Can't figure it all out (long)
Question:
Also, given time Celexa has no sexual side effects for many people. It and Effexor are the only ones that apparently don’t cause such side effects. May take 2-4 months. Boyd ( Everything seems to work, I just can’t remember what to do with
it) There is one poster here on ASAP who said Effexor made her lose her libido. Chip
Response:
Hi Beverly, I’m a rashy type of person. Once I had a generalised rash that was assumed to be a medication allergy, however the type of rash you are describing I have had several times, more than several. Claratyne can help plus I use Alpha Keri lotion, but not if you’re allergic to lanolin. It can be used instead of soap, although I apply it directly to my skin. It is very soothing. When my skin flares up I double rinse anything that touches my skin, sheets, clothes. I switch to soap powder, instead of detergent. I use a very mild soap such as Neutrogena and I make sure I only use hypoallergenic products on my skin. Take care, love Meryl
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I can’t make sense of what’s going on with my meds and could sure use some help. I do plan to call around Monday and find a Pdoc, but still would love this group’s input. Background–female, 43, good health, no known allergies, history of (moderate) depression that responded in the past very well to Paxil and then Zoloft; I also have significant anxiety–started Buspar 30 mg./day a year ago with good results. This past winter I slipped into a very severe depression and was almost bedridden for several weeks. I worked with an internist to first rule out physical causes (had extreme fatigue, shortness of breath). Congenital cardiac defect was found (bicuspid aortic valve) but this is not causing my problems as my heart is functioning perfectly right now. Pulmonary/thyroid/other blood work all ok. Started Prozac 3/16 and felt some improvement after 3 weeks. On 4/19, the night before a medical procedure that had me extremely stressed, broke out in hives all over back and on arms. Stopped Prozac for 2 days, went to dr, re-started Prozac. The hives/rash continued but not with the severity of the first time; I get a few bumps/welts daily that itch horribly. They used to come and go during the day but now appear only nightly and disappear in a few hours. Switched to Celexa 4/16. The rash continues. My depression is much better than before meds but still not a great improvement. I’m up to 40 mg. Celexa with no side effects other than the …um…sexual dysfunction… and of course rash. Internist said I may now be allergic to all SSRI’s and would need a 2 week holiday to see if the rash goes away. He didn’t recommend another AD and that’s when I was positive I need a psychiatrist’s help. I’m functioning again….driving, going on errands, eating, etc, but my mood is still extremely depressed and I don’t have near the relief that I had in the past from ADs. Still on Buspar. Ok…….any clues on the cause of my rash? (I haven’t changed ANYTHING at all, or done anything new other than the SSRIs). Still, the dr. thought a drug reaction wouldn’t come and go as mine does, and that it would cover my whole torso, not just show up in spots. Still he thinks it’s important to rule out the possibility that it’s SSRI related. Second question…although I’ve been on the Celexa a little less than 2 weeks, it’s been 6 weeks since I first started the Prozac, so I’ve been on an SSRI for 6 weeks. Do I need to give Celexa more time, or does the whole 6 weeks "count?" I’m getting so discouraged. I asked if anxiety could cause the rash and the dr. said yes; so one night took a Xanax early evening (although evening is my least stressful time of day) and the rash showed up as always. When I took Paxil and Zoloft (not at the same time!) very low doses helped a lot. Does a more severe depression typically require a higher dose to work? Sorry this is so long and rambling, but I’m starting to feel like things are hopeless. If I didn’t have a family I wouldn’t even be motivated to get out of bed. Any input/guess/ideas would be so gratefully appreciated. Beverly
Response:
I can’t make sense of what’s going on with my meds and could sure use some help. I do plan to call around Monday and find a Pdoc, but still would love this group’s input. Background–female, 43, good health, no known allergies, history of (moderate) depression that responded in the past very well to Paxil and then Zoloft; I also have significant anxiety–started Buspar 30 mg./day a year ago with good results. This past winter I slipped into a very severe depression and was almost bedridden for several weeks. I worked with an internist to first rule out physical causes (had extreme fatigue, shortness of breath). Congenital cardiac defect was found (bicuspid aortic valve) but this is not causing my problems as my heart is functioning perfectly right now. Pulmonary/thyroid/other blood work all ok. Started Prozac 3/16 and felt some improvement after 3 weeks. On 4/19, the night before a medical procedure that had me extremely stressed, broke out in hives all over back and on arms. Stopped Prozac for 2 days, went to dr, re-started