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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Colleen D. on November 18, 2004, at 15:39:38
and did you have any problems??? My pdoc told me to go from 150mg Effexor to 75mg Effexor for 3 days and then take 75mg Effexor every other day for 3 days and then start at 20mg of Cymbalta for a week and then step up to 40mg the next week. Any experiences or suggestions? I also take .5mg of Klonopin twice a day and 25mg of Doxepin to help me with insomnia/racing thoughts at night.
Thanks for any wisdom you can share!!!
Oh, also is it best to take the Cymbalta in the morning or at night?
Colleen
PPD, GAD and OCD
Posted by JohnM4402 on November 18, 2004, at 17:12:08
In reply to How did you switch from Effexor to Cymbalta..., posted by Colleen D. on November 18, 2004, at 15:39:38
> and did you have any problems??? My pdoc told me to go from 150mg Effexor to 75mg Effexor for 3 days and then take 75mg Effexor every other day for 3 days and then start at 20mg of Cymbalta for a week and then step up to 40mg the next week. Any experiences or suggestions? I also take .5mg of Klonopin twice a day and 25mg of Doxepin to help me with insomnia/racing thoughts at night.
>
> Thanks for any wisdom you can share!!!
>
> Oh, also is it best to take the Cymbalta in the morning or at night?
>
> Colleen
> PPD, GAD and OCD
>
>I was on 300mg of Effexor and was changed to 225mg when I started on Cymbalta at 30mg.
Posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 5:47:00
In reply to How did you switch from Effexor to Cymbalta..., posted by Colleen D. on November 18, 2004, at 15:39:38
Hi, I was on 150mg of Effexor Xr. My p-doc had me take 30mg of Cymbalta at night, and half the Effexor dose (75mg) for one week. I just started the second week at 60mg of Cymbalta, and 37.5mg of Effexor. The anxiety is unpleasant, but the Cymbalta is already working for me, so I'm sticking with it.
I'm also on 300mg Wellbutrin XL, Ambien 10mg for sleep, and .5mg Xanax for the anxiety.
I'm pretty hopeful!
Posted by Colleen D. on November 19, 2004, at 6:51:53
In reply to Re: How did you switch from Effexor to Cymbalta..., posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 5:47:00
Hi PC!
It makes more sense to me to switch the way your doc instructed you to do it. I don't think I should go any days with zero Effexor or Cymbalta. Do I take this into my own hands to avoid any possible discontinuation problems? Hmmmm.
Thanks lots!
Colleen
> Hi, I was on 150mg of Effexor Xr. My p-doc had me take 30mg of Cymbalta at night, and half the Effexor dose (75mg) for one week. I just started the second week at 60mg of Cymbalta, and 37.5mg of Effexor. The anxiety is unpleasant, but the Cymbalta is already working for me, so I'm sticking with it.
> I'm also on 300mg Wellbutrin XL, Ambien 10mg for sleep, and .5mg Xanax for the anxiety.
> I'm pretty hopeful!
Posted by Colleen D. on November 19, 2004, at 6:54:14
In reply to Re: How did you switch from Effexor to Cymbalta... » Colleen D., posted by JohnM4402 on November 18, 2004, at 17:12:08
Thanks John!If it isn't a problem to take the two together, I may switch over my own way so I don't go any days without meds. I appreciate your response!
Colleen
> > and did you have any problems??? My pdoc told me to go from 150mg Effexor to 75mg Effexor for 3 days and then take 75mg Effexor every other day for 3 days and then start at 20mg of Cymbalta for a week and then step up to 40mg the next week. Any experiences or suggestions? I also take .5mg of Klonopin twice a day and 25mg of Doxepin to help me with insomnia/racing thoughts at night.
> >
> > Thanks for any wisdom you can share!!!
> >
> > Oh, also is it best to take the Cymbalta in the morning or at night?
> >
> > Colleen
> > PPD, GAD and OCD
> >
> >
>
> I was on 300mg of Effexor and was changed to 225mg when I started on Cymbalta at 30mg.
>
>
Posted by Colleen D. on November 19, 2004, at 7:00:59
In reply to Re: How did you switch from Effexor to Cymbalta..., posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 5:47:00
Posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 7:12:07
In reply to Re: How did you switch from Effexor to Cymbalta..., posted by Colleen D. on November 19, 2004, at 6:51:53
The way my doctor explained it to me was that because Cymbalta is a derivative (I think??) of Effexor, it doesn't conflict with it. She cautioned me about the serintonin discontinuation syndrome when tapering the effexor, and I may take it even slower than I am to lessen the feelings of anxiety, but I'll continue to ramp up on the Cymbalta.
She gave me a 2-week supply so I'll go in then and report how I'm doing.
Frankly I am such a wimp med-wise that I don't change any of my dosages without checking with her first. I don't have that many brain cells to spare these days.... I guess I'd call and check if it was me. And I forget if you're seeing a p-doc or a regular GP? That might make a difference in how familiar the doc is with the two meds.
Posted by Colleen D. on November 19, 2004, at 15:21:17
In reply to Re: How did you switch from Effexor to Cymbalta... » Colleen D., posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 7:12:07
It's a semi-humorous situation. I see 3 different pdocs where I get services and I met this one for the first time yesterday, but I'd actually known him from another town where I had worked and lived. He was my GP who only really did my annual exams and now he's my pdoc...checking out a different body part!!! LOL. Anyway, I have decided not to quit Effexor complelety before starting the Cymbalta. I think I'll take the first 20mg dose at bedtime tonight since I take the Effexor in the morning and continue this regimen for a week (or more) before I stop the Effexor. When I stop the Effexor I'll go up to 40mg of the Cymbalta.
Sound like a good plan??? I have the Klonopin for anxiety, so that should help some.
Thanks!
Colleen
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