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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Hopeful79 on November 5, 2004, at 23:08:53
In reply to Re: Cymbalta-it's working, posted by 3librasgirl on November 5, 2004, at 9:49:26
Yea I know exactly how you feel but things will hopefully work out for you and all of us here at Psycho-Babble. Do continue to share.
Posted by curious2know on November 6, 2004, at 9:36:28
In reply to Re: Cymbalta-it's working » DaveJ, posted by Hopeful79 on November 4, 2004, at 20:44:37
Hey everyone,
I have just taken my first dose (30mg)of Cymbalta and I'm really hoping this helps greatly with diminishing my anxiety. I started to dissociate, my doc says its what i do when i become extremely anxious. Just hoping this stuff will make me feel more "together". Anyone else have probs with anxiety/dissociation? If so what has worked better for you? Antipsychotics, benzos, etc...? Thanks and best of luck to everyone!
Posted by invisiblemanpa on November 6, 2004, at 10:14:57
In reply to just starting cymbalta, posted by curious2know on November 6, 2004, at 9:36:28
Good luck with Cymbalta...I am on the end of my third week and have had very few side effects plus feelings of depression seem to be lightening up. I also suffer from Socail Anxiety and GA...and have hopes that Cymbalta will help with this in the long run...but so far with all of the different AD I have tried, none have helped with anxiety...only benzos have helped...right now I am having a lot of luck with Klonopin...good luck!
e
Posted by banga on November 6, 2004, at 11:22:40
In reply to just starting cymbalta, posted by curious2know on November 6, 2004, at 9:36:28
I started Cymbalta 11 days ago...there seems to be some positive results, more for depression than anxiety, still hoping for the best.
Antipsychotics (Risperdone, Geodon) helped me short-term with anxiety and rumination, but it seemed to peter out and so doesn't seem like a long-term solution, at least for me. Haven't really tried out thigs specifically addressing anxiety other than SSRIs, which haven't really helped. I will try for a baseling response with Cymbalta, then see if/what I could supplement with.
Posted by whitdaddy on November 6, 2004, at 13:25:23
In reply to Cymbalta, posted by earthgirl on October 11, 2004, at 13:53:31
I started Cymbalta about four weeks ago. First week I took 30mg a day and then went to 60mg after that. I got my typical response from SSRIs...a little bit of relief from anhedonia and amotivation for about a week, and then nothing. I am wondering (and hoping) if it will start working again after a few weeks. Has anybody experienced this? If so, please tell me how long it took for you to get results.
Thanks!
Posted by curious2know on November 6, 2004, at 18:21:06
In reply to Re: just starting cymbalta-curious2know, posted by banga on November 6, 2004, at 11:22:40
Thank you for your advice everyone, it's the end of my first day in Cymbalta and im a little nauseas. I too am on Klonopin and out of all the many, many, meds i've been on Klonopin has worked the best for my anxiety. Also if anyone is interested in self-help stuff, The Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety with its CEO, Lucinda Bassett, has some great coping tools. I've got a tape set from them and it's really a great tool for me. Thanks for your support and please keep posting and letting us know how the Cymbalta is working. God Bless!
Posted by 3librasgirl on November 9, 2004, at 18:53:03
In reply to just starting cymbalta, posted by curious2know on November 6, 2004, at 9:36:28
Hello again! Today is the end of day 5 for me, and already I am feeling happier. My chief complaint is that if I take the Cymbalta at 10am (when I get back from Conditioning and Learning) then I feel like a am on amphetamines come 1 or 2pm. I have been experiencing the kind of ANS arousal that usually accompanies a startle reaction, except it lasts for HOURS. My boyfriend told me I was acting "totally cracked out" and I agree! I have never been a fan of benzo's, especially xanax (which I refuse to take anymore) so the only way I have been able to be any sort of normal for these past few days is by taking Klonopin. I know a lot of you on this board take Klonopin too, and I am happy with the results that it has been giving me, but I am reluctant to take anything that is either physically or psychologically addictive... especially something that has such severe physical reprocussions when you decide to stop taking it. I am going to give Cymbalta another week and a half, and if I am not able to function without Klonopin then I am going to stop taking it and return to the Wellbutrin and get back into therapy (which is WAY too expensive for me on my college-student-living-on-scholarship budget) Good luck to everyone and keep posting, all of your insight is helpful to us all! Hope you all had a good weekend :)
*Suzanne*
Posted by happy lady on November 9, 2004, at 22:56:37
In reply to Re: Cymbalta » happy lady, posted by hope4best on November 1, 2004, at 19:42:17
Hi Hope4best,
I am taking 30mgs of cymbalta because I take 40 mgs of paxil. We are augmenting the paxil with a lower dosage of cymbalta. I feel great except for my GERD/ stomach nausea. The only other side effects I feel is a little sleepiness. I feel calm and well.
