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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 33. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by qbsbrown on February 24, 2005, at 16:52:07
I would like people who took it for at least 6 weeks to give me a rating. And also how it treated anx and depression, and the most common side effects.
Thank you people,
Brian
Posted by Phillipa on February 24, 2005, at 17:58:39
In reply to CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep, posted by qbsbrown on February 24, 2005, at 16:52:07
Didn't feel a thing on it either positive or negative. The only thing that improved was my back pain. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by CrazyCO on February 24, 2005, at 19:19:52
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and (nm), posted by Mildred on February 24, 2005, at 18:30:08
I give it a 9 but, you have to be patient. I have been taking it since September and didn't get to a point of feeling failry good until around December. That is a 60 mgs. I also take Lamictal 200mgs but was already on it when I started Cymbalta. I still get anxiety displayed as rage but I have discovered that is directly corresponds with the full moon, so I don't think there is any cure for that. Good Luck.
Posted by anastasia56 on February 24, 2005, at 20:34:42
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and, posted by CrazyCO on February 24, 2005, at 19:19:52
I'd give it a 9 like CrazyCO did. similarly i am also on lamictal only at 100mg and 60mg cymbalta.
Posted by Wildflower on February 25, 2005, at 8:47:31
In reply to CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep, posted by qbsbrown on February 24, 2005, at 16:52:07
I'd give it an 8. It's the best that's worked for me. I supplement it with wellbutrin, lamictal and klonopin.
Posted by Lynne on February 25, 2005, at 15:55:28
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep, posted by Wildflower on February 25, 2005, at 8:47:31
I have only been on it 3 weeks but so far I like it.The side effect that bothers me is blurry vision, does it ever go away? Other than that I would give it a 8.
Posted by qbsbrown on February 25, 2005, at 15:57:25
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep, posted by Lynne on February 25, 2005, at 15:55:28
Well it seems like most people are doing well on it! How is it treating GAD and PD? I know it's not approved yet, but sure it will be.
To the lamictal users, is that for BP? Or just to stablize your moods, and helps depression.Cheers,
Brian
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 27, 2005, at 19:15:14
In reply to CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep, posted by qbsbrown on February 24, 2005, at 16:52:07
My DXs are mild BP2 and mild OCD. Just on managing my anxiety and depression alone, I'd rate Cymbalta a 9. It took a good 6 weeks to reach that level though. My only concerns at this point are that my blood pressure is up a little and I've gained 5 pounds in two months.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 27, 2005, at 19:16:00
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep, posted by Minnie-Haha on February 27, 2005, at 19:15:14
> My DXs are mild BP2 and mild OCD. Just on managing my anxiety and depression alone, I'd rate Cymbalta a 9...
I also take Trileptal.
Posted by qbsbrown on February 27, 2005, at 19:19:51
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep, posted by Minnie-Haha on February 27, 2005, at 19:15:14
i need help. Every SSRI or ssnri sends me through the roof. Get extremely irritated, memory, worse anxiety and depression. Even if i up my klonopin a little it still remains.
SO i end up quittin them w/in a couple days.
I've done cymbalta for 4 days, and got the same effects, and quit it two days ago.
Is there anything i could other than starting slow?
Im pretty much giving up on the ADs, as they make me worse. Tried every one during the past 3 years, and they all throw me in a bad spiral.
The only one that lifted my depression, was lamictal, but it caused horrible headaches.dx is gad, panic disorder, depression, and had bad depersonalization
ANy suggestions?
Regards,
Brian
Posted by Phillipa on February 27, 2005, at 19:28:37
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep, posted by qbsbrown on February 27, 2005, at 19:19:51
Brian, the same thing happened everytime I tried one until I went through menopause. Now nothing touches me. I'm beginning to think that I'm not depressed, but just bored. I can't even have a panic attack anymore. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Bill LL on February 28, 2005, at 8:35:32
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep, posted by Phillipa on February 24, 2005, at 17:58:39
I would give it a 9 (I take 60 mg). I am still waiting to see if it elevates my bp. I think it will due to the norepinephrine effect. If it does, I might switch my blood pressure meds to a beta blocker such as propranolol.
Posted by tygereyes on February 28, 2005, at 15:22:35
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep, posted by Bill LL on February 28, 2005, at 8:35:32
I'd give it a 1. It did nothing for me except prevent me from having orgasms.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 28, 2005, at 17:10:16
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep, posted by qbsbrown on February 27, 2005, at 19:19:51
> i need help. Every SSRI or ssnri sends me through the roof. Get extremely irritated, memory, worse anxiety and depression. Even if i up my klonopin a little it still remains.
