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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by karaS on October 23, 2004, at 14:07:35
I'm trying to figure out if this is what most of you have said about your experience on Cymbalta or whether most have stayed sleepy even at 60 mg. I'm currently at 30 mg. and I'm so sleepy and groggy. I can't concentrate on my temporary job which involves numbers and intricate linking spreadsheets. They're already wondering why this is taking me so long (wish I could tell them about brain fog). I know that a number of you have reported better concentration on this med but I wonder how long it takes to get there. If things don't improve on the Cymbalta I'll have to delay this trial until some other time when I have a month or two where I can afford to be brain dead - though when that might occur is probably not until 20 years from now!
Posted by SLS on October 23, 2004, at 15:28:49
In reply to Cymbalta - 30mg. sleepy, 60 mg. wired?, posted by karaS on October 23, 2004, at 14:07:35
> I'm trying to figure out if this is what most of you have said about your experience on Cymbalta or whether most have stayed sleepy even at 60 mg. I'm currently at 30 mg. and I'm so sleepy and groggy.
When I was at 30mg, it took about a week for the sleepiness to disappear. After a dosage increase to 60mg, it took less than a week.
I'm at 90mg now. The sleepiness and amotivation have been significant, and have lasted more than a week. I'm not responding to it, unfortunately. I will ask to go back down to 60mg next week and try adding something to it.
- Scott
Posted by boomarang on October 23, 2004, at 17:53:40
In reply to Cymbalta - 30mg. sleepy, 60 mg. wired?, posted by karaS on October 23, 2004, at 14:07:35
hi,
i was brain dead on 30 mg and now at 60 mg i am still foggy but less so than before. Maybe it takes a few months??? i've been on cymbalta for about 2 months so i expect to start thinking again real soon.sara
Posted by karaS on October 24, 2004, at 5:28:25
In reply to Re: Cymbalta - 30mg. sleepy, 60 mg. wired?, posted by SLS on October 23, 2004, at 15:28:49
> > I'm trying to figure out if this is what most of you have said about your experience on Cymbalta or whether most have stayed sleepy even at 60 mg. I'm currently at 30 mg. and I'm so sleepy and groggy.
>
> When I was at 30mg, it took about a week for the sleepiness to disappear. After a dosage increase to 60mg, it took less than a week.
>
> I'm at 90mg now. The sleepiness and amotivation have been significant, and have lasted more than a week. I'm not responding to it, unfortunately. I will ask to go back down to 60mg next week and try adding something to it.
>
>
> - ScottThanks for the info, Scott. I noticed that you have been very quiet lately. I assumed it wasn't good. Let us know what you decide to add to the Cymbalta.
K
Posted by Paul_d_234 on October 24, 2004, at 11:41:15
In reply to Cymbalta - 30mg. sleepy, 60 mg. wired?, posted by karaS on October 23, 2004, at 14:07:35
I took 30 mg cymbalta for 3 weeks and found I was tired / achy. Now at 60 mg for 10 days and doing much better. No tiredness, no foggy, and also don't fell wired. Just fine.
> I'm trying to figure out if this is what most of you have said about your experience on Cymbalta or whether most have stayed sleepy even at 60 mg. I'm currently at 30 mg. and I'm so sleepy and groggy. I can't concentrate on my temporary job which involves numbers and intricate linking spreadsheets. They're already wondering why this is taking me so long (wish I could tell them about brain fog). I know that a number of you have reported better concentration on this med but I wonder how long it takes to get there. If things don't improve on the Cymbalta I'll have to delay this trial until some other time when I have a month or two where I can afford to be brain dead - though when that might occur is probably not until 20 years from now!
>
Posted by theo on October 24, 2004, at 12:04:38
In reply to Re: Cymbalta - 30mg. sleepy, 60 mg. wired?, posted by SLS on October 23, 2004, at 15:28:49
Scott,
You've been on Cymbalta for a fair trial period, especially since you have ramped up to 90mg.
You said you are going to drop back to 60mg. Did you have any good response at 60mg and were you at 60mg for a very long period after completely stopping Imipramine?
I'm still considering trying Cymbalta but would be trying it for social anxiety and might be wasting my time as I haven't heard much feedback comparing Cymbalta to Paxil for a comparison for treating anxiety related issues.
Is Cymbalta a completely different feeling or is it similar to something you've taken before?
Also, knowing what you know now about Cymbalta, would you try it again?
Posted by SLS on October 24, 2004, at 18:20:07
In reply to Re: Cymbalta - 30mg. sleepy, 60 mg. wired? » SLS, posted by theo on October 24, 2004, at 12:04:38
Hi Theo.
> Did you have any good response at 60mg and were you at 60mg for a very long period after completely stopping Imipramine?
I began to respond well to 60mg between weeks 3-4. The response then plateaued and disappeared. I have seen no signs of an improvement since.
> I'm still considering trying Cymbalta but would be trying it for social anxiety and might be wasting my time as I haven't heard much feedback comparing Cymbalta to Paxil for a comparison for treating anxiety related issues.
