Hi,
I have been on Cymbalta(a VERY SMALL amount) since October. SInce then I have felt "ok" still anxious but I was very pleased at how I was not depressed atall on it and only slight agitation..........Well for the last month I have been miserable...............Sooooooooooooo depressed and moody and aggitated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What is going on? Why can't the med just stay the same and keep working?? I see my DR tomorrow......I am thinking of asking to switch AGAIN(been on them ALL) or add some Prozac or 'something" to this as I can not live like this and it is not fair to my husband and children to have a screaming, depressed shell of a person as their spouse and mother! :eek:

Anyone have any suggetions?

Hello there.

I was on Cimbalta for a few months before Amitriptilne that I'm on now. I did actually go right down on them, but, I have to say that with me, when I look back, I also had people around me that we're hindering any recovery.

Although my depression is very deep (family stuff) the meds I am on now have helped alot. I had to make alot of changes.

Weather I was able to change things because of Amitriptiline or would I have had the strength if I'd stayed on Cimbalta. It's a bit like what came first, 'the chicken or the egg'.

I do have a therapist which has also helped a great deal.

Take Care and keep posting, it helps. debdough :angel:

Can I ask why you switched meds? What dosage were you on with Cymbalta and what dosage are you taking of Amitriptiline?
THANKS!

Hi ya

Just looked upstairs in my bag of old meds!! I can't find the Cimbalta dosage but I am now on 200mg Amitriptiline.

Because I went so down last year and was probably getting close to hospitalisation, I asked for a change. As I said earlier I'm not sure weather I would have come this far if I'd stayed on them.

I can tell you that I am doing ok on these, but the real road to recovery came by keeping away from all the negative people I had around me. I guess the saying 'misery loves company' was true in my case being so negative myself at the time.debdough :wave:

fusionqueen, what mg are you taking of cymbalta? I am on my 1st week of 60 after taking 30 for a week. I don't really notice anything yet.

I am taking 10 mg of cymbalta. I am very med sensitive. I noticed feeling great the first few weeks.........then it sorta wore off and now I am going down hill.

Wow! That is a small amt. I didn't even know you could get it in that amt. I'm not sure if I'm crazy about cymbalta yet. I don't feel that great and it hasn't done a whole lot for my anxiety problem. I guess I'll stick it out the 8-10 weeks and see what happens.

I am taking 10 mg of cymbalta. I am very med sensitive. I noticed feeling great the first few weeks.........then it sorta wore off and now I am going down hill.

If you felt great at the beginning and then it wore off, that's possibly an indicator to increase your dose. Talk to your prescribing doctor about it. You might want to have a psychiatrist do your rx'ing as they are specialists in meds and mental health. You may already be seeing one, I don't know. But I wondered if maybe the meds you've switched around on were all at a low dose and were never increased? Cymbalta ~should be given at a total dose of 40 mg/day (given as 20 mg, 2x/day) up to 60 mg/day ~, according to some sources.

Keep us posted,

Hi Fusionqueen,

Your experience is SOOO similar to mine right now with Cymbalta. I'm more depressed and agitated and am a screaming/bitchy mother and spouse. I, however, have noticed that it is worst about 1 week or so before and after my period. I get relief about a week after my period starts,, but it only lasts about a week to 2 weeks because my cycles are short.

I had a consultation yesterday with a different psych dr who specializes in Women's Behavioral Health. She wants me to chart my symptoms for another month and I think is then going to try me on something else. I've already been on Paxil, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, and Lexapro, and we've determined that WB and Cymbalta make me agitated/anxious, so we may steer away from the AD's that affect norepinephrine. I myself am hoping to maybe try good ol Prozac. I know it's effective for PMS so hopefully..... I won't know for another month.

Just know that I totally sympathize with you and take it one day at a time. Do you take anything for anxiety? I've been taking Xanax as needed to help with the on edge feeling. It helps to calm me when I feel agitated.

Also, have you tried to increase the dose. I was taking about half of a capsule to a whole 20mg capsule right before my period. Maybe I need more now, but I'm worried about the agitation increasing and sexual side effects increasing.

Take care and write soon!

Chris

Hello Chris,
I went to my PS Dr yesterday and she said Cymbalta is not that great for the PMS stuff...........I KNOW!! She has me trying to increase it slowly and since I am dealing with EBV and Sjogren's UGH what more can I get..........she gave me Provigil for the fatigue and she said that may help my mood as well. I have not tried it yet........Yes I take Klonopin .5 3x daily and ahve for 11 plus years.........I will never get off that drug! I will say Paxil, zoloft ect all left me with NO PMS at all. IT was great! I will try the provigil tomorrow and see what it does as it has a instant effect.........nothing you have to wait for it to build up. If that does not work we will add a small amount of prozac and see what that one does. SO frusterating!
Hope you have a wonderful day today......we are stuck in rain for the next 3 days!

Take care!

Hi Fusionqueen,

What is Provigil?

Why won't the Dr switch you to Prozac if the Cymbalta isn't good with side effects?

What happened when you took Paxil and Zoloft? Why did you stop? Weight gain?

I'm wondering if Prozac will make me gain like Lexapro did. I really don't want to gain weight. I'm still trying to lose like 10-15lbs since my last pregnancy. I gained 60lbs with that pregnancy. I was also on Zoloft at the end and I think that contributed to the weight gain.

Have you ever asked your doc about using and SSRi with a little Wellbutrin to see if the two are a better mix than one alone?

I'm entering PMS territory now and for the next week, so wish me luck! I increased my dose after trying to taper off and it seems to be helping.

Good luck. Keep in touch!

Chris

Hi Fusionqueen,

What is Provigil?

Why won't the Dr switch you to Prozac if the Cymbalta isn't good with side effects?

What happened when you took Paxil and Zoloft? Why did you stop? Weight gain?

I'm wondering if Prozac will make me gain like Lexapro did. I really don't want to gain weight. I'm still trying to lose like 10-15lbs since my last pregnancy. I gained 60lbs with that pregnancy. I was also on Zoloft at the end and I think that contributed to the weight gain.

Have you ever asked your doc about using and SSRi with a little Wellbutrin to see if the two are a better mix than one alone?

I'm entering PMS territory now and for the next week, so wish me luck! I increased my dose after trying to taper off and it seems to be helping.

Good luck. Keep in touch!

