Tapering off Effexor and Starting Celexa

[eightsteps]

I have been on Effexor XR 300mg / day for the past 8 years. I guess I am not sure if it was really effective. I was "level" with other meds like klonopin and trazodone. My last psychiatrist was difficult and I had to fight with her over my medications. I switched docs, and my new one is great.

He started me on 150mg of Wellbutrin for SAD, and I felt much better almost instantly. That got me thinking that the Effexor probably hasn't really been doing much this entire time. Anxiety has always been a much bigger issue for me than the depression side. I explained this to my pDoc and he started me on Celexa. he said it works better overall for anxiety. So right now I am weaning off the Effexor, slowly increasing the Celexa, and still the Wellbutrin. If everything goes well, I should be off Effexor in 4 weeks, and on 40mg / of Celexa, and 150mg Wellbutrin.

If I miss a dose of Effexor or run out, I get horrible withdrawl -- brain zaps, dizzy, nauseous, and brain freezes. I am going down 37.5mg each week, and up on Celexa 10mg each week. So far so good I guess. No issues with Effexor sickness.

Has anyone tapered off Effexor and moved to Celexa? Also, what's your experiences with Celexa? I guess it takes a few weeks to kick in and notice anything?

[insights]

Anxiety has always been a much bigger issue for me than the depression side. I explained this to my pDoc and he started me on Celexa. he said it works better overall for anxiety. So right now I am weaning off the Effexor, slowly increasing the Celexa, and still the Wellbutrin. If everything goes well, I should be off Effexor in 4 weeks, and on 40mg / of Celexa, and 150mg Wellbutrin.

Most with an anxiety disorder would find Wellbutrin too stimulating and likely to increase anxiety. A few do well, but most don't. You appear to be one of the few, but it could also be that Effexor is doing a better job of controlling your anxiety than you think.

I also don't understand the rationale of starting with one drug, Wellbutrin, for the lesser problem, depression (I'm assuming by "SAD" you meant Seasonal Affective Disorder), then adding another, Celexa, for the more significant problem, anxiety, when Celexa should be capable of effectively treating both if it works. IMHO, it is not good practice to use 2 or more meds when one might do the job. It is sometimes necessary, but it should be the last option, not the first.

Plus, I'm concerned you are now starting 2 antidepressants and weaning off another. If there is a problem how will your psychiatrist be able to work out which one/s is/are causing it?

Also, why are you going straight to the recommended maximum 40mg Celexa dose, and in only 4 weeks? Way too high and way too fast, IMHO.

I think you should seek a second opinion.

Ian

[eightsteps]

Yes SAD -- Seasonal Affective Disorder. I mean, don't get me wrong, I definitely get depressed and I felt more alert, energetic, and happy virtually right away after taking it.

The Klonopin I take 2x a day probably negates the anxiety causing that some people get from Welbutrin.

With the 4 week thing, that is what my psychiatrist has me planned to do. So we'll see what happens. If I start having any type of side effects or problems, I will call him and see what he recommends. I get a long with him much better than my last pDoc and he's helpful and willing to work with me. I feel confident with him.

The anxiety is more of an issue with me, so rather than give me more Klonopin I think he decided to try the Celexa as it should be more effective for anxiety in the long haul. Or so I have read from other user experiences online.

In the next couple of days I decrease my Effexore another 37.5mg and up the Celexa by another 10mg. I think that will be the point where things will start to go good or not. Will keep ya posted.

[eightsteps]

Well, starting today, I am down to 75mg of Effexor, and 150mg Wellbutrin in the morning. Then I increased the Celexa to 20mg at night. I still take 0.5mg klonopin 2x a day, and Ambien for sleep.

So far so good, and no withdrawal effects from Effexor -- the brain zaps or dizziness.

[shakymcgee]

Celexa is the best drug I have ever taken for anxiety. I've taken imipramine, paxil, prozac and effexor, and celexa stopped my panic attacks almost completely for years. Unfortunately, it didn't work so well for depression.