Posted by yznhymer on October 19, 2004, at 16:26:56
In reply to Re: Cymbalta -sexual side effects? » yznhymer, posted by jujube on October 19, 2004, at 15:46:02
> > > Those of you who are experiencing relief with Cymbalta...what about sexual side effects? Drowsiness?
> >
> > I stopped taking Cymbalta 3 days ago because the side effects were so uncomfortable, particularly the increased anxiety, but also dry mouth, anorgasmia, hot flashes, some constipation, and sleepiness.
> >
> > Granted, 2 weeks was not a fair trial. I was initally committed to trying it out for at least 6 weeks with the hopes the side effects would abate. But I couldn't stand the anxiety any longer and decided to take a break and possibly restart Cymbalta after a day or two.
> >
> > Three days later, the anorgasmia is as intractable as ever, and I'm reluctant to reintroduce the physical and other symptoms of anxiety. The only welcome result of the med for me so far has been weight loss. I lost almost 10 pounds in two weeks. I'm even considering sticking it out one or two more week to lose a few more pounds but don't know if I can take it.
> >
> > At this point I don't know what to do. I'm a little afraid to call my new pdoc and tell him I've given up after 2 weeks. I don't know what would be a good next step for me either. I have disability insurance issues that have me worried about making sure I have my treatment covered.
>
> Couldn't your pdoc give you something for the anxiety while you go through the start-up side effects and your body adjusts to the med? I don't thing two weeks really isn't enough time to say whether the med will work for you or not. But, it's obvious you need something to help you with the increased anxiety. Maybe you can give your pdoc a call and see what he/she says.
>
> Tamara
>
>
>Yes, that's a reasonable suggestion. I still may call him about it. At this point I haven't for 4 reasons:
First, he recently decided he wanted me off a very low dose of ativan (.5 to 1 mg) that I've been taking as needed, mostly for sleep. His reasoning was that it could add to my depression. Frankly, this didn't make much sense to me. I've been on the same low dose of either klonopin or atiivan, as needed, for about a decade with no problems.
Second, I tried taking 1mg ativan and it didn't put a dent in the anxiety but added to the sleepiness I was already feeling from the Cymbalta. I don't know how I'd manage to stay awake at doses that did help, though for a short time this might be tolerable.
Third, even if the anxiety were controlled, I'm still left with the anorgasmia. The fact that it hasn't gotten better 3 days off the meds, as well as my own experience with other ADs, leads me to think that this particular side effect is not gonna go away with time. Does anorgasmia usually abate over time?
Fourth, I'm not really comfortable with my pdoc. I started with him after moving here from across country. I often "feel" he doesn't believe my depression issues, though he's never said as much. So my generalized anxiety and avoidant personality get in the way of calling him under these circumstances.
Still, your suggestion is a good one and it might be worthwhile to see what happens. Thanks for making it. At the very least its helping me sort through the issues here. I'd like to have some idea about where I want to go with this before calling him. :-)
Mark
poster:yznhymer
thread:400944
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041018/msgs/404827.html