![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 76 to 100 of 125. Go back in thread:
Posted by bearfan on August 17, 2011, at 15:45:12
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 6, posted by joe schmoe on August 16, 2011, at 19:48:31
I'm on week 6 as well and still having trouble coping. I don't feel as calm or talkative as on other SSRIs. I got a few of the night terrors you speak of when taking it late at night. It only happens every now and then, but it seems to be much less pronounced when I take it about a half hour to hour before bedtime and take it with a cracker or two. I'm not noticing the 'super libido', like you mention, but i'm 30 and still depressed which is effecting it.
Posted by Jenbr on September 3, 2011, at 13:58:39
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 6, posted by joe schmoe on August 16, 2011, at 20:56:11
I am on day 3 of 40mg now. Started at 10mg and titrated up over a couple weeks. I suppose it's a bit early to determine whether or not this med will be a good one for me or not - so far I don't feel too many harsh side effects, but I suppose it's too early in the game to determine that as well! I have to admit that one of my primary concerns in terms of side effects is weight gain. Any personal experiences with Viibryd's effect on appetite or metabolism?
Posted by Chris O on September 3, 2011, at 18:19:50
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 6, posted by Jenbr on September 3, 2011, at 13:58:39
Jen:
I'm on Week 6 at a pretty high dose of Viibryd, 80mg. I don't have any weight gain yet, but perhaps some increased appetite. This med, like most of the SSRIs I've tried at high doses over the past four years, doesn't seem to be doing much for my anxiety disorder though. I meet with my psychiatrist next week. I'm probably going to try something else. Good luck with your trial and I hope it helps you.
Chris
Posted by Jenbr on September 3, 2011, at 22:31:27
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 6 » Jenbr, posted by Chris O on September 3, 2011, at 18:19:50
Chris,
Sorry it isn't working so well for you. I was truly hoping this new med wouldn't simply be just another SSRI. That there would be something more innovative about it. It's pretty early on it it's "existence" I suppose, but my hopes have not been terribly high. And I haven't been hearing a lot of success with this med so far. Hopefully that will change...
Good luck with trying a different med. It isn't fun, I know...
Jen
Posted by Chris O on September 4, 2011, at 0:23:39
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 6, posted by Jenbr on September 3, 2011, at 22:31:27
Thanks, Jen. It sounds like you've done some time with SSRIs, like me. Not to get into a big discussion, but what were you taking before trying Viibryd? And did it just poop out or was it not strong enough or something else? Just curious.
Chris
Posted by Jenbr on September 4, 2011, at 13:47:59
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 6 » Jenbr, posted by Chris O on September 4, 2011, at 0:23:39
Oh, yes! I've been on almost every medication available, I believe. I have treatment resistant bipolar and have had to resort to ECT treatments for over 6 years now. Needless to say, I have virtually no long or short term memory left. But the SSRIs have not been extremely helpful for me in general. Zoloft has been the most helpful and was the first med I was on. It pooped out on me! The rest did nothing for me. ( although, I have never been on Celexa for some reason). I suppose I still get a tiny bit of hope whenever a new psychotropic comes out (unless it's infamous for weight gain!)
I was on cymbalta right before Viibryd. Didn't help.
Have you tried all of the other ssris?