Prozac. The hives/rash continued but not with the severity of the first time; I get a few bumps/welts daily that itch horribly. They used to come and go during the day but now appear only nightly and disappear in a few hours. Switched to Celexa 4/16. The rash continues. My depression is much better than before meds but still not a great improvement. I’m up to 40 mg. Celexa with no side effects other than the …um…sexual dysfunction… and of course rash. Internist said I may now be allergic to all SSRI’s and would need a 2 week holiday to see if the rash goes away. He didn’t recommend another AD and that’s when I was positive I need a psychiatrist’s help. I’m functioning again….driving, going on errands, eating, etc, but my mood is still extremely depressed and I don’t have near the relief that I had in the past from ADs. Still on Buspar. Ok…….any clues on the cause of my rash? (I haven’t changed ANYTHING at all, or done anything new other than the SSRIs). Still, the dr. thought a drug reaction wouldn’t come and go as mine does, and that it would cover my whole torso, not just show up in spots. Still he thinks it’s important to rule out the possibility that it’s SSRI related. Second question…although I’ve been on the Celexa a little less than 2 weeks, it’s been 6 weeks since I first started the Prozac, so I’ve been on an SSRI for 6 weeks. Do I need to give Celexa more time, or does the whole 6 weeks "count?" I’m getting so discouraged. I asked if anxiety could cause the rash and the dr. said yes; so one night took a Xanax early evening (although evening is my least stressful time of day) and the rash showed up as always. When I took Paxil and Zoloft (not at the same time!) very low doses helped a lot. Does a more severe depression typically require a higher dose to work? Sorry this is so long and rambling, but I’m starting to feel like things are hopeless. If I didn’t have a family I wouldn’t even be motivated to get out of bed. Any input/guess/ideas would be so gratefully appreciated. Beverly
Response:
Internist said I may now be allergic to all SSRI’s
hardly likely since although they share some characteristics they are not cross allergenic like relative members of the antibiotic families ..driving, going on errands, eating, etc, but my mood is still extremely depressed and I don’t have near the relief that I had in the past from ADs
this is good have your doc rx some clarinex, zyrtec, allegra or benadryl- Do I need to give Celexa more time
yes Does a more severe depression typically require a higher dose to work?
possibly-if you are bedridden or housebound and lack the energy to move-yes but I’m starting to feel like things are hopeless. If I didn’t have a family I wouldn’t even be motivated to get out of bed.
you may require a polypharmaceutical approach if your depression is this bad-firstly get the rash looked at by a dermatologist or allergist and get it treated symptomatically, frank allergies to ssr type meds are rare and your symptoms don’t lend themself to the ssri as a trigger- LM
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I can’t make sense of what’s going on with my meds and could sure use some help. I do plan to call around Monday and find a Pdoc, but still would love this group’s input. Background–female, 43, good health, no known allergies, history of (moderate) depression that responded in the past very well to Paxil and then Zoloft; I also have significant anxiety–started Buspar 30 mg./day a year ago with good results. This past winter I slipped into a very severe depression and was almost bedridden for several weeks. I worked with an internist to first rule out physical causes (had extreme fatigue, shortness of breath). Congenital cardiac defect was found (bicuspid aortic valve) but this is not causing my problems as my heart is functioning perfectly right now. Pulmonary/thyroid/other blood work all ok. Started Prozac 3/16 and felt some improvement after 3 weeks. On 4/19, the night before a medical procedure that had me extremely stressed, broke out in hives all over back and on arms. Stopped Prozac for 2 days, went to dr, re-started Prozac. The hives/rash continued but not with the severity of the first time; I get a few bumps/welts daily that itch horribly. They used to come and go during the day but now appear only nightly and disappear in a few hours. Switched to Celexa 4/16. The rash continues. My depression is much better than before meds but still not a great improvement. I’m up to 40 mg. Celexa with no side effects other than the …um…sexual dysfunction… and of course rash. Internist said I may now be allergic to all SSRI’s and would need a 2 week holiday to see if the rash goes away. He didn’t recommend another AD and that’s when I was positive I need a psychiatrist’s help. I’m functioning again….driving, going on errands, eating, etc, but my mood is still extremely depressed and I don’t have near the relief that I had in the past from ADs. Still on Buspar. Ok…….any clues on the cause of my rash? (I haven’t changed ANYTHING at all, or done anything new other than the SSRIs). Still, the dr. thought a drug reaction wouldn’t come and go as mine does, and that