HI I AM 37 YEARS OLD AND 1 WEEK AGO I WENT TO THE DR FOR HEADACH...

I just started 20mg celexa on July 16. Taking 1/2 for 7 days then 1 tablet after. I've had alot of stress over the past year and went to my dr about it in march. I was having alot of headaches everyday. She prescribed me nortriptyline for the stress and reduction of headaches. She also prescribed me Midrin which would be (as needed) onset of headaches, and I must tell you that a combination of the 2 helped me out very well. Check with your dr.about those 2 medications. I just got off the nortriptyline because my dr wanted me to switch to another medication. So now I am taking Celexa and everyday since I have been taking it I have horrible headaches all day everyday, depressed, sad, dizzy all the time, and no sex drive. I told me dr. about this and she said to continue with it for a bit because it is a medication that takes 2 1/2 weeks to reach full results and it decreases headaches and is prescribed for prevention on migraines, and is an antidepressant as well. I'm going to stick to it for a bit even though I don't feel right on it. I'm going to give it a few weeks and if it still doesn't help then I will talk to my dr. about it. I'm someone that is very prone to headaches and even though the celexa is giving me headaches that is a side effect until it reaches the amount of time to start working. I advise you to either try it out for a couple weeks, and if still no results try talking to your dr.again. If not check into the nortriptyline and midrin. Best wishes to you.
Tammy

I just started 20mg celexa on July 16. Taking 1/2 for 7 days then 1 tablet after. I've had alot of stress over the past year and went to my dr about it in march. I was having alot of headaches everyday. She prescribed me nortriptyline for the stress and reduction of headaches. She also prescribed me Midrin which would be (as needed) onset of headaches, and I must tell you that a combination of the 2 helped me out very well. Check with your dr.about those 2 medications. I just got off the nortriptyline because my dr wanted me to switch to another medication. So now I am taking Celexa and everyday since I have been taking it I have horrible headaches all day everyday, depressed, sad, dizzy all the time, and no sex drive. I told me dr. about this and she said to continue with it for a bit because it is a medication that takes 2 1/2 weeks to reach full results and it decreases headaches and is prescribed for prevention on migraines, and is an antidepressant as well. I'm going to stick to it for a bit even though I don't feel right on it. I'm going to give it a few weeks and if it still doesn't help then I will talk to my dr. about it. I'm someone that is very prone to headaches and even though the celexa is giving me headaches that is a side effect until it reaches the amount of time to start working. I advise you to either try it out for a couple weeks, and if still no results try talking to your dr.again. If not check into the nortriptyline and midrin. Best wishes to you.
Tammy

To those of you taking Celexa (aka Citalopram hydrobromide), or any other SSRI (e.g. Prozac, Luvox, Paxil, Zoloft) or SNRI type anti-depressant medication, please read the 'Consumer Medicine Information' leaflet that should be contained in the packet with the medication - MOST of the effects, including unwanted side effects, will be listed/mentioned. However, please be aware that the wording used to describe some of the side effects may be altered to make the side effect appear less severe or to take advantage of your lack of knowledge with respect to the definition of medical terminology, such as 'mania'. For example, some side effects of Celexa can be: agitation, nervousness, anxiety, poor concentration. Consider those side effects with the symptoms of Mania, which include irritability, hypersensitivity, hyperactivity, impulsiveness, racing thoughts, talkativeness, decreased need for sleep. The 'Consumer Medicine Information' leaflet for Celexa (published by MIMS in July 2007) states, in part, "Tell your doctor if you experience episodes of mania.", indicating that by taking Celexa, you could develop mania. Who knows what the symptoms of mania are in order to tell your doctor, unless you already are a doctor or have researched the condition to know. However, if you have mania, are you going to have enough control of your mind to be able to articulate to your doctor that you think you have the symptoms of mania - are you going to care by that stage - probably not, because you've already gone crazy. Celexa can also cause suicidal tendencies/ideations and violent behaviour. In any case, ask yourselves why your doctor prescribed Celexa: Rosalia, you had headaches from stress; Tammy, you had headaches from stress, as well. With headaches, there could be some underlying pathology, e.g. tumour; however, what doctor in their right mind would prescribe Celexa (supposedly used for the treatment of depression) for the treatment of recurrent headaches; especially when one of the side effects of Celexa is 'headaches'. That is just illogical and irresponsible treatment, bordering on malpractice. Now you've still got the headaches, and a whole bunch of new side effects to 'enjoy'. In any case, was either of you depressed before you commenced taking Celexa?? However, if you have not already become "very emotional" (aka, depressed) as a side effect of taking Celexa, you may now become depressed as you continue to suffer from the many other new side effects (nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, body aches, loss of apatite, loss of libido, headaches, etc.); which may not subside and which may get worse - and what affect is your depression/worsening depression going to have on your lifestyle through affects on your friends and family, and your work colleagues. As this continues, your doctor is likely to suggest you increase your dose of Celexa, because now you have depression. Your doctor may then also prescribe you a mild tranquilizer (Valium, Temazapam, or the like) to counter-act any over-stimulation (i.e. mania) of your central nervous system caused by the increased dose of Celexa. So, now you will have developed depression and mania, i.e. manic-depression or bipolar disorder, and your doctor is likely to suggest that this is the result of your worsening stress condition; not because of the Celexa and their irresponsible prescription of same. I don't believe there is any point in pushing a bad situation; if the Celexa is causing you these side effects, then get off it, go back to square one, i.e. just the stress related headaches, and then try a different approach to try to solve the stress issue. Afterall, your stress is an emotional condition/state of mind, most probably brought about by something in your lifestyle; i.e. work, relationships, finances, life achievements or lack thereof, etc.; or could be due to some other underlying physical pathology, some other illness; find out what the illness is and you may find the cure for your stress and headaches. Rosalia, I don't think a blood test and pap smear would have been an exhaustive investigation of your underlying health. What exactly was the nature of your blood test - basic electrolytes, haematocrit, triglycerides, cholesterol, protein??? How about testing your blood for any other indicators of some other pathology/illness??? If your doctors care that much about your health that their simple solution to your stress/headache problems is to prescribe Celexa (for depression???), then I'd suggest they don't really give a shit; your headache/stress condition is too hard and/or costly to figure out through extensive testing; it's easier and cheaper to prescribe an anti-depressant (because that's what everyone does) and cross your fingers hope it does the trick. Obviously, in both your cases, Celexa is not doing the trick to resolve your stress/headache condition; and Celexa is not doing the trick because it is obviously not the appropriate medication (if you require medication at all) to treat your condition - I'd get a second opinion from an entirely different doctor (but, chances are they all went to the same school, are encouraged by the drug pharmaceutical companies to promote their medications, and you'll just get the same response). Perhaps the treatment for your condition is a lifestyle change or two. May not be as easy as popping a pill, but if it achieves the desired goal of eliminating your stress and headaches, then it's the cure. Rosalia and Tammy, I'd suggest you get online and purchase some of Dr Peter BREGGINS books, for your own edification, such as 'The Anti-depressant Fact Book' (what your doctor doesn't know or won't tell you) and 'Toxic Psychiatry'. In conclusion, your doctor/any doctor doesn't know everything about you, your medication and/or the effects of all medication on you; drugs are not always the answer; and if the Celexa is causing such side effects that you feel it necessary to reach out to the world through the internet for an answer, then perhaps the wise thing to do would be to withdraw from the Celexa medication over time (such that you don't suffer sudden withdrawal side effects) with a view to no longer taking the Celexa (or any other SSRI - Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitor - Anti-depressant, or any SNRI - Serotonin and Noradrenaline re-uptake Inhibitor - Anti-depressant), get back to square one and try some alternate therapy that doesn't involve mind altering drugs. Afterall, insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting a different result (i.e. Tammy, your persistence in continuing to take Celexa, but expecting things to change for the better); perhaps you've already gone crazy. Stop taking Celexa before it's too late. Good luck and the best of health for the future. Regards, Mac.

