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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 Chris O on March 3, 2005, at 16:07:43
I just went to my psychiatrist today to get some Klonapin, but he steered me away from it due to its addictive qualities and bad withdrawals (He's an "anti-benzo" doc). He encouraged me to try Cymbalta instead. I've read a bit about it; it's more like Effexor (an SSNRI), from what I gather. I'm not certain if this is the best drugs for my symptoms, which tend to be on the GAD, panic, OCD, agoraphobic side. I'm going to give it a wing, but my sense is that this drug will increase, rather than decrease, my overall anxiety.
All feedback appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris
Posted by Spriggy on March 3, 2005, at 17:36:41
In reply to What people's experiences with Cymbalta?, posted by Chris O on March 3, 2005, at 16:07:43
Isn't it weird how different pdoc's are??
My pdoc steered me away from AD's and steered me to low dose Klonopin.
Just the opposite.
Cymbalta- I haven't been on it but my mother was on it. She had good success on it (she has anxiety/GAD/Depression). She lost some weight on it, said she had more energy, increased libido but it pooped out fairly early for her so she had to go off of it.
While she was on it, I can say she was the happiest I have ever seen her.
A close friend from church just started Cymbalta last week- she said she keeps noticing her jaw clenching up really bad but other than that, hasn't had any side effects and of course, too soon to tell if it will work or not.
ya know, we all respond so differently that even if everyone else did great on it- it may not be for you. Or vice versa.
Basically, we are all guinea pigs when it comes to these drugs. You try, try, and try again until you find one that fits.
Posted by Phillipa on March 3, 2005, at 18:07:41
In reply to Re: What people's experiences with Cymbalta?, posted by Spriggy on March 3, 2005, at 17:36:41
I tried cymbalta. It seemed to deaden my emotions. Blunt them. I weaned off 60mg after about 3 months. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Chris O on March 3, 2005, at 18:14:31
In reply to Re: What people's experiences with Cymbalta?, posted by Phillipa on March 3, 2005, at 18:07:41
I was just looking over various Cymbalta posts here and on remedyfind.com. Overall, I would say there is more negative than positive. That's too bad. I'm not sure what my next step is. I was on Lexapro for 8 months at 30-40mg/day, but that was just not so effective for my anxiety, just kind of left me feeling fatigued and blah. I took a Wellbutrin/ Celexa combo four years ago that, to my memory, worked better than the Lex, but with more and greater side-effects. Tried every natural supplement on the planet. Am a functional dysfunctional, working a sub-par job worrying about too much and not enjoying life enough or living with any sense of purpose. Blah. Hope I can find the balance to someday live with purpose and hope.
Thanks again,
Chris
Posted by fires on March 3, 2005, at 18:25:43
In reply to What people's experiences with Cymbalta?, posted by Chris O on March 3, 2005, at 16:07:43
> I just went to my psychiatrist today to get some Klonapin, but he steered me away from it due to its addictive qualities and bad withdrawals (He's an "anti-benzo" doc). He encouraged me to try Cymbalta instead. I've read a bit about it; it's more like Effexor (an SSNRI), from what I gather. I'm not certain if this is the best drugs for my symptoms, which tend to be on the GAD, panic, OCD, agoraphobic side. I'm going to give it a wing, but my sense is that this drug will increase, rather than decrease, my overall anxiety.
>
> All feedback appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
After 30 mg for only 24 days I had to stop it -- total lethargy.
Posted by Spriggy on March 3, 2005, at 19:29:55
In reply to Re: What people's experiences with Cymbalta? » Chris O, posted by fires on March 3, 2005, at 18:25:43
chris,
I can't tolerate Ad's either. Have you thought about a mood stabilizer instead of Ad?I just got put on my first mood stabilizer.. Depakote.
