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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by boomarang on September 20, 2004, at 14:06:30
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on September 20, 2004, at 9:44:43
i am so happy for you scott!
Posted by Rayray on September 20, 2004, at 18:04:39
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on September 20, 2004, at 9:44:43
Yiiipppiiiieeeeeee, Scott! I'm glad Cymbalta is finally taking hold for you. I'm seeing my pdoc this Saturday and hope to get on the bandwagon, too.
A great big thanks to you and everyone else who is keeping a journal and sharing it. It is truly a great service to "our" community.
Any thoughts on a comparison of Cymbalta with Zoloft? That (150mg) and Wellbutrin (300 mg.)is what I'll be switching from.
Hip! Hip! Hoooo----
Ray
Posted by Nohope on September 21, 2004, at 2:47:18
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on September 20, 2004, at 9:44:43
That's great! Fingers crossed for continued (and continuous) improvement.
Posted by quarterwit on September 21, 2004, at 7:32:04
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on September 20, 2004, at 9:44:43
Scott, this is great -- didn't you have a bad spell when you didn't think it would work -- after an initial POSITIVE response?
Cymbalta's next up for me. It looks like I'll be weaning the Parnate. I'm one of the few where side effects were severe on this med, with no way to mitigate them without blood pressure problems. I had blood pressure probs to begin with though, so that may play a role in Parnate's intolerability and ultra-sensitive reactivity.
In a rare show of enthusiasm for something new -- rather than impatience with me! -- my doc is hopeful about the eventual transdermal Selegiline. But who knows when that will be out.
Weaning the Parnate shouldn't be that tough -- I could only stay on >20 mg doses for several weeks. Then on to Cymbalta.
Good to hear you're better --
> 9/20/2004
>
> Day 32
>
> 6 days at 30mg
> 26 days at 60mg
>
> 60mg (30mg b.i.d.)
>
> Efficacy :-)
>
> Side effects :-)
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by SLS on September 21, 2004, at 7:39:17
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report » SLS, posted by quarterwit on September 21, 2004, at 7:32:04
> Scott, this is great -- didn't you have a bad spell when you didn't think it would work -- after an initial POSITIVE response?
Yes.
I experienced a significant antidepressant response on my 12th day of treatment. It lasted for about 3 days and then disappeared. This has been the pattern of drug failure for me. I really had no reason to believe that an improvement would reappear - only hope.
I'm not out of the woods yet. It is still so early in treatment. I can't help but to be optimistic though.
This is what I'm taking:
Cymbalta 60mg
Lamictal 150mg
Namenda 20mg
Abilify 10mgBecause I am bipolar, it is possible that I need one or more of these other drugs for the Cymbalta to be effective.
- Scott
Posted by michael on September 21, 2004, at 11:56:54
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report » SLS, posted by quarterwit on September 21, 2004, at 7:32:04
> ...In a rare show of enthusiasm for something new -- rather than impatience with me! -- my doc is hopeful about the eventual transdermal Selegiline. But who knows when that will be out...
Hi -Sorry for the quick hi-jack here, but I just have to ask... You said your doc mentioned transdermal selegiline - did he happen to mention if he had any idea when it would be available?
(I know it sounds like he didn't, but had to ask.)Thanks,
michael
Posted by Pristine on September 22, 2004, at 12:55:16
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on September 20, 2004, at 9:44:43
>Scott,
You seem to be the only one that has been on Cymbalta for 32 days. I was on Cymbalta for 17 days at 60mg once a day. My wife said I was out of it and was not functioning well. There did seem to be something positive going on in a way. I stopped it on day 17 it has been 5 days without it and maybe I should give it a try again at perhaps a different dosage. Is 17 days too early to tell if it will work? When was it that you really knew it was doing well for you? Any insights would be appreciated. Thank you so much for your help.
9/20/2004
>
> Day 32
>
> 6 days at 30mg
> 26 days at 60mg
>
> 60mg (30mg b.i.d.)
>
> Efficacy :-)
>
> Side effects :-)
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by Paul_d_234 on September 22, 2004, at 14:08:42
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by Pristine on September 22, 2004, at 12:55:16
Up to 2 months at right dose.
Side effects are generally heavier the first 4 weeks and then sometimes begin to fade, while benefits generally do not start for up to 4-8 weeks.
Some folks see benefits sooner but don't bank on it.
Posted by Jasmineneroli on September 22, 2004, at 16:38:58
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on September 21, 2004, at 7:39:17
Hi Scott:
I've been watching your progress (and I think it seems like *progress* now :)!) with Cymbalta. I just wanted to thank you very much for taking the time to share your experiences frequently. It helps everyone a lot, to follow along with someone's " trial & error" process on a given drug or combo therapy. Even if they are not taking, or contemplating taking, the same drug(s) themselves. Because so many of us have to try loads of drugs/therapies and experiment constantly on oursleves.....it's really good to know others are in the same boat.
I appreciate all your responses to other posters/threads too. They're always so well written and thoughtful. I think it must take quite an effort some days, having read about your situation! You are obviously a caring person.
Keep it up, Psycho-Babble is a better place with you here :).
