Posted by Bill LL on February 16, 2005, at 8:15:40
In reply to Doc wants to try Cymbalta, posted by Spriggy on February 15, 2005, at 17:25:15
I just switched from Lexapro (40 mg) to Cymbalta (60 mg). But I think that my situation was different than yours. I was on only Lexapro for a long time and did very well on it for depression. It also took care of much of my anxiety, but not enough. And, I had concentration problems (that were even worse before taking AD's).
I then added Strattera about 8 months a go. This combination got rid of more of my anxiety to the point that I did not have very much left. It also helped with my concentration.
The problem was that when I added Strattera, my blood pressure increased. (I have taken 2 bp meds for years). I decided to try Cymbalta and see if I could get good results with a lower blood pressure.
I started on Cymbalta 2 weeks a go and like it so far. I have not yet determined bp effects.
But the main point I am making is that the Strattera and Cymbalta both affect norepinephrine. So in both cases, I was being treated with drugs that affect both serotonin and norepinephrine at the same time.
Although you had no success with serotonin by itself, you might have success with both serotonin and NE at the same time. It does help a lot with both my anxiety and depression.
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> After my horrid reaction to Lexapro, my dr. wants to try Cymbalta.
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> I have concerns since Cymbalta also targets seratonin (also the Norepiphrine though). Anytime I've been on anything that touched seratonin, I wigged out.
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> So, I said "no" for now until I know for certain all the Lexapro is out of my system. Hopefully I will return to normal after my brain chemistry gets back in order.
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> If not, I suppose I will have to try Cymbalta although I sure am worried about it.
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> Does anyoen know if Cymbalta would be beneficial for both anxiety and depression? I don't know which is worse right now- this agitated state or the depression.
poster:Bill LL
thread:458325
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050212/msgs/458664.html