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What Causes Panic Attacks, Suicidal Thoughts And Shivering Of Legs After Cipralex Usage?

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Posted on Sat, 12 Jul 2014
Question: Hello, I'm trying yo solve a cipralex mistery. I was on it for 4 years at 20 mg. I got off them on November 2013.
This month, I experienced again anxiety and starting taking 5 mg( I had left overs). 4 days in, I woke up in panic, terror, high anxiety and suicidal thoughts and impending doom, something I didn't experience the first time.
I took some Ativan, but only calmed me for a bit. I ended up driving myself to the emergency because I could not calm myself down.
They put me on 10 mg celexa and and .5 klonopin to take the edge off. I'm on day 6 now of celexa, and I'm experiencing really shaky legs. Is this normal?

Why didn't the cipralex work the second time? What happened? I had never experienced those feelings ever!
I don't have a life time history of anxiety, it only started in 2009 (34 years old) due to a divorce and bad custody battle.

Thank you,
XXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (56 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Response to celexa varies

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,

Thanks for using health care magic.

I have keenly read your query and found that this is really surprising that you developed a side effect within four days of time with a drug which never caused similar side effect for a duration of four years with four times of the current dose.

I am trying to make out the reason for such development with Cipralex.

The first possibility is the occurrence of class effect of SSRI. You might be knowing that all SSRI as a class have tendency to worsen anxiety symptoms during initial course of treatment. The worsening or new development of anxiety once you start SSRI is not a dose related effect and can occur at any dose. The probable reason for why you never had the same adverse effect is that this side effect is idiosyncratic kind of reaction, which mean it can occur today but there is no necessity that it will be repeated on next dose or vise versa.

The next possibility is that probably your panic episode is unrelated to Cipralex. It is quite possible that any anxiety disorder while relapsing may have slightly different symptom profile. The current episode may be part of your original illness which was started about four years back.

It is premature to say that cipralex not worked second time. The plausible explanation is removal of cipralex on fourth day itself due to intolerable side effects. I guess that if you would have allowed to continue the cipralex it would have worked in similar way as in past, But the development of severe anxiety forced you and your doctor to replace it with celexa.

The third possibility is that it was a kind of sleep terror which is one of the common side effects with SSRI including cipralex.

At last regarding shakiness after starting I like to inform you that it is kind of transient side effect with all SSRI. It is expected that it will be resolved in two weeks.

'Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help".
Thanks


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (1 hour later)
Thank you very much for your answer....it says that the best dose for anxiety on celexa is 20 mg. I've been at 10 mg for 6 days. Should i go up to 20mg? Im scared that if i wait, i'll have the same side effects (nausea, shaky legs, lethargy). Thnak yoj
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You need to wait

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX,
Thanks for reverting back to me.

I understand your concern but it is advisable to wait for at least two weeks before moving to higher dose. There is nothing like best dose for anxiety, the effective dose is 10-40 mg and any dose can be effective for you.

There is likely that if you go so fast side effect profile may be troublesome but with slow progression there is reduced risk of adverse effects.

The nausea, shaky legs will be taken care by low dose of Klonopin that you are receiving currently.

Other than focusing on medication dose you need to take care of healthy life style with nutritious diet and adequate exercise. They work as wonders in preventing many of their side effects.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help".
Thanks and Regards
Dr Ashok
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3350 Questions

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What Causes Panic Attacks, Suicidal Thoughts And Shivering Of Legs After Cipralex Usage?

Brief Answer: Response to celexa varies Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXX, Thanks for using health care magic. I have keenly read your query and found that this is really surprising that you developed a side effect within four days of time with a drug which never caused similar side effect for a duration of four years with four times of the current dose. I am trying to make out the reason for such development with Cipralex. The first possibility is the occurrence of class effect of SSRI. You might be knowing that all SSRI as a class have tendency to worsen anxiety symptoms during initial course of treatment. The worsening or new development of anxiety once you start SSRI is not a dose related effect and can occur at any dose. The probable reason for why you never had the same adverse effect is that this side effect is idiosyncratic kind of reaction, which mean it can occur today but there is no necessity that it will be repeated on next dose or vise versa. The next possibility is that probably your panic episode is unrelated to Cipralex. It is quite possible that any anxiety disorder while relapsing may have slightly different symptom profile. The current episode may be part of your original illness which was started about four years back. It is premature to say that cipralex not worked second time. The plausible explanation is removal of cipralex on fourth day itself due to intolerable side effects. I guess that if you would have allowed to continue the cipralex it would have worked in similar way as in past, But the development of severe anxiety forced you and your doctor to replace it with celexa. The third possibility is that it was a kind of sleep terror which is one of the common side effects with SSRI including cipralex. At last regarding shakiness after starting I like to inform you that it is kind of transient side effect with all SSRI. It is expected that it will be resolved in two weeks. 'Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help". Thanks