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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Zoomzoom on December 14, 2008, at 22:52:48
Hello everyone,
I could really appreciate some guidance here.
My first thread was called "Cymbalta Overdose/rejection?"I'm on my 38th day of cymbalta.
-The first two weeks were at 30 mg.
-The first week was uncomforable and weak and shaky.
- The second week I felt better than i have felt in years. Discerning and responding to the world and situations quickly and naturally. (The way other people seem to.) And I WAS HAPPY. Things were all ok and everything felt in perspective.
- On the third week I went to the 60mg because my doctor prescribed that from day one. At the end of the third week I saw him and he advised me to go back to the 30's b/c of my positive response. (I felt shaky and weak at 60.) (Increased sweating and slight heart palpitations too. Although I accept the fact of sideeffects)
- I went back to the 30's but not till 4 days later, since i figured I put in 7 days on the 60's and maybe things would improve after 11days.
- So now I'm 13days into the 30's and 38days total with Cymbalta in my system. (2weeks at 30, 11days at 60 and 13days at 30.)The point is that I dont seem to be returning to the positive effects that i felt on the 2nd week at 30.
I realize i'm only 13 days at 30 since i left the 60's but does that mean i started from scratch or am I more like 38days into this?
I am more stable, it is much less of a roller coaster. But I don't have that positive sensation. There was once even a feeling of impenetrability - I could field and organize my world without being totally at the mercy of it.
Now it seems that rather than everything being OK, every thought is rather heavy. When the drugs work, the amazing thing is that there aren't the obstacles. But when I am struggling, the feeling is that every little thought is somehow negative. My default setting is negativity. It is amazingly subtle and spontaneous and happens before you are even aware of it, I guess that's why they call it "chemical."
I just wonder whether this is an indication that I am going downhill or is this to be expected? are things still building up in my system. Am I actually into my sixth week (38 days) or have I fudged the continuity there? Thank you so much, Z
Posted by Phillipa on December 15, 2008, at 0:15:58
In reply to Is Cymbalta working for me?, posted by Zoomzoom on December 14, 2008, at 22:52:48
Hey zoom when first out took 60mg for three months and nadda but it helped with pain. Guess maybe go up to 40 and from there up but call your doc first. Love Phillipa
Posted by West on December 18, 2008, at 7:46:55
In reply to Re: Is Cymbalta working for me? » Zoomzoom, posted by Phillipa on December 15, 2008, at 0:15:58
Hi
When i took cymbalta the first week was similar to your description: quite sickly and unpleasant. There was a 'high' which i look back on as uncharacteristically optimstic but it only lasted for a week or so. Really though i think my mood was as good as it's been on this, but 60mg is the only dose you want to be on and with it came a set of difficulties with sleep, wakefulness, libido. A pity it isn't more user friendly at the theraputic dose.
In your case i would try an intermediate dose - 40mg works for some. Give it at least 4 weeks before you go down, up, or switch.
Posted by West on December 18, 2008, at 7:48:27
In reply to Re: Is Cymbalta working for me?, posted by West on December 18, 2008, at 7:46:55
Sorry re-read your post. Forget about continuity!
Posted by SLS on December 18, 2008, at 8:34:43
In reply to Is Cymbalta working for me?, posted by Zoomzoom on December 14, 2008, at 22:52:48
My feeling is that you should return to 60mg and allow time for the start-up side effects to mitigate. They might not, but at least you tried.
Quite often, someone will experience a "blip" improvement very early in treatment and at low dosages. It might only last 1-3 days. While this can be an indicator of a future positive long-term response, it often fools people into staying at that low dosage that they experienced the blip at. 3 weeks at 60mg might be enough to see the return of a positive treatment response.
- Scott
Posted by manic666 on December 20, 2008, at 12:50:58
In reply to Re: Is Cymbalta working for me? » Zoomzoom, posted by SLS on December 18, 2008, at 8:34:43
i have been on start, 60mg to much anxierty 40mg better, then right up to 120mg waist of time same as 60 . im on 40 now seems best level but i only run at 50 50% so changeing meds to zoloft
This is the end of the thread.
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