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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by PartlyCloudy on October 29, 2010, at 18:30:07
In reply to Re: pristiq to cymbalta? » PartlyCloudy, posted by floatingbridge on October 28, 2010, at 22:07:53
I'm on vacation out of town, but with my laptop (more for my husband than for me, though I did update my blog). It's a blessing how quickly the Cymbalta seems to be taking effect. My back has been fairly quiet this week and if anything, feeling better as the anxieties of the past several weeks and months have been helped by this short time away.
I have always responded very positively, almost euphorically, to acupuncture. Even as a teenager I sought relief from my migraine headaches and in the big city's Chinatown I found an alternative to the heavy duty pain relievers that my family doctor had resorted to prescribing for me.
Accepting that life will always have these ebbs and flows of triggers and good and not so good times has been critical to my overall improvement. Knowing that the not so good times will have their place just as those times when I can catch up on all I wish to accomplish - indeed, respecting that the balance of life requires the down as well as the up - that makes a big difference. It was only a few short weeks ago that I was frankly contemplating the peace that the absolute end of my life would bring. It was this out of order (for me) thinking that alerted me that my medications were not working as well as they should have been. I'm not one who regularly thinks about ending my life, but between the pain and the depression it felt perfectly normal to be doing so. Normal, indeed.
So doing this transition from Pristiq to Cymbalta, during my vacation, wasn't the greatest of timing, but I wasn't able to reschedule the holiday; the medication change sure wouldn't be put off another moment. All in all it's gone relatively well.
pc
Posted by Conundrum on October 29, 2010, at 21:51:10
In reply to Re: pristiq to cymbalta? » floatingbridge, posted by PartlyCloudy on October 29, 2010, at 18:30:07
>
> I have always responded very positively, almost euphorically, to acupuncture.You know I tried acupuncture for depression and indigestion and while it didn't help, during that period, I would get this sensation of drifting off, almost like euphoria. Its very interesting. Unfortunately I didn't have any lasting effect.
Posted by floatingbridge on October 29, 2010, at 22:32:31
In reply to Re: pristiq to cymbalta?, posted by Conundrum on October 29, 2010, at 21:51:10
Conundrum, it can be very good support. Sounds like you're a responder. I like to go once a month when my budget allows. She knows about my meds et al, and never bugs me. When I regularly take the herbs she prescribes, they seem to tonify my stressed and whacked-out system.
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 2, 2010, at 21:37:33
In reply to Re: pristiq to cymbalta? » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on October 25, 2010, at 13:38:57
> I can't figure out how to change my signature!
See:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#signature
Bob
Posted by PartlyCloudy on November 3, 2010, at 10:37:17
In reply to Re: pristiq to cymbalta? » floatingbridge, posted by PartlyCloudy on October 29, 2010, at 18:30:07
I had my follow up appointment with my pdoc today and we are going to stay with 30mg of Cymbalta as the therapeutic dosage, hurray! Also I'm able to use 15mg of Remeron prn at night for insomnia as needed, which is a huge psychological relief for me. It's almost as if I have this secret bullet for the odd time when the Seroquel doesn't overcome the daily accumulation of anxiety enough to allow me to sleep.
I'm a relatively happy camper, and my back is feeling much better.
PartlyCloudy
Posted by floatingbridge on November 3, 2010, at 11:44:05
In reply to Re: pristiq to cymbalta?, posted by PartlyCloudy on November 3, 2010, at 10:37:17
P/C,
So 30mg provides enough mood and pain relief? That is good news. I like having that 'emergency med', as I call it, for sleep. Have you used remeron before? I'm curious what the morning feels like. Sometimes sonata doesn't work, (every so often), so I'll take extra xanax. I'm not happy with that, and I don't feel so great in the morning.
I see my pdoc tomorrow, and we'll discuss cymbalta. I'll let you know.
I am so glad the cymbalta is working for you. Yay happy camper!
Posted by PartlyCloudy on November 3, 2010, at 11:56:46
In reply to good news Re: pristiq to cymbalta? » PartlyCloudy, posted by floatingbridge on November 3, 2010, at 11:44:05
I am "logey" in the morning with the Remeron but at 15mg the eat-everything-in-sight effect is not as bad and I still sleep solidly through the night. So a good compromise for me.
pc
Posted by floatingbridge on November 4, 2010, at 14:06:00
In reply to Re: how to change your signature, posted by Dr. Bob on November 2, 2010, at 21:37:33
> > I can't figure out how to change my signature!
