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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 blueberry1 on January 28, 2007, at 4:48:33
I can't believe how sensitive I am. Here I am at a mere 5mg cymbalta and I'm frieking out with anxiety and fear and nervousness. On the bright side the deep dark depression seems a lot lighter. Previously I dreaded waking up and looking at the day ahead of me because I had absolutely no desire to live and it seemed like a long endurance marathon through an infinite dark dungeon. Now I wake up and dread the day because I have this strong nagging nervousness that just makes me 'scared' of everything. Hard to explain. I can't help but wonder if all those years on zyprexa changed things to where I cannot live without it. This fear stuff I feel from cymbalta is kind of in the paranoia weirdness vein more than the anxiety vein. But maybe it is just plain anxiety. Maybe I should try some xanax and see what happens. Doc said use it if I need it. From what I remember about xanax though, it never did get rid of my inner fear stuff, it just calmed everything else but didn't touch the fear.
I gotta try to stick with it a few weeks and see if it mellows out or gets worse. That is going to be real real hard.
Can you imagine? 5mg giving someone a hard time? That's ridiculous. And to think the normal route is to start at 30mg for a week and then go to 60mg. Wow. So many people at remedyfind have taken cymbalta without much trouble. Some had a lot of trouble. With me all I can say is it is a serious and powerful chemical.
Posted by SLS on January 28, 2007, at 7:31:44
In reply to Cymbalta at 3 days update, posted by blueberry1 on January 28, 2007, at 4:48:33
So, what's your plan to deal with the anxiety should it continue beyond a week or two? I hope you don't have to abort the drug trial.
I wish you tons of painless luck.
:-)
- Scott
Posted by valene on January 28, 2007, at 7:55:16
In reply to Re: Cymbalta at 3 days update, posted by SLS on January 28, 2007, at 7:31:44
Blueberry, maybe try adding xanax daily for a couple of weeks until you adjust to the Cymbalta? I take xanax every day (25 years) and I know I am "dependent" but it did help when I had a trial of Effexor some years ago.....
and if you only take it a couple of weeks maybe won't become dependent on it? Good luck, Val
Posted by polarbear206 on January 28, 2007, at 8:34:54
In reply to Cymbalta at 3 days update, posted by blueberry1 on January 28, 2007, at 4:48:33
> I can't believe how sensitive I am. Here I am at a mere 5mg cymbalta and I'm frieking out with anxiety and fear and nervousness. On the bright side the deep dark depression seems a lot lighter. Previously I dreaded waking up and looking at the day ahead of me because I had absolutely no desire to live and it seemed like a long endurance marathon through an infinite dark dungeon. Now I wake up and dread the day because I have this strong nagging nervousness that just makes me 'scared' of everything. Hard to explain. I can't help but wonder if all those years on zyprexa changed things to where I cannot live without it. This fear stuff I feel from cymbalta is kind of in the paranoia weirdness vein more than the anxiety vein. But maybe it is just plain anxiety. Maybe I should try some xanax and see what happens. Doc said use it if I need it. From what I remember about xanax though, it never did get rid of my inner fear stuff, it just calmed everything else but didn't touch the fear.
>
> I gotta try to stick with it a few weeks and see if it mellows out or gets worse. That is going to be real real hard.
>
> Can you imagine? 5mg giving someone a hard time? That's ridiculous. And to think the normal route is to start at 30mg for a week and then go to 60mg. Wow. So many people at remedyfind have taken cymbalta without much trouble. Some had a lot of trouble. With me all I can say is it is a serious and powerful chemical.
Why don't you try taking it a night along with xanax for a couple weeks? Have you ever taken fish oil caps? This might be a good add on too for you. If so, I'm sure you know to take one with a higher ratio of EPA to DHA. I take 3 1200mg of Nature Made Maimum strength twice a day. Research has suggested that those with more severe depression/anxiety and bipolar depressions benifit from higher doses. Like you said, try and stick it out. Too many people give up too fast and don't give it a try. I have read your post about your hyper-sensitivety to medications and hope your will find relief. Do you any form of exercise? Do something that will make you sweat, to get those endorphins flowing. This is a great anxiety buster.Polarbear
Posted by ronaldo on January 28, 2007, at 10:57:32
In reply to Cymbalta at 3 days update, posted by blueberry1 on January 28, 2007, at 4:48:33
> I can't help but wonder if all those years on zyprexa changed things to where I cannot live without it.
