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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Racer on October 7, 2004, at 15:31:55
Just an update, after my appointment with Dr CattleProd today. Since I'm having a partial response to Cymbalta -- the only thing that hasn't improved is my depression, go figure -- we're raising the dose to 90mgs. I'm frustrated beyond belief, because I am not particularly optimistic about this being the answer, but I'm certainly motivated enough to be compliant. Besides, I'm scared of losing any benefits from it and having to face adjustment phase difficulties with any other drug.
The plan is to take 60mgs AM and 30mgs at lunch. (I didn't mention that lunch for me happens around 5PM or so...)
(Speaking of which, we did talk about eating. He offered to prescribe a drug to put weight on me, but that doesn't address the problem, it just puts weight on me. I don't know if he added "307.50" to my list of diagnostic codes or not, but this is the VERY FIRST TIME I'VE EVER BEEN ABLE TO BE HONEST WITH A PSYCHIATRIST ABOUT THIS. Pat my head and give me a lollipop.)
There, update done.
Posted by Rhapsody on October 7, 2004, at 16:52:26
In reply to Raising Cymbalta to 90mg, posted by Racer on October 7, 2004, at 15:31:55
Racer,
How long have you been on Cymbalta and what improvements have you had with it so far?
>>> Just an update, after my appointment with Dr CattleProd today. Since I'm having a partial response to Cymbalta -- the only thing that hasn't improved is my depression, go figure -- we're raising the dose to 90mgs.
Posted by Racer on October 7, 2004, at 20:27:37
In reply to Re: Raising Cymbalta to 90mg--To Racer, posted by Rhapsody on October 7, 2004, at 16:52:26
Let's see: I have osteoarthritis, which is much less painful now; my anxiety is reduced (Cymbalta or propranalol? My guess the latter); my self esteem is better (I think because I'm out of a very bad situation vis a vis treatment); my ability to concentrate is better (I can read again, although I think the situational stuff is involved here, too); I am much less distractible (reduced anxiety); and so on. In other words, it could be the Cymbalta, or it could be situational, or it could be the reduction in the anxiety symptoms.
Whatever it is, I'll be on 90mgs of Cymbalta for the next three weeks, until my next appointment, and we'll see how it goes.
Posted by boomarang on October 7, 2004, at 23:54:20
In reply to Re: Raising Cymbalta to 90mg--To Racer, posted by Racer on October 7, 2004, at 20:27:37
do you happen to know what the maximum dosage for cymbalta? i'd like to know where my 40 mg falls on that scale. thanks!
Posted by Racer on October 8, 2004, at 11:38:08
In reply to Re: Raising Cymbalta to 90mg--To Racer, posted by boomarang on October 7, 2004, at 23:54:20
Well, that's the problem with new drugs: what the drug company says hasn't been tested in clinical practice, with patients who fall outside the range of the study participants, yet.
According to Dr CattleProd, the non-industry sources say the therapeutic range is from 40 to 120 mgs. The industry studies said that the point of diminishing returns is 60mgs. (Point of diminishing returns is where the benefits stop increasing, but the side effects get worse.)
So, your 40mg is down at the bottom of the range, according to the non-drug company studies. And, for me, at least, whatever side effects I experienced at first have decreased over time.
Good luck.
Posted by fallsfall on October 9, 2004, at 16:07:51
In reply to Raising Cymbalta to 90mg, posted by Racer on October 7, 2004, at 15:31:55
>Pat my head and give me a lollipop
You are on quite a roll right now, Racer! Good for you.
This is the end of the thread.
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