Posted by Chris O on September 5, 2011, at 22:23:38
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 6, posted by Jenbr on September 4, 2011, at 13:47:59
Jen:
I've tried, I think, most of the SSRIs. I'm 44 now. I now realize I've had a massive anxiety disorder my whole life. When I was in college, in the late 1980s, cognitive therapy (a/la David Burns) was all the rage. Into the 1990s, when I was in my 20s and 30s, I tried every type of will-based, non-psychotropic method to treat my GAD, including yoga, tai chi, jogging, long bike rides, camping, ballroom dancing, and pretty much every single herbal treatment in the highest highest of doses. I was also in a therapy group and seeing a therapist for much of the 1990s. Finally, in 1999, I gave in and took a Celexa (20mg)/Wellbutrin (150mg) combo, and it helped. I took that combo for a year. Even though I lost my teaching job during that period, that was probably the best I've felt in my entire life. Since 2000, I've had long-term trials of high-dose Lexapro (40mg), Prozac (100mg), Luvox (whatever the high was for that), Paxil (75-100mg), and Serzone (1200mg). None of them really touched my GAD. I also took Klonapin (3-5mg) for a year, and dabbled in months long experiments with Effexor, Cymbalta, Neurontin and Zoloft. Now, I'm on month two of 80mg of Viibryd, and it's just not going to cut it. I'm fine as long as I'm "dependent/codependent" on someone (now it's my wife). But if I have to survive alone in the world, nope, this drug is not going to cut it. You said you have bipolar, which is much different from my GAD, I know, but it sounds like the ECT helped. Years ago, I never would have considered that, but lately ... I'm starting to ... want to try anything to make this terminal anxiety/panic dissipate. Frankly, this whole condition is humiliating to me. Anyway, on the issue of weight gain: So far, I have zero weight gain with Viibryd. I actually lost about 10 pounds after coming off Serzone, and the Viibryd has been weight neutral so far, even at high doses. Sorry to babble. Good talking to you.
Chris
Posted by markwell on September 6, 2011, at 15:18:49
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 6, posted by Jenbr on September 4, 2011, at 13:47:59
Jenbr,I am also bipolar and resistant to most meds. I'm currently taking tegretol and buspar but nothing for depression. I was hoping to try viibryd but it doesn't seem that anyone is doing well on it. Let us know if you stop taking it. I'm trying counseling but not doing so well with that. Keep us posted.
Mark
Posted by Jenbr on September 6, 2011, at 16:05:10
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 6 » Jenbr, posted by Chris O on September 5, 2011, at 22:23:38
Chris,
Well it sounds like you have also run the gamut on all of the various treatments. I, too, struggle horribly with GAD. I empathize with you. And I can't even count how many more natural or holistic approaches I took to help ease the pain. Acupuncture, yoga, a myriad of overpriced supplements, and on and on and on. I know that exercise and diet and filling the body and mind with the natural things in life is very important, but it just isn't enough for me to function and it sounds like that is the case for you as well. ECT has been a blessing and a curse for me. It does help with the anxiety, depression, OCD tendencies etc. And I know that the vast majority of ECT patients do NOT have to go as often as I have/do so their side effects are much less severe. I say this because I have to admit that it can help very extreme situations and provide relief for some. If you decide to consider it and ever want to know more about it from a client's pov just let me know. I also recently tried several months worth of TMS. Not sure it did much to help me in particular, but it is pain free and has helped others! Worth a shot... Do you have good health insurance?
Jen
Posted by joe schmoe on September 6, 2011, at 16:39:39
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 6, posted by markwell on September 6, 2011, at 15:18:49
> I was hoping to try viibryd but it doesn't seem that anyone is doing well on it.
I think I am doing quite well on it.
Posted by Jenbr on September 6, 2011, at 20:35:58
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 6, posted by markwell on September 6, 2011, at 15:18:49
Hi Mark,
Sorry to hear that therapy isn't going so smoothly right now. It always sparks something in us when we hear of a new med (like Viibryd)- I actually felt a tiny bit of hope. But I am going to go off of it because there aren't enough studies on it's effect on breastfeeding. I have a 2.5 month yr old and don't feel comfortable continuing this med because of that.
My friend has been on Viibryd for 2 months now. She says she isn't sure if it's helping, but honestly, it seems she is doing a bit better than usual to me. Hopefully, it will be a good med for some people...
Jen
Posted by Phillipa on September 6, 2011, at 21:07:23
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 9, posted by joe schmoe on September 6, 2011, at 16:39:39
Hey that's great a positive review on the med. In what way do you feel it's helping? Phillipa
Posted by joe schmoe on September 6, 2011, at 21:20:05
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 9 » joe schmoe, posted by Phillipa on September 6, 2011, at 21:07:23
> Hey that's great a positive review on the med. In what way do you feel it's helping? Phillipa
Well my mood is good, and since I'm taking it for atypical depression, it's doing its job. Libido and sensation feel back to normal, after years of Celexa numbness. I have stopped drinking beer and am on a diet and have lost a few pounds so far. Probably eating too much dark chocolate (got hooked on Dove's) but as long as the weight is coming off, that's ok, dark chocolate is good for you.
