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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 spriggy on August 19, 2006, at 21:00:18
Well, due to my recent episode of depression and horrific pain from fibromyalgia, I think I'm going to bite the bullet and try anti depressents again.
Lexapro wigged me out- so that's not an option.
I have read other's with fibro who have said Cymbalta helped their pain a lot and also their fatigue/depression.
i know Wellbutrin is supposed to be good for energy and not cause weight gain and libido loss ( preferable by my husband).
If I do take Cymbalta, I want to be on the lowest dose possible due to the concerns over liver damage.
Any thoughts?
Anyone tried both and have more success with one or the other?
My one concern with Wellbutrin is that I am prone to anxiety ( and occasional panic attacks) and I've read it can increase anxiety.My friend is a drug rep for wellbutrin XL and hearing her explain it makes it sound a bit like speed...
Which at this point of my unmotivated, tired self doesn't sound so bad. lol
any thoughts?
Posted by Phillipa on August 19, 2006, at 22:04:03
In reply to Help me.. Cymbalta or Wellbutrin XL?, posted by spriggy on August 19, 2006, at 21:00:18
Spriggy your drug rep friend is right. It made me appear manic I couldn't slow down. Cymbalta I took twice and it does help pain. But you're so sensitive to meds you can empty out a few pellets and mix with yogurt or something and take it. Just don't bite the pellets they're time release. Yes that is the best option for you. Love Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on August 20, 2006, at 2:05:17
In reply to Help me.. Cymbalta or Wellbutrin XL?, posted by spriggy on August 19, 2006, at 21:00:18
Yeah, wellbutrin may not be the first choice if you have anxiety, though cymbalta may feel like an SSRI in some ways.
Linkadge
Posted by tiredmommy on August 20, 2006, at 2:56:25
In reply to Re: Help me.. Cymbalta or Wellbutrin XL?, posted by linkadge on August 20, 2006, at 2:05:17
I have fibromyalgia, depression, and anxiety disorder and for some reason, Wellbutrin worked for me. I tried just about everything before the Wellbutrin because no one thought it would be good for me because of the anxiety. But it was like a miracle. I know others (including my dad) who have had terrible experiences on it, but for me, it honestly saved my life.
Now Cymbalta--I have not had such good experiences on. After my dad was diagnosed with stage 4, inoperable cancer I was really a wreck and asked my doc if I could add something to the WB. I specifically asked for Cymbalta because I had seen the commercials and thought it would be good for pain also. (By the way, nortriptaline 60mg has really helped with the nerve pain.) Well the Cymbalta did help me feel better but I also was gaining several pounds a week, mostly in my stomach, having ridiculous sweaty hot flashes, and terrible constipation. And while not as bad as Lexapro or Celexa, there were some sexual side effects. So I decided to stop taking it. It's been a week now and I have felt like I was dying! Terrible headaches, nausea, dizziness, sweating, nightmares, painful joints and double vision so bad that I could not read for a couple days. Very, very scary stuff. I wish I had never tried it, or at the very least, that I have read about other people's experiences before I did.
Of course, my case is unusual and may not relate to your situation, but when I read your post I really wanted to share my experiences with you. I figure that even if the WB doesn't work for you, at the worst you might have a couple of days with increased anxiety but no withdrawal side effects when you stop.
This is just my experience, but I hope it can help you. Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on August 20, 2006, at 19:11:44
In reply to Re: Help me.. Cymbalta or Wellbutrin XL?, posted by tiredmommy on August 20, 2006, at 2:56:25
I had absolutely no withdrawal effects from cymbalta. But that's me and I'm either med sensitive or they plain out don't work. But after I stopped the cybalta I had back pain I hadn't had before. So I know cymbalta worked on pain. A small dose and test the waters. Love Phillipa ps I took it the first time for over three months.
Posted by spriggy on August 20, 2006, at 19:13:46
In reply to Re: Help me.. Cymbalta or Wellbutrin XL?, posted by tiredmommy on August 20, 2006, at 2:56:25
Thanks for the input.
Sounds like we have a lot in common- do you think your fibromyalgia causes your depression or vice versa?I think there's a real link to my physical state to my depression.
It's hard not to be depressed when you feel like you have the flu all the time!
May I ask what your dosage is on Wellbutrin? How long have you been on it?
Any weight issues?
Thanks for your help.
Posted by tiredmommy on August 20, 2006, at 23:30:11
In reply to Re: Help me.. Cymbalta or Wellbutrin XL? » tiredmommy, posted by spriggy on August 20, 2006, at 19:13:46
I'm really not sure which causes which, if at all. Mainly I think they are both central nervous system disorders and they might very well be caused by the same glitch in my brain or whatever. But honestly, how can you not be depressed when you're in pain all of the time, exhausted and weigh a million pounds?!?
My depression was diagnosed much earlier than the fibro, and was deemed "post-partum" at the time. As far as the anxiety, I really think that is a sympton of being molested as a kid. When I had my own kids, I just freaked out because I was terrified of not being able to protect them. With lots of therapy, including EMDR, I have the anxiety under control, which leads me to believe that the anxiety was a separate issue from the depression, and may be why the WB worked for me without increasing anxiety. But even with lots of time devoted to alternative healing, I could not deal with the depression or fibro without drugs.
Wellbutrin (300mg/day) has greatly helped my depression. The only side effects I ever had were stomach issues in the first couple of weeks. The first time I went on it, about 4 years ago, I even lost some weight. However, when I went back on it about 3 months ago, it wasn't working as well as it used to, which is why I tried the Cymbalta. I'm still going through terrible withdrawal and I've been off it for over a week.
The other things that have helped the fibro are Nortriptaline (tricyclic ad) 60mg, Baclofen (anti-spastic) 20 mg as needed, and acupuncture.
I hope this helps you. I know how frustrating it is to find a combination of drugs that help without having side effects that are almost as bad as the initial symptoms.
Please let me know how it goes. Good luck.
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