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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Regina on March 3, 2005, at 19:39:40
Hi,
I went on cymbalta back in September and it caused extreme fatigue until around Thanksgiving when I started having bursts of energy and less depression. Unfortunately it stopped working in a couple of weeks. I've been extremely fatigued and am wondering if it is a return of the fatigue side effect of the cymbalta that I experienced in the fall, or just my general depression.
Can anyone who has experienced this sort of thing let me know their perspective? I do not want to discontinue the cybalta if there's any chance it will work since going on it was really difficult.
Thanks
Posted by fires on March 3, 2005, at 21:58:54
In reply to Cymbalta fatigue, posted by Regina on March 3, 2005, at 19:39:40
> Hi,
>
> I went on cymbalta back in September and it caused extreme fatigue until around Thanksgiving when I started having bursts of energy and less depression. Unfortunately it stopped working in a couple of weeks. I've been extremely fatigued and am wondering if it is a return of the fatigue side effect of the cymbalta that I experienced in the fall, or just my general depression.
>
> Can anyone who has experienced this sort of thing let me know their perspective? I do not want to discontinue the cybalta if there's any chance it will work since going on it was really difficult.
>
> Thanks
I quit it after only 24 days -- beyond fatigue >>
extreme lethargy.
Posted by Racer on March 4, 2005, at 20:45:37
In reply to Re: Cymbalta fatigue » Regina, posted by fires on March 3, 2005, at 21:58:54
Six of one, half dozen of the other. I have lethargy, fatigue, etc, and just lowered Cymbalta to 30 mg from 60. Today is the first day I've felt really awake in ages, which I assume is partly soemthing not related to meds, and partly placebo effect, and maybe partly the meds. Who knows?
But I only had a very, very brief period of not feeling lethargic on Cymbalta. Otherwise, it's been ongoing, and we're still in the tweaking stage of trying to get me to a place where I'm not depressed, but also not lethargic, amotivated, and generally good for something beyond holding down the sofa.
Posted by empty inside on March 5, 2005, at 1:25:30
In reply to Cymbalta fatigue, posted by Regina on March 3, 2005, at 19:39:40
> Can anyone who has experienced this sort of thing let me know their perspective? I do not want to discontinue the cybalta if there's any chance it will work since going on it was really difficult.<<
I couldn't stand the Cymbalta. I was started on it while also on 600mg wellbutrin, which, if you know, is quite stimulating as far as many of the ADs go. I was on 60mg and was a zombie even with my wellbutrin. even on 30mg i just could not wake up or get out of bed the next day i felt like lead (and of course depression already has a tendency to do that to me, but the wellbutrin had been helping) so i finally decided to go off of it since I felt no positive effects -- just sleepiness, fogginess and lethargy. I was on it for only a month though.
I've been on so many drugs i'd have to really sit and think to name them all... and wellbutrin is the only one that has made much of a difference. besides effexor a few years ago, 450 mg, but that pooped out and left me completely numb to everything. i was literally like the walking dead. :/
Posted by Regina on March 5, 2005, at 1:46:03
In reply to Re: Cymbalta fatigue, posted by Racer on March 4, 2005, at 20:45:37
> Six of one, half dozen of the other. I have lethargy, fatigue, etc, and just lowered Cymbalta to 30 mg from 60. Today is the first day I've felt really awake in ages, which I assume is partly soemthing not related to meds, and partly placebo effect, and maybe partly the meds. Who knows?
>
> But I only had a very, very brief period of not feeling lethargic on Cymbalta. Otherwise, it's been ongoing, and we're still in the tweaking stage of trying to get me to a place where I'm not depressed, but also not lethargic, amotivated, and generally good for something beyond holding down the sofa.Now, now, Racer, lets not put ourselves down. There are a lot of sofas that need to be held down!
How long were you on the cymbalta? When was your brief period of non-lethargy? Mine was for 2 weeks 2 1/2 months into it. My doctor is lowering my dosage by 30 mgs, so hopefully that will wake me up without withdrawal.
Well, I've gotta go. There's a lot of space, and I need to stare into it.
Posted by Missjanice on July 27, 2005, at 16:57:16
In reply to Re: Cymbalta fatigue » Racer, posted by Regina on March 5, 2005, at 1:46:03
> My doc just reduced my dose of cymbalta to 30 mgs. I'm wondering if this help you with the fatigue? Wellbutrin helped me the most with fatigue but caused ringing in my ears. Is there any other med that helps with fatigue?
Posted by partlycloudy on July 27, 2005, at 18:21:48
In reply to Re: Cymbalta fatigue, posted by Missjanice on July 27, 2005, at 16:57:16
I take 25mg of Topamax as an adjunt to 60mg of Cymbalta, and it improved my energy though I take it as a mood stabiliser to help with the residual depression.
Wellbutrin caused my blood pressure to rise too high.
p.s. Welcome to Babble!!partlycloudy
Posted by Regina on July 27, 2005, at 18:54:42
In reply to Re: Cymbalta fatigue, posted by Missjanice on July 27, 2005, at 16:57:16
My doctor just tried me on the narcalepsy drug provigil. It is very expensive, and she said that generally insurance companies won't pay for it unless you can prove it works first. She had some free samples. I wasn't on it long because I got sick and thought that the drug might be causing it. Now I realize that no, I'm just sick. I'll probably try it again later.
Posted by Missjanice on July 27, 2005, at 21:43:53
In reply to Re: Cymbalta fatigue » Missjanice, posted by partlycloudy on July 27, 2005, at 18:21:48
thanks so much for your response. I will ask my doc about topamax and progivil. it helps to know other people are dealing with the same problems.
Posted by up'n'down on July 29, 2005, at 2:37:43
In reply to Re: Cymbalta fatigue, posted by Racer on March 4, 2005, at 20:45:37
> Six of one, half dozen of the other. I have lethargy, fatigue, etc, and just lowered Cymbalta to 30 mg from 60. Today is the first day I've felt really awake in ages, which I assume is partly soemthing not related to meds, and partly placebo effect, and maybe partly the meds. Who knows?
>
> But I only had a very, very brief period of not feeling lethargic on Cymbalta. Otherwise, it's been ongoing, and we're still in the tweaking stage of trying to get me to a place where I'm not depressed, but also not lethargic, amotivated, and generally good for something beyond holding down the sofa.I am on 20/30 mgs. of Cymbalta per day. It is amazing how hard it is for me to let loose of sleep, and how hard it is to drag my body out of bed. Once I get up and start my day, I don't notice being drowsy; however, if I read for very long during the day, I tend to fall asleep if I don't limit my time. My depression has always been more towards the desire for sleep and escape from the stress and strain of living, so it isn't just the med that makes me that way. I like to hold down my adjustable bed or my recliner, Racer! up'n'down
Posted by Missjanice on July 29, 2005, at 16:28:15
In reply to Cymbalta, posted by up'n'down on July 29, 2005, at 2:37:43
Has anyone tried ritalan, adderall, pemoline, cytomel? I realize this is a long list but I found these suggestions on the "Tips" section of this site and these meds have never been offered to me. I have a 3 year old to keep up with and have a hard time with caffiene but have too much anxiety without taking some kind of antidepressant. This is just like a dog chasing his tail! Except I guess sometimes they catch thiers!
Posted by Regina on July 29, 2005, at 17:44:40
In reply to Re: Cymbalta, posted by Missjanice on July 29, 2005, at 16:28:15
I tried ritalin. It made me worse, but it might help you.
This is the end of the thread.
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