> SO i end up quittin them w/in a couple days.
> I've done cymbalta for 4 days, and got the same effects, and quit it two days ago.
> Is there anything i could other than starting slow?
> Im pretty much giving up on the ADs, as they make me worse. Tried every one during the past 3 years, and they all throw me in a bad spiral.
> The only one that lifted my depression, was lamictal, but it caused horrible headaches.
>
> dx is gad, panic disorder, depression, and had bad depersonalizationYour DXs and experiences are outside my experience. I am mild BP2 and mild OCD, and SSRIs and SSNRIs work OK for me, as long as I take them with a mood stabilizer. (My MS of choice right now is Trileptal.) As for other ADs, many here swear by the TCAs and MAOIs. I hope you'll get feedback from others whose DXs and experiences are closer to your own. Maybe you'll need to start another thread, as this one started about Cymbalta? Good luck!
Posted by gadman on March 3, 2005, at 9:51:09
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep, posted by Minnie-Haha on February 28, 2005, at 17:10:16
I would give it a 5. Increased my BP and didn't help nearly as well as Effexor.
Posted by Aniadouble on March 3, 2005, at 10:48:52
In reply to CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep, posted by qbsbrown on February 24, 2005, at 16:52:07
I've been on Cymbalta for about 10 weeks with no significant improvement for depression (I have no anxiety).
I've gained weight and still feel tired and unmotivated. I switched from Zoloft 150 mg & Welbutrin 300mg . Hoped that it would get better, but no.I'd give it a 3.
Posted by musicmaker on March 8, 2005, at 16:57:11
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep » qbsbrown, posted by Phillipa on February 27, 2005, at 19:28:37
I give Cymbalta a 10+
I've been from Prozac-Zoloft-Wellbutrin-Lexapro-Effexor and now finally Cymbalta with Klonopin as needed.
I hated Effexor but my sister has had a wonderful experience with it. She doesn't have as much of an anxiety problem though.
Posted by Mildred on March 8, 2005, at 17:07:55
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep, posted by musicmaker on March 8, 2005, at 16:57:11
> I give Cymbalta a 10+
> I've been from Prozac-Zoloft-Wellbutrin-Lexapro-Effexor and now finally Cymbalta with Klonopin as needed.What a great rating! Just wondering - have you had any weight gain or other side effects?
Posted by Steve3211 on March 11, 2005, at 16:06:01
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep, posted by Bill LL on February 28, 2005, at 8:35:32
Bill,
Weren't you on lex before? Why the switch?
Best - Steve
Posted by barbaracat on March 25, 2005, at 13:31:52
In reply to CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep, posted by qbsbrown on February 24, 2005, at 16:52:07
After 6 weeks, I give it a 9. I'm only on 13 pellets out of a 30mg capsule. Stuff is potent. I'm also BP and can't take the usual SSRIs so this is a miracle for me. At this small dose along with lithium 600mg and benzos as needed, I'm doing better than I have in years. God willing it keeps up. - Barbara
p.s. How do you guys manage with 60mg? On 30mg I was bug-eyed and crawling on the ceiling.
Posted by Cindy Lou on March 27, 2005, at 14:51:52
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep, posted by barbaracat on March 25, 2005, at 13:31:52
Hello,
I haven't posted here for awhile ... I could really use some advice.I just started Cymbalta 4 days ago. They told me the lowest dose is 20 mg., however the side effects have been so bad for me I have to stop -- which is frustrating because I KNOW it was working for me emotionally (no anxiety attacks at all). I have also been diagnosed with BPII, depression and anxiety.
You mentioned you were taking 13 pellets out of a 30 mg. capsule -- did your pdoc suggest this? I asked the pharmacist if I could open the capsule and dump some out, and he said no, it would cause stomach upset without the enteric coating. (I was nauseous WITH the coating anyway.) Do you think I should just go ahead and try it? Most docs I know wouldn't be so open-minded.
You are giving me great hope here. I am very med sensitive and have had my heart broken many times on meds that seem to help but I can't tolerate the side effects.
I look forward to hearing back from you, and anyone else with this experience.
(I wasn't able to read through the whole thread -- sorry if I am asking for repeat info.)
Thank you!!!!
cindy
> After 6 weeks, I give it a 9. I'm only on 13 pellets out of a 30mg capsule. Stuff is potent. I'm also BP and can't take the usual SSRIs so this is a miracle for me. At this small dose along with lithium 600mg and benzos as needed, I'm doing better than I have in years. God willing it keeps up. - Barbara
>
> p.s. How do you guys manage with 60mg? On 30mg I was bug-eyed and crawling on the ceiling.
