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View Full Version : Xanax&Celexa for GAD



Paulie
04-11-2012, 07:48 PM
I am new to this forum and have been reading few stories like my own. but the posters do not reveal their age, which I believe (but might be mistaken) that is very useful info.
I am a 21yr old male and since I was a child I was always impatient and anxious, but nothing out of the ordinary. Fast forward to 2008 (18yrs old at the time) I suffered a shoulder dislocation and then another 3 dislocations within a years span (last time it happened during my sleep) so I had surgery.
To make the story short, since then I have been terrified of doing any physical activities that include using my shoulder: even after seeing multiple physical therapists, getting 2 MRI's done and hearing from alot specialist that it was fine and that discomfort I felt was normal. I simply did Not believe them. Sometimes at night I would stay awake in fear of another dislocation and had two severe panic attacks in which I couldnt move or scream.
I began having fears and anxiety about several other things as well; I would freak out and stress a lot about things like driving long distances, having too much to do in college and work etc. Life felt unbearable, heavy and pointless. I began buying 2mg Xanax off the street (although I would often take 3 to 5mg daily) and thought I had found a cure, but whenever I couldnt get them everything would be much worse.
Finally after about yr of being on and off the Xanax and breaking the law and I went to a general Dr and he diagnosed with GAD and gave 20mg Celexa and Benadryl in case of a panic attack. Ive taken the Celexa for about 10 days, but Im still taking some Xanax here and there, especially to go to sleep. The Dr. called Xanax a "nasty drug" but it's pretty much fhe only thing that has kept me going for the past 2 yrs.
Should I completely cut off the Xanax and give the Celexa a chance to work by itself? Should I take the X for another week or two until the Celexa takes full effect? Take both?
What worries me is that I keep on reading that Celexa is for major depression, whereas I suffer mainly from anxiety that then leads to some depression.
Sorry about the long post, it is my first ever. Hopefully someone will read it.
Thanks in advance
Paulie

Gman777
04-11-2012, 08:14 PM
Celexa is for anxiety and depression. It works well for both, or either, but it takes time to take full effect. Actually your anxiety may increase during the first few weeks. You have to give 4-6 weeks to see if it works for you. In the meantime you can take some Xanax if you feel you need it. THat is what I did and and the doctor told me to do. After 5 weeks on Celexa 20mg I did not need Xanax anymore. By the way, I was only taking about 0.25 mg of Xanax a day in the morning and that was enough.

Paulie
04-11-2012, 08:43 PM
Thanks alot for the fast response GMAN. I will try cutting down on the Xanax gradually, as I am taking about 1.5mg per day (self-prescribed) which is probably too much. Thanks again!