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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CHARLES E. 'BRITT' E on June 24, 2007, at 23:49:03
I NEED YOUR FEEDBACK, PLEASE! Psychiatrists, physcopharmocologists and internists have treated me for 30 years. Diseases: severe major depression, panic attacks daily, choking effect in throat causing no voice DAILY. Not good for a professional musician/singer/pianist! LOL! I was an Emory University special study case in 1985, and was prescribed these Medications: Xanax 2mg.day for panic attacks, Prozac for depression; Dexedrine SR always returns my voice. Now 10 doctors later, I was taking 225mg Effexor XR; continue on 300mg Wellbutrin, 45mg.Dexedrine, 2mg Klonopin just to work and function. Effexor helped 1-6 months in last 6 years. I Started Cymbalta 30mg - 60mg 1 week ago "cold turkey”! Depression is far worse in 1 week. Any suggestions from anyone that takes a similar combination of meds? I have not felt happy in 15 years! However; now I have no panic attacks, my voice is good, anxiety is fair, but nothing has improved this horrible depression. I have been terminated the last 5 times from great jobs (totally due to my depression, private) in the last 7 years. Which should I add, change or quit taking "2 MANY PILLS"? Cymbalta or Effexor; along with this weird combination of other drugs that works well except for the depression? This is horrible, please give me your advice and expertise'! FYI, I can’t reduce Effexor daily at all over a even a 3-day period, causing worst depression possible, so I switched from Effexor to Cymbalta with no break. Sorry this is long, complicated and frustrating. Write me! Help!
Posted by polarbear206 on June 25, 2007, at 9:59:10
In reply to Effexor.Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Klonopin, Dexedrine, posted by CHARLES E. 'BRITT' E on June 24, 2007, at 23:49:03
>
> I NEED YOUR FEEDBACK, PLEASE! Psychiatrists, physcopharmocologists and internists have treated me for 30 years. Diseases: severe major depression, panic attacks daily, choking effect in throat causing no voice DAILY. Not good for a professional musician/singer/pianist! LOL! I was an Emory University special study case in 1985, and was prescribed these Medications: Xanax 2mg.day for panic attacks, Prozac for depression; Dexedrine SR always returns my voice. Now 10 doctors later, I was taking 225mg Effexor XR; continue on 300mg Wellbutrin, 45mg.Dexedrine, 2mg Klonopin just to work and function. Effexor helped 1-6 months in last 6 years. I Started Cymbalta 30mg - 60mg 1 week ago "cold turkey”! Depression is far worse in 1 week. Any suggestions from anyone that takes a similar combination of meds? I have not felt happy in 15 years! However; now I have no panic attacks, my voice is good, anxiety is fair, but nothing has improved this horrible depression. I have been terminated the last 5 times from great jobs (totally due to my depression, private) in the last 7 years. Which should I add, change or quit taking "2 MANY PILLS"? Cymbalta or Effexor; along with this weird combination of other drugs that works well except for the depression? This is horrible, please give me your advice and expertise'! FYI, I can’t reduce Effexor daily at all over a even a 3-day period, causing worst depression possible, so I switched from Effexor to Cymbalta with no break. Sorry this is long, complicated and frustrating. Write me! Help!
>
Antidepressants can exacerbate depression in some people who have underlying affective disorders. You might want to discuss with your doctor the use of a mood stablizer like Lamictal and back off to a lower dose of your AD. Lamictal also has AD properties which is an added bonus. It has worked well in combo with AD's for people with hard to treat depression. There is a web site remedyfind.com that you will see Lamictal has a high success rate. You have been suffering too long, so what do you got to loose?Polarbear
Posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2007, at 12:07:43
In reply to Re: Effexor.Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Klonopin, Dexedrine » CHARLES E. 'BRITT' E, posted by polarbear206 on June 25, 2007, at 9:59:10
Good advise polarbear. I was on cymbalta 60mg and it did nothing for depression. How similar know they are both SNRI's is effexor to cymbalta though and what would a comparable dose be as a pdoc here wanted me to take 120mg of cymbalta said no the manufacturer only says 60mg but he adamantly said 120mg works better. Need less to say I left. But have they changed the dosing . Lamictal is good. Love Phillipa
Posted by brooke484 on June 25, 2007, at 13:58:50
In reply to Effexor.Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Klonopin, Dexedrine, posted by CHARLES E. 'BRITT' E on June 24, 2007, at 23:49:03
Have you had your thyroid checked? I had that same chocking feeling and it turns out I had a lump the size of a quarter on my thyroid gland.
