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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by [pram] on August 23, 2005, at 16:48:42
i switched to cymbalta 30mgs (weaning from effexor 300 XR mgs) about 12 weeks ago. i had been taking the effexor in combination with 300 xl mgs wellbutrin and i developed a complete immunity toi the benefits after 3+ years.
my first experience with cymbalta was amazing. i finally found something that seemed to work. i was almost euphoric with hope. i increased up to 60mgs after about 30 days and continued to feel great. i did notice that while my dreams continued in their vivid clarity, the nature of them switched from nightmarish and exhaustive to a more general nature.
i also noticed an incredible challenge each morning in awakening.
now it has been about 12 weeks and it seems the benefits of cymbalta are tapering off and the black grip of depression is settling back in.
i forgot to mention that in addition to the initial 30mg dose of cymbalta, i was also taking 10mg of lexapro, which has since been increased to 20mgs. frankly the lexapro seems somewhat placebo-like. take it or leave it.
i have struggled with depression for most of my life, however i was only officially diagnosed during a particulalry bad depressive episode that resulted in hospitalization. my DX is PTSD and MDD.
i am 43, male and sick and tired of this sh*t. i just want to be normal. i only want to have a fighting chance.
i experienced a completely new feeling when first taking the cymbalta. i experienced stability, hope, some degree of well being. something i have never had in my life.
it only lasted for a few weeks.
i even called eli lilly and asked about their clinical trials. which, apparently only lasted up to 9 weeks. so, my case is out of scope with their trial period.
anyone else been on cymbalta this long? still working?
i did try to go up to 90mgs, even though there is concise statment on cymbalta's web site stating the lack of efficacy at dosages above 60mgs. didn't help at all.
Posted by Colleen D. on August 23, 2005, at 20:15:45
In reply to cymbalta - 12+weeks, posted by [pram] on August 23, 2005, at 16:48:42
I went from Effexor 225mg to Cymbalta 30 then 60mg for 8 weeks. I, like you, felt certain in the beginning that Cymbalta was really helping, but by the end of the 8 week period I was depressed and exhausted. I went back to Effexor 150mg and it helps about 75% for my depression. I don't really want to go any higher at this point even though I'm not getting the wonderful activating effects that I experienced when I first started taking it. I decided to add Remeron, and have been taking it along with the Effexor for about a week, along with Klonopin and doxepin at bedtime. I haven't noticed much of a difference yet with the augmentation of Remeron, but I have alway seen a huge increase in my appetite which I really don't need. I am also looking for something to bring my depression into remission at least to 90%. My next trial will be adding another TCA if I don't get any better. I'm still tempted to increase the Effexor despite the known discontinuation symptoms which thank God I didn't have when making the switch to Cymbalta. I wish I could get back that inital "charge" I got from the Effexor.
In practically the same boat as you,
Colleen
MDD, OCD, GAD and SP
Posted by 4WD on August 25, 2005, at 18:21:25
In reply to Re: cymbalta - 12+weeks » [pram], posted by Colleen D. on August 23, 2005, at 20:15:45
> I went from Effexor 225mg to Cymbalta 30 then 60mg for 8 weeks. I, like you, felt certain in the beginning that Cymbalta was really helping, but by the end of the 8 week period I was depressed and exhausted. I went back to Effexor 150mg and it helps about 75% for my depression. I don't really want to go any higher at this point even though I'm not getting the wonderful activating effects that I experienced when I first started taking it. I decided to add Remeron, and have been taking it along with the Effexor for about a week, along with Klonopin and doxepin at bedtime. I haven't noticed much of a difference yet with the augmentation of Remeron, but I have alway seen a huge increase in my appetite which I really don't need. I am also looking for something to bring my depression into remission at least to 90%. My next trial will be adding another TCA if I don't get any better. I'm still tempted to increase the Effexor despite the known discontinuation symptoms which thank God I didn't have when making the switch to Cymbalta. I wish I could get back that inital "charge" I got from the Effexor.
>
> In practically the same boat as you,
> Colleen
> MDD, OCD, GAD and SPHi Colleen,
How much Remeron did you add? Did it knock you out at night? Any side effects other than the extra hunger?
Marsha
Posted by Colleen D. on August 25, 2005, at 20:20:17
In reply to Re: cymbalta - 12+weeks, posted by 4WD on August 25, 2005, at 18:21:25
> Hi Colleen,
>
> How much Remeron did you add? Did it knock you out at night? Any side effects other than the extra hunger?
>
> MarshaHi Marsha!
I added 30mg of Remeron. Yes; out like a light at night approx. 45 minutes after taking it, but no other side effects except extreme hunger.
Colleen
Posted by 4WD on August 25, 2005, at 22:43:43
In reply to Re: cymbalta - 12+weeks » 4WD, posted by Colleen D. on August 25, 2005, at 20:20:17
> > Hi Colleen,
> >
> > How much Remeron did you add? Did it knock you out at night? Any side effects other than the extra hunger?
> >
> > Marsha
>
> Hi Marsha!
>
> I added 30mg of Remeron. Yes; out like a light at night approx. 45 minutes after taking it, but no other side effects except extreme hunger.
>
> Colleen
>
>
Thanks, Colleen. My pdoc is suggesting I add Remeron to my Celexa since I still have anxiety and pretty strong dysthymia on just Celexa. I've been scared to add it, though because of the hunger/weight gain issue (I'm bulimic, in remission and scared I'd become actively bulimic again with too much hunger). It might be better to be a non depressed bulimic than a depressed and scared normal eater. What a choice...Marsha
Posted by Racer on August 26, 2005, at 13:45:29
In reply to cymbalta - 12+weeks, posted by [pram] on August 23, 2005, at 16:48:42
I've been on it for about a year now, and it's been somewhat effective for me. (Effexor was only partially effective for me, and totally konked out after about two and a half years, by the way.)
If I were to guess, based solely on my own experience -- and your mileage will vary -- I'd wonder if the Lexapro was doing this, rather than the Cymbalta. At 5mg, Lexapro was doing nearly nothing for me. At 10mg, though, I couldn't be bothered to talk, move, think, etc. Just wanted to crawl into a hole and die. I had never experienced anything like that before. You might want to try another SSRI to see if that helps...
Good luck.
Posted by [pram] on August 26, 2005, at 15:15:28
In reply to Re: cymbalta - 12+weeks » [pram], posted by Racer on August 26, 2005, at 13:45:29
> I've been on it for about a year now, and it's been somewhat effective for me. (Effexor was only partially effective for me, and totally konked out after about two and a half years, by the way.)
>
> If I were to guess, based solely on my own experience -- and your mileage will vary -- I'd wonder if the Lexapro was doing this, rather than the Cymbalta. At 5mg, Lexapro was doing nearly nothing for me. At 10mg, though, I couldn't be bothered to talk, move, think, etc. Just wanted to crawl into a hole and die. I had never experienced anything like that before. You might want to try another SSRI to see if that helps...
>
> Good luck.thinking back, and realizing that when i increased my lexapro to 20mg seemed to coincide with the downturn and return of depression, i tapered to 10mg yesterday, i felt more energetic, not nearly as depressed and definitely not the morose and suicidal thoughts. so today, i took no lexapro at all and feel much better.
just now reading your comment certainly confirms my suspcions. thanks.
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