I know probably not a good answer that I'm sure your doctor might offer. Having been / tried several different meds, Celexa was the one that helped me the most. Most others gave me exactly what you are experiencing. Most times it's a hit and miss of how meds will affect people. An adjustment period is usually normal. JMO, if symptoms continue to progress after a few weeks, it may need to be changed. Keep your doctor in the loop.

Hey, I just googled it and it said a typical starting dosage is 20mgs, so perhaps you just need a dosage adjustment. I know some of these can make you feel worse when you're just on a partial or building dosage. Good luck!

Please call your Pharmacist and he/she will tell you how long this medication takes before you feel it's full potential. Some medications work right away and others take a week or two, unfortunately. Not something one wants to deal with when having a panic attack. Your Pharmacist will know better then even your doctor. Hugs GB

I took Celexa 5mg about6 years ago and my Dr had me take 1 daily for a week then 2 daily from second week on. I didn't feel any progress until after the second week. It helped me ALOT. Only took it for a year until I got pregnant. After I had my son I didn't get back on it. I've found other ways to tame my anxiety. Mainly just taking herbal supplements has helped me since then.

Yes, I take 20mg daily for over six years now. I did notice the positive effects within two weeks. Now I don't notice taking it since I've been on it so long. But if it makes your anxiety worse, I would let your doctor know, it might not be right for you. Also I noticed someone else posted about the doseage...maybe its not high enough to be effective, he started me out on 20 mg and I was on 60 mg, down to 40 and now on 20 mg with Buspar on and off for bad times.

It usually takes at least 2 weeks to feel the effects and often 3 or 4 weeks. Its often gradual , so someone else may notice that you seem better before you realize it. As others have said 5mg is a very low dose.
Might not be enough. The good news is that studies have shown that Celexa is the SSRI that's least likely to be discontinued due to side effects , so hang in there.

MommaBird, can you maybe start a separate discussion thread to mention the herbs you've found effective? I am curious but don't want to hijack this thread. :-)

I was given Wellbutrin for depression and it caused me at first, to have really bad anxiety and shakiness. After awhile, I started crying over everything and found myself to be overly emotional and easily hurt. I stopped taking it and told my doc that it was having the opposite affect that it should have. So, for some of us, Wellbutrin and Celexa work wonders, while for others, it has the opposite affect. We all are wired differently. Some people end up with all the side affects, some with only a few or a couple, and others with none. As I said before, I would ask your Pharmacist what the average amount of time this medication takes to work at its full potential. If you are not comfortable on it, tell your doctor as soon as you can and ask him to try something different. Hugs GB

Hi gramybear,
Thought I would share some info about Wellbutrin and the SSRI's.
Wellbutrin is usually not prescribed unless a couple of SSRIs have been ineffective. It is an "atypical " AD becasue it affects mostly dopamine instead of serotonin. It is the most "energizing " of all the ADs and thats why it increases anxiety in some people. Even for those
whom it eventually works [like myself] it often increases anxiety in the beginning. Some people so much that they cant stay on it.
The SSRIs rank from most energizing {Prozac} to most sedating {Paxil}. Celexa is in the middle of the spectrum. But none of them is as energizing as Wellbutrin and thats why people who are already anxious cant take it. Hope this helps.