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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by remar on October 23, 2004, at 20:21:57
In reply to Cymbalta Day 11 - Is Happiness Just Around the ..., posted by invisiblemanpa on October 23, 2004, at 8:59:24
i picked up my first prescription today and will start taking it tomorrow.i'm starting off on 60mg, has anyone else started at that dose? i still hav'nt heard if anyone is having high blood pressure problems with cymbalta, let me know.and don't give up on day 11, sometimes it takes longer for some people to feel the total effects of their medication.
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 24, 2004, at 5:28:26
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Day 11 - Is Happiness Just Around the ..., posted by remar on October 23, 2004, at 20:21:57
I started at 30 mg for a week, then went up to 60, there isn't supposed to be any benefit for increasing past 60mg. I don't plan on giving up, not for at least 8 weeks. If by that time, I have not noticed a considerable change, then I am going to go off everything except the Klonopin. I still am keeping my hopes up. I have also started to reduce the remeron that I was taking at night and hope to be off of that in a week or so. I don't feel quite as down today...but it is still early and the coffee is hot and black....anyone else out there have input on how week 2 and 3 went for them on Cymbalta???
Ed
Posted by remar on October 24, 2004, at 6:14:22
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Day 12 - Anyone else on Week 2/3?, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 24, 2004, at 5:28:26
i'm just starting my first dose today, i wish i could be of more help with the upcoming weeks. i would wait at least eight weeks before giving up unless the side effects are terrible or the depression gets worse. do you have problems with anxiety also?
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 24, 2004, at 7:33:46
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Day 12 - Anyone else on Week 2/3?, posted by remar on October 24, 2004, at 6:14:22
Yes...I plan on hanging on until at least 8 weeks...and yes I have a lot of issues with anxiety. I have been struggling my whole adult life with socail anxiety..it came out of nowhere in college and has stayed with me throughout my professional life. I could of gone much further in my profession without. Plus it puts a real damper on a socail life. Like me, a lot of people used alcohol to deal with it in socail situations until I found that I could be helped by benzos. I can keep it under control with a benzo..now klonopin...I am hoping Cymbalta has the excellent crossover benefits that I hear about. None of the other ADs had any effect on anxiety issues, so I am hoping Cymbalta does, so I can only use benzos as needed.
e
Posted by theo on October 24, 2004, at 11:32:08
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Day 12 - Anyone else on Week 2/3?, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 24, 2004, at 7:33:46
> Yes...I plan on hanging on until at least 8 weeks...and yes I have a lot of issues with anxiety. I have been struggling my whole adult life with socail anxiety..it came out of nowhere in college and has stayed with me throughout my professional life. I could of gone much further in my profession without. Plus it puts a real damper on a socail life. Like me, a lot of people used alcohol to deal with it in socail situations until I found that I could be helped by benzos. I can keep it under control with a benzo..now klonopin...I am hoping Cymbalta has the excellent crossover benefits that I hear about. None of the other ADs had any effect on anxiety issues, so I am hoping Cymbalta does, so I can only use benzos as needed.
> e
I couldn't have phrased a better description of myself than what you have above. My social anxiety has held me back from so many situations. I did completely quit alcohol 1 1/2 years ago and although my depression has lifted from not drinking, I still battle social anxiety.Did you have any luck at all with Paxil? It was wonderful for me but had to quit because of sexual dysfunction.
So has the Cymbalta helped you as of day 12 at all for anxiety? Many people on this board trying Cymbalta are also tapering off something else so I've not really seen a post rating Cymbalta truly.
I haven't been on any antidepressant in a couple of months, just taking a low dose of anticonvulsants and they aren't doing much.
Keep me posted on your progress as I'm tempted to try Cymbalta mainly for the same reason you stated, social anxiety.
Please reply though and tell me if Cymbalta has helped at all in the time you've been taking it and if it has initially increased anxiety as some antidepressants do.
