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Re: Cymbalta Versus Effexor

Posted by Racer on September 30, 2004, at 11:54:18

In reply to Cymbalta Versus Effexor, posted by FaithT on September 30, 2004, at 11:23:48

I took Effexor years ago, and am now taking Cymbalta. So far, the two are similar in some ways in their effects, but quite different in others. The most noticeable similarity so far, unfortunately, is that I'm still depressed. With Effexor, significant improvement was apparent only with the addition of a low dose of Prozac. We'll have to see what it takes with Cymbalta.

Differences are mostly in the side effects: there has been a little additional GI upset with Cymbalta, but that seems to have passed after a couple of weeks. (Three weeks after starting, two weeks after titrating up to 60mg. Also, the doctor recommended eating before taking it, rather than right after, which I had been doing. That may have stopped it right there.) There doesn't seem to be the same problem with constipation on Cymbalta, which is also helping physical pain from arthritis. It hasn't increased my appetite, and I've lost weight since starting it. That's something that may change, of course, but that's also a separate issue for me. (Comorbid eating disorder. If it works, I will gain weight, which is one goal of treatment for me right now. It's just not something I want. Which, of course, is why I need treatment. Clear as mud?)

I had the "Effexor brain zaps" -- felt as if there was so much static built up in my head, around the front of my hairline up across the top of my head, as though bringing your hand close to my hair would cause it all to stand on end. With Cymbalta, there was an adjustment period when the same general area felt as if it was packed in cotton wool, but that's gone away. Similar sort of sensation, but much, much milder. And, as I said, it went away very quickly.

With the Cymbalta so far, no insomnia, no weird feeling of unreality, much smoother titration period, some vivid dreams (again, my situation is such that that's probably par for the course, and the dreams' thematic content is consistent with that situation, rather than my standard "anxiety dream" content) -- really, aside from the GI stuff, there really isn't any down side to report. Except, of course, that it doesn't seem to be working for me. Then again, as I said, neither did Effexor.

I hope that helps.


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poster:Racer thread:397246
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040927/msgs/397259.html