Chris

First off I wish you luck!! It can be so miserable when you are PMS'ing along with everything else!! I forgot to ask if you are being treated for depression or anxiety or both?? I almost always ahve anxiety and now and then a depression.
As for meds........
Welbutrin made me SICK!!
Paxil was Ok but weight gain
Zoloft GREAT MOOD but anxious and ALWAYS dizzy!
Prozac was 13 years ago so I remember taking a whole capsule of 20 mg and I had a MAJOR panic attach and kinda freaked out from it........then took the liquid at about 3 mg with xanax but was still anxious.
Celexa was awesome and I had NO anxiety or PMS and took it for 3 years....the last year I was a total ranting raving lunatic as it made me so aggitated I was mad at the entire world...........since then I have been looking for that feel normal feeling I had while that worked and hace not found it in 3 years...I have tried going back on Celexa and I am nasty and get panic attacks.......... Lexapro was OK and I gained like 5lbs but still never felt good.......I have a tough time with all these meds and it sucks!! I wish I was one of thoe poeple who can pop 40mg of prozac and life is great! never that easy here!
Keep me posted on how you do upping your dosage. I just upped my Cymbalta and have been whoozy/dizzy which hopefully will go away quickly.
Hang in there!

fusionqueen, does your dr. want you to stick with the cymbalta? What dose are you moving up to now?
chrismom, did your doctor say why he/she was not impressed with the cymbalta? My doctor said as more time goes by, it seems to be more promising. Who knows? :rolleyes: Maybe he just tells me this to make me feel like there's hope.

fusionqueen, does your dr. want you to stick with the cymbalta? What dose are you moving up to now?
chrismom, did your doctor say why he/she was not impressed with the cymbalta? My doctor said as more time goes by, it seems to be more promising. Who knows? :rolleyes: Maybe he just tells me this to make me feel like there's hope.

Am-Dancer,

Actually, you may have the postings confused, my doc didn't say anything about Cymbalta and not being impressed. I think you are referring to Fusionqueen's Dr saying that it isn't great for PMS.

The Cymbalta has been the most effective AD for me and I've tried many. It just makes me kind of agitated because of the effect on Norepinephrine I believe. It has drying side effects too. Dry eyes, skin, nails brittle, constipation. I too am at a pretty low dose, but need to increase it before my period.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Good luck.

WOW I am amazed with the "dry" issues.........I have been diagnosed with Sjogren's and that has dry eyes and mouth.......I wonder if the drug is making it worse? Intersting..............

Yes my Dr. wants me to stick it out and up it 1 mg at a time......very difficult as I hve to buy the empty capsules and count the balls inside...........but it does make a differnce. I felt better the last 2 days after upping it ............just hope it holds
out............

OH and provigil is a drug for narcolepsy that they use to treat chronic fatigue.......... you can look it up on the web..........I have not had the guts to try it yet!

First off I wish you luck!! It can be so miserable when you are PMS'ing along with everything else!! I forgot to ask if you are being treated for depression or anxiety or both?? I almost always ahve anxiety and now and then a depression.
As for meds........
Welbutrin made me SICK!!
Paxil was Ok but weight gain
Zoloft GREAT MOOD but anxious and ALWAYS dizzy!
Prozac was 13 years ago so I remember taking a whole capsule of 20 mg and I had a MAJOR panic attach and kinda freaked out from it........then took the liquid at about 3 mg with xanax but was still anxious.
Celexa was awesome and I had NO anxiety or PMS and took it for 3 years....the last year I was a total ranting raving lunatic as it made me so aggitated I was mad at the entire world...........since then I have been looking for that feel normal feeling I had while that worked and hace not found it in 3 years...I have tried going back on Celexa and I am nasty and get panic attacks.......... Lexapro was OK and I gained like 5lbs but still never felt good.......I have a tough time with all these meds and it sucks!! I wish I was one of thoe poeple who can pop 40mg of prozac and life is great! never that easy here!
Keep me posted on how you do upping your dosage. I just upped my Cymbalta and have been whoozy/dizzy which hopefully will go away quickly.
Hang in there!

My main issue is depression. It's just been medication so far that has made anxiety more apparent.

I'm wondering if the effects of the AD's on us has anything to do with perimenopause and/or family history.

Are you at a pre-menopausal or menopausal age? I am. I'm 39 almost 40 and although the DR's deny it, I think I'm perimenopausal. I haven't been able to take control of my moods since I was 35yrs old and the PMS has been worsening. I attribute it to fluctuating hormones that I am very sensitive to neurochemically, I feel.

Add in the fact that I have a Father with mental illness and mother who has lots of anxiety issues and you get ME!

Did your issues start later in life too?

Try to stick with the Cymbalta. I find that when I increase it too fast, it does make me kind of whoozy for a day or two. Then I feel the benefits usually.

Let me know how you're doing.

Chris

Nice to hear from you again............Actually my anxiety and panic started when I was in 3rd grade.........I have had it off and on since then. It runs in my family on my fathers side........I have a 11 year old with anxiety(was panic attacks) and OCD. Nice genes I shared with her......life is so unfair at times!!

I am 38.5 (LOL) and have been tested and not in periMENTALpaus! I had a partial Hyster at 29..............but still have the ovaries.

I am increasing slowly every week........I just hate feeling "off!" I just wish I could find something to make me feel GOOD!!

Yes, I must have postings confused....sorry. Anyway, I am on cymbalta for anxiety/panic and I guess depression. I also have pmdd issues also. How is it working for all of you? Sorry I am confusing the postings. Is it worth waiting it out to see if it works? Hope to hear from you all soon. :)

Am- dancer,

What mg are you taking?

I found that anything higher than 20mg and I was very agitated and couldn't sleep. I think that Prozac snf the like are better for pmdd than Ad's that work on Serotonin AND Norepinephrine.

How long have you been on it? It took me 3 weeks about to feel better. Before that I felt worse.

Chris

I'm on 60mg. I took 30 for one week and have been taking 60 for two weeks now. How do you just take 20mg? Is there a capsule of that dosage amount? I still don't know what I think of it....I'm just trying to wait it out.

Am Dancer,

There are 20mg capsules of Cymbalta.

Since you are on 60mg, have you felt anxious at all? I feel like the increased dosage of this med makes me anxious.

I've actually been feeling kind of tired lately. May be time for a med evaluation.

Talk to you soon.

Chris

Hello Chris,
How did you survive the PMS? I think you had stated you were headed into that....? I am extreamly tired on the Cymbalta and I just added a very very small amount of Prozac to it. I did not sleep well last night..........and I am more anxoius but I think it is like that in the begining then it gets better. I HOPE!!! But I do have more energy or maybe just a little manic :bouncing:

I hope you are doing OK and remember to taper off very very slowly if you decided to change med as Cymbalta withdrawl is worse than Paxil withdrawl.

let me know how you are doing!

chrismom, I think the 60mg may be working for me as time goes by. I feel some anxiety first thing in the morning after I take it, but by the afternoon I feel better. I get kinda tired in the afternoon (4ish) but that makes me wonder if it's working on the anxiety. I have been taking .5mg alprazolam in the morning before work. I am going to try to not take any the rest of the week and see if the anxiety kicks in. I was hoping it would give me more energy, but so for it's not. I don't think it can be both anti-anxiety and energizing at the same time though. :yawn:

I made it through PMS and am still kind of emerging from it.

Fusionqueen, Let me know how adding the Prozac works for you. My doc may be considering doing that for me.

Do you guys find this med to be very drying? Dry eyes, skin, mouth? Also acne breakouts?

I'm not really tapering anymore, went back up during PMS and will stay there until I see my doc. I think I need either an increase in this med or another one.

