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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 26. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Frustratedmama on March 22, 2010, at 12:27:07
Ok, so the savella was a bust! Trying Cymbalta- really hoping to recapture the releif I had with Pristiq last July- anyone have experience with Cymbalta?
Posted by Phillipa on March 22, 2010, at 13:04:35
In reply to Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta, posted by Frustratedmama on March 22, 2010, at 12:27:07
Well finally I do took 60mg for three months. I was also on benzos didn't get rid of anxiety but it got rid of back pain I didn't know I had until went off it and didn't have withdrawal side effects. Went off as didn't see why continue feel the same but I was more active then also and independant. Phillipa
Posted by Frustratedmama on March 22, 2010, at 13:13:15
In reply to Re: Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta » Frustratedmama, posted by Phillipa on March 22, 2010, at 13:04:35
Thanks Phillipa-
Did it help with depression at all? I am really hoping that in combination with the benzos it will work for my depression and anxiety.....think I am experiencing another mixed episode right now- which is complete and total misery :(
FM
Posted by SLS on March 22, 2010, at 14:34:59
In reply to Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta, posted by Frustratedmama on March 22, 2010, at 12:27:07
> Ok, so the savella was a bust! Trying Cymbalta- really hoping to recapture the releif I had with Pristiq last July- anyone have experience with Cymbalta?
I gave Cymbalta a try. I experienced one of my usual 3-day improvements at about the 2-week mark. One thing I did not like about Cymbalta is that it produced a sense of tiredness and fatigue. Perhaps it will treat you better than it did me.
- Scott
Posted by Frustratedmama on March 22, 2010, at 14:44:26
In reply to Re: Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta » Frustratedmama, posted by SLS on March 22, 2010, at 14:34:59
Scott,
sorry if I am bothering you with all my questions....but, here's another one :)
Did you ever try Pristiq? That was the problem I found with Pristiq...too tired and fatigued and no motivation.....however, at first it was good...lasted 6 months too! That is great for me....I have had a lot of the 3-7 day releif patterns too.....hoping for a better outcome this time. Am I right in thinking that Cymbalta is closer to Pristiq than Savella?
FM
Posted by SLS on March 22, 2010, at 15:31:43
In reply to Re: Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta » SLS, posted by Frustratedmama on March 22, 2010, at 14:44:26
> Did you ever try Pristiq?
No. Since I have been on Effexor without much success, I haven't put Pristiq high on my list of things to try.
> Am I right in thinking that Cymbalta is closer to Pristiq than Savella?
I think some people would look at the ratios of 5-HT/NE reuptake inhibition potencies and judge Cymbalta and Pristiq to be more alike than Cymbalta and Savella. However, I am not convinced that these theoretical considerations alone are sufficient to predict treatment outcomes.
- Scott
Posted by Frustratedmama on March 22, 2010, at 15:43:58
In reply to Re: Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta » Frustratedmama, posted by SLS on March 22, 2010, at 15:31:43
Thanks Scott
Here's to good health ahead :)
FM
Posted by Phillipa on March 22, 2010, at 20:39:54
In reply to Re: Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta » SLS, posted by Frustratedmama on March 22, 2010, at 15:43:58
I'm wondering if bipolar is responsible for the three day responses. As to your question I don't know cause I always said I wasn't depressed just anxious. But pdocs seem to insist an ad will cure anxiety. Never has for me? But I didn't have any negative side effects no tiredness for sure. Just felt the same. Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on March 22, 2010, at 21:28:53
In reply to Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta, posted by Frustratedmama on March 22, 2010, at 12:27:07
I was on 60 mg of Cymbalta for about a year and it did help my help my treatment resistent depression. I can't say that I had full remission because I was still depressed on it. But that says more about me that it does about the med. I think you should try it.
Posted by Frustratedmama on March 22, 2010, at 22:34:58
In reply to Re: Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta » Frustratedmama, posted by Maxime on March 22, 2010, at 21:28:53
Thanks Maxime!
I got some good releif from Pristiq for about 6 months so I am trying to recapture that feeling. Unfortunately the Pristiq pooped out on me- I really hope it will work again later but until then I am trying Cymbalta....the brain zaps and irritablity are so bad right now I cant work. :(
Posted by floatingbridge on March 24, 2010, at 11:28:03
In reply to Re: Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta » Maxime, posted by Frustratedmama on March 22, 2010, at 22:34:58
> Thanks Maxime!
> I got some good releif from Pristiq for about 6 months so I am trying to recapture that feeling. Unfortunately the Pristiq pooped out on me- I really hope it will work again later but until then I am trying Cymbalta....the brain zaps and irritablity are so bad right now I cant work. :(Is cymbalta taking care of the brain zaps?
Do you need a stronger benzo for the interim? (I had good experience w/ klonopin for short term.)
Posted by mommyron on March 24, 2010, at 14:32:07
In reply to Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta, posted by Frustratedmama on March 22, 2010, at 12:27:07
I loved Cymbalta, but my GI tract did not. It was the best AD I've tried (among MANY, and also MANY cocktails). But even anti-emetics couldn't make the nausea go away.
