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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jamal Spelling on March 2, 2008, at 12:47:54
Some say a few days, unlike SSRIs which take weeks. Is that true?
Posted by bleauberry on March 2, 2008, at 13:00:10
In reply to How long does Cymbalta take to start working?, posted by Jamal Spelling on March 2, 2008, at 12:47:54
Could start working in 2 days.
Could start working in 2 weeks.
Could start working in 2 months.
Could not work at all.
Could make you more depressed in 2 days.
Could make you more depressed in 2 weeks.
Could make you more depressed in 2 months.I have seen all of the above scenarios play out with folks on cymbalta.
Really, there is no prediction with meds. Some claim there is more immediate effects felt from SNRIs which, if true, might be more of the norepinephrine boost rather than a true therapeutic effect.
Posted by Racer on March 2, 2008, at 15:00:46
In reply to How long does Cymbalta take to start working?, posted by Jamal Spelling on March 2, 2008, at 12:47:54
In my experience, it took about four to six weeks, just like SSRIs. Some effects were apparent before that, particularly some anxiolytic effects, but any real anti-depressant effects took a while to show up.
Hope that helps.
Posted by Phillipa on March 2, 2008, at 16:06:18
In reply to Re: How long does Cymbalta take to start working? » Jamal Spelling, posted by Racer on March 2, 2008, at 15:00:46
After three months at 60mg no improvement in anxiety for me so went off it when I found that pain had been relieved while one the med. Good Luck Phillipa
Posted by Jamal Spelling on March 2, 2008, at 18:14:22
In reply to Re: How long does Cymbalta take to start working? » Jamal Spelling, posted by Racer on March 2, 2008, at 15:00:46
> Hope that helps.
That does help, thank you. I just wish I knew why you stopped taking Cymbalta.
Posted by Racer on March 2, 2008, at 20:38:59
In reply to Re: How long does Cymbalta take to start working?, posted by Jamal Spelling on March 2, 2008, at 18:14:22
> > I just wish I knew why you stopped taking Cymbalta.
I stopped it because it wasn't working well enough for me, and the situation I was in led me to believe that I would be better off without it.
How's that for cryptic?
A lot of the problems I was having at that time related to a doctor for whom I was experiencing a very deep distrust. That certainly played a part in how well any medication could work for me. At the time I stopped Cymbalta, it seemed to be adding to the problems I was still having -- problems that I have had with every serotinergic medication I've ever taken. It had its good points, but it wasn't helpful enough to continue, so I stopped it.
I'm sorry I can't offer something that would be more helpful. Here's what I can offer: I have not done well with any of the serotinergic medications. They can numb me out a bit, but they don't fix what ails me, and rarely give me the boost I need to try to fix those things myself. It's less like being in remission from depression, and more like not giving a rat's behind that I am depressed. Cymbalta was by far the best serotinergic medication I have ever tried, though, if that helps. Far fewest side effects, and it did have some beneficial effects. I thought it was a good medication, I had no trouble tapering off it, and I recommend it without hesitation.
If you've ever had any benefit from any serotinergic drug, give this one a try -- it really wasn't that I stopped it for being a bad drug. I stopped it for not being a good enough drug for me at that time under those circumstances. I will even discuss trying it again with my doctor.
I hope that is more helpful to you.
Posted by Jamal Spelling on March 3, 2008, at 0:45:28
In reply to Re: How long does Cymbalta take to start working? » Jamal Spelling, posted by Racer on March 2, 2008, at 20:38:59
Thank you, Racer. Your answer was very useful.
Posted by Maxime on March 5, 2008, at 18:52:21
In reply to Re: How long does Cymbalta take to start working? » Racer, posted by Jamal Spelling on March 3, 2008, at 0:45:28
The Cymbalta is working for me at 60 mg (along with Wellbutrin). The past few days i have felt better than I have in a long time. I have only been on the 60 mg for over a week now.
Maxime
Posted by bissie66 on March 10, 2008, at 10:10:50
In reply to Re: How long does Cymbalta take to start working? » Jamal Spelling, posted by Maxime on March 5, 2008, at 18:52:21
After 6 weeks (going from 30 mg to 60 to 90 then back to 60) I was not having any effect and was utterly hopeless. Then my doctor added Remeron 30 mg. and Bingo! It's working great. I am doing a happy dance! I recommend this combo highly for anyone who is treatment resistant. I am also taking Topomax 200 mg. which I think is helping tremendously with the crazy Remeron hunger. I have actually lost a couple pounds. Gratefully, Bissie
Posted by maxime on March 12, 2008, at 14:20:02
In reply to Re: How long does Cymbalta take to start working?, posted by bissie66 on March 10, 2008, at 10:10:50
That is good news. But maybe it's just the Remeron that is helping. Maybe you don't need to be on the Cymbalta.
Maxime
Posted by bissie66 on March 12, 2008, at 15:06:49
In reply to Re: How long does Cymbalta take to start working? » bissie66, posted by maxime on March 12, 2008, at 14:20:02
No, I have taken Remeron alone and it didn't do anything except make me tired. I have taken Remeron + Effexor several times before (aka California Rocket Fuel) and it worked great, just like Remeron + Cymbalta. However, it pooped out after a couple of months and I gained some weight (not too much -- 5-10 lbs -- but enough to make me feel bad). I hope Cymbalta is different enough from Effexor that it won't poop out as quickly. That seems to be a problem with me.
There is a paper I read, and my pdoc told me about this (and even drew me a little diagram), about the synergistic relationship between Remeron and Effexor/Cymbalta. It's really cool how they work together. Big guns as they say.
I'm glad to hear Cymbalta is working for you.
Posted by Marian Warren on March 17, 2008, at 11:54:28
In reply to How long does Cymbalta take to start working?, posted by Jamal Spelling on March 2, 2008, at 12:47:54
My mother takes just Cymbalta and has taken and not responded to other antidepressents. She said after 6 weeks she felt better, and after 3 months she really felt a difference in energy, etc.
Posted by RicCory on April 6, 2008, at 21:43:14
In reply to Re: How long does Cymbalta take to start working? » Jamal Spelling, posted by Maxime on March 5, 2008, at 18:52:21
How much Wellbutrin are you taking with the 60 mg of Cymbalta? Thanks!
This is the end of the thread.
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