Talk to you later,

Chris

Hi Fusion queen,
:wave: I am new to this site. I went of my Lexapro which has worked for me for 2 yrs but seems to not help when I get really depressed. He switched me to Cymbalta. I have only been on it for a few days and I feel worse. I don't know if it is Martha (monthly) or me. I am on 30 mgs and I am suppose to start 60 mg's next monday. I also take provigil for the side effects of my pain meds. Try it! I think it is great and has been a life saver for me.
I am not sure about this Cymbalta though. I feel like crap right now.
Becky

Chris,
I am not real sure about the prozac..........only been 4 days and I am more depressed and withdrawn and the nightmares are so vivid and real they haunt me all day..........have you been on prozac before.............I hope this wears off........the anxiety has been less which is the only plus right now.........I will give it a few weeks to see how it works as it builds up...........

How are you doing??

Hi Fusionqueen,

Hows it going? Things are OK for me. Feeling a bit numb lately. I think I need a little extra something or higher dose, but usually can't tolerate higher dose.

Is the Prozac any better? How much are you taking. Dr was thinking of using it Premenstrually for me for like 1-2 weeks of the month.

Write soon,

Chris

Hello Chris............things are OK.........my anxiety is MUCH better with the prozac/sarafem...........I am taking 5 mg..........I have noticed being very down since adding it .....I don't know if that will go away as the med kicks in?? I am also tired but having a hard time sleeping at night. SIGH!! Is there ever a miracle that will make us feel better? Ask your DR. about the once a week prozac..........that may help you thru the PMS stages.........One weird thing is I have tried prozac before at this dose and it almost made me hyper every time I tried it.......this time is totally the opposite.......how can a med affect you differently like that??

how are you? Hope you are feeling better!

Hi Fusionqueen,

I'm going through a rough couple of days with fatigue/feeling down. I can't get out of bed in the morning. And I'm not PMS right now. My period was very irregular last month and came 4 days earlier than usual.

I increased the Cymbalta so that I take a whole 20mg capsule and it doesn't seem to be doing anything but making things worse.

I may have built a tolerance to it, but the last time I increased to more than 20mg, I was out of my skin with agitation/anxiety and couldn't sleep. I think I need to call the Dr.

Is the Prozac helping you yet?

Write soon,

Chris

Hello Chris,
So Sorry you are feeling like you are!! Hang in there............I know that there is a fine line for me on these meds and to much causes me to get worse instead of feeling better. Call your Dr. Mine has told me Cymbalta is fast acting so I can always tell in 3-5 days...........mabye a very small about of Cymbalta (5mg) as it is strong and I know it is a pain to open the capsules but that with maybe prozac as I am doing......I am slowly upping the Prozac and today am a little anxious but have not had much of that on it this time. I think we know our own bodies best and when a drug is helping or not............give your Dr. a call and let me know what they say.

Take Care!
Rashelle

Hi Rashelle

I am soooo fatigued today. I took 20mg today and can hardly keep my eyes open or gather up the motivation/strength to function. I have 3 kids so this is extremely difficult.

I am going to call the Dr. I am under the care of 2 psych Drs right now, but I know which one I'm going to call.

This is hell. What the heck is going on with this Cymbalta?????

I'll let you know what's going on.

Are you still really tired??? I'm also seeing my endocrinologist on Monday. She has found nothing with my thyroid, etc... as of now, but I had bloodwork done yesterday. We'll see.

Chris

"Is the Prozac any better? How much are you taking. Dr was thinking of using it Premenstrually for me for like 1-2 weeks of the month."

This is a good example of the irresponsible, uneducated and dangerous bits of advice that doctors come up with concerning antidepressants. Prozac and other SSRIs, especially, should NEVER be prescribed on a "as needed" basis. Since they are all potentially addictive and can cause very difficult withdrawals, taking them here and there, quitting and starting again, can put you on a roller coaster of withdrawal which can cause even more depression, anxiety and a host of other problems, that you didn't have before.

"Ask your doctor" doesn't necessarily mean that you'll get the answers that you need.

Hi all,
I was put on Cymbalta 2 weeks ago. I had to up my dose to 60mg before the first week was over. I was very aggitated and felt suicidal. Since I have uped it I haven't felt that much better, It has helped my pain in my spine but not metally much. I am not sure what to do. Does it get better the longer you take it? Does anyone know much about this drug?
Thanks,
Becky

Chris,
How long have you been on the Cymbalta again?? I have been since October. I really think it makes me MORE tired on top of the Auto Immune crap I have.
Can I ask why 2 psy Docs?? DO they work together? Maybe ask about using a small amount of prozac/sarafem with it? I am down but don't know if it is the med or it has not kicked in yet. Only been a week on Sarafem.

I am one of those that wonders about these meds as well. How much do they really know and where will we be in 10 or 15 years of taking them?

Hang in there CHris and let me know what you DR. Says!

Hi Rashelle

Been taking Cymbalta since September. I also noticed in addition to the fatigue that a few hours after taking the pill my neck starts to hurt and my lips and around my mouth feel tingly. I think I have become intolerant to this med.

I spoke with the psych dr today and she said to stop it if I think I'mhaving a reaction to it. She prescribed Prozac, 10mg. I asked if I should taper and she said that Cymbalta is a derivative of Prozac, so I shouldn't have a problem going straight from one to the other. I am skeptical because I've been through Paxil withdrawal and it wasn't fun.

I may need to refill the Cymbalta for one more month to wean off.

This is just so strange whats going on all of a sudden. Maybe I don't need it anymore??? I usually feel better in the spring mood-wise.

Im thinking anyway that the Prozac will be a better fit since I'm having PMS issues. If I can get results with a low dose, that would be great given side effects and all.

I"m just soooo tired, I need to get some energy back! The doc said that and of the AD's could cause fatigue.

I'm gonna post on Cymbalta and facial tingling.


What kind of auto immune issues do you have???

Write soon.

Chris

Hello Chris

I will be interested to see how you do going straight from Cymbalta to Prozac.......I have a terrible time with Cymbalta and its withdrawls...........BUT that is ME!

As for autoimmue............i have had low thyroid and been treated since 1992..........I was just diagnosed with Sjorgrens' and Epstien Barr...........CHRONIC FATIGUE that all started last summer..........I was soooooooooooooo sick!! I was on Lexapro at the time so I do not feel it was drug side effects.......the blood tests tell me that much.... took me 8 months to finally get a diagnosis.........not a good one but atleast answers.
Let me know how the prozac goes!! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!!

Hi Rashelle -

I decided to just follow the Drs advice and switch from Cymb to Prozac. Today was day 2.

So far, I feel pretty good. My energy level is good. I hope the Dr is right and I can just make the switch smoothly.

I think tomorrow I will take the full 10mg capsule. I seem to be tolerating it OK. I hope I can maintain on a low dose of this.

I was thinking of asking my Dr to look into bloodwork on me for Chronic Fatigue syndrome and such due to the fatigue I had been having.

My last bloodwork tested for Iron as well. I will get the results Monday.

Are you feeling OK on Cym and Prozac?

