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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 Denise1904 on April 26, 2006, at 11:25:47
Hi,
I decided to come off Seroxat 40mg cold turkey a month ago as it wasn't working very well anymore. I had this plan that if I came off it for about six months completely and go back on it again it will somehow start helping me again.
The thing is I'm taking zyprexa every 7 days but I'm feeling more and more down and the Zyprexa isn't really helping me anymore (at least not on it's own)
My psychiatrist has prescribed Cymbalta 60mg and part of me wants to try it but the other part is thinking that although it also hits norepinephrine receptors so is different to Seroxat in that way, it still is an reuptake blocker so by taking this won't I be defeating the object of what I'm trying to do with the Seroxat. I mean I came off the seroxat thinking I needed to stop it doing what it was doing for a while so that maybe it would work again better six months down the line if and when I take it again.
Can anyone advise as I'm starting to feel more and more desperate.
Denise
Posted by denise1966 on April 26, 2006, at 16:23:53
In reply to Cymbalta Vs Seroxat, posted by Denise1904 on April 26, 2006, at 11:25:47
Just thought I'd rephrase the subject in the hope of getting a response to the previous thread.
Denise
Posted by blueberry on April 26, 2006, at 18:20:17
In reply to Cymbalta Vs Seroxat, posted by Denise1904 on April 26, 2006, at 11:25:47
You asked some good, and tough, questions. Sometimes people can go back on a med that previously worked and find it is renewed again. Sometimes people go back to that same med and find out it doesn't work anymore or that is has a lot different side effects than it used to. I think our brains are always changing, they don't stay the same.
I wonder why not take the zyprexa along with the seroxat every day instead of every 7 days? That could work a lot better than either alone.
Cymbalta. Who knows. It could be fabulous or it could be lousy. You might find the norepinephrine stuff really makes a big difference, or maybe not. As you know, mileage varies, things are not easily explained, and you just never know till you try.
So you don't feel alone, I'm on the fence with cymbalta too. My doc says just try it and see what happens.
Posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2006, at 20:37:40
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Vs Seroxat, posted by blueberry on April 26, 2006, at 18:20:17
Blueberry how true. As I think I said in a previous thread first time on cymbablta no side effects at 60mg. Second time on 30mg I had horrendous twitching head felt like it would explode couldn't cry . I had to stop it I just could'nt tolerate it anymore. And this doc wanted me up to 120mg in 4weeks. Needless to say my brain must have changed in a year. Love Phillipa
Posted by Denise1904 on April 27, 2006, at 4:59:08
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Vs Seroxat, posted by blueberry on April 26, 2006, at 18:20:17
Hi Blueberry,
Thanks for your response. What are you taking at the moment?
To answer your question and to provide some more details. Years ago, Seroxat worked wonderfully and was still working great when I decided to come off it about 10 years ago.
Anyway about three years later the dreaded depression came back only this time when I started the Seroxat I had a completely different reaction to it. It seemed to hit all the wrong spots (like Phillipa) and not the right spots like it used to. So for two years I tried lots of different combos and then finally tried the Seroxat again at a higher dose 40mg instead of 20mg. Within about 4 days it seemed to start helping although never as good as it had the first time.
Anyway, two years later and it wasn't helping as much, I was getting the usual apathy, flatness and some anxiety creeping back. Which is why I thought I'd have a trial break. Zyprexa as an add on has always seem to help with everything but I'm uncomfortable about piling on more and more drugs, I don't want to be in the position where I'm taking Zyprexa and something else and then that stops working.
I'd feel more comfortable if I was just on one drug although beggars can't be choosers.
I'm not sure I can go on like this though, it's only been a month and each day (even with Zyprexa now and again) seems flat and empty and I don't feel like I've got a future at all. At the same time I don't want to start Cymbalta feel the same as I did on Seroxat then be back to square one again.
I have taken prothiaden (a tricyclic) first time ever worked great, when I tried it again in the last five years getting up to 300mg it didn't do much except increase the anxiety. I think cymbalta is pretty much like a tricyclic.
Anyway, let me know how you get on with Cymbalta if you do decide to take it
All the best....Denise
Posted by SLS on April 27, 2006, at 6:35:05
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Vs Seroxat blueberry, posted by Denise1904 on April 27, 2006, at 4:59:08
Hi Denise.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
If you were to advise someone who had the same treatment history as you what they should do, I bet you would encourage them to try something different.
Cymbalta is not like tricyclics.
I do understand where your head is at. I really do. I've been there myself on occasion. However, I can't help but to think that you might be limiting your chances of getting well by avoiding specific drugs and polypharmacy. Like you said, "Beggars can't be choosers."
I wish for you only the best.
Get well!
- Scott
Posted by Denise1904 on April 27, 2006, at 6:46:00
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Vs Seroxat » blueberry, posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2006, at 20:37:40
Hi Phillipa,
Have you ever tried adding a benzo or anti-psychotic to some of the ADs just to get you through the rough times so that at least you can give them a fair trial?
Denise
This is the end of the thread.
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