![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JonW on September 6, 2004, at 11:12:58
I've been reluctant to post my experience with Cymbalta as I've only been on it for a week and a half at 30mg, but I have to say something. I have to say I love the stuff! My subjective opinion is that it feels like Paxil, but stronger and with significantly less sexual dysfunction and mental fogginess.
It truly suprised me. I was expecting it to be a bit stimulating and anxiogenic (at least at first), but so far, this is the best SSRI type drug I've ever been on for anxiety. I suffer from severe social anxiety -- dropped out of high school because of it. I was on Lexapro, which is ok for my depression, but wasn't helping too much with anxiety. I'm still on 5mg of Lexapro as I taper off, so it could be the combination... but I'm counting on stopping the Lex completely without issue and upping the Cymbalta to 60mg if necessary.
Over the past week or so I've noticed myself taking more risks socially and being capable of feeling good about the social interactions with others instead of beating myself up for how I percieve the situation. Cymbalta has really allowed me thus far to take greater advantage of CBT. At just 30mg and only week and a half into it, I'm very excited about the potential impact this medicine will have for me. I would urge anyone suffering from social anxiety to give this medicine serious consideration. I'll update this as the time passes, but so far so good!
Jon :) :) :) :) (<-- extra smileys courtesy of Cymblta!)
Posted by Colleen D. on September 6, 2004, at 11:28:26
In reply to Cymbalta kicks booty :), posted by JonW on September 6, 2004, at 11:12:58
I'm so glad to hear of your success! I'm currently on Effexor but am seriously considering trying Cymbalta once it's available here.
Best wishes,
Colleen
PPD, GAD and OCD
> I've been reluctant to post my experience with Cymbalta as I've only been on it for a week and a half at 30mg, but I have to say something. I have to say I love the stuff! My subjective opinion is that it feels like Paxil, but stronger and with significantly less sexual dysfunction and mental fogginess.
>
> It truly suprised me. I was expecting it to be a bit stimulating and anxiogenic (at least at first), but so far, this is the best SSRI type drug I've ever been on for anxiety. I suffer from severe social anxiety -- dropped out of high school because of it. I was on Lexapro, which is ok for my depression, but wasn't helping too much with anxiety. I'm still on 5mg of Lexapro as I taper off, so it could be the combination... but I'm counting on stopping the Lex completely without issue and upping the Cymbalta to 60mg if necessary.
>
> Over the past week or so I've noticed myself taking more risks socially and being capable of feeling good about the social interactions with others instead of beating myself up for how I percieve the situation. Cymbalta has really allowed me thus far to take greater advantage of CBT. At just 30mg and only week and a half into it, I'm very excited about the potential impact this medicine will have for me. I would urge anyone suffering from social anxiety to give this medicine serious consideration. I'll update this as the time passes, but so far so good!
>
> Jon :) :) :) :) (<-- extra smileys courtesy of Cymblta!)
Posted by Slinky on September 6, 2004, at 11:47:49
In reply to Cymbalta kicks booty :), posted by JonW on September 6, 2004, at 11:12:58
I'd like to try is it in uk?
Effexor worked ok for a while for me--would have beem better if I was on mood stabiliser.
Posted by Denise1904 on September 6, 2004, at 12:23:12
In reply to Cymbalta kicks booty :), posted by JonW on September 6, 2004, at 11:12:58
Jon,
How much Paxil were you taking before and is it just social anxiety you suffer from or GAD too?
Denise
Posted by pseudonym on September 6, 2004, at 12:50:26
In reply to Cymbalta kicks booty :), posted by JonW on September 6, 2004, at 11:12:58
Good. Are your intending to stay at 30 mg or go up to 60 as most the clinical trial have done?
I too am looking at Cymbalta for among other things, eliminate libido loss I attibute to Effexor, as well as lack of motivation which Effexor doesn't seem to help.
Posted by Slinky on September 6, 2004, at 13:38:03
In reply to Re: Cymbalta kicks booty :) » JonW, posted by Slinky on September 6, 2004, at 11:47:49
http://www.escriber.com/FuturePrescriber/News.asp?Action=View&ID=133
Posted by Maximus on September 6, 2004, at 13:43:38
In reply to Great report, Jon!... » JonW, posted by Colleen D. on September 6, 2004, at 11:28:26
> I'm so glad to hear of your success! I'm currently on Effexor but am seriously considering trying Cymbalta once it's available here.
>
> Best wishes,
> Colleen
> PPD, GAD and OCDHi Colleen,
I can't wait too. I'm in a hurry to try it. Where are you from? Here in Canada it will certainly take years:-(
Max also on Side-Effexor...
Posted by Colleen D. on September 6, 2004, at 14:11:09
In reply to Re: Great report, Jon!... » Colleen D., posted by Maximus on September 6, 2004, at 13:43:38
Hi!
I'm in Michigan (rural) and I called all the local pharmacies before I got my Effexor prescription renewed last week and none of them had it yet. That's life in the sticks!