I'll let you know if it helps me since we sound so similar.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on March 3, 2005, at 19:38:10
In reply to What people's experiences with Cymbalta?, posted by Chris O on March 3, 2005, at 16:07:43
The side effects were pretty annoying the first couple of weeks, but it has been very effective on my depression AND anxiety. I have gained a little weight (5 pounds in 2 months) and my BP has gone up a little -- so we've just reduced my dose from 60 to 40mg -- but these side effects may be atypical.
Posted by Chris O on March 3, 2005, at 19:46:05
In reply to Re: What people's experiences with Cymbalta?, posted by Spriggy on March 3, 2005, at 19:29:55
Spriggy:
I'll reply to you now since I'm still on.
I've been following your posts here. I'm not certain if we are similar in terms of our symptoms. However, perhaps we are. I'm way over in the GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder--mostly obsessing here), agoraphobia, and panic camp. I don't think I have ever had any bipolar symptoms. I'm just anxious, anxious, anxious, all the time. My mom is also a very anxious/paranoid person. Her parents were both hardcore alcoholics (probably to combat anxiety). My mom was my grandmother's caretaker, and I, in many ways, was my mom's emotional caretaker. I'm a 37 year old male, but there is still much unresolved baggage for me there, probably causing much of my anxiety, and probably has caused it for so long to such a degree that there are brain changed physicological symptoms that are difficult, if not impossible to reverse. I can't say that I had the same response to SSRIs as you either. I just stopped taking Lexapro after being on it for 8 months; it's not that it was a particularly bad drug in terms of side effects for me, it just did not do much, it was not strong enough. Five years ago, when I took the Celexa/Wellbutrin combo, it also worked, but...I don't know...I am so "drug paranoid" (as I said to you in one of your other threads--in that way we are similar), that I just stopped taking that combo after a year, even though it was doing something. I was teaching high school English at the time, and lost my job, probably due to my anxiety disorder, but I was on the meds when I lost my job so...go figure. I can function with my anxiety, but...it's becoming imminently clear to me that my life will never go anywhere unless I get it managed better. I am a functional dysfunctional right now. I hope the mood stabilizer works for you...it sounds like, with your dad (and mom?) being bipolar, that might be the ticket out of your funk. I'm just curious: How was/is the Klonopin? That seems to be a really good drug for people with anxiety. Even though my psych wouldn't prescribe it, I might revisit Klonopin in the future. Anyway, Spriggy, I appreciate the feedback and I will keep looking at your posts everytime I come back to see how you are doing. I hope you get your game back with or without the meds.
Good luck
Chris
Posted by Chris O on March 3, 2005, at 19:50:54
In reply to Re: What people's experiences with Cymbalta?, posted by Minnie-Haha on March 3, 2005, at 19:38:10
Minnie-Haha:
That's good to know. So it sounds like, overall, Cymbalta has been effective for you. I read some of your other posts earlier about Cymbalta and I think you were considering going off of it? It's good to know you've stuck with it and things have gotten better. I suffer more from anxiety and panic, I think, than depression. Does that describe you too? I'm also guessing that Cymbalta is more like Effexor, more activating, so I'm just curious how that "activating" aspect affects your anxiety.
Thanks/good luck
Chris> The side effects were pretty annoying the first couple of weeks, but it has been very effective on my depression AND anxiety. I have gained a little weight (5 pounds in 2 months) and my BP has gone up a little -- so we've just reduced my dose from 60 to 40mg -- but these side effects may be atypical.
>
Posted by Ritch on March 3, 2005, at 23:37:01
In reply to What people's experiences with Cymbalta?, posted by Chris O on March 3, 2005, at 16:07:43
> I just went to my psychiatrist today to get some Klonapin, but he steered me away from it due to its addictive qualities and bad withdrawals (He's an "anti-benzo" doc). He encouraged me to try Cymbalta instead. I've read a bit about it; it's more like Effexor (an SSNRI), from what I gather. I'm not certain if this is the best drugs for my symptoms, which tend to be on the GAD, panic, OCD, agoraphobic side. I'm going to give it a wing, but my sense is that this drug will increase, rather than decrease, my overall anxiety.
