Celexa and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• July 25, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "June 23, Dr. prescribed 20 mg of Celexa for social anxiety at work. I was running out of options. Thought I was going to have to stop working after 20 years with the same company. My 15-year-old teen felt sorry for us. Tried Zoloft at first, made me very tired, more like a zombie. The Celexa 20 mg first dose made me feel wired, scared, paranoid, more anxiety, I could not leave the house. A coworker who had very good success with Celexa recommended that I start with 1/4 mg of a 10 mg tablet and increase it when my body and mind worked it out... and it did! About every 5 days, however, the first and second week I took off work and watched TV and went walking. Now I am at 10 mg in 1 month. Social anxiety gone, plan to increase to 15 mg."

• Anonymous
• July 25, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "June 23, Dr. prescribed 20 mg of Celexa for social anxiety at work. I was running out of options. Thought I was going to have to stop working after 20 years with the same company. My 15-year-old teen felt sorry for us. Tried Zoloft at first, made me very tired, more like a zombie. The Celexa 20 mg first dose made me feel wired, scared, paranoid, more anxiety, I could not leave the house. A coworker who had very good success with Celexa recommended that I start with 1/4 mg of a 10 mg tablet and increase it when my body and mind worked it out... and it did! About every 5 days, however, the first and second week I took off work and watched TV and went walking. Now I am at 10 mg in 1 month. Social anxiety gone, plan to increase to 15 mg."

• Gel...
• March 26, 2015

For Depression "I am taking Celexa 20 mg for four months now, and my depression is better. I am not crying every single moment. I still have anxiety, but for depression, it works.☺️ Also, I am more sociable now. It takes a few months, though."

• Mim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "I was optimistic when starting this medication for uncontrollable anxiety. I have previously tried Lexapro and Zoloft with success and haven't needed any medication for several years. I had a horrible experience with Celexa even at only 10 mg. After my first dose, I immediately felt bad. I dreaded taking it every night due to the body twitching and anxiety-producing effects I felt within 45 minutes of the dose. Eventually, I was having anxiety attacks every day as well as feeling generally anxious all day. I had to discontinue it after 1 week due to the worst panic attack I've ever had. The withdrawal effects were horrendous, too-flu-like."

• Hol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 7, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I started Celexa in college after suffering for more than a year of horrible anxiety. I couldn't sleep, was skipping classes, and totally on edge all the time. I finally broke down and took the first appointment I could at the clinic on campus. I filled out a bunch of forms, and they came back telling me they were putting me on an antidepressant, which I hated the idea of, but hated the idea of feeling like that any longer. The first 2 weeks were horrible. Terrible migraines and increased anxiety, which they gave me Xanax for. I stayed on the medication for 3 years with no bad side effects and only a couple of dosage raises. I quit because I felt better and honestly wanted to drop the weight again. It really gave me my life back."

• lin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 1, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "I started taking this after increased anxiety/panic/depersonalization/derealization after starting a birth control pill (BeYaz). Celexa has helped my symptoms, but I stopped taking my birth control, and it has made a world of a difference in my mood. My anxiety and panic are almost gone. I've only been on Celexa for 1 month, and I stopped my birth control 2-3 weeks ago. Please check into your birth control. I've never had depression in my life, but after starting the birth control, I had constant crying spells, anxiety, panic, etc. Celexa is helping, but I think this was all caused by the birth control. Please be careful!"

• Rac...
• June 10, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I'm on my third day of Celexa! I have experienced a few side effects such as trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, tightened jaw and grinding my teeth, as well as loss of appetite and feeling as though I might be on cheap MDMA. I do feel as though it is helping with my anxiety because I already feel less stressed, and I feel happier than I felt before. I do feel a bit paranoid though, because I read many reviews of people gaining weight, so I'm trying to eat as healthy as possible."

• Che...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 5, 2016

For Depression "I've been on and off for 9 years, and I'm 25. I have been on 10 mg before and am currently on 5 mg. I went off it for a while, and I find that I am able to laugh harder but also feel deeper sadness without them. They stabilize me. I get to a very dark place without just that 5 mg to keep me level. I would rather be a bit unable to express emotion than over-emotional. I struggle with anxiety, paranoia, and low-stress tolerance. It helps me live somewhat normally. Higher doses make me feel robotic, unable to process my own emotion. I am sensitive to meds, and so 5 mg (half of the minimum dose) helps me! The therapeutic dose is 20 mg, and for me that would lessen the quality of my life as I would be unable to feel emotion. I love Celexa. Try it."

