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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Panic Attack After Taking Celexa For Anxiety And Depression?

I HAVE BEEN TAKING CELEXA FOR 6 WEEKS NOW AND WAS OFF WORK DUE TO ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION, i WAS FEELING GOOD AND WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO RETURNING TO WORK.
i WENT BACK TO WORK MY 12 HR NITE SHIFT AT THE HOSPITAL FIGURING i CAN DUE THIS CAUSE i HAVE DONE IT A THOUSAND TIMES BEFORE, i WAS DOING GOOD UNTIL ABOUT 5am. i STARTED TO FEEL PANICKED AND TREMBLING WITH MY HEART POUNDING OUT OF MY CHEST i WAS LITERALLY SCARED TO DEATH. aLL i HAD TO DO WAS BATH A FEW PATIENTS AND EMPTY THEIR DRAINAGES,
wHAT TRIGGERED THIS PANICK ATTACK? tHIS IS ALL NEW FOR ME
i WAS WONDERING WHAT OTHER SHIFT WORKERS DO THAT ARE ON THIS MED TAKE 10MG IN THE am AND THEN 10M IN THE EVENING?
Fri, 28 Aug 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I have read the details provided in query and I can understand your concern. Celexa is Citalopram and the drug is a SSRI drug. The drug helps to control anxiety by causing change at receptor levels but in events of acute anxiety the drug is not useful. You joined the work after six weeks and then started the nights duties from very first day. Lack of sleep due to night duty after break has probably resulted in increased stress and this precipitated the panic attacks. The symptoms like trembling, pounding heart, feelings like you will die etc were due to panic precipitated by stress. In my opinion you should take the drug in evening hours till you have night duties. This will help to maintain the normal functioning. Consult your doctor and ask for any drug that can help to treat acute panic attacks. Medicines like low dose benzodiazepines like Lorazepam, Etizolam etc can be used. Keep these medicines in reserve and take them on SOS basis if needed. Please consult your psychiatrist before making any change in prescription.

Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care

Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi,
Psychiatrist.
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What Causes Panic Attack After Taking Celexa For Anxiety And Depression?

Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I have read the details provided in query and I can understand your concern. Celexa is Citalopram and the drug is a SSRI drug. The drug helps to control anxiety by causing change at receptor levels but in events of acute anxiety the drug is not useful. You joined the work after six weeks and then started the nights duties from very first day. Lack of sleep due to night duty after break has probably resulted in increased stress and this precipitated the panic attacks. The symptoms like trembling, pounding heart, feelings like you will die etc were due to panic precipitated by stress. In my opinion you should take the drug in evening hours till you have night duties. This will help to maintain the normal functioning. Consult your doctor and ask for any drug that can help to treat acute panic attacks. Medicines like low dose benzodiazepines like Lorazepam, Etizolam etc can be used. Keep these medicines in reserve and take them on SOS basis if needed. Please consult your psychiatrist before making any change in prescription. Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, Psychiatrist.