Posted by Frustratedmama on March 25, 2010, at 21:42:38
In reply to Re: Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta » Frustratedmama, posted by floatingbridge on March 24, 2010, at 11:28:03
Brain zaps left after I took the first two doses (one at night and one the following AM) so took about 12 hours and 2 doses...... I also had to INCREASE the librium (under pdocs advise) as that was all I had available- which didnt help at all.....klonopin was on order but was in immediate need.....now that I have been on the cymbalta a few days I am back to just 2 5 mg tablets of libium a day :)
so for the record....
taking:
30 mg Cymbalta (AM and again PM)
5 mg Librium (AM and PM)
10 Mg Adderall XR (AM only)
and my allergy meds at night (Xyzal which is like Zyrtec)and Flonase as needed
Posted by Frustratedmama on March 25, 2010, at 21:44:59
In reply to Re: Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta, posted by mommyron on March 24, 2010, at 14:32:07
What dose were you on and what other meds were you on? Cymbalta does come in 20 mg capsules and can be taken more than once a day...also, some of the other meds can increase the amount of CYmbalta in your system which could have made nausea worse.....if it worked well for you maybe there could be a way for you to retry it? Just hoping for you....I know how much it means to FINALLY feel like yourself again!
FM
Posted by floatingbridge on March 26, 2010, at 0:41:02
In reply to Re: Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta » floatingbridge, posted by Frustratedmama on March 25, 2010, at 21:42:38
Yay! Great news, FM
Posted by morganator on March 26, 2010, at 12:50:37
In reply to Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta, posted by Frustratedmama on March 22, 2010, at 12:27:07
How long did you give Savella a try? It takes a few weeks and finding the right dose I believe.
I hope Cymbalta works for you. I wasn't too crazy about it. It was a bit too powerful in a bad way. My friends always asked me if I was tripping. Also, my urine was a dark yellow and it stank pretty bad-I thought this was a bad sign of how toxic this medication was.
It did however stimulate me and help get me out of a funk somewhat. But for the most part it was too stimulating. Oh, and I forgot to mention I'm bipolar so that may have had something to do with me being sensitive to it.
Posted by Frustratedmama on March 28, 2010, at 20:12:17
In reply to Re: Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta » Frustratedmama, posted by morganator on March 26, 2010, at 12:50:37
Gave Savella about a week and it was too strong- got dysphoric on it but cymbalta with librium and adderall seems to be a good combo for me- except may need something at night to sleep....
Posted by gorgeouslygrim on March 31, 2010, at 5:18:29
In reply to Re: Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta » morganator, posted by Frustratedmama on March 28, 2010, at 20:12:17
Hey frustratedmomma,
I read in an earlier post that you had those hellish brain zaps. Do you still have them? My doctor gave me a med to take when I was having them, this med was not made specifically for it but it worked wonders! Its called cyproheptadine I was given 4 mg and I swear by it. My doc knows about a lot of the off label uses for meds and he has always seemed to find a way to help me with all of the little discomforts associated with the meds my pdoc perscribes. Best of luck!
Posted by Frustratedmama on March 31, 2010, at 20:09:19
In reply to Re: Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta » Frustratedmama, posted by gorgeouslygrim on March 31, 2010, at 5:18:29
Brain zaps are gone thanks to cymbalta- but will keep that in mind in case it ever happens again!
Posted by gorgeouslygrim on March 31, 2010, at 20:53:46
In reply to Re: Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta » gorgeouslygrim, posted by Frustratedmama on March 31, 2010, at 20:09:19
Glad to hear that! I had brain zaps today and took my left over pills and once again they went away. I was also nauseous and it works for that as well.
Posted by floatingbridge on March 31, 2010, at 21:38:22
In reply to Re: Please comment if you ever tried cymbalta » gorgeouslygrim, posted by Frustratedmama on March 31, 2010, at 20:09:19
How goes it?
Posted by Frustratedmama on April 1, 2010, at 12:47:39
In reply to FM » Frustratedmama, posted by floatingbridge on March 31, 2010, at 21:38:22
Going okay- cymbalta is helping a lot- having trouble sleeping though so pretty tired during the day....trying to figure out how to dose this and if I need a sleep med or not. Right now taking 60 mg in AM and nothing at night except librium.....we'll see- How about u?
Posted by floatingbridge on April 1, 2010, at 14:29:14
In reply to Re: FM » floatingbridge, posted by Frustratedmama on April 1, 2010, at 12:47:39
> Going okay- cymbalta is helping a lot- having trouble sleeping though so pretty tired during the day....trying to figure out how to dose this and if I need a sleep med or not. Right now taking 60 mg in AM and nothing at night except librium.....we'll see- How about u?
Hey FM!
Umm, both good and so-so. I mean, my mood can be very good despite the persistent threat (though much less frequent) of episodic dysphoria. Health issues remain (fatigue & pain), and I guess I feel discouraged that whatever treatment we come upon will need to be in place for life and that much of what really works are controlled meds. Still working on that acceptance piece....
I'm so glad the cymbalta is working!--though that fatigue is a drag. Do you think the more 'ordinary' sleep meds might work with your latest regime?
Best to you!
fb
Posted by Frustratedmama on April 1, 2010, at 17:18:11
In reply to Re: FM » Frustratedmama, posted by floatingbridge on April 1, 2010, at 14:29:14
Hey fb-
Sounds like we are so similiar in our reactions to meds....kind of nice to know we arent alone but I agree it would be so much better if we could be better without side effects!If the sleep doesn't get better on its own with the switch to cymbalta in the AM then I am going to add lunesta again (I think thats the plan). I also may try going without the librium (although that may not work).
Best to you!
FM
Posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2010, at 20:22:02
In reply to Re: FM » floatingbridge, posted by Frustratedmama on April 1, 2010, at 17:18:11
Why go without the librium as librium is weak at least to me? Phillipa
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