Celexa vs. Paxil

[creedog]

Does anyone have anything to offer on the subject. I have just started the slow switch from paxil to celexa, per doctors orders. She said it is practically the same and will not make me gain weight.

I have gained 25 pound in the last 6 months, and am now a giant sized man. (which is not all that bad). But I would like to get down to about 225 or 215 which is a good weight from my frame.

ANYONE have any imput on what to expect. I have had little or no side effects from the Paxil other than a bit of hyperactivity.

I am mainly taking it for anxiety, not really for depression and I am quite happy with the results

 

[Illusio]

i had a girlfriend on paxil once, totally killed her sex drive....boy did that suck.

 

[killface]

I've taken paxil and it killed my sex drive too. I've heard that Celexa is a bit different. People tend to have no energy for a couple of weeks, then start to pick up a bit and feel MUCH better. From what I've heard, this is one of the best drugs for depression.

 

[creedog]

humm, I'm not really depressed and I am defiently not worried about my sex drive. Although when I first got on paxil I had a hard time reahing orgasm, and could go for almost an hour. I had just started dating someone new and she could not believe what i was capable of. She had 5 big O's before i had one, needless to stay we are still together..

 

[CichliSuite]

Wow. Proud of the fact that your relationship is based on a pill's effect?

Nice.

 

[StandardCell]

One thing you should be aware of before you switch is this - Paxil can be very addictive! If you withdraw too quickly (i.e. will take at least a month), you could have mania, irritability and agression, paranoia, and other really nasty symptoms. Do NOT quit cold turkey on this junk.

The other thing is this - have you considered other alternatives to drugs? I mean, consider this - how long do you plan on being on this? The rest of your life? The guy who's treating my brother kick his clonazepam addiction says that all drugs are a crutch, are far too overprescribed, and should be considered a last resort only. Many times, temporary intervention is necessary with certain drugs but long-term use is only reserved for people with real psychiatric problems. This isn't a criticism of you or your decision, but you should know that your anxiety may be due to having too much on your plate, or having unrealistic views of the world. Taking a pill won't change that...and this is from a guy with 40 years of board-certified psychiatric experience...

 

[rob_b]

I'm not sure if you are familiar with the radio show "Loveline" but I heard on there once that anti-depressants like Paxil and Celexa can cause weight gain. I've been on Celexa for about 6 months now and have gained quite a bit of weight.

 

[Ameesh]

this is probably something for your doctor

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

If your only side effect from Paxil was hyperactivity and anorgasmia, there's a good chance Celexa will produce a similar outcome. Most side effects have a tendency to wane over time. Frank sexual dysfunction rarely occurs from using SSRIs, most people report some decrease in libido, rare impotence, but most commonly delayed orgasm. I hope Celexa works for you; I don't think it is approved for anxiety . . . Parke-Davis (manufacturer) probably to lazy (and cheap) to do the testing. Plus, most psychiatrist are just as likely to use it off-label.

Only note be extremely careful as you transition. Inadequate dosing may allow your anxiety to resurface but overdosing (these drugs are in the same family/have the same basic mechanism) will leave you feeling really bad.

 

[conjur]

<< One thing you should be aware of before you switch is this - Paxil can be very addictive! If you withdraw too quickly (i.e. will take at least a month), you could have mania, irritability and agression, paranoia, and other really nasty symptoms. Do NOT quit cold turkey on this junk.

The other thing is this - have you considered other alternatives to drugs? I mean, consider this - how long do you plan on being on this? The rest of your life? The guy who's treating my brother kick his clonazepam addiction says that all drugs are a crutch, are far too overprescribed, and should be considered a last resort only. Many times, temporary intervention is necessary with certain drugs but long-term use is only reserved for people with real psychiatric problems. This isn't a criticism of you or your decision, but you should know that your anxiety may be due to having too much on your plate, or having unrealistic views of the world. Taking a pill won't change that...and this is from a guy with 40 years of board-certified psychiatric experience... >>



Paxil is completely non-addictive. It's not like Xanax or Valium. Yes, if one has been on Paxil for a while going cold turkey most likely will result in side effects. I know several people on Paxil, including my daughter and my employee (who, after having taking Paxil for a year tried weening himself off of it but has gone back on). Paxil, Serezone, Celexa, etc. are there for a reason. Not to be a crutch but to correct a chemical imbalance in the brain so that people may lead normal lives with panix/anxiety attacks or to relieve depression.

Yes, psychiatric or psychological therapy should also be a part of the treatment regimen but some patients could expect to stay on Paxil et al for the rest of their lives.

Paxil has caused an increase in my daughter's appetite. She's gone from kids' size 12 to juniors 1 or 2 in just a few weeks. But, that's actually good as she was pretty thin before (4' 11" and about 85lbs).

 

[creedog]

<< Wow. Proud of the fact that your relationship is based on a pill's effect?

Nice. >>



Yea jackass, MY RELATIONSHIP IS BASED ONLY ON THAT.....

Go fusk yourself, you are not welcome here

 

[creedog]

Everyone else thanks for the advise. I have only been on paxil for 6 months and I am very happy with the results as i have had problems with anxiety all my life.

Standard Cell thanks for the input, currently I do not know who long I tend to be on medication, but I can tell you that I would have no problem being on it for the rest of my life. I know that now I feel more like the person I've have alwyas felt that I was. I have tried other to deal with this in other ways and currently this is the best option for the time being. Any yes, I have had too much on my plate for a while, so I know that things when my situation changes I may get off the pill..

I also am doing a slow switch from paxil to celestra, under my doctors supervision.