![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jessers11581 on April 18, 2005, at 20:02:12
Is there anyone out there who has had success with only 30 mg. of Cymbalta? This was my starting dose, and I still haven't increased it. I feel pretty good, and would prefer not to take any more medication that I absolutely have to. My doc says that 60 mg. is considered to be the therapeutic level. Is it normal for it to be working at 30 mg., or should I expect the effects to wear off after a while? Thanks in advance! :)
Posted by med_empowered on April 18, 2005, at 21:24:36
In reply to lower dose Cymbalta, posted by jessers11581 on April 18, 2005, at 20:02:12
Hey! In Lilly's studies, 60mgs somehow turned out to be **the** dose they recommend. Lower doses didn't have the same risk:benefits ratio, higher one's didn't have significantly more benefits but did carry more risks (typical AD stuff plus the blood pressure problem) so 60mgs is now the recommended dose. Plus, its kinda cool to have dosing that easy with an AD...you know, flat, one-dose-fits-all. But, of course, one-dose does not fit all...if you're elderly, a lower dose should (one would think) do the trick. If you're taking a tricyclic anti-depressant, you may need lower doses of one or both anti-depressants. So on and so forth...if you're on a lot of other meds, www.cymbalta.com has a link to the study summary. Personally, I'm on the other end of the spectrum...my shrink recommends 90mgs on the theory that even if it doesn't help depression, it does help concentration. Riiiiight. So far, I'm not impressed. Anyway, here's my take on the situation: we all need to listen to our bodies and our minds when dealing with any meds, but especially psychiatric ones...you really do only get 1 brain, so be good to it. If 30mgs/day works for you with no particularly bad side effects, it may very well keep on working, stop working, work less well, or cause side effects down the road. That's not just w/ cymbalta; that's with every anti-depressant or other psychoactive med there is. The best advice I've heard is "start low, go slow"...remember also that your doctor is treating your problems, but you set the goals of treatment. Your goal is to feel better, not to take 60mgs cymbalta a day. Your doctor thinks you need 60mgs to feel better; you feel better on 30. I think you should win out on this one. Personally though, I'd do this, both because I love to play with my shrinks, and b/c I'm incredibly thrifty: tell your doctor you want to do the 60mg/day thing, but that you want to introduce it gradually and maybe break up the dose to reduce side effects. He/she might moan and groan, but if you're convincing enough you should get an RX for 60 30mg tablets for the month, instead of 30. If you stay at the 30mg/day dose, that's 2 months in one, which basically cuts your co-pay in half. Just a thought. (I admit to doing stuff like this). Good luck!
Posted by Phillipa on April 18, 2005, at 22:26:15
In reply to Re: lower dose Cymbalta, posted by med_empowered on April 18, 2005, at 21:24:36
There are a lot of posters doing well on just a few granules of cymbalta. If it works then don't try and fix it my pdoc says. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Racer on April 18, 2005, at 23:33:12
In reply to Re: lower dose Cymbalta, posted by Phillipa on April 18, 2005, at 22:26:15
I'm on 30mg, down from -- at one point -- 90mg. For me, going up just makes me more lethargic, and that increases my depression.
So, if it ain't broke, don't fix it...
Posted by Bill LL on April 19, 2005, at 8:46:58
In reply to lower dose Cymbalta, posted by jessers11581 on April 18, 2005, at 20:02:12
I'm doing very well on 60 which was my staerting dose. But I was previously on 40 mg Lexapro so that's why I started on ahigher dose of Cymbalta.
Stay on the 30 as long as possible. If and when it becomes less effective, then raise the dose.
I like Cymbalta. It's my favorite so far. The others I have been on are Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, and (one more I forgot). Cymbalta makes me the least tired during the day with the least sexual side effects.
> Is there anyone out there who has had success with only 30 mg. of Cymbalta? This was my starting dose, and I still haven't increased it. I feel pretty good, and would prefer not to take any more medication that I absolutely have to. My doc says that 60 mg. is considered to be the therapeutic level. Is it normal for it to be working at 30 mg., or should I expect the effects to wear off after a while? Thanks in advance! :)
Posted by sedona on April 19, 2005, at 15:03:05
In reply to lower dose Cymbalta, posted by jessers11581 on April 18, 2005, at 20:02:12
Hi- I took 60mg for a while, but due to lethargy I went down to 30mg. I personally haven't noticed a difference between 60mg and 30mg, so I'm sticking with 30mg. I think if 30mg works for you then that's great, and you always have the option to up the dose if you feel the need.
> Is there anyone out there who has had success with only 30 mg. of Cymbalta? This was my starting dose, and I still haven't increased it. I feel pretty good, and would prefer not to take any more medication that I absolutely have to. My doc says that 60 mg. is considered to be the therapeutic level. Is it normal for it to be working at 30 mg., or should I expect the effects to wear off after a while? Thanks in advance! :)
Posted by lois on April 19, 2005, at 18:55:33
In reply to lower dose Cymbalta, posted by jessers11581 on April 18, 2005, at 20:02:12
Hi-
I have been on 30 mgs for a month. At first I thought it was making me sleepy, but it was my abilify. After I lowered my abilify, I am just the opposite.
In fact I am becoming alert, but slightly uncomfortable with agitation. I don't know if it is too much, too little, or if I have to deal with it, or even go up on the dose. I have sort of an anxious energy, but no motivation. A little scarey. I wonder if I need some dopamine,possibly wellbutrin, and keep the cymbalta at a lower dose? I see pdoc in a week.
Lois
Posted by med_empowered on April 19, 2005, at 18:58:39
In reply to Re: lower dose Cymbalta » jessers11581, posted by lois on April 19, 2005, at 18:55:33
hey! no one has all that much experience with cymbalta in terms of drug-induced mania, agitation, or anything, really...its kinda scary. This drug is really new and EVERYBODY is on it. Anyway, I'm just saying to be careful with side effects like that, especially with new ADs. Wellbutrin could help, but it might increase the agitation and anxiety you are experiencing, at least in the short term, before it gave you any increased motivation. Good luck!
Posted by Phillipa on April 19, 2005, at 20:02:11
In reply to Re: lower dose Cymbalta, posted by med_empowered on April 18, 2005, at 21:24:36
A point well taken. There are so many new meds out there. Thanks for this board to let us know firsthand how it really affect others! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by theo on April 21, 2005, at 16:53:58
In reply to lower dose Cymbalta, posted by jessers11581 on April 18, 2005, at 20:02:12
> Is there anyone out there who has had success with only 30 mg. of Cymbalta? This was my starting dose, and I still haven't increased it. I feel pretty good, and would prefer not to take any more medication that I absolutely have to. My doc says that 60 mg. is considered to be the therapeutic level. Is it normal for it to be working at 30 mg., or should I expect the effects to wear off after a while? Thanks in advance! :)
If you feel good, don't mess with the dose! I wouldn't increase the dose unless it starts to poop out.
Posted by Donzo on May 31, 2005, at 21:31:37
In reply to Re: lower dose Cymbalta, posted by Racer on April 18, 2005, at 23:33:12
I'm going down from a few mos. on 60mg to 30mg because I'm ferociously gaining weight. Never had weight issues before. Dry mouth adds to the feeling of increased apetite. I nearly cannot stop thinking of food! I exercise and eat right. Hope this will help w/o the sexual side effects. What a drag.
> I'm on 30mg, down from -- at one point -- 90mg. For me, going up just makes me more lethargic, and that increases my depression.
>
> So, if it ain't broke, don't fix it...
This is the end of the 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.