![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BigK on March 2, 2007, at 14:55:10
Hi!
I am wondering if people can share their experiences with the time it takes for Cymbalta to kick into effect? I am on day 16 - started on 30 mg for 14 days and have been on 60 mg for 3 days. Not feeling anything particular yet. I am also weaning off of Prozac, which just kind of quit working.
Have been on a number of SSRIs for depression and anxiety over past 10 years. I know I need to be patient - but find myself questioning whether this will work after 2+ weeks. Any insights welcome.
Posted by Phillipa on March 2, 2007, at 15:48:59
In reply to Cymbalta Effect Time, posted by BigK on March 2, 2007, at 14:55:10
Tried 60mg for 6 months didn't do a thing for me except help back pain. Second time I tried couldn't tolerate even 30mg. Love Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on March 3, 2007, at 2:09:51
In reply to Cymbalta Effect Time, posted by BigK on March 2, 2007, at 14:55:10
> Hi!
>
> I am wondering if people can share their experiences with the time it takes for Cymbalta to kick into effect? I am on day 16 - started on 30 mg for 14 days and have been on 60 mg for 3 days. Not feeling anything particular yet. I am also weaning off of Prozac, which just kind of quit working.
>
> Have been on a number of SSRIs for depression and anxiety over past 10 years. I know I need to be patient - but find myself questioning whether this will work after 2+ weeks. Any insights welcome.
>
>Cymbalta is a very subtle agent and if you are not feeling particular side effects that is excellent.
The downside -- it can take more than 3 months to really kick in from what I recall. Somewhere about 80 I started really feeling something. I take 120 now.
It definately takes longer than the average SSRI to fully kick in so I would hang in longer. It is a good agent for MDD.
Posted by Phillipa on March 3, 2007, at 18:44:23
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Effect Time » BigK, posted by yxibow on March 3, 2007, at 2:09:51
Jay not sure if I should ask you online but I will don't think Scott will mind. Well I found pbabble when cymbalta came out and there was only one pdoc at the beach and he gave me the months worth free when I saw him monthly. Started me on 30mg. Didn't notice a thing side effect wise. So not knowing this was a board for tx resistant I followed Scott's progress daily if he did good so did I. When it failed for him I figured it was no good by then I was on 60mg. And then read about the slow tappering off which I did never did that before. Figured it wouldnt' work so why go further. Anyway on til off about 3-4months. So I move the Charlotte see this pdoc I seriously hated the first time I met him he was obnoxious. He said did you have side effects to cymbalta I said no. So he prescribed 30mg week l 60mg week 2, 90mg week 3, and then 120mg. I said to him the manufacturer only says 60mg he said I like it better this way. So I was scared to death. The 30mg right away made my head feel like it would explode and couldn't cry at all. So do you think my chemistry changed or was it the relationship with the doc? And if I get another pdoc trying now would you give it another shot or forget it? I know you're not a doc. Looking for your opinion only. Thanks Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on March 3, 2007, at 21:39:33
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Effect Time » yxibow, posted by Phillipa on March 3, 2007, at 18:44:23
> Jay not sure if I should ask you online but I will don't think Scott will mind. Well I found pbabble when cymbalta came out and there was only one pdoc at the beach and he gave me the months worth free when I saw him monthly. Started me on 30mg. Didn't notice a thing side effect wise. So not knowing this was a board for tx resistant I followed Scott's progress daily if he did good so did I. When it failed for him I figured it was no good by then I was on 60mg. And then read about the slow tappering off which I did never did that before. Figured it wouldnt' work so why go further. Anyway on til off about 3-4months. So I move the Charlotte see this pdoc I seriously hated the first time I met him he was obnoxious. He said did you have side effects to cymbalta I said no. So he prescribed 30mg week l 60mg week 2, 90mg week 3, and then 120mg. I said to him the manufacturer only says 60mg he said I like it better this way. So I was scared to death. The 30mg right away made my head feel like it would explode and couldn't cry at all. So do you think my chemistry changed or was it the relationship with the doc? And if I get another pdoc trying now would you give it another shot or forget it? I know you're not a doc. Looking for your opinion only. Thanks Phillipa
It hasn't been conclusively proven that 120mg is better or worse than 60mg, though I do take 120mg.Chemistry changes all the time with lifelong biological illnesses.
But that was way too fast a taper for someone who is medication sensitive. Not to mention that Cymbalta is a subtle agent and takes quite a while to work. Now its true if you don't have side effects, maybe you can taper up but they do make 20s for that purpose as well.
I'm confused as to why you told the doctor you had no side effects if 30mg made your head explode. I would have started off with 20 in that case.
I thought you were working on Luvox though, or have you abandoned that idea with your doctor ?
A good relationship with a doctor is definately important though as well for treatment outcome.
If you want to try it again with a different doctor, I would start out at 20mg -- don't do this pill splitting stuff that I've seen people try, its a "continuous release" agent and it shouldn't be attempted, the outcomes can be quite worse. If you can tolerate the 20mg, park it there for a few weeks, and then 40, and then 60... but if you're medication sensitive don't just do it one week and another and you're already at 60mg. Of course the NE will make you irritable, not to mention the load of SE uptake that it actually has.