It seems like we are going through similar experiences with the CYmbalta. After several months the side effects become apparent. My doc said that it can happen that side effects appear after a while of taking it instead of right away and then go away whichis the way it usually happens.

I'm just praying that good ol' Prozac will do it for me for an extended period and help me with my hormonal mood issues too. My periods are becoming very close together and I'm going to see my OB GYN about it too. I think my hormones are getting ready for Menopause.

Chris

Hello Chris,
I am doing pretty well.......not bad on side effects, but I am only at about 3mg a day.......I just gradually increase it as I can tell when I have taken more ........a little whoozy and tired...... I hope that goes away.
Let me know what you find out on your tests. You should ask for a EBV test that is the main clue to CF syndrome.
I am hoping that maybe the CYmbalta was just making the fatigue worse.........although I was like this on Lexapro when I started to get really sick last June.
I am also decreasing the Cymbalta and should be off it in a week or two.........I ahd severe side effects lowering it before and i do not want to go thru that again........they hit me about day 5 of lowering it.So far so good...... I was hoping that the Prozac would drop my appetite a tad but I have not noticed anything yet. I have been sick since Thursday with a severe sinus infection so I will see how I feel once that clears up.
I best get some sleep........... 2 weeks of school left for my girls then I can sleep in a tad!
Have a great Start to your week and let me know how you are feeling!
Rashelle

Hi Rashelle

Saw the endocrinologist today and asked about CFS. She is doing a test for Epstein Barr. Plus, I asked her about Chronic Lyme disease too because I had it 6 years ago and was pregnant when treated and couldn't take the first line treatment for it, so I always fear that it wasn't effectively treated.

As for the Prozac.... Today is Day 4 on PRozac and Day 4 completely off Cymbalta cold turkey. I will cross my fingers as I say this and knock on wood....I feel GOOD! I am on 10mg of generic fluoxetine. It is a capsule filled with Powder so it's hard to take less although I started out dumping out some on days 1 & 2. I do feel a bit woozy about an hour after taking it for about 1/2 hour, but other than that no side effects yet.

Are you taking Sarafem or Fluoxetine? I know it's the same, but the Sarafem being a brand name would probably cost me more. Right now I'm thrilled that my co pay went down due the the generic. I pray that it is right for me. Realistically, this drug has been around for a long time and it still used effectively, apparently based on my doc's info.

My anxiety is sooo much better with this straight SSRI. The norepinephrine effecting drugs give me anxiety.

Here's a thought.... When you told me that you had a sinus infection I said...hmmmmm....... In the 8 months I took Cymbalta I had like 4-5 colds/sinus infections and after this last one, I swore it had something to do with the Cymbalta. Last winter when I wasn't on Cymbalta I had not one cold. THe Cymbalta was very drying for my eyes and I don't know if it affected my sinuses that way too. I know that when you have really dry nasal passages like in the winter, you are more prone to colds, etc....

Did you notice and increase in colds this winter??

That's all I have for now. This week IS starting out a lot better than last week, for sure!!!

Take care and write soon,

Chris

Chris,
I am so happy to hear your feeling better.........I am sure it will keep on improving for you!! YEA! I am currently on Safafem..........I dump it into empty capsules I purchase at the pharmacy. I can't tolerate the 10 mg yet.

No I did not notice being more prone to colds on cymbalta.........just fatigue and do have dry eyes and mouth. I assume that is from my Sjogren's and maybe the cymbalta makes it worse.

My day was off today. I cut back to almost no cymbalta 2 days ago. Today I was off balance and egdgy............Tonight I will go back up a tad on it. I have this happen every time I try to cut it back to much. I woke up at 3:30 with my heart racing and I was dizzy. I just tossed and turned until I had to get up. I am almost positive it was the Decrease in Cymbalta..........nothing else has changed and I was doing great. I will let you know how the next couple of days go. I see my PS dr on Thurs. and will ask about the liquid prozac....... she has warned me that once you start on a name brand not to switch to generic. I did this with my daughter and she was on Celexa.....4 days on Generic and she was having full blown panic attacks.... got her back on name brand and they were gone...........some people are very sensitive to the difference in the name brand and the generic............

Anyway........hope you keep feeling better and better on Prozac........we are kinda going thru this together..........let me know how your blood work turns out.
Rashelle

Hi Rashelle

It's been 6 days since myswitch from Cymbalta to Fluoxetine. I am currently PMS so I've been down since yesterday. My doc wants me to increase dosage premenstrually. I am going to take like 15mg today and see if that helps.

Coming off Cymbalta seems to be no problem for me since I switched right to Fluoxetine. I hope that the generic is going to be effective for me. IF not, maybe I will switch.

Are you totally off Cymbalta yet?

I dont'' know if it's my PMS or what, but I am so achy and stiff lately after working out. I think the Cymbalta helped with pain since it's used for Fibromyalgia. I may just not have felt the pain with the Cymbalta.

I'm thinking of seeing a naturopath for supplement suggestions for the perimenopause symptoms.

Write soon,

Chris

Hello Chris,
I a in a quandry at this point..........I had NO significant side effects from the prozac and I am well into week 2..........I wa almost off cymbalta and 3 days into the last reduction........I woke up at night with a racing heart and tons of anxiety......the last 2 days I went up slightly and I can't stay awake......I feel horrible ...........I am not sure if it is the cymbalta or the Prozac.......I am going to skip the prozac this a.m. until I see my dr at 11:30 today......I am afraid it is finally reaching a steady state and now causing side effects..........I really hope not as I was doing pretty well and hoping for it to get better........I am hoping it is just the cymbalta and once I totally drop that it will be all better...........any input for me????

I am sure you will do great on the generic...I just know it is sometime hard for people to switch from name brand to generic.

Any results on you blood work yet? What I am dealing with can also be a symptom o CF and Sjogrens'............I will have ups and downs with those. I know cymbalta helps with pain.....so you have Fibro? That could be why you are stiff.....maybe a very very small amount of cymbalta with the prozac woudl help you.
I will let you know how today goes!
Rashelle

Chris and update on my Dr Apt. today.......... She put me on 3 mg of prozac(yes it comes in liquid) and told me to go back up on the cymbalta for another week and try to wean down again.......she thinks it is the cymbalta withdrawl that is making me feel like I do.........I am not totally convinced of that although I have experienced the withdrawls on cymbalta and they are not fun.........so she said give it 2 more weeks then if we need to we can adjust the prozac............otherwise she said I may do much better on a very small amount of each......I personally feel like I am getting more anxious the longer I am on the prozac......maybe it is the prozac OR it could be the withdrawl............only time and experimenting will tell........I just HATE feeling like crap. Especially when I felt pretty good for the first 10 days or so. THEN to top it off.......she is leaveing her practice to go teach and I off to find a new Dr. She recommended one but I hate the office she is in......My dr's concern is that I find someone who understands how med sensitive I am. GEEZE.........it never seems to end!

