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#31 fishinghat

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Posted 30 March 2018 - 08:45 AM

You are in a tough situation but given that fact I think your drs approach is reasonable. The small amount of Celexa is a good option as her approach will minimize your dose. The Klonopin is Ok but you know how addictive it is. I am surprised she didn't try clonidine and/or hydroxyzine first as they are not addictive and do not have a withdrawal. If you decide to go the Klonopin route just try to use it as little as possible until you adjust. Do what you need to do to get things tolerable though.

Best of luck with this and be sure and let us know how it turns out.

God Bless

#32 gail

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Posted 30 March 2018 - 08:47 AM

Hi Cheryl,

No, don't worry about the klonopin! You need it, you take it.

You have enough on your plate without worrying about this because there is really nothing to worry about.

#33 Cheryl123

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Posted 30 March 2018 - 09:31 AM

Thank you both! You both always make me feel so much better. I took the 2.5 today and feel ok! I know it's early, but I was scared to death! I have tried hydroxyzine in the past and it does nothing except make my head feel super weird, but no anxiety relief at all. I've tried propranolol too and it doesn't do anything either. I think that's why she went with the Klonopin until I get adjusted. I'm planning on being super conservative and following what she says to the tee, because being addicted to that is something I don't need on top of all this! I keep you all updated. I really appreciate your support!

#34 fishinghat

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Posted 30 March 2018 - 11:16 AM

If the 2.5 mg Celexa made you feel better that is great. Maybe you won't even need the Klonopin but it sure would be nice to have it around in case. Keep us posted.


#35 Cheryl123

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Posted 30 March 2018 - 04:07 PM

I don't feel better yet, it just didn't give me any crazy side effects yet.. which is what I terrified of. Just hope getting on the celexa helps stop the insane anxiety and internal vibrating that I think is still from the Cymbalta.

#36 fishinghat

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Posted 30 March 2018 - 05:22 PM

I thought the Celexa made you feel OK? Was it just for a period of time after taking it and then the anxiety returned?


#37 Cheryl123

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Posted 31 March 2018 - 07:12 AM

I've only taken Celexa for one day. Today will be day 2. I did ok yesterday with the 2.5 dose. I haven't noticed much of anything yet, but it's only been a day. I just want the celexa to stop the damage from the Cymbalta caused from the cold turkey stop. I wonder if the 2.5 will help at all?

#38 fishinghat

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Posted 31 March 2018 - 08:39 AM

Some times it only takes a little to help a lot but each person is different. Just one way to find out. At least you get breaks in your misery. So many of us had terrible anxiety 24/7 with no breaks for months. You will come out of this but it will be slow. Maybe it will be bearable with the Celexa.

#39 Cheryl123

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Posted 31 March 2018 - 11:11 AM

Thank you fishinghat. It's so scary when that horrible anxiety comes out of nowhere. I know you all understand. That's why I like this board. I think my depression is getting a little worse just from dealing with this hell for 6 months. I'm trying to stay positive that better things are on the way!

#40 fishinghat

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Posted 31 March 2018 - 01:16 PM

There are a lot of supplements that may help... L-Theanine, L-tryptophan, 5htp, etc. Have you tried any of these. They are covered in that thread "an the answer to your question is...". Read carefully because some can have serious side effects or drug interactions.

#41 Cheryl123

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Posted 02 April 2018 - 07:29 PM

Do you think I could feel increased anxiety just from starting 2.5mg of celexa 4 days ago? Do you think it's just me. I swear I take it in the morning and feel jittery by like noon. It seems to subside some in the evenings. Doc even has me on 2.5 of Klonopin twice a day so I can get on the med. I really want this to work. My anxiety is absolutely horrible. She wants me to stay on the 2.5 for two weeks until I would even attempt to go to 5mg. I'm trying but to get discouraged. Doc tells me I just need to be patient.

#42 fishinghat

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Posted 03 April 2018 - 08:11 AM

"Do you think it's just me. I swear I take it in the morning and feel jittery by like noon. It seems to subside some in the evenings."

That sure sounds like a side effect of the Celexa to me and waiting usually doesn't make any difference when dealing with anxiety side effects. The dr may be right though. It could also be anxiety frlom the Cymbalta withdrawal and the Celexa has not had time to kick in yet. It usually takes ab out 4 weeks or so.

"Doc even has me on 2.5 of Klonopin twice a day so I can get on the med."

Surely you don't mean 2.5 mg Klonopin. That is a large dose. The usual starting dose is 0.25 mg twice a day.

#43 Cheryl123

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Posted 03 April 2018 - 01:12 PM

Sorry yes it is ,25 Klonopin twice a day. Wondering if such a small dose of celexa is doing anything at all. I just want to feel better :(

#44 fishinghat

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Posted 03 April 2018 - 04:19 PM

You may be right Cheryl. The minimum effective dose is 20 mg.

Also Celexa is an ssri so it only regulates serotonin in and not norepinephrine there fore it is unlikely to cover all the withdrawal symptoms from Cymbalta.

