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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by iris2 on August 24, 2004, at 11:15:48
In reply to Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 21, 2004, at 8:13:25
Sorry Scott. I did not read the newer posts before I sent a message to you about Cymalta updates. Please ignore my request.
I should have known that of course you would update people on the board. Stupid me!
irene
Posted by alesta on August 24, 2004, at 13:09:54
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report » SLS, posted by iris2 on August 24, 2004, at 11:15:48
hi, scott, :)
hope you're doing okay. you seem a little bummed in your posts lately (or maybe i'm just reading too much into them). don't lose the optimism...and i still can't figure out what it is about you that draws people to you..:)..an unusual charisma...that's something to smile about.:) there will be an end to this misery soon....i just know it.
take it easy,
amy :)
Posted by Lest on August 24, 2004, at 13:20:31
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report--SLS, posted by alesta on August 24, 2004, at 13:09:54
prescribe it for me , what else should i do to try it. k thx
Posted by SLS on August 24, 2004, at 14:00:27
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report--SLS, posted by alesta on August 24, 2004, at 13:09:54
Hi Amy.
You are so sweet.
> hope you're doing okay. you seem a little bummed in your posts lately (or maybe i'm just reading too much into them).
No, you were reading them exactly right. I reached a nadir of spririt that comes over me from time to time. It is very hard.
I am trying to remain objective about Cymbalta and not to get too optimistic about it. On the surface, it is not terribly different from the things that have failed to represent an answer to me in the past. However, it is similar enough to things that I have had partial responses to that I have reserved a certain amount of hope. When it comes to the brain, you never know what surprises these drugs have waiting for us.
> don't lose the optimism...
OK. If you say so, I won't. :-)
> and i still can't figure out what it is about you that draws people to you..:)
I had no idea that anyone was. I often thought that I may have come off as being to clinical or something. I haven't always recieved the responses I seem to be getting lately. It feels good.
> ..an unusual charisma...that's something to smile about.:)
I think I'll savor this comment for awhile. You know, it's funny about how people's personalities can come out or not come out when interacting on the Internet.
> there will be an end to this misery soon....i just know it.
I could really use a break sooner than later. I'll ride awhile on your positive spirit...
> take it easy,
Thanks. I'll try.
> amy :)
scott :)
Posted by pseudonym on August 24, 2004, at 14:51:35
In reply to Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 21, 2004, at 8:13:25
I want to try Cymbalta almost as badly as yourself. However, I was never expecting much at 30mg from what I read regarding both the double blind and open trials. Here's the quote about the open label trial: "Patients were administered duloxetine 80 to 120 mg/day as two equal doses of 40 mg or 60 mg." So despite the fact that the label states no additional benefit beyond 60, I wonder.
Posted by SLS on August 24, 2004, at 15:04:44
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by pseudonym on August 24, 2004, at 14:51:35
Hi.
> I want to try Cymbalta almost as badly as yourself. However, I was never expecting much at 30mg from what I read regarding both the double blind and open trials. Here's the quote about the open label trial: "Patients were administered duloxetine 80 to 120 mg/day as two equal doses of 40 mg or 60 mg." So despite the fact that the label states no additional benefit beyond 60, I wonder.
They always say crap like that. Inevitably, there are always people who do better at higher dosages. I wouldn't want to stop until 120mg.
I'm kind of glad that my doctor asked that I remain at 30mg for a week. I am finding that somnolence is emerging as a side effect. I plan to go up to 60mg tomorrow or Thursday.
- Scott
Posted by alesta on August 24, 2004, at 15:10:54
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report--SLS » alesta, posted by SLS on August 24, 2004, at 14:00:27
> Hi Amy.
>
> You are so sweet.awwww, thanks, scott:)...your reply made me feel good, too. and i meant every word of what i said in my post...
take care you :),
amy
Posted by Lest on August 24, 2004, at 16:23:39
In reply to Im gonna try to get cymbalta tomorrow.. if he wont, posted by Lest on August 24, 2004, at 13:20:31
to get an idea of if im going to feel good on a medication when im just starting, i have found that if i drank 2 beers and feel better than i would usually not on the med then it might be helping. ;] saD that i have drank alcohol when trying new ssri's but nothing bads happened.
