Posted by utopizen on October 11, 2004, at 15:07:21
Linkadge,
Have you tried Cymbalta yet? The clinical trials showed that at 60mg, the recommended target dose, patients found signifigant relief from their depressive symptoms in just 1-2 weeks, with full relief in 4 weeks (cymbalta.com, doctor's section).
LOL, I know I sound like a drug rep saying that, but it's incredible-- I'm on Lexapro 20mg right now, and want to give it another month, maybe even go to 40mg of it, before giving up and going on Cymbalta.
The thing about Cymbalta is that when posters on this board say it's working for them, they talk of how much energy and concentration and drive they've gotten. And the fast-acting nature of it could be something you could use. (Don't expect miracles, you could not notice changes for weeks regardless).
Just keep in mind doses below 60mg weren't shown to be effective, and the therapeutic range goes up to 120mg. I suspect, given your troubles, your doc will be aggressive in getting you to 60mg in a matter of days.
It's something to consider. Zoloft really fails below 200mg in so many, so I'm worried about you, even though you're also taking a low dose of Risperdal. I would really stick with the Risperdal, maybe even the Zoloft, and talk with your doc about the Cymbalta. He'll probably take you off Zoloft, but Cymbalta+Risperdal sounds like a potent combo you could find some hope in.
But come prepared to your meeting. Bring abstracts on the drug's use in depression from medline, head-to-head comparisons of other drugs, etc. Maybe even try calling Lilly and seeing if they can have a rep drop by your doc's office and talk about how to prescribe Cymbalta (and you'd benefit, getting the free samples!) (I'm not sure if drug co.'s do this, but it's worth calling them over). And also call your doc before your next appt. if you're interested in a new treatment option, so he can research it before you come in to see him!
That, and of course keep up with your doc in-between appointments- even if you get an answering machine- to tell him your progress (or lack thereof), your concerns with any side effects you might be experiencing (which he may be able to relieve for you with another prescription), etc.
Calling your doc in-between appts. can help you enermously. I do it with mine, and often I've uped my Lexapro dose (now at 20mg) and that helps to speed up my treatment by not waiting until the next month to do something so simple as that.
I advise anyone who doesn't notice any progress between visits to especially make sure to leave messages with their docs. They can help you out a lot, since waiting for the next appt. just to like bump up a dose slows down your treatment too much.
Take care!
poster:utopizen
thread:401671
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041007/msgs/401671.html