>
> See:
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#signature
>
> BobThanks, Bob.
Posted by Conundrum on November 7, 2010, at 14:29:26
In reply to good news Re: pristiq to cymbalta? » PartlyCloudy, posted by floatingbridge on November 3, 2010, at 11:44:05
Have you used remeron before? I'm curious what the morning feels like.
I take 60mgs and I don't feel tired or anything when I wake up. I specifically asked to start at 30mg so I wouldn't be so tired in the morning. I think the first two days I was logey but it was not that bad and then it went away fast. It will make you tired at night though.
30 mg remeron + cymbalta might have a good AD punch too.
Posted by floatingbridge on November 7, 2010, at 14:42:33
In reply to Re: good news Re: pristiq to cymbalta?, posted by Conundrum on November 7, 2010, at 14:29:26
Why thank you. I'll run that past my pdoc. I haven't tried it.
When would you take remeron? Morning or night?
Sounds like it could be a simple solution.
Posted by Conundrum on November 8, 2010, at 9:42:18
In reply to Re: good news Re: pristiq to cymbalta? » Conundrum, posted by floatingbridge on November 7, 2010, at 14:42:33
You would take it at night because it knocks you out. Weight gain is the thing to look out for with Remeron.
> Why thank you. I'll run that past my pdoc. I haven't tried it.
>
> When would you take remeron? Morning or night?
>
> Sounds like it could be a simple solution.
>
>
Posted by floatingbridge on November 8, 2010, at 10:29:04
In reply to Re: good news Re: pristiq to cymbalta? » floatingbridge, posted by Conundrum on November 8, 2010, at 9:42:18
Thanks Conundrum. Yeah, I've heard about the weight--pretty notorious. How has it been for you?
I figure, if I feel better, am more active, and generally am healthier.... Well, I'd hope it wasn't too much weight.
I'd love to switch out my sonata....
Posted by Conundrum on November 8, 2010, at 10:43:35
In reply to Re: good news Re: pristiq to cymbalta? » Conundrum, posted by floatingbridge on November 8, 2010, at 10:29:04
Hi, I just increased to 60 mg, unfortunately it pooped out for me, but for me it was good for motivation for awhile.
> Thanks Conundrum. Yeah, I've heard about the weight--pretty notorious. How has it been for you?
>
> I figure, if I feel better, am more active, and generally am healthier.... Well, I'd hope it wasn't too much weight.
>
> I'd love to switch out my sonata....
Posted by floatingbridge on November 8, 2010, at 10:56:28
In reply to Re: good news Re: pristiq to cymbalta?, posted by Conundrum on November 8, 2010, at 10:43:35
Oh, sorry :(
darn meds. so you discontinued at 60?
I think you have a thread going somewhere. I'll check that out.
Best best wishes for the ongoing journey.
Posted by Conundrum on November 8, 2010, at 11:06:23
In reply to Re: good news Re: pristiq to cymbalta? » Conundrum, posted by floatingbridge on November 8, 2010, at 10:56:28
Well no, it pooped out at 30, so I'm at 60 now trying to get that feeling back. I remember it took about 10 days to kick in when I started the drug at 30 mg. So its been about 5 days at 60 hopefully there will be a boost.
> Oh, sorry :(
>
> darn meds. so you discontinued at 60?
>
> I think you have a thread going somewhere. I'll check that out.
>
> Best best wishes for the ongoing journey.
Posted by floatingbridge on November 8, 2010, at 11:08:50
In reply to Re: good news Re: pristiq to cymbalta?, posted by Conundrum on November 8, 2010, at 11:06:23
Posted by PartlyCloudy on November 8, 2010, at 12:15:02
In reply to fingers crossed :) (nm) » Conundrum, posted by floatingbridge on November 8, 2010, at 11:08:50
Here too
Posted by Maxime on November 8, 2010, at 20:24:42
In reply to Re: good news Re: pristiq to cymbalta?, posted by Conundrum on November 8, 2010, at 11:06:23
> Well no, it pooped out at 30, so I'm at 60 now trying to get that feeling back. I remember it took about 10 days to kick in when I started the drug at 30 mg. So its been about 5 days at 60 hopefully there will be a boost.