Posted by owensmar on August 24, 2004, at 20:36:59
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report--SLS » alesta, posted by SLS on August 24, 2004, at 14:00:27
Scott,
I am three days on this board and I find myself immediately thinking of you when I have a question. I barely recognize people's names yet but you stand out.
I have those horrible nadir periods too. I will pray for you. (p.s. I'm a spiritual, not a particularly religious pray-er - hope that's okay)
Marsha
Posted by ravenstorm on August 25, 2004, at 11:01:11
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 24, 2004, at 15:04:44
Apparently the drug reps have a nick name for cymbalta: cymbarfa. I probably won't ever want to try it for that reason. Only 1mg of Lexapro made me feel like I was going to puke through my nose!!
Hope this is the one for you. Glad you are having fairly benign start up side effects so far. It could, apparently, be much, much worse.
Posted by SLS on August 25, 2004, at 20:39:24
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 24, 2004, at 15:04:44
Hi Folks.
8/25/2004
Day 6
30mg
No perceptible improvement in depression.
No side effects.
I did not experience nearly as much sleepiness today. Hopefully, somnolence will not be an issue when I increase the dosage tomorrow.
- Scott
Posted by Lest on August 25, 2004, at 21:05:10
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 25, 2004, at 20:39:24
hope right now.. so i go to the dr. and he says he doesnt want me trying it cuz its so "new", so he presribed me, lamictal.. and heres what it does..."Lamictal is prescribed to control partial seizures in people with epilepsy. It is also used to control a serious form of epilepsy known as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Lamictal is used in combination with other antiepileptic medications or as a replacement for a medication such as Tegretol, Dilantin, phenobarbital, or Mysoline. "
Keep in mind ive never had a seizure, nor do i want to deal with the side effects which are completely more severe than cymbalta. hes a turd
Posted by SLS on August 26, 2004, at 14:26:17
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 25, 2004, at 20:39:24
8/26/2004
Day 7
60mg
No perceptible improvement in depression.
No side effects except that I experienced some sleepiness today. It was not so much that I would use the word somnolence, though. I have been sleeping well at night and am able to get up at my regular time of 6:30am.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on August 27, 2004, at 15:14:27
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 26, 2004, at 14:26:17
8/27/2004
Day 8
60mg
No perceptible improvement in depression, but this is only my third day at a therapeutic dosage.
No side effects except that for some continued sleepiness. I slept for a few hours this afternoon. I would not consider it hindering to functioning.
- Scott
Posted by Lest on August 27, 2004, at 23:53:22
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 27, 2004, at 15:14:27
sell me 5 60 mg pills so i can take them til i see my dr. next week :P
Posted by jparsell82` on August 28, 2004, at 8:38:24
In reply to scott. wanna make some money?, posted by Lest on August 27, 2004, at 23:53:22
Well, my order of Milnacipran is shipped out and today I am seeing my pdoc to get Cymbalta. I will probably try the Cymbalta first... I'm not sure that there would be much difference between the two. I think I read Milnacipran is just a little bit more preferential for norepinephrine than Cymbalta. We'll see I guess.
Posted by SLS on August 28, 2004, at 9:58:19
In reply to Starting soon..., posted by jparsell82` on August 28, 2004, at 8:38:24
Hi.
> Well, my order of Milnacipran is shipped out and today I am seeing my pdoc to get Cymbalta. I will probably try the Cymbalta first... I'm not sure that there would be much difference between the two.
There is a giant difference between the two drugs if one works and the other one doesn't. Please don't exclude either one based upon your experience with the first of the two. Scientists haven't determined all of the properties of each individual drug to be able to conclude such things as interchangeability. The placement of one atom can make all the difference in the world. One must account for not just what these drugs do, but precisely where in the brain they do them. Just like in real estate, it's "location, location, location".
Good luck with Cymbalta. If for no other reason, it makes sense to try it first because of its availability locally.
- Scott
Posted by theo on August 28, 2004, at 11:01:49
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 27, 2004, at 15:14:27
How's today? I know it's early to give a more in depth comparison, but can you compare the startup of Cymbalta to Prozac, Paxil, Effexor, etc. or is it a completely different feeling?
