Celexa and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Jam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 26, 2019

For Depression "I took Celexa for anxiety and depression. (I am 37 yrs. old.) I was on Prozac very happily for 15 years (other than during pregnancy) and considered it a good drug, but it stopped working. Celexa was a miracle drug. I was able to cope with every aspect of my life and felt no real major depression while on it, but it took me a while to realize the side effects were awful. I would randomly see smoke, my vision became so bad I needed glasses, and my memory was awful (which is maybe why life was running so smoothly! I had no idea what was going on?)... Anyways, I was super sad to go off it because I felt so good and even made many friends as my social anxiety didn't exist. But since going off, my vision is fine, no more seeing smoke, and my memory - well, I am not sure it ever came back completely, or maybe it is just my life... I run a company and have 4 young children. Sadly, I am still trying to find a replacement as most meds make me super cranky!"

• Anonymous
• August 26, 2011

For Depression "I started Celexa about 5 weeks ago for depression. My depression was pretty serious. I had also just been through the death of a family friend. Also, I have insomnia. I started on the 20 mg, one per day, and immediately felt side effects. Feeling super jittery, major energy, mind racing, uncomfortable in my own skin, rapid heartbeat, and loss of appetite. It made me VERY uncomfortable and unsocial. I called my doctor to tell him how I was feeling, and he told me to do 10 mg for 2 weeks and then bump up to 20 mg. The 10 mg was much more tolerable, and I noticed I did start to feel much better and more social and can sleep better at night. I stayed with 10 mg because 20 mg is too strong for me. I feel great now! The side effects have gone away."

• T23...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I started getting anxiety attacks, and my doctor started me off on 10 mg of Celexa. The first few days, I noticed I had more anxiety, and it made me really sleepy and groggy. After a few more days, I noticed it made me not want to get out of bed and lost almost all appetite. I was forcing myself to eat and ended up losing 9 lbs in 10 days. By day 10, I couldn't take it anymore, I knew something wasn't right, and Celexa was making it worse and making me feel worse. I went to my doctor, and she told me to stop right away, that the side effects shouldn't have lasted that long or made me feel depressed. It didn't work for me."

• for...
• April 28, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "Other than feeling sedated and lower than normal blood pressure/heart rate for a while, it affects my memory, vision (one pupil dilated and the other one was smaller)... shakes like it's making anxiety worse. I don't like it."

• Gre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 2, 2017

For Depression "I remember half a year ago reading these reviews, and I was very eager to not feel worthless anymore. The first month was bleh. Had bad diarrhea but slept great for once. But over time, feelings of worthlessness and being overly fearful faded away. I started to slowly be able to get out of bed in the night (third shift) and be excited to go to work and engage with people. Sadly, over time, the anxiety seemed to have gotten worse. My sleeping also went back to its normal habits. They upped it to 40 mg to no avail. Now I'm off cold turkey, and the depression is hitting harder than it ever has. Wish I could get back on it. It was a literal lifesaver."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2015

For Depression "I have been on this for a week. Day 1. Blurred vision and feeling like I'm in the matrix, zoned out after 2 hours, and severe nausea. I wanted to quit. But it calmed me, and I felt unbothered by things that would normally make me cry. I take it at night and wake up with SEVERE anxiety as I had before taking it, but I can feel my body trying to compress it. I pray and hope it gives me the happy, energetic feeling I need. Right now, it's keeping me calm, but I still can't get out of bed."

• Hal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2016

For Depression "I was put on Celexa for depression, bipolar as well as my OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). I started off taking 10 mg and then later upgraded to 20 mg, but my experience wasn't entirely the greatest. The Celexa aggravated my OCD tics, making them occur more frequently, which automatically raised my level of anxiety and stress. I am always tired and feel like a complete zombie, I find it tiring to even laugh and smile. My appetite has increased drastically, I pretty much never stop eating. And it has really affected my bipolar, making me very irritable. Ever since I've been on Celexa, I've had many child-like tantrums where I have gotten physically violent. This pill wasn't for me. I am currently still on Celexa but am being weaned off of it."

• anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "Awful. Didn't help and made me feel so apathetic. My school performance significantly decreased. I tried weaning off from taking 20 mg, then 10 mg daily, then 10 mg every other day, then 5 mg every other day and had the worst withdrawal symptoms ever. Increased anxiety and depression. I was crying all the time and sometimes felt manic. I had more pain and also had a fever of +102.8 for three days. Would not recommend."

• jri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2022

For Depression "I have been taking Celexa for about six months now. Started on a 20 mg dose, now on a 40 mg dose. My depression is absolutely gone! I never thought I could be this happy and excited about normal everyday life! The only bad thing about it is that it increased my anxiety, and my OCD is very much worse. But I am willing to deal with those to not be depressed or feel useless anymore. Small price to pay to feel happy, in my opinion."

• Rib...
• November 22, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I'm on week 2 of Celexa. Started at 2.5 mg for five days, then increased to 5 mg. So far, no terrible side effects. I do have dizziness/lightheadedness, but I had that before I started. Every now and then, I get an intense feeling of anxiety pass through me, but it is short-lived. Positives are that I feel like my head is clearer. Mostly more calm. I find myself laughing more. My motivation and tiredness are still a factor, but I am hopeful this medication will work."

• snu...
• April 18, 2011

For Depression "I have struggled with anxiety, depression, and insomnia my whole life. Nothing ever had any noticeable effects until I was prescribed Celexa back in 2007. I was on it for years, then decided to try life without it and was tapered off. The thing about Celexa (and all antidepressants) is they work well in that you won't spend as much time crying and all that, but they also inhibit you from feeling genuine euphoria! You just stay at a baseline."

• Cas...
• June 14, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I was on Citalopram for 10 years. In university, I started showing signs of anxiety, and my doctor told me Celexa would get rid of the physical symptoms. It worked. However, a few years later, when I tried to come off it, I failed. So, on the medication, I actually developed depression and social anxiety, and my anxiety in general got worse. Recently, I decided to stop taking it. I took myself down half a dose each day for one week, and then every other day the second week. And I feel amazing! Aside from a few mild withdrawal symptoms, I’m feeling better! As a result of Celexa, I spent 10 years of my life a prisoner to this medication. I was always depressed, always afraid. I stayed so deep within myself I missed out on friendships, career opportunities, and happiness altogether. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone! Get actual help for your anxiety, a pill is merely a band-aid that will cause you more harm than good in the long run."

• Hum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2021

For Depression "I was on 40 mg Celexa for 2 years, then switched to Lexapro 20 mg because I have been told it's more effective and easy to find in my country. I got pain everywhere, all my body, weakness, and anxiety more. That's why I switched again to Celexa 40 mg. No pain. No panic attacks, I'm more active, but I suffered with insomnia... no problem..."

• Ele...
• November 4, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "My doctor has tried me on other antidepressants, and I felt no relief of my symptoms. I was given this medication almost a year ago, and it's been the best year of my life. Obviously, I'm not depressed but stressed with anxiety."

• Cad...
• November 14, 2015

For Depression "I've only been on Celexa for a month. I am 5'5" and I was 112 lbs, and they put me on 10 mg, but it didn't help at all. It made me start having panic attacks and anxiety attacks again. I'm also on Klonopin (1 mg twice a day) for panic disorder and Adderall (20 mg XR in the morning and 10 mg IR at lunchtime) for inattentive ADHD. I haven't been any less depressed, and I'm 99 lbs now, and they just doubled my dose to see if that will work. I really hope it does, because right now I absolutely hate it. I've been eating more than I normally do, but losing weight rapidly, and I'm already underweight. Celexa so far makes me feel like I'm on the verge of falling asleep almost 24/7; the rest of the time is when I'm having anxiety and panic attacks."

• mro...
• March 6, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Celexa for 16 days now, and my anxiety, mood, depression, and panic are markedly worse. This is the worst I have been in a couple of years. Is this something the drug can cause before it gives you some relief?"

• The...
• April 21, 2011

For Depression "I tried Lexapro prior to Celexa, and it really revved up my anxiety. I was afraid Celexa would do the same since it is almost the same medication, but Celexa seemed to calm me down a bit. I believe that was because of the inactive part of it. It is only the first day, but I feel subdued. My main problem was restlessness, so I needed an antidepressant that would settle me down more than perk me up. Settling down would essentially perk me up. If that makes sense. So far, so good."

