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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tjeffries on May 10, 2006, at 5:44:17
called my Dr. back yesterday, and she said she would definitely try cymbalta.....I don't know.....what do you all know about it? Bad side effects? lots of weight gain? let me know what you know.....I will try it, but, I want to tell her, I want to keep the benzos until this would take effect, and also have a bottle on hand just in case of panic cuz, I have terrible anxiety. I am so scared.
Posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2006, at 12:53:28
In reply to CYMBALTA? I AM SO LOST., posted by tjeffries on May 10, 2006, at 5:44:17
I don't know your history but for me my primary dx is anxiety and panic. The first time I took 60mg nothing no side effects and no help with depression. Second time couldn't stand the anxiety. Can't figure why it worked differently the second time. Love Phillipa
Posted by Racer on May 10, 2006, at 12:58:53
In reply to CYMBALTA? I AM SO LOST., posted by tjeffries on May 10, 2006, at 5:44:17
I took Cymbalta for about a year and a half, and it was a pretty friendly drug for me after the first couple of weeks -- and a few adjustments to how I took it. At first, I took it the way I always take vitamins and drugs: swallow the handful of pills when I sit down for breakfast, and then start eating. Well, not with Cymbalta for me. I had to eat my egg, then take the pills. Before I figured that out, I had diarrhea, but taking it after eating a few bites fixed that. Other than the diarrhea, though, there were about three days of not liking what it was doing -- just general yuckiness and weirdness, and then pretty much nothing. For me, it was probably rather anxiolytic, and certainly somewhat sedating. That's me, though, and amphetamines can sedate me, so expect your mileage to vary.
Frankly, my experience of it was a good, rather benign drug, with virtually no side effects other than the one mentioned above, which went away. I'd like to say it was an effective antidepressant for me, but that would be a lie. {sigh} Doesn't mean it wouldn't work a treat for someone else, though.
Good luck.
Posted by gardenergirl on May 10, 2006, at 13:18:34
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA? I AM SO LOST. » tjeffries, posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2006, at 12:53:28
Phillipa,
I forget, did you make it to 60mg the second time? I seem to recall your taking less because you were worried about side effects, was that right? That might account for the different response the second time.gg
Posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2006, at 19:15:17
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA? I AM SO LOST. » Phillipa, posted by gardenergirl on May 10, 2006, at 13:18:34
gg no the second time only 30mg. I never had any side effects the first time at either dose even at the beginning. The second time I think had something to do with being in a new area and a new pdoc who wanted me to up it weekly to 120mg. And the manufacturer doesn't recommend above the 60mg. And my first appointment was a big disappointment. He didn't ask questions just wrote a script. Later after that disaster I asked his nurse why he doesn't talk to pts and she replied oh that's the way he is. Found out there are two conglomerates in Charlotte kind of all work togethere share philosophies. Fear I'm sure played a factor I wanted to cry and my head felt like it would explode and my legs were uncontrollably twitching. The minute I stopped the med the symptoms went away. I've been looking for someone else even theraphy wise and everyone is full. And most of the good docs recommend the two groups. Oh and you are not allowed to switch docs in the same practice. Which I think is totally unfair. Goggle Eastoverpsych.com. I see Wallace. I wanted Luria seemed like a better match. Their site was down for a while. Think it's back up again. The therapist Susan recommended a group run by PHD's for anxiety and I called and they are full and won't run a program for quite a while. Any other suggestions? Running out of options. Love Phillipa
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on May 10, 2006, at 23:33:18
In reply to CYMBALTA? I AM SO LOST., posted by tjeffries on May 10, 2006, at 5:44:17
I think that most pdocs would overlap the start of cymbalta w/ tapering the benzos that you are on. And having a small amt on hand for as needed use sounds pretty reasonable. I think you should bring it up w/ her asap. It is a very reasonable request.
I know cymbalta has helped some folks w/ anxiety and depression, although I don't have personal experience. It does sound like a pretty good possibility though. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Best,
EE
Posted by Jost on May 11, 2006, at 12:34:36
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA? I AM SO LOST., posted by Emily Elizabeth on May 10, 2006, at 23:33:18
>
> I know cymbalta has helped some folks w/ anxiety and depression, although I don't have personal experience. It does sound like a pretty good possibility though. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
>
> Best,
> EECymbalta worked for me, although I'm supersensitive to serotonin side effects and could only take about 20 mg. every other day. It heightened my anxiety-vigilance, I think, but at the same time, seemed to make my thinking clearer and less fraught.
For example, I was more able to pull out of the endless self-defeating examinations of the meanings of things that I tend to get into. Thinking more clearly was a huge plus.
I didn't sleep so well and the tension was a bit of a strain. But I had just had a really tough discontinuation of another AD, so it was a bad time and it seemed to help that.
Unfortunately it caused a rather unusual side effect, and I had to stop. But I'd say it's definitely worth trying.
I hope it helps.
Jost
Posted by Phillipa on May 11, 2006, at 20:12:07
In reply to Re: CYMBALTA? I AM SO LOST. » Phillipa, posted by gardenergirl on May 10, 2006, at 13:18:34
gg I thought I posted this last night. Must have forgotten to push the button the second time. Sorry about that. Yes the first time I got to 60mg for about a month after 30mg for two months and the doc took me off no improvement at all. This year when we move the new pdoc said try it again. This time he started at 30mg and my head felt like it would explode. Couldn't cry. My husband had to hold his hand on my legs while trying to sleep they were twitching so bad and he could feel it. Took it for around 2-3 weeks. the pdoc said stop and I did. Then we started the luvox which I have no side effects or benefits either. Hence my babblemail to you on the nardil. As I see him in a week and have to make a decision whether to try EMSAM or he will even presribe nardil. Just want to know about anxiety and nardil. Thanks and sorry I just forgot to click the second time so it was posted. Love Jan
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