Good days and bad days starting Celexa -need advice

I'm new here. First post. I need some feedback. I started Celexa for anxiety and panic attacks about 2 weeks ago (started really slow - 2.5mg for 5 days, then 5mg for 5 days, then 7.5mg for 3 days then 10mg for the last 3 days)... My prescribed dose for now is 10mg, and I might be bumped up to 20. In the last 4 days I've had some pretty good days with great releief. I feel big windows of feeling normal again (even though the anxiety is always on the back of my mind), and other days in between where I feel really depressed, lethargic and down. I have a toddler to care for and am a stay at home mom so I can just wallow on these bad days but they are SO hard to get through. I just want to sleep and escape from th awful feelings that drag me down. My question is, do these good / bad days even out over time on the medication to become more good days? I think the depression is also partly a response to my feeling frustrated that the anxiety is still around and I can't quote "kick it" - it's exhausting and really tough to go through as you all know. The depression on top of it is killing me. I am trying to stay hopeful that the medication will help even me out over time and I'll be more happy and less depressed and anxious. Any tips or advice for dealing with the bad / depressing days? Any help is very welcome.
Thanks!
-hopeful mom

Hey, hopeful mom!

You should definitely be aiming for more good days, yes. If the medication doesn't give you that, you're at the wrong dose or on the wrong type. You're still early on in your Celexa journey at the moment, so hopefully the balance will start to switch in your favour fairly soon. I'm sure you've heard the "six week rule." You can't really expect any progress before that six week point, though some lucky ones do get some.

I can't imagine having a kid and having low moods/anxiety. I see my young nephew and think, wow, how would I cope if I was going through the mental stuff yet still had to look after him full time.

I've been on Celexa a few times, and I remember there always being this point where one day I would wake up, usually randomly, and think, hey, I actually feel pretty good now. Every anti-depressant I've tried (that has worked) has left me with that feeling. I actually felt good about getting out of bed and felt optimistic about doing stuff. I'm confident you'll reach that point too, eventually.

As for now, the only real advice I can give you on the bad days is to buckle up, and count down the days until the med kicks in. It shouldn't be too long now until you find that optimal dose.

Keep hanging in there. :)

Jessed - thank you so much for your reply and support. I like what you said about buckling up on the rough days because that's all we can do! Pep-talks are my new go-to throughout the day haha. "You've got this! Keep going!" It's so easy to get caught in the throes of the depression and hide under the covers but I realize when I force myself to get up, get dressed, get outside with my daughter, get into the sunshine and just "go through the motions", no matter how tired or down I feel, it always helps boost me at least a little bit. Just showing myself I CAN do it, despite the despair, is helpful in itself. Also finding that keeping distracted with simple things I enjoy (for me, painting and craft-type stuff) helps boost my spirits a bit too... My daughter is a blessing in disguise because it forces me to have to get up and go - there is no choice there! She needs me! I am thinking I'll definitely need to go up in dosage to 20mg (from my current 10mg) but my doc requested I come back after a month on 10mg to see how it's going. I am praying it gets better. Any advice for coping while waiting for an SSRI to work?

Hi Marynyc :)
first on the question about if the effect will stay whether you decided to stop take the mediciation , I can tell you that it depends with what was the level of a same anxiety at the beginning and what were the resuls when you was taking the medication, if the results were good and the medication did the work the precents are great .
Meanwhile I recommend you to wait and see the result with the different doses
Hopeful it will work for you :)

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Originally Posted by Naor

Hi Marynyc :)
first on the question about if the effect will stay whether you decided to stop take the mediciation , I can tell you that it depends with what was the level of a same anxiety at the beginning and what were the resuls when you was taking the medication, if the results were good and the medication did the work the precents are great .
Meanwhile I recommend you to wait and see the result with the different doses
Hopeful it will work for you :)

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Thanks for the reply. Thankfully I have good news to report. I upped my dose to 15mg and after 5 days of bad side effects (nausea, no appetite, lethargy, generally feeling terrible), I have started to see the light! I am now 4 weeks into the medication total, and 8 days of that have been at 15mg. Each day is getting better. The nausea subsided and my appetite is back! I am now back to my normal routine and although not 100% yet, I have been able to wake up and get through my day and go to bed anxiety free and feeling optimistic and generally more clear headed and happy. There is hope at the end of the long road with Celexa. I hope it keeps getting better. And most of all I feel like myself again, normal! Thanks for the support!

