Celexa and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Mam...
• March 21, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Celexa for two days now and have had almost no side effects whatsoever. I was super hesitant about taking it as both the reviews I read and the doctor who gave it to me told me it would cause bad anxiety for the first week. I was pleasantly surprised when I took my first 20mg dose, as it helped my anxiety almost immediately. I have a bit of nausea and fatigue, along with a bit of dizziness but nothing serious. This is the first time I have gone a day without anxiety in three years, and I know it's not a placebo effect since I initially believed the medication would do the opposite. My sister suffers from depression and after seeing my reaction to the medication is considering seeing a doctor to try it out."

• Ano...
• September 6, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been taking the off-brand for over 2 weeks, and I'm starting to feel the anxiety-reducing effects. No nausea or GI problems thus far. For the first 3 days, I felt a little out of it around an hour and a half after taking it, so I started taking it at night, and that has completely resolved the issue. I started on 10 mg for around 9 days to get accustomed to it and have been on the 20 mg for 2 days now. My anxiety wasn't severe (diagnosed with mild anxiety-stress related) & no panic attacks. I think the type of anxiety/severity will influence the way the drug acts on you, but it's been good for me so far :)"

• Hap...
• December 9, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "My boyfriend has severe social anxiety and depression, which usually left him isolating for an entire week in a dark, depressed mood, which happened every 10-12 days or so. He started taking Celexa about a week ago and has been feeling wonderful! He is smiling again and is able to go out and have a great time! And as far as sex goes, he is BETTER than before. So no complaints here. Of course, I was concerned with side effects in the first week: nausea, diarrhea, headaches, and hallucinations, but that all disappeared after the first week. Now it's smooth sailing. Thank God for Celexa."

• jmp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2014

For Depression "I have taken 4 doses of Celexa thus far. I noticed changes about 24 hours in. Prior to starting, I was very out of it, sad, withdrawn, had urges to hurt myself, had no appetite, experienced nausea/vomiting, and had anxiety. I saw my doctor for my worsening depression, and she added Celexa to my other meds (Wellbutrin, Lamictal, Geodon). I had been on that combination and the same dosages since May 2014. My boss noticed major negative changes since May. Today I am a little dizzy and nauseous, but otherwise feeling much better, which is weird. I am not used to this feeling. I was worried this was too drastic of a change because it had been only 24 hours, but after reading other reviews, I am optimistic."

• bil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "I was given 10mg, and a week later, he went up to 20mg. So far, I have had constant yawning, sweating attacks, nausea, and now diarrhea. I also have problems sleeping at night, and this made me tired in the afternoon, but I now split the dose, one before bed and one when I get up... that has helped the symptoms, and they are less bothersome now. The sweating is the worst, I ordered Odaban, and it is wonderful! You can even apply it to your face and head, and that is where I sweat. I have not had any more feelings of doom and gloom and excessive worrying. I feel like I am getting back to normal, but it's been 2 weeks, and I'm not there yet. So I guess so far so good."

• Mic...
• August 4, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "So I am on day 2 of Celexa. I originally started four days ago at night thinking I would be drowsy, but instead, it kind of kept me up. So I switched to mornings. So yesterday was day 1, in the AM. And my day I did feel like I was sad and lonely, chemically buzzed, but I could still do things. I had anxiety about being alone with my two boys. But as the day progressed and I reached 5 pm, I decided that maybe I should work out. Maybe it would help the side effects. It was the best workout ever! I didn’t notice my heart pounding, I didn’t have fast, labored breathing, and my legs didn’t feel wobbly after being on the treadmill. I woke up non-drowsy and took my second pill. So here I am an hour in. I’ll post in a few days since I really can’t find a thread of the beginning days of this medication. I haven’t had a headache or nausea, but sometimes I have to force myself to eat. And I do get waves of brain lightheadedness that last a second."

• jac...
• June 7, 2011

For Panic Disorder "One day, six years ago, I became consumed with anxiety. Panic attacks, head pressure, foggy head, pressure in my ear, nausea, dizziness, and tingling appendages appeared literally out of the blue and became my life at 26 years old. I went to numerous doctors who tested me for EVERYTHING. I managed with Xanax, which seemed to be the only thing that made me feel normal again for brief periods of time. I just wasn't myself, and I longed for my old life when I felt confident and in control. I didn't want to believe that it could all be in my mind and was convinced that I had some unknown disorder. Finally, I went to a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with Panic Disorder and GAD. I was prescribed Celexa 20."

