Posted by Racer on September 22, 2004, at 12:03:28
In reply to Cymbalta for anxious depression?, posted by Allan on September 20, 2004, at 16:16:58
I'm into week five of Cymbalta, one week at 30mg, four at 60mg. So far, it hasn't done much for my depression, but I'm holding onto SLS's experience as a bit of hope for me. While it didn't help my own anxiety per se, it certainly didn't increase my agitation, and it was rather sedating for me.
As far as I can recall, Effexor was similar, although I did get perhaps a bit more of an anxiolytic response to it at first. The Cymbalta seems to be different-but-similar to Effexor, with a smoother ride so far -- based on what I remember from six years back.
What has been helping a lot with my anxiety is propranalol -- a beta blocker, which I started last week. I'm still in the adjustment phase, so it's too soon to tell what it will do longer term, but it's helping more than anything else I've ever tried, so I'm hopeful. (I'm especially hopeful that it will put the brakes on the anxiety enough that I'll be able to stop taking it regularly, and go to PRN in a couple of months.)
As for your situation, I would say that Cymbalta and Effexor are going to be like close cousins -- a family resemblance, if you will, but enough differences that it would be worth a try. I've certainly not found it to be problematic with the anxiety.
poster:Racer
thread:393067
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040921/msgs/393690.html