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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by llrrrpp on August 1, 2006, at 0:30:34
Okay, here's my meds schedule normally
90 mg cymbalta and 12.5-25 mg seroquel at bedtime200 mg provigil in am.
Here's the problem-
I went 2 timezones west over the weekend, got all screwed up, [didn't help much that I only got 4 hours of sleep during 2 nights last week!]Now I'm going 7? 8? timezones east in a couple of days.
So, here's what I've devised. important to keep cymbalta going at roughly 24 hour intervals, and I don't care about the provigil or seroquel they are just for not-sleepy and sleeping, respectively.
I've been delaying my cymbalta dose 4 hours [i.e. 30 hours between doses] for the last couple of days, in the hopes of eventually being able to take it at bedtime when I go to Europe later this week. I thought it was better than reducing my inter-dose timing to less than 24 hours, in the risk that I would get too much cymbalta in my system (90mg is pretty high).
But I've been getting headaches, and I took a long nap, and have been feeling kind of out of it. Only a tiny bit depressed. some visual distortions and ear ringing. Does this happen to you too when you take your antidepressant later than usual?
thanks for your help!
-ll
Posted by SLS on August 1, 2006, at 6:05:59
In reply to timezone changes and med dose timing, posted by llrrrpp on August 1, 2006, at 0:30:34
Hi.
> But I've been getting headaches, and I took a long nap, and have been feeling kind of out of it. Only a tiny bit depressed. some visual distortions and ear ringing. Does this happen to you too when you take your antidepressant later than usual?
How about splitting your dosage of Cymbalta 60/30 between the evening and morning? You should be able to avoid experiencing trough/withdrawal effects that way. People on Cymbalta often report experiencing such things if they delay taking their daily dose by even 2 hours.
- Scott
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on August 1, 2006, at 6:28:20
In reply to Re: timezone changes and med dose timing » llrrrpp, posted by SLS on August 1, 2006, at 6:05:59
Hey there! Why bother messing up your system with changing the time you are dosaging? You could work out what time you usually take your dose in your home timezone, then just make adjustments with the time, set an alarm clock and then just take it then.
So for instance, say you take it at 3pm in your hometown of Boston and thats your usual time. You travel to London, which is 5 hours ahead of Boston. So you would then set your alarm and take it at 8pm (3pm + 5 hours time difference ahead).
This is what I did when I went from UK to Boston with effexor. It is particulary good if you have a mobile phone and set it to 'repeat alarm' - you don't even have to bother to remember to set it!
However, this is all assuming that your medication doesn't affect your sleep/wake states.
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by llrrrpp on August 1, 2006, at 9:38:58
In reply to Re: timezone changes and med dose timing, posted by Meri-Tuuli on August 1, 2006, at 6:28:20
The only problem with this is that cymbalta usually makes me kind of sleepy. Also gives me some mild nausea and possibly tummyache. When I take it at bedtime, I sleep through these side effects. I just don't want it ruining my afternoons in Europe! I need to have my stomach available all day long- you never know when you will run into a piece of cake, or a gelato, or a local grilled sausage, or...!
getting excited now. I guess I'm not that depressed!
-ll
Posted by llrrrpp on August 1, 2006, at 9:44:26
In reply to Re: timezone changes and med dose timing » llrrrpp, posted by SLS on August 1, 2006, at 6:05:59
splitting is a good idea, I'm just concerned that I would be giving myself tummyache/nausea from the morning dose.
I did notice some effects of taking my dose late, but this was in early stages of taking cymbalta, before the med had reached a steady state, says my pdoc.
I think I'm going to stick with 30 hours between doses for 2 more days. I don't have to have super high functioning, just enough brain juice to make it to the airport and pass through customs and stuff (with my dilated pupils ha ha!)
thanks for your suggestion :)
-ll
Posted by Phillipa on August 1, 2006, at 11:34:19
In reply to Re: timezone changes and med dose timing » SLS, posted by llrrrpp on August 1, 2006, at 9:44:26
I do the same thing. Take my meds at night. As I figure if I have side effects hopefully I'll sleep through them. So when's Germany? I owe you an E-mail.Love Phillipa
Posted by llrrrpp on August 1, 2006, at 11:40:29
In reply to Re: timezone changes and med dose timing » llrrrpp, posted by Phillipa on August 1, 2006, at 11:34:19
i leave tomorrow am. for Germany. yay! just got my scripts refilled. 33 dollars. I love health insurance. provigil is a controlled substance though. I didn't realize that. hope I don't have problems in customs.
-ll
p.s. you don't 'owe' me an email- but if you want to write me, I'd be delighted :)
This is the end of the thread.
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