Good luck to you and the best always.
Happylady
Posted by sunshine211 on November 10, 2004, at 1:21:16
In reply to Re: just starting cymbalta, posted by 3librasgirl on November 9, 2004, at 18:53:03
I too did not want to take Klonopin nor did I know what to do when I found out that it could be so addictive. But I think it really depends on the person and the dosage. Against the Rx, I have stopped taking it, started, and taken portions of the it at various times. Reason being is that I take it at night mostly, and I if I do not get about 8 hours of sleep I will be SUPER foggy the next day.
How many college students can actually get 8 hours of a sleep every night and go to class the next day. So there are some nights that I just don't take it.Bottom line is that I have never really noticed any crazy side effects, after a day or two I might have very MILD anxiety. Other than that I have been good. Also, taking it long term is okay if needed if you are physically healthy. your body is more than able to function properly and digest (metabolize) the drug. If you are worried get a liver enzyme check every few months.
Have a nice weekend too!!!
P.S. Check with your school health center, they might have low cost or no cost therapy sessions with a psychologist that is over seen by a psychiatrist.
Posted by remar on November 10, 2004, at 2:14:59
In reply to Re: just starting cymbalta, posted by 3librasgirl on November 9, 2004, at 18:53:03
hi 3librasgirl, what dose are you taking, is it 30 or 60 mgs? the best of luck to you. remar
Posted by hope4best on November 10, 2004, at 4:52:30
In reply to Re: just starting cymbalta, posted by 3librasgirl on November 9, 2004, at 18:53:03
Hi, just wanted to mention that I was also "cracked out" during my first 2 weeks on Cymbalta! I felt great but also was not my normal self. You can search for my previous posts to see how I felt. Anyway that goes away (it did for me at least) after a couple weeks in your system. So far I love Cymbalta. Good luck!
Posted by partlycloudy on November 11, 2004, at 5:41:22
In reply to Re: just starting cymbalta » 3librasgirl, posted by hope4best on November 10, 2004, at 4:52:30
I'm switching from Effexor to Cymbalta and I'm encouraged by your posts that it will help. Freaking out about tapering from Effexor, but trying not to anticipate a rough ride.
pc
Posted by Wildflower on November 11, 2004, at 10:20:32
In reply to Cymbalta, posted by earthgirl on October 11, 2004, at 13:53:31
Urinary hesitation is listed on the drug information sheet. Have any of you experienced this? If so, did it go away after a while?
I had problems with this on Lexapro and I seem to be experiencing the same thing on Cymbalta.
Posted by hope4best on November 11, 2004, at 16:53:55
In reply to Cymbalta - urinary hesitation?, posted by Wildflower on November 11, 2004, at 10:20:32
Hi, during my first couple of weeks on Cymbalta I did experience some urinary hesitation. Also I would suddenly feel a strong urge to urinate, and then when I'd go there would hardly be anything! I found myself going to the bathroom much more frequently for the first couple weeks, I think mainly to avoid that sudden urge to go at an inopportune time. I am now in my 6th week and all urinary-related problems appear to have stopped. :)
A little tip I heard a while ago...if you are having trouble (hesitancy) urinating say the multiplication tables to yourself. Many people find this helpful in allowing yourself to release it.
Posted by hope4best on November 11, 2004, at 16:54:51
In reply to Re: just starting cymbalta, posted by partlycloudy on November 11, 2004, at 5:41:22
Best of luck to you! Keep me posted on your progress.
Posted by Hopeful79 on November 11, 2004, at 18:17:19
In reply to Cymbalta - urinary hesitation?, posted by Wildflower on November 11, 2004, at 10:20:32
I would definitely suggest that you go to your primary care physician who may refer to a urologist. I have trouble to even before Cymbalta and my dr referred me to urology.
Posted by Hopeful79 on November 11, 2004, at 18:30:54
In reply to Re: Cymbalta - urinary hesitation? » Wildflower, posted by hope4best on November 11, 2004, at 16:53:55
Better yet drink plenty of cranberry juice or take cranberry capsules. This can prevent infection and help you to urinate better, at least in theory anyway. If you experience any nausea at all try crystallized ginger.
Posted by Wildflower on November 12, 2004, at 13:05:13
In reply to Re: Cymbalta - urinary hesitation?, posted by Hopeful79 on November 11, 2004, at 18:17:19
Thanks. I know that there's nothing wrong with me. This has happened to me before on other ADs. It stopped when I stopped taking the meds. It's just really annoying getting up a few times during the night for no reason. I just hope it gets better. I'm getting really tired of changing ADs.