Just a thought...brooke
Posted by Charles e. Britt E. on June 25, 2007, at 18:09:20
In reply to Re: Effexor.Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Klonopin, Dexedrine » CHARLES E. 'BRITT' E, posted by polarbear206 on June 25, 2007, at 9:59:10
> > Polarbear,
What amazing advice! In my research, most of my time has been devoted to depression meds and not the other medicines i take. I admit I have never heard of Lamictal, and more concerned that it was never introduced to me by Phys. in 5 different states. I will study the website you provided. Thanks you so much!> > I NEED YOUR FEEDBACK, PLEASE! Psychiatrists, physcopharmocologists and internists have treated me for 30 years. Diseases: severe major depression, panic attacks daily, choking effect in throat causing no voice DAILY. Not good for a professional musician/singer/pianist! LOL! I was an Emory University special study case in 1985, and was prescribed these Medications: Xanax 2mg.day for panic attacks, Prozac for depression; Dexedrine SR always returns my voice. Now 10 doctors later, I was taking 225mg Effexor XR; continue on 300mg Wellbutrin, 45mg.Dexedrine, 2mg Klonopin just to work and function. Effexor helped 1-6 months in last 6 years. I Started Cymbalta 30mg - 60mg 1 week ago "cold turkey”! Depression is far worse in 1 week. Any suggestions from anyone that takes a similar combination of meds? I have not felt happy in 15 years! However; now I have no panic attacks, my voice is good, anxiety is fair, but nothing has improved this horrible depression. I have been terminated the last 5 times from great jobs (totally due to my depression, private) in the last 7 years. Which should I add, change or quit taking "2 MANY PILLS"? Cymbalta or Effexor; along with this weird combination of other drugs that works well except for the depression? This is horrible, please give me your advice and expertise'! FYI, I can’t reduce Effexor daily at all over a even a 3-day period, causing worst depression possible, so I switched from Effexor to Cymbalta with no break. Sorry this is long, complicated and frustrating. Write me! Help!
> >
>
>
> Antidepressants can exacerbate depression in some people who have underlying affective disorders. You might want to discuss with your doctor the use of a mood stablizer like Lamictal and back off to a lower dose of your AD. Lamictal also has AD properties which is an added bonus. It has worked well in combo with AD's for people with hard to treat depression. There is a web site remedyfind.com that you will see Lamictal has a high success rate. You have been suffering too long, so what do you got to loose?
>
> Polarbear
>
Posted by Charles e. Britt E. on June 25, 2007, at 18:20:53
In reply to Re: Effexor.Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Klonopin, Dexedrine » polarbear206, posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2007, at 12:07:43
Phillipi, thanks for your input. I was also informed that 60mg of Cymbalta is the maximum. It is also good to know that you also agree on the use of Lamictal. Thank you.
Posted by Charles e. Britt E. on June 25, 2007, at 18:36:22
In reply to Re: Effexor.Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Klonopin, Dexedrine, posted by brooke484 on June 25, 2007, at 13:58:50
>Brooke, Your advice is well taken. I have the usual physical exam every 3 years, but would a thyroid problem show up in blood tests? I will admit I have to eat less than most people or I would be obese; understanding that the thyroid can affect weight gain, correct? Never knew it could cause speaking and most likely (singing problems)!
Thanks, BrittHave you had your thyroid checked? I had that same chocking feeling and it turns out I had a lump the size of a quarter on my thyroid gland.
> Just a thought...
