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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 Justherself54 on November 11, 2008, at 2:18:03
After failed trials on MAOI's I've had to revisit old AD's that worked in the past. I've been on Lexapro for 6 weeks with no partial response. Pdoc suggested I try Cymbalta as he's hoping it could also help my fibromyalgia which feeds into my depression.
He gave me two months worth of samples but they are 60 mg. capsules. I'm currently taking 20 mg. Lexapro. He said I could stop the Lex and start at 60 of Cymbalta but also stated it could be a rough ride.
Has anybody done this and if so how rough was it?
I'm at the last of my med options and would rather give Cymbalta a trial instead of retrying Zoloft which very well may not work for me again either.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I hope this makes sense as I've stayed up way too late and am not thinking very clearly!
Posted by Racer on November 11, 2008, at 8:47:10
In reply to Lexapro to Cymbalta -ADVICE PLEASE, posted by Justherself54 on November 11, 2008, at 2:18:03
I think I'd probably go cut the Lexapro in half for about four days, and then go to Cymbalta on the fifth, but that's me. The one thing to know is that Cymbalta generally starts lower than 60mg, so you might have a couple of roughish days. My guess, though, is that even if you do, it's only gonna be two or three. The Lexapro should ease the transition.
I took Cymbalta for about a year and a half, and can tell you that it's a nice, friendly little drug. It is certainly helpful for pain, and eases anxiety, and is generally like a kinder, gentler Effexor -- without the nasties that Effexor brought me. In fact, Cymbalta was far friendlier than Lexapro for me -- on Lexapro, I couldn't even be bothered to speak, and just wanted to die. Above and beyond the depression, that is.
Good luck to you. I hope you like Cymbalta -- as I said, I took it about a year and a half and it was my good friend through that. At least, as much as any serotinergic medication is ever my friend...
Posted by Phillipa on November 11, 2008, at 10:31:49
In reply to Lexapro to Cymbalta -ADVICE PLEASE, posted by Justherself54 on November 11, 2008, at 2:18:03
Justy so the lex didn't work so sorry. I also started lower on cymbalta at 30mg. And it helped with body pains and aches didn't help anxiety and wasn't depressed. So went off it after three months at 60mg. Maybe see if you can start at a lower dose the 30mg was fine for me. Love Phillipa
Posted by bleauberry on November 11, 2008, at 20:52:39
In reply to Lexapro to Cymbalta -ADVICE PLEASE, posted by Justherself54 on November 11, 2008, at 2:18:03
I remember communicating with one guy who failed maois but then went into remission on a combination of cymbalta+milnacipran+wellbutrin. He had previously gotten worse or no better on just about every other med you can think of.
Another person it was adderall+milnacipran. In clinical studies, milnacipran by itself has worked on treatment resistant depression. In a small study, 3 out of 5 treatment resistant patients went into remission on 100mg milnacipran+.05mg risperdal. Something nice about that combo. Another lady same thing, it was milnacipran+zyprexa.Some points I wanted to make:
Look to meds you haven't tried. Don't go backwards where you've already been.
If you do go to old meds, combine them with things of different mechanisms. For example, stimulants or antipsychotics. Prozac+zyprexa is a pretty powerful combo and I don't know why it is used more often. It worked for me for many years, especially when I added adrafinil (similar to provigil) to it.
Look to meds around the world, not just the ones the FDA is in bed with. Japan's number one med is milnacipran. You've also got stablon and amisulpride to look at.
Lexapro to cymbalta. Sure, that switch has even been done in a study. Those who did a straight across switch had a much easier time than those who started from scratch on cymbalta. I personally wouldn't expect any great things to happen with cymbalta though. You're going to have to add a zyprexa or risperdal or milnacipran or ritalin or adderall or dexedrine or wellbutrin to it, at least 2 meds and maybe 3. I don't think any single med is going to do it, and I don't think just looking to increase neurotransmitter levels is going to do it either. Different mechanisms needed. All this is just my opinion, no right or wrong.
Posted by Justherself54 on November 11, 2008, at 22:40:11
In reply to Re: Lexapro to Cymbalta -ADVICE PLEASE, posted by bleauberry on November 11, 2008, at 20:52:39
Thanks all for the responses. Over the last 20 some odd years I've been on just about every med except for remeron. I will be adding Ritalin to the cymbalta, if needed, once I've adjusted to the switch. Today was day one at 30 mg of Cymbalta and no Lexapro. Very tired, and having some sweats, but nothing too awful yet.
Pdoc and I discussed possibly increasing my seroquel, but one step at a time. Seroquel really makes me have a raging appetite, even at a small dose.
I'm not sure if a couple of the meds you mentioned as available in Canada (stablon, milnacipran or amisulpride. Maybe some Canuks on pbabble would know.
I'm just trying to work with my pdoc the best I can. I know he's consulting with some of his colleagues about me but for right now I'm going to give it a trial and who knows, maybe some much needed relief from fibro pain.
Thanks everyone. Cross your fingers for me that the switch doesn't get too rocky.
Posted by Phillipa on November 12, 2008, at 18:45:32
In reply to Re: Lexapro to Cymbalta -ADVICE PLEASE, posted by Justherself54 on November 11, 2008, at 22:40:11
Fingers and toes crossed for you and do think it will help fibro. Love Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on November 13, 2008, at 9:57:55
In reply to Re: Lexapro to Cymbalta -ADVICE PLEASE, posted by Justherself54 on November 11, 2008, at 22:40:11
Hello, a fellow Canuk here. Here is the link to the Health Canada drug database ... you can find out which meds are available. I know that amisulpride isn't available.
http://205.193.93.51/dpdonline/startup.do?applanguage=en_CA
I've been on 60 mg of Cymbalta since February and it has saved my life. I have been on EVERY medication out there including MAOIs. I combine it with Wellbutrin SR 300 mg. No side effects which is nice which the exception of cold sweats every one in a while at night.
I really hope this med works for you. Give it time. People who take it for pain mgmt usually go up to 120 mg ... you might want to discuss this with your doctor at a later point.
Best of luck to you!
Maxime
Posted by Justherself54 on November 13, 2008, at 13:43:19
In reply to Re: Lexapro to Cymbalta -ADVICE PLEASE » Justherself54, posted by Maxime on November 13, 2008, at 9:57:55
Thanks Maxime! I'm hoping it will work too. I'm trying to stay positive and look for the little signs of improvement. I'm glad it's working so well for you.
This is the end of the thread.
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