 100mg of Zoloft for awhile. I had just went on it May 21st. She said if we up it too fast that is what causes a lot of the side affects. I am still thinking positive. I am also on Xanax 0.25mg for anxiety and I take ambien at bedtime. I have taken ambien so long, it does not work as well. We were going to try the Ambien CR, but, my ins would not pay for that one. Go figure.
I hope you are doing better and seeing an improvement. Keep me informed.
Amo29
26 April 2015
Similar here, Tee. After long period of celexa, went on series of snri's. .effexor, Pristiq etc... useless.
been on zoloft... now 150 mg for 6 wks. Not good. Dr. May increase. .but new research warns of cardiac problems with higher doses of ssri's. ... what to do??? ... and Abilify ha e me dyskenesia. :-(
papasam
5 June 2013
I am not a Zoloft fan, it makes me feel like a different person, I no longer know who I am, therefore I refuse to be on it, it has done the same to family members of mine too, so may be in the genes. I do know it works for some people. I would recommend speaking to your psych about it. Peace to you my friend.
Tee6759
9 June 2013
Dear Sam,
I experienced that on some others. So far, it seems to be working. My psych felt I was on too many AD's and that was a lot of my troubles. I hope you are doing well, my friend. Please keep me posted.
In peace,
Tee
lj dyer
5 June 2013
I hate zoloft. it made me fill like someone was waching me all the time.
Tee6759
9 June 2013
Thanks for your thoughts!
In peace,
Tee
Inactive
30 June 2013
I hate Zoloft also! My first experience with an SSRi... made me feel like I had drunk 3 pots of coffee!
roxithefox
1 May 2015
So it made you paranoid? That's weird. Did it also give you a feeling of peace and calm?
Related topics
buspar, celexa, zoloft, mirtazapine, antidepressant
Further information
- BuSpar uses and warnings
- Celexa uses and warnings
- Zoloft uses and warnings
- Mirtazapine uses and warnings
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