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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Snowie on August 15, 2007, at 23:04:40
Has anyone tried Cymbalta? If so, what do you think of it, and does it work for you? I currently take 1 mg. of alprazolam in the morning and 400 mg. of gabapentin PRN for anxiety. Thanks!
Snowie
Posted by Racer on August 16, 2007, at 2:55:13
In reply to Cymbalta, posted by Snowie on August 15, 2007, at 23:04:40
A lot of people here have tried Cymbalta. It's worked for some, not for others.
If you use the search feature on this site, it'll bring up an awful lot of what's written about it.
I took it for a year and a half or so. Good drug, but not quite what I needed. For me, it had very few side effects, those were mild, and didn't leave me feeling drugged.
Hope that helps.
Posted by Snowie on August 16, 2007, at 10:02:30
In reply to Re: Cymbalta, posted by Racer on August 16, 2007, at 2:55:13
Thanks. I'll do a search. My sister takes it and she likes it. I just don't understand what she takes it for. If it would help with pain and anxiety, I would be interested.
Posted by meAgain on August 16, 2007, at 13:01:27
In reply to Re: Cymbalta » Racer, posted by Snowie on August 16, 2007, at 10:02:30
hey there, I do not want to discourage you from trying cymbalta because it has helped me with very little side effects but the withdrawal symptoms are pretty bad - well lets say horrible...I have been on almost every antidepressant there is and I thought cymbalta was the best because I didnt have any adverse effects when first taking it, but the first time i missed a couple of doses I was in bed for 4 days with vomiting, fever, aches, shivers and very dizzy. I first thought i had the stomach flu but I noticed this happened every time I missed 1 dose (due to no insurance I sometimes have to wait for some samples from my doc) My doc told me having the stomach flu once every month is pretty uncommon and was in fact the cymbalta. so if you do start taking it really pay close attention to always taking it on time! Good luck:)
Posted by Racer on August 16, 2007, at 14:38:59
In reply to Re: Cymbalta, posted by meAgain on August 16, 2007, at 13:01:27
First, withdrawal is different for everyone. I had that trouble with Effexor, where I'd be sick as a dog if I missed a couple of doses, but stopped Cymbalta after a year and a half with no trouble at all.
And -- having been without insurance and without money while I was on Effexor -- I'd like to suggest you look into the compassion programs for Cymbalta. Pretty much all the pharmaceutical companies have them, they're a way to get medications if you can't afford them. There'll be a form that you fill out with your financial information, and a form for your doctor to fill out, and then the drugs are sent to your doctor for you. Generally, it's three months worth at a time, but you usually have to put in the paperwork about six weeks before you need the drugs. The paperwork is a PITA, but the programs mean that we can get our drugs when we can't afford them.
Good luck, and if you need help with the program, try http://www.needymeds.com/
Posted by Maxime on August 19, 2007, at 19:38:40
In reply to Re: Cymbalta » Racer, posted by Snowie on August 16, 2007, at 10:02:30
> Thanks. I'll do a search. My sister takes it and she likes it. I just don't understand what she takes it for. If it would help with pain and anxiety, I would be interested.
That's positive ... about your sister. People in the same family often respond to same meds. So if it works for her, it should help you.
Maxime
Posted by Maxime on August 19, 2007, at 19:40:48
In reply to Re: Cymbalta » Racer, posted by Snowie on August 16, 2007, at 10:02:30
> Thanks. I'll do a search. My sister takes it and she likes it. I just don't understand what she takes it for. If it would help with pain and anxiety, I would be interested.
Pain and anxiety? Amitriptyline is good for pain disorders and insomnia (i know that't not anxiety). Maybe that would be help.
Maxime
Posted by twinch42085 on August 19, 2007, at 20:05:55
In reply to Re: Cymbalta » Snowie, posted by Maxime on August 19, 2007, at 19:40:48
> > Thanks. I'll do a search. My sister takes it and she likes it. I just don't understand what she takes it for. If it would help with pain and anxiety, I would be interested.
>
> Pain and anxiety? Amitriptyline is good for pain disorders and insomnia (i know that't not anxiety). Maybe that would be help.
>
> MaximeMaxime,
One of my family members takes Elavil, but she chooses flurazepam (Dalmane) over it. What is the difference between a tricyclic antidepressant and a SSRI?Thanks : )
Twinch
Posted by rskontos on August 23, 2007, at 15:01:21
In reply to Cymbalta, posted by Snowie on August 15, 2007, at 23:04:40
cymbalta is not good for anxiety though. Lexapro is better. I took cymbalta and I have panic attacks. It didn't help and withdrawal was hel_. I am still having withdrawals 6 months later.
Posted by Snowie on August 23, 2007, at 18:52:10
In reply to Re: Cymbalta, posted by rskontos on August 23, 2007, at 15:01:21
Thanks for the warning! I won't take it then.
Snowie
> cymbalta is not good for anxiety though. Lexapro is better. I took cymbalta and I have panic attacks. It didn't help and withdrawal was hel_. I am still having withdrawals 6 months later.
Posted by rskontos on August 25, 2007, at 16:04:19
In reply to Re: Cymbalta » rskontos, posted by Snowie on August 23, 2007, at 18:52:10
You are welcome. My doctor says lexapro is better for anxiety. I am trying therapy. I also dissassociate but she says that isn't a great thing to do. I do know why I have panic attacks now with her help. Do you know what triggers them?
Posted by Snowie on August 25, 2007, at 16:31:22
In reply to Re: Cymbalta, posted by rskontos on August 25, 2007, at 16:04:19
No, I don't. You might post to the group and see if anyone knows. I don't get panic attacks, but my sister does so she takes Xanax which does help. I take Xanax myself for anxiety, but only a 1 mg. pill in the morning. That's really all I need. I occasionally take Neurontin at night to help me sleep. It also helps with anxiety.
Snowie
> You are welcome. My doctor says lexapro is better for anxiety. I am trying therapy. I also dissassociate but she says that isn't a great thing to do. I do know why I have panic attacks now with her help. Do you know what triggers them?
This is the end of the thread.
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