How are you today? Is the PMS better? I hope so..........Keep me updated!
Rashelle

Hi Rashelle

PMS is getting worse, Im up to 20mg today on the Prozac praying it will help. This is supposed to be the drug used for PMS righT??? Hasn't been that yet for me. I don't know if it's totally PMS or what, but I've been feeling depressed and irritable the last couple of days. I screamed at my 3 year old this morning. I have 3 kids ages 8 and under and they are all difficult intheir own way. My 3 year old starts whining and throwing tantrums from the time she wakes in the morning while I'm trying to get the other ones off to school. In my current state of mind, I CANNOT TOLERATE it!!! I was hoping the straight SSRI would calm me in this way.

THe true test of the Prozac will be after I get my period, to see if I get back to feeling OK.

Maybe some of this is Cymbalta withdrawals??? I know I can feel the withdrawal from the pain relief effect of the Cymbalta. I DONT have Fibro, but sure feel like I do many days. Since off the Cymbalta my muscles feel stiff and achy and my back is starting to feel stiff again.

I liked the Cymbalta for that pain relief, but then I feel like what if it was just masking pain so that I can't find out if there is a true medical problem???

ANyway, things are so so for me right now. I also think I'm struggling with early perimenopausal symptoms which I'm not tolerating well. I want to buy a book on natual relief in this area because I don't want to go through the next 10 yrs like this.... I'm 39yrs old.

Thanks for letting me vent. It feels good to be know there is someone who understands out there.

Hope things are getting better for you.

I'm wondering if I should take a small amount of Cymbalta with the Prozacc, but I don't have anymore Cymbalta other than some dumped out pellets from my capsules.

Take care,

Chris

Chris,
How are you today? I am sure you are experiencing some Cymbalta withdrawl with prozac start up side effects....my Dr said that the Norepinephrine in Cymbalta helps to equal out the Seratonin and it would be helpful with the Prozac BUT that is for me..........everyone is different....I take the spheres inside.......I buy the empty capsules at my pharmacy and count them out and put them in the capsules.........takes a little time but well worth it. I have and sometimes still get that snappy with my children. In know it is the med and my anxiety acting up.
I have been feeling so so......still dizzy with some headache the last few days. I start a post to see if any one got side effects 2 weeks into prozac.....no real response yet.
Have you gotten all your blood work up back yet? I had 2 really bad days of fatigue this week. But my dr. told me with CFS and sjogren's that is how it will be ............good days and bad days......I really hate the bad days........I also hate the weight gain from my fatigue....I still exercise but not running 5 miles a day like I used to. I did manage 3 miles Friday and I was thrilled.
I am here anytime you want to talk and let me know how your days are going. I enjoy talking with you and we are both going thru the same stuff!

Oh and I am 38 almost 39. UGH! I hate this getting older stuff!

Hope your weekend is better!
Rashelle

Hi Rashelle

Good to hear from you......Today I took 15mg of Prozac because I felt kind of woozy and felt caffeined out yesterday. The revved feeling was better today and my mood slightly better, but still rather on edge. i'm still PMS though.

Thats' interesting what the doc told you about the Cymb with Prozac. My doc said that you wouldn't take those two together. You take so little of it though that it's probably OK.

I haven't gotten my blood drawn yet for the EBV and Lyme. I will go this week. I feel like I may have Fibromyalgia symptoms, since you mentioned it last week. Without the Cymbalta I have more aches and stiffness in my muscles. That combined with the fatigue and the fact that I'm really sensitive to pain, makes me think I should ask my doc about that. Actually I don't know what difference that would make because they treat Fibro with AD's.

Anyway, it's nice having your support. Thanks. Write soon and keep me posted and I'll do the same.

Chris

Yes, I must have postings confused....sorry. Anyway, I am on cymbalta for anxiety/panic and I guess depression. I also have pmdd issues also. How is it working for all of you? Sorry I am confusing the postings. Is it worth waiting it out to see if it works? Hope to hear from you all soon. :)

I also have PMDD I've started up the depo provera shot so I won't ovulate or have a period, that should take care of the PMDD. but the depo also has an effect of depresion so I'm slowly trying to switch from prozac to Wellbutrin, It does make me anxiety ridden so I'm starting at the SR kind instead of the XL kind and I like it better I can control the dosage, I'm on prozac welbutrin and klonopin 1mg 2x's a day.

I want to cut back thought they all work different there are days I'm confused and say werid things or say things backwords. however, I'm exteremly sleep deprived as I work full time go to school full time and have a baby! I took a nice 5 hour nap this afternoon why the hubby watched the baby. I think the confusion might be sleep deprovation and that whole build up of long term stress hormones being depleted from the ending of the semester. Finally!

I also have PMDD I've started up the depo provera shot so I won't ovulate or have a period, that should take care of the PMDD. but the depo also has an effect of depresion so I'm slowly trying to switch from prozac to Wellbutrin, It does make me anxiety ridden so I'm starting at the SR kind instead of the XL kind and I like it better I can control the dosage, I'm on prozac welbutrin and klonopin 1mg 2x's a day.

I want to cut back thought they all work different there are days I'm confused and say werid things or say things backwords. however, I'm exteremly sleep deprived as I work full time go to school full time and have a baby! I took a nice 5 hour nap this afternoon why the hubby watched the baby. I think the confusion might be sleep deprovation and that whole build up of long term stress hormones being depleted from the ending of the semester. Finally!


HI

I was wondering how the Prozac/Wellbutrin combo is working for sexual side effects. Many say that WB is used to offset those side effects. I, too thought that maybe WB SR would be better for me. I tried XL and didn't like the fact that I couldn't take less than 150mg, I had anxiety/agitation at that dose. I was thinking that maybe a low dose of WB with Prozac would be a better combo.

The Prozac didn't help the PMDD too much this time. I got my period to day which was a big help for my mood.

I will see how next month goes because this was my first week on Prozac.

Thanks for your input.

Chris

Rashelle,

Got my period today and What a relief!!! My mood is so much better today. The Prozac didn't help my mood during PMS which it is supposed to, but I do feel the effects now. I hope it's the Prozac working.

How are you doing?

Chris

Rashelle,

Got my period today and What a relief!!! My mood is so much better today. The Prozac didn't help my mood during PMS which it is supposed to, but I do feel the effects now. I hope it's the Prozac working.

How are you doing?

Chris

Hello Chris,
I am so happy that you are feeling the effects of the Prozac. My dr told me today that it can take 6 weeks to several months for the med to have a full effect. My mood has been great but I am very anxious and a little nausea. He said that he felt the anxiousness would get better at a higher dose. I have always had an opposite effect but will give it a try. I will up it to 5 mg and see how the week goes. I hate working (2 days a week as a hairstylist/owner) when I am having anxiety......You never know what the hair cuts look like :>)) How long have you been on prozac now? I am approaching week 3 so 3 more weeks should give me some insite on how it will work. I have had a partial hyster, but started getting major PMS on Cymbalta...........I ahve not had any on the prozac so far........I guess we have to trade some of the benefits with side effects UGH!! I hope they go away and this med works!!
Keep feeling better and I hope every day is am improvement for you.

