Posted by llrrrpp on August 16, 2006, at 8:05:32
In reply to Re: What is the Current Buzz on Cymbalta?????? » Phillipa, posted by Racer on August 16, 2006, at 4:34:44
I was actually really anxious when I started taking cymbalta. I think the noradrenergic effects may be slightly activating for some people (i.e. increase their heart rate or sweat and muscle tension). This was my impression. And then I notice these side effects and get more scared and worried, and don't know who to talk to, etc etc (I think this is the time when I first discovered p-babble).
I actually wrote my pdoc a panicked email at 3 in the morning that i couldn't sleep and I was feeling incredibly anxious.
I interpreted this as a side effect of the medicine. In contrast, pdoc and T interpreted this as my reaction to having never taken psychmeds before, and being really nervous about what to expect. After that little lesson, I tried to relax a bit, and just take it easy, and what do you know? The anxiety got better.
I did end up getting a scrpt for seroquel to help me sleep better. To this day cymbalta is still slightly activating, so I may be atypical in this regard. The anxiolytic effects are subtle and may take weeks to build up. I don't think cymbalta could ever take the place of a betablocker (inderal, propanolol) for the peripheral effects (clammy hands, shaking, ragged fast breathing and hard beat) of acute anxiety- I get really bad stage fright, for example. I'v never taken any benzo drugs, so I don't know about those.
-ll
poster:llrrrpp
thread:676602
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060810/msgs/677005.html