I am back at 40 mg after backing off to 20 mg for a week. Once in a while I have a bit of spaciness or anxiety, but it passes and most days I have none. Weird dreams I have trouble waking up from, and sleeping 9 or 10 hours a day/having trouble getting out of bed are the most annoying symptoms left. But part of that may be due to me also discontinuing my diet soda addiction in favor of tea/water. I am probably getting a lot less caffeine than I used to, and no aspartame.
I also get some twitching of an inner ear muscle, which I have mentioned before, at 40 mg. I hope this strange symptom passes over time. It is not constant, but it definitely stops at 20 mg and comes back at 40 mg.
I feel like I am moving in a positive direction weight wise, and sexually I have no complaints, unlike regular SSRIs. My mood is quite good despite the horrendous economic situation and the pressures of my last semester in school/my job search, which normally would get me way down. My roommate thinks my mood is quite good, which gives me some objective feedback.
If I were working I would take this drug with dinner to minimize any daytime effects while at work, since once in a while I get a weird sensation or two several hours after taking it.
I take clonazepam for social anxiety, so I am not expecting Viibryd to help with anxiety, just with depression.
Posted by Phillipa on September 6, 2011, at 23:30:37
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 9, posted by joe schmoe on September 6, 2011, at 21:20:05
It sounds like doing extremly well. I don't feel ad's help with anxiety also. Inner ear twitching? Think like a twitchy eye lid? Does it stop? Phillipa
Posted by Chris O on September 7, 2011, at 13:21:02
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 6, posted by Jenbr on September 6, 2011, at 16:05:10
Jen:
Hey, there. Yeah, I've run the gamut, sort of. I was going to start (hesitantly) Nardil before doing this Viibryd trial. Not too crazy about taking an MAOI. Also never tried tricyclics, or antipsychotics. I'm a very health-oriented person (the only thing I felt I've been able to control about my life), so I am resistant to starting medications that have side-effects like death, diabetes, obesity, and, well, you know what I'm talking about. I forgot that I had done a year of acupuncture, too. It's nice, but very weak in how it effects my GAD. Like SAM-e, or something like that. Yeah, I've looked into TMS. And I do have decent insurance, though my wife, but TMS is not covered. I cannot shell out $10,000 right now to do that treatment. And I also do not understand how TMS could have any long term effect. I could understand if it worked, and you could keep the machine in your house for constant treatment. But how can three months of treatment last forever? (According to the psychiatrist I talked to who has a TMS machine in his office, he has a "90% success rate." Yeah, right.) What did you notice from the TMS? Any "lifting of the veil" (at least that's how I conceive of my GAD, as a pressurized wall that pushes down around me and closes me off, slows me down.) On a related note, the Viibryd seems to be increasing this veiled effect on me, even as it reduces some of my physical tension. Absolutely no real side effects from the drug though, even at 80mg. Maybe I'll ask you about ECT in the future. What did it do for you? How often did you go? Any extreme side effects? Hey, and I saw in you other post that you just had a baby, so congratulations! I know that has got to be a challenge, managing a baby and your symptoms. My heart goes out to you. Much empathy. Thanks for interacting with me, Jen.
Chris
Posted by Jenbr on September 7, 2011, at 23:05:23
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 6 » Jenbr, posted by Chris O on September 7, 2011, at 13:21:02
Chris,
I know exactly what you mean about MAOIs. I have avoided them since day one as much as I could. I think I tried one or two at one point but for very brief periods of time. Too sensitive to the side effects I believe. They have always intimidated me for some reason.
