NationStates Jolt Archive

There comes a time when one has to make some decisions and adjustments, and that day was today.
I've been to the doc yesterday (and spent 5 hours in the waiting room because I did not have an appointment, and who would have thought that a Monday morning could be busy? Anyway, I read a lot and spent 2 hours sleeping there, sitting up.). But that's all beside the point. I also got a flu shot, come to think of it.

Anyway: Duloxetine 30mg each morning.

I'm taking that stuff now and I was wondering whether any of you folks could tell me how long you have taken it before you noticed a change, if you have any experiences you'd like to share or maybe some advice on it.

I'd appreciate it if this thread stayed on topic for this is somewhat important to me.

Dammit!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/bump.gif

See, if it weren't for strictly staying on topic and being rather impatient with people who are too lazy to google/wiki, I'd have gone ahead and asked you wtf Duloxetine was, aynway.. (you know who late it is, so there). So care to educate me until the knowledgeable rest picks up the slack and fills the thread with actal content?

See, if it weren't for strictly staying on topic and being rather impatient with people who are too lazy to google/wiki, I'd have gone ahead and asked you wtf Duloxetine was, aynway.. (you know who late it is, so there). So care to educate me until the knowledgeable rest picks up the slack and fills the thread with actal content?

Duloxetine is an SNRI (Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) and is called Cymbalta or Xeristar in Europe, IIRC. It's basically an anti-depressant (but can be used to treat a certain type of incontinence and neurogenic pain in diabetes). The OP will have to tell you what (s)he's taking it for.

See, if it weren't for strictly staying on topic and being rather impatient with people who are too lazy to google/wiki, I'd have gone ahead and asked you wtf Duloxetine was, aynway.. (you know who late it is, so there). So care to educate me until the knowledgeable rest picks up the slack and fills the thread with actal content?
I have read the wiki article. That's what gave me the idea of asking people who might have taken that stuff, too.

Duloxetine is a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Keeps the happy from being reabsorbed too quickly.

Now I've heard it might take 2-3 weeks for that to start working. :(

Duloxetine is an SNRI (Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) and is called Cymbalta or Xeristar in Europe, IIRC. It's basically an anti-depressant (but can be used to treat a certain type of incontinence and neurogenic pain in diabetes). The OP will have to tell you what (s)he's taking it for.
I'm taking that as an anti-depressant.

I'm taking that as an anti-depressant.

SNRIs haven't really come into vogue like SSRIs. Maybe that's why no one else here has any experience with taking them.

Thanks for explaining, both of you. Learn something new every night.

Mahr, I don't *have* to tell you that googling Erfahrungsbericht and any of the words Duloxetine, Cymbalta or Xeristar yields quite sizeable some results, right? Any luck? The onnly ones I perused, unfortunately, tended to be negative.

Hmm. Well, I definitely took Cymbalta at one point, but given the rather long list of antidepressants I've taken over the years, I'm having some difficulty remembering what it was like. All I know for certain is that it either (a) didn't help me, or (b) helped some, but had side effects that overshadowed its positive effects. I know one of these to be the case because I'm not still taking it. :)

That said, the fact that it wasn't the drug for me doesn't mean it won't be the drug for you. The only real advice I can give you is the same advice I'd give to anyone trying a new medication:

1. Read the entirety of the package insert. Any bits you don't understand, get someone to explain to you. Pay special attention to the sections on possible side effects, potential drug interactions, and general safety advice. These things are really worth knowing - I've known more than one case of people avoiding very serious health problems simply by bothering to read the package insert.

2. Give the drug time to work. Very few antidepressants start working overnight; don't get discouraged if you don't notice positive effects right away.

3. Be willing to try other drugs if this one turns out not to be the drug for you. Antidepressants and antipsychotics, more than many other types of medication, are weird things. You can try twenty-seven variations and see no positive effect at all, and then have version twenty-eight be a miracle. Don't throw in the towel if you don't get lucky on the first try. :)

Or maybe today simply is a bad day to post since all the loons are outside trick or treating!

Thanks for explaining, both of you. Learn something new every night.

Mahr, I don't *have* to tell you that googling Erfahrungsbericht and any of the words Duloxetine, Cymbalta or Xeristar yields quite sizeable some results, right? Any luck? The onnly ones I perused, unfortunately, tended to be negative.
That I did too, before I turned to NSG. But, for a lack of better wording, they