Posted by Phillipa on March 27, 2005, at 15:20:00
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep » barbaracat, posted by Cindy Lou on March 27, 2005, at 14:51:52
I did this too after reading it on Babble to wean off the medication. I put the crystals in a capsule I got from emptying out a vitamin I wasn't using anymore. From what Babblers are saying cymbalta seems to work well for BP11 in small doses. I'm sure someone will pop in and give you a more complete answer than I am. I was told the crystals are what's enteric coated. That you could mix it in yogurt or something and take it and it would still not dissolve in your stomach. I could be wrong though. Yeah, my pdoc thought I was crazy. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by barbaracat on March 27, 2005, at 17:36:17
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep » barbaracat, posted by Cindy Lou on March 27, 2005, at 14:51:52
Hi Cindy,
First of all, here's a link to a currently running thread that goes into more detail and instructios on low dose Cymbalta, but I'm glad to answer your other concerns.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050322/msgs/475145.html;
> I just started Cymbalta 4 days ago. They told me the lowest dose is 20 mg., however the side effects have been so bad for me I have to stop -- which is frustrating because I KNOW it was working for me emotionally (no anxiety attacks at all). I have also been diagnosed with BPII, depression and anxiety.
**Doses come in 20, 30 and 60mg capsules - too high for most bipolars although some unipolar depressives start with 60mg (can't imagine it).
>
> You mentioned you were taking 13 pellets out of a 30 mg. capsule -- did your pdoc suggest this?**Hell, no. She's just as amazed as I am.
>>I asked the pharmacist if I could open the capsule and dump some out, and he said no, it would cause stomach upset without the enteric coating.
**I'm afraid your pharmacist if wrong. It's not the capsule that's enterically coated, it's each pellet, pretty amazing when you consider their size. I was vomiting for the first week on 30mg, which doesn't say much for their enteric coating.
>>Do you think I should just go ahead and try it? Most docs I know wouldn't be so open-minded.
**This is something you'll have to run through your own knowing and then decide for yourself but don't expect the blessing or guidance of your doc. He/she ought to be interested, but at this point it's a rare protocol and they have nothing to go on. The only encouraging thing you might hear is that at least you're not increasing the dose.
Unfortunately, the bulk of their education, research, grant and hospital money is heavily funded by pharmaceutical companies. Doctors have very little else to go on besides info from their drug reps or clinical stuties performed by drug funded research. They also worry about malpractice suits, etc.
My doctor said that Lilly is heavily promoting Cymbalta right now. She said that the drug rep never once mentioned potential bipolar switching being 'any worse than with the normal SSRI meds' and 20 is a 'substandard dose'. What we're seeing here is the evoluation of how a potentially good drug goes from promosing to dumped because not everyone is the same.
Even my doctor is tentatively happy that I'm responding so well, she's reluctant to suggest this 'not-standard' protocol with any of her other patients, even though EVERY ONE of them is having a terrible time with Cymbalta. She has no 'reputable source' other than my experience and if someone gets worse then it's her fault. A shame all ways around.
As far as I know I'm the only one tracking this, although others are giving me very positive reports. I have some scientific background so I'm not running blind, but this came about through necessity and not any random science project.
What I'm saying is that you'll have to think for yourself on this one and expect you'll be the one forging the way for your doc. So, Cindy, if it were me, I would stop taking that 20mg pill today, instead empty out the capsule and start with 3 pellets for about a week and then take another pellet each 3 days, seeing how you're feeling each time.
> You are giving me great hope here. I am very med sensitive and have had my heart broken many times on meds that seem to help but I can't tolerate the side effects.
>
** I wish you the hope-filled experience I continue to enjoy. But if it isn't the answer, don't give up hope. There's so much going on, so many variables. Hopefully you're in the same group I am in this regard. Hopefully our docs can get with the proram alot better, but their problems are not ours and in the meantime, at the very least we have to do something if we're getting worse. - Barbara
Posted by Cindy Lou on March 27, 2005, at 18:05:47
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep » Cindy Lou, posted by barbaracat on March 27, 2005, at 17:36:17
Dear Barbara, Phillipa too ...
Thank you, thank you, thank you! You have helped me tremendously. I appreciate the time you spent answering my questions and how quickly you replied. I am hopeful and ready to try the 3 pellets! I know this medication could really help me -- it was amazing the difference it made in just a few days (aside from the physical side effects, of course.)
