Why the HELL

Did my Dr. just prescribe me Celexa for anxiety? CELEXA! For crying out loud, one of the top side effects of this crap is ANXIETY AND PANIC ATTACKS. I am so sick of being force fed anti-depressants for anxiety! I tell the guy I am having constant anxiety and had a 3 day long panic attack last week and that I feel like I am having a heart attack every day. And this is his answer. I don't need an anti depressant, I am not depressed! I don't have time to wait 2-4 weeks to see if something is going to work, I need this to stop NOW! I have been trying to get this fixed for years and they always try to cram anti depressants down my throat. I think I am going to completely lose my mind because I can't get the help that I need. I've tried all of this crap. Just give me the real shit for anxiety and quit torturing me! Fuckers. /end rant.

 

Sometimes doctors prescribe Celexa because it's not too expensive.

 

DONT TAKE THAT SHIT! I got subscribed it for depression and it amplified my symptoms. Its a horrible drug. If anything it flatlines you but only if you take an extreme amount. U need something quick? Move to Washington or Colorado....and smoke a joint!

 

I was on celexa for about a year and it worked really well for me. It seemed to help my anxiety and ocd. It was mostly prescribed for depression though. I'm not sure if I should go back on it though. I had horrible withdrawal symptoms when I stopped it..

 

I feel for you. Some doctors are like that. They have their pet meds they use and think it will work for everyone. The meds for anxiety are very addictive and a some doctors just won't prescribe them.Others hand them out like candy. It sounds like your doctor is not hearing you at all ( besides the med issue ) have you considered asking for another Dr? in time you will learn to manage anxiety without meds. My anxiety used to be so bad that I would grind my teeth in my sleep and my throat would close up making me feel like I couldn't breath. So I do understand what you are going through. For now I hope you can find a doctor that you can work with. If you ask for a new Dr come up with a pretext. Don't make it just about a dispute over medication. Hope you eventuality get at the root of your anxiety. I found meditation, nature, martial arts and art helped me. Perhaps in time something like that will help you.

 

I'm on Citalopram (Celexa) for a mental condition which is largely a form of anxiety. It's absolutely transformed my life...anxiety is a thing of the past for me right now. I never experienced heightened anxiety as a side effect...They list all possible side effects, you wont get every single one and you might get none. I got insomnia and loss of appetite for the first few weeks...then they went and now I just have a blissful break in which I can start to sort my head out without anxiety ruling my life. Maybe cases like mine are why he prescribed it.

 

Please don't feel you can provide medical advice simply because it didn't work for you.

 

I'll share my experiences as I feel necessary. Thanks.

 

Sharing experiences is harmless and fine...saying things like "DO NOT TAKE THAT SHIT" and advising the person to take marijuana instead, not so much.

 

My advice. Im sticking to it. Sorry if you dont like it pal.

 

celexa is often used off-label to treat anxiety, panic, and OCD. i'm not all that surprised you were given this.

ghostkitty, what else have you tried as far as medication? what about other forms of treatment?

hope you find some relief soon. panic attacks and anxiety suck.

 

I am against the entire pharmaceutical/medical industry. Shrinks are salesmen more than anything

 

in my pretty involved experiences, shrinks aren't salesmen, they're just kind of dumb and overworked. drug companies are salesmen.

while i understand your sentiment, i can't help but comment that there are many people who really would not be able to function if it weren't for meds. not nearly as many as there are actually *on* meds, but anyway they can be of some help sometimes. they shouldn't be automatically thrown out.

 

Yeah youre right, there are a bunch of people who benefit from it. But my experiences have consisted of a battery of prescriptions that did more harm than good, despite my constantly stressing that I dont want drugs until I give in because thats all we talk about in 'counseling' or 'therapy' or whatevs. Call me jaded I suppose

 

Thanks for all of your input. I never did get that prescription filled, I just don't want to go down the antidepressant road again. Someone asked what all I have taken. Let me first say that I have been struggling with depression and anxiety off and on since I was about 13, and I am now 3 weeks shy of being 34, so I am not new to this whole thing. As for what I have been prescribed in the past, Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, Wellbutrin, Celexa, Xanax, Vistaril, Buspar, Trazadone... I think that is all. I think, could be one or two that I have forgotten. The Zoloft worked for depression the first time I was prescribed it, the second time around it didn't work. The only thing that has ever worked for the anxiety is Xanax, and strangely enough, I was given that for a car accident that happened right before my wedding and I was under a lot of stress. I feel that meds work for some people, my issue is that I am sick and tired of being prescribed meds that are not geared towards my actual illness or whatever you want to call it. I do not want to have to take a pill every day if I am not having symptoms every day, I want a med that I can take as symptoms arise without the nasty withdrawal when you have to or are ready to get off them. And yes, I know meds like Xanax cause awful withdrawal when you stop taking them. I am not the type that would be taking it daily though, or long term, just as needed to calm my nerves in situations that cause the anxiety, as I did after my accident. At any rate, I've just given up on that, and have decided to just try to do other things that I have learned that help me like writing, listening to music, meditating... The doctors in my area are so freaking terrified of junkies ruining their practice that people like me can't get the help or medication they really need, which may just be the most annoying thing about this whole situation.

 

Embreezy, I have had that same experience myself, them pushing drugs in therapy. I don't know if it's a money thing, or if they really think they will help. But they always suggest that I get on meds, and then when your on them they don't want to help you get off. I'm a little leery of their motives.

 

lol who hasnt been prescribed these drugs.. you missed Lexapro..



Just one question ghostkitty, do you use caffeine ?

 

One other side note, then I'll stop my stream of posts. Someone mentioned smoking a joint. Smoking weed gives me panic attacks. This wasn't always the case, and I used to smoke heavily. Then one day it just didn't feel good anymore and I started having panic attacks because of it. Haven't smoked a single hit in a year, and honestly, I rather enjoy not being stoned all the time. No problem with other people smoking, I just don't do it myself anymore.

 

Ha! That's one I haven't taken yet, and I think it was only because at the time they didn't have it on like the $4.00 list at wal-mart. ( I had no insurance)

 

maybe try some calming herbs, http://healthandwellnessclub.com/features/articletype/articleview/articleid/17/top-12-calming-herbs