You know, I tend to agree with your perception of TMS. The only reason I even attempted it (aside from the fact that it was harmless to mind and body) is that my husband's health insurance actually covered it. I figured I had nothing to lose by trying. I didn't notice improvement in mood or symptoms, but I didn't notice that I was declining much either. On some level I had never truly developed faith in this treatment. Regardless of how many people it supposedly helped. I never truly "bought it". And a couple of months of it didn't prove me wrong- I couldn't conclude improvement in my mood or not. My husband said he noticed I was calmer while doing it. I wasn't certain I agreed. No blatantly obvious lifting of the veil for me! I know that a lot of clients who claim that it does help them go in for frequent maintenance treatments and I believe
that is the only way it continues to help them. I only wish it
had the efficacy of ECT and the harmlessness of TMS. Ah... Wishful thinking...Ultimately, I believe it is worth a shot if insurance covers, but paying full price would not have been worth it for me.
Thank you so much for your kind words! Yes, managin the baby and the symptoms has been crazy. And especially confusing because I never truly know if some of it is being caused by hormones, stress, or the illness itself. I feel for your pain as wee. And it sounds that you have been very determined to take action regardless of the obstacles. Not always easy to do.
By the way, has seroquel ever been suggested to you by any of your doctors? Just curious if that has ever been an option for you?
Posted by Chris O on September 9, 2011, at 18:19:38
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 6, posted by Jenbr on September 7, 2011, at 23:05:23
Jen:
I saw my psychiatrist yesterday. I guess I'm going to give Remeron a go while I'm on the Viibryd, as Remeron is one that I have never tried before. Not crazy about gaining any weight, so if that starts happening, I might not stick with Remeron. I guess if it gave me a robust effect, I would consider it.
I've never tried seroquel, nor any of the antipsychotics. I've got some samples of Abilify, which I was going to try several months ago when going off Serzone, but I've just been hesitant with those psychotropics due to the issues I already mentioned in the last post. It seems like many people on these boards have some success with them. My psychiatrist thinks Abilify might be a good fit for my intractable GAD symptoms. Perhaps in the future.
It looks like I need to get going with the talk therapy again, too. I don't really feel ... adequately supported right now. Mostly, I'm with my wife, and the last several months, things have been stressful. I have some issues with her, and her family, and standing up to that is party of my ability to have a healthy relationship, the relationship that I did not have in my own family. However, she seems to think that I am being "mean" when I do that, when I have any bit of conflict or perceptual difference with her about them. This is probably because I stand up for myself so little due to my constant shame/guilt/anxiety. It's really starting to get old, to get to me, to the point where I'm considering, well, leaving. She's been in therapy with me before, so she knows and acknowledges (or so she says) my horrible GAD, but ... either or it's too hard for her, or she doesn't get it, or she's just annoyed with me, or her family's denial about their rampant alcoholism (which they pad through their money, of which I have none, and that could be, in the end, the real issue, the issue of me not making much money, and if so, f them all and their denial. I really do not care and that is the truth) comes out at me. Whatever. I just get clobbered for a couple of hours today and I have to vent.
Anyway, I'll stop. Thanks for listening. I hope this joyful post finds you and your new family well, Jen!
Chris
Posted by joe schmoe on September 11, 2011, at 0:45:28
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 9 » joe schmoe, posted by Phillipa on September 6, 2011, at 23:30:37
Well, I have been paying close attention to my Viibryd side effects. Carb cravings are down and I have lost 5 pounds so far on my diet. Unpleasant dreams persist and I wake up very tired in the morning but I don't have trouble going to sleep anymore. No more GI distress.
At this point what is puzzling me is the continuing sensations in my head which start to occur about 3-4 hours after taking my dose. I recognize them, and they are no longer general spaciness or dizziness. They are brain zaps. Exactly the kind of sensations I normally get when going off an SSRI. Anyone who has had brain zaps from discontinuation syndrome knows what I am talking about - they tend to occur when you move your eyes or your head. Yet this is after being on Viibryd for ten weeks, and taking the dose, not missing one, is what causes them.
I am at a loss to explain what could be causing this. I have had these sensations often before when going off an SSRI, but never as a direct result of taking a dose. Since insomnia no longer seems to be a problem I will probably try taking this drug as late in the evening as possible to see if I can avoid the sensations that way. Of course my dreams will probably get even more unpleasant....