>
> brooke
Posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2007, at 20:32:24
In reply to Re: Effexor.Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Klonopin, Dexedrine » brooke484, posted by Charles e. Britt E. on June 25, 2007, at 18:36:22
A goiter? So now thyroid meds? Love Phillipa
Posted by Princess777Vegas on June 25, 2007, at 23:44:21
In reply to Re: Effexor.Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Klonopin, Dexedrine » Charles e. Britt E., posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2007, at 20:32:24
That seems like too large of a drug cocktail to me - uppers and downers.. and several of them. Maybe you are on too much?
I had the same problem.. I was on adderall, klonopin, seroquel AND Wellbutrin.
Now I'm just on Wellbutrin and Seroquel and I'm not doing GREAT but much better..The stimulants combined with benzos was a nightmare (in the long-term..worked at first)
Good luck
Elizabeth
Posted by brooke484 on June 26, 2007, at 13:11:17
In reply to Re: Effexor.Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Klonopin, Dexedrine » brooke484, posted by Charles e. Britt E. on June 25, 2007, at 18:36:22
My TSH was always in the "normal" range but I still had symptoms (dry eyes, hair falling out, etc). You also have to look at Free T4 and Free T3. Did your doctor check those also?
brooke
Posted by brooke484 on June 26, 2007, at 13:12:13
In reply to Re: Effexor.Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Klonopin, Dexedrine » Charles e. Britt E., posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2007, at 20:32:24
Yes. I take armour. It's cheap and works a lot better than synthroid.
brooke
Posted by nevergiveup on June 26, 2007, at 14:31:25
In reply to Re: Effexor.Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Klonopin, Dexedrine, posted by Princess777Vegas on June 25, 2007, at 23:44:21
Effexor is really hard to get off of, as you probably know. For the last 37.5 mg I went granuale by granuale for monthes to finally get off of it and still had withdrawal. You should never decrease it more than 37.5 mg/ 2 weeks. ie. you can drop 37.5 mg every 2 weeks, but i would take it slower than that. it takes a while to adjust.
Posted by Charles e. Britt E. on June 26, 2007, at 17:32:11
In reply to Re: Effexor.Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Klonopin, Dexedrine, posted by Princess777Vegas on June 25, 2007, at 23:44:21
> Thank you Elizabeth for your comments. It has always bothered me that yes, these are uppers and downers. But I have experimented an enormous amount of times to not take the Dexedrine, but then I can hardly speak a word and I can not perform and sing. I am a musical entertainer, and that is my profession. And yes it has bothered me for 20 years and I feel like I'm taking too much medicine but so far except for the depression is the only combination that works. The Cymbalta seems a little better today as this day 12. Again, I agree with your comments but I have tried it! Thank you so much.B.
That seems like too large of a drug cocktail to me - uppers and downers.. and several of them. Maybe you are on too much?
>
> I had the same problem.. I was on adderall, klonopin, seroquel AND Wellbutrin.
>
> Now I'm just on Wellbutrin and Seroquel and I'm not doing GREAT but much better..The stimulants combined with benzos was a nightmare (in the long-term..worked at first)
>
> Good luck
>
> Elizabeth
Posted by Charles e. Britt E. on June 26, 2007, at 17:38:48
In reply to thyroid, posted by brooke484 on June 26, 2007, at 13:11:17
Thank you for your comments regarding thyroid. I have no clue about T3 and T4 if those were checked so I will need to contact the doctor that has my blood profile last. However, I have never had dry eyes or hair falling out, thank God. I hope you're doing well now. Thank you B.
Posted by Charles e. Britt E. on June 26, 2007, at 17:44:42
In reply to Re: Effexor.Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Klonopin, Dexedrine, posted by nevergiveup on June 26, 2007, at 14:31:25
I totally agree with you. Two days ago I started taking just 37.5 of the Effexor, and just that alone has made me feel 100% better. Thanks for good advice. B.
Posted by med_empowered on June 26, 2007, at 18:09:40
In reply to Re: Effexor.Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Klonopin, Dexedrine, posted by Charles e. Britt E. on June 26, 2007, at 17:44:42
So, everything BUT the depression is better? Is the depression the same as it was before meds--or has the nature of it changed? You might want to try a mood-stabilizer (lamictal, trileptal). You could try talk therapy, if you haven't already. Opiates are sometimes used for very treatment-resistant depression....
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