#45 Cheryl123

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Posted 05 April 2018 - 02:26 PM

I feel like my anxiety has been a tad less the last few days which is a good sign. Still only on 2.5mg of celexa until she wants me to bump up to 5mg on Friday the 13th. Her plan is to go super slow so the side effects don't derail my progress. She still wants me to stay on the .25 mg of Klonopin twice a day until I see her on April 26th to discuss the next steps. Should I be concerned about staying on the Klonopin? It scares me to death! She says it will help me get on the celexa and then I will stop it. She keeps reassuring me I won't get addicted. You guys think I'm doing the right thing?

#46 Cheryl123

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Posted 05 April 2018 - 02:28 PM

I think her goal is 10mg of celexa for me to get me stable and then eventually down the road taper suuuuper slow the right way off celexa. I hope this works. I also hope if/when I do decide to come off celexa it is easier than cymbalta... Ugh!!

#47 fishinghat

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Posted 05 April 2018 - 03:23 PM

Klonopin can be addictive in as little as 2 weeks but from what I remember it is normally 4 weeks. Going by memory her but will check on that.

#48 fishinghat

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Posted 05 April 2018 - 03:40 PM

Here is what I found...At high doses 5 to 10 mg/day it can take as little as 2-4 weeks but at normal doses 2 mg/day it usually takes several months. I am pretty optimistic about your being able to handle this as 0.25 mg twice a dat is an extremely low dose. I hope this helps.

#49 Cheryl123

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Posted 05 April 2018 - 08:03 PM

Thank you fishinghat! That makes me feel A LOT better.

#50 Cheryl123

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Posted 15 April 2018 - 08:33 AM

Hi everyone. Thought I would update some. I am now up to 5mg celexa for the last 4 days. Doc still has me on the .25 Klonopin twice a day. I really am starting to feel stable. I feel like the depression has pretty much lifted as well as the anxiety! Not sure if it's due to the Klonopin or the celexa? Still not thrilled about continuing Klonopin but doc says we will discuss weaning off on the 26th at my next appt. Hope I'm not making a mistake by continuing on it, but I'm trying to trust her and I do. I'm just so thankful to not feel the awful cymbalta withdrawals anymore. I pray I'm headed in the right direction!

#51 Cheryl123

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Posted 15 April 2018 - 08:36 AM

By the time I see her on the 26th I will have been on Klonopin daily at.25mg twice a day for a month.

#52 fishinghat

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Posted 15 April 2018 - 08:39 AM

It does sound like you are doing OK. That dose of Klonopin is so low I would not be too concerned about coming off of it. I would imagine this improvement is from the Celexa. If you are fairly stable you might want to continue at this dose of Celexa until the remaining withdrawal symptoms pass and then maybe you can wean off of it. Just a thought.

#53 Cheryl123

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Posted 15 April 2018 - 08:44 AM

Thank you fishinghat. Yes I plan on staying on the celexa for a bit until I feel really stable and I can handle going off another antidepressant. I just pray it's easier to eventually taper off celexa than cymbalta! The only drug I want to stop sooner than later is the Klonopin!

#54 gail

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Posted 16 April 2018 - 08:12 AM

Cheryl,

Thank you for your update. Things are looking up for you, I'm so happy for you!

#55 Cheryl123

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Posted 16 April 2018 - 08:42 PM

Thanks Gail! I am feeling so much better, but still really itching to stop the Klonopin. I forgot to take it this afternoon which I think is a good sign. I did end up taking half of the .25mg. I was thinking about taking even half of the .25 until I see my doc even though I think she would not like me doing that. But I'd rather be off it sooner than later!!

#56 Cheryl123

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Posted 20 April 2018 - 06:56 PM

My anxiety was a little higher today :( Tried taking less of the Klonopin yesterday and I think I'm freaking myself out about still being on it. I have been on it daily for 3 weeks now and still only at 5 mg of celexa. I asked doc if I should up the celexa to even 7.5 and she said no. No changes until I see her Thursday. I understand she wants me to do this slowly because I've had such bad reactions these past few months, but I'm still terrified of the Klonopin. I guess I need to chill out about it, but I'm thinking she may want me to stay on it for another month

#57 fishinghat

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Posted 21 April 2018 - 07:32 AM

It should be Ok Cheryl. I hate benzos with a passion but that is such a low dose I think you will be OK. Your dr may be waiting the full 4 weeks for the Celexa to kick in before considering an increase. Hang in there. It will get better.

#58 juli

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Posted 21 April 2018 - 04:53 PM

I have been following your story.  I am do happy that you are feeling better.  Sounds like you have a really good doctor now.


#59 Cheryl123

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Posted 21 April 2018 - 08:04 PM

Thank you fishinghat. I think worrying about being on the Klonopin is setting off my anxiety. I just need to trust her. I will see what she says Thursday. Thank you Juli. I do like this doctor a lot. She really listens to all my concerns.

#60 Cheryl123

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Posted 27 April 2018 - 02:08 PM

Me again. Doc upped my dose to 7.5mg celexa for the next two weeks then I will go to 10mg for two weeks after that and hopefully stay there. She is having me continue on the Klonopin .25mg twice a day until I see her in another month. At this time I will have been on it 2 months. She's says she will slowly taper me after I'm stable on the celexa. I'm so scared! She tells me I have no need to be.



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