![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 6 to 30 of 335. Go back in thread:
Posted by KaraS on August 21, 2004, at 16:48:17
In reply to Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 21, 2004, at 8:13:25
> Cymbalta (duloxetine)
>
>
> 8/10/2004
>
> I began to taper my dosage of imipramine from 300mg
>
> --
>
> 8/17/2004
>
> I took my last 50mg dose of imipramine
>
> I am experiencing a mild rebound improvement of depression that is the direct result of discontinuing imipramine so quickly. This is normal for me.
>
> --
>
> 8/20/2004
>
> Begin Cymbalta...
>
> First dose - 30mg
>
> I experienced a brief significant improvement in depressive symptoms beginning 1 hour after this first dose. It lasted for 3 hours. No side effects.
>
> --
>
> 8/21/2004
>
> Second dose - 30mg
>
> I did not experience any improvement. No side effects.
>
> --
>
>
>
> * The manufacturer's label describes initiating treatment with Cymbalta using the desired target dosage. People are to begin by taking 40-60mg per day. Dosing is probably best split as twice a day. The half-life of Cymbalta is approximately 12 hours.
>
> * My doctor asked that I take 30mg for the first week before moving up to 60mg in the second week. I am impatient, of course, but this is probably prudent, especially after having so recently discontinued imipramine.
>
> * Smiling
>
>
> - Scott
>
I'm so glad it's going well so far. My thoughts are with you...-Kara
Posted by theo on August 22, 2004, at 10:16:37
In reply to Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 21, 2004, at 8:13:25
Sorry to keep hounding you , but the initial side effects (1st-3rd days) worry me the most with a new med. I see one of my docs tomorrow about adding an antidepressant to my 150mg Lamictal. Of course, being new, I'll push for Cymbalta.
I thought I would see many more threads on this site by now about Cymbalta. Maybe that's because I'm so impatient!
Posted by SLS on August 22, 2004, at 10:37:02
In reply to How's day 3? » SLS, posted by theo on August 22, 2004, at 10:16:37
> Sorry to keep hounding you , but the initial side effects (1st-3rd days) worry me the most with a new med. I see one of my docs tomorrow about adding an antidepressant to my 150mg Lamictal. Of course, being new, I'll push for Cymbalta.
>
> I thought I would see many more threads on this site by now about Cymbalta. Maybe that's because I'm so impatient!
I don't mind being hounded. You might need to "motivate" me every now and again. :-)8/22/2004
Day 3
Dosage 30mg
No improvement.
No side effects. No anxiety. No foggy-brain.
Good orgasm this morning 1 1/2 hours after dosing.
:-)
I don't think we should conclude too much regarding side effects until I have been at 60mg for two weeks.
Feel free to ask any questions.
- Scott
Posted by theo on August 22, 2004, at 12:28:38
In reply to Re: How's day 3?, posted by SLS on August 22, 2004, at 10:37:02
I agree on not drawing any premature conclusions after only three days. My anxiety triples whenever I swallow an SSRI, SNRI I've never tried because of the horrible feelings I had when I took my first dose of Zoloft and also with Lexapro, made me totally jumpy and uncomfortable.
So at least Cymbalta sounds promising on initial startup.
Posted by Phil on August 23, 2004, at 10:00:42
In reply to Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 21, 2004, at 8:13:25
I was allergic to Effexor. Two hours of intense itching every night at around 8 p.m. No rash, just itching like crazy.
I've been waiting for Cymbalta. It's nice to have another option.
I do hope it works well for you.
Posted by pseudonym on August 23, 2004, at 14:55:41
In reply to Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 21, 2004, at 8:13:25
I thought Cymbalta did not need titration. In fact, I recollect reading various press releases stating that a patient could initate at 60mg. Another note from the prescribing info states that at least for one trial, no benefit beyond 60 mg was noted.
Posted by SLS on August 23, 2004, at 17:00:49
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by pseudonym on August 23, 2004, at 14:55:41
8/23/2004
Day 4
30mg
No real improvement.
No side effects.
