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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 addinbc on April 28, 2006, at 18:10:24
Hi there;
I just had a full blown panic attack for the first time in about 10 years - no kidding!!. Holy cow - I'd forgotten just how HORRIBLE they are!! I'm sitting here still shaking like a leaf. -and I'm wringing my hands and wanting to pace and pace around the room. ick ick ick ick.
I took cymbalta for the first time today (20mg). I don't think it's a stretch to say that the cymbalta is what is causing this increase in anxiety - as I said I haven't felt like this in years and years (SSRI's put a nice stop to my anxiety - haven't had any problems with it for ages!)
Thing is I'm Canadian, and it's not available here, and so my doctor who prescribed it for me (I live close to the border and was able to have my prescription filled in the States no problem) doesn't know much about this drug. Oh shoot! This is horrible!
I'm not sure what to do. 20mg is the lowest dose capsule. I'm not sure whether to stay on it to see if this effect will go away, or just to drop it. Is it possible to open the capsule and take half (I tend to be sensitive to meds)??
I'd hate to drop it - I've had high hopes for this med (anergic depression and ADD -- and anxiety that until today was in remission)
But this is awful!!
Posted by blueberry on April 28, 2006, at 18:30:23
In reply to Panic attack on Cymbalta! What to do???, posted by addinbc on April 28, 2006, at 18:10:24
Personally I find cymbalta to be very powerful stuff. While many people handle it ok starting at 30mg or 60mg, some can't. I can't. I actually find 1mg to 5mg to be very powerful. I don't take cymbalta, but I have sampled it a few times. I don't remember who it was, but several months ago there was someone here who was doing well at 5mg.
Here's what you can do. Open the capsule and dump it in a small bowl. There are tiny enteric coated beads inside. Approximately 10 beads = 1mg. Just stick however many beads you want on your finger, put them on your tongue and swallow quickly with water. Since they are enteric coated, you don't want to destroy them by chewing or mixing into food.
I sure wish the drug companies would make more dose sizes. They should have 5mg and 10mg versions.
Panic attacks are straight from hell. I sure feel for you. I wish you could have had some xanax onhand.
Posted by addinbc on April 28, 2006, at 18:34:45
In reply to Re: Panic attack on Cymbalta! What to do??? » addinbc, posted by blueberry on April 28, 2006, at 18:30:23
Hi Blueberry;
Thank you, your reply is immensely helpful!!
I'll try 10mg tomorrow and see what happens.
Luckily I did have some Clonazepam (Klonopin) handy (which I was only using for the odd bout of insomnia - not for anxiety). I was able to take a little of that.
It's funny - now I'm just aggitated. Not sure whether I feel good or bad - just a bit hyper. The Clonazepam has taken a bit of the edge off of the anxiety "WHEW!!"
Thanks again for your reply!!
Posted by Glydin on April 28, 2006, at 21:23:20
In reply to Re: Panic attack on Cymbalta! What to do???, posted by addinbc on April 28, 2006, at 18:34:45
It is very likely that Cymbalta as a SSNRI could cause an intense upgrade in anxiety due to the effect on norepinepherine. This could be a startup thing and as you (and your brain) adjust this might pass - it often does for alot of folks. I urge you to try and do what you can to give it a fair trial. Using a benzo during startup saved me from not missing out on a good treatment when I began Lexapro. I had the same response on startup as you have found even though I was starting a SSRI.
It's very easy to want to chuck the whole idea when there is startup anxiety and panic, but giving it a fair trial might turn out to be a good move for you.
Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2006, at 21:39:59
In reply to Re: Panic attack on Cymbalta! What to do??? » addinbc, posted by Glydin on April 28, 2006, at 21:23:20
I agree with both Blueberry and Glydin. In different ways but net result the same. When prozac first came out it was a capsule only 20mg the lowest dose. First day had lots of positive energy wallpappered a foyer second day anxiety third day the worst panic I'd ever had. I dictched it. And when I told the pdoc what had happened he thought I'd had a miraculous response to the med. He begged me to take it every few days I refused. Maybe I wouldn't be posting on the boards if either it had come in small sized then or if I'd stuck with it. Love Phillipa
Posted by addinbc on April 29, 2006, at 3:56:48
In reply to Re: Panic attack on Cymbalta! What to do??? » addinbc, posted by Glydin on April 28, 2006, at 21:23:20
Thank you all!
You are all so helpful and supportive. :)
I will definitely give this med as good a 'go' as I can. I still have a good feeling about it, despite the panic this afternoon. I've got some Clonazepam (Klonopin) lying around and will take a little bit of that if things start getting out of hand. I remember having a similar reaction when I started on Zoloft, but was in the hospital at the time, and they had me on alot of Clonazepam, so I might not have noticed the anxiety as much as the agitation. It all went away within a few days.
Feeling hopeful about this.
Thanks again :).
Posted by antigua on April 29, 2006, at 21:15:50
In reply to Panic attack on Cymbalta! What to do???, posted by addinbc on April 28, 2006, at 18:10:24
My doctr gave me Klonopin along with the Cymbalta for that very reason--it's too stimulating for me alone. The combo works great for me.
good luck
antigua
This is the end of the thread.
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