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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 concerned partner on February 14, 2005, at 10:25:51
My husband was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. He was put on Trileptal and Cymbalta. He is having problems with the Cymbalta, especially severe insomnia. He has been on the Cymbalta since December. The insomnia just started a couple of weeks ago. The doctors want to give him Halcion or Ambien to help, but we don't see that as a solution. Also, the Ambien didn't work. We are considering requesting the psychiatrist to let him go off of the Cymbalta. Has anyone else had problems with insomnia from Cymbalta? Also, what are the side effects of going off of the Cymbalta (withdrawal symptoms)? I would appreciate any advice, as we are very frustrated and don't know what to do.
Posted by partlycloudy on February 14, 2005, at 12:26:04
In reply to cymbalta, posted by concerned partner on February 14, 2005, at 10:25:51
Welcome to Babble! I just happen to have first hand experience with abrupt cessation of Cymbalta and trying to sleep without Ambien.
I believe that since the Cymbalta's antidepressant works to combat the fatigue that often comes with depression, it acts as an "activator" and so disrupts sleep. When I had to all of a sudden stop taking Cymbalta last week because of a persistently high blood pressure, I had hoped I'd be able to sleep without the Ambien. Hah! Instead I had the most disturbing and anxious dreams I have ever had. So, I gratefully took the Ambien again - I'm lucky in that it works for me. Another choice might be Vistaril, considered a non-addictive anti anxiety medication, to help your husband relax before sleep. Also, an over-the-counter alternative to Ambien could be an antihistamine like Benadryl.
I hope my anecdotal experience helps! And I would also ask my pharmacist if he had any ideas, too.
Good luck and good health to you both,
partlycloudy
Posted by concerned partner on February 14, 2005, at 18:20:06
In reply to Re: cymbalta » concerned partner, posted by partlycloudy on February 14, 2005, at 12:26:04
Now my husband was given trazodone (desyrel). Has anyone taken this? It sounds nasty to me. Thanks!
Posted by partlycloudy on February 14, 2005, at 18:36:54
In reply to Re: trazodone or desyrel, posted by concerned partner on February 14, 2005, at 18:20:06
I tried that one too but it zombied me into sleeping for 16 hours at a stretch!
Posted by saw on February 16, 2005, at 4:54:09
In reply to Re: trazodone or desyrel, posted by partlycloudy on February 14, 2005, at 18:36:54
I am on Cymbalta and find it particularly sedating so I take it at night. Now be that as it may, I still don't sleep. My pdoc prescribed Remeron, another AD with sedative type qualities, to take with the Cymbalta. I break a single tab into 4, so take very little. Ummm, I can't say I notice any difference.
Ativan and Aterax help me to sleep but I rarely take them for fear of becoming addictive.
Good luck and let us know how it goes. It is refreshing to hear from a concerned partner.
Sabrina
Posted by concerned partner on February 16, 2005, at 21:13:20
In reply to Cymbalta and Remeron, posted by saw on February 16, 2005, at 4:54:09
I appreciate the responses I've received to my questions. This has been a most frustrating experience with the Cymbalta. He lowered his dose from 60mg to 40 mg two days ago, and is already having dizzy spells and severe headaches. I really hate this medicine. The side effects have been worse than his previous symptoms. It affects his ability to work, our finances, his job security, etc. Now he has to take Halcion to go to sleep, and still has trouble falling asleep. Would anyone know how long it takes to get this out of your system? I know it needs to be done gradually, but I'm hoping for some small ray of light at the end of this.
Posted by partlycloudy on February 17, 2005, at 14:40:27
In reply to Re: Cymbalta, posted by concerned partner on February 16, 2005, at 21:13:20
If he is having such a rough time of it, he might need to taper much more slowly to minimize the side effects. Say a whole week at 50mg before dropping down to 40mg. Or an even more gradual taper if possible. I can certainly sympathize with how disruptive the symptoms are at the workplace. Lately my coworkers must think my hand is permanently attached to my forehead, with all the rubbing it gets. What a nasty, relentless headache!
Some people are more sensitive to these medications than others, or as they say around here, "your mileage may vary".
Posted by partlycloudy on March 25, 2005, at 15:08:34
In reply to cymbalta, posted by concerned partner on February 14, 2005, at 10:25:51
Hi there - how is your husband doing? I have some input from another Babbler to pass along (Minnie-Haha):
"I tried to reply to concerned partner's post about concerns about Cymbalta. I don't want her to think Cymbalta can't work for a bipolar. I am Bipolar Type 2 and OCD and Cymbalta and Trileptal have worked well for me. Can you ask what her husband's dosages are of the two drugs and when he takes them?"
Thanks so much!
Posted by wendy0006 on May 4, 2005, at 16:17:23
In reply to cymbalta, posted by concerned partner on February 14, 2005, at 10:25:51
Cymbalta made me even more anxious than I already am, increased my restless leg syndrome, sent me on crying binges and increased my cutting behaviors. This is two days. I have taken many different meds and this and prozac were the worst. There are so many out there, that you just have to see what works with your brain.
But I would definitely taper off and get something else from your dr.
wendy
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