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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by wishingstar on January 6, 2007, at 10:25:40
I just came off lamictal, which was making me worse, and lithium, which wasnt having any effect, and my pdoc decided to try cymbalta. I took my first dose (30mg) last night and was sick all night long - nausea, diarrhea, sweating, and lots of dizziness. Obviously I do not want to do that again! Is it possible to split open the capsle and take half the beads? My concern is that since it's delayed release, doing that may somehow mess up that system. I seem to rememeber trying that with effexor once years ago and getting sick when I did it, but I also in withdrawls from the drug then so it's hard to say. The dr did mention that there are 20mg pills available but he didnt have samples of them and because of my financial situation I'd rather not buy anything until I see if I can tolerate it.
Thanks everyone for your help!
Posted by shasling on January 6, 2007, at 10:42:50
In reply to splitting cymbalta?, posted by wishingstar on January 6, 2007, at 10:25:40
I split mine and dont suffer any bad effects from doing so.
Suzie
Posted by linkadge on January 6, 2007, at 11:06:07
In reply to Re: splitting cymbalta?, posted by shasling on January 6, 2007, at 10:42:50
You can split them in half.
When I was on effexor, I carefully emptied the contents onto a piece of colored paper. Brought all the beads to the centre with a razor blade, then visually separated the beads in half.
You can then discard half, and fold the paper into a v shape at one end to funnel half the contents back into the capsule. Or just consume half the contents (the delayed release is a property of the beads not the gelcap)
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on January 6, 2007, at 13:01:11
In reply to Re: splitting cymbalta?, posted by linkadge on January 6, 2007, at 11:06:07
Yes when cymbalta first came out a google search will yield what a lot of other were doing opening the capsules emptying out a certain amount, mixing in food or using gel caps from the pharmacy or from vitamins. Just don't bite them as they are time released good luck. Love Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on January 6, 2007, at 13:36:03
In reply to Re: splitting cymbalta?, posted by Phillipa on January 6, 2007, at 13:01:11
> Yes when cymbalta first came out a google search will yield what a lot of other were doing opening the capsules emptying out a certain amount, mixing in food or using gel caps from the pharmacy or from vitamins. Just don't bite them as they are time released good luck. Love Phillipa
Yes, this is about the fourth time this has been brought up -- no worries about the question, but I don't recommend it at all. Again 1) the individual pulsules are -not- the same in weight and 2) MUCH more important, you can accidentally bite the contents which are lightly enterically coated and meant to be time released and get a huge rush of NE.
If you must do this, I understand some people have reasons, be careful. I take 120mg of Cymbalta. I recently accidentally took 180mg because I absentmidedly took one instead of another medication. Such substitutions have very very rarely happened with me. Not fatal -- won't tell you what is for obvious reasons, its high thats all I'll say, but I was not a happy camper, hyped up and all that. So, word to the wise about the careful splitting of things, if as I say, one must or think they need to try it.
-- best wishes
Jay
Posted by LlurpsieBlossom on January 6, 2007, at 14:33:43
In reply to Re: splitting cymbalta? » Phillipa, posted by yxibow on January 6, 2007, at 13:36:03
When I started cymbalta at 30mg I felt SO awful for the first few days. I take it at night. My pdoc gave me 25mg of seroquel to help me fall asleep (bypassing the worst of the nausea and muscle tension, heart racing ickiness). Another option is to try a little bit of a benzodiazepine, perhaps .5mg of klonopin or even benedryl to help you fall asleep and perhaps avoid the nausea. I had waves of intense nausea. ugh.
The worst of these effects went away after 4 days, and came back less and less with each dose increase. I doubt that your reaction to 20 will be THAT much better than your reaction to 30mg, however. best just to tough it out for a few days until you feel more yourself. sorry its so tough
yours,
llurpsie
Posted by wishingstar on January 6, 2007, at 16:48:54
In reply to Re: splitting cymbalta?, posted by LlurpsieBlossom on January 6, 2007, at 14:33:43
Thanks everyone for your help.
I think tonight I will try 30mg one more time and take it with more food. I did eat with it last night, but nothing particularly absorbant, so I'll try that. I didnt have any trouble sleeping, except for being woken up by the abdominal cramps and nausea. I'm going out of town for a professional conference in 5 days and really want to enjoy it without being sick. I'm a very petite person, so I guess these things hit me hard. Thanks again.
Posted by Phillipa on January 6, 2007, at 20:20:27
In reply to Re: splitting cymbalta?, posted by wishingstar on January 6, 2007, at 16:48:54
Never felt nausea it was the feeling of not being able to cry and feeling like my head would explode. First time I tried it not side effects. So wierd how the body changes. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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