• Sti...
• February 25, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "First 10 days were brutal. STICK IT OUT! Lots of people seem to have an initial period of getting used to this drug. My first 10 days I was unable to eat, nausea, anxiety increased to a point I was barely able to leave the house, crying for no reason. Just stick it out. Day 10 through about 6 weeks I noticed not much improvement. At about 6 weeks I noticed improvement in my anxiety, able to function much better. My anxiety disorder has only improved more and more since I've been on this drug (also seeing a therapist for anxiety). Just know there may be an initial period of terrible side effects. I've gained like 2 lbs, but it's due to being happier and having a new boyfriend because I am finally able to function as a normal person."

• mad...
• December 10, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "One day out of the blue, I started experiencing extreme anxiety and panic attacks. I would wake up in the middle of the night shaking and sweating. I couldn't eat, sleep, or socialize with my friends. I was scared at first but finally decided to try Celexa. Initially, the side effects sucked: insomnia, increased anxiety, and a weird fuzzy head feeling. I switched to taking it in the morning, and that helped with the insomnia. I also slowly titrated by 5 mg up to my recommended dose, which lessened the side effects. All in all, I'm very happy with the results. I rarely get anxious anymore. For those of you just getting on to it, give it time."

• Jes...
• February 4, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "10 years ago, I had a lot of things going on at home and work and was very stressed! I was having chest pain and headaches every day. I was started on Celexa 10mg - that stopped my chest pain. I was then increased to 20mg, and that stopped my headaches. I still have times when I feel overwhelmed, and I have Xanax for those times when I feel I’m about to lose it! I do feel that sometimes I don’t care enough about some things. My husband makes sure I don’t run out. He calls them my 'Be so much nicer to my husband pills.'"

• MxM...
• July 6, 2017

For Depression "Experienced depressive symptoms lightly for years. Then over the past year, when exposed to many life stressors, it has been significant in impairing my quality of life. Celexa has greatly improved my quality of life, and most days I feel little to no depressive thoughts. I have been taking Celexa for 6 weeks. It also got rid of my anxiety (70-80% of it) and has improved my OCD symptoms a great deal. I started on 5 mg, upping to 10 mg."

• mon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "First 2 days were euphoric and nothing could upset me. Then got more irritable and anxious. Stomach in knots. Then came depression and thoughts of suicide, along with anxiety. Yawning all the time. This is day 7 and I left a message with my doctor this morning letting her know I couldn't feel like this for another week in hopes that it would possibly even out."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Celexa for almost two months now. I was wary about starting this medication because of the reviews. The initial side effects are rough. I couldn’t sleep, eat, or talk to anyone, really. I had very bad twitching and heightened anxiety. About two weeks after starting it, I finally noticed a difference. Two months later, (now) I am very happy and don’t have much anxiety. Keep in mind it has to get worse to get better (starting the medication)."

• Zoe...
• August 3, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I started taking Celexa about 1 1/2 weeks ago, started at 10 mg and upped to 20 three days ago. I had been on Zoloft prior for about 5 years, but it stopped working. I was off of it for about 2 months before starting Celexa. Experiencing an increase of anxiety, tiredness, and an overall sense of exhaustion. Does it get better? Will these side effects go away eventually? My doctor said the increased anxiety is not caused by the meds. Yes, I was anxious and needed something, but my anxiety is much higher since taking the meds, so I don't necessarily believe the doctor 100%. I want to stop taking it, but I also want to feel 'normal,' and I know these meds can be very helpful. Any advice would be greatly appreciated."

• Anonymous
• December 8, 2008

For Depression "I have been on Celexa for about 4 months now. I was diagnosed with depression when I was 13 (hereditary). At first, my mother had me go to therapy for help. The therapy helped me figure myself out but didn't help me with my depression. I switched doctors, and my new doctor prescribed me Celexa. It helped me considerably with my depression and my anxiety and stress problems. I take a small dose at night along with a herbal supplement to help me sleep. I don't feel hopeless or 'boxed' anymore. I really like this medication, and I plan to stick with it for a while."