Just a note on the Depo shot.............My sister just had heart surgery that was required due to a severe reaction to the Depo shot. She had hives and it messed up her heart..........just shows you everyone responds differently to meds.

Rashelle

Hi Rashelle

Sorry I haven't written in awhile.

I am up to 20mg of the generic Prozac because it didn't really seem to be helping at a lower dose. I'm a little restless, but haven't really felt full relief with my mood. SOme days I actually feel worse.

I just want to have motivation and clear thoughts. Its so hard for me to gather my thoughts a lot of times and I have trouble even speaking and finding words lately too. I wonder if the Prozac will help soon???

It's been 2 weeks for me, but only 2 days on 20mg. I feel like my sleep is better though.

How are you?

Chris

Hello Chris,
What a week here as well..........I upped the prozac to 5 mg and after 3 days I was wigged out adn sooooooooooooo depressed.......YUP these meds have an opposite effect on me. I am back down to 2 mg and I ahve had a severe headache.........MIGAINE for the last 2 days. I have NOT felt good......I will see what happens after a few more days at the lower dose. My weight went up a few pounds as well and really freaked me out. I just know the higher dose had me messed up!!!
I hope you start feeling the possitive effects really soon! We are headed out of town till Monday but let mw know how your weekend goes.
I keep forgetting to ask where you are from.......... I am in Nebraska.
Have a nice weekend!
Rashelle

Hi Rashelle

I am in Connecticut. I'm waiting it out with the Prozac at the higher dose before I go back down. I usually feel worse before better on these meds. I now realize how fatigued the Cymbalta was making me at times too. Based on my conversation with my doc, I have to really let these meds work and stay on them for an extended period even after I feel better so that they can make the changes they are supposed to in the brain.

ALso, I get menstrual/PMS migraines once/month. The Cymbalta made them worse, but in my past experience SSRI's really help them. I'm going to see if it does this next cycle now that I'm at a therapeutic dose.

Hope you have a good weekend, it's supposed to be nice here.

Write when you return.

CHris

Hello Chris,
How are you feeling after a few more days at the higher dose of Prozac? I hope you are feeling much better every day.
I on the other hand have made a doward turn or something. I am crabby, snapping at my kids and I feel depressed. I am not sure where to go from here. The higher dose of prozac really made my anxiety awful and I was on that for over 3 weeks. I am down to a really small amount plus the small amount of Cymbalta. I feel like such a failure and hate the emotions I have inside from not being able to find something that works for me. I feel so quilty that my family has to live with someone like me. That is not fair to them at at all.............I never have that happy...........joy feeling. That is sad!!

Enough of my pitty party. I don't want to up the Cymbalta as I have more energy than before so I know that was making it worse. I wish there was a magic HAPPY PILL!

Take Care and write soon!
Rashelle

I feel like such a failure and hate the emotions I have inside from not being able to find something that works for me. I feel so quilty that my family has to live with someone like me. That is not fair to them at at all.............



I know you didn't write this to me, but I had to reply. You are not a failure. It's not your fault that you haven't found a medication that works for you. And it's not fair to you that you feel so badly. I'm sure you feel bad enough already, you don't need to beat yourself up too.

You don't deserve to feel bad. It's not your fault.

SOE

Hello Chris,
How are you feeling after a few more days at the higher dose of Prozac? I hope you are feeling much better every day.
I on the other hand have made a doward turn or something. I am crabby, snapping at my kids and I feel depressed. I am not sure where to go from here. The higher dose of prozac really made my anxiety awful and I was on that for over 3 weeks. I am down to a really small amount plus the small amount of Cymbalta. I feel like such a failure and hate the emotions I have inside from not being able to find something that works for me. I feel so quilty that my family has to live with someone like me. That is not fair to them at at all.............I never have that happy...........joy feeling. That is sad!!

Enough of my pitty party. I don't want to up the Cymbalta as I have more energy than before so I know that was making it worse. I wish there was a magic HAPPY PILL!

Take Care and write soon!

Rashelle

Hi Rashelle

I'm sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well. I can TOTALLY empathize with the feelings of guilt that my family has to put up with these mood swings and irritability of mine. I, too, want that happy....joy feeling and haven't had it in awhile. I keep praying that every med change will make it happen.

I also am seeing a therapist. I feel better after seeing her. Are you talking with a therapist. Sometimes they can put things into perspective for us and help make it through the week, or day.

I'm back down to 10mg of Prozac because the 20mg made me feel awful!! I'm going to stay here until I see my doc in mid June. Maybe my body needs some adjusting to the Prozac before I increase it.

Did I tell you that my doc said that you wouldn't take Prozac and Cymbalta together because they both block the same chemical or something. She was going to suggest Zoloft with the Cymbalta instead. Apparently Paxil and Prozac are two that she said wouldn't be compatible with Cymbalta, i guess any of the other ones would be. At that point I had already come off Cymbalta because I was getting numbness around my mouth after taking it. It was very weird but hasn't happened since I stopped taking it.

So maybe you should add just a tad of something else instead of Prozac. Something more calming. I heard Prozac can be agitating.

I also have been REALLY trying to give up sugar. My blood sugar goes up and down all day and I'm really sensitive to it mood wise. Keeping it more steady with more protein and complex carbs has helped. I also was trying this so I wouldn't gain weight and maybe lose some. In addition to exericising every day!!! I did lose a couple of pounds over the last two weeks despite the Prozac, so I think it's really important to be really vigilant about your diet on these meds.

Well, that's all for now. Write soon and maybe call your Dr before you see him next to let him know you're not doing well.

Chris

I know you didn't write this to me, but I had to reply. You are not a failure. It's not your fault that you haven't found a medication that works for you. And it's not fair to you that you feel so badly. I'm sure you feel bad enough already, you don't need to beat yourself up too.

You don't deserve to feel bad. It's not your fault.

SOE

Thanks for the support...........I know this is not my fault as I have a long family history of depression and anxiety.............even my 12 year old daughter has it PLUS OCD........so I know it is not something that is "my fault" ............yet I HATE the fact people have to live with my emotional state and I feel I bring them all down. It just sucks to be mental!!

fusionqueen,

How are you? Today I feel pretty OK. My mood seems to be improved, I am also at the best time of the month hormonally for me.

I have so much more patience today and feel like a better mother and wife. I also had a good therapy session and a good day with the kids and was actually able to say I felt some enjoyment. God, I hope and pray that this lasts and isn't another MOOD SWING!!

Did you see my last post here for you?

Let me know how it's going for you...

Chris

Hello Chris,
How are you feeling on the Prozac? Any improvment at the higher dosage?

I called my DR. and they wanted to switch me to Zoloft......I like the energy and it controls my anxiety at a very low dosage, but I am trying to get off the Cymbalta....I cut it back again last night and I am anxious and dizzy today......I am not sure if it is the higher prozac or the withdrawl from Cymbalta.............did you have any of that when you switched?

I hate this rollercoaster. We have so many trips planned this summer and people coming to visit and it is NOT ANY FUN when you feel sick and try to entertain.............UGH!! I hope I start to feel better on the Prozac and can get off the Cymbalta!!

