![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by invisibleman15010 on August 15, 2006, at 7:05:48
Good Morning,
As I get ready to go back into the head doctor and ask for a change, well I asked already in a letter, my current lexapro, wellbutrin,remeron is doing zippo....I have asked for ECT and then possibly going back to Effexor XR, which I had some luck with, or Cymbalta. I was on Cymbalta for
only a few weeks, I had to change head drs because of insurance and the new one, a real jerk,
took me off the Cymbalta, was rude, so I blew out the door and up to the admin. office and filed a complaint. I could not believe the calls that I got from the clinic director and even an apology from the Dr.. Anyway, before I finalize what I ask for, ECT and ??, has anyone had or heard of anyone having luck with Cymbalta. I know this time last year it was the big buzz on the net. People even asking what pharmacy had it, they were willing to drive. So now it is a year passed, more or less since the release and I don't see much on the board. Any help out there.
My Mother who is in her 70's started it and has had no problem. She was put on it for mild depression and more for severe pain from arthritis and something else pain related. She does not tolerate meds well and this has not bothered her.
Thanks,
E
Posted by dmlvt on August 15, 2006, at 8:14:26
In reply to What is the Current Buzz on Cymbalta??????, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 15, 2006, at 7:05:48
Cymbalta has worked very well for me. I did have some sexual side effects, but added some Wellbutrin to overcome that problem. I've been quite pleased with Cymbalta overall, but many others here have not been so happy.
The other downside was intense sweating for the first two months or so. I was taking it with Ritalin in the morning and I was sweating a lot for a few hours after I took the meds.
The manufacturer submitted a request to have Cymbalta approved as a GAD treatment as well. I wonder if I should go up to 60mg (I've been on either 20 or 40 so far) and see if I could get rid of Ativan at that higher Cymbalta dosage.
dml
Posted by llrrrpp on August 15, 2006, at 8:24:10
In reply to Re: What is the Current Buzz on Cymbalta??????, posted by dmlvt on August 15, 2006, at 8:14:26
I had severe depression this spring. I'd never been treated for any psych disorder before. I spent 1 week on 30 mg, 4 weeks on 60 mg and have been on 90 mg for about 8? weeks now. I also have been taking 25 mg of seroquel to help me sleep at night.
Side effects were noticeable, but tolerable- including some increased sweating, a little dizziness and loopiness especially in the am. some very mild nausea and tummyache. When I went to 90 mg, I was quite fatigued, and it wasn't getting better after 3 weeks, so I added provigil 200 mg in the am.
AD response was moderate at 60 mg and noticeably better at 90 mg. With the addition of provigil, I feel really good. I have noticed that my anxiety is much better too. I was terrified to ride my bike around town for a while, and to drive a car. I haven't had any problems with that in a while. My depression symptoms are much resolved.
hope this helps, best of luck to you.
Posted by Phillipa on August 15, 2006, at 11:17:16
In reply to Re: What is the Current Buzz on Cymbalta??????, posted by dmlvt on August 15, 2006, at 8:14:26
When it gave me horrible anxiety? Love Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on August 15, 2006, at 13:26:52
In reply to What is the Current Buzz on Cymbalta??????, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 15, 2006, at 7:05:48
> Good Morning,
> As I get ready to go back into the head doctor and ask for a change, well I asked already in a letter, my current lexapro, wellbutrin,remeron is doing zippo....I have asked for ECT and then possibly going back to Effexor XR, which I had some luck with, or Cymbalta. I was on Cymbalta for
> only a few weeks, I had to change head drs because of insurance and the new one, a real jerk,
> took me off the Cymbalta, was rude, so I blew out the door and up to the admin. office and filed a complaint. I could not believe the calls that I got from the clinic director and even an apology from the Dr.. Anyway, before I finalize what I ask for, ECT and ??, has anyone had or heard of anyone having luck with Cymbalta. I know this time last year it was the big buzz on the net. People even asking what pharmacy had it, they were willing to drive. So now it is a year passed, more or less since the release and I don't see much on the board. Any help out there.
> My Mother who is in her 70's started it and has had no problem. She was put on it for mild depression and more for severe pain from arthritis and something else pain related. She does not tolerate meds well and this has not bothered her.
> Thanks,
> EI'm sorry you got into a scuffle with your previous doctor -- insurance is such a patchwork wreck here (I'm assuming the US).
I'm not going to ask you to rephrase how you feel about things, but wouldn't it be more positive to yourself to consider the new person a psychiatrist? Head doctor sounds so self-pejorative. Anyhow.. that was intended as a conversation thought. :) I would consider various classes of medication still before ECT, but that is up to you and your doctor.
Cymbalta varies wildly for people and Effexor somewhat too -- I can't, at least at the time any way when I took it, stand Effexor at all. It seemed unrefined, and about a dozen cups of coffee. Eventually led to taking Ambien and dumping the medication.
For myself, Cymbalta eventually led to a one-day epiphany or something at 80mg, which indicated that there is some, but not complete indication of it even beyond 60mg. I think it is one of those medications that has a long delayed reaction of result to it, and there have been definite breakthrough depression periods when it hasn't been as successful.No antidepressant will perform well all the time. I'm now at 120mg.. its hard to say its any different than it was at 80, but so far (perhaps masked by a fair amount of benzodiazepines) I have felt nothing different than I have on any other antidepressant that has some limited action on serotonin -- if I excercise heavily or at random times, I may get a slight jolt looking to the left or right, but its nothing that hasn't been heard of.
