[Anreader]

Less than a month ago my GP prescribed Celexa for me for depression. I am at increased risk for depression because of a hormonal issue I have (PCOS). I also take orthocyclen and metformin for my hormonal issues. I've noticed that I'm different sexually, but not in the way I would expect. I'm more emotionally needy. (I'm really not like that, or I wasn't before.) I'm also more physically needy. I've never even seriously wanted a relationship before. I'm wondering, could this be a result of the medication? My other medicines have not changed in more than 18 months. I'm not in a relationship. I'm feeling a little weird about all of this honestly.

[HackerX]

Normally (those sorts of) side effects with SSRI's are in the other direction, though I wouldn't rule it out. Since depression often suppresses those emotional desires, perhaps this is a "true" effect of the medication playing out?

[cutenoob]

Celexa for me gave me dry mouth. And dampened the sex drive a bit, noticeable but not dead. Do a daily/weekly log and see if the hormone fluctuations "drive" this change. Do report it to the doctor (check WebMD or Micromedex [app on iPod]).

[Sk8ordude]

I don't trust those mood altering pharmacuetical drugs, but I'm a health nutter.

It may be the celexa, it may be the celexa interacting with the other drugs, it may be unrelated or all in your head. However if it started happening when you first started taking celexa its probably the celexa. If you are concerned about it maybe you should contact your doctor.

[Anreader]

Yeah. That's mostly what I thought. I don't exactly trust the stuff either, but I sleep better now, and procrastinate less. Its probably hormonal, but I will tell the Doctor.

[TylerRDA]

List of all medications you are taking, including ones you take infrequently, please. Drug interactions can be a tricky thing.

[sentientbeing]

Celexa increased my appetite and numbed my emotions. I think Zoloft is a stronger, more effective Antidepressant.

I am no doctor, but I advise against taking SSRIs. 5-HTP and St. John's Wort have been shown to be just as effective with none of the side effects.

[Arcanist]

Or better yet, I suggest actually addressing emotional issues rather than medicating them away.

[Anreader]

	List of all medications you are taking, including ones you take infrequently, please. Drug interactions can be a tricky thing.

I don't take medications infrequently. I never take even tylenol. I take metformin 500 twice a day, Orthocyclen one at night, and citalopram/Celexa 20 one at bedtime. That's all.

	I am no doctor, but I advise against taking SSRIs. 5-HTP and St. John's Wort have been shown to be just as effective with none of the side effects.

Actually I've taken both of these things, though I currently am not, and it didn't even help with my insomnia, which is what I was trying to treat. I also had no real change with valerian in pill or tea form. I also tried lavender baths, and sprays on my pillows.
No change there either.

	Or better yet, I suggest actually addressing emotional issues rather than medicating them away.

The only emotional issues I think I have is my general lack of emotion altogether. I'm generally apathetic and uninterested in anything, which, honesty, does not bother me a bit. I'm only annoyed by insomnia. And the stupid pills help with that, so...

[vaeran]

Saint John's Wort is a MAJOR culprit of MANY drug interactions. It could potentially cause your other medications (including birth control!) to be less effective. Herbal stuff is also not always easily quantified, so talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking it.

If you have insomnia, take Celexa in the AM. It's not known to cause/worsen insomnia compared to Prozac, but it's possible.

[HackerX]

	Originally Posted by sentientbeing To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I am no doctor, but I advise against taking SSRIs. 5-HTP and St. John's Wort have been shown to be just as effective with none of the side effects.

St John's Wort IS an SSRI. 5-HTP is a serotonin (i.e. 5-HT) precursor.

Neither should be taken within 6 weeks (plus or minus) of taking a pharmaceutical SSRI or each other (lest you OD your brain on serotonin).

[MrFlaneur]

ive been on prozac twice and utterly loved it. Being drugged up for two years for the cost of a monthly prescription was great.

Pros.
Mental acuity and perception that was off the chart. Memory and intellect went through the roof. My mind was so fluid I thought I was a genius. ULTRA focus.
Much better with social interactions. I could chat for hours with anyone.
The quality of sleep was amazing. Went to bed with not a care in the world and slept like a baby.
Further researching ssris I came to the conclusion that i was actually BP2 so i enjoyed some pretty interesting ssri induced mixed states.
Sensory perception went into overdrive. Everything looked, tasted, smelled gorgeous.
For the first time ever i could tolerate even enjoy people.
Horny as a goat.
Bomb proof constitution, nothing could bothered me, nothing.