>
> All feedback appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
It made my anxiety/panic much worse, but I've got bipolar, so maybe that was the trouble (Cymbalta aggravating bipolar). Effexor worked far better for anxiety.
Posted by Spriggy on March 4, 2005, at 12:35:36
In reply to Re: What people's experiences with Cymbalta? » Chris O, posted by Ritch on March 3, 2005, at 23:37:01
Hey chris,
Thanks for the reply. Yes, we sound similar. I am definitely a functional dysfunctional person as well. People that know me, would not have a clue how I really feel most of the time. I try very hard to be "strong" especially when other's are around.For the record, my mom is not bipolar (my father and grandmother were), but my mom sounds much like yours. VERY anxious all the time about everything. I grew up in an environment of fear without a doubt, and instability which likely is a root cause to much of this.
I am working on the healing process with God's help but these things take a lot of time. I didn't get "here" overnight so I won't get better overnight either.
The klonopin does help me but it doesn't make me feel drugged or sedated. It just "calms" down my nerves. I'm on a really low dose so I can't see why your doctor won't just allow you to try it.
I would pursue that avenue and possibly find a new doctor to just allow you to try.
Once I finally get the nerve up to try out this Depakote, I'll let you know if it works. lol
Posted by Minnie-Haha on March 4, 2005, at 18:42:36
In reply to Re: What people's experiences with Cymbalta? » Minnie-Haha, posted by Chris O on March 3, 2005, at 19:50:54
> That's good to know. So it sounds like, overall, Cymbalta has been effective for you. I read some of your other posts earlier about Cymbalta and I think you were considering going off of it? It's good to know you've stuck with it and things have gotten better. I suffer more from anxiety and panic, I think, than depression. Does that describe you too? I'm also guessing that Cymbalta is more like Effexor, more activating, so I'm just curious how that "activating" aspect affects your anxiety.
I am still considering going off it if blood-pressure problems don't stabilize (which I think they're doing after the decrease from 60mg to 40mg) or if I keep gaining weight (so far only 5 pounds in 2 months, but I'm already fat, so I don't want to gain any more)!
Until my last bout, anxiety was not a part of my problems, but oh! I got anxiety with a vengeance this last time. Others here have reported that Cymbalta has aggravated their anxiety, but that has NOT been my experience. It has helped me with both my depression AND my anxiety (though since I've dropped to 40mg, not quite so robustly).
It has been a little "activating" for me, I suppose, but in a healthy way... I don't feel hypomanic or anything.
I started Bupropion (Wellbutrin) 75mg this a.m. to augment for the little bit of amotivation I've been feeling, and hoping to stop the weight gain. I'm more worried about that causing anxiety than the Cymbalta. Wish me luck!
Posted by Chris O on March 4, 2005, at 18:46:51
In reply to Re: What people's experiences with Cymbalta?, posted by Minnie-Haha on March 4, 2005, at 18:42:36
The feedback is much appreciated. For me, a person prone to panic and anxiety, I can't imagine a double SSNRI combo. I'd probably be shaking and screaming on the ground. Perhaps I will try my Cymbalta; I've got a month's sample here before I go back to visit my psych. Anyway, let me know how it goes with the Wellbutrin/Cymbalta combo, I'd be curious to know.
