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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 Jaynee on April 2, 2002, at 11:46:10
My Pdoc wants me to stay on Celexa for 2 years. I know that because I have had more than 3 episodes for clinical depression, that this is the rule. But this is the first time I have ever taken an anti-depressant. So shouldn't I just take it for 6 months, instead of 2 years? What is the reason for taking the AD for 2 years anyways?
Thanks.
Posted by Penny on April 3, 2002, at 8:25:17
In reply to Anyone explain why doc wants me on AD's for 2 year, posted by Jaynee on April 2, 2002, at 11:46:10
Jaynee,
I can't speak for your doc, but can tell you about my own experience. I was on Effexor XR for about a year (it was my second AD) and it 'worked', meaning it got me out of my major depression. But I had had two major depressions prior to taking it, and I didn't know at the time how susceptible I was to the depression returning. After 6 months off ADs (with pdoc's consent), I ended up in a major depression and have gone through several more meds and two more pdocs trying to find the right med combo for me(when Effexor didn't work for me the second time around).
So, if it is likely that your depression will return once you are off Celexa, you might consider staying on for longer than 6 months. I'm sure someone here has an answer to your question that's more medically based.
How long have you been on Celexa? How did your other depressive episodes play out (without ADs)?
Penny
> My Pdoc wants me to stay on Celexa for 2 years. I know that because I have had more than 3 episodes for clinical depression, that this is the rule. But this is the first time I have ever taken an anti-depressant. So shouldn't I just take it for 6 months, instead of 2 years? What is the reason for taking the AD for 2 years anyways?
>
> Thanks.
Posted by Jaynee on April 3, 2002, at 12:00:05
In reply to Re: Anyone explain why doc wants me on AD's for 2 year » Jaynee, posted by Penny on April 3, 2002, at 8:25:17
Thanks Penny:
You asked, "How long have you been on Celexa? How did your other depressive episodes play out (without AD". I have been on Celexa for about 4 months. I am taking 20 mg. As for my other bouts of clinical depression, I get them every 5 to 6 years. I don't know why. I believe the first one started when I was 9(1973). I had viral pneumonia, and became depressed. Being that young it went away on it's own. At 14(1979) I had a fairly bad bout, this went away on it's own as well, but took about a year. Of course I had just started smoking pot at that age, so I quit and chalked it up to a reaction to the pot. I thought the panic attacks were body rushes. I know better now. Then in 1985, I had a minor bout, a bite of anxiety and panic, slight depression, but went away on its own. Then in 1990/91, I had a very serious bout of clinical depression. It really freaked me out. I couldn't sleep, eat, function. Lost alot of weight in a very short time. I was thin to begin with so I was starting to look to skinny. I went through hell and back, I finally took an ativan one night(I was scared shitless to take it) but it worked and so that was the beginning of my healing. I only took about 5 ativan that whole time, but with mediatation, exercise I got better in about a year. They told me I had mono at that time as well. What they didn't know is I have Hemochromatosis. That's a whole other story. I was going to school to become a nurse in 1991, and had to quit. So I had about 4 months just to work on getting better. Then in 1996, I had another bout. But with this one I had the ativan to help with it. I took the ativan for about 2 months straight. I went on a leave from work, and did the mediation, excercise, read the cognitive behavioural books again, etc. My doc at that time gave me a sample of Serzone, but I didn't take it, I was to freaked about it. I also found for me, Claire Weeks books really helped. Then in 2002, I once again went into that black hellish anxiety ridden cold soul stealing pit. But this time my stomach, decided to quit working as well. Which has really made it harder to get better. I have just started to jog again, but I find it makes my stomach worst. I also decided this time to take an anti-depressant. I decided on Celexa, after doing some research. It does work, but it's not a miracle cure by any means. I am only working part-time and that is why I believe I am functioning as well as I am. I can't imagine having to work full-time. Anyways, sorry this is so long. But with my experiences from the different bouts of clinical depression I have had, I have realized that, for me, they come and they go. If I can weather the storm, it will go away. Of course everytime the depression comes back, that nagging little voice in the back of my head, tells me, maybe this time it won't go away. Which of course just freaks me out more, but so far they have always gone away.
Sorry about the long message,
Thanks,
Karyn
Posted by djmmm on April 4, 2002, at 20:39:31
In reply to Anyone explain why doc wants me on AD's for 2 year, posted by Jaynee on April 2, 2002, at 11:46:10
Your doc wants you on a SSRI for an extended period of time because some believe that it takes that long for your receptors to permanently "adjust" to the presense of the drug (up/downregulation)...and some docs want patients on medication for up to one year *after* they are feeling well.
Posted by kazoo on April 8, 2002, at 0:19:07
In reply to Anyone explain why doc wants me on AD's for 2 year, posted by Jaynee on April 2, 2002, at 11:46:10
> What is the reason for taking the AD for 2 years anyways?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
He needs the business since he has a two year lease on the Caddy.
kazoo
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