• loo...
• December 16, 2011

For Depression "Celexa helped pull me out of my alcohol addiction while going to AA. After I had been sober and taken Celexa for 6 months, here is where I had ended up: I was completely addicted to working out (positive addiction, thank God, I also have an addictive personality), slight erectile dysfunction, didn't really want to clean my apartment, and slept about 10-11 hours a day. Celexa gave me more energy than Zoloft. I still had a GREAT deal of anxiety, though. Coming off any SSRI is going to be bad, but Celexa pulled me out of the hole."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2017

For Depression "I started out on 10 mg of Celexa; nothing happened. When I got to 20 mg, I started feeling sick (I felt like I was going to vomit all the time) and irritated. Once I got to 40 mg, I began to feel impulsive and wired. I could barely sleep, and I was doing risky things; even my friends said I wasn't myself! I got put on Neurontin after this; I'm glad I switched."

• Lin...
• February 7, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I woke up from the absolute craziest dream I've ever had... FREAKING OUT... COULD NOT BREATHE, AND THOUGHT I WAS DYING... I immediately called people in my family that have been on antidepressants, and they said just give it time, the side effects will go away... so I continued to take it... today is day 14, I am more nervous and depressed still... I have NO emotion, my head hurts constantly, STILL have no balance... I think my doctor WRONGLY prescribed me something I DIDN'T need, that COMPLETELY ruins you (when you don't really need it). I'm severely annoyed... stopping my med tomorrow and flushing the rest of my pills... I'm so disgusted."

• rev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "At the beginning of this year, I started experiencing severe depression and anxiety. I went on Celexa about 4, almost 5 weeks ago (20 mg). So far, I don't notice any improvement in my anxiety. I am concerned that the medication is adding to my anxiety, but I'm going to keep taking it because I heard it can take up to 6-8 weeks to kick in. Really hoping that will be my case. My symptoms lately have been anxiousness, chest tightness, loss of appetite, sweating/nervousness... and again I'm not sure if these symptoms have been influenced by the Celexa or not. I'm assuming the best thing to do is keep pushing through and I may be a case where it can take 2 whole months to kick in."

• Anonymous
• August 13, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I started on Celexa 20 mg for anxiety in hopes to stop my Xanax. Six hours after my second dose, I felt very irritable, my skin felt like it was burning. I was at work and in my boss's office and stripped off my clothes, and I couldn't help it. I felt jittery and like I wasn't myself. I will never take this again."

• Spe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 4, 2021

For Depression "I genuinely could not feel anything while I was on this medication. I was numb 95% of the time, and the other 5% of the time I was anxious or irritated. But hey, at least I wasn’t sad anymore, I guess."

• Chi...
• July 23, 2011

For Depression "I just started Celexa when my doctor put me on it about a week ago. We just couldn't win with my depression and all that entails for major depressive disorder, and I was feeling really depressed at the time. I'm on a low dose but only for about two weeks until we check it out. I've been diagnosed now for about 8 or 9 years, tried LOTS of antidepressants. Even though I tried to work with them all, as a team, me and the medicine, we just couldn't win with the depression. My side effects of depression are a huge lack of energy, being angry often, usually at the whole world, so much stress and negativity. So much that I will say thanks to everyone who commented. I hope I have a lot to look forward to now based on all of the positive comments about Celexa."

• sam...
• January 22, 2020

For Postpartum Depression "Initial symptoms, premenstrual dysphoric syndrome. Extreme irritability in evenings the week before the period. While I used to be fine after the period, I started having a depressed mood. The only time of the month feeling good was around ovulation. Started on 10 mg. First week, queasiness, dizziness, no appetite, brain fog. Allowed self to eat junk or whatever sounded appealing. Protein shakes. Initial effects improved after the first week. No real notable difference. After a few weeks increased to 20 mg. Lack of appetite returned. Started having excruciating headaches, tension headaches, and clenching of jaw. Worsened depression. No motivation or desire to do anything. Headaches resolved. At 7-8 weeks. Extremely tired. Sad, blah, heavy face feeling. Anxiety may be worse. Probably less irritable, but don’t feel the other side effects are worth it. Felt better the next day after decrease to 10. Then switched to Paxil and have had no side effects and doing well one month in!!!"