Oh and are you taking your Prozac in the a.m. or p.m.? I take it in the a.m. but I can feel the side effects about 3 hours after I take it. I wake up with horrible anxiety since I started cutting the cymbalta back as I took it at night.

Let me know how you are doing!

Rashelle

Hi

GOod to hear from you.

I take the Prozac mid morning. The Cymbalta I did much better with taking it in the am because it was energizing for me.

The Prozac is OK for me right now. I'm premenstrual and don't feel completely on the edge or irritable. IT's been calming for me, but almost to the point of not feeling anything. A big thing for me is loss of pleasure with my depression and I want to get that feeling back of being able to enjoy things. I'm still at 10mg of Prozac and I think I'm adjusted to it now. I"m wondering if I should go up to the 20mg now that Im adjusted. I see my dr next week. I'm also thinking about asking for a tad of Wellbutrin to see if it can jump start my libido and relieve some of the numbness.

I know what you mean about not feeling well and the summer coming up. I've had several summers of depressed vacations UGH!

I didn't even notice the switch from Cymb to Prozac. I never really had withdrawals from the CYmbalta with the switch. In the beginning I was a bit woozy after taking the Prozac, but I don't think that had anything to do with the Cymbalta.

One thing, I am definetely waking up in the morning feeling much more rested than I did on teh Cymbalta. I couldn't get out of bed with that med. I wake on my own at like 6:30am and have energy to get the kids out the door. That is HUGE for me, because this has been a struggle for a long time now. My kids are still little 8yrs and under, so they need me to be motivating in the morning.

Hang in there and maybe try to just stick with one dosage for awhile before cutting back and forth so youdon't feel so ill. I know that weaning slowly has helped me in the past.

Take care,

Chris

Hello Chris,
How has your week been? Is the prozac kicking in more for you? I know I have not had PMS since starting it...........one plus.
Other than that I have not felt good all week.........like my head is all foggy and off kilter.Plus TIRED!! My Dr. did give me samples of Zoloft to try again. I have not tried it yet as I have been busy with work and my daughter Birthday and did not want to have some awful side effects to deal with.
I am just not sure where to go from here. I hardly get depressed ...mostly anxiety and agitation.........but I have been really depressed this week. The more prozac I take the worse it is so maybe it is not meant to mix with Cymbalta........I am still on a tiny bit. I will venture adding some zoloft this week. My daughter just went back on Zoloft and she is soooooooooooo tired and dizzy..........it has been a week for her........we had to take her back to 6.25 mg.
I wanted to check in with you. Hope you are feeling much better and you can get on with life and enjoy it...........OH and that NUMB feeling you get...............I have that on prozac and I hate it........I would love to feel tummy flips from excitement again.
Have a great weekend!
Rashelle

Hi Rashelle

It was good to hear from you. The first part of my week I was really tired and down. Then on Thursday, which is PMS time for me, I felt really good and still do today. I still feel a bit numb, like can't get excited, but not as bad. I look forward to things though and feel motivated. I still have NOOO sex drive though. I am going to ask the doc if I can add a tad of Wellbutrin to the Prozac and see if that helps.

I also started this new exercise routine. It's in this month's Prevention Magazine it says you'll drop a size by July 4th if you do this 4 week program. I started on Monday and, I feel it working already. THe key is WEIGHTS! I've always known that Using weights builds muscles which speeds your metabolism up, but I guess I just got lazy and didn't do them for awhile. I think with the effect that SSRI's can have on your metabolism, the weights help to offset that.

I don't have PMS yet either, which is cool. My mood has been fluctuating though, I'm hoping to have some evening out of my moods in the weeks to come. I'm hoping the Prozac has kicked in fully now after 4 weeks and that it will be better now. I also started using a Progesterone cream for some perimenopausal symptoms and short menstrual cycles I was having. This is the first month, so maybe it will help to even out things.

I still take 10mg of the Prozac, but was really close to going up to 20mg earlier this week since I am premenstrual. I feel like the initial agitation i had has decreased a lot now too. I hope you can find the right mix for you. I feel like the Cymbalta was doing weird things to me mood wise at the end of taking it so maybe it is not letting the Prozac work as effectively for you.

Have you ever taken and SSRI and Wellbutrin? I know some on the boards have and there's mixed results.

Take care,

Chris

Hi Chris,
So glad to hear you are feeling much better. Yes I have tried wellbutrin but it totally wigged me out.............I am just so med sensitive. I decided that I am not taking any Cymbalta as of today. We shall see how I feel tomorrow. Last time I stopped I was so dizzy I could not walk. I upped it a teeny tiny bit last night and today was even worse so I think the Cymbalta needs to go......I maybe need prozac alone or try the zoloft...........I just hate the first couple weeks of adjustment.........today I slep for 3 hours and was so dizzy and foggy brained I could harldy function.......notfair to my daughter as we had her 12th birthday party today. I felt HORRIBLE!
Any suggestions?? Do you ahve any other side effects other than sexual.......I have that on ALL the meds.......BUT I would much rather feel good mentaly at this point. I am worried the panic attacks will come back with my cutting back so much on all the meds. I guess time will tell.

Keep me updated on your progress and what you decided with the Welbutrin.

Rashelle

Hi Rashelle

I can't say that I have any side effects lately other than sexual with the Prozac. The initial agitation and flat feeling has subsided.

I'm sorry that you are feeling so crappy. I can remember my last few days of Cymbalta feeling really crappy. Then I started getting weird tingling in my face after taking it so that was it for me.

I was on another thread and saw a discussion on Buspar. Have you ever tried this??? I think that it can be effective for some people as an anti-anxiety with little side effects. My doc gave it to me when I was on Wellbutrin to offset the anxiety,but I never gave it a chance. It seems that some people take it with an SSRI for anxiety. Many docs don't prescribe it anymore because there are the Xanax type drugs that work right away. Buspar takes a few weeks to kick in and supposedly doesn't make you drowsy.
It can make you dizzy though, but you can take it in really small doses.

Are you able to exercise at all?. It seems to be helping me..

I know how hard it is to get through entertaining events while suffering mentally. Us mothers have such endurance, huh???

I hope you feel better soon. Don't give up!

Chris

Chris, Thanks so much for the kind words and support. Yes I have tried Buspar.....a few times.............and it made me so sick I was stuck in bed. I really struggle with any med...........when I have surgery the Drs are amazed that I only need half the normal amount of anesthia that is normal for my weight.
Yes I have been exercising..........I missed today as I felt so awful. I am a runner and try to get in 20-25 miles a week...... that is all I can muster at this time. I also do weight training. I have done this for over 13 years. The last year is the first time I have struggled with endurance and fatigue. That is partly due to CFS and Sjogrens....... UGH!! What else can I get. Why not just a head ache that you can treat with asprin??
I may try a few days of no SSRI and see how I do then go from there. I still take klonopin 3x daily and DO NOT want to increase that.

Thanks again for updating me and let me know about the Welbutrin.

Rashelle

Just thought I would throw my experience in here for whatever it is worth...