As I have mentioned in previous posts, I recently discontinued imipramine. More often than not, I actually experience a small improvement in my mood and functioning afterwards that lasts for about two or three weeks. I am in that period now, so it might be difficult for me to assertain if Cymbalta is responsible for any slight brightening of mood that may occur over the first two weeks. Some people do experience such a brightening during the second week of antidepressant therapy that often goes unnoticed.
- Scott
Posted by Lest on August 24, 2004, at 2:50:03
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 23, 2004, at 17:00:49
Youre going to have to anyway, just dont die, ill feel bad
Posted by SLS on August 24, 2004, at 6:10:29
In reply to take an extra 30 to get quick results :], posted by Lest on August 24, 2004, at 2:50:03
> Youre going to have to anyway, just dont die, ill feel bad
I'm trying to be compliant with the doctor's orders. :-) I'm not real happy to be moving up so slowly, but I think I can be patient for one more day.
Thanks for the concern!
- Scott
Posted by Lest on August 24, 2004, at 9:44:30
In reply to Re: take an extra 30 to get quick results :], posted by SLS on August 24, 2004, at 6:10:29
take it.. Ive tried almost everything else, all the ssri's plus some antipsychs.. couldnt tolerate them. effexor worked the best for me, but had chest pain, so im havin hopes for cymbalta...
Posted by Lest on August 24, 2004, at 9:45:49
In reply to Re: take an extra 30 to get quick results :], posted by SLS on August 24, 2004, at 6:10:29
j/w
Posted by SLS on August 24, 2004, at 10:23:53
In reply to is it making you more sleepy at all?, posted by Lest on August 24, 2004, at 9:45:49
> j/w
Yes.
At first, I didn't know how to interpret the increased sleepiness I have experienced, but I have been suspecting as much over the last two days. I was hoping it wasn't a side effect. Looks like it is. Maybe it's good I started out so slowly. Still, I'd like to move up to 60mg tomorrow. We'll see. I have a feeling the sleepiness will pass eventually.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on August 24, 2004, at 10:26:58
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 23, 2004, at 17:00:49
8/24/2004
Day 5.
30mg
No improvement in depression.
I am beginning to experience some sleepiness as a side effect. I'm going to take a nap now.
- Scott
Posted by iris2 on August 24, 2004, at 11:15:48
In reply to Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 21, 2004, at 8:13:25
Sorry Scott. I did not read the newer posts before I sent a message to you about Cymalta updates. Please ignore my request.
I should have known that of course you would update people on the board. Stupid me!
irene
Posted by alesta on August 24, 2004, at 13:09:54
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report » SLS, posted by iris2 on August 24, 2004, at 11:15:48
hi, scott, :)
hope you're doing okay. you seem a little bummed in your posts lately (or maybe i'm just reading too much into them). don't lose the optimism...and i still can't figure out what it is about you that draws people to you..:)..an unusual charisma...that's something to smile about.:) there will be an end to this misery soon....i just know it.
take it easy,
amy :)
Posted by Lest on August 24, 2004, at 13:20:31
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report--SLS, posted by alesta on August 24, 2004, at 13:09:54
prescribe it for me , what else should i do to try it. k thx
Posted by SLS on August 24, 2004, at 14:00:27
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report--SLS, posted by alesta on August 24, 2004, at 13:09:54
Hi Amy.
You are so sweet.
> hope you're doing okay. you seem a little bummed in your posts lately (or maybe i'm just reading too much into them).
No, you were reading them exactly right. I reached a nadir of spririt that comes over me from time to time. It is very hard.
I am trying to remain objective about Cymbalta and not to get too optimistic about it. On the surface, it is not terribly different from the things that have failed to represent an answer to me in the past. However, it is similar enough to things that I have had partial responses to that I have reserved a certain amount of hope. When it comes to the brain, you never know what surprises these drugs have waiting for us.
> don't lose the optimism...
OK. If you say so, I won't. :-)
> and i still can't figure out what it is about you that draws people to you..:)
I had no idea that anyone was. I often thought that I may have come off as being to clinical or something. I haven't always recieved the responses I seem to be getting lately. It feels good.
