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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ChicagoPete on September 18, 2004, at 12:04:27
Over the course of my life, I've been told I'm ADD, depressed, GAD, or Bipolar - depending on which psychiatrist I talk to.
But no anti-depressant has ever helped me, and stimulants make me feel anxious, and that's about it. I'm not sure that I'm "depressed", but my mood has definately been poor most of my life.
I'm almost 23, and I have had difficulty going to classes and holding jobs because of these problems that I can never really put a finger on.
I finally decided to see someone again, and I've been on Cymbalta for four days. It's another anti-depressant, so I didn't really expect much, because I'm not convinced that I'm "depressed".
Strangely, I have noticed a marked improvement in concentration, focus, motivation, and finishing tasks at work.
Does Cymbalta help with ADHD symptoms? It's pretty remarkable to me, since this was the first day at work in my life when I wasn't completely miserable and feeling overwhelmed by total boredom and wanting to die.
From my research, Cymbalta affects Norepinephrine, which is the same chemical that Stratterra boosts, and that drug is for ADHD. Could I have had ADHD all these years? And is it unusual that it's started working within a week?
Posted by PoohBear on September 18, 2004, at 20:55:50
In reply to Been taking Cymbalta for 4 days now..., posted by ChicagoPete on September 18, 2004, at 12:04:27
Pete:
Though Straterra is used for ADHD, it's actually an AD, as you have noted. If you're seeing a marked increase in productivity asnd concentration, my guess is that you really were depressed and didn't know it. I have depression and ADHD and Effexor helped me part-way with concentration, because the depression wasn't getting in the way. That's most likely what's happened with you.
Tony
> Over the course of my life, I've been told I'm ADD, depressed, GAD, or Bipolar - depending on which psychiatrist I talk to.
>
> But no anti-depressant has ever helped me, and stimulants make me feel anxious, and that's about it. I'm not sure that I'm "depressed", but my mood has definately been poor most of my life.
>
> I'm almost 23, and I have had difficulty going to classes and holding jobs because of these problems that I can never really put a finger on.
>
> I finally decided to see someone again, and I've been on Cymbalta for four days. It's another anti-depressant, so I didn't really expect much, because I'm not convinced that I'm "depressed".
>
> Strangely, I have noticed a marked improvement in concentration, focus, motivation, and finishing tasks at work.
>
> Does Cymbalta help with ADHD symptoms? It's pretty remarkable to me, since this was the first day at work in my life when I wasn't completely miserable and feeling overwhelmed by total boredom and wanting to die.
>
> From my research, Cymbalta affects Norepinephrine, which is the same chemical that Stratterra boosts, and that drug is for ADHD. Could I have had ADHD all these years? And is it unusual that it's started working within a week?
>
>
Posted by karaS on September 18, 2004, at 23:39:13
In reply to Been taking Cymbalta for 4 days now..., posted by ChicagoPete on September 18, 2004, at 12:04:27
> Over the course of my life, I've been told I'm ADD, depressed, GAD, or Bipolar - depending on which psychiatrist I talk to.
>
> But no anti-depressant has ever helped me, and stimulants make me feel anxious, and that's about it. I'm not sure that I'm "depressed", but my mood has definately been poor most of my life.
>
> I'm almost 23, and I have had difficulty going to classes and holding jobs because of these problems that I can never really put a finger on.
>
> I finally decided to see someone again, and I've been on Cymbalta for four days. It's another anti-depressant, so I didn't really expect much, because I'm not convinced that I'm "depressed".
>
> Strangely, I have noticed a marked improvement in concentration, focus, motivation, and finishing tasks at work.
>
> Does Cymbalta help with ADHD symptoms? It's pretty remarkable to me, since this was the first day at work in my life when I wasn't completely miserable and feeling overwhelmed by total boredom and wanting to die.
>
> From my research, Cymbalta affects Norepinephrine, which is the same chemical that Stratterra boosts, and that drug is for ADHD. Could I have had ADHD all these years? And is it unusual that it's started working within a week?
>
>If I understand this correctly, depression based on low norepinephrine can have the same symptoms as ADHD in that you can't concentrate well. If Strattera or Cymbalta work for you to allow you to concentrate better, it doesn't necessarily follow that you were just depressed before or just have ADHD or that your problem was in fact both of these things. On the otherhand, if your symptoms are now gone, how important is the label?
I'm in the same situation in trying to figure out if my lack of concentration is due to depression, ADHD or both. I may try Cymbalta myself soon. I hope you have continued success with it!
Kara
Posted by theo on September 19, 2004, at 8:52:16
In reply to Been taking Cymbalta for 4 days now..., posted by ChicagoPete on September 18, 2004, at 12:04:27
I might be starting Cymbalta this week for the exact symptoms you have. What dose are you taking?
Posted by ChicagoPete on September 19, 2004, at 14:15:47
In reply to Re: Been taking Cymbalta for 4 days now... » ChicagoPete, posted by theo on September 19, 2004, at 8:52:16
I'm taking 60mg - it's my 5th day and I feel even better!
I'm glad I tried this!
Posted by Bill LL on September 20, 2004, at 11:07:07
In reply to Been taking Cymbalta for 4 days now..., posted by ChicagoPete on September 18, 2004, at 12:04:27
I think that you are correct that norepinephrine is working to help with your concentration. ADD, GAD, and depression often go together. I have all 3. I take Lexapro and Strattera.
Strattera is interesting in that it was first submitted to the FDA as an antidepressant. But the FDA did not approve it (I guess it didn't work). It was then resubmitted for ADD and won approval. Cymbalta also effects serotonin which is good for depression. I'd say you found the right drug!
> Over the course of my life, I've been told I'm ADD, depressed, GAD, or Bipolar - depending on which psychiatrist I talk to.
>
> But no anti-depressant has ever helped me, and stimulants make me feel anxious, and that's about it. I'm not sure that I'm "depressed", but my mood has definately been poor most of my life.
>
> I'm almost 23, and I have had difficulty going to classes and holding jobs because of these problems that I can never really put a finger on.
>
> I finally decided to see someone again, and I've been on Cymbalta for four days. It's another anti-depressant, so I didn't really expect much, because I'm not convinced that I'm "depressed".
>
> Strangely, I have noticed a marked improvement in concentration, focus, motivation, and finishing tasks at work.
>
> Does Cymbalta help with ADHD symptoms? It's pretty remarkable to me, since this was the first day at work in my life when I wasn't completely miserable and feeling overwhelmed by total boredom and wanting to die.
>
> From my research, Cymbalta affects Norepinephrine, which is the same chemical that Stratterra boosts, and that drug is for ADHD. Could I have had ADHD all these years? And is it unusual that it's started working within a week?
>
>
Posted by verne on September 20, 2004, at 11:38:59
In reply to Been taking Cymbalta for 4 days now..., posted by ChicagoPete on September 18, 2004, at 12:04:27
I just started cymbalta a couple hours ago, and I'm not getting the usual immediate side effects I experienced with all the other SSRI's. With Zoloft I broke into a sweat within 15 minutes and felt weak among other things. Prozac and others clouded my thinking and had an immediate heavy body load for me. I could usually tell within a half hour whether a drug had too much anticholengeric action and side effects for me to handle but so far with cymbalta, all's well.
If anything, with cymbalta, I'm experiencing increased lucidity and a touch of euphoria in the early going. Very, very clean.
I know it's too soon to tell, but I'm encouraged. (and this is from someone who is skeptical and didn't give it much chance)
steady as she goes. I'll report back when I've taken it a few days or weeks.
verne
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