I have tried various AD's over the years. They would lift the depression but there was still an underlying depression. Just kept switching AD meds and dosages and the various annoying side effects. Very depressing within it's self. And the general fatigue with all of them was too much.

Went to a new pdoc. He said that I have "medication resistant depression". He placed me on Effexor (75 mg for depression), Provigil (100 mg for energy) and Lamictil (100 mg for mood stablization). Lamitcil is used quite often for bi-polar patients. But I do not have any symptoms of bi-polar, except for depression.

I can't begin to tell you how great and "normal" I feel. First time in 19 years. Adding the Lamictil has made all the difference. The lesson I learned....don't talk to your general Dr. or Ob/Gyn for meds. A pdoc is the best...he has the experience and latest knowledge on how to treat your symptoms.

Best of luck to you all.....

Can you tell me more about Lamactil? Is it for depression and will it help anxiety?? I know it is for Bi-Polar ...........was it a seizure drug or something else before being used for mental issues??

THANKS SO MUCH!

Lamictil is primarily for bi-polar patients. It is known as a mood stablizer. Only recently have the pdocs found out that for those who have not received success with AD's alone...adding lamictil can make all the difference. So, I agreed to try it..and it has been working for me.

The provigal has also been extremely helpful in getting rid of the sluggish, tired all the time feeling.

Again, I have not been diagnoised with bi-polar. I do not have the symptoms. Although at times, I have wished that I could feel that "manic high" that bi-polar patients talk about. lol

I have a friend who takes Lamctil for seizures. After 30 years on different meds that never worked, she found one that does. Lamctil seems to be good for many things.

I hope anyone taking it has great results...WW

Lamictil is primarily for bi-polar patients. It is known as a mood stablizer. Only recently have the pdocs found out that for those who have not received success with AD's alone...adding lamictil can make all the difference. So, I agreed to try it..and it has been working for me.

The provigal has also been extremely helpful in getting rid of the sluggish, tired all the time feeling.

Again, I have not been diagnoised with bi-polar. I do not have the symptoms. Although at times, I have wished that I could feel that "manic high" that bi-polar patients talk about. lol

Thanks for the info........I tried depakote once for panic attacks......it stopped them but it also made me so SO flat line that I felt awful. Does the Lamictil do that? What is the dosage on it for mood?

Thanks for your input!

sounds familiar. i've been on about 10 things. I started cymbalta almost two weeks ago. I had an very positive initial response (in fact I felt it within an hour-this is in combination with about 50mg effexor). After a few days though, it seems to not be as good and I feel very sad and detached-even from my own kids. I'll probably swith again soon.

My approach is to find something that comes close to working and mix other things in. In my case, effexor comes close. But 37.5 is too low and the 75 is too high (apparently this is fairly common in obsessive-compulsives). So I take 37.5, plus 35 of the little balls and then mix in other stuff

There don't seem to be any rules. mixing two ssri's works for some. mixing and ssri and an snri can work for others and so on.

Good luck!!

ChrisMom ,
CHecking in on you..........How are you feeling? Has the prozac reached it theraputic dose and working well. I truely hope so!
I am at a cross roads........I have not taken anything for a week......FINALLY got off Cymbalta and the prozac I just kinda dropped......my problem is feeling like I an not myself. NOT WITHDRAWL but feeling OFF and kinda like someone pulled the net from under me. I do not know if I should try the prozac alone.......or try zoloft......last time it helped my mood a ton but made me anxious and dizzy.....maybe different this time ??
I am at a loss. I do know I can not sleep at night since dropping the meds so I am taking tylenol PM and that works. Any suggestions??? I know it is asking alot but I want to laugh and feel good!!!

Hope life is going well for you! :wave:

ChrisMom ,
CHecking in on you..........How are you feeling? Has the prozac reached it theraputic dose and working well. I truely hope so!
I am at a cross roads........I have not taken anything for a week......FINALLY got off Cymbalta and the prozac I just kinda dropped......my problem is feeling like I an not myself. NOT WITHDRAWL but feeling OFF and kinda like someone pulled the net from under me. I do not know if I should try the prozac alone.......or try zoloft......last time it helped my mood a ton but made me anxious and dizzy.....maybe different this time ??
I am at a loss. I do know I can not sleep at night since dropping the meds so I am taking tylenol PM and that works. Any suggestions??? I know it is asking alot but I want to laugh and feel good!!!

Hope life is going well for you! :wave:

Hi Rashelle,

Sorry, this is the last 2 weeks of school around here and things are CRAZY Busy!

Let's see. I've increased to 15mg of Prozac and it seems to be better for me. A little more anxious (facial tics - like I had too much caffeine) but other than that OK. I was down a couple of days ago, but when I increased it I felt better within a day.

I had no PMS, until the day I got my period, then I felt like I had PMS. Feeling better today though. Still kind of blunted emotionally, but I can laugh. I don't think it's the perfect drug yet, I've felt better in the past, but I really want to give it some more time. I also need to do something about this nonexistent libido though! IT sucks!

Maybe if you start from scratch things will work out better. I saw you were talking to someone about Effexor, how about trying that in a small amount? SInce Cymbalta worked on the same neurotransmitters as Effexor maybe you will get a good response.

What does your Doctor say?

Let me know.

Chris

Chris,
So sorry I have not written. I made a mistake and put an away mesage on my computer when we were out of town and it banned me from the board. They were very nice in understanding and let me back on YEA!

How are you? How are the meds working? I am on Zoloft now and was feeling good on vacation............just little twinges of anxiety........we came home and it is back.....wonder if it is the med/ stressers of working ect or what???? Very frusterating for me. Guess I will have to spend my life laying on the beach to feel good!!;) My mood is better and all the snapping and yelling is gone!!! That part I love.........I just wish I could get excited about life again.......been years since I felt that way or get that excited feeling .........have not had that since meds started UGH!

I hope your 4th was great and let me know how you are doing!

Take Care!

HI. Good to hear from you!

I'm glad the Zoloft is helping you. Zoloft has not really helped me in the past.

I kind of stopped taking the Prozac for a few days to see if my numbness would go away and it kind of did, but I was feeling depressed and unmotivated, so I decided to give the Prozac one last hard try. I'm going to take 10mg/day for a few weeks and maybe even more. I've also added Wellbutrin, which makes me kind of anxious so I think I need the Prozac.

Doesn't it suck to not feel excitement/joy? I know what you mean about not feeling that since starting meds because IT's kind of been the same for me. Actually, The Cymbalta was a bit different in that respect. I did feel good things on it.

The straight SSRI's I think are maybe more numbing. I don't know I keep thinking about trying Effexor, but I've heard a lot about weight gain and bad side effects when trying to come off, so I really don't want to.

Can you relate the beginning of your numbness feelings to any time in your life? I started on meds around 35yrs old after the birth of my second child I felt that stress was overwhelming me. Since then been on the med go round with ups and downs. My children are growing up so fast and I want to enjoy them!

Take care and write soon. Glad you had a nice relaxing vacation!

Chris