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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 1, 2006, at 12:01:10
Hello! I've been taking Cymbalta for the past 8 months or so, and although it hasn't sapped my energy like the SSRI's tend to do, I don't feel that it has helped much with my anxiety and compulsiveness (especially compulsive eating). Are SSRI's generally considered to be better than SNRI's for anxiety/OCD? I WILL say that Cymbalta has helped with depression, and it has not caused mental dullness like I sometimes get with SSRI's...but I still feel anxious a lot of the tme. I never went past 45 mg. with it (because of agitation), so maybe I haven't been taking enough to get a calming effect. Is it considered to be a "calming" drug? I'm tapering off of it now because I just really don't think it's the right med for me. What else should I try? I will be talking to my psychiatrist soon (hopefully), but in the meantime, I would appreciate any suggestions I can get. Thanks! Jess
Posted by rjlockhart on April 1, 2006, at 12:45:48
In reply to best med for GAD and OCD?, posted by jessers11581 on April 1, 2006, at 12:01:10
I took Cymbalta 30mg for a while, i did have the same things you felt from that. I take Prozac 20mg, which is suppost to be an activating SSRI.
I would suggest Klonopin for GAD and the OCD, clonazepam i read has some trials with OCD.
In the while...talk to your doctor about it.
Matt
Posted by RobertDavid on April 1, 2006, at 13:25:08
In reply to Re: best med for GAD and OCD?, posted by rjlockhart on April 1, 2006, at 12:45:48
I think klonopin or one of the other benzo's would be good from the anxiety, but you'll probably need to blend it with something else for the OCD.
If you've tried the SSRI's and SNRI's without much luck may want to try the MAOI patch "EMSAM" that will be available later this month. Many people find the MAOI's work well when other meds have failed.
Good luck! Rob
Posted by TylerJ on April 1, 2006, at 14:29:18
In reply to best med for GAD and OCD?, posted by jessers11581 on April 1, 2006, at 12:01:10
> Hello! I've been taking Cymbalta for the past 8 months or so, and although it hasn't sapped my energy like the SSRI's tend to do, I don't feel that it has helped much with my anxiety and compulsiveness (especially compulsive eating). Are SSRI's generally considered to be better than SNRI's for anxiety/OCD? I WILL say that Cymbalta has helped with depression, and it has not caused mental dullness like I sometimes get with SSRI's...but I still feel anxious a lot of the tme. I never went past 45 mg. with it (because of agitation), so maybe I haven't been taking enough to get a calming effect. Is it considered to be a "calming" drug? I'm tapering off of it now because I just really don't think it's the right med for me. What else should I try? I will be talking to my psychiatrist soon (hopefully), but in the meantime, I would appreciate any suggestions I can get. Thanks! Jess
I have OCD/Anxiety and I've been on nearly every antidepressent known to mankind ( during the last 25 yrs. ) For me the absolute best meds are the MAOI's, especially Parnate. I'm on Parnate now and I literally have no OCD and no anxiety, and in addition no depression. I don't know if you are willing to try MAOI meds, but I promise you if they work for you, it's almost miraculous...you won't believe how good you feel!
And the "Dangers" are way overrated, the diet is not difficult at all. Just telling you what works for me..and no, I'm not a Parnate shareholder. :)Tyler
Posted by sm100378 on April 1, 2006, at 16:47:28
In reply to best med for GAD and OCD?, posted by jessers11581 on April 1, 2006, at 12:01:10
Hi,I have found that taking Effexor XR and xanax is a perfect combo (prescribed by doc).