it would cover my whole torso, not just show up in spots. Still he thinks it’s important to rule out the possibility that it’s SSRI related. Second question…although I’ve been on the Celexa a little less than 2 weeks, it’s been 6 weeks since I first started the Prozac, so I’ve been on an SSRI for 6 weeks. Do I need to give Celexa more time, or does the whole 6 weeks "count?" I’m getting so discouraged. I asked if anxiety could cause the rash and the dr. said yes; so one night took a Xanax early evening (although evening is my least stressful time of day) and the rash showed up as always. When I took Paxil and Zoloft (not at the same time!) very low doses helped a lot. Does a more severe depression typically require a higher dose to work? Sorry this is so long and rambling, but I’m starting to feel like things are hopeless. If I didn’t have a family I wouldn’t even be motivated to get out of bed. Any input/guess/ideas would be so gratefully appreciated. Beverly
*Extensive* workups only find the cause of chronic recurrant hives in about 50% of people. And that’s alot of tests since hives can result from so many different sources. Any guesses on the cause of your hives at this point would be pure speculation. I’ll speculate though: I think they’re due to anxiety and stress. I’d say the 2 weeks you have been on Celexa is what counts. Celexa is a different med than Prozac. Give it a few more weeks to work. The antidepressant effects of Celexa are being augmented by the serotonergic properties of BuSpar. Chip
Response:
If he is swapping you from one SSRI to another and not weaning you on and off, that’s enough to cause trouble right there.
SSRI’s are cross tolerant and can be switched overnight. The smoothest ride is probably weaning on the new SSRI while weaning off of the old one. This can be done rather quickly with no problems. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -If I am not mistaken, hives can be caused by purely psychiatric situations, too. Also, given time Celexa has no sexual side effects for many people. It and Effexor are the only ones that apparently don’t cause such side effects. May take 2-4 months. Boyd ( Everything seems to work, I just can’t remember what to do with it) : I can’t make sense of what’s going on with my meds and could sure use some : help. I do plan to call around Monday and find a Pdoc, but still would love : this group’s input. Background–female, 43, good health, no known allergies, : history of (moderate) depression that responded in the past very well to Paxil : and then Zoloft; I also have significant anxiety–started Buspar 30 mg./day a : year ago with good results. This past winter I slipped into a very severe : depression and was almost bedridden for several weeks. I worked with an : internist to first rule out physical causes (had extreme fatigue, shortness of : breath). Congenital cardiac defect was found (bicuspid aortic valve) but this : is not causing my problems as my heart is functioning perfectly right now. : Pulmonary/thyroid/other blood work all ok. Started Prozac 3/16 and felt some : improvement after 3 weeks. On 4/19, the night before a medical procedure that : had me extremely stressed, broke out in hives all over back and on arms. : Stopped Prozac for 2 days, went to dr, re-started Prozac. The hives/rash : continued but not with the severity of the first time; I get a few bumps/welts : daily that itch horribly. They used to come and go during the day but now : appear only nightly and disappear in a few hours. Switched to Celexa 4/16. : The rash continues. My depression is much better than before meds but still : not a great improvement. I’m up to 40 mg. Celexa with no side effects other : than the …um…sexual dysfunction… and of course rash. Internist said I : may now be allergic to all SSRI’s and would need a 2 week holiday to see if the : rash goes away. He didn’t recommend another AD and that’s when I was positive : I need a psychiatrist’s help. I’m functioning again….driving, going on : errands, eating, etc, but my mood is still extremely depressed and I don’t have : near the relief that I had in the past from ADs. Still on Buspar. : Ok…….any clues on the cause of my rash? (I haven’t changed ANYTHING at : all, or done anything new other than the SSRIs). Still, the dr. thought a drug : reaction wouldn’t come and go as mine does, and that it would cover my whole : torso, not just show up in spots. Still he thinks it’s important to rule out : the possibility that it’s SSRI related. Second question…although I’ve been : on the Celexa a little less than 2 weeks, it’s been 6 weeks since I first : started the Prozac, so I’ve been on an SSRI for 6 weeks. Do I need to give : Celexa more time, or does the whole 6 weeks "count?" I’m getting so : discouraged. I asked if anxiety could cause the rash and the dr. said yes; so : one night took a Xanax early evening (although evening is my least stressful : time of day) and the rash showed up as always. When I took Paxil and Zoloft : (not at the same time!) very low doses helped a lot. Does a more severe : depression typically require a higher dose to work? Sorry this is so long and : rambling, but I’m starting to feel like things are hopeless. If I didn’t have : a family I wouldn’t even be motivated to get out of bed. Any input/guess/ideas : would be so gratefully appreciated. Beverly