Hi blueberry, what defeatist talk is this? You have hardly been off the Zyprexa for 3 weeks and already you are thinking of running back to it. Naturally you are still feeling the withdrawals, after all you were on it for 10 years, what do you expect? It will probably be another year at least until you begin to feel free of Zyp effects. Never lose sight of how hard and courageously you worked to come off it.
Yes the fight is still not over but the worst part is, you have conquered the worst of it. Now you just have to continue to be courageous, I wish I had your courage - me a rank amateur of a mere four years of Zyp - I cannot imagine what it is like to come off a history of 10 years of Zyprexa. I honestly can't believe that you would consider selling the rest of your life to this obnoxious little tablet. Blueberry you know you can get by without Zyp, you have already proved it to yourself. Be strong, be resolute, never say yes to Zyp again.
Mileage varies but a mile is always 1,760 yards - at least it is in England.
Good luck Friend.
ronaldo
P.S. Maybe you should consider increasing your dose of Cymbalta. Take this as advice from a complete novice.
Posted by ronaldo on January 28, 2007, at 11:25:09
In reply to Cymbalta at 3 days update, posted by blueberry1 on January 28, 2007, at 4:48:33
Hi blueberry,
Me again. I've just had a thought which might be meaningless but might be right on the button.
When I came off Zyprexa the first time, 5 mg to 0 mg in four weeks flat, I noticed that other medications had no effect. Seroquel wouldn't work, neither would Zopiclone. I'm no expert but apparently, according to ed_uk, other medications will not work unless they are chemically related to Zyprexa if in fact you are tapering off Zyprexa. I had been off the Zyprexa for all of 3 weeks and still the Seroquel and the Zopiclone just would not work.
I wonder if your brain is still tuned in to the Zyprexa and is rather unwilling to allow other imposters in. Maybe you still have to give it some more time, if time is a commodity you can afford.
I trust you can tough this one out blueberry. You must have a lot of sand if you can come off 10 years of Zyprexa.
[South African lexicon: sand = grit = courage/determination.]
Posted by Phillipa on January 28, 2007, at 11:26:02
In reply to Re: Cymbalta at 3 days update » blueberry1, posted by ronaldo on January 28, 2007, at 10:57:32
Blueberry 1 did the ECT affect how meds affect you? I know you were always med sensitive. Just a thought? Love Phillipa
Posted by blueberry1 on January 28, 2007, at 13:08:05
In reply to Re: Cymbalta at 3 days update, posted by SLS on January 28, 2007, at 7:31:44
> So, what's your plan to deal with the anxiety should it continue beyond a week or two? I hope you don't have to abort the drug trial.
>
> I wish you tons of painless luck.
>
> :-)
>
>
> - ScottHi Scott.
First thing to try is taurine. I've tried it before, it helped, and even seemed to have a tad bit of mood lift to it. I could never figure that out, but in another thread today Larry Hoover gives information that in addition to its calming, taurine increases dopamine.
Second thing to try is xanax. I like to be as sharp as I can be cognitively, so for that reason I try to avoid xanax. But it sure does work. I always carry some in my pocket.
As long as I don't run into dramatically worsened depression, outrageous irritation/agitation, stuff like that, I am going to do the best I can with cymbalta.
Posted by blueberry1 on January 28, 2007, at 13:11:07
In reply to Re: Cymbalta at 3 days update, posted by valene on January 28, 2007, at 7:55:16
> Blueberry, maybe try adding xanax daily for a couple of weeks until you adjust to the Cymbalta? I take xanax every day (25 years) and I know I am "dependent" but it did help when I had a trial of Effexor some years ago.....
> and if you only take it a couple of weeks maybe won't become dependent on it? Good luck, Val
>Thanks Val. Taurine or xanax are on my emergency list. Both onhand and ready to go if needed.
You are proof that people can go many years on benzos.