> Hello! I've been taking Cymbalta for the past 8 months or so, and although it hasn't sapped my energy like the SSRI's tend to do, I don't feel that it has helped much with my anxiety and compulsiveness (especially compulsive eating). Are SSRI's generally considered to be better than SNRI's for anxiety/OCD? I WILL say that Cymbalta has helped with depression, and it has not caused mental dullness like I sometimes get with SSRI's...but I still feel anxious a lot of the tme. I never went past 45 mg. with it (because of agitation), so maybe I haven't been taking enough to get a calming effect. Is it considered to be a "calming" drug? I'm tapering off of it now because I just really don't think it's the right med for me. What else should I try? I will be talking to my psychiatrist soon (hopefully), but in the meantime, I would appreciate any suggestions I can get. Thanks! Jess
Posted by sm100378 on April 1, 2006, at 16:53:06
In reply to Re: best med for GAD and OCD?jessers11581, posted by sm100378 on April 1, 2006, at 16:47:28
Forgot to mention that Effexor is an SNRI, a better class rather than SSRI's. I also take wellbutrin along with this combo.
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> Hi,
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> I have found that taking Effexor XR and xanax is a perfect combo (prescribed by doc).
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> > Hello! I've been taking Cymbalta for the past 8 months or so, and although it hasn't sapped my energy like the SSRI's tend to do, I don't feel that it has helped much with my anxiety and compulsiveness (especially compulsive eating). Are SSRI's generally considered to be better than SNRI's for anxiety/OCD? I WILL say that Cymbalta has helped with depression, and it has not caused mental dullness like I sometimes get with SSRI's...but I still feel anxious a lot of the tme. I never went past 45 mg. with it (because of agitation), so maybe I haven't been taking enough to get a calming effect. Is it considered to be a "calming" drug? I'm tapering off of it now because I just really don't think it's the right med for me. What else should I try? I will be talking to my psychiatrist soon (hopefully), but in the meantime, I would appreciate any suggestions I can get. Thanks! Jess
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Posted by jessers11581 on April 1, 2006, at 17:43:13
In reply to Re: best med for GAD and OCD?jessers11581, posted by sm100378 on April 1, 2006, at 16:53:06
I may try one or the other of these for my anxiety, but I'm a little concerned about side effects. What are the main ones? Also, aren't antianxiety drugs addictive? I remember taking Xanax a long time ago...but it was during the worst part of my depression, and I don't remember much about how well it worked. Thanks for any info! Jess
Posted by RobertDavid on April 1, 2006, at 18:53:41
In reply to xanax/klonipin side effects, posted by jessers11581 on April 1, 2006, at 17:43:13
You might try one of the longer acting benzo's like klonopin or valium. I don't think many savvy doctors use the term "addictive" when treating benzo's for a patient with anxiety. It's just a med like most others that you shouln't stop taking suddenly.
Though individual side effects vary, most feel a little sedated at first which typically wears off, but the anti anxiety benfits usually remain. I choose to take my entire dose at night (2mgs klonopin for SP).
Some of the benefits of benzo's for anxiety is they work very fast and you don't get the typical SSRI side effects like weight gain or decreased libido. Everyone is different though.
Good luck. Rob
Posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2006, at 21:35:09
In reply to Re: xanax/klonipin side effects » jessers11581, posted by RobertDavid on April 1, 2006, at 18:53:41
Iv'e taken most of the benzos for over 30years never having to increase the dose as times going down on the dose. I took xanax for years and abslutley no problem quitting it and changing to another. I am now on valium and find no need to increase the dose. As your anxiety goes away you don't want any more than it take to achieve that. LovePhillipa ps I've also been benzo free when my life was going great
Posted by krybrahaha78 on April 2, 2006, at 3:52:26
In reply to Re: xanax/klonipin side effects, posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2006, at 21:35:09
I suggest Luvox and Klonopin---perfect combo for me
Posted by Caedmon on April 3, 2006, at 22:56:17
In reply to best med for GAD and OCD?, posted by jessers11581 on April 1, 2006, at 12:01:10
Hi Jess,
I am a compulsive eater and find that it responds to Topamax very well. Topamax has also reduced my social anxiety somewhat. It doesn't help my depression though.
For GAD, benzos are great, and antidepressants can also work but take longer. For OCD, anything that works on serotonin and/or glutamate. If you're finding Cymbalta to be tolerable, then I would suggest combining it with something, *maybe* a benzo but I actually think Buspar might work better for the compulsiveness. It's an idea.
BTW when I was on Cymbalta I really liked it (but it quit working on me).
- C
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