Response:
Hi LM, This is not quite related but I have found that my allergy symptoms have reduced since taking Efexor. My esteemed psychiatrist did not believe there was likely to be a link but the last few years my chronic hayfever has been greatly reduced. Meryl
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Internist said I may now be allergic to all SSRI’s hardly likely since although they share some characteristics they are not cross allergenic like relative members of the antibiotic families ..driving, going on errands, eating, etc, but my mood is still extremely depressed and I don’t have near the relief that I had in the past from ADs this is good have your doc rx some clarinex, zyrtec, allegra or benadryl- Do I need to give Celexa more time yes Does a more severe depression typically require a higher dose to work? possibly-if you are bedridden or housebound and lack the energy to move-yes but I’m starting to feel like things are hopeless. If I didn’t have a family I wouldn’t even be motivated to get out of bed. you may require a polypharmaceutical approach if your depression is this bad-firstly get the rash looked at by a dermatologist or allergist and get it treated symptomatically, frank allergies to ssr type meds are rare and your symptoms don’t lend themself to the ssri as a trigger- LM
Response:
If he is swapping you from one SSRI to another and not weaning you on and off, that’s enough to cause trouble right there. If I am not mistaken, hives can be caused by purely psychiatric situations, too. Also, given time Celexa has no sexual side effects for many people. It and Effexor are the only ones that apparently don’t cause such side effects. May take 2-4 months. Boyd ( Everything seems to work, I just can’t remember what to do with it)
: I can’t make sense of what’s going on with my meds and could sure use some : help. I do plan to call around Monday and find a Pdoc, but still would love : this group’s input. Background–female, 43, good health, no known allergies, : history of (moderate) depression that responded in the past very well to Paxil : and then Zoloft; I also have significant anxiety–started Buspar 30 mg./day a : year ago with good results. This past winter I slipped into a very severe : depression and was almost bedridden for several weeks. I worked with an : internist to first rule out physical causes (had extreme fatigue, shortness of : breath). Congenital cardiac defect was found (bicuspid aortic valve) but this : is not causing my problems as my heart is functioning perfectly right now. : Pulmonary/thyroid/other blood work all ok. Started Prozac 3/16 and felt some : improvement after 3 weeks. On 4/19, the night before a medical procedure that : had me extremely stressed, broke out in hives all over back and on arms. : Stopped Prozac for 2 days, went to dr, re-started Prozac. The hives/rash : continued but not with the severity of the first time; I get a few bumps/welts : daily that itch horribly. They used to come and go during the day but now : appear only nightly and disappear in a few hours. Switched to Celexa 4/16. : The rash continues. My depression is much better than before meds but still : not a great improvement. I’m up to 40 mg. Celexa with no side effects other : than the …um…sexual dysfunction… and of course rash. Internist said I : may now be allergic to all SSRI’s and would need a 2 week holiday to see if the : rash goes away. He didn’t recommend another AD and that’s when I was positive : I need a psychiatrist’s help. I’m functioning again….driving, going on : errands, eating, etc, but my mood is still extremely depressed and I don’t have : near the relief that I had in the past from ADs. Still on Buspar. : Ok…….any clues on the cause of my rash? (I haven’t changed ANYTHING at : all, or done anything new other than the SSRIs). Still, the dr. thought a drug : reaction wouldn’t come and go as mine does, and that it would cover my whole : torso, not just show up in spots. Still he thinks it’s important to rule out : the possibility that it’s SSRI related. Second question…although I’ve been : on the Celexa a little less than 2 weeks, it’s been 6 weeks since I first : started the Prozac, so I’ve been on an SSRI for 6 weeks. Do I need to give : Celexa more time, or does the whole 6 weeks "count?" I’m getting so : discouraged. I asked if anxiety could cause the rash and the dr. said yes; so : one night took a Xanax early evening (although evening is my least stressful : time of day) and the rash showed up as always. When I took Paxil and Zoloft : (not at the same time!) very low doses helped a lot. Does a more severe : depression typically require a higher dose to work? Sorry this is so long and : rambling, but I’m starting to feel like things are hopeless. If I didn’t have : a family I wouldn’t even be motivated to get out of bed. Any input/guess/ideas : would be so gratefully appreciated. Beverly
Response:
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