Cons.
2 stone weight gain.
Sweating. People asked me if id just stepped out of the bath i was that soaked through.
Insomnia at first but this tapered off into constant tiredness.
Jaw grinding. Stiff joints and sensitive bones which was quite alarming.
Eventually i was so unconcerned that i was effectively a zombie and my facial expressions just disappeared. Total indifference to everything. No emotional sensitivity even by intj standards.
Constand sneezing or uncontrolled yawning even if i wasnt tired.
Little changes in personality. People who liked me prior were suddenly less keen and viseversa.
The worst part was coming off them. I dont exaggerate when i say that at this point they turned me into a drooling idiot for a month. I didnt even know my own name but after a while it wore off thankfully.
Last but not least - sexual dysfunction. It took approximately 2 hours of herculean effort to get my rocks off. Partner(s) may have enjoyed it but i didnt. I dont know how this affects ladies.

Good luck. Prozac can have some nasty side effects but its a lot better than being suicidally depressed.

[yoginimama]

	Originally Posted by MrFlaneur To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	ive been on prozac twice and utterly loved it.

Haven't noticed anything so remotely dramatic in my 6-7 months on it so far.

I did have a "wow, this is awesome" experience when my celexa got put up to 30mg, followed quickly (and I mean thirty days) by "oh god no it isn't" when it crashed my dopamine, I went into a sudden and precipitous depression, and suffered insane fatigue, diarrhea and tremors. (The celexa had previously been quite helpful, but not revolutionary, as it seemed to be at 30. I felt so free. Alas...) Bye-bye celexa, hello prozac.

Thus far, prozac is just--very quietly and unobtrusively--making me less vulnerable to some of my symptoms. That's all. No more, but no less.

[MrFlaneur]

Originally Posted by yoginimama To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Haven't noticed anything so remotely dramatic in my 6-7 months on it so far. I did have a "wow, this is awesome" experience when my celexa got put up to 30mg, followed quickly (and I mean thirty days) by "oh god no it isn't" when it crashed my dopamine, I went into a sudden and precipitous depression, and suffered insane fatigue, diarrhea and tremors. (The celexa had previously been quite helpful, but not revolutionary, as it seemed to be at 30. I felt so free. Alas...) Bye-bye celexa, hello prozac. Thus far, prozac is just--very quietly and unobtrusively--making me less vulnerable to some of my symptoms. That's all. No more, but no less.

People just respond differently and there are different kinds of depression. Im just happy that theres a magic pill that I can call on if im ever in need again.

I was beaming from ear to ear within 4 days of taking it which my doctor said was highly unusual. He originally told me to expect to wait upto 3 weeks for results.

I must have weird chemistry. Everytime prozac has always been a magic bullet for me.
Good luck with it anyway. I was on 20mg and it was in no way mild.

A good book to read is "listening to prozac" which i picked up on amazon a few years ago for pennies. It documents people such as myself who were totally transformed by the drug. From what i gather it has that strong an effect on a minority of people.


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Psychiatrist Peter Kramer's book Listening to Prozaccreated a sensation when it was released in 1993, and it remains the most fascinating look at the new generation of antidepressants. Kramer found that the changes in brain chemistry brought about by Prozac had a wide variety of effects, often giving users greater feelings of self-worth and confidence, less sensitivity to social rejection, and even a greater willingness to take risks. He cites cases of mildly depressed patients who took the drug and not only felt better but underwent remarkable personality transformations--which he (along with many of the book's readers) found disconcerting, leading him to question whether the medicated or unmedicated version was the person's "real" self.

[sentientbeing]

	Originally Posted by HackerX To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	St John's Wort IS an SSRI. 5-HTP is a serotonin (i.e. 5-HT) precursor. Neither should be taken within 6 weeks (plus or minus) of taking a pharmaceutical SSRI or each other (lest you OD your brain on serotonin).

You are right, they shouldn't be taken with SSRIs.
St. John's Wort works more like an MAO Inhibitor.

[Anreader]

	If you have insomnia, take Celexa in the AM. It's not known to cause/worsen insomnia compared to Prozac, but it's possible.

No. The Celexa improved my insomnia. I'm pretty happy with my sleeping now.

I'm pretty happy with the Rx actually. I lost 4 lbs this month with no real changes. Also, I'm sleeping more, am less grumpy, and am getting lots of things done around the house. Other than being... lonely(?), I'm pretty much good.

BTW I told my Dr. She said that I shouldn't worry about it unless I'm emotionally labile, which I'm not.