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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Patson on August 24, 2002, at 1:03:18
My mom has been taking Paxil for a couple of years and fortunately it has worked well. She has had a great deal of side effects, most notibly weight gain. Her doctor was considering switching her to cx. I have seen a study on patients switching from paxil to celexa but I was wondering if anyone had any personal experiences that they might share with me. Thanks.
Posted by IsoM on August 24, 2002, at 1:41:06
In reply to Has anyone switched from Paxil to Celexa?, posted by Patson on August 24, 2002, at 1:03:18
Yes, that was the switch I made - from Paxil to Celexa. Unfortunately for your Mom, I didn't really have troublesome side effects from Paxil except for a little too much nervous tension. I switched due to the very short half-life of Paxil. If I was late taking it (I normally took it first thing in the morning), or worse yet, ever ran out, I went through hell. I'd get withdrawal (discontinuation) symptoms that made me extremely ill. Celexa has a long half-life (no withdrawal problems with a late or missed dose), & I think too, an improvement in mood.
My doctor switched me directly from Paxil to Celexa with no problems at all.
Posted by Pattisun on August 24, 2002, at 3:26:21
In reply to Re: Has anyone switched from Paxil to Celexa? » Patson, posted by IsoM on August 24, 2002, at 1:41:06
I was just going to post this same question when I saw your post!
I have been having such a hard time getting completely off Paxil (short half life), so I tried Prozac (which made me irritable). Today I complained about my constant anxiety and the psych. today said I should try Celexa. Sent me home with a brown bag full! I hope the switch is easy and I can FINALLY get off Paxil for good. (I hope, I hope, I hope). Stopping the Prozac was pretty easy, no nasty side effects like stopping Paxil. Here's hoping for a smooth transition.
Best of luck to your Mom.
Patti
Posted by JonW on August 24, 2002, at 10:08:17
In reply to Has anyone switched from Paxil to Celexa?, posted by Patson on August 24, 2002, at 1:03:18
Hi Patson,
A few years ago I switched from Paxil to Celexa without major problems -- maybe a transient headache, that's about it. I found Paxil slightly more effective for social phobia than Celexa but I don't know if that's what your mom is taking it for. Celexa was also very helpful for my anxiety, though. Some sedation and sexual dysfunction were the only side-effects I experienced. My pdoc says most patients tell her they experience the fewest side-effects with Celexa than with any other SSRI.
Good Luck,
Jon
Posted by jda1292 on August 24, 2002, at 18:47:51
In reply to Has anyone switched from Paxil to Celexa?, posted by Patson on August 24, 2002, at 1:03:18
I am taking Celexa for panic disorder with 3 x .5 of Klonopin. I was taking Paxil but it is making me too tired.
I actually keep going back and forth becasue the Celexa is not blocking all of the anxiety for me. It is really annoying to keep going from one sri to another. I think that I am going to give Zoloft a run if the Celexa does not work out.
I have tried Effexor XR, Serzone, Prozac in the past with no success. I have been trying to get onto Celexa for a two + months, but when I get anxious I just go back to Paxil.
I have an upcoming appointment. I need to talk this over with the Doc.
Thats my two cents.
Jon
> My mom has been taking Paxil for a couple of years and fortunately it has worked well. She has had a great deal of side effects, most notibly weight gain. Her doctor was considering switching her to cx. I have seen a study on patients switching from paxil to celexa but I was wondering if anyone had any personal experiences that they might share with me. Thanks.
Posted by jda1292 on August 24, 2002, at 18:51:57
In reply to Re: Has anyone switched from Paxil to Celexa?, posted by JonW on August 24, 2002, at 10:08:17
Jon,
How long did it take for Celexa to handle the anxiety? Was there a pronounced difference between anxiety control on Paxil v. Celexa? I like Celexa, but I am trying to get this anxiety thing worked out.
I have permission to up my dose to 60mg daily which I just started doing. What is your dosage and what is the amount of time that it took for your new medication(celexa) to work.
Thanks,
Jon
> Hi Patson,
>
> A few years ago I switched from Paxil to Celexa without major problems -- maybe a transient headache, that's about it. I found Paxil slightly more effective for social phobia than Celexa but I don't know if that's what your mom is taking it for. Celexa was also very helpful for my anxiety, though. Some sedation and sexual dysfunction were the only side-effects I experienced. My pdoc says most patients tell her they experience the fewest side-effects with Celexa than with any other SSRI.
>
> Good Luck,
> Jon
Posted by JonW on August 24, 2002, at 20:14:07
In reply to Re: Has anyone switched from Paxil to Celexa?, posted by jda1292 on August 24, 2002, at 18:51:57
> How long did it take for Celexa to handle the anxiety? Was there a pronounced difference between anxiety control on Paxil v. Celexa? I like Celexa, but I am trying to get this anxiety thing worked out.
Jon,
I'm not currently on Celexa but took it a couple of years ago and so I can't recall exactly. It's important to understand that the anti-anxiety effects of the SSRIs build up very slowly over time. Try to have faith and stick it out because they do work. A full trial is 12 weeks. My experience with Celexa and Paxil was that somehow I was doing things I was unable to do before because of anxiety. It kind of sneeks up on you like that... I wasn't on Celexa quite as long as Paxil so maybe with more time their effects would have been more comparable. Or maybe I needed a higher dose. In any case, don't give up on Celexa or any drug too soon. That's a mistake so many of us make.
Jon
Posted by jda1292 on August 24, 2002, at 21:32:38
In reply to Re: Has anyone switched from Paxil to Celexa? » jda1292, posted by JonW on August 24, 2002, at 20:14:07
Jon:
Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate the quick response. I am going to take your advice because it feels right and you have a wonderful first name.
I have been lary to get off of Paxil because of the anxiety that I get with Paxil, but it is just too sedating 'for me'. The Celexa has not been bad it just doesn't eliminate as much anxiety as I would like. I am going to give it more time.
Thanks,
Jonathan
> > How long did it take for Celexa to handle the anxiety? Was there a pronounced difference between anxiety control on Paxil v. Celexa? I like Celexa, but I am trying to get this anxiety thing worked out.
>
> Jon,
>
> I'm not currently on Celexa but took it a couple of years ago and so I can't recall exactly. It's important to understand that the anti-anxiety effects of the SSRIs build up very slowly over time. Try to have faith and stick it out because they do work. A full trial is 12 weeks. My experience with Celexa and Paxil was that somehow I was doing things I was unable to do before because of anxiety. It kind of sneeks up on you like that... I wasn't on Celexa quite as long as Paxil so maybe with more time their effects would have been more comparable. Or maybe I needed a higher dose. In any case, don't give up on Celexa or any drug too soon. That's a mistake so many of us make.
>
> Jon
Posted by Patson on August 26, 2002, at 7:40:33
In reply to Re: Has anyone switched from Paxil to Celexa?, posted by jda1292 on August 24, 2002, at 21:32:38
Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it. My mom has finally (after 15 years or so) been diagnosed as having bi-polar disorder. She has taken everything from tri-cyclics to who knows what. Currently she is taking trileptil and paxil for the bi polar. She is on an assortment of other medications but I'm not sure what for. I did hear that Celexa has a better drug interaction profile so maybe that might help some of her side effects too. Thanks again everyone.
This is the end of the thread.
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