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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 wacky on October 10, 2006, at 14:18:04
Hi all. My pdoc is switching me from Effexor to Cymbalta due to intolerable side effects (sweating, shivering, etc.) from Effexor. I drink regularly - and don't have any inclination to stop. I also smoke pot - which I find reduces my alcohol consumption.
I am in a huge funk right now due to the med change - and all I want to do is go home and drink/smoke and mope around. I'm not really functioning at work at all (for 3 days now). I know I have to just wait this out. Next Sat. I increase the Cymbalta to 60mg and decrease the Effexor to 150. I just hope I don't stay like this for the next month. I just can't stand being so miserable when I have nothing to be sad about. My life is going good right now - and I'm afraid I'm about to turn it upside down by not being able to function at work. I'm going to go home (again) today. I feel less miserable at home - in the confines of my house with my cats and dogs nearby.
Thanks for listening.
n
Posted by ClearSkies on October 13, 2006, at 9:22:39
In reply to Switching meds and alcohol, posted by wacky on October 10, 2006, at 14:18:04
Hi, you didn't ask but I'll offer that drinking regularly while you're already feeling depressed won't help your medications' effectiveness.
I've been on Effexor and now am on Cymbalta. My depression did not start to improve until I stopped drinking altogether about a year ago.ClearSkies
Posted by wacky on October 13, 2006, at 12:11:43
In reply to Re: Switching meds and alcohol » wacky, posted by ClearSkies on October 13, 2006, at 9:22:39
Thanks for the input - and you are probably right. I am still at the 225 Effexor and 30 Cymbalta (until tomorrow) and noticed yesterday and slight lifting in my mood - not much - but I'll take anything I can get. At least I actually got some work done yesterday and today I think I am a bit better than yesterday.
I was doing extremely well - mood wise - for several months with the Effexor at 450 - but I just couldn't handle the side effects anymore. My mood didn't plunge until the Effexor was dropped to 150 for a few weeks. At that point I was trying to see if I could go without an AD. Obviously, I got the answer - not the one I wanted - but at least now I know.
Thanks again.
n
Posted by Phillipa on October 13, 2006, at 22:20:49
In reply to Re: Switching meds and alcohol » wacky, posted by ClearSkies on October 13, 2006, at 9:22:39
Clear Skies you've done well. But the exact opposite for me when I stopped drinking I became depressed . l0 years later no drinks and it's worse. Love Phillipa
Posted by wacky on October 16, 2006, at 12:10:59
In reply to Re: Switching meds and alcohol » ClearSkies, posted by Phillipa on October 13, 2006, at 22:20:49
It never ceases to amaze me how differently each person responds to meds, alcohol, etc.
Posted by antigua on October 20, 2006, at 8:06:07
In reply to Switching meds and alcohol, posted by wacky on October 10, 2006, at 14:18:04
FYI, there's a HUGE warning in the paperwork to not drink on Cymbalta. More so than Effexor. Just thought you'd like to know.
antigua
Posted by Sebastian on December 30, 2006, at 14:52:15
In reply to Switching meds and alcohol, posted by wacky on October 10, 2006, at 14:18:04
Cymbalta and alcohol don't mix. Hurts your liver and stomack pains when you drink. This is what happened to a friend of mine.
This is the end of the thread.
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