To those of you taking Celexa (aka Citalopram hydrobromide), or any other SSRI (e.g. Prozac, Luvox, Paxil, Zoloft) or SNRI type anti-depressant medication, please read the 'Consumer Medicine Information' leaflet that should be contained in the packet with the medication - MOST of the effects, including unwanted side effects, will be listed/mentioned. However, please be aware that the wording used to describe some of the side effects may be altered to make the side effect appear less severe or to take advantage of your lack of knowledge with respect to the definition of medical terminology, such as 'mania'. For example, some side effects of Celexa can be: agitation, nervousness, anxiety, poor concentration. Consider those side effects with the symptoms of Mania, which include irritability, hypersensitivity, hyperactivity, impulsiveness, racing thoughts, talkativeness, decreased need for sleep. The 'Consumer Medicine Information' leaflet for Celexa (published by MIMS in July 2007) states, in part, "Tell your doctor if you experience episodes of mania.", indicating that by taking Celexa, you could develop mania. Who knows what the symptoms of mania are in order to tell your doctor, unless you already are a doctor or have researched the condition to know. However, if you have mania, are you going to have enough control of your mind to be able to articulate to your doctor that you think you have the symptoms of mania - are you going to care by that stage - probably not, because you've already gone crazy. Celexa can also cause suicidal tendencies/ideations and violent behaviour. In any case, ask yourselves why your doctor prescribed Celexa: Rosalia, you had headaches from stress; Tammy, you had headaches from stress, as well. With headaches, there could be some underlying pathology, e.g. tumour; however, what doctor in their right mind would prescribe Celexa (supposedly used for the treatment of depression) for the treatment of recurrent headaches; especially when one of the side effects of Celexa is 'headaches'. That is just illogical and irresponsible treatment, bordering on malpractice. Now you've still got the headaches, and a whole bunch of new side effects to 'enjoy'. In any case, was either of you depressed before you commenced taking Celexa?? However, if you have not already become "very emotional" (aka, depressed) as a side effect of taking Celexa, you may now become depressed as you continue to suffer from the many other new side effects (nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, body aches, loss of apatite, loss of libido, headaches, etc.); which may not subside and which may get worse - and what affect is your depression/worsening depression going to have on your lifestyle through affects on your friends and family, and your work colleagues. As this continues, your doctor is likely to suggest you increase your dose of Celexa, because now you have depression. Your doctor may then also prescribe you a mild tranquilizer (Valium, Temazapam, or the like) to counter-act any over-stimulation (i.e. mania) of your central nervous system caused by the increased dose of Celexa. So, now you will have developed depression and mania, i.e. manic-depression or bipolar disorder, and your doctor is likely to suggest that this is the result of your worsening stress condition; not because of the Celexa and their irresponsible prescription of same. I don't believe there is any point in pushing a bad situation; if the Celexa is causing you these side effects, then get off it, go back to square one, i.e. just the stress related headaches, and then try a different approach to try to solve the stress issue. Afterall, your stress is an emotional condition/state of mind, most probably brought about by something in your lifestyle; i.e. work, relationships, finances, life achievements or lack thereof, etc.; or could be due to some other underlying physical pathology, some other illness; find out what the illness is and you may find the cure for your stress and headaches. Rosalia, I don't think a blood test and pap smear would have been an exhaustive investigation of your underlying health. What exactly was the nature of your blood test - basic electrolytes, haematocrit, triglycerides, cholesterol, protein??? How about testing your blood for any other indicators of some other pathology/illness??? If your doctors care that much about your health that their simple solution to your stress/headache problems is to prescribe Celexa (for depression???), then I'd suggest they don't really give a shit; your headache/stress condition is too hard and/or costly to figure out through extensive testing; it's easier and cheaper to prescribe an anti-depressant (because that's what everyone does) and cross your fingers hope it does the trick. Obviously, in both your cases, Celexa is not doing the trick to resolve your stress/headache condition; and Celexa is not doing the trick because it is obviously not the appropriate medication (if you require medication at all) to treat your condition - I'd get a second opinion from an entirely different doctor (but, chances are they all went to the same school, are encouraged by the drug pharmaceutical companies to promote their medications, and you'll just get the same response). Perhaps the treatment for your condition is a lifestyle change or two. May not be as easy as popping a pill, but if it achieves the desired goal of eliminating your stress and headaches, then it's the cure. Rosalia and Tammy, I'd suggest you get online and purchase some of Dr Peter BREGGINS books, for your own edification, such as 'The Anti-depressant Fact Book' (what your doctor doesn't know or won't tell you) and 'Toxic Psychiatry'. In conclusion, your doctor/any doctor doesn't know everything about you, your medication and/or the effects of all medication on you; drugs are not always the answer; and if the Celexa is causing such side effects that you feel it necessary to reach out to the world through the internet for an answer, then perhaps the wise thing to do would be to withdraw from the Celexa medication over time (such that you don't suffer sudden withdrawal side effects) with a view to no longer taking the Celexa (or any other SSRI - Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitor - Anti-depressant, or any SNRI - Serotonin and Noradrenaline re-uptake Inhibitor - Anti-depressant), get back to square one and try some alternate therapy that doesn't involve mind altering drugs. Afterall, insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting a different result (i.e. Tammy, your persistence in continuing to take Celexa, but expecting things to change for the better); perhaps you've already gone crazy. Stop taking Celexa before it's too late. Good luck and the best of health for the future. Regards, D.