- that'd be my non-licensed practitioner advise.-- Jay
Posted by Phillipa on March 4, 2007, at 18:18:22
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Effect Time » Phillipa, posted by yxibow on March 3, 2007, at 21:39:33
Jay I agree the taper up was too quick for anyone. But the first time was another doc no side effects then. Now we're going back in time. As I am on on the luvox but looking for a pdoc closer to us no luck so far. But when and If I find one I wondered if I should give it another shot as I only took it those three months with no side effects or response either. It was this second pdoc that made my head feel the way it did. I didn't trust nor like him. Love Phillipa
Posted by BigK on March 5, 2007, at 10:33:46
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Effect Time » BigK, posted by yxibow on March 3, 2007, at 2:09:51
Thanks for the response. 3 months? Are you sure - almost all seem to kick in within 3-5 weeks. Do you take 120 twice a day (ie. split dose) or all at once?
I am noticing a small reduction in my anxiety, but haven't gotten much improvement in mood. Am supposed to jump to 120 mg tomorrow, so am hoping for some improvement!
> > Hi!
> >
> > I am wondering if people can share their experiences with the time it takes for Cymbalta to kick into effect? I am on day 16 - started on 30 mg for 14 days and have been on 60 mg for 3 days. Not feeling anything particular yet. I am also weaning off of Prozac, which just kind of quit working.
> >
> > Have been on a number of SSRIs for depression and anxiety over past 10 years. I know I need to be patient - but find myself questioning whether this will work after 2+ weeks. Any insights welcome.
> >
> >
>
> Cymbalta is a very subtle agent and if you are not feeling particular side effects that is excellent.
>
> The downside -- it can take more than 3 months to really kick in from what I recall. Somewhere about 80 I started really feeling something. I take 120 now.
>
> It definately takes longer than the average SSRI to fully kick in so I would hang in longer. It is a good agent for MDD.
>
Posted by Crazy Horse on March 7, 2007, at 20:50:09
In reply to Cymbalta Effect Time, posted by BigK on March 2, 2007, at 14:55:10
> Hi!
>
> I am wondering if people can share their experiences with the time it takes for Cymbalta to kick into effect? I am on day 16 - started on 30 mg for 14 days and have been on 60 mg for 3 days. Not feeling anything particular yet. I am also weaning off of Prozac, which just kind of quit working.
>
> Have been on a number of SSRIs for depression and anxiety over past 10 years. I know I need to be patient - but find myself questioning whether this will work after 2+ weeks. Any insights welcome.
Oh yea, 2+ weeks is not long enough..most ssri/snri meds take 4-6 weeks before you get the full med. benefits.What you are doing "questioning whether this will work after 2+ weeks" is very normal..we all do it. It's very hard to be patient when you suffer from depression/anxiety. So hang in there, and before you know it hopefully you'll be feeling much better. May God bless you.
-Monte
Posted by yxibow on March 8, 2007, at 1:06:01
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Effect Time, posted by BigK on March 5, 2007, at 10:33:46
> Thanks for the response. 3 months? Are you sure - almost all seem to kick in within 3-5 weeks. Do you take 120 twice a day (ie. split dose) or all at once?
To wit a recent phrase, that depends what is is. Kick in can mean different things to different people. To me, I was thinking how long until you have some serious results from a medication for say MDD. But to "kick in", as in, I feel a bit of something, maybe you're right on that. But to really get a transmitter change, especially under MDD, at least for me, like I say, it was very subtle.
And yes, I take it as a split dose afternoonish and eveningish. To take 120 at once would put someone on edge. I once accidentally took 180 mg in almost the same day because I mistook one jar for another. There's a high (not going to say) safety range but its uncomfortable. Anyway I was a bit on edge and I think I took Xanax at one point. I sort of hate it when pharmacies put things in those light sensitive typical jars when you're the only one using up the medication. I much prefer it when I get a federally required sticker on the actual jar. But only my private pharmacy does that at times. The big box ones automate it almost and put everything in a jar, even if you actually take 60 and the jar is 60 -- I don't get it, that breaks the air gap and reduces the life of the medication if you have multiple bottles.
Anyway I'm rambling. So that's Cymbalta for me.
-- tidings
> I am noticing a small reduction in my anxiety, but haven't gotten much improvement in mood. Am supposed to jump to 120 mg tomorrow, so am hoping for some improvement!
>
> > > Hi!
> > >
> > > I am wondering if people can share their experiences with the time it takes for Cymbalta to kick into effect? I am on day 16 - started on 30 mg for 14 days and have been on 60 mg for 3 days. Not feeling anything particular yet. I am also weaning off of Prozac, which just kind of quit working.
> > >
> > > Have been on a number of SSRIs for depression and anxiety over past 10 years. I know I need to be patient - but find myself questioning whether this will work after 2+ weeks. Any insights welcome.
> > >
> > >
> >
> > Cymbalta is a very subtle agent and if you are not feeling particular side effects that is excellent.
> >
> > The downside -- it can take more than 3 months to really kick in from what I recall. Somewhere about 80 I started really feeling something. I take 120 now.
> >
> > It definately takes longer than the average SSRI to fully kick in so I would hang in longer. It is a good agent for MDD.
> >
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.