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 24, 2004, at 16:32:43
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Day 12 - Anyone else on Week 2/3? » invisiblemanpa, posted by theo on October 24, 2004, at 11:32:08
Maybe a little less depression today....but no differance on the anxiety battle front....I took a klonopin before church today and felt very anxious throughout and am already dreading upcoming meetings this week.........
e
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 24, 2004, at 16:41:53
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Day 12 - Anyone else on Week 2/3?, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 24, 2004, at 16:32:43
and Yes I tried Paxil about two years ago...it was awful...I shook all over, sweats, vomiting, brain shocks.....after two days it all went down the toilet.....boy I sure have put my share of meds. down the toilet over the past few years!....and I know of other people that have adjusted very easily to Paxil for anxiety issues.....I hope by this time next week I am feeling upbeat, energetic and less anxious on what would be week 3 of Cymbalta.
e
Posted by jacot on October 24, 2004, at 17:18:25
In reply to Re: Cymbalta » earthgirl, posted by hope4best on October 16, 2004, at 17:45:11
I was on a small dose of Cymbalta for around 8 weeks, and even at a small dose of 20 mg, still very apparent sexual side effects. I didn't think they lessened as time went on, so I stopped taking it. Overall, I did feel better, and it was perscribed for GAD. So I hope some of you have better luck than I did.
Posted by hope4best on October 24, 2004, at 17:22:52
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Day 12 - Anyone else on Week 2/3?, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 24, 2004, at 16:41:53
Day 20 for me--8th day at 60mg Cymbalta. I feel good. Mood is good, steady, nothing seems to bother me. Sexual side effects making me not even think about sex...but a girl's gotta try! No go in the orgasm department but hopefully this side effect will go away in time. I've been a little spacey, at times "speech delayed" & preferring to listen as opposed to converse, but my overall feeling in a word is "calm" and Cymbalta is getting a thumbs up from me so far.
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 24, 2004, at 17:34:47
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Day 12 - Anyone else on Week 2/3?, posted by hope4best on October 24, 2004, at 17:22:52
Thanks! Sounds promising!
E
Posted by remar on October 25, 2004, at 3:15:05
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Day 12 - Anyone else on Week 2/3?, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 24, 2004, at 17:34:47
it does sound promising. i'm just about through my first day of my first dose at 60mg and it has'nt been to easy, nausea and jitters. i hope it works for my anxiety and panic attacks. i do'nt understand why some meds effect people sexually.i was on paxil for a year and that part never went away, plus i gained weight, so i went to effexor for five years and it started raising my blood pressure and now i'm trying cymbalta and hopefully it works, we'll see.
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 25, 2004, at 4:36:34
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Day 12 - Anyone else on Week 2/3?, posted by remar on October 25, 2004, at 3:15:05
I hope your symptons pass, as I had none of those starting Cymbalta. My BP stayed low on Effexor, probably from exercise, but I did put on 25 lbs, even on a no fast food, lowfat, mostly lowcarb , allmost veg. diet has not gone away, maybe after I get the Remeron out of my system, which I am working on now, I can drop a few pounds. Remeron is notorious for weight gain. Watch your cholesterol levels to....mine skyrocketed and on Effexor they were always right in line before. This also seems to be a pretty typical but serious side effect. Good Luck to us all!
E
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 25, 2004, at 9:06:07
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Day 12 - Anyone else on Week 2/3?, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 25, 2004, at 4:36:34
Day 13 - 60 mg. - I feel drained of energy, very depressed and very flu like. I hope this passes.
e
Posted by intheclouds on October 25, 2004, at 9:10:05
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Day 13 - Anyone else on Week 2/3?, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 25, 2004, at 9:06:07
I've been on 60 mg for about a month. I really feel this is making a difference in depression as well as anxiety. I worry much less, little things don't bother me as much, I am less irritable, and my house is the cleanest it has been in years. Not to mention my husband and I are getting along so much better than before. I'm not perfect, but as my doctor says "These drugs aren't going to make you perfect, just feeling more normal". I do feel normal for a change.
As far as sexual side effects go, I can't really say since I haven't tried in a while!
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 25, 2004, at 9:14:52
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Day 13 - Anyone else on Week 2/3?, posted by intheclouds on October 25, 2004, at 9:10:05
To in the clouds: Had you tried any other AD before? How long were you on 60 mg until you could feel the your depression lifting? Very happy for you! Hope it keeps working!
e
Posted by Hopeful79 on October 25, 2004, at 15:10:44
In reply to Re: Cymbalta » jboud24, posted by earthgirl on October 16, 2004, at 11:39:09
Oct 25, 2004 Hello, my doctor just started me on Cymbalta and I'm very hopeful about it. I've been in a deep depression lately. My current med Luvox in which I reached the max. dosage of 100mg 3X daily pooped out. I've been on so many combinations that I could write a book. I've been on different SSRI's since 1995. Paxil at first which pooped out in 6 months. Depakote made me more miserable. Wellbutrin only made symptoms worse. Nardil was terrible. The list goes on, but I read some good reviews that say in the studies people who responded well to Cymbalta, 82% remained in remission at one year. I hope I do well. I sense a slight change already but this is only day one. My dr doesn't want to touch the Luvox yet but I see him in 2 weeks to see how the Cymbalta is working. I too would like to know others experiences and if thery're favoring well with Cymbalta.