I hope 60 mg helps you. Remember you can go up to 120 mg if necessary.Take care.
Posted by Conundrum on November 9, 2010, at 20:45:28
In reply to Re: good news Re: pristiq to cymbalta? » Conundrum, posted by Maxime on November 8, 2010, at 20:24:42
Thanks, I'll let you guys know if it makes a difference.
> > Well no, it pooped out at 30, so I'm at 60 now trying to get that feeling back. I remember it took about 10 days to kick in when I started the drug at 30 mg. So its been about 5 days at 60 hopefully there will be a boost.
>
>
> I hope 60 mg helps you. Remember you can go up to 120 mg if necessary.
>
> Take care.
Posted by floatingbridge on November 16, 2010, at 5:12:26
In reply to Re: good news Re: pristiq to cymbalta?, posted by Conundrum on November 7, 2010, at 14:29:26
> Have you used remeron before? I'm c
Duh! You mean take a robust amount in a.m. It will wear off by bed. Sorry I didn't catch that before.Could it possibly help discontinuing pristiq (yes, I am getting some withdrawal effect).
How's the infamous weight issue?
>Curious what the morning feels like.
>
> I take 60mgs and I don't feel tired or anything when I wake up. I specifically asked to start at 30mg so I wouldn't be so tired in the morning. I think the first two days I was logey but it was not that bad and then it went away fast. It will make you tired at night though.
>
> 30 mg remeron + cymbalta might have a good AD punch too.
Posted by Conundrum on November 16, 2010, at 9:56:03
In reply to Re: good news Re: pristiq to cymbalta? » Conundrum, posted by floatingbridge on November 16, 2010, at 5:12:26
I think there is some confusion. I'm talking about taking remeron at night not in the morning. I don't think taking remeron in the morning would be a good idea, unless the drowsiness wears off on higher doses. I don't think the weight gain has increased since I've gone from 30 mg remeron to 60 mg, but maybe when I started the drug there was some weight gain.
> > Have you used remeron before? I'm c
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> Duh! You mean take a robust amount in a.m. It will wear off by bed. Sorry I didn't catch that before.
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> Could it possibly help discontinuing pristiq (yes, I am getting some withdrawal effect).
>
> How's the infamous weight issue?
>
> >Curious what the morning feels like.
> >
> > I take 60mgs and I don't feel tired or anything when I wake up. I specifically asked to start at 30mg so I wouldn't be so tired in the morning. I think the first two days I was logey but it was not that bad and then it went away fast. It will make you tired at night though.
> >
> > 30 mg remeron + cymbalta might have a good AD punch too.
>
>
Posted by floatingbridge on November 16, 2010, at 10:43:22
In reply to Re: good news Re: pristiq to cymbalta? » floatingbridge, posted by Conundrum on November 16, 2010, at 9:56:03
Thanks for clearing this up. I was confused, largely due to reading another thread re: remeron.
So that size dose does make you sleepy?
Thanks for stepping in.
Posted by Phillipa on November 16, 2010, at 20:04:26
In reply to Re: good news Re: pristiq to cymbalta? » Conundrum, posted by floatingbridge on November 16, 2010, at 5:12:26
FB why are you up so early or no bed yet? Love Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on November 17, 2010, at 0:28:15
In reply to Re: good news Re: pristiq to cymbalta? » floatingbridge, posted by Phillipa on November 16, 2010, at 20:04:26
Woke up at 11:30 w/ intense anxiety, sweats, and pain. Was up for awhile :(
Had an alright day according to my rating system :)
Posted by Conundrum on November 17, 2010, at 11:38:30
In reply to Re: good news Re: pristiq to cymbalta? » Conundrum, posted by floatingbridge on November 16, 2010, at 10:43:22
It still does make me sleepy sometimes, and sometimes it doesn't its weird. Last night I was very tired an hour after taking it. Sometimes it would take 2 hours to make me tired though, so I guess it depends on if you were busy a lot during the day as well.
> Thanks for clearing this up. I was confused, largely due to reading another thread re: remeron.
>
> So that size dose does make you sleepy?
>
> Thanks for stepping in.
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This is the end of the thread.
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