What a good news :)
each day will be better just like you said , honestly I am very happy to hear those great news !

Hi I wanted to check in & see how you're still doing on the Celexa! I'm a new mommy & im thinking of trying this one. From your last post, it seems to be working well for you! :)

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Originally Posted by BrookeLynnnn

Hi I wanted to check in & see how you're still doing on the Celexa! I'm a new mommy & im thinking of trying this one. From your last post, it seems to be working well for you! :)

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Brooke have you ever taken Paxil? My new dr is weaning me off the Zoloft because I had too many side effects with it and started me on a super low dose of paxil(10mill). I'm praying it helps because the Zoloft only made my anxiety worse:(

I know the question was not directed to me but i was on Paxil for at least 10 years . i had tried a lot of others first that did not work. Paxil did work for me but it takes several weeks before you notice it and the dosage had to be increased twice. TWO THINGS I WAS NOT TOLD if you miss a dose or two be prepared for "Brain zaps " and watch the weight gain. The brain zaps are manageable once you understand what the zaps are you can tolerate it. I Hope that helps

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Originally Posted by Jules1979

Brooke have you ever taken Paxil? My new dr is weaning me off the Zoloft because I had too many side effects with it and started me on a super low dose of paxil(10mill). I'm praying it helps because the Zoloft only made my anxiety worse:(

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I was on Paxil for almost a year when I got pregnant. It was a life saver, seriously. But they had me on the highest dose & I cared about nothing. So I'm gonna try something a little more mild this time around since my agoraphobia hasn't been bad for the last 2 months.

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Originally Posted by BrookeLynnnn

I was on Paxil for almost a year when I got pregnant. It was a life saver, seriously. But they had me on the highest dose & I cared about nothing. So I'm gonna try something a little more mild this time around since my agoraphobia hasn't been bad for the last 2 months.

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Thank you both for responding! That gives me a glimmer of hope! These last three weeks have been hell! I was on Prozac 3 weeks, taken off and put on Zoloft 50 mill for over a month( got worse) put on a higher dose to 100 for 3 days, horrible side effects... Weaning off for 6 days and put on Paxil 10 mill... Head is killing me and I just feel awful! Was taken off work for a couple of weeks. I pray the Paxil can help my anxiety:(

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Originally Posted by Jules1979

Thank you both for responding! That gives me a glimmer of hope! These last three weeks have been hell! I was on Prozac 3 weeks, taken off and put on Zoloft 50 mill for over a month( got worse) put on a higher dose to 100 for 3 days, horrible side effects... Weaning off for 6 days and put on Paxil 10 mill... Head is killing me and I just feel awful! Was taken off work for a couple of weeks. I pray the Paxil can help my anxiety:(

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Ugh that sounds horrible! I'm confident you'll get relief from the Paxil! It takes about 3-4 weeks to notice a difference. Do you have something to help with side effects? I was taking Xanax.

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Originally Posted by BrookeLynnnn

Ugh that sounds horrible! I'm confident you'll get relief from the Paxil! It takes about 3-4 weeks to notice a difference. Do you have something to help with side effects? I was taking Xanax.

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Yea the dr has upped my Xanax and i hate taking them daily but it's been the only thing that makes me feel half way Normal:(. Hopefully if the Paxil starts working I can start weaning off the Paxil .. Been taking 2 mill a day for a few months

I mean weaning off the Xanax

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Originally Posted by Jules1979

Yea the dr has upped my Xanax and i hate taking them daily but it's been the only thing that makes me feel half way Normal:(. Hopefully if the Paxil starts working I can start weaning off the Paxil .. Been taking 2 mill a day for a few months

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I felt the same! I'm pretty sure I was able to stop the daily Xanax around 2 weeks.

I was taking .25 mg every time I left the house. At least once a day.

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Originally Posted by BrookeLynnnn

I was taking .25 mg every time I left the house. At least once a day.

