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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 Hard to breathe on February 13, 2006, at 10:20:51
Hi. This is my first time posting on any forum like this. But out of pure desperation I browsed the internet and saw this forum. I am having horrible dizzy spells when I miss even a single dose of Cymbalta. My physician increased my dose from 60mg to 90mg several months ago. I was having the same spells when missing the dose of 60mg, so it's not a surprise that it continues at a higher dose. But my issue is, I don't particularly see an improvement in the depression and anxiety, with the higher dose. I did see an improvement with the 60mg, it couldn't not improve my state of depression anyway. I just feel horrible now. I turn my head one inch and my brain feels like it is floating around and my ears make a popping or squeaking sound. If that makes any sense. I don't know how to put the feeling into words. Are you suppose to still be irritable and angry while on the Cymbalta? I thought that this would be decreasing or something. I didn't really have crying spells and such, more irritability. My doctor just brushed it off as typical depression and that's when she increased the dose to 90mg. Can someone give me any advice on sticking with the 90mg or getting off the stuff completely?
Posted by Phillipa on February 13, 2006, at 20:59:20
In reply to Dizziness with Cymbalta, posted by Hard to breathe on February 13, 2006, at 10:20:51
Eli Lilly doesn't advise doses higher than 60mg as being any more effective for depression. My pdoc wanted me to go from 30mg to 60mg to 90mg. to l20mg in the matter of a month. I couldn't tolerate the feeling that my head would explode. Felt like I wanted to cry but couldn't, twitching of legs, insomnia even with valium. I quit at the 30mg after only around l0days. They say to stick with the side effects for a few weeks but I just couldn't take it. Now on luvox no side effects. Expect to increase the dose. Fondly, Phillipa ps the dizzyness was withdrawal for me
Posted by Hard to breathe on February 14, 2006, at 7:30:38
In reply to Re: Dizziness with Cymbalta » Hard to breathe, posted by Phillipa on February 13, 2006, at 20:59:20
I appreciate that information. I knew I wasn't feeling any better with the higher dose anyway. I do feel like my head will explode some days. I am going to try to titrate myself down from the 90mg back to 30mg. It seemed to work better then. If that doesn't work, I'll just taper myself off. I had to do the same thing with Effexor XL. I thought I would lose my mind before I got off Effexor. If I had known Cymbalta would have done the same thing, I would have never tried it. My husband was trying his best working with a clinical nurse specialist to find a medication that would be most beneficial to me, but I told him I just can't take this feeling in my head. Thanks for your info. Does the Luvox work in the same manner to take care of depressive symptoms?
Posted by Phillipa on February 14, 2006, at 18:42:37
In reply to Re: Dizziness with Cymbalta » Phillipa, posted by Hard to breathe on February 14, 2006, at 7:30:38
Well it doesn't have the norephenephrine in it. It's stictly an SSRI. The most sedating. On low dose maybe the pdoc will up in this week as depression is getting worse. But no side effects unless the depression is one? Clueless to say the least. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Hard to breathe on February 15, 2006, at 7:36:40
In reply to Re: Dizziness with Cymbalta » Hard to breathe, posted by Phillipa on February 14, 2006, at 18:42:37
I am so very sorry that your depression continues. It makes this even more frustrating as a person with Major Depression and Generalized Anxiety, to know there may never be a med that doesn't cause sedation, nausea, dizziness, or any of the other countless problems. I wish that there could be a med that would work on the serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine and any other countless neurotransmitter issues without this feeling of being out of control of your own mind. It's been so long since I've felt like myself, I don't know if I would even be able to recognize myself if I happened to "show up". How crazy is that? But that's what it feels like I've been doing for the past 15 years, trying to find myself. Maybe being depressed is the real me. Who knows? I pray that your own depression is reduced to the minimum and that the Luvox continues to do well, other than the sedation. Maybe this will become a non-issue once your body grows accustomed to it.
Posted by yxibow on February 15, 2006, at 23:21:26
In reply to Dizziness with Cymbalta, posted by Hard to breathe on February 13, 2006, at 10:20:51
I turn my head one inch and my brain feels like it is floating around and my ears make a popping or squeaking sound. If that makes any sense. I don't know how to put the feeling into words.
Movements and "shock sensations" are usually due to excess Serotonin. Its not harmful necessarily. I experience them. But it sounds like you're experiencing something slightly different
Are you suppose to still be irritable and angry while on the Cymbalta? I thought that this would be decreasing or something. I didn't really have crying spells and such, more irritability.
Irritability isn't to be desired but perhaps you could augment with Depakote or another mood stabilizer.
I take 90mgs and I do swear it is better for me than 60 or even 30. No, Eli Lilly does not recommend it, but there are people who have taken 120. It is highly variable for people from what I can tell on here, some people can't stand a few mgs, some people are up in the 120s.
It is an SSNRI (to reclarify).
I'm sorry you're feeling these side effects. Maybe you need to clarify them more intensively with your doctor, I dont think they should just brush them off. Dizzyness itself is a common side effect of a lot of medications. I dont know what else you are on.
Tidings
Jay
Posted by Hard to breathe on February 16, 2006, at 13:13:19
In reply to Re: Dizziness with Cymbalta » Hard to breathe, posted by yxibow on February 15, 2006, at 23:21:26
I'm not on any other medications besides the Cymbalta. My doctor did, at one time, suggest I try Depakote. I didn't know what to think of it to begin with. I work at a Mental Health Center, so I had always thought Depakote = Bipolar D/O. But the irritability is a mood swing. It does get bad at times. I may talk back with my doctor again and see. I just really want to live normal and without that irritable mood.
Thanks for your post.
Posted by yxibow on February 17, 2006, at 2:45:08
In reply to Re: Dizziness with Cymbalta » yxibow, posted by Hard to breathe on February 16, 2006, at 13:13:19
> I'm not on any other medications besides the Cymbalta. My doctor did, at one time, suggest I try Depakote. I didn't know what to think of it to begin with. I work at a Mental Health Center, so I had always thought Depakote = Bipolar D/O. But the irritability is a mood swing. It does get bad at times. I may talk back with my doctor again and see. I just really want to live normal and without that irritable mood.
> Thanks for your post.No problem... I tried Depakote.. it didnt do anything for me at the time but I could always revisit it. Its not just used for Bipolar... irritability and general mood stabilization are another use of it. You dont have to feel "in the box of bipolar" by taking Depakote, if that makes any sense.
Best wishes
Jay
Posted by Hard to breathe on February 17, 2006, at 7:57:00
In reply to Re: Dizziness with Cymbalta » Hard to breathe, posted by yxibow on February 17, 2006, at 2:45:08
That does make perfect sense. Thanks for the information.
This is the end of the thread.
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