Posted by boomarang on November 12, 2004, at 13:45:23
In reply to Cymbalta - urinary hesitation?, posted by Wildflower on November 11, 2004, at 10:20:32
yes i've had issues with urinary hesitancy on cymbalta. I'm at nine weeks now and at 60mg and that is one side effect that has not gone away. It has lessened somewhat tho. I am usually up one time, sometimes not at all to go to the bathroom at nite. With Cymbalta i'm up twice. The last few nites only once tho so hopefully that is tapering.
the urge to go is strong but very little comes out at times. there are periods during the day when it seems the opposite. Tidal wave. Perhaps that is when the cymbalta is at its lowest in my bloodstream.
sara
Posted by Hopeful79 on November 12, 2004, at 14:09:57
In reply to Re: Cymbalta - urinary hesitation?, posted by Wildflower on November 12, 2004, at 13:05:13
I know exactly what you mean, it gets tiring changing AD's and all we want is to feel good and have continual symptomatic relief. My first SSRI was Paxil and it pooped out on me in 6 months. Since then Dr realized that it sometimes takes two AD's together to get the job done. I'm currently on Luvox which stopped working but now Im on the Cymbalta in addition and my Dr said he wants to allow the Cymbalta levels to build before starting to slowly remove Luvox. I really do hope that side effect goes away and you're welcome. Take it easy.
Posted by curious2know on November 13, 2004, at 18:02:11
In reply to Re: Cymbalta - urinary hesitation? » Wildflower, posted by Hopeful79 on November 12, 2004, at 14:09:57
Hey everyone,
I've finished my first week of Cymbalta and now i'm moving up to 60mg. I'm hoping it will still work as well as it has, maybe even better. We'll see. As far as side effects go, i've gotten dry mouth, a little bit of nausea, and I wake up a few times during the night and feel wide awake and a little spacey. I'm sleeping slightly better now tho, and feeling pretty good. The klonopin at .5mg also helps well calming me and letting me sleep easier. And I too am a little worried about addiction bc the med works so well for me. But that hasnt been a problem yet, so anyways, I'll let everyone know how the 60mg works for me.Thanks for your posts everyone! Take care!!
Posted by Hopeful79 on November 13, 2004, at 22:44:05
In reply to Re: Cymbalta -starting 2nd week, posted by curious2know on November 13, 2004, at 18:02:11
Curios2know,
It will get better, I've experinced the dry mouth and nausea too. I've been on Cymbalta for a total of 21 days now and its helping. I took 30mg for 12 days then increased to 60mg. I get spacey too but it'll be okay allow your body to adjust. I begin to feel periods of being so relaxed which is awesome, I haven't felt relaxed for a while up to now. As far as nausea try crystallized ginger, it really helps. It's a bit tangy though, you want some water behind it. It's found in some grocery stores and health food stores. Make sure there's no sulpur dioxide though that may make you cough.
Posted by theo on November 14, 2004, at 11:13:21
In reply to Re: Cymbalta - urinary hesitation?, posted by Wildflower on November 12, 2004, at 13:05:13
The fact that Cymbalta is approved for Urinary Incontinence besides depression explains this effect.
I think it was the primary reason for Cymbalta's release and depression is secondary.
Posted by phillipa on November 15, 2004, at 16:09:34
In reply to Re: Cymbalta - urinary hesitation?, posted by theo on November 14, 2004, at 11:13:21
Have been following all cymbalta webs, and not to change the subject but just talked to my pharmacist, and he has not gotten good results from people on it. He also says nothing is known about longterm side effects. Myself,I have been on 30mg for a month, and now 60mg for three weeks and seem to be getting more antisocial and spacey the longer I take it. Please people respond because I am going to wean myself off it. Need reasons not to. Thanks!
Posted by banga on November 15, 2004, at 23:55:51
In reply to Re: Cymbalta - urinary hesitation?, posted by phillipa on November 15, 2004, at 16:09:34
I have been on Cymbalta now for 3 weeks, I am not sure yet if there is change. Since I'm on other meds, and weaned off Lexapro, not sure what to attribute changes to (withdrawal, drug interaction? Cymbalta had quite a good list of drug interactions). In fact, I think some anxiety was probably due to getting off Lexapro. Over the weekend I was still highly anxious and depressed, suddenly yesterday started feeling better, now feel no depression, but feel very very wired and agitated. Clearly I will need to rethink the current formula, what meds to keep, lower or get rid of, but for me the change is good--at least I have crawled out of bed. So I am still hopeful; since I responded well in the past to clomipramine--another serotonin/norepinephrine-enhancing drug--maybe this will work.
Although some here said that they responded to cymbalta quickly, at least one person said it took longer for them when compared to response to other ADs, but when it worked it worked great...but of course I can't advise how long is long enough when you're suffering. Are there other meds in the picture for you?
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