Others I've heard cannot stand even 20mg of Cymbalta and are breaking open the capsules (!) and counting the individual enteric pulsules inside them. If you get to this stage, and you have to count them -- do NOT chew the enteric contents -- you will get an immediate rush of Cymbalta which is supposed to be time released.
So that's my summary from my point and from what I've read so far here.- J
Posted by dmlvt on August 15, 2006, at 13:42:15
In reply to Re: What is the Current Buzz on Cymbalta?????? » dmlvt, posted by Phillipa on August 15, 2006, at 11:17:16
Here is a link to the press release related to Cymbalta and GAD:
Posted by Phillipa on August 15, 2006, at 20:44:32
In reply to Re: What is the Current Buzz on Cymbalta?????? » Phillipa, posted by dmlvt on August 15, 2006, at 13:42:15
Why then did it make me so anxious the second time? Love Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on August 16, 2006, at 4:04:37
In reply to Re: What is the Current Buzz on Cymbalta?????? » dmlvt, posted by Phillipa on August 15, 2006, at 20:44:32
> Why then did it make me so anxious the second time? Love Phillipa
If I may jump in, if you read any literature about side effects maybe that influenced your true effects to it, but I would say that those of us who suffer from what are considered "mental illnesses" are really largely suffering from biochemical differences in our brain chemistry. And these are often lifelong affairs, so maybe the second time, neurologically, your brain was in a slightly different place.
Also I dont recall if you took Cymbalta alone or with a benzodiazepine to take an "edge" off of it, how long you had been taking the Valium and whether it was in concerto all the time with the previous and the second attempt.
Just a thought
-- Jay
Posted by Racer on August 16, 2006, at 4:34:44
In reply to Re: What is the Current Buzz on Cymbalta?????? » dmlvt, posted by Phillipa on August 15, 2006, at 20:44:32
> Why then did it make me so anxious the second time? Love Phillipa
I'd bet a donut -- I'd have to eat one if I lose ;-} -- that you got anxious the second time because you thought it was "stronger" than you did the first time. If you go back and read your posts about it before you started, you were already very anxious about side effects. What you expect can influence what you experience.
I'm pretty sure I wrote that to you at the time, too. I guess I'm just sticking with that opinion...
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
Posted by invisibleman15010 on August 16, 2006, at 8:39:32
In reply to Re: What is the Current Buzz on Cymbalta?????? » Racer, posted by llrrrpp on August 16, 2006, at 8:05:32
Thanks for all of the feedback. I would like to add I definately think that there is a benefit to being able to take a benzo with some of these meds. that in themselves add to the anxiety that some of us already have. I think the fear of the use of benzos for most of us is far over rated.
e
Posted by Phillipa on August 16, 2006, at 19:57:38
In reply to Re: What is the Current Buzz on Cymbalta?????? » Phillipa, posted by Racer on August 16, 2006, at 4:34:44
Racer you may be right. But I think it had more to do with it being a new pdoc and me not liking me right off the bat. l0minutes first visit. Writes a script to take 30mg one week, 60mg one week, 90mg one week, then l20mg. I said to him that the manufacturer says nothing above 60 is more effective. He just shugged his shoulders and wouldn't even discuss it. Oh I ditched him and am driving 5hours to my old pdoc who I trust. Love Phillipa That was after several others strange combos he came up with. I'm trying to ditch the luvox and try EMSAM like the idea of a patch something I can see. It's taking longer than I wanted to get off the luvox. But she said what's the rush?
Posted by Phillipa on August 16, 2006, at 20:02:59
In reply to Re: What is the Current Buzz on Cymbalta?????? » Racer, posted by llrrrpp on August 16, 2006, at 8:05:32
Lupsie you are lucky you missed the benzo rage. I wish I had. Love Phillipa
Posted by llrrrpp on August 16, 2006, at 22:35:02
In reply to Re: What is the Current Buzz on Cymbalta?????? » llrrrpp, posted by Phillipa on August 16, 2006, at 20:02:59
My pdoc is not opposed to using benzos, but he doesn't think that it's the right thing for me and my type of anxiety.
-ll
Posted by Phillipa on August 16, 2006, at 22:50:02
In reply to Re: What is the Current Buzz on Cymbalta?????? » Phillipa, posted by llrrrpp on August 16, 2006, at 22:35:02
Lurpsie as long as it's working hallaleulia!!!!!Love Phillipa
Posted by antigua on August 21, 2006, at 13:05:01
In reply to What is the Current Buzz on Cymbalta??????, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 15, 2006, at 7:05:48
I was on 225mg of Effexor when it quit working so my pdoc moved me over to Cymbalta. Started at 20, and now, yes, I'm on 100mg. I like Cymbalta much better because I'm able to feel again--I didn't feel on Effexor. I have Klonopin too, which helps with the anxiety the Cymbalta causes.
I probably will be pushed to something else when the Cymbalta maxes out--but I have noticed a difference at the higher level.
good luck,
antigua
Posted by invisibleman15010 on August 21, 2006, at 16:16:19
In reply to Re: What is the Current Buzz on Cymbalta??????, posted by antigua on August 21, 2006, at 13:05:01
Thanks for your info.....seems like a toss up to me....I know my doc. will allow the ECT, and probably let me choose my med, as he has in the past.......I just about am sure he won't go for any of the alternatives,(St. Johns Wort, etc.) which I would like to give a shot, before going back on Effexor or trying Cymbalta......ah why is this so hard......
There is a jazz/funk ballad called "Happiness is just around the Bend"........Is it? I don't remember what is feels like......
E
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.