I was put on celexa fro fibromyalgia pain, But it is an antidepressant and was wondering if it is used for fibromyalgi
a pain or for other pain?
Is celexa also used for fibromyalgia pain?
Question posted by ladystargazer816 on 14 Nov 2012
Last updated on 21 March 2018
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7 Answers
Brantasaurus
10 Dec 2016
Pain and anxiety/depression share the same spot in the brain. It's like two rubberbands, one pain, one anxiety, and they are bunched and twisted into a ball. When you feel depression/anxiety, those neural pathways get stimulated but since they share some of the same pathways, and are so close, you may also feel pain. Therefore, in theory, if you calm down one, you calm down the other.
I have chronic pelvic pain syndrome or pudendal neuralgia. I tried cymbalta last spring for 4 months and it was ok, but I gained 20 lbs, and it wasn't slowing down, so I quit it because I cannot be overweight due to genetic disposition for heart disease.
I went all summer without any drugs, felt better, but still have enough pain to cause misery sometimes, so I'm trying celexa (citelapram). I started it three weeks ago, and I can tell you for me, the start up side effects of celexa are much more intense than cymbalta. I've feel like crap for 2.5 weeks now - bad spinal pain, headache, just feeling generally really yucky. My pelvic pain has been flaring more too. I'm going to give it another week to let the good effect kick in. I feel like if I can use this drug to turn the pain off for 4 to 6 months, my brain will forget the anxiety/pain connection, and I can hopefully taper off and most, or all of my pain will be gone.
Good luck to anyone trying it.
TONYFED
22 Jan 2015
Listen, I've been on Lexapro and later Citalopram (insurance company wanted the cheaper brand vs Lexapro) for FIBROMYALGIA. Was diagnosed in 2005. It wiped out the pain 100%. I take Citalopram 20 mg tablet daily with a trazadone tablet 25 mg. I take both at night. It's all about the serotonin, people. I didn't have enough in my system; plus, I wasn't getting deep sleep. If this can help one person, I've done my job. It saved my life. I'm 53 now, and still working. Good luck.
jacobsnana
13 March 2015
I was put on celexa but am scared to take it. What kind of side effects does it have? I only take supplements for my fibro. But the Dr said I wasn't producing enough serotonin. Thank you.
TONYFED
17 March 2015
jacobsnana: okay, side effects. There are no side effects greater, repeat, GREATER than the pain you are experiencing. My fibro was diagnozed by a doctor in 2005; he suggested Lexapro (since changed to Citalapram/Celexa). I fought his suggestion at first since it was an anti-depressant, and I wasn't one bit depressed (scared, yes). I gave in a week later. Best move ever. Side effects include sometimes a little less desire for sex, a few days of a slight foggy condition that passes, and that was it for me. Good luck, you can always stop if you don't like it
jacobsnana
17 March 2015
Oh thank you so very much! I'm gonna give it a shot I suppose.
jacobsnana
17 March 2015
Thank you for responding. That was sweet of you.
Yolz
29 April 2017
Hi Tony, I know you commented years ago, but I found this and would like to know which drug was it that made you feel 100%.? The Lexapro or Citalopram? Thanks
TONYFED
29 April 2017
YOLZ: I hope this reaches you. I'd love to help here. I took LEXAPRO 10 mgs from 2005 to about 2011. Worked PERFECTLY!!! This dosage can go up to 40 mgs daily. In my opinion, it is the Cadillac car of these drugs. Then, the new insurance got involved in 2011. I was put on the cheaper CITALOPRAM. But... at 20 mg dosage pill (double what Lexapro was) it has worked GREAT! No side effects. BUT YOU MUST HAVE A SLEEP AGENT used with this drug. For me, it is a very simple TRAZADONE 25 mg dosage nightly. To defeat Fibroymyalgia, you need both. The sleep is a MUST!!! And don't take 1/2 a dosage of Citalopram like I did at first; the pain will creep back after a month. There you go. Citalopram, according to the pharmacist, is a "mirror" image of Lexapro, only you need 20 mgs instead of 10 mgs. God bless, now go win this battle!!!
Reglyn
22 March 2018
I also take celexa for fibro. As of last week, I feel wonderful! It has helped me so much. I'm 52 and work as a correctional officer and need to walk all day even up and down stairs. Its amazing.
Mackee
19 Nov 2012
I have FMS & cannot take SNRI-type antidepressants due to an extremely negative reaction I had when I tried EffexorXR & had to be rapidly detoxed off it in a hospital setting. Thus, I cannot take Savella or Cymbalta, etc.
I have been on both Celexa & Lexapro at different times & although Lexapro is far pricier than Celexa, I personally find it far superior to Celexa as well. I've been on it for years now for Seasonal Affective Disorder/Anxiety and find it does help vastly with my general outlook, etc., even when I do flare up! Best of luck :)
TONYFED
22 Jan 2015
Lexapro is the cadillac compared to Celexa/Citalopram, but both will do the job. Lexapro with a 10 mg pill = Celexa/Citalopram 20 mg pill.
Inactive
16 Nov 2012
Hello ladystargazer816,
Celexa for Pain
According to the Mayo Clinic, antidepressants may be helpful in reducing fibromyalgia pain. It may also promote sleep and reduce fatigue. This medication works by increasing serotonin in the brain, which appears to minimize pain in patients.
Source: Mayo Clinic.
Take care,
Yolz
29 April 2017
I read it gives you energy so do I take it at night or morning... As u mentioned it helps with sleep so I am confused.
Inactive
15 Nov 2012
I read many fibromyalgia web sites, and I just read a huge survey of almost 1000 fibro patients on what medications they use. Celexa is not on that survey at all. Sometimes doctors feel that if you are in pain, then you need an antidepressant. Two reasons, one, people in pain are depressed about the pain, and two, the serotonin is thought to help with pain.
Inactive
15 Nov 2012
I heard you the first time! ha ha!
Inactive
15 Nov 2012
:P
Inactive
14 Nov 2012
Hello ladystargazer816. I agree with pedge on this answer. I have fibromyalgia, & have not heard of celexa used for it. Antidepressants are prescribed for fibromyalgia, but mostly cymbalta, savella, & amitriptyline. There may even be a few others. Have you been diagnosed with fibro & is this the treatment you doctor reccomends? Just curious...
Inactive
14 Nov 2012
Sorry for the typo. It was I agree with pledge... Mary
Inactive
14 Nov 2012
Hello ladystargazer816. If your doctor perscribed you Celexa , then she/he feels it might help. Its not commonly perscribed for Fibromyalgia. It is perscribed of label for the treatment of Libido, in the treatment of OCD as well as various eating disorders. Regards pledge
ladystargazer816
14 Nov 2012
thank you
Inactive
14 Nov 2012
You are welcome and have a great day.
Inactive
15 Nov 2012
Hey P, how's the weather?
Inactive
15 Nov 2012
Good thursday morning E. It rained here during the night. The first porecipitation for us in almost 6 weeks. About time. Super storm Sandy gave us blue sky and a bit of wind. And not a drop of rain. Nada! :-0) I hope you are doing well/
Inactive
15 Nov 2012
Aren't you cold??? I'm FREEZING!! Love the word,BTW< porecipitation, I'll have to remember it!!
Inactive
16 Nov 2012
It is cool but after a long summer, I love it some ways :-0) Glad you like the latest precipitation.
Related topics
celexa, pain, fibromyalgia, antidepressant
Further information
- Celexa uses and safety info
- Celexa prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Celexa (detailed)
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