Re: On Effexor XR, considering Cymbalta, comparisons? » Atticus

Posted by 4WD on September 9, 2004, at 19:53:38

In reply to On Effexor XR, considering Cymbalta, comparisons?, posted by Atticus on September 9, 2004, at 14:41:42

> Last evening my pdoc brought up Cymbalta as a potential alternative to the Effexor XR that I take now. Can anyone in this thread who has taken both offer me any kind of comparison, based on personal experience, in terms of side effects, effectiveness in controlling depression and anxiety? I don't want to deal with Effexor withdrawl if Cymbalta doesn't sound like it's an improvement. I know reactions to meds are different from individual to individual, but I'm intensely curious about Cymbalta, as the Effexor seems to be losing its punch. Atticus

Hi Atticus,
Here's my experience:
Day 7 on Cymbalta 30mg (switched from Effexor XR 37.5mg - low dose due to med sensitivity). The biggest change I've noticed so far is greatly increased energy level. On the Effexor, I was sluggish, had to pull myself around, walked very slowly. By the 3rd day of Cymbalta, I had more energy. By today, I have lots more energy. I am also able to fall asleep much more easily on the Cymbalta. I have also experienced some lightening of mood. Not a lot, but I've only been on it a week.
Re side effects, there is less delay in orgasm. Dry mouth is about the same (moderate). My main side effect is a high pitched tone in my head. I experienced this on Effexor as well and it was very dose-dependent. It's worse on Cymbalta than it was on Effexor but I'm taking a higher relative dose of Cymbalta than Effexor.
Word of warning : Do taper the Effexor. I thought I wouldn't need to since they were both SNRIs but boy, was I wrong. I've been having some mild anxiety at first and a couple of attacks of severe anxiety but I've finally realized that is from Effexor withdrawal. Now that I've added Effexor back in order properly to taper it, the anxiety is much less.
Hope this helps. Please keep us all informed of your experiences - I'd be very interested to hear your results and side effecgs (especially if you get the ringing in your ears).
Marsha

Thread

Week 3 of Cymbalta steve12 9/4/04
...
Re: What is Cymbalta? » crazychickuk SLS 9/4/04
Re: What is Cymbalta? » crazychickuk KaraS 9/4/04
Re: What is Cymbalta? crazychickuk 9/4/04
Re: What is Cymbalta? » crazychickuk Racer 9/5/04
Re: What is Cymbalta? crazychickuk 9/5/04
Re: Week 3 of Cymbalta -- this is what I've noted steve12 9/8/04
Re: Week 3 of Cymbalta -- this is what I've noted Paul_d_234 9/8/04
Re: Week 3 of Cymbalta -- this is what I've noted steve12 9/8/04
Week 2 of Cymbalta for me vikala 9/8/04
Re: Week 3 of Cymbalta -- this is what I've noted Pristine 9/9/04
On Effexor XR, considering Cymbalta, comparisons? Atticus 9/9/04
Re: Week 2 of Cymbalta for me steve12 9/9/04
Re: On Effexor XR, considering Cymbalta, comparisons? » Atticus 4WD 9/9/04
Re: On Effexor XR, considering Cymbalta, comparisons? » Atticus jrbecker 9/10/04
Re: On Effexor XR, considering Cymbalta, comparisons? » 4WD Atticus 9/10/04
Re: On Effexor XR, considering Cymbalta, comparisons? » Atticus 4WD 9/10/04
Re: On Effexor XR, considering Cymbalta, comparisons? » 4WD corafree 10/23/04
Re: Week 3 of Cymbalta -- this is what I've noted » Pristine suze420 10/25/04
Re: On Effexor XR, considering Cymbalta, comparisons? » Atticus corafree 10/26/04
Re: On Effexor XR, considering Cymbalta, comparisons? » 4WD corafree 1/19/05

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