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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Bob on July 18, 2008, at 16:34:32
My sister has had problems with depression much like me, although her illness has not been nearly as severe for the most part. It seems to have taken on a slightly more serious nature lately and she decided to go on Cymbalta last year - her first drug that was anything other than an SSRI.
When she first started taking it, she experienced immediate remission and proclaimed she had never gotten such a great response in her life from an AD. Now, months later, she's gained almost 25lbs (on an original weight of 120) and is starting to experiene significant lethargy, hypersomnia, and some anhedonia. Her doctor gave her Adderall, which I'm sure will do something for her for a little while. I know there's umpteen augmentation strategies out there for preventing poop out, but I don't want to be party to my sister's pharmacological experimentation, thus I'm reluctant to suggest myriad other options. I've had bad experiences on many other meds, and I'm fearful that she could experience the same type things. I'm worried that if she tries to discontinue the Cymbalta, she will experience serious withdrawl. I have olympic style problems coming off the few meds I can actually get on.
I feel sorry for her because with my fifteen+ years of experience with many different ADs, I could have described her treatment trajectory for her before she took her first pill. Just like doctors, however, there's nothing I can do to help her. She asks my advice on the meds, and I'm almost reluctant to say anything because practically all I've got left is negativism.
Anyway, I just felt like commenting on that.
Posted by Sigismund on July 18, 2008, at 18:19:49
In reply to My poor sister., posted by Bob on July 18, 2008, at 16:34:32
What struck me was the good response to Cymbalta and I wondered if, in retrospect, it might have been better to start on a much smaller dose.
Perhaps the good effect would still be there, and the side effects less severe?
Posted by Phillipa on July 18, 2008, at 23:25:43
In reply to Re: My poor sister. » Bob, posted by Sigismund on July 18, 2008, at 18:19:49
Does her pdoc have any suggestions? Maybe providgil? Sorry about the weight gain . Has she had her thyroid tested and you also? Love Phillipa and good luck to you both. I can see why you'd be reluctant to suggest meds to your sister. Sometimes the meds that work for family members also work for others in the Same Family.
Posted by Bob on July 19, 2008, at 0:26:36
In reply to Re: My poor sister., posted by Phillipa on July 18, 2008, at 23:25:43
> Does her pdoc have any suggestions? Maybe providgil? Sorry about the weight gain . Has she had her thyroid tested and you also? Love Phillipa and good luck to you both. I can see why you'd be reluctant to suggest meds to your sister. Sometimes the meds that work for family members also work for others in the Same Family.
Her pdoc wants her to try Adderall as an add on to the Cymbalta.Don't know if she's had her thyroid tested, but I've gained serious weight on many meds, and I've had my throid tested many times. It's normal.
I'm reluctant to suggest meds because I'm so outrageously sensitive to meds that I can't honestly send her down any of the many paths I've taken with any real hope. If she has anywhere near the same experiences I have had, then I feel fearful for the future of our family.
This is the end of the thread.
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