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Molly Maloof, MD

Director of Clinical Content
@DoctorBase

Suffering from anxiety and depression and will it go away.

I have been on Celexa since mid June on 40 mgs and I still do not feel better.

MY PAST

12 years ago after the death of a loved one I went on Paxil 20 mgs for 12 years. Because of weight gain I went on zoloft/lexapro each lasted 1.5 years. Then to Effexor and got symptoms back,they upped it, I got unbelievable high blood pressure and was tapered off to Prozac and now to Celexa. I am truly scared. What else will work. I have used up all the SSRIs. Any ideas you could give me I would truly appreciate?
Poster
  • Female | 60 years old
  • Complaint duration: 70 days
  • Medications: cymbalta 60 mgs. Levothyroxine 88 micrograms ativan 1 mg
  • Conditions: hypothyroidism
July 27, 11:06 PM

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Featured Answer

1 UpVoted this answer
I understand your problem. Even though I am a Ph.D. of Integrated and Alternative Medicine, I took several pills for different reasons, including BP and everything in my body was out of sinc. So I reduced all including my thyroid medication and now I lost all the weight,(40 lbs was a lot for me). and only eat and drink good food. The body know how to return to normal. It will take about 1 year, but you will truly be amazed. Do consult your MD and work out a program to slow down the amounts you take and then to get off them. Your loved one can give you closure when you stop pining. You brain is a computer, so you need to go into Meditation or hypnosis with a therapist to get that closure. Then you will be amazed how different you feel. I do this over the phone too.www.sumariscenter.com
Margaret Rogers Van Coops
Margaret Rogers Van Coops, PhD
Psychotherapist in Lake Havasu City, AZ
Level: Contributor (8)
July 30, 01:05 AM
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1 UpVoted this answer
Speak to your psychiartrist about the use of an augmentation agent such as Abilify. There are many new antidepressants on the market that may be effective if your psychiatrist feels augmentation is not appropriate.
Stephen Prover
Stephen Prover, MD
Psychiatrist in Los Angeles, CA
Level: Candidate (4)
July 29, 07:01 PM
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1 UpVoted this answer
You need to work closely with your doctor. There are a variety of options that might work for you, including higher doses of an SSRI that has tolerable side effects. Doctors sometimes use higher that recommended doses for better symptom control if that approach is warranted. This is especially useful for anxiety in depression. An anti depressant can also be augmented by another drug, such as the ativan you are using, but the ativan is a short acting fix for bouts of anxiety and is not helpful in the longterm. Other pharmacoligic augmentations might include anxiety drugs like Buspar, major tranquilizers, mood stabilizers and diet supplements depending on what you and your doctor decide. I believe you should stay away from SNRIs (dual reuptake inhibitors) becuase of your HTN history.

Also, make sure that your physical ailments are controlled, good sleep is a major factor, make sure other aspects of your life are taken care of (connecting with people, good diet, regular activities) and working with a therapist, preferably one that does CBT can be very helpful. TMS is also an effective approach in the majority of treatment resistant depressive illnesses.

I wish you the best of luck.
Gregory Bahder
Gregory Bahder, MD
Psychiatrist in Medical Lake, WA
Level: Candidate (3)
July 29, 04:35 PM
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1 UpVoted this answer
Unfortunately our society views drugs as magic pills to cure whatever ill you incur in life. This is simply not the case. While many drugs are helpful for a myriad of conditions, they are not the end all be all in most scenarios. Eating a healthy diet and adopting a regular exercise/fitness regimen has been more effective in controlling depression than drug therapies. Also, be certain that your hypothyroidism is controlled as this is a major player also.
A. R. Scopelliti
A. R. Scopelliti, DC, DACNB, FACFN, FABVR
Neurologist in Long Branch, NJ
Level: Master Contributor (74)
Website: Monmouth Functional Neurology Center
July 29, 02:16 PM
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1 UpVoted this answer
Hi. Anxiety and depression are often responsive to a combination of appropriate antidepressants and psychotherapy. It sounds like your condition originated as a grief reaction that was never completely resolved. Please consider finding a psychotherapist who can help you get to the root of your emotional distress and learn more adaptive ways of thinking & feeling. You don't need to suffer like that.
Michael Catalanello
Michael Catalanello, Ph.D.
Psychologist in Hammond, LA
Level: Candidate (3)
July 29, 01:50 PM
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1 UpVoted this answer
Hello ,