One of the first things people have reported with Cymbalta is an almost immediate reduction of anxiety. Because Effexor has demonstrated such good results treating anxiety disorders, I would guess that Cymbalta would be worth a trial.
> Is Cymbalta a completely different feeling or is it similar to something you've taken before?
I would have to say that it feels like a milder Effexor with regard to side effects. I experienced a brief dysphoria with both drugs, but this is idiosyncratic to my neurochemistry.
> Also, knowing what you know now about Cymbalta, would you try it again?
I'm going to continue with it for a little while, but I wouldn't invest myself in it again, seeing as it doesn't work for me. However, it seems that Cymbalta is proving itself an effective drug with somewhat milder side effects than most other antidepressants. I would not discourage anyone from trying it for depression and associated anxiety.
Good luck, Theo. I think it's worth a shot.
- Scott
Posted by ravenstorm on October 25, 2004, at 22:37:26
In reply to Re: Cymbalta - 30mg. sleepy, 60 mg. wired? » theo, posted by SLS on October 24, 2004, at 18:20:07
Anxiety has been a problem for some people. A comparison with effexor for how it will work on anxiety probably isn't fair, since cymbalta works equally on NE and 5HT but effexor favors 5HT and some claim really only affects 5ht at the lower doses. The extra NE of cymbalta may be causing the anxiety I've seen discussed.
Posted by theo on October 25, 2004, at 23:27:27
In reply to Re: Cymbalta - 30mg. sleepy, 60 mg. wired?, posted by ravenstorm on October 25, 2004, at 22:37:26
If Cymbalta is truly comparable to Effexor XR, it won't work for me because Effexor made me shake and made me nervous, even after 6 weeks.
Posted by SLS on October 26, 2004, at 11:43:15
In reply to Re: Cymbalta - 30mg. sleepy, 60 mg. wired?, posted by theo on October 25, 2004, at 23:27:27
> If Cymbalta is truly comparable to Effexor XR, it won't work for me because Effexor made me shake and made me nervous, even after 6 weeks.
You won't know unless you try.
The two drugs are similar in such a way that they are generally placed in a category of drugs labelled SNRI. However, they are completely different molecules that might act differently enough in an individual to be worth trying. It looks like a major difference between the two is that Cymbalta reduces anxiety almost immediately.
- Scott
Posted by yznhymer on October 26, 2004, at 19:10:58
In reply to Re: Cymbalta - 30mg. sleepy, 60 mg. wired? » theo, posted by SLS on October 26, 2004, at 11:43:15
> > If Cymbalta is truly comparable to Effexor XR, it won't work for me because Effexor made me shake and made me nervous, even after 6 weeks.
>
> You won't know unless you try.
>
> The two drugs are similar in such a way that they are generally placed in a category of drugs labelled SNRI. However, they are completely different molecules that might act differently enough in an individual to be worth trying. It looks like a major difference between the two is that Cymbalta reduces anxiety almost immediately.
>
>
> - ScottUnless it ratchets up your anxiety, which also happens immediately. :-)
Mark
Posted by SLS on October 26, 2004, at 19:33:58
In reply to Re: Cymbalta - 30mg. sleepy, 60 mg. wired? » SLS, posted by yznhymer on October 26, 2004, at 19:10:58
> > > If Cymbalta is truly comparable to Effexor XR, it won't work for me because Effexor made me shake and made me nervous, even after 6 weeks.
> >
> > You won't know unless you try.
> >
> > The two drugs are similar in such a way that they are generally placed in a category of drugs labelled SNRI. However, they are completely different molecules that might act differently enough in an individual to be worth trying. It looks like a major difference between the two is that Cymbalta reduces anxiety almost immediately.
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
> Unless it ratchets up your anxiety, which also happens immediately. :-)
>
> Mark
Hi Mark.Has this been your experience with Cymbalta. Does the anxiety disappear with time?
Best wishes.
- Scott
Posted by yznhymer on October 26, 2004, at 22:51:11
In reply to Re: Cymbalta - 30mg. sleepy, 60 mg. wired?, posted by SLS on October 26, 2004, at 19:33:58
> > > > If Cymbalta is truly comparable to Effexor XR, it won't work for me because Effexor made me shake and made me nervous, even after 6 weeks.
> > >
> > > You won't know unless you try.
> > >
> > > The two drugs are similar in such a way that they are generally placed in a category of drugs labelled SNRI. However, they are completely different molecules that might act differently enough in an individual to be worth trying. It looks like a major difference between the two is that Cymbalta reduces anxiety almost immediately.
> > >
> > >
> > > - Scott
> >
> > Unless it ratchets up your anxiety, which also happens immediately. :-)
> >
> > Mark
>
>
> Hi Mark.
>
> Has this been your experience with Cymbalta. Does the anxiety disappear with time?
>
> Best wishes.
>
>
> - ScottScott...
Indeed it was. I was only on 30mgs for 2 weeks but the anxiety was getting worse to the point of being physically uncomfortable. I was often very sleepy and anxious at the same time. I didn't take it one day to give myself a break (and hopefully enjoy a wank) but couldn't bring myself to resume the med the next day.