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Today is day 2 of no Zoloft and day nine I believe on Paxil 10 mill. I don't feel like myself, so loopy and dizzy!!!!!!! I just pray the Paxil kicks in sooner then later and will help with any Zoloft withdrawals I have. These antidepressants are no joke:/ I felt better before I even started them all ugh.. Frustrating!!!! I have a drs apt on wed so I'm wondering if he will up my dose of Paxil to 20... Is 10 mill even therapeutic or just a starting dose so my body can adjust? Brooke did you gain a lot of weight with the Paxil? I could use an extra 10 pounds from all the weight I lost from all these diff mess and the anxiety from not being able to eat. However I don't want to gain a lot lol

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Originally Posted by Jules1979

Today is day 2 of no Zoloft and day nine I believe on Paxil 10 mill. I don't feel like myself, so loopy and dizzy!!!!!!! I just pray the Paxil kicks in sooner then later and will help with any Zoloft withdrawals I have. These antidepressants are no joke:/ I felt better before I even started them all ugh.. Frustrating!!!! I have a drs apt on wed so I'm wondering if he will up my dose of Paxil to 20... Is 10 mill even therapeutic or just a starting dose so my body can adjust? Brooke did you gain a lot of weight with the Paxil? I could use an extra 10 pounds from all the weight I lost from all these diff mess and the anxiety from not being able to eat. However I don't want to gain a lot lol

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I know it sucks :( but it'll all be worth it!! 10 i believe is just starting. I got up to 40 which is pretty high for Paxil. I think 40 or 60 is the highest. Anyways.. I gained 20lbs being on it for 1 year. I ate so bad though. I didn't care lol & I was drinking a lot of alcohol on top of that. Just watch yourself & you should be fine :) you're thin anyways!!

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Originally Posted by BrookeLynnnn

I know it sucks :( but it'll all be worth it!! 10 i believe is just starting. I got up to 40 which is pretty high for Paxil. I think 40 or 60 is the highest. Anyways.. I gained 20lbs being on it for 1 year. I ate so bad though. I didn't care lol & I was drinking a lot of alcohol on top of that. Just watch yourself & you should be fine :) you're thin anyways!!

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Lol well I get how you could gain 20 pounds because the cravings can be no joke on Paxil, work up at 5 am and had this sudden urge to eat icecream LOL, oh and congratulations on motherhood! Your baby boy is so adorable and you seem to be adjusting to everything so well!( specially since your actually able to respond to these threads) hahah your already a pro!When you are more settled in maybe we can grab a coffee or something since we live in the same town. I know for me it would really help talking to someone who really knows the feelings I'm dealing with:)

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Originally Posted by Jules1979

Lol well I get how you could gain 20 pounds because the cravings can be no joke on Paxil, work up at 5 am and had this sudden urge to eat icecream LOL, oh and congratulations on motherhood! Your baby boy is so adorable and you seem to be adjusting to everything so well!( specially since your actually able to respond to these threads) hahah your already a pro!When you are more settled in maybe we can grab a coffee or something since we live in the same town. I know for me it would really help talking to someone who really knows the feelings I'm dealing with:)

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Mmmmm ice cream! Haha awe thank you! He sleeps all day so I get some free time! :) & that's funny you mention that, I was gonna say we should meet up! It would be really great! I don't have any friends who understand. Where by do you live? I'm right by memorial.

Oh good we deff should! I live right by la Loma jr high( I'm sure you know where that is if your from good ole Modesto)lol!! Since your the new mommy just let me know when is good for you :) I don't know how to direct message on Instagram but if you do I can respond back with my number so we can text and set it up! yea my friends have experienced only normal anxiety.. The kind everyone gets from moments in their life but have no idea about the struggles of living with it on the daily.

According to me you should try to leave this medicine because If you will take this medicine for long time you will be habitual of this and can't live without taking this medicine.

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Originally Posted by Shahid Durrani

According to me you should try to leave this medicine because If you will take this medicine for long time you will be habitual of this and can't live without taking this medicine.

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Are you referring to the Paxil?

no I'm not but I know the harms of taking medicines long time.