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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by christyluv1977 on September 10, 2007, at 14:11:22
My celexa is no longer working on me at all. I am beginning to have bad panic attacks again. I need I depression med that will help with depression and panic attacks. Also one that helps with wieght loss. Any ideas please I go back to the doctor on WEd.
Posted by polarbear206 on September 10, 2007, at 14:44:47
In reply to I am curretnly on celexa for my depression, posted by christyluv1977 on September 10, 2007, at 14:11:22
> My celexa is no longer working on me at all. I am beginning to have bad panic attacks again. I need I depression med that will help with depression and panic attacks. Also one that helps with wieght loss. Any ideas please I go back to the doctor on WEd.
Can you provide some more history with your illness? How long and what dose are you on? What other drugs have you tried? When did it start, and what were the circumstances?Thanks,
Polarbear
Posted by Racer on September 10, 2007, at 15:19:03
In reply to I am curretnly on celexa for my depression, posted by christyluv1977 on September 10, 2007, at 14:11:22
PolarBear has some good questions, but here's a very basic answer based solely on the information in your post:
If Celexa worked, but no longer works, it's worth trying Lexapro. Lexapro is a very similar drug -- it's actually one form of the compound in Celexa -- and may also work for you. Sometimes the SSRIs just stop working, at which point switching to another SSRI often works.
If the Celexa did not work, then you'd be looking at either switching to another anti-depressant with anxiolytic effects, or switching to another anti-depressant and adding something anxiolytic. The more calming anti-depressants tend to have weight gain associated with them. And sometimes adding an anxiolytic can actually increase depression. It's a harder choice to make. And the medication which often comes up as a good anxiolytic adjunct to anti-depressants -- Zyprexa -- is known for significant weight gain. One option might be Remeron, which does tend to cause weight gain at lower doses, but it apparently causes a lot less at higher doses. Another option is to add something like a low dose of Seroquel -- an anti-psychotic not known for a lot of weight gain in most people -- to an anti-depressant.
Or, of course, there's adding something to be taken specifically at the start of a panic attack. Something like propranalol or a benzodiazepine.
When you say you see your doctor, are you referring to a psychopharmacologist (pdoc)? Or are you getting medications from your GP? Often, GPs do not have a lot of experience with the choices available. It's probably worth trying a good pdoc, if you haven't.
I hope that helps.
Posted by Phillipa on September 10, 2007, at 15:28:44
In reply to Re: I am curretnly on celexa for my depression, posted by Racer on September 10, 2007, at 15:19:03
Seems a lot of folks like lexapro if celexa stops working semms may be a bit stronger and an benzo can be added for anxiety. Phillipa
Posted by stargazer2 on September 10, 2007, at 16:09:03
In reply to I am curretnly on celexa for my depression, posted by christyluv1977 on September 10, 2007, at 14:11:22
Has the dosage of Celexa been increased? That is usually the first thing to try and the next thing would be to add a second med to Celexa to control the panic attacks which usually respond to Klonopin or something else like that. Your doc should be able to recommend next steps and if you have a good relationship with him or her, you should be able to come up with a combination or new drug that works. You may have to try a few things first though since the treatment of depression is more art than science.
Good luck Wed. with your doc (hopefully you are seeing a psychiatrist already).
Stargazer
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