1. Please make sure your hypothyroidism is well controlled . Antidepressants are not very effective when thyroid levels are abnormal .

2. If Thyroid profile is normal, you need to be evaluated for TRD . ( treatment resistant depression ) . Many people get tolerant to use of antidepressant and need to have augmentation with other psychiatric medications to treat partially responsible depression . This will treat anxiety too . With today's option you should not be suffering so long with these symptoms .

I am a researcher as well and currently we are running 4 trials of cutting edge fast acting antidepressants .. Look at clinical trial .gov and find a research center close to u . You need detailed evaluation . Hope this information helps .

Kind regards ,

Shishuka Malhotra MD
Shishuka Malhotra
Shishuka Malhotra
Psychiatrist in canton, OH
Level: Candidate (2)
July 29, 10:59 AM
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After the death of a loved one, it is natural to grieve. I am guessing you are still graving. Try to find a group to support you. This might be a group at church or in a social setting. Your prescriber may be able to make a recommendation. You don't want to take a pill the rest of your life. Another idea, is to find a Psychologist who does brain maps. This well help identify the regions in your brain that need "tuning up." Getting a brain tune up is done with Neurofeedback which is an non-invasive procedure to balance the electrical activity in your brain.
Grant T. Bright
Grant T. Bright, PhD, LPC
Psychotherapist in Gainesville, GA
Level: Master Contributor (59)
February 27, 07:15 PM
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Brintellix is a newer medication that is like a SSRI but also works on other serotonin receptors. It appears to have less sexual side effects and appears to be weight neutral. It also may help with cognition (memory) too. In addition, many patients are on a combination of medications. Some take atypical antipsychotics and mood stabilizers to boost the antidepressant. I would also make sure your TSH is normal as well as your folic acid, B12 levels. SAMe is a natural antidepressant you can by in CVS, Costco or Duane Reade that many of my patients like. A diet high in omega 3's, folic acid and Vitamin B12 is also helpful for mood
Dr. David Straker
Dr. David Straker
Psychiatrist in New York, NY
Level: Contributor (5)
December 01, 10:53 PM
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Combine psychotherapy with the use of antidepressants to determine the underlying cause of the anxiety and depression. These symptoms could be triggered by the death of a loved one. However, when the symptoms continue, it is best to seek help to explore underlying causes. A good psychotherapist can help you do so. Also note any alcohol consumption and or additional drugs as these can cause and contribute to anxiety and depresssion.
Dr. Phyllis E. Davis
Dr. Phyllis E. Davis, PhD
Psychotherapist in Greenville, SC
Level: Top Contributor (32)
Website: The Journey pathways to healing
August 04, 05:32 PM
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Most anti-depressant medications take 4-6 weeks to be in full force in your body's system. It's important to follow instructions on the administration of the medications and to check in with your medical doctor, who prescribed the medications, with your concerns, problems, and successes. You didn't mention being in therapy along with your medications. Research shows that psychological therapy along with medications is better than medications alone. I suggest you find a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in grief therapy and make sure that he or she is a "good fit" for you. When you attend your first appointment, interview the doctor as much as he or she interviews you. Make sure this person is right for you, will listen, guide, and work with you to help you through this difficult time in your life. Together you will find the answers you need to move forward in life.
Rebecca E. Thompson
Rebecca E. Thompson, PsyD
Neuropsych in Napa, CA
Level: Contributor (24)
July 31, 05:45 AM
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