I did not take any yesterday, and still I was so sick I could barely make it though the day. I had to go to bed at 8, then wake up at midnight to be the "bunny." Today I still felt sick -- nauseous, exhausted, spacy, heavy headed. Also depressed, because I felt another hope was lost. I am glad that all may not be lost.
Thanks again. I will read the link you sent me --I wasn't able to access it, but I'm sure I can find it through a search.
I will let you know how things go, and keep an eye out to see how you other Cymbalta-users are doing.
Take care,
cindy> Hi Cindy,
>
> First of all, here's a link to a currently running thread that goes into more detail and instructios on low dose Cymbalta, but I'm glad to answer your other concerns.
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050322/msgs/475145.html>;
>
> > I just started Cymbalta 4 days ago. They told me the lowest dose is 20 mg., however the side effects have been so bad for me I have to stop -- which is frustrating because I KNOW it was working for me emotionally (no anxiety attacks at all). I have also been diagnosed with BPII, depression and anxiety.
>
> **Doses come in 20, 30 and 60mg capsules - too high for most bipolars although some unipolar depressives start with 60mg (can't imagine it).
> >
> > You mentioned you were taking 13 pellets out of a 30 mg. capsule -- did your pdoc suggest this?
>
> **Hell, no. She's just as amazed as I am.
>
> >>I asked the pharmacist if I could open the capsule and dump some out, and he said no, it would cause stomach upset without the enteric coating.
>
> **I'm afraid your pharmacist if wrong. It's not the capsule that's enterically coated, it's each pellet, pretty amazing when you consider their size. I was vomiting for the first week on 30mg, which doesn't say much for their enteric coating.
>
> >>Do you think I should just go ahead and try it? Most docs I know wouldn't be so open-minded.
>
> **This is something you'll have to run through your own knowing and then decide for yourself but don't expect the blessing or guidance of your doc. He/she ought to be interested, but at this point it's a rare protocol and they have nothing to go on. The only encouraging thing you might hear is that at least you're not increasing the dose.
>
> Unfortunately, the bulk of their education, research, grant and hospital money is heavily funded by pharmaceutical companies. Doctors have very little else to go on besides info from their drug reps or clinical stuties performed by drug funded research. They also worry about malpractice suits, etc.
>
> My doctor said that Lilly is heavily promoting Cymbalta right now. She said that the drug rep never once mentioned potential bipolar switching being 'any worse than with the normal SSRI meds' and 20 is a 'substandard dose'. What we're seeing here is the evoluation of how a potentially good drug goes from promosing to dumped because not everyone is the same.
>
> Even my doctor is tentatively happy that I'm responding so well, she's reluctant to suggest this 'not-standard' protocol with any of her other patients, even though EVERY ONE of them is having a terrible time with Cymbalta. She has no 'reputable source' other than my experience and if someone gets worse then it's her fault. A shame all ways around.
>
> As far as I know I'm the only one tracking this, although others are giving me very positive reports. I have some scientific background so I'm not running blind, but this came about through necessity and not any random science project.
>
> What I'm saying is that you'll have to think for yourself on this one and expect you'll be the one forging the way for your doc. So, Cindy, if it were me, I would stop taking that 20mg pill today, instead empty out the capsule and start with 3 pellets for about a week and then take another pellet each 3 days, seeing how you're feeling each time.
>
> > You are giving me great hope here. I am very med sensitive and have had my heart broken many times on meds that seem to help but I can't tolerate the side effects.
> >
> ** I wish you the hope-filled experience I continue to enjoy. But if it isn't the answer, don't give up hope. There's so much going on, so many variables. Hopefully you're in the same group I am in this regard. Hopefully our docs can get with the proram alot better, but their problems are not ours and in the meantime, at the very least we have to do something if we're getting worse. - Barbara
Posted by barbaracat on March 27, 2005, at 20:58:38
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA ratings 1-10, and effects on anx and dep » barbaracat, posted by Cindy Lou on March 27, 2005, at 18:05:47
Cindy,
Try this link instead:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050322/msgs/475145.htmlThe other one had an extra character at the end so it bombed out.
Sure hope this works for you. It's not a perfect cure, nothing is. I still have down days but normal ones for a good reason. Considering I was hopitalized I was so depressed just 2 months ago, this is a miracle. There have been a few other variables like getting my thyroid and other hormone meds adjusted, but that's been done before without such a major mood improvement. The only thing that's really different from what I've done before is Cymbalta.
BTW, what kind of mood stabilizer are you taking?
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