Yet another new chapter now on Duloxetine(Cymbalta)and Clonazepam

Hey Sean,

Good idea to get stuck in that book tonight, keeps the mind busy.

I feel you just need to feel you've turned a corner and can see the future being okay, right now you can't see/feel it with all that's going on, I so hope things kick in soon.

I'm also a big worrier, the kind with a headache which could be a brain tumor kinda worrying!! no more Dr. Google for me :)

When do you see your Dr again? what is he/she saying?

Yes, been in more pain lately in my neck and lower back, been going to a chiropractor which isn't helping so been a bit down about it all, most of the time try to think positive though but every so often it creeps up and you have one of those darn days! I find rest works for me though.

Are you seeing any kind of talk therapist now? sorry if you mentioned it and I missed it.

HeartfeltOne and I are discussing movies, what kind do you like? I love thrillers, suspense, horror....have you see the new Liam Neeson one yet? it's pretty good.

Are you eating well? (I sound like your mom!) good healthy food is important as we know.

Take care and hope that book is interesting, let us know?

Sean....you okay?

Thanks for posting Sean. I hope that the increase in the Cymbalta helps you. That is one I have never taken before, I think Trina takes it though. She has had good results with it.

I hope you feel better soon. Remember, patience...

Hugs, Karen...

Oh and Mindfulness helps so much...

Hello Sean--

Did your doctor mention taking it at night, before bedtime? That's when I take it--sure does help with the afternoon "drag."

Jan

Sean- everyone is different when they start feeling things to work. My Pdoc in 2008 told me I might notice a difference in one week on Cymbalta and I DID. Now, it was SUBTLE & heck, it could have been mind over matter. My new Pdoc (old one moved) said I was lucky to have felt any changes in one week. Prior to this year, I was "spoiled" with ad's bc they always worked in 2-4 weeks. Not that I was in full remission by the 4th week, I know that seemed to come w/in a cpl of months.

This time, I'm older (and a woman with perimenopause I'm sure) & I'm actually abt 65 lbs lighter than 2008 so my metabolism may have some something to do with it too. Idk I'm just guessing.

This go around, just like you, has not been so luxurious. I've been on Pristiq for 5 weeks now & he added Wellbutrin this past Friday. Who knows, maybe the Pristiq will take a full 8 weeks to work this time and I may not even have needed the addon but my Pdoc doesn't want patients to suffer longer than they should and stated there are things to add to speed up the process.

I mentioned before that my other bouts of this crap lasted no more than a month or 2 before I was feeling pretty normal and back to myself. That was GREAT but guess what I missed, I missed this struggle time that actually motivated me to start exercising, researching mindfulness, meditation, I started yoga, ETC. I NEVER did that before (but had always wanted to). I lacked the motivation...

So I keep reminding myself it's not WHEN I'll recover (bc I will & so will you and all of us), but WHAT will I learn to carry over into my life. The saying is so true (albeit sometimes hard to see when this crap makes us feel so terrible) "if not for my struggle, I would never have stumbled across my strength."

Hang in there. We are going to get outta this stronger & better than before it ever happened. I pray we'll be turning that great corner soon and until then, we'll keep adjusting our sails.


Love & Faith-

Lisa

I think Lisa's post makes so much sense too Jan... Especially the part about how feeling bad makes us really appreciate the good. I think struggling is an experience that benefits us in the long run. It teaches us compassion, caring and gives us character because of the experience.

I hope you start to feel better soon Sean. Keep hanging in there. Try to keep your mind busy while you go through this transition.

Hugs, Karen...

Hi Sean,

I'm glad to hear you're trying to get out and interact with the world. That's really a good thing, it can help us feel better and it's a positive choice and a step towards feeling better. I was wondering how you were doing so it's good to read your post.

Sending hugs your way in case you need them.

Hi Sean,

First I have to say that I am so glad that you are not giving up. That's the best attitude to have because it's easy to feel like giving up, but you are being positive and proactive and participating in your treatment to get better.

I'm glad you'll be talking to your consultant tomorrow and I hope that it goes well.

I had to smile when you said you feel like a cake and they are just throwing random stuff in to see what they come up with. Isn't that exactly how it feels? LOL! So it's great when we're willing to give things a try so we can feel better.

I'm sending some hugs your way in case you need them.

Kudos for sticking in there with your new medications despite the roadblocks. Are you taking generic Cymbalta (duloxetine) or the brand name? There have been some additional side effects associated with the generics.

The max dosage is 120mg. 60 is still pretty reasonable.

When I was taking Cymbalta, I also took Wellbutrin at the same time. The combination worked for me (until the Cymbalta was switched to generic, which brought on a host of new side effects. I eventually dropped both and switched to a new medication, Brintellix, which is working well).

I also take Xanax for anxiety, 2mg at bedtime. And 1mg of Risperdone for atypical symptoms (irritability/anger/inappropriate thoughts). I tried Abilify for that, but it actually made things worse.

I echo the poster above me. Medication works best when used in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy. You may want to start out seeing someone 1-2 times a week before settling in on an every other week schedule.

Best of luck to you - keep us posted.

Thank you Gary, Lisa, Heartfeltone, Thundercloud, Jan, Karen, Trina, Jen & Chotti and anyone else I may have missed out. I honestly wish I could meet you all in person because the world needs more people like you.

Your hearts are bigger then any depression could ever be so thank you.

Hello Sean--

You are sounding stronger all the time!

I'm so sorry that you don't have much support at home. Unfortunately, many people find it difficult to comprehend depression and all the different types of it. Some reading might enlighten them a bit...

Also, about the generic Cymbalta, that's what I've been taking. In fact, my pharmacist said that the brand name isn't even available to them. So don't fret--the generic is just as good!

Jan

What did he say abt Abilify/mood stabilizer? Have you been on 60mg for a week yet? Does he want to see you?

I went from 60 to 90 with no ill effects.

Lisa

Hello Sean--

I take 120mg of Cymbalta, and I'm pleased with that dose. I didn't up my dose right away, but if your doctor says it's okay, he probably knows best.

A month or so after I was on 60mg (last November), my best friend and sidekick, Pearl ("peewee") (Boston terrier) died and it completely devastated me. That's when I called my primary about upping my Cymbalta dosage. He had no problem with doing that. (unfortunately, to put it mildly, I lost my eldest Boston, Opal, four months after Pearl) But, Gingersnap (2.5 year old Boston) has been my saving grace . . . thank goodness.

I also meant to tell you that I take 200mg of Trazodone before bedtime to help me sleep. And I mentioned the clonazepam in an earlier post. . . .

Personally, I think you'll be fine with raising your dose of Cymbalta.
(I can't comment about Abilify because I'm not familiar with it.)

Have you seen the home team yet? (sounds like a sport) ;) If so, how did it go?

Jan