Celexa and panic attack

I first started on the generic form of celexa(10 mg once a day) a little over one year ago..it was because I was having some mild depression..I also in the past have had some anxiety/panic attack issues. When I first went on it..it kind of scared me because I felt like I was in a fog..felt like i couldn't respond to things in my normal way..However, i did feel like my energy level was better, wasn't flying off the handle the way i used to, my panic/anxiety seems less frequent. Good things to say. I recently decided, however, to come off of it..(under the direction of my Dr.) I just hate the thought of being on med's to help me cope..I have been having a horrible couple weeks since I have been off of it..back to some of my old behaviors..and worse! yelling at my husband and kids for trivial things..feel very angst and ready to tell someone off at any moment..it has been horrible..am hoping this gets better..I hate feeling like this!

****OKINPA: I can't wait to hear how you're doing with the generic Celexa, because I just started it today. I have noticed a couple side effects: fatigue, shaky hands and sort of "in a fog" but I feel much more relaxed than I did yesterday!! I'm praying to God that this medicine will just be a guide to help me begin the journey of counseling. I am only on 10mg and hope I don't have to increase, just need a little something to calm my nerves so that I can actually make it to the counseling sessions without having a panic attack. I was also prescribed ativan to use as an immediate relief until Celexa kicks in. I take half of the .5mg tablets of the ativan. I HATE taking medicine and any weird change in my body makes me paranoid, so I can't believe I'm actually trying this. BUT, I have to, I'm so sick of being a prisoner in my home.

No horror stories to report. Was on Lexapro 20mg for several years. Am switching to the generic Celexa soon because that is what insurance will pay. I have had weight gain problems with Lexapro, hope that subsides with the Celexa.

At times I did notice "weird sensations" while taking Lexapro. Seemed to come on if I missed taking the med or took it late. Almost like some type of withdrawal symptom. I just work hard at taking it as prescribed. Lexapro worked well for the Panic/Anxiety though. Will let you know how things go with the Celexa in a few weeks.

anxious thoughts and panic from side effects

I've only taken (1) celexa that my doc prescribed to me for panic disorder and I already feel exhausted. I had the worst panic attack I have ever had after 30 minutes of taking it. I started yawning like crazy, I became very spaced out and had to go to the bathroom. I had way more energy when I woke up this morning. I'm not taking another one. I called my local nutrition store. They had good suggestions. I'll go see what my alternatives are...something more natural.

I was prescribed this drug and have been taking it for 3 days now. I am taking 20mg and the first time I took it I had the worse panic attack in my life. Second time I took the med I had a a lot of anxiety but then that went away. A while later I felt happy. I was in a really good mod a work but I had some chest pain the lasted all day. then when I got home the pain left for a while. Shortly after eating, the anxiety came back bad. I took some Ativan and the didn't do a thing at all. Which I thought was scary because it usually helps in a few minutes. So it really seemed like I was having a heart attack but I just ended up falling asleep. Nothing happened. The next morning I felt good and decided to take it a third time and I had all the same symptoms I had last night and the Ativan made me fall asleep this time.

I have been on Celexa for a little over a week for panic attacks/anxiety. The first 2 days I took it I felt like I was in a dream, light headed, tingly, pretty much just intensifying my problems in the first place so I stopped taking Celexa for a few days.. then I spoke with my doctor and she said to try taking it at night instead of the morning. So I began taking Celexa at bedtime. I didn't have much side effects except for a little trouble sleeping, but I actually was starting to feel "better", for about 4 days I was feeling really well and resuming normal activities. Then out of nowhere on that 4th day in the evening I got a really bad panic attack, and for the past 3 days since I've been feeling high anxiety and panic again. I don't understand, because I really felt like I was getting better. I told my doctor what has been happening and all she said was that its normal to have set backs and to continue the Celexa. I'm also taking Ativan to help control the anxiety until the Celexa "kicks in", but in the past few days nothing has been seeming to help. Has anyone experienced this? Is it because I've only been on Celexa for a week? I feel like I am going crazy being back in this lightheaded fog.

