Posted by mtdewcmu on November 26, 2009, at 0:39:06
In reply to Very sleepy and tired after long term celexa use, posted by GuardiAngel on November 7, 2009, at 13:15:01
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> I have been taking Celexa for ten years. For the last three or so years I have been _extremely_ tired and sleepy (which was not my baseline pattern). This made me lose the will to live (though I was not suicidal---just waiting to die). Now, Wellbutrin has been added and I feel "normal". That made me think: maybe SSRI's somehow reduce dopamine levels/sensitivity...and so a google search brought me to this site and thread.
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> This is very scary and tragic if true and must be added on top of severe withdrawal symptoms (panic attacks and more) I had two years ago when I was off celexa (in an attempt to switch to cymbalta).
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> I wish I had never been on SSRI's for such a long time. And I wish that both doctors and patients would realize that taking any anti-depressant is not a matter that should be taken lightly.I do agree that the decision to take an antidepressant should not be taken lightly. Although, I don't see why anyone would continue to take the pills for an extended period if they didn't really need them. Case in point, my sister was having some issues of anxiety and low mood around the time she graduated college. This is a challenging time for anyone, I am sure. She saw a psychiatrist, who started her on Cymbalta, which she couldn't tolerate. Then she switched to Prozac, from which she derived some benefit. After seeing a therapist and psychiatrist for a number of months, and taking Ritalin and Concerta for a time (I don't know how she scored that one), she eventually quit taking all the meds of her own accord. My feeling is that she doesn't need medication, and she eventually realized this.
I, on the other hand, don't care to imagine life without meds. I guess I have to accept whatever long-term consequences there may be, because there is no alternative.
I am sure that occasionally it happens, but I can't see why someone would go on taking them for years if they could get along without them.
poster:mtdewcmu
thread:883495
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20091104/msgs/927005.html