• Bee...
• October 13, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I've never been on a daily medicine for anxiety and was previously managing via Eastern medicine (acupuncture/chinese herbs). My anxiety never completely went away, but those methods prevented full-blown panic attacks most of the time. My attacks started to evolve in the last 6 months, and I finally talked to my doctor about it. She prescribed Celexa 20 mg per day, once a day. It's changed my life. I hadn't realized how withdrawn I'd become from the fear of anxiety and panic. I had some mild nausea in the first 2 weeks, but nothing serious. She also prescribed Hydroxyzine for panic attacks, which is an old-school sedative in the antihistamine family. I haven't had an attack since I started the Celexa, but the Hydroxyzine is a great sleep aid."

• Bet...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 26, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "I've suffered from a level of anxiety for most of my life, but last year my husband lost his job. While that was a bad turn for us, my reaction to it was quite out of proportion. I was a crying, anxiety-ridden mess - just struggled to make it through my workday and felt completely unglued and out of control. It was the final straw, and my doctor prescribed Celexa. I was nauseated the first two weeks, and then suddenly, one day I wasn't, and it's been smooth sailing from there on out. I do have less interest in sex - a downside, and I am sleepier than I'd like. But it is overall worth it - plus. God bless whoever made this medicine. It has been a lifesaver for me."

• Ose...
• August 13, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I have had panic attacks and anxiety for many years. This year, I found out that I had colon cancer, got referred to a surgeon, and had surgery within 2 weeks. I found that the panic attacks and anxiety, sometimes sadness and crying bouts, started as I began to recover and process this experience. My doctor recommended Celexa over Cymbalta because she said that with women in particular, this was better for anxiety as opposed to depression. So far, I've found that the drug makes me sleepy and a little muddled in thinking right after I take it. I did have some nausea, but that went away quickly. I'm switching to taking it at night since I feel pretty good about 12 hours after taking it. It does relieve anxiety and panic attacks."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I just started Celexa 4 days ago. I started feeling something the first day I took it, a feeling of calmness, which I barely have ever. I took Zofran the first 3 days because I didn’t want to get nauseous. Well, 4th day I thought I could do without the Zofran, but it turns out that’s a no. Other than that, it seems to be working. I hope this is a winner in my book, God knows I need 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."

• Rat...
• August 11, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "Coming up to the 1-year mark, been on 20 mg per day until this week, when I've increased to 30 mg. Until the last few weeks, my anxiety has been manageable, but now I feel it returning due to some personal issues at home. Compared to how I was this time last year, just before I started, I am ten times better, but I am by no means cured. I've increased my dosage with the doctor's guidance in order to continue managing my anxiety and depression. I find this medication great in most ways, but the side effects are not good. I had severe nausea for the first 3 weeks, night tremors, hot sweats, and no appetite. Within 4 weeks, these had all gone completely, but I've found that I suffer from terrible short-term memory, increased hair loss, and alcohol affects me much worse."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 18, 2012

For Depression "In 2003, I started on (brand name) Celexa 5 mg a day for anxiety and depression. Within a week, I started to feel almost a magical feeling of well-being and a nice calmness within myself. The world looking brighter and so much better. For once in my life, I felt that the hole in my soul was healing. No more anxiousness and crying most of the time, and no more waves of horrible emotional pain. I gradually worked up to 10 mg a day, and now I am on 20 mg a day. I did have a headache, nausea, and loss of appetite. They went away. I gained weight but was feeling so much better. I tried generic Celexa for almost 1 month, and I felt irritable-like a dark cloud descended upon me. It is not the same as the brand."

• Be ...
• July 25, 2015

For Depression "I started this medication due to depression and uncontrollable panic attacks and anxiety. I started on 10 mg and had very bad nausea, very tired, and no appetite. The first two weeks were the same, but definitely by the 3rd week, I could feel my body calming down and was quite pleased. Unfortunately, I started having awful tingling and burning in my arms, mostly the left. Now I have titrated off and now on Effexor, but I am still having the burning and tingling in the arm but have had only 1 panic attack. The first two weeks are hard, but hang in there. It will be worth it!!!! I wanted to give up as well, but I had to think about my family, and that pushed me through. I'm not 100%, but I can drive and socialize now without getting as panicked."

