New to celexa ... jaw clenching and loss of appetite?

[cassie]

celexanewbie wrote:

I started taking Celexa about a month ago for anxiety. First two days at 10 mg then increased to 20 mg. Does anyone else take celexa (citalopram) for anxiety as opposed to depression? I has some horrible anxiety attacks while first on it (never really had full blown panic attacks before..just all around uneasiness and excessive worry). That went away after the first 2 weeks and I was feeling better. Now I am having trouble sleeping and eating on it. I didn't sleep or eat for days at a time..in the last week. I have always had insomnia as in trouble getting to sleep. But once asleep I am out. Now I am even more nocturnal..like I used to go to sleep at 1 to 2 am but not I cannot fall asleep until 5 to 7 am.
I never had issues with eating until the anxiety started. I would be so anxious that upon waking I would vomit, without forcing myself..just start gagging/dry heaving. It went away after a few weeks on the celexa but now it is back. I didn't eat anything yesterday and only a bite of bagel today. I feel like I will gag if I eat and I also rarely even feel hunger pangs. I have dropped about 15 pounds in the last month. I am still normal weight (130 lbs and five foot 6).
I feel like my recent onset of anxiety, insomnia, and loss of appetite might be related to my menstrual cycle. Does anyone have PMS get worse when on these meds? I have always had bad PMS.
I went to the doctor today..problem is I am in school so have to go our health center. I like my doctor but it is not a pyschiatrist. My doctor is smart, attentive, and easy to talk to so that is good. I am due back in a week to see if this is all really related to PMS.
Sorry this is so long. Just need to hear if anyone has similar experiences or has any advice.

Hello. I have the same problem. I've only been on it for four days, but I am taking it for anxiety and I have ALREADY noticed having more panic attacks. I can't eat a single thing either. You are not alone. I'm sorry I can't offer any advice because I am new at this too, but I am the same way.

[Colorado]

Has any one had nightmares or heard voices?
Are there any teens out there?

[Laura Barthel]

Are you going to cognitive therapy (talk therapy) as well? They say that and medicine is the way to go. im doing it now, been doing cognitive therapy for about 4 months, and just went on celexay 7 days ago.

Be positive wrote:

I too an new to citalopram (celexa, have been on it for 4 days (20mg), I seem to have a loss of appetite too. The plus side is that I dont seem to have had any of the other side effects that people have mentioned apart from the dry mouth, but then I usually forget to drink so this is helping in a way as it reminds me to drink more! I am not getting the hot flushes, but am feeling rather cold most of the time, is this normal??!!
This is the first time I have ever taken anti-depressants as I always thought that I could cope alone, but have got to a point where I realised that I needed help, but am still unsure as to what they will do to help, but understand that I need to take them for a few weeks to really see the difference.
I am trying to be positve about taking these tablets and hope that this will in turn help me keep positive.
It has been nice to read about other peoples experiences and realise that I am not the only one who gets down and needs support.
How long do you normally need to take these tablets for before most people see a positive effect, I am hoping its not too long!!

[Laney]

Don't think just because you wear a bite guard that you will not do damage to your teeth when you clinch. The bite guard helps but does not always prevent damage to your teeth and gums.

[Noreen]

iv just started taking citalopram. and my jaws are clenching, they shake alot, like i have no self control... ive lost my appetite too...

[Pat Ric]

I started taking 10 mg 3 weeks ago and the first week I had a lot more anxiety and a burning feeling in my arms....then I had a lot of trouble sleeping at night.

Now I'm sleeping 10 hours and sleepy throught out the day, mood is slightly improving, but I have no appetite. I don't know if its the anxiety/depression or the Celexa. I can eat at night when I get home from work and I'm around family. But during the day I want to dry heave just smelling food. I do have about 15 lbs to lose so I can't worry too much about it.

[shanty]

I have taken the same dosage for 7 days and the first few days were awful with the anxiety and stomach feeling funny. I feel alot better now with the depression but still not a huge appetite.

[Ric]

Jessica wrote:

I have been on Lexapro for a bt over a month, and was changed to Celexa today due to insurance not covering the Lexapro. Does anyone know what the major difference is between the two.
I also read the information posted earlier, regarding the weight loss. Has anyone gained weight or lost a significant amount of weight on the Celexa?
Thanks

My doctor told me when I was swicthed to celexa from Lexapro that it the sam expext Lexapro is a 10Mg dosage where Celexa is a 20 Mg. dose this because it has filer in the presricption and that it will say in your system longer than Lexapro I found it to dfo the same for me I have been on it for 6 months since I switched from Leaxapro, feel just a good. Leaxapro is a nes med where Celexa has a oong trial of success.

[Emmie-Lou]

I started taking these about 6 days ago, and am quite pleased with the appetite loss side affect. Although the jaw clenching is really annoying. I have to take them early because otherwise I don't sleep. Mine were given to me due to head pain, so I don't have to take as many painkillers, gotta say, not working yet, but I'm gonna give them a chance.
Hope it works for you all xx

[Victoria]

detroitrockcity wrote:

I've suffered from what could be called "moderate" depression for many years -- I've functioned pretty well and have been successful career-wise; however I was always blue and sad. I have a great therapist of more than two years and she finally convinced me to take an anti-depressant --I resisted for quite some time. I now take Celexa -- it's been over a week, and I feel much better.
However, I keep clenching my jaw? What's the deal? I'm seriously thinking of buying a mouth guard to wear when I sleep at night.
I've also lost my appetite -- well when I felt depressed I binged -- now I eat a bit at each meal and push it away when I'm done ... anyone else have that happen?
Meerkat?

Yes I have also noticed a loss of appetite. I can go all day without thinking of eating. I noticed that I keep my jaw tight which is actually starting to hurt my teeth.

[Lloyd Davis]

I have been on Celexa for about three weeks now. I take the 20mg of Celexa or if you like the citalopram at around 9:00pm; along with 500 mg of Depakote; and 160 mg of Geodon; i also take 1000mg of Depakote in the morning. I have been on the Geodon for about a month. I started it maybe about a week and a couple of days 2 before i started the citalopram. I have been on the depakote for about not quite two years and also was on Zyprexa until i broke. Luckily i didn't doing anything stupid i got my self into a hospital and checked in. Thats when i started the Geodon and stopped the Zyprexa. I checked out of the hospital a week and a few days later and see my normal psychiatrist and he put me on citalopram. I have also been expereincing this jaw clecnching or bruxism. It took me about a week to put two and two together and realized that jaw clenching started when i started the Citalopram. I asked a therapist if he had ever heard of this kind of side effect. He responded no I never heard of those such adverse side effects. Can't wait til i see him monday, im gonna tell him all about this forum. Thanks alot. I see my regular psychiatrist on December 3. The date of my appointment isn't that far away. Do i here any objections to staying on the medication? i mean i think i'm feeling some relief. Or is this a more serious side effect and should be more concerned? Please reply?