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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jessers11581 on April 14, 2005, at 14:21:27
All I can say is: WOW. I went straight from 20 mg. Lexapro to 30 mg. Cymbalta four days ago. Since the very next day after taking my first Cymbalta dose, I've felt almost entirely better. My anxiety is much lower, my desire to binge on sugar is gone (I've got a decreased appetite in general), my motivation is greatly improved, my thinking is clear, I can concentrate again, and my mood is incredible-- I don't feel impatient or irritable whatsoever. Almost everything that was bothering me with Lexapro is completely gone now!! Is this normal? Should I expect it to last? I've always heard that drugs took a while to kick in, so I can't figure out why I'd be noticing such a dramatic difference already... I'm almost afraid to get my hopes up. But anyway, I'm definitely pleased so far and I hope with all my heart that it lasts.
Posted by TomG on April 14, 2005, at 15:01:51
In reply to is this typical with Cymbalta?, posted by jessers11581 on April 14, 2005, at 14:21:27
Be careful to watch for hypomania. It happened with me within hours to days of taking Prozac.
Posted by jessers11581 on April 14, 2005, at 15:12:16
In reply to Re: is this typical with Cymbalta?, posted by TomG on April 14, 2005, at 15:01:51
> Be careful to watch for hypomania. It happened with me within hours to days of taking Prozac.
What exactly is hypomania? Just curious...
Posted by TomG on April 14, 2005, at 15:51:25
In reply to Re: is this typical with Cymbalta?, posted by jessers11581 on April 14, 2005, at 15:12:16
from here:
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=30745
Hypomania: A condition similar to mania but less severe. The symptoms are similar with elevated mood, increased activity, decreased need for sleep, grandiosity, racing thoughts, and the like. However, hypomanic episodes differ in that they do not cause significant distress or impair one's work, family, or social life in an obvious way while manic episodes do.
Hypomanic people tend to be unusually cheerful, have more than ample energy, and need little sleep. Hypomania is a pleasurable state. It may confer a heightened sense of creativity and power. However, hypomania can subtly impair a person's judgment. Too much confidence can conceal the consequences of decisions.
Hypomania can be difficult to diagnose because it may masquerade as mere happiness. It is important to diagnose hypomania because, as an expression of bipolar disorder, it can cycle into depression and carry an increased risk of suicide.
Posted by partlycloudy on April 14, 2005, at 15:54:29
In reply to Re: is this typical with Cymbalta?, posted by TomG on April 14, 2005, at 15:51:25
Why, this was me just last week. I actually was spouting that my depression was in remission.
HAH!
I'm on 30mg of Cymbalta. I have been crying for 3 hours now, so it would appear that it's not working so well for me. It started out great, though; except I had a headache for a week.
pc
Posted by Minnie-Haha on April 14, 2005, at 17:32:56
In reply to Re: is this typical with Cymbalta?, posted by TomG on April 14, 2005, at 15:51:25
Tom gives good advice and a good synopsis of hypomania. Consider too that you're experiencing a placebo effect. The thing is, unless you have unbearable or life-threatening side effects (like an allergic reaction), or of course hypomania (people who know you well can help you watch for that), try to stick with your Cymbalta trial at least a couple weeks before making a final decision one way or the other. It has been a good med for me, but it took a while to fully kick in.
Posted by Phillipa on April 14, 2005, at 18:50:52
In reply to Re: is this typical with Cymbalta?, posted by Minnie-Haha on April 14, 2005, at 17:32:56
From the posts if it works for you it does so faster than the others. Unfortunately it didn't work for me. i think it's great it's working so well for you. Fondly,Phillipa
Posted by jessers11581 on April 14, 2005, at 20:55:19
In reply to Re: is this typical with Cymbalta? » TomG, posted by partlycloudy on April 14, 2005, at 15:54:29
> Why, this was me just last week. I actually was spouting that my depression was in remission.
> HAH!
> I'm on 30mg of Cymbalta. I have been crying for 3 hours now, so it would appear that it's not working so well for me. It started out great, though; except I had a headache for a week.