:-) Colleen
> Hi Colleen,
>
> I can't wait too. I'm in a hurry to try it. Where are you from? Here in Canada it will certainly take years:-(
>
> Max also on Side-Effexor...
Posted by JonW on September 6, 2004, at 16:10:46
In reply to Re: Great report, Jon!... » Maximus, posted by Colleen D. on September 6, 2004, at 14:11:09
> Hi!
>
> I'm in Michigan (rural) and I called all the local pharmacies before I got my Effexor prescription renewed last week and none of them had it yet. That's life in the sticks!They should be able to order for you, and have it in a day or two.
Jon :)
Posted by JonW on September 6, 2004, at 16:21:58
In reply to Re: Cymbalta kicks booty :), posted by Denise1904 on September 6, 2004, at 12:23:12
> Jon,
>
> How much Paxil were you taking before and is it just social anxiety you suffer from or GAD too?I have depression, social anxiety disorder, and possibly ADD. It's the kind of mixture of depression and anxiety that can leave you with many different labels. But my most troublesome symptoms are those of atypical depression, SAD, and ADD. (Search my name here on babble if you like.) As far as the Paxil goes, I used to take 30mg.
Jon :)
Posted by JonW on September 6, 2004, at 16:27:10
In reply to Re: Cymbalta kicks booty :), posted by pseudonym on September 6, 2004, at 12:50:26
> Good. Are your intending to stay at 30 mg or go up to 60 as most the clinical trial have done?
>
> I too am looking at Cymbalta for among other things, eliminate libido loss I attibute to Effexor, as well as lack of motivation which Effexor doesn't seem to help.I'll probably go up to 60mg but I can't say for sure. I've never been on Effexor, but so far, Cymbalta has been a breeze with side-effects. The only thing worth reporting would be feeling a little sleepy.
Have you ever considered adding Provigil to Effexor? I'm not sure of the effect it would have on libido, but it might give you the motivation you're looking for.
Jon :)
Posted by JonW on September 6, 2004, at 16:31:50
In reply to Great report, Jon!... » JonW, posted by Colleen D. on September 6, 2004, at 11:28:26
Posted by woolav on September 6, 2004, at 17:26:09
In reply to Thanks! best wishes to you as well (nm) » Colleen D., posted by JonW on September 6, 2004, at 16:31:50
Hello, I too suffer from social anxiety and depression/panic disorder...blah blah...but I tried paxil and it didnt work for social anxiety, it made me not care what ppl thought, but I still had major hesitation when it came to social situations. I am now on prozac/lamictal/xanax. I feel better, but I still have the underlying fear of social stuff. Is the Cymbalta still working for you? Were u ever on anything else besides paxil??
Thanks
S
Posted by JonW on September 6, 2004, at 18:24:25
In reply to jon, posted by woolav on September 6, 2004, at 17:26:09
> Hello, I too suffer from social anxiety and depression/panic disorder...blah blah...but I tried paxil and it didnt work for social anxiety, it made me not care what ppl thought, but I still had major hesitation when it came to social situations. I am now on prozac/lamictal/xanax. I feel better, but I still have the underlying fear of social stuff. Is the Cymbalta still working for you? Were u ever on anything else besides paxil??
I've been on everything.... well, not everything, but many, many different drugs and combos. I've been on all the logical drugs for SP like Nardil, Klonopin, Parnate, Paxil, Moclobemide, Neurontin, etc. I've also been on most anti-convulsants, atypical APs, stimulants, and others in combination. Anyhow I've learned SSRIs like Paxil were always at least a little helpful for SP, but couldn't live with the sexual side-effects. Lexapro is better in that regard, but not much help for my anxiety. Cymbalta seems to be an excellent combination of effects for me.
I will say one thing that, for me, is more true of Cymblta than Paxil. In social situations, it gets me "unstuck". What I mean by that is the moments when you're like "speak damnit!" but you do nothing and the moment passes you by. In other words, Cymbalta seems to be somewhat disinhibiting. It does something else for me that I think is important. I seem to be capable of feeling more and getting pleasure from more things, but not at the cost of being more vulnerable to depression. I don't want to paint this picture of Cymbalta as a miracle drug, because it's not. But it is extremely encouraging for me so far. I'd also like to say therapy (CBT) is just as important as meds for me. Something to consider as well, if you haven't already tried meds + CBT. Such a combination might give your brain the extra umph it needs to overcome the residual hesitation you talk about. It's been very synergisitc for me anyway. Good luck, and I hope I have nothing but more good news to share as I'm on Cymbalta longer.
Jon :)
Posted by theo on September 7, 2004, at 7:13:03
In reply to Re: jon » woolav, posted by JonW on September 6, 2004, at 18:24:25
Are you taking anything else besides Cymbalta?
Posted by JonW on September 7, 2004, at 8:43:54
In reply to Re: jon » JonW, posted by theo on September 7, 2004, at 7:13:03
> Are you taking anything else besides Cymbalta?
I also take before bed:
16mg Piracetam (1 drop, might as well be placebo, right?)
1mg MelatoninJon :)
Posted by mxrider on September 7, 2004, at 10:44:43
In reply to Re: jon » theo, posted by JonW on September 7, 2004, at 8:43:54
> > Are you taking anything else besides Cymbalta?
