Celexa and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 2)

• ldd...
• July 15, 2013

For Depression "25-year-old female. I started taking 10mg of Celexa after experiencing severe depression. I was having harmful thoughts, insomnia, and anxiety in all aspects of life. I finally succumbed to the fact that I needed to take medication because therapy, exercise, positive thoughts, and other outlets were not working. The first few weeks sucked. I had severe insomnia, couldn't eat, and felt ramped up and clenched my teeth when I did sleep. I never had the zombie experience though. But a few weeks later, the world seemed more clear and happy. Celexa did nothing for my anxiety, I had to add Klonopin, but it worked for my mood swings and depression. I would go on it again if I had to. Just remember everyone has different brain chemistry."

• Air...
• May 22, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on generic Celexa for about two weeks now. I was searching for something to help me with deteriorating anxiety. I had no idea it would also make me less irrational and nicer. I don't get upset over everything now. I feel confident and myself again. Lots of side effects though. Currently have a hollow feeling at all times, very spaced out, memory loss, cannot orgasm, insomnia, unable to tell when I am hungry, and since I have upped my dose to 20 mg, I also clench my jaw often. For me, the good outweighs the bad though. I am just happy to not be feeling so manic nonstop."

• Jul...
• February 8, 2016

For Depression "I have been taking citalopram since I'm 19 years old, after an acute life event. I started with 20 mg a day PO, which helped me for over 1 year. After 1 year, I felt that my depression was coming back, so I talked to my physician, and we increased the daily dose to 40 mg PO. I am now taking this medication for over 6 years, and for me, it's the one and only medication that helps. Yes, I have had some side effects like losing weight (15 pounds), trouble sleeping (5-6 hours) a day max, and insomnia. But still, I can finally start living my normal life, which I could not do without this medication. I work as an RN in an ED and see a lot of patients with depression, PTSD (like me) or other problems who don't take any medications, which I would not recommend."

• Jul...
• February 8, 2016

For Depression "I have been taking citalopram since I'm 19 years old, after an acute life event. I started with 20 mg a day PO, which helped me for over 1 year. After 1 year, I felt that my depression was coming back, so I talked to my physician, and we increased the daily dose to 40 mg PO. I am now taking this medication for over 6 years, and for me, it's the one and only medication that helps. Yes, I have had some side effects like losing weight (15 pounds), trouble sleeping (5-6 hours) a day max, and insomnia. But still, I can finally start living my normal life, which I could not do without this medication. I work as an RN in an ED and see a lot of patients with depression, PTSD (like me) or other problems who don't take any medications, which I would not recommend."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• jul...
• November 15, 2010

For Anxiety and Stress "I was prescribed Celexa a week ago. At first, I had trouble sleeping, horrible headaches, and was very tired during the day, but now I'm starting to sleep better and not be as tired during the day. I also find myself not being as stressed out. I hope to see more results."

• 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)."

• cry...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "This medication is truly a double-edged sword. This is only my personal experience with this drug. I liked it but won't be recommending it due to sexual and other side effects. The positive: It works like a dream...as far as mood, it will make you extremely mellow and easygoing. The negative: It will make you shake-tremors. You will still have somewhat of a sex drive but it's impossible to achieve an orgasm. Weight gain, stomach cramps, restless, and trouble sleeping."

• cha...
• January 2, 2016

For Depression "I have had a lifelong struggle with depression. I had a precious baby 4 months ago and began to struggle with postpartum depression. I thought if I lost the baby weight, I'd feel better. I got put on phentermine, which sent me into a downward spiral and the worst depression of my life! I went to the doctor 6 days after starting phentermine, and he took me off of phen and put me on Celexa 10 mg. Within 2-3 days, I felt so much better! My husband and I were arguing every other day before treatment, and we haven't had a single disagreement since I started 3 weeks ago. We are both so happy with my results. My side effects have been not being able to sleep, and I'm always hungry. So far I haven't had weight gain, but I've really had to have self-control."

• 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."

• Em9...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2016

For Depression "I'm 18 and on my third day of Celexa. I've had depression for 3+ years now and have gone unmedicated. I finally agreed to try Celexa 30 mg and 0.25 mg of Xanax. Changing my life and cannot wait for even more improvement. Only issues so far are some insomnia and constant yawning, but it's a small price to pay!"

• 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."

• mis...
• August 6, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I was prescribed Celexa due to anxiety, stress, and depression. I initially went to the doctor for insomnia. Went through that for 7-10 weeks. Because I was not sleeping, I started getting panic attacks at night. The doctor prescribed Ativan for the anxiety and Ambien at night. The Ambien didn't work. So I found myself taking the Ativan only at night, which seemed to help a little bit. One night I experienced a horrific panic attack after taking the Ativan. I suddenly started crying and just started feeling miserable. I came to realize that I am deeply depressed and I need help. Long story short, went to the doctor, and after 10 days of being on Celexa, I truly feel better and I am averaging 6-7 hours of sleep whereas 11 days ago it was only 3-4 hours."