Anyone else experience brain zaps a few hours after taking a dose? I've never heard of a drug that causes brain zaps from taking it - only drugs that cause them from discontinuation. It's very strange to be having these sensations as a result of taking a dose. I wonder if it will wear off in time, or it taking it late at night will carry effects over into the next day.
Posted by Chris O on September 11, 2011, at 13:03:58
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 10 - brain zaps, posted by joe schmoe on September 11, 2011, at 0:45:28
Joe:
No brain zaps here, and I'm on 80mg a day. Not much of anything in terms of side effects for me, really. But Viibryd not attacking my GAD strong enough either.
Chris
Posted by Jenbr on September 11, 2011, at 16:04:40
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 6 » Jenbr, posted by Chris O on September 9, 2011, at 18:19:38
Chris,
Oh, feel free to vent! I don't know how I would survive without it myself. I had to really force myself to seek a therapist out and then commit to going each week this past year. I think that the harder it gets for us the more resistant we become to the talk therapy. It can be so incredibly...trying...in terms of relationships and our illnesses. Amazing how completely different our perceptions can be from our partners (and their families!) and it seems that there is no resolving it at times. I feel for what you are going through right now. My husband is not the greatest at communication in general and when I am in a bad place... It can be so hard. And my own guilt, shame, anxiety is so crippling. And I truly don't believe my husband understands it at all. Not that he is to blame for that. How could anyone on the outside really comprehend it? Not to the full degree. But many times I just sense he doesn't want to understand and could care less about making the effort to try.
I can't remember if Remeron worked at all for me, but I know I tried Abilify more than once because I really wanted it to work. I had a lot of faith in it because I had heard so many success stories- some from people I knew fairly well. Seroquel has been another one that has been very successful for many and I was hoping to have work for me. But, unfortunately my "stuff" has been too resistant and none of these helped me. Although, if you ever have problems with sleep, I do recommend seroquel for that purpose.
Have you started the Remeron yet?
Posted by JTDC on October 24, 2011, at 7:53:49
In reply to Re: Day 31 of Viibryd » joe schmoe, posted by Chris O on August 3, 2011, at 8:26:39
Been following this thread for a while. On 80 mg of Viibryd myself and it's not cutting through my atypical depression. I had some amazing relief in the beginning of treatment but that seems to have dissipated. Previous to Viibryd I was on a combined Lexapro/Pristiq regimen which gave me more energy (thanks to the norepinephrine boost of Pristiq). For three years before that I did have moderate remission with Lexapro by itself.
Viibryd at 80 mg has some very strange, "trippy" side effects than the "purer" SSRIs. The strange dreams are more bizarre than the regular SSRI dreams. I sometimes "dream" when my eyes are closed but I'm not asleep. And not to scare anybody here, but it's not a pleasant feeling. I haven't stopped taking Viibryd, but I do want to put that out there. It's very hard to describe accurately.
So what's new? Based on my atypical depression diagnosis with comorbid mild fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome, my psychiatrist has added low-dose Cytomel (T3 Thyroid med) to the Viibryd.
Didn't feel "good" the first week on 10 mg (two 5 mg pills) but I definitely felt "less worse". However by the second week on 20 mg, I definitely felt improvement. Many of the aches, pains, "fever-ish" symptoms have disappeared and my mood has considerably brightened. Still some lingering physical symptoms and I haven't started working out yet (exercise intolerance is a huge symptom of my fibro/CFS/depression), but I'm getting close.
I see my doctor tomorrow. Plan on asking him if I can go higher on the Cytomel (I'm still at a subclinical dose) and lower my Viibryd to 40 mg from 80 to avoid some of the "bad dreams" side effects of the Viibryd.
Please note I have had my thyroid tested numerous times in the 15 years of my depression/fibro/CFS and it always came back in the normal "range". But what is a range for one person may not be for the other. Apparently, endocrinologists are very conservative when it comes to thyroid medication, but psychiatrists have tended to push the envelope for those of us who are very, very sick. And it's helping me so far.