>
> I also take before bed:
>
> 16mg Piracetam (1 drop, might as well be placebo, right?)
> 1mg Melatonin
>
> Jon :)I have suffered with the same problems you have described for years. I had some success with Paxil as well at a low dose along w/Klonopin. I tried Lexapro and it caused severe aggitation for me. Anyway, great to here you're on to something good and please keep us posted!
Chris
Posted by JonW on September 7, 2004, at 12:28:22
In reply to Cymbalta kicks booty :), posted by JonW on September 6, 2004, at 11:12:58
Something else I should say is that my libido seems to have increased. There are too many confounding factors to credit Cymbalta, but nonetheless, girls just got more interesting... :) It could be that my depression is lifting more, it could be the lack of Lexapro, or it could be a rebound effect. But for me, I can at least say Cymbalta doesn't seem to be making things worse. And for me, that's just swell :) :) :)
Jon :)
Posted by 4WD on September 7, 2004, at 14:50:18
In reply to Re: Cymbalta kicks booty :), posted by JonW on September 7, 2004, at 12:28:22
> Something else I should say is that my libido seems to have increased. There are too many confounding factors to credit Cymbalta, but nonetheless, girls just got more interesting... :) It could be that my depression is lifting more, it could be the lack of Lexapro, or it could be a rebound effect.
I think it's probably the lack of Lexapro. I'm now one week totally off Effexor (on Cymbalta) and my libido is beginning to return as well. Nothing major but I can tell a definite difference.
Marsha
But for me, I can at least say Cymbalta doesn't seem to be making things worse. And for me, that's just swell :) :) :)
>
> Jon :)
Posted by theo on September 8, 2004, at 11:55:46
In reply to Re: jon » theo, posted by JonW on September 7, 2004, at 8:43:54
Is Piracetam available in the United States? How can one get it?
Posted by JonW on September 9, 2004, at 14:51:07
In reply to Re: jon » JonW, posted by theo on September 8, 2004, at 11:55:46
> Is Piracetam available in the United States? How can one get it?
I believe it's available OTC in the US, but I haven't looked for it. I order it over the internet. A simple search on google would give you plenty of sources to order from.
Jon :)
Posted by JonW on September 11, 2004, at 18:09:35
In reply to Cymbalta kicks booty :), posted by JonW on September 6, 2004, at 11:12:58
Another week has passed, and I have good and bad news. Or maybe just no real news. Right now, when I try to take less than 5mg of Lexapro, my depression and anxiety start to kick in. I don't know if that means I'm tappering too fast, or if I'm losing some synergistic effect of Cymbalta and Lexapro together. There is a definite and extremely real anti-anxiety effect of Cymbalta for me, but it really sucks that I'm having such a tough time getting completely off of the Lexapro. My doctor decided to keep me at 5mg Lex until my next appointment. I suppose he figures if I give the Cymbalta longer to take hold, then discontinuing Lexapro will be easier. I sure hope so. But then again, I'm not opposed to combining Cymbalta and Lex as treatment. Does anyone have any recent experience transitioning from one SSRI to another? Any opinions? Anyway, that's what's up with me. Things remain very good with Cymbalta 30mg and Lexapro 5mg. I hope I can ultimately discontinue the Lexapro without any major difficulties.
Jon :)
Posted by theo on September 12, 2004, at 10:53:42
In reply to Update (Re: Cymbalta kicks...), posted by JonW on September 11, 2004, at 18:09:35
Why don't you cut your Lexapro halves into quarters and take 2.5mg? They cut easy and I did it for 4 days and quit without initiating any other drug when I was coming off Lexapro.
Buy the way, does Piracetam really work for you and how? I take a low dose of Keppra and I noticed UCB Pharma is the pharmacutical company actually producing the pharmacutical version (Nootropil) outside the USA, and they produce Keppra which is suppose to be an isomer of Piracetam.
Does it help or cause anxiety? What about stimulating properties? I'm taking Keppra for anxiety and read Piracetam had many more cognitive enhancing properties than Keppra.
Your input on Piracetam would be appreciated. Also, how much are you taking and how are you taking it, once, twice daily?
Posted by JonW on September 28, 2004, at 10:08:06
In reply to Cymbalta kicks booty :), posted by JonW on September 6, 2004, at 11:12:58
I've had great difficulty discontinuing Lexapro, even after being at 60mg of Cymbalta for some time. It seems to me that Lexapro does something for me that Cymbalta doesn't, or maybe the two are synergistic for me in some way. I don't know, but at this I'd rather just take both of them and enjoy some stability.
My Cymbalta has been decreased to 30mg and the Lexapro increased to 10mg. I've found this to be the best combination for effect and side-effects. At 60mg Cymbalta begins to give me a delayed orgasm that is less than desireable :), but that is in combination with Lexapro. Nonetheless, I'm very happy with my current combination of Cymbalta and Lex. I've definitely gain something very critical with the addition of Cymbalta.
Jon :)
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.