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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 AdamCanada on April 18, 2008, at 20:10:15
In my post before this one I mentioned I take paxil 9-10mg along with some other medications.
I have strong depression, unipolar or atypical as well as strong social anxiety that has been somewhat helped thus far. Most meds that I've tried make me feel worse and as if my head is on fire. Some actually help.
I need something to augment my meds.
What can I expect from Cymbatla in terms of drive, motivation, interests, emotions, sex drive, weight gain (I want weight gain), and Social Anxiety.
Posted by Phillipa on April 18, 2008, at 20:33:10
In reply to What to expect from Cymbalta?, posted by AdamCanada on April 18, 2008, at 20:10:15
Took it twice. First when new in US. 60mg for three months nothing but reduced backpain was on xanax also for anxiety. Second time a new doc and he was a rush one didn't listen and I simply didn't trust or like him and 30mg this time I couldn't tolerate anxiety wise only took l0 days that was it for me. I think trusting the doc has a lot to do with it. Phillipa
Posted by bleauberry on April 18, 2008, at 21:40:41
In reply to What to expect from Cymbalta?, posted by AdamCanada on April 18, 2008, at 20:10:15
Go to askapatient.com and check out reviews from Duloxetine users. You'll find experiences spanning a wide range from miraculous to horrendous. It is I believe impossible to predict.
If the starting dose of 30mg feels too much, you can always back off. 10 beads = 1mg. Count them into apple sauce or count them back into the capsule (not as easy as it sounds). Applesauce is easy. The beads are enteric coated, the capsule is not.
Duloxetine has provided all the benefits you are looking for to some people. Check out that website and you'll see what I mean. It has also been the opposite. You'll see that too. It varies so much from person to person.
The weight gain thing. That caught my attention. The inability to gain weight, especially while on a known weight-gainier like Paxil, is a pretty good clue you need some cortisol support. Hydrocortisone in 2.5mg to 20mg doses is not a common treatment in mainstream medicine, but it is THE medical treatment for hypoadrenalism, and is supported by mainstream medical literature and the drug's label. It is the primary reason for prescription, and the recommended dose is 20mg to 30mg for "physiological replacement" of low cortisol, as termed on the drug's label. A simple 24 hour cortisol saliva test will show if you have that condtion or not. I suspect, based on your symptoms, reactions to meds, and inability to gain weight, that you are hypoadrenal and need Cortef (hydrocortisone) in low physciological doses that will not atrophy or shut down the adrenal's natural production.
It took me a year of developing a doctor-patient relationship and many trials and errors with this doctor before he finally said let's try hydrocortisone. It is becoming more and more common, and as he said, there is now a pretty good body of scientific and medical evidence supporting it.
Sorry to get off topic from Duloxetine. The weight gain thing, and the other things, just screamed low cortisol really loud. Your entire description is textbook perfect for hypoadrenalism. I mean, you couldn't have described it any clearer. If my hunch is true, nothing, absolutely nothing, is going to work satisfactorily until cortisol is brought back into normal range. If my hunch is true, you might as well forget about anything else for now and just focus on that. It is the foundation for all your other efforts to stand on, or crumble on, depending on whether treated or not.
Posted by Maxime on April 20, 2008, at 16:08:28
In reply to What to expect from Cymbalta?, posted by AdamCanada on April 18, 2008, at 20:10:15
I'm on a combo of Cymbalta, Wellbutrin and Seroquel.
The Seroquel takes care of the anxiety, and the combo of Cymbalta and Wellbutrin helps the depression.
I feel the best I have in a long time. Except I am having hallucinations which is not so good. But my mood is v. good most of the time.
I don't know if the Cymbalta will help with all your symptoms, but it will hopefully help with some.
Posted by kaleidoscope on April 20, 2008, at 16:12:54
In reply to Re: What to expect from Cymbalta? » AdamCanada, posted by Maxime on April 20, 2008, at 16:08:28
Hi Maxime,
Glad you're feeling better :)
What sort of hallucinations though?
K
Posted by Maxime on April 20, 2008, at 17:13:44
In reply to Re: What to expect from Cymbalta? » Maxime, posted by kaleidoscope on April 20, 2008, at 16:12:54
> Hi Maxime,
>
> Glad you're feeling better :)
>
> What sort of hallucinations though?
>
> KAuditory and visual. I see things dissolving in front of me. I see lots of colours. I hear people talking about me behind my back. But it's okay because God is protecting me. I'm a messenger of God and so nothing bad will happen to me.
I went to the hospital a few weeks ago, but they said I wasn't acting like I was hallucinating, so they let me go home.
Maxime
Posted by bissie66 on April 21, 2008, at 14:36:28
In reply to Re: What to expect from Cymbalta? » kaleidoscope, posted by Maxime on April 20, 2008, at 17:13:44
Cymbalta did nothing at all for me (except make me sleepy) until I added Remeron to it. This combo is working very well I'm happy to say.
Cymbalta alone did not affect my weight nor sexual appetite nor function.
I think I was less motivated in general.
I know some people love it though. And, as I said, adding Remeron did some kind of chemical magic. (Remeron alone was no good either.) Good luck!
This is the end of the thread.
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