Google "Cytomel and depression" for more info and for studies. Remember it's T3 thyroid (Cytomel) not T4 (Synthroid) which works for some of us.
Good luck to everyone. I'll be happy to update if anyone is interested.
Posted by JTDC on October 24, 2011, at 8:07:07
In reply to Re: Day 31 of Viibryd » joe schmoe, posted by Chris O on August 3, 2011, at 8:26:39
Been following this thread for a while. On 80 mg of Viibryd myself and it's not cutting through my atypical depression. I had some amazing relief in the beginning of treatment but that seems to have dissipated. Previous to Viibryd I was on a combined Lexapro/Pristiq regimen which gave me more energy (thanks to the norepinephrine boost of Pristiq). For three years before that I did have moderate remission with Lexapro by itself.
Viibryd at 80 mg has some very strange, "trippy" side effects than the "purer" SSRIs. The strange dreams are more bizarre than the regular SSRI dreams. I sometimes "dream" when my eyes are closed but I'm not asleep. And not to scare anybody here, but it's not a pleasant feeling. I haven't stopped taking Viibryd, but I do want to put that out there. It's very hard to describe accurately.
So what's new? Based on my atypical depression diagnosis with comorbid mild fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome, my psychiatrist has added low-dose Cytomel (T3 Thyroid med) to the Viibryd.
Didn't feel "good" the first week on 10 mg (two 5 mg pills) but I definitely felt "less worse". However by the second week on 20 mg, I definitely felt improvement. Many of the aches, pains, "fever-ish" symptoms have disappeared and my mood has considerably brightened. Still some lingering physical symptoms and I haven't started working out yet (exercise intolerance is a huge symptom of my fibro/CFS/depression), but I'm getting close.
I see my doctor tomorrow. Plan on asking him if I can go higher on the Cytomel (I'm still at a subclinical dose) and lower my Viibryd to 40 mg from 80 to avoid some of the "bad dreams" side effects of the Viibryd.
Please note I have had my thyroid tested numerous times in the 15 years of my depression/fibro/CFS and it always came back in the normal "range". But what is a range for one person may not be for the other. Apparently, endocrinologists are very conservative when it comes to thyroid medication, but psychiatrists have tended to push the envelope for those of us who are very, very sick. And it's helping me so far.
Google "Cytomel and depression" for more info and for studies. Remember it's T3 thyroid (Cytomel) not T4 (Synthroid) which works for some of us.
Good luck to everyone. I'll be happy to update if anyone is interested.
Posted by SLS on October 24, 2011, at 8:27:59
In reply to 80 mg of Viibryd, my story and what's NEW!, posted by JTDC on October 24, 2011, at 8:07:07
> On 80 mg of Viibryd myself and it's not cutting through my atypical depression.
How did you come to raise your dosage of Viibryd to 80 mg? The maximum dosage is 40 mg. Was this your doctor's idea? Did increasing the dosage help at all? Side effects?
Good luck in future adventures.
- Scott
Posted by Jenbr on October 24, 2011, at 10:34:44
In reply to 80 mg of Viibryd, my story and what's NEW!, posted by JTDC on October 24, 2011, at 8:07:07
Hi! I was wondering what dose of cytomel you are on? I'm on it now for thyroid issues, but curious about it's potential effect on my depression etc.Thanks,
Jen
Been following this thread for a while. On 80 mg of Viibryd myself and it's not cutting through my atypical depression. I had some amazing relief in the beginning of treatment but that seems to have dissipated. Previous to Viibryd I was on a combined Lexapro/Pristiq regimen which gave me more energy (thanks to the norepinephrine boost of Pristiq). For three years before that I did have moderate remission with Lexapro by itself.
>
> Viibryd at 80 mg has some very strange, "trippy" side effects than the "purer" SSRIs. The strange dreams are more bizarre than the regular SSRI dreams. I sometimes "dream" when my eyes are closed but I'm not asleep. And not to scare anybody here, but it's not a pleasant feeling. I haven't stopped taking Viibryd, but I do want to put that out there. It's very hard to describe accurately.