Regards,
Jas
P.S. I have started a new thread re: Wellbutrin augmentation, and would appreciate your input. Thx
Posted by quarterwit on September 22, 2004, at 16:45:07
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on September 21, 2004, at 7:39:17
BTW, was Parnate your last AD before Cymbalta? If so, how long did you wait after flushing Parnate to start the new one? I know the guideline is 2 weeks, as always. Thanks
> > Scott, this is great -- didn't you have a bad spell when you didn't think it would work -- after an initial POSITIVE response?
>
> Yes.
>
> I experienced a significant antidepressant response on my 12th day of treatment. It lasted for about 3 days and then disappeared. This has been the pattern of drug failure for me. I really had no reason to believe that an improvement would reappear - only hope.
>
> I'm not out of the woods yet. It is still so early in treatment. I can't help but to be optimistic though.
>
> This is what I'm taking:
>
> Cymbalta 60mg
> Lamictal 150mg
> Namenda 20mg
> Abilify 10mg
>
> Because I am bipolar, it is possible that I need one or more of these other drugs for the Cymbalta to be effective.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
Posted by jerrympls on September 22, 2004, at 17:43:21
In reply to Re: Dr. Ivan Goldberg » iris2, posted by SLS on September 20, 2004, at 7:32:56
> Hi Irene.
>
> > I saw you mentioned this doctors name. I had called his office for an appointment once and left a message. I have had difficulty finding a new pdoc in Pittsburgh. What do you think of going to him as my pdoc? I have not inquired as to the cost yet. Do you have any idea?
>
> I can't remember exactly how much he charges for an initial visit or consultation, but I know it is at least $500. He is particularly interested in treatment-resistant bipolar disorder. I really can't comment on the quality of his administration since I have never seen him. He seems to be a very compassionate man.
>
> Isn't Western Psychiatric (University of Pittsburg) out there? I can't imagine that you couldn't at least get a referral from them. Dr. Kupfer is one of the best out there.
>
>
> - ScottI've emailed Dr. Goldberg many times and he has always replied. He's a very compassionate man and is very committed to his work and to helping people. However, I don't know anyting about how much it costs to get an appointment with him.
Jerry
Posted by theo on September 22, 2004, at 18:02:39
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by Pristine on September 22, 2004, at 12:55:16
After stopping Cymbalta did you have any discontinuation side effects?
Posted by SLS on September 22, 2004, at 18:04:29
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by quarterwit on September 22, 2004, at 16:45:07
Hi.
> BTW, was Parnate your last AD before Cymbalta? If so, how long did you wait after flushing Parnate to start the new one? I know the guideline is 2 weeks, as always. Thanks
The last antidepressant that I was taking before Cymbalta was imipramine. I pretty much crossed-over immediately. I'm sure you know that the traditional waiting period between discontinuing an MAOI and beginning a SRI (serotonin reuptake inhibitor) drug like Cymbalta is two weeks. It takes time for the body to manufacture enough MAO enzymes to replace what has been irreversibly disabled by Parnate. I have heard of some doctors allowing their patients to begin a new drug after waiting only 7-10 days from the last dose of an MAOI. I personally have alway respected the two week recommendation. I guess I'm just a prude.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on September 23, 2004, at 6:51:09
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on September 20, 2004, at 9:44:43
9/23/2004
Day 35
6 days at 30mg
29 days at 60mg60mg (30mg b.i.d.)
I am not feeling the same "magic" I did a few days ago, but I remain improved. I am not discouraged in the least. Recovery is rarely uniform. Two steps forward and one step back. I can't wait to feel the magic again. It was great.
I remain virtually without side effects. I think my libido is somewhat better than it has been over the last two weeks. I still attribute the ebb to Cymbalta. It's return might be a consequence of an improvement in depression.
- Scott
Posted by theo on September 23, 2004, at 6:58:38
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on September 23, 2004, at 6:51:09
What is the "ebb"?
Posted by SLS on September 23, 2004, at 8:16:34
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report » SLS, posted by theo on September 23, 2004, at 6:58:38
> What is the "ebb"?
By "ebb", I was referring to that period of time when my sex drive was at its lowest. That was one to two weeks ago. I am pretty sure that this was the result of taking Cymbalta.
- Scott
Posted by apenname on September 23, 2004, at 14:13:51
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on September 23, 2004, at 8:16:34
I've read through the thread, thanks Scott and others for sharing their experiences.
I'm waiting to take Cymbalta once I find a psychiatrist (recent move). I'll be the most comfortable doing the switch once I'm under a doctor's care.I'm on Effexor XR at 225mg, it's not enough for me, and hasn't been for the last 3 years, but higher doses, while they make the depression go from low or medium-level to gone, makes my blood pressure rise. I'm hoping the Cymbalta works.
I've tried Zoloft, Lexapro, and Wellbutrin with no luck.
My regular doctor told me that Cymbalta was just approved for treatment of diabetic neuropathy. Interesting.
Posted by Pristine on September 23, 2004, at 14:51:27
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report » Pristine, posted by theo on September 22, 2004, at 18:02:39
> I had none. After stopping Cymbalta did you have any discontinuation side effects?