Posted by blueberry1 on January 28, 2007, at 13:20:24
In reply to Re: Cymbalta at 3 days update ))) Blueberry, posted by polarbear206 on January 28, 2007, at 8:34:54
>
> Why don't you try taking it a night along with xanax for a couple weeks? Have you ever taken fish oil caps? This might be a good add on too for you. If so, I'm sure you know to take one with a higher ratio of EPA to DHA. I take 3 1200mg of Nature Made Maimum strength twice a day. Research has suggested that those with more severe depression/anxiety and bipolar depressions benifit from higher doses. Like you said, try and stick it out. Too many people give up too fast and don't give it a try. I have read your post about your hyper-sensitivety to medications and hope your will find relief. Do you any form of exercise? Do something that will make you sweat, to get those endorphins flowing. This is a great anxiety buster.
>
> Polarbear
>I respect your knowledge and I appreciate you taking the time to help.
Nightime dosing with xanax. Hmm. Not a bad idea.
I do take fish oil. Not enough though. I need to increase the dose. Only take 400mg epa 300mg dha. I have tried high doses before and it was either my imagination, a placebo effect, or it really did increase both anxiety and depression. Not sure.
Exercise. Yeah I get tons of that. I walk a very fast pace about 4 miles a day. Never break out in a sweat though. If I exercise too hard, I can reliably expect increased anxiety afterwards, followed by worse depression. That noradrenaline gets pumped up too much, and then it crashes and I get real depressed.
I'm going to do my best to stick it out. Taurine or xanax are on my list of anxiety managers. As long as cymbalta doesn't do something really bad, like severe balled up crying fits, outrageous agitation, I am going to do my best to keep at it.
Posted by blueberry1 on January 28, 2007, at 13:27:36
In reply to Re: Cymbalta at 3 days update » blueberry1, posted by ronaldo on January 28, 2007, at 10:57:32
I hear ya Ronaldo. You are right. I had not considered that I wasn't out of the woods yet. I thought zyprexa was behind me. 10 years is a long time. I lose sight of that.
I think it was the 5ht blocking that did the good effects of zypexa in terms of anxiety blocking. The reason I say that is because 7.5mg remeron felt the same way. It blocked those same receptors and overnight my anxiety vanished (pre-cymbalta). But the other mechanisms of remeron sucked for me. I wonder maybe if I take a half of 7.5mg if I could get that 5ht blocking without the noradredergic part.
You are a faithful strong support and I really appreciate that.
Posted by blueberry1 on January 28, 2007, at 13:32:58
In reply to Re: Cymbalta at 3 days update, posted by Phillipa on January 28, 2007, at 11:26:02
> Blueberry 1 did the ECT affect how meds affect you? I know you were always med sensitive. Just a thought? Love Phillipa
My guess would be yes. I didn't used to be THIS sensitive. I mean, I took 20mg prozac and 5mg zyprexa like they were candy. No side effects or anything. I even took 30mg cymbalta one day, didn't feel it much, and took 60mg the next day...along with the prozac and zyprexa, back in 2005. Didn't feel anything except sexual impossibility.
Posted by linkadge on January 28, 2007, at 15:48:17
In reply to Re: Cymbalta at 3 days update » Phillipa, posted by blueberry1 on January 28, 2007, at 13:32:58
Have you ever tried feverfew?
It is a fairly potent 5-ht2a antagonist, and I believe it is also a 5-ht2c angatonist.
Anyhow, I found it was a lot like the atypical antipsychotics in its ability to help anxiety, but did not produce anhedonia, perhaps by not blocking dopamine receptors.
Anyhow, I'd give it a try if you haven't
Start with 1 ~300mg cap.
Linkadge
Posted by blueberry1 on January 28, 2007, at 17:25:23
In reply to Re: Cymbalta at 3 days update, posted by linkadge on January 28, 2007, at 15:48:17
Thanks for the tip Link. You always come up with some good unique ideas. I'll add this one to my list.
> Have you ever tried feverfew?
>
> It is a fairly potent 5-ht2a antagonist, and I believe it is also a 5-ht2c angatonist.
>
> Anyhow, I found it was a lot like the atypical antipsychotics in its ability to help anxiety, but did not produce anhedonia, perhaps by not blocking dopamine receptors.
>
> Anyhow, I'd give it a try if you haven't
>
> Start with 1 ~300mg cap.