>
> So what's new? Based on my atypical depression diagnosis with comorbid mild fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome, my psychiatrist has added low-dose Cytomel (T3 Thyroid med) to the Viibryd.
>
> Didn't feel "good" the first week on 10 mg (two 5 mg pills) but I definitely felt "less worse". However by the second week on 20 mg, I definitely felt improvement. Many of the aches, pains, "fever-ish" symptoms have disappeared and my mood has considerably brightened. Still some lingering physical symptoms and I haven't started working out yet (exercise intolerance is a huge symptom of my fibro/CFS/depression), but I'm getting close.
>
> I see my doctor tomorrow. Plan on asking him if I can go higher on the Cytomel (I'm still at a subclinical dose) and lower my Viibryd to 40 mg from 80 to avoid some of the "bad dreams" side effects of the Viibryd.
>
> Please note I have had my thyroid tested numerous times in the 15 years of my depression/fibro/CFS and it always came back in the normal "range". But what is a range for one person may not be for the other. Apparently, endocrinologists are very conservative when it comes to thyroid medication, but psychiatrists have tended to push the envelope for those of us who are very, very sick. And it's helping me so far.
>
> Google "Cytomel and depression" for more info and for studies. Remember it's T3 thyroid (Cytomel) not T4 (Synthroid) which works for some of us.
>
> Good luck to everyone. I'll be happy to update if anyone is interested.
Posted by JTDC on October 24, 2011, at 18:14:36
In reply to Re: 80 mg of Viibryd, my story and what's NEW!, posted by Jenbr on October 24, 2011, at 10:34:44
I'm currently on 20 mg of Cytomel, which is below what most patients with thyroid issues are on. I have an appointment tomorrow. I'm going to try to go back to 40 on the Viibryd and up a little on the Cytomel.
> Hi! I was wondering what dose of cytomel you are on? I'm on it now for thyroid issues, but curious about it's potential effect on my depression etc.
>
> Thanks,
> Jen
>
>
> Been following this thread for a while. On 80 mg of Viibryd myself and it's not cutting through my atypical depression. I had some amazing relief in the beginning of treatment but that seems to have dissipated. Previous to Viibryd I was on a combined Lexapro/Pristiq regimen which gave me more energy (thanks to the norepinephrine boost of Pristiq). For three years before that I did have moderate remission with Lexapro by itself.
> >
> > Viibryd at 80 mg has some very strange, "trippy" side effects than the "purer" SSRIs. The strange dreams are more bizarre than the regular SSRI dreams. I sometimes "dream" when my eyes are closed but I'm not asleep. And not to scare anybody here, but it's not a pleasant feeling. I haven't stopped taking Viibryd, but I do want to put that out there. It's very hard to describe accurately.
> >
> > So what's new? Based on my atypical depression diagnosis with comorbid mild fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome, my psychiatrist has added low-dose Cytomel (T3 Thyroid med) to the Viibryd.
> >
> > Didn't feel "good" the first week on 10 mg (two 5 mg pills) but I definitely felt "less worse". However by the second week on 20 mg, I definitely felt improvement. Many of the aches, pains, "fever-ish" symptoms have disappeared and my mood has considerably brightened. Still some lingering physical symptoms and I haven't started working out yet (exercise intolerance is a huge symptom of my fibro/CFS/depression), but I'm getting close.
> >
> > I see my doctor tomorrow. Plan on asking him if I can go higher on the Cytomel (I'm still at a subclinical dose) and lower my Viibryd to 40 mg from 80 to avoid some of the "bad dreams" side effects of the Viibryd.
> >
> > Please note I have had my thyroid tested numerous times in the 15 years of my depression/fibro/CFS and it always came back in the normal "range". But what is a range for one person may not be for the other. Apparently, endocrinologists are very conservative when it comes to thyroid medication, but psychiatrists have tended to push the envelope for those of us who are very, very sick. And it's helping me so far.
> >
> > Google "Cytomel and depression" for more info and for studies. Remember it's T3 thyroid (Cytomel) not T4 (Synthroid) which works for some of us.
> >
> > Good luck to everyone. I'll be happy to update if anyone is interested.
>
>
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