Thanks again,
Chris
Posted by joni g on March 5, 2005, at 22:11:34
In reply to Thanks for the feedback Minnie » Minnie-Haha, posted by Chris O on March 4, 2005, at 18:46:51
i'm new to this site. i was looking for recent info on cymbalta, since i'm on it and a friend said she heard something on the news about - what else - serious health side effects from it. i thought i'd offer my 2 cents. i'm currently on 60 mg. i was also taking paxil 65 mg, but just titrated off of that. i have relatively major depression and generalized anxiety. i've been told that cymbalta *helps* anxiety (that was a concern since i was giving up paxil as it was getting in the way of losing weight, which i need to do cause i'm a diabetic). i haven't noticed any worsening of anxiety, either on or off the paxil, since starting the cymbalta, other than a couple nites where i tightened my body. i *have* noticed my vision has gotten blurry and saw that someone had the same problem....very frustrating! i used to take effexor. cymbalta is much more effective for my depression than effexor! i'd rate it a 9, and it was effective the first week. i was amazed. i have alot of other health issues that affect energy (sleep apnea w/desaturation events, which means i'm not getting enough oxygen to brain and other organs, low thryoid was just diagnosed - again - and i'm not yet on medication, fibromyalgia). so, it's impossible for me to tell about energy/lethargy that's attributable to cymbalta/depression, other than the change i noticed when i first switched meds. as i implied, a definite improvement. oh, no weight gain, but then again, i'm taking topamax for weight loss (again, due to diabetes), so that might be countering any tendency there. and, whereas my BP used to be fluctuating normal to high, it is now normal since i've been on cymbalta.
Posted by Chris O on March 6, 2005, at 2:37:31
In reply to Re: Thanks for the feedback Minnie, posted by joni g on March 5, 2005, at 22:11:34
Thanks for the feedback, Joni. If you'd rate Cymbalta a 9, it does sound pretty effective. I still haven't given my samples a go; just have to be sure I want to commit to an SSRI type med for several months before taking it. I'm just curious: How, specifically, has Cymbalta affected your anxiety/depression symptoms? I mean, physically/mentally, what were you like before and after taking the Cymbalta? Sorry, about the blurry vision thing. That sounds frustrating. I guess the BP not fluctuating and weight not fluctuating is positive though, as many others on here taking Cymbalta seem to have issues with those two things.
Thanks again,
Chris
Posted by joni g on March 7, 2005, at 23:22:16
In reply to Great feedback, thanks » joni g, posted by Chris O on March 6, 2005, at 2:37:31
> Thanks for the feedback, Joni. If you'd rate Cymbalta a 9, it does sound pretty effective. I still haven't given my samples a go; just have to be sure I want to commit to an SSRI type med for several months before taking it. I'm just curious: How, specifically, has Cymbalta affected your anxiety/depression symptoms? I mean, physically/mentally, what were you like before and after taking the Cymbalta? Sorry, about the blurry vision thing. That sounds frustrating. I guess the BP not fluctuating and weight not fluctuating is positive though, as many others on here taking Cymbalta seem to have issues with those two things.
>
> Thanks again,
> Chrishi, chris,
how nice to get a response! from what i can remember...i was feeling fairly low, i.e., lethargic, thinking about being depressed alot of the time. after, i had more energy, felt 'up,' wasn't thinking about being depressed, was thinking about positive things. outlook went from negative to positive. as for anxiety, that seems to have subsided greatly before i started taking cymbalta. i'm not exactly sure why, other than being long away from stressful work (left that 3/01), stressful houseshares, having a cognitive therapist who's taught me various skills/strategies for my particular stressors. i think i'm still an anxious person, just not nearly as bad as i used to be. the worst manifestation is that i pick my skin in certain places, even while bleeding. still seems weird to me, since i always hated the sight of blood. anyway, other than that, my anxiety isn't particularly bothersome at this time. i can't really say that cymbalta's had any effect on my anxiety. but, like i said in my last post, i've had psych people tell me that cymbalta treats anxiety (at least to a certain extent). maybe for me it's just kept it under control. and as someone pointed out, psychotropic meds is more an art than science, or hit and miss if you prefer! and it is SO difficult to compare yourself to someone else because we are all unique. i, for one, have so many other issues that interweave and/or coexist that it's with great warning that you should use me as an example. i don't know your history, specifically whether you've tried ssri-type meds before, what else you've tried and w/what results, but cymbalta is supposed to help both sets of neurotransmitters AND pain, so it was a good fit for me.
good luck.
joni =^.^=
Posted by Chris O on March 8, 2005, at 8:46:16
In reply to Re: Great feedback, thanks, posted by joni g on March 7, 2005, at 23:22:16
This is the end of the thread.
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