Posted by shiz on October 25, 2004, at 15:34:50
In reply to Cymbalta, posted by earthgirl on October 11, 2004, at 13:53:31
i am scared of taking cymbalta only because i am scared of taking any kind of antidepressant, i had a bad reaction to wellbutrin, use to take zoloft and quit cold turkey after about six months and went to drinking, currently i am on buspar 7.5 twice a day but want to know more about cymbalta. i am suppose to be taking 60mg a day but have yet started any advise
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 25, 2004, at 16:18:01
In reply to Re: Cymbalta, posted by shiz on October 25, 2004, at 15:34:50
Buspar is worthless...I tried the drinking route too....it will only make your problem much much worse...especially if you are mixing it with meds....I to had horrible reactions to Paxil and Zoloft. I have am starting my third week on Cymbalta. I have had very very few side effects and have high hopes that I will soon feel the depression start to lift and some help with anxiety issues. So far I would say from what I have read and felt for myself, it is the safest. I started at 30 mg then went to 60 mg with no problems. You are wise to be concerned...but I think it is worth a try.....depending on your exact mental health issues.....good luck
e
Posted by hope4best on October 25, 2004, at 18:43:29
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Day 13 - Anyone else on Week 2/3? » intheclouds, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 25, 2004, at 9:14:52
Hi, how are you feeling? Hope the flu symptoms have subsided. I was reading your other posts, I just went off Remeron too. Gained about 30 pounds even though I was on the South Beach diet for most of the summer. I'm so glad to be off it.
Posted by Hopeful79 on October 25, 2004, at 21:02:16
In reply to Re: Cymbalta, posted by shiz on October 25, 2004, at 15:34:50
Oct 25 In response to shiz. I can understand your fears, I have them too. First, I advise you don't drink but I'm sure you know that already. As far as combining Buspar I dont know. Maybe ask your dr. if you can start Cymbalta and slowly drop the Buspar. Some meds work well together and others do not. Talk to your Dr. about your concern if he/she is good he/she will understand and guide you. I can recommend a good psychiatrist if you need that. Dr.John Rushton, 101 Chandler Terrace Cherry Hill, NJ. He accepts medicare and medicaid. Hope that helps you.
Posted by shiz on October 26, 2004, at 9:37:32
In reply to Re: Cymbalta, posted by Hopeful79 on October 25, 2004, at 21:02:16
i still havent taken my cymbalta, i am at work right now, you think i should take it in the morning, i thhink my mind plays tricks on me as soon as i gulp down any kind of medicine
Posted by remar on October 26, 2004, at 11:14:18
In reply to Re: Cymbalta, posted by shiz on October 26, 2004, at 9:37:32
i started mine on sunday just in case i had any side effects, that way i would be at home. i did have some nausea and jitters but i started on 60 mg. i'm on day 3 and the nausea is gone, still a little jittery.i'm not tired this morning.does anyone know if this drug effects your colesterol? the effexor did with mine and as soon as i started tapeing off of it it went down.
Posted by banga on October 26, 2004, at 11:25:04
In reply to Re: Cymbalta, posted by remar on October 26, 2004, at 11:14:18
I'm beginning a switch from Lexapro to Cymbalta today--tapering the Lexapro as I up the Cymbalta over two weeks.
Has anyone swithed from Lex to Cymbalta? Any comparisons to sexual side effects? I hear people complaining it's an issue with Cymbalta, but I'm still hoping it will be less than with Lexapro and other SSRIs....
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 26, 2004, at 12:28:43
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Day 13 - Anyone else on Week 2/3? » invisiblemanpa, posted by hope4best on October 25, 2004, at 18:43:29
Still pretty yucky today..getting ready to go to bed...maybe by this time next week I will start to feel better! I am down to splitting the Remeron in half, then 1/4's, the zero......I to want to loose the wait gain from it and effexor.
e
Posted by golfgirl74 on October 26, 2004, at 15:21:50
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Day 13 - Anyone else on Week 2/3?, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 26, 2004, at 12:28:43
I am in the middle of week 3. I stopped sleeping 15 hours a day, but I still go to bed really early, usually before 10. The nausea still pops in every once in awhile. My pupils are super dilated 24/7, so I'm no good for driving at night. BUT, my mood is a zillion times better, and my anxiety is completely gone.
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