Posted by SLS on August 28, 2004, at 11:24:40
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report » SLS, posted by theo on August 28, 2004, at 11:01:49
> How's today? I know it's early to give a more in depth comparison, but can you compare the startup of Cymbalta to Prozac, Paxil, Effexor, etc. or is it a completely different feeling?
Hi Theo.So far, this thing is very clean. Gosh, if this stuff works, it would be incredible.
Today is starting out pretty good so far. I have noticed that food tastes better. That is always a good sign. There are a couple of other things going on that I am happy to see. My finger-tap test is improving and the tips of my fingers are sweaty. Also, I am not feeling cold all of the time. These things have been consistent markers for me in the past that something good is happening. I must add the caveat, however, that I am still in that 2-3 week period after discontinuing imipramine when I often do see a rebound improvement. It confounds any interpretation of these positive phenomena.
- Scott
Posted by owensmar on August 28, 2004, at 16:16:52
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report » theo, posted by SLS on August 28, 2004, at 11:24:40
>
>
> Hi Theo.
>
> So far, this thing is very clean. Gosh, if this stuff works, it would be incredible.
>
> Today is starting out pretty good so far. I have noticed that food tastes better. That is always a good sign. There are a couple of other things going on that I am happy to see. My finger-tap test is improving and the tips of my fingers are sweaty. Also, I am not feeling cold all of the time. These things have been consistent markers for me in the past that something good is happening. I must add the caveat, however, that I am still in that 2-3 week period after discontinuing imipramine when I often do see a rebound improvement. It confounds any interpretation of these positive phenomena.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
Scott,I am wondering how you did on imipramine and the reason for d/cing it. Did it just not work very well or were the side effects bad?
I was on imipramine a long time ago and did well. If Cymbalta doesn't work for me I was thinking of trying imipramine again but I can't remember what side effects I had then (1986-87).
I am hoping so much that Cymbalta works for you.
Marsha
Posted by Nohope on August 28, 2004, at 18:51:18
In reply to Re: Starting soon... » jparsell82`, posted by SLS on August 28, 2004, at 9:58:19
> There is a giant difference between the two drugs if one works and the other one doesn't. Please don't exclude either one based upon your experience with the first of the two. Scientists haven't determined all of the properties of each individual drug to be able to conclude such things as interchangeability. The placement of one atom can make all the difference in the world. One must account for not just what these drugs do, but precisely where in the brain they do them. Just like in real estate, it's "location, location, location".
If you like, do a search for 'milnacipran' and 'structure', then 'parnate' and 'structure'. They are very similar in structure, but feel totally different in effect. No doubt you are absolutely right when you say it's not just what these drugs do but where they do it.
Nohope
Posted by SLS on August 29, 2004, at 7:03:20
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report » SLS, posted by owensmar on August 28, 2004, at 16:16:52
Hi.
> I am wondering how you did on imipramine and the reason for d/cing it. Did it just not work very well or were the side effects bad?
Combined with Lamictal, I was only getting about a 15% response. I was taking 300mg. Physical side effects became tolerable over time, but it did cause some mild-moderate impairments of memory and cognition that I wasn't happy about.
> I was on imipramine a long time ago and did well. If Cymbalta doesn't work for me I was thinking of trying imipramine again but I can't remember what side effects I had then (1986-87).
Dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, sweating, orthostatic hypotension, urinary retention, tachycardia, itching, weight gain, and a few others that are on the tip of my tongue. Of course, it is unlikely that you will get all of them.
> I am hoping so much that Cymbalta works for you.
Thanks. :-) Me too...
- Scott
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 29, 2004, at 22:39:33
In reply to scott. wanna make some money?, posted by Lest on August 27, 2004, at 23:53:22
> sell me 5 60 mg pills so i can take them til i see my dr. next week :P
Please do not request medication directly from others here:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#illegal
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Lest on August 29, 2004, at 23:09:55
In reply to Re: requesting medication from others » Lest, posted by Dr. Bob on August 29, 2004, at 22:39:33
j/k :]
Posted by theo on August 30, 2004, at 7:09:25
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report » owensmar, posted by SLS on August 29, 2004, at 7:03:20
How's Cymbalta treating you?
Also, I posted below a question on increasing and decreasing Lamictal dose after you go above 100mg. You mentioned before you jump aroung between 150-300mg and was wondering in what dosing increments are best when going back and forth, 50mg, 100mg?
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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