I started Celexa 2 days agao, and on 2nd day..My head felt very strange numbing pain from top to back of neck..plus a numbing of cheeks and lips..also strange heaviness-numbing in arms and knees...so I stopped taking it right away...afraid of having convulsions and ending up in the hospital with a cerebral-accident as what happened to me last year...I will have to find something else which will work for me to calm my panic attacks......what a dilemma...because these panic attacks absolutely make me stop functioning.....

i started on citilopram 4 weeks ago, and mentally im a changed man, i had depression and panic attacks and now i couldnt be depressed if i tried to which sounds great but its a liitle strange as i sometimes feel i am missing part of my emotional spectrum, like normal people feel down sometimes and i should still be allowed to feel down every now and then but these tablets wont let you.! physicclay tho i have had a few strange side efects, in the first week i felt shaky and detached and had blurred vision and actually felt a little high (which was nice) but by week 2 i fellt fairly normal and now only get the side effects when i forget to take a tablet otherwise i remain on a plateau. I also smoke pot and often became paraniod after smoking, the best thing is now i can smoke pot to my hearts content and get the high but none of the paranoia and that is fantastic. if your a pot smoking paranoid ~I highly recomend taking 20mg citalopram has anyone else ever experienced this???

My physician prescribed Paxil for me over 7 years ago, the side effects were dry mouth and felt a bit sleepy most of the time. The good part was I did not have any anxiety or panic attacks. Then, about 5 years ago the doctor changed my medication to Celexa. With Celexa I still had the dry mouth, but felt more awake and less sleepy. Then about 2 years ago the new drug Lexapro came out. My doctor changed my medication to Lexapro and in doing so cut my dosage in half. I still have the dry mouth side effect but I do not feel the slightest bit drowsey or sleepy with the new medicine. I have to say each time my doctor changed my medicine it was an improvement over the last one. I feel the side effects were a minor compromise to being rid of my Anxiety and Panic attacks. You have to weigh the benefits that you receive from the medication against the side effects you are experiencing. In other words which is worse? I am Anxiety and Panic Attack free because of this medication and I thank God for it, or should I say I thank God for giving man the wisdom and knowledge to be able to create this medication.

Have been on Celexa for 2 1/2 months now. Absolutely no side effects. I have suffered from Generalized Anxiety Disorder/ Panic Disorder for 13 years. Was taking Xanax quite often for panic attacks. In the past six weeks I have taken only two 0.25mg Xanax which is a huge improvement for me. I have lost 6 pounds and I don't have such ridiculous compulsive worries anymore. I have no sexual side effects like some people have mentioned in other posts. This medication is GREAT for me. I am so thankful I found it!

Hi, I'm 23. I have been on Citalopram for 6 days now. I am also taking beta blockers to slow my heart rate due to having panic attacks. I've found that my mood had improved up until yesterday evening, and I've been feeling much calmer and sleeping ok. This may be due to the beta blockers though. The side effects that I have experienced haven't been as bad as they sound. Felt really spaced out for 3 days and my vision was slightly blurry but is improving considerably now. I have been craving sweet things- but that's probably due to my menstrual cycle! Wake up feeling a bit shakey in the morning but after some food I feel fine. I'm really positive about this medication and I think if you keep a positive attitude and don't worry about the side effects, you will be a happy soon enough.

I HAVE BEEN ON CELEXA GOING ON THREE YEARS NOW I HAVE GAINED 35 POUNDS (CRAVING SWEETS) LEG CRAMPING THAT IS SO PAINFUL, AND IRRAGULAR MENSTRAL CYCLE... OTHER THAN THAT IT HAS HELPED ME WITH PANIC ATTACKS,

I have been on Celexa for 4 years have had all of the above side effects plus very weird and scary dreams, have gotten used to all side effects other than the sexual side effects I HAVE NO SEX DRIVE at all and if I did have not had an orgasm in over 6 months. I also sweat profusly and I have stopped taking the medicine while pregnant and had VERY BAD panic attacks. I have grown a true dependancy to Celexa.

HI, I took Celexa for 3 years. When i started i was having terrible panic attacks and became depressed due to the attacks. Like many people Celexa changed me for the better but also tacked on 30 pounds. I went of the drug about 2 months ago and i lost all of the extra weight. The thing is I have started to have panic attacks again and I have had to start taking Celexa once again. Does anyone know of a good diet to keep the weight down? I know they say that Celexa makes you crave carbs. I would appreciate anybody's input.