• Anonymous
• December 7, 2010

For Panic Disorder "I was in a really bad spot with the constant anxiety and panic attacks. It was affecting every aspect of my life negatively. At first, I slept a lot, which wasn't necessarily bad since I hadn't been sleeping anyway. Sex was a little off, but at least I feel a lot better and don't feel like I could jump out of my skin 24 hours a day. I hate that I have to take something, but it's much better than the alternative!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "I took this medication for anxiety and stress for only 2 months. I really did not see any improvement, and the side effects were pretty bad: insomnia, nausea, headaches, felt like my nerve endings had little electrical surges, lethargic, night sweats, and zero sex drive."

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 21, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Had a pretty bad panic attack, and the MD suggested I take Zoloft. Stayed on that 5 days at 25 mg and felt insane, out-of-body-like, and had awful thoughts, which I never had in my life. Then the doctor started me on 10 mg of Celexa, and it made me go manic. Doctor suggested I drop the dose to 5 mg, stayed on that for three weeks, had suicidal thoughts, manic episodes, restlessness, and the constant feeling of wanting to move, and really bad insomnia. Doctor said I had akinesia. I'm off all medications now, this is going into my second week, and I feel much better. My suggestion, if you have panic attacks, ask for benzos first, also ask your MD if possible for a gene test. Then ask them to rule out bipolar or bipolar spectrum disorders. Some people cannot handle SSRIs."

• kri...
• November 3, 2013

For Depression "Been taking it for 4 days, I feel less sad but so thirsty and can't eat or sleep... not giving up yet because I haven't cried much and before I cried every day. And then was bitchy... that's been okay.... we will see, I will update at a later time...."

• Tet...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 19, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "Been using Celexa for six months. Doctor switched me from Lexapro to Celexa, and glad he did. My anxiety and overall mood have changed dramatically. The only side effect I have is terrible insomnia, but very low anxiety. It is worth it."

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2010

For Anxiety and Stress "Celexa, for me, helped with stress and anxiety, but I had to stop taking it due to the bad side effects such as insomnia in the early morning, feeling depressed, dry mouth, memory loss, vision issues, and loss of appetite. Zoloft was worse, though. I am going to use natural supplements and not these strong antidepressants."

• rop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2015

For Depression "I have been on Celexa for about two months now, and the first two days I had insomnia really bad, but then it got better as time went on. My depression is somewhat balanced, but I do have continued anxiety and stress. I went to my doctor's today and had my weight checked, and in less than a month, I have gained 12 lbs; I was shocked! I was told it could be from the Celexa, so now I'm slowly weaning myself off of that as I try my new medication, Wellbutrin. All in all, Celexa is good, and if it weren't for the weight gain, I would have stayed on it. Everybody's body is different, and it just wasn't the right medication for me."

• bra...
• November 27, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Before starting Celexa, I would get so anxious I couldn’t think straight ever and almost felt like I was high on drugs. I would panic almost every single day and was only eating a few hundred calories daily (all due to a breakup). Started on 10 mg and after that moved up to 20 mg. I had diarrhea and a bit of an upset stomach the first two weeks, but after that, it was gone. After a month, the difference in my anxiety was astonishing, so I stayed on 20 mg. After 2 months, I noticed I was still anxious about the breakup (constant thoughts were always in the background). Doctor upped my dosage to 40 mg. My anxiety stayed about the same, but my depression got much worse. Still having 24/7 background thoughts on the breakup, so I’m now on Zoloft and trying that. Celexa may not have worked 100% for me, but it made a huge difference from where I was a few months ago, so I’m thankful. I got pretty much zero side effects except for a bit of affected sleep. Would recommend as a good starter SSRI."

• ERr...
• April 6, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "Currently on week 2 of my experience with Celexa to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression. The first couple of days were absolutely terrible due to side effects (nausea, insomnia, headache, flu-like symptoms, and a huge increase in my depression). Don't know why I had such a severe reaction to the medication right off the bat since I've heard this is one of the more tolerant SSRIs in terms of side effects. But after a few days, my system normalized, and I'm already starting to feel like myself again. The doctor said it could take up to 4-6 weeks for it to fully be in effect, but I find myself sleeping through the night and waking up with a much more positive attitude and not on edge with anxiety like I had been in the past. So far, so good!"

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2009

For Depression "I have been taking the 20 mg Celexa for about 2 months now and just raised my dose to 40 mg. I really do feel so much better. I have the occasional mood swings, but other than that, I'm not depressed, and I haven't had any more panic attacks like I had previously before being placed on it. I would say it's doing the job. The only side effects would be trouble sleeping sometimes and constant sweating throughout the day, but it's been better lately."