Posted by SLS on September 26, 2004, at 14:10:00
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on September 23, 2004, at 6:51:09
9/23/2004
Day 38
6 days at 30mg
32 days at 60mg60mg (30mg b.i.d.)
I'm not doing too well. Darn it. I haven't lost hope, though. I'm still looking forward to my next two steps up. Unfortunately, my last two steps were back.
:-(
Darn it.
We'll see.
:-)
- Scott
Posted by paltiel on September 26, 2004, at 21:23:16
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on September 26, 2004, at 14:10:00
Scott -
Have you and your pdoc looked at your other meds? Maybe a little less mood stabilizer will give your Cymbalta a little more space without too much risk of mania. Or higher dose Cymbalta? Just a thought...
Watching you and seeing the help you've given others - I hope you get the help you need to make this work for you.
Posted by SLS on September 27, 2004, at 0:17:00
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report » SLS, posted by paltiel on September 26, 2004, at 21:23:16
> Scott -
>
> Have you and your pdoc looked at your other meds? Maybe a little less mood stabilizer will give your Cymbalta a little more space without too much risk of mania. Or higher dose Cymbalta? Just a thought...I see my doctor tomorrow. I will bring up both of your ideas.
> Watching you and seeing the help you've given others - I hope you get the help you need to make this work for you.Thanks!
:-)
- Scott
Posted by iris2 on September 27, 2004, at 11:04:17
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report - Thanks! » paltiel, posted by SLS on September 27, 2004, at 0:17:00
> > Watching you and seeing the help you've given others - I hope you get the help you need to make this work for you.
>
> Thanks!
>
> :-)
>
> Scott,I want to reiterate what this poster has said. Watching you and all that you give both to others, sharing your own personal medical and diagnostic profile, answering our unending questions your great personality is wonderful:)
You are truly a treasure. I hope so much that you find a solution to your problems either in the Cymbalta or something else very soon. I selfishly wish that even when you are all "fixed" you will continue to so unselfishly give of yourself on this board. You are invaluable here and not replaceable. We appreciate you. I hope you know this and feel good about it:):)
Many hugs,(don't know the symbol for hugs)
irene
Posted by SLS on September 28, 2004, at 9:21:34
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report » SLS, posted by paltiel on September 26, 2004, at 21:23:16
> > Have you and your pdoc looked at your other meds? Maybe a little less mood stabilizer will give your Cymbalta a little more space without too much risk of mania. Or higher dose Cymbalta? Just a thought...
> I see my doctor tomorrow. I will bring up both of your ideas.
Well, I saw the doctor and brought up both of your suggestions. He opted to leave the dosage of Cymbalta at 60mg per day and asked that I raise the Lamictal from 150mg to 225mg. I really don't like the idea because I experience cognitive impairments at that dosage, but I guess I can't afford to leave any stone unturned.Crap.
- Scott
Posted by alesta on September 28, 2004, at 12:16:40
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report, posted by SLS on September 26, 2004, at 14:10:00
Hi, Scott,:)
How are you doing today? I agree with the other posters; you’ve helped so many people! :-) and I recently read a past thread where you posted and was touched by your compassion and insight concerning the multitude of degrees of suffering. it was a haunting read..
I read some info concerning treating treatment-resistant depression recently, and I wanted to share it with you. there’s a new discovery indicating that treatment-resistant depressives actually have a dysfunction in the brain (rather than just temporary chemical level abnormalities or whatever of “normal” depressed people, I suppose), which is why they don’t respond to medications. And so now they’re taking this new finding and are going to try and develop an antidepressant specifically for treatment-resistant depressives! http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-10/pg-rbi093003.php This is so exciting! So there’s new hope on the horizon. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-10/pg-rbi093003.
I also read an article that mentioned a *very* high dose of parnate as being an efficacious option for treatment-resistant depressives (people who don’t respond well to meds for depression). this makes sense--parnate hits more neurotransmitters than most, and then raising the dose way above normal in order to get a response is a great idea, and would be a fantastic way to get as much neurotransmitter action as possible. Here is the web site. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2710808&dopt=Abstract.
I see that your doc decided to raise your lamictal dosage. I think that’s a good idea, rather than raising your cymbalta dosage..lamictal sounds like a great antidepressant! I looked up some ratings for it a while ago, and it had rave reviews; there was no mention of cognitive problems. Is this a rare side effect? Anyway, also, I think a very high dosage of cymbalta could potentially be very difficult to withdraw from.
Also there’s some success of treatment with electromagnetic stimulation. http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/fe446.htm So that’s an option...
Oh, (you’re going to be bored by the end of this post :)) I also read that some ppl w/ treatment-resist. dep. could have food allergies. See: http://www.consciouschoice.com/issues/cc1211/foodallergies1211.html) I’m not saying you do..it’s just a possibility..and, also, aspartame causes depression and should be avoided. I hope some of this information might be helpful. I tried, anyway!..;)keep that chin up, chico!:)
Take care, Scott
Amy:)
Posted by SLS on September 28, 2004, at 16:19:47
In reply to Re: Cymbalta (duloxetine) - report » SLS, posted by alesta on September 28, 2004, at 12:16:40
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