Ive been on celexa 20mg for 17 days now and still am having panic attacks ?

Posted , 6 users are following.

Back in 2007 to 2012 I was on celexa20 mg for panic attacks and anxiety. It worked then but I gained weight so my Dr switched me to Zoloft 50mg was on it for over a year and they added topamax for 3 months. No change in weight but panic attacks I didn't have. My Dr then weened me off of both Zoloft and topamax and wanted me to start effexor I never did. I just stayed off meds. After 3 months of having no meds, I started having severe panic attacks. I started Zoloft 50 back up again bc I still had it at my house. After 3 weeks of torture and getting fears and phobias I've never had before, I cried to my Dr and she put me back on cekexa 20mg. I've been taking this for now 17 days. I've had 5 er trips in the last 2 months, I've lost at least 2 sizes bc my fears are so bad that I'm dying I can't eat or hardly sleep. I'm even having phobias of driving being home alone and me dying all the time. Its worse now than its ever been. I started therapy as well but don't see nurse practitioner until Jan 8. I'm to the point of scared to change meds again. Does anyone have advice? If u knew me before, I was outgoing, never afraid to drive, sang in front of crowds of ppl, now I can't even go in Walmart without feeling like I'm gonna lose control. Am I having a nervous breakdown? I'm 38 years old female.

1 like, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • Posted

    Girl I was the same way, now I have severe depression and feel like dying. It's so awful! I've always been scared of being ill and dying and now this. sad prayers for you!
    • Posted

      Its awful. I've had panic attacks on and off all my life but this is extreme!! Thank u for the prayers. I will pray for u too. I just don't know if its still too early to tell if its going to work. 17 days? Plus now I have to take ativan .05 to calm me down. Racing thoughts but not suicidal just feeling like a hypochondriac bc I think I'm dying or something bars happening. I'd rather sleep then wake up with this all day torture in my mind. 😞
    • Posted

      I had to stop celexa because it made me absolutely batty. I couldn't handle it but by everyone's advice it gets better so don't give up.
    • Posted

      I was on it years ago but my hormones could have changed. I hope it works again tho so I don't have to switch meds and wait for effects again. 
    • Posted

      Yea that's what happened to me. Prozac worked wonderful and I quit then it was awful when I went back on it. Every SSRI I have tried have been bad.
  • Posted

    Hi i would say hang in there, i know these tablets make us feel awful, im a 48 female and i can relate to what your saying, for myself  i listen to relaxing music at night it can help to calm you down.  ive changed meds a lot, i know its not easy, but you can do it. it wont be long till the 8th jan. 
    • Posted

      Are u on celexa Karen? I have some deep meditation that my therapist has me listen to. It helps somewhat but I just want to get back to me again. No fears panic attacks no phobias. I'm so outgoing and I have been in nothing but fear and debilitated.
    • Posted

      Hi no im not on celexa ive never tried that one. Im on sertraline 50mg,  i also had more confidence once, i used to drive longer distances but now i only drive no more than 5 miles, i sometimes shout at my kids and its not nice for them . Try not to worry so much, i say that i so worry myself. or you could listen to any kind of music to help you feel better, try doing yoga thats good for relaxation.
  • Posted

    I have had panic attacks for 45 years and my dad and mom had them also two brothers and 3 sisters i have tried every thing also my family but nothing but effexor and zolof helped, my oldest sister takes effexor and another which i forgot but the zolof has been the only one to even help me you need to find out what caused you to all of a sudden start taking attacks talking really helps me.
  • Posted

    I believe you at some point in life something happened like a bad marriage or seen dead people in a wreck or something that has caused your sub concious to cause this.also my 28 year old daughter has them also she has a terrible mother and a good dad me.
  • Posted

    when i was 10 i saw a passenger train kill 8 people at one time and saw things at 10 i should have not seen  just saying honey i know how you feel.
    • Posted

      There have been so many deaths around me in the last 6 months than I'veeever seen. I've also had bad things happen in my life to cause PTSD. I see my therapist again Monday. 
  • Posted

    Hi Nick

    You're having initial side effects still from the medication I believe, and this can be quite scary.  Panic attacks, weird thoughts and all the horrible physical effects too.  All this will pass in time.  Just hang on in there.

    I was ill for many years and on,y recovered when I was out on SSRI's, and have been well ever since.  I had a years break and did really well but restarted it in August - I'd forgotten how bad the side effects were!  I went through it all again and have come out the other side again, and am now feeling well.

    This medicine will get you through it - just hang on in there, it'll take time.  Once through the side effects you'll be up and down with your mood for a long time too, but just ride it all through.

    Everything you're feeling is normal with this depressive illness.  I was really very, very ill once and thought I'd never get back to being me again ... but I am.  You'll do it too.  Accept everything that you'll go through, and just persevere for a long time with the meds.  You'll get there. xxx

    • Posted

      sorry for the typos :-)
    • Posted

      I hope you're right. My hearts been skipping off and on since I wokeup and today is the 18th day on celexa 20mg
    • Posted

      Mine did that when I restarted this medicine.  Woke one morning to a pounding heart and had to get up and pace the room.  Thought I was going to die.  Felt uncomfortable all day then.

      It'll all ease in time ....... such a pain having to wait though isn't it :-(

      K xx

    • Posted

      I realised that my heart skipped on or off the citalopram, this is more likely a side effect of anxiety!

      It's really unpleasant but as long as you have no heart issues it's reallly harmless and your body and mind with eventually sync up and realise this.

       I have suffered skipped heart beats for 10 years it always gets worse with anxiety.

       

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