Altogether, it was a short trial, I know, but the sexual side effects were so intractible that I didn't see it as a long term solution anyway. BTW, it took almost a week for sexual functioning to approach normal again after stopping Cymbalta. There were no real withdrawal symptoms but, in general, I feel significantly more depressed and anxious after stopping Cymbalta than before I started it. (Yet somehow I still manage to have moments when I feel awfully fine... go figure.)
Anyway, I'm hoping I haven't shortchanged myself, which is why I keep watching the posts. Seems like reactions to Cymbalta cover the field. It's apparently working well for some, with few or diminishing side effects, so I wouldn't discourage anyone from giving it a try.
Hope you find something that works well with it, if that's your next move. I'm rooting for ya!
Mark
Posted by Cecilia on October 27, 2004, at 1:58:03
In reply to Re: Cymbalta - 30mg. sleepy, 60 mg. wired? » SLS, posted by yznhymer on October 26, 2004, at 22:51:11
I don`t understand how drugs that increase norepinephrine can NOT increase anxiey, though obviously for a lot of people they don`t. Cymbalta definitely increased my anxiety, though not as bad as Effexor, though nothing in the world could be as bad as Effexor. Well, no Parnate was. Cymbalta didn`t make me sleepy, but I sure know that tired but wired feeling you mentioned, Zynhymer, Remeron gave me that, that feeling of being totally exhausted but at the same time ready to jump out of your skin-it`s a horrible feeling. Cecilia
Posted by Cairo on October 27, 2004, at 5:39:11
In reply to Re: Norepinephrine and anxiety, posted by Cecilia on October 27, 2004, at 1:58:03
I'm finishing week 3 of Cymbalta and the agitation/jumpiness is becoming too much to handle. I don't feel particularly "anxious", just physical symptoms such as shaking, insomnia, hypersensitive to sounds/light/stimulus, stiff neck, elevated BP (start to notice at 30mg), stomach pain, hot flushes, blurry vision, decreased appetite, and increased energy (the only two positive things, though the energy manifests itself as the need to run around and clean, almost like too much caffeine). I started Cymbalta at 30mg and had to lower it to 20mg then to 10mg. Things actually seem to be getting worse maybe because it is disrupting my sleep and increasing pain (I have Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain). Yesterday I was sitting in the car waiting for my daughter when an acorn fell from a tree and hit the top of the car - I literally almost hit the ceiling and felt like I was going to burst into tears. Even the vibration from driving down the road seems amplified and makes me feel like I'm going to jump out of my skin. My neck muscles are unbelievable tight and my jaw often feels like it's trembling. I react terrribly to SSRI's and me thinks even with a balanced SSRI/NRI effect it's too much.
I've got an appointment with my Pdoc in two weeks, but I don't know if I can continue with Cymbalta until then. Do you think these SE will go away or should I just give it up? The other day I forgot to take my 10mg and it was the best day I've had in 3 weeks. I tried cutting down on the Desyrel I take for sleep (from 100mg to 50mg) in case the Cytochrome P450 enzyme 2DP competition was increasing the blood levels of Cymbalta, but then I don't sleep and that is awful for my Fibro symptoms. What do you think?
Cairo
> I don`t understand how drugs that increase norepinephrine can NOT increase anxiey, though obviously for a lot of people they don`t. Cymbalta definitely increased my anxiety, though not as bad as Effexor, though nothing in the world could be as bad as Effexor. Well, no Parnate was. Cymbalta didn`t make me sleepy, but I sure know that tired but wired feeling you mentioned, Zynhymer, Remeron gave me that, that feeling of being totally exhausted but at the same time ready to jump out of your skin-it`s a horrible feeling. Cecilia
Posted by ravenstorm on October 27, 2004, at 11:26:40
In reply to Norepinephrine anxiety - when is enough enough?, posted by Cairo on October 27, 2004, at 5:39:11
On another board I post to people are also having problems with anxiety with this drug. . .and some are not. I guess a blanket statement either way is not going to cut it. But for people to claim this drug is always going to help with anxiety is just NOT true!!!!! Seems about 50/50 right now. Also, some have anxiety immediately (so maybe a start up side effect?) while others have developed anxiety as late as a month into use.
Posted by frombe on October 31, 2004, at 3:17:55
In reply to Re: Norepinephrine anxiety - when is enough enough?, posted by ravenstorm on October 27, 2004, at 11:26:40
> On another board I post to people are also having problems with anxiety with this drug. . .and some are not. I guess a blanket statement either way is not going to cut it. But for people to claim this drug is always going to help with anxiety is just NOT true!!!!! Seems about 50/50 right now. Also, some have anxiety immediately (so maybe a start up side effect?) while others have developed anxiety as late as a month into use.
>
>
I've been on 60mg of cymbalta for 7 days now and can't say I tell much of anything but I really don't expect to in so little time. I have always been very prone to panic attacks though mostly even keel in mood. I was worried that the norepinephrine would cause more panic attacks but it hasn't.I notice that many people complain about being sleepy all the time but it seems that in most cases they are splitting their dose b/t morning and night. I tried that and slept all day. Now I take it at night and do not have any issue with borderline narcolepsy during the day.
This is the end of the thread.
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