• Anonymous
• December 8, 2008

For Depression "I have been on Celexa for about 4 months now. I was diagnosed with depression when I was 13 (hereditary). At first, my mother had me go to therapy for help. The therapy helped me figure myself out but didn't help me with my depression. I switched doctors, and my new doctor prescribed me Celexa. It helped me considerably with my depression and my anxiety and stress problems. I take a small dose at night along with a herbal supplement to help me sleep. I don't feel hopeless or 'boxed' anymore. I really like this medication, and I plan to stick with it for a while."

• Ble...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2019

For Depression "I have been on Celexa due to depression and chronic neuropathic pains. After three weeks, my pains have really gone down, but I temporarily get brain fog in the morning and severe anxiety. I also feel chest pains and difficulty in breathing. I also have gastrointestinal issues, which the doctor says are not due to Celexa, but due to anxiety, which will come down as I continue taking the drug. So far, it's good on pains, but anxiety and side effects are not so good for now."

• BBC...
• October 8, 2017

For Depression "I am on my second round of Celexa. I took it many years ago for a few years, only 10 mg a day. It definitely worked, but after a few years, I decided to get off it. You need to wean yourself off it very slowly if you’ve taken it for a long time. I experienced voices and hallucinations the first couple of days going off it completely after I thought I had weaned myself enough, so I had to wean myself for another month. I had never had symptoms like that in my life. However, I got off of it. Now my depression and anxiety came back for quite a bit, so I went back on Celexa 20 mg, and it is definitely helping. My recommendation is to avoid a lot of caffeine while on this drug, or you will notice anxiety increases more so than when you’re not on Celexa."

• cha...
• August 13, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been taking 10 mg of Celexa a day for almost 3 weeks now. The first week I experienced minor side effects, excessive yawning, irregular heartbeat, anxiety, and so on. I came around to the medication about 5 days into it and was feeling good, I wasn't anxious about socializing, and I wasn't having as many negative thoughts (this lasted a week). But now I'm feeling as though I'm returning to my old self. This might be too early to call, as I've only taken 18 days' worth of tablets, but I'm beginning to think my body has built a tolerance for it already. I'm due for an appointment with the doc next week, so I will inquire about possibly upping the dosage and will review again once I have. I've never taken antidepressants, so trial and error, I suppose!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2016

For Depression "I have only been on Celexa for 4 days. I take 10 mg. I sleep very little, sweating, nausea, and have become very anxious about everything. I do drink a lot of water. I just want to feel like myself again."

• Kas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2023

For Depression "The side effects were horrible. Fatigue, GI problems, headaches, hot flashes, sleep issues and nightmares, general malaise, increased anxiety, and a zombie feeling. The clinician said I will get used to it after a while. To me, this is poisoning your body and having your body get 'used' to the poison over time. Definitely not for me."

• Bad...
• May 19, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I was having stress issues dealing with family and work issues. I was prescribed Celexa 20 mg, and about an hour after the 3rd dose, I began to have severe anxiety attacks. My heart was pounding, and I had to run outside, feeling claustrophobic and severely depressed. I was told to stop the drug immediately, but it still took 72 hours for the side effects to go away. I had anxiety attacks several times a day, loss of appetite, and depression during that time. I realize this was a rare reaction, but my message is to be prepared when you take something like this."

• fee...
• May 9, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been taking Celexa 20 mg for 6 1/2 months. I am currently tapering off this medication from 20 mg to 10 mg for 3 weeks, then 5 mg for 3 weeks. I am currently on my second week of 5 mg, one week left. The withdrawal symptoms are horrible and can intensify the feeling of depression and anxiety. I informed my doctor, and he stated the withdrawal symptoms will diminish on their own after a few weeks. I decided to increase my exercise, increase my water intake, eat healthy, and sleep. I continue with progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing exercises, meditation, and talking with my therapist. I RECOMMEND IT to anyone dealing with anxiety/depression. When you first start taking this medication, it takes about six weeks, and the side effects are horrible, when you are tapering off, the withdrawal symptoms are horrible. This is my 3rd review of this medication. The 1st was 12/26/2017 under anxiety/stress. The 2nd was 3/22/2018 under depression. Look for relief. I hope this review helps someone."

• Gam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "I’m on 10 mg. It’s been 10 days, and my anxiety is already more controllable. I feel anxious but have not had a SINGLE panic attack since starting this. I have had horrible side effects though: insomnia, increased anxiety, upset stomach, and depersonalization. If you are wanting to get off this or scared to take it for side effects, push through. It’s barely been a week, and it’s already helping. I feel like this will save my life once it kicks in full force and the side effects are gone."