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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by wacky on October 20, 2006, at 16:43:55
I started Cymbalta two weeks ago and am tapering off Effexor. The Cymbalta is up to 60mg and tomorrow I drop the Effexor to 75 mg. I have noticed in the past week or so that I have a small annoying headache. I've never been prone to headaches so I'm wondering if it's the Cymbalta.
Anyone with that experience with this drug?
Thanks.
Posted by ClearSkies on October 20, 2006, at 18:44:55
In reply to CYMBALTA QUESTION, posted by wacky on October 20, 2006, at 16:42:12
Hi, I did the same medication switch, from Effexor to Cymbalta. I experienced headaches (pretty nasty ones) for the first few weeks on Cymbalta.
I've been on it for a year and a half, with Lamictal for mood stabilization.ClearSkies
Posted by Phillipa on October 21, 2006, at 10:09:44
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA QUESTION » wacky, posted by ClearSkies on October 20, 2006, at 18:44:55
I took cybalta but no headaches. No pain anywhere. That's all it did for me. Love Phillipa
Posted by Lindenblüte on October 25, 2006, at 8:22:51
In reply to CYMBALTA QUESTION, posted by wacky on October 20, 2006, at 16:42:12
I think I had a headache everytime I increased my dosage. It would come and go, kind of strange. Ibuprofen helps. Make sure you have your regular dose of caffeine, or consider adding a bit, if you don't imbibe any right now :)
(I'm at a cafe- gonna get my 2nd cup now!)
I went from 0-30-60 in about 1 month, then 90 2 months later.
After a week or so of regular doses your headaches should start to fade.
-Li
Posted by stargazer on October 27, 2006, at 10:45:21
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA QUESTION, posted by Lindenblüte on October 25, 2006, at 8:22:51
Hi,
I haven't posted in awhile but since I just started Cymbalta, I'll throw my two cents in.
I started on 30 mg last Tues, took for 3 days.
Felt tired and dizzy, no motivation whatsoever.On 4th day went to 60 mg, dizziness increased.
I'm probably on the 6th day of 60 mg but I feel terrible.Besides the dizziness...I have not left my house for more than an hour a few days ago to walk the dog, which I used to do daily. I haven't had an appetite yet I will force myself to eat a little during the day.
Yesterday I had a major headache which would not go away. I stayed in bed on and off all day, took Tylenol and got some relief.
My biggest fear is the apathy and loss of life that has overwhelmed me. I am terrified how unemotional I am, how fearful things seem to me, the thought of working again terrifies me because I feel so useless and pathetic with this depression.
Before starting Cymbalta, I was sad tearful, all of that but right now, there are no emotions except fear of living. My life seems totally DEAD, at a standstill.
I'm waiting on a call back from my doc...perhaps 60 mg is too much. He did suggest adding Seroquel to the Cymbalta at our last appt on Mon.
Even with all of the new meds available, I do not find there is a better, more effective way to treat Depression. It's actually harder with the increase in choice and combo of meds. Never in my life would I have thought I would still be dealing with this after so many years and with so much heartache and loss of life. I am very discouraged this time around.
Stargazer
Posted by Phillipa on October 27, 2006, at 20:23:15
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA QUESTION, posted by Phillipa on October 21, 2006, at 10:09:44
Hi stargazer I empathize with you and feel the same. Don't know how many years for you but 11 for me but two I was working and doing a good job. Love Phillipa
Posted by stargazer on October 28, 2006, at 11:12:47
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA QUESTION » Phillipa, posted by Phillipa on October 27, 2006, at 20:23:15
Phillipa,
Cymbalta Update: Will stay at 30 mg until Mon when I see my doc...60 mg was too much with headache,anorexia and apathy...he may add seroquel then...I fell down the stairs last night on way to bed, no broken bones thank God
I have a great fear of not being able to work again esp since I'm turning 50 and I feel that my whole work life has been dissapponting and I never feel like I had a job I was successful at.
I'm struggling with alot of things right now, depression mainly, but also deciding about what to do with myself.
I have a real problem with staying with jobs and I get overwhelmed easily. As I get older this seems to be more of a problem, where my capacity to put up with things has diminished.
And the job field is more stressful today than it was 10 years ago. Instead of jobs gettingless stressful as you age, they get more stressful and for one with our history it is especially challenging.
I know there are less stressful jobs etc, but then you forgo decent salary, benefits, etc.
You do have a knack with emotional support of others, have you ever thought of working on a crisis line? Good luck to you with your struggle.
SG
Posted by Phillipa on October 28, 2006, at 20:20:57
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA QUESTION/for Phillipa, posted by stargazer on October 28, 2006, at 11:12:47
Stargazer that's exactly what I would like to do. Only problem is they are volunteer and we have no income coming in. And I know what you mean about getting older. Babblemail me and maybe if you like we can e-mail? up to you Love Phillipa ps and I used to do it when working on psych as after I forget what time the people who did it went home and we assessed all the patients in the ER and on the floors for admission to our psych unit.
Posted by stargazer on November 1, 2006, at 12:06:44
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA QUESTION/for Phillipa » stargazer, posted by Phillipa on October 28, 2006, at 20:20:57
Phillipa,
I tried to babblemail (how to register?) you but obviously didn't know what I was doing so perhaps another time for this. My current mental state has limited my ability to be in contact with others so if you don't mind for now my focus has to be in a general forum as I am able to contribute. I just started seroquel and started a post for it as a monotherapy.
Unfortunately, TRD (treatment resistent depression) is for life, just like so many chronic illnesses.
Your friend, SG
Posted by Phillipa on November 1, 2006, at 19:26:53
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA QUESTION/for Phillipa, posted by stargazer on November 1, 2006, at 12:06:44
Stargazer that's fine and since my pdoc gave me lots of samples of seroquel to experiment with I can't wait to read your thread. Could seroquel be the answer? Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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