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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JonW on October 12, 2004, at 8:36:17
My pdoc recently took me off of Cymbalta as it seemed to stop working. I was on it for a couple of months. It's very disheartening as it appeared to be working well for a good amount of time. I don't want to discourage anyone else, and I will qualify my experience by saying I was only on 30mg. I was on 60mg for a bit but I didn't like the degree of sexual side-effects.
I am curious if anyone else on Cymbalta has experienced a drop-off of its effectiveness with time?
I'm back on Lexapro at 15mg, and am now also taking 100mg of Provigil. So far so good, but it's always good in the begining. Anyone on a similar combination of SSRI + Provigil? How has it worked for you?
Thanks,
Jon :) (<-- still smiling...)
Posted by Bill LL on October 12, 2004, at 9:07:51
In reply to Update: Cymbalta stopped working..., posted by JonW on October 12, 2004, at 8:36:17
If an SSRI works initially, then stops as in your case, a higher dose will almost always work. But I don't blame you for discontinuing due to the sexual side effects.
I think that Lexapro and Provigil is worth a try because Provigil has no side effects of any sort in most cases. It works for wakefullness, to alleviate depression, and alleviate ADD. I personally take 30 mg Lexapro along with Strattera.
If you are still depressed after a few weeks, increase the Lexapro dose. If you develop sexual side effects, consider Cialis, Levitra, or Viagra.
If for some reason the Lexapro doesn't seem to work after a few months, even at a higher dose, go back on the 60 mg dose of Cymbalta along with Cialis, Levitra, or Viagra.
> My pdoc recently took me off of Cymbalta as it seemed to stop working. I was on it for a couple of months. It's very disheartening as it appeared to be working well for a good amount of time. I don't want to discourage anyone else, and I will qualify my experience by saying I was only on 30mg. I was on 60mg for a bit but I didn't like the degree of sexual side-effects.
>
> I am curious if anyone else on Cymbalta has experienced a drop-off of its effectiveness with time?
>
> I'm back on Lexapro at 15mg, and am now also taking 100mg of Provigil. So far so good, but it's always good in the begining. Anyone on a similar combination of SSRI + Provigil? How has it worked for you?
>
> Thanks,
> Jon :) (<-- still smiling...)
Posted by Racer on October 12, 2004, at 11:11:28
In reply to Update: Cymbalta stopped working..., posted by JonW on October 12, 2004, at 8:36:17
Cymbalta has been kinda underwhelming for me so far, but we're trying 90mg for a while to see if that makes a difference. Dunno if I have any optimism, though.
As for Provigil, though, it is my friend. It's virtually free from side effects for me, and it reduces some of the anxiety for me. It's just generally a friendly drug for me. I've taken it with a couple of SSRIs, Zoloft and Prozac. It didn't affect my sleep, either. Good luck with it.
Posted by karaS on October 16, 2004, at 23:01:38
In reply to Update: Cymbalta stopped working..., posted by JonW on October 12, 2004, at 8:36:17
> My pdoc recently took me off of Cymbalta as it seemed to stop working. I was on it for a couple of months. It's very disheartening as it appeared to be working well for a good amount of time. I don't want to discourage anyone else, and I will qualify my experience by saying I was only on 30mg. I was on 60mg for a bit but I didn't like the degree of sexual side-effects.
>
> I am curious if anyone else on Cymbalta has experienced a drop-off of its effectiveness with time?
>
> I'm back on Lexapro at 15mg, and am now also taking 100mg of Provigil. So far so good, but it's always good in the begining. Anyone on a similar combination of SSRI + Provigil? How has it worked for you?
>
> Thanks,
> Jon :) (<-- still smiling...)
I was so sad to hear that Cymbalta stopped working for you (especially since I was thinking of trying it soon). As I remember, you were one of the first ones to really have a big positive effect from it. Can't the sexual side effects go away after a while? People on the boards here have reportedly added in other things to successfully combat this problem.You said it's always good in the beginning. I think that's the first time I've ever heard that. I find it's always the opposite in the beginning until my body adjusts to it and the side effects decrease. Or maybe you mean once that stage has passed.
Anyway, I hope you're happy on the Lexapro and Provigil.
Kara
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