> ..an unusual charisma...that's something to smile about.:)
I think I'll savor this comment for awhile. You know, it's funny about how people's personalities can come out or not come out when interacting on the Internet.
> there will be an end to this misery soon....i just know it.
I could really use a break sooner than later. I'll ride awhile on your positive spirit...
> take it easy,
Thanks. I'll try.
> amy :)
scott :)
Posted by pseudonym on August 24, 2004, at 14:51:35
In reply to Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 21, 2004, at 8:13:25
I want to try Cymbalta almost as badly as yourself. However, I was never expecting much at 30mg from what I read regarding both the double blind and open trials. Here's the quote about the open label trial: "Patients were administered duloxetine 80 to 120 mg/day as two equal doses of 40 mg or 60 mg." So despite the fact that the label states no additional benefit beyond 60, I wonder.
Posted by SLS on August 24, 2004, at 15:04:44
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by pseudonym on August 24, 2004, at 14:51:35
Hi.
> I want to try Cymbalta almost as badly as yourself. However, I was never expecting much at 30mg from what I read regarding both the double blind and open trials. Here's the quote about the open label trial: "Patients were administered duloxetine 80 to 120 mg/day as two equal doses of 40 mg or 60 mg." So despite the fact that the label states no additional benefit beyond 60, I wonder.
They always say crap like that. Inevitably, there are always people who do better at higher dosages. I wouldn't want to stop until 120mg.
I'm kind of glad that my doctor asked that I remain at 30mg for a week. I am finding that somnolence is emerging as a side effect. I plan to go up to 60mg tomorrow or Thursday.
- Scott
Posted by alesta on August 24, 2004, at 15:10:54
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report--SLS » alesta, posted by SLS on August 24, 2004, at 14:00:27
> Hi Amy.
>
> You are so sweet.awwww, thanks, scott:)...your reply made me feel good, too. and i meant every word of what i said in my post...
take care you :),
amy
Posted by Lest on August 24, 2004, at 16:23:39
In reply to Im gonna try to get cymbalta tomorrow.. if he wont, posted by Lest on August 24, 2004, at 13:20:31
to get an idea of if im going to feel good on a medication when im just starting, i have found that if i drank 2 beers and feel better than i would usually not on the med then it might be helping. ;] saD that i have drank alcohol when trying new ssri's but nothing bads happened.
Posted by owensmar on August 24, 2004, at 20:36:59
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report--SLS » alesta, posted by SLS on August 24, 2004, at 14:00:27
Scott,
I am three days on this board and I find myself immediately thinking of you when I have a question. I barely recognize people's names yet but you stand out.
I have those horrible nadir periods too. I will pray for you. (p.s. I'm a spiritual, not a particularly religious pray-er - hope that's okay)
Marsha
Posted by ravenstorm on August 25, 2004, at 11:01:11
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 24, 2004, at 15:04:44
Apparently the drug reps have a nick name for cymbalta: cymbarfa. I probably won't ever want to try it for that reason. Only 1mg of Lexapro made me feel like I was going to puke through my nose!!
Hope this is the one for you. Glad you are having fairly benign start up side effects so far. It could, apparently, be much, much worse.
Posted by SLS on August 25, 2004, at 20:39:24
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 24, 2004, at 15:04:44
Hi Folks.
8/25/2004
Day 6
30mg
No perceptible improvement in depression.
No side effects.
I did not experience nearly as much sleepiness today. Hopefully, somnolence will not be an issue when I increase the dosage tomorrow.
- Scott
Posted by Lest on August 25, 2004, at 21:05:10
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on August 25, 2004, at 20:39:24
hope right now.. so i go to the dr. and he says he doesnt want me trying it cuz its so "new", so he presribed me, lamictal.. and heres what it does..."Lamictal is prescribed to control partial seizures in people with epilepsy. It is also used to control a serious form of epilepsy known as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Lamictal is used in combination with other antiepileptic medications or as a replacement for a medication such as Tegretol, Dilantin, phenobarbital, or Mysoline. "
Keep in mind ive never had a seizure, nor do i want to deal with the side effects which are completely more severe than cymbalta. hes a turd
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.