>
>
> Linkadge
>
Posted by Phillipa on January 28, 2007, at 19:01:01
In reply to Re: Cymbalta at 3 days update ))) Blueberry » polarbear206, posted by blueberry1 on January 28, 2007, at 13:20:24
Blueberry is that why when I ride my bike double the mileage to l4 miles even with meds I can't sleep that night? Love Phillipa
Posted by polarbear206 on January 29, 2007, at 8:47:40
In reply to Re: Cymbalta at 3 days update ))) Blueberry » polarbear206, posted by blueberry1 on January 28, 2007, at 13:20:24
>
> >
> > Why don't you try taking it a night along with xanax for a couple weeks? Have you ever taken fish oil caps? This might be a good add on too for you. If so, I'm sure you know to take one with a higher ratio of EPA to DHA. I take 3 1200mg of Nature Made Maimum strength twice a day. Research has suggested that those with more severe depression/anxiety and bipolar depressions benifit from higher doses. Like you said, try and stick it out. Too many people give up too fast and don't give it a try. I have read your post about your hyper-sensitivety to medications and hope your will find relief. Do you any form of exercise? Do something that will make you sweat, to get those endorphins flowing. This is a great anxiety buster.
> >
> > Polarbear
> >
>
> I respect your knowledge and I appreciate you taking the time to help.
>
> Nightime dosing with xanax. Hmm. Not a bad idea.
>
> I do take fish oil. Not enough though. I need to increase the dose. Only take 400mg epa 300mg dha. I have tried high doses before and it was either my imagination, a placebo effect, or it really did increase both anxiety and depression. Not sure.
>
> Exercise. Yeah I get tons of that. I walk a very fast pace about 4 miles a day. Never break out in a sweat though. If I exercise too hard, I can reliably expect increased anxiety afterwards, followed by worse depression. That noradrenaline gets pumped up too much, and then it crashes and I get real depressed.
>
> I'm going to do my best to stick it out. Taurine or xanax are on my list of anxiety managers. As long as cymbalta doesn't do something really bad, like severe balled up crying fits, outrageous agitation, I am going to do my best to keep at it.
>
>Blueberry,
Thank you for the compliment. I hope you will keep this post going so I can see how you are doing with your new med regime. Did I read somewhere in one of your other post that you work night shift? I'm not sure if it was you or not. The best thing to do with hard to treat depressions etc... is to stay away from working these kind of hours. It just compounds the problems when you have irregular sleeping patterns. It plays such an important role for your body and mind to be on the same sleep/wake cycle when taking these medications. I know that in reality not everyone is able to do this with their jobs. When I was just out of nursing school I worked 5 years of night shift, and I will never do it again. It really messed me up. This was even before my symptoms really came to the surface. It wasn't until after the birth of my son 17 years ago, that all hell broke loose. Severe PPD. I never want anyone to go through what I did. Never went back to my gynocologist after that. He told me to listen to music and take walks and basically blew me off. I ended up in the psych-ward within a week.
polarbear
Posted by blueberry1 on January 29, 2007, at 15:00:50
In reply to Re: Cymbalta at 3 days update ))) Blueberry, posted by polarbear206 on January 29, 2007, at 8:47:40
Thanks for your post. Night shift wasn't too hard except for the first few days. I am back on days now. Night shift was for 3 weeks. The trick I discovered was to staple some dark blankets over the windows. Venetian blinds let in a lot more light than I thought.
I used 7.5mg remeron for 3 nights when I switched back to days to help shift the sleeping pattern quickly. It worked decent.
Thankfully I do not have to do this often. Maybe twice a year for 2-3 weeks at a time.
Now that I look back on it, I did struggle through some unusually deep moods during those nights. It's hard when you are already real depressed to recognize it at the time, but now that I look back I can see it. Also noticed my first week back on days had unusually deep moods, deeper than my normal major depression. The sleeping patterns were not a problem, but the mood effects were amplified in a bad way.
Up to 8mg cymbalta now. That nervousness fear stuff is mostly gone. Not many side effects other than slightly upset stomach, distant headache, and some vague feeling of tenseness. My usual afternoon sinking into the deepest depression part of the day and into a profound state of fatigue seems to be noticeably smoother.
blueberry
This is the end of the thread.
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