• 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."

• Mel...
• May 7, 2016

For Depression "I take 20 mg of Celexa and 300 mg of Wellbutrin. When I don't take them, I'm much more irritable. I can still feel sadness and happiness, I just feel level somehow. If you stop cold turkey, it causes nausea, for me anyways, and I can tell I feel different off them. Still have some obsessive tendencies, but overall, I wouldn't want to not take them."

• Eaz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Side effects are pure awfulness right from the jump. Blurred vision, floaters in vision, burning sensation of the skin, tightness of chest, migraines, nausea and vomiting, night terrors, suicidal thoughts, crying outbursts, panic state of mind, extreme anger, feeling out of control (almost out of body experience), and memory loss like anything. I couldn’t remember things I had said just minutes beforehand. Not to mention zero libido and complete loss of any sort of emotion. It all makes for a real fun time. Mind you, I’ve never had any of this before starting this medication. So it's a no-go in my book. Celexa made me feel the worst I’ve ever felt in my entire life. If you want real relief, just stick to Xanax."

• 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."

• Sim...
• November 30, 2009

For Panic Disorder "I have had panic attacks and anxiety and stress for over 10 years now. They tried everything until one doctor put me on Xanax, and it was such a relief for a while. Now I am up to 2 mgs, 3 times a day, and my newest doctor put me on Celexa 6 months ago. There was some nausea at first, like he said, and sleepiness, but it quit after a week or two, and it so mellowed me out more. The attacks are less frequent and not near as bad. So for me, a godsend! I know everyone is different, but I have not had one bad thought and can actually go out and shop and do things without worrying about an attack! The nausea was worth working through. Thank you, Celexa! It sure helped me!"

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I just started taking 10 mg Celexa the evening of Jan 14, took another one at the same time the next night. The next morning, I was miserably sick. Nausea, more retching than vomiting, weak, headachey, all-over sick feeling... This was like (but this time much worse) the reaction I had when I started Prozac. The doctor agreed that my first bad reaction was to the Prozac, called yesterday, and said I won't take more Celexa. I am done with SSRIs. I am wondering if anyone else has had this same reaction..."

• bea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I was prescribed Celexa for anxiety. I had previously tried Prozac, which made things even worse. Celexa (10 mg) was great. I felt better, just a bit more evened out, and less anxious. It's definitely not a Xanax, but it helped me to feel more like myself. However, it also made me gain about 15 pounds in only 3 months. During this time, I was exercising, eating healthfully, and still gaining. I eventually weaned myself off it. Weaning myself off was terrible. Nausea, inability to concentrate, etc."

• Kou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I have started on Celexa 10 mg for severe anxiety I was having (to the point where I couldn't function and thought I was going to lose my job). I'm only a week in the 10 mg, and I already feel a lot better. The anxiety is still there but is manageable. I will be upping to 20 mg this weekend in case it makes me sick. Which brings me to my next advice: if you have a sensitive stomach or were not on any other medication, start at a low dose and start on a Friday or Saturday because you will have bad symptoms. I was extremely nauseous, I couldn't sleep, and it made me feel really weird for a while. I had to take Pepto-Bismol tablets to make sure I did not throw up the medication and be back to square one. But that has passed and I feel better now!"

• J19...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 28, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I was on 20 mg for about 9 months for severe panic disorder. I was having 2-3 panic attacks per day. Once I was on the med for two weeks, I was so much better. Unfortunately, about 9 months in, the panic attacks came back worse than before. Only side effects were mild nausea and sore leg muscles during the first few days."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 31, 2015

For Depression "So, a little over a year ago (20-year-old female), I was diagnosed with depression. My doctor gave me Celexa 20 mg. The first week, I had dry mouth and nausea, but that was about it for side effects, they went away quickly. Celexa made me feel more in control of my emotions, happier, and less tearful. After 8 months, I switched to 40 mg, it didn't do very much, and 4 months later, I had gained 15 lbs. So I switched back to 20 mg. It has been over a year now, and I feel like the medication has stopped working. I'm feeling depressed again, sleeping a lot, more sadness. So I'm going to see my doctor and switch. Overall, for a first medication, it was good. Just definitely watch your weight and what you're eating!"