> pc
>
When you say it started out great, how do you mean exactly? I'm sorry that you're not doing so well today--what went wrong?
Posted by jessers11581 on April 14, 2005, at 21:07:10
In reply to Re: is this typical with Cymbalta?, posted by jessers11581 on April 14, 2005, at 20:55:19
Well, now I'm kind of nervous. I hope I'm not hypomanic. But I don't feel "over-the-top" happy--just stableized. I feel calm, confident, and motivated instead of anxious, self-conscious, and apathetic. I wouldn't call myself "bubbly"... although I suppose I WAS pretty friendly at work today, whereas I might normally have been impatient and irritable with people. Hmmmm. Has anyone else felt precisely this way only to have it deteriorate back into depression and anxiety? It seems that Partly Cloudy might be having this problem. Man, I hope I don't have to switch meds again. I'm so tired of dealing with them! I'll keep everyone posted. Thanks for your input! <:)
Posted by KayeBaby on April 14, 2005, at 23:23:24
In reply to Re: is this typical with Cymbalta?, posted by jessers11581 on April 14, 2005, at 21:07:10
I had a quick response to cymbalta although not as fast as yours. I felt level and calmer from the beginning at 30 mq then in a couple of weeks the energy and mood elevation kicked in. Not hypomania just happy and awake for a change.
I also had a period of quick to tear up which is unusual for me. It was a very health sign for me because I usually don't stay with an emotion long enough to cry. I was not sad-just feeling.
I've been on the cymbalta for close to 4 months. I am playing with my dosage right now dropping back to 40 from 60mg. I felt rather lazy at 60 and I hate that!!!
Good Luck!
Kaye
Posted by banga on April 15, 2005, at 7:47:14
In reply to Re: is this typical with Cymbalta?, posted by jessers11581 on April 14, 2005, at 20:55:19
Hi,
Remember that when you feel depression and anxiety lift up a bit, it feels so good and such a relief that the fact alone can have you feel elated.
I would not worry too much about hypomania. If you were on Lexapro and it did not push you into hypomania, I highly doubt Cymbalta would....And also, even if you do feel the good effect fading, remember that the general effect of the medication can take 3-6 weeks to kick in. Don't get discouraged!
But it sounds like such a great start!! Good luck!!
Posted by Sabino on April 16, 2005, at 20:21:41
In reply to Re: is this typical with Cymbalta? » jessers11581, posted by banga on April 15, 2005, at 7:47:14
For those that have tried a number of AD's, would you characterize Cymbalta as activating, sedating, or something in the middle?
Say, activating is 10, and sedating is 1, where would you rate Cymbalta?
Thanks in advance...
Posted by Interested on April 17, 2005, at 15:23:45
In reply to Re: is this typical with Cymbalta?, posted by Sabino on April 16, 2005, at 20:21:41
I take 60 mg Cymbalta a day, started on 30 mg about 6 weeks ago, and 3 weeks ago increased to 60 (30 mg in AM and 30 mg im PM). The first week I had an abnormal "high" like taking amphetamines, which I think was the norephenephrine. But that leveled out. The norephenephrine does seem like a mild stimulant, however. I keep a diary, and I haven't been as depressed as I was before. In fact, last week I felt really, really good in a natural way. The way I used to feel as a kid.
So I think it's a good AD, for me, at least. And it doesn't cause weight gain. It does decrease orgasmic response.
Hope that helps.
Posted by lois on April 17, 2005, at 16:19:20
In reply to Re: is this typical with Cymbalta?, posted by Sabino on April 16, 2005, at 20:21:41
> For those that have tried a number of AD's, would you characterize Cymbalta as activating, sedating, or something in the middle?
>
> Say, activating is 10, and sedating is 1, where would you rate Cymbalta?
>
> Thanks in advance...Somewhere inbetween. So far, not sure how well it's working.
Lois
Posted by lois on April 17, 2005, at 16:22:40
In reply to Re: is this typical with Cymbalta?, posted by Sabino on April 16, 2005, at 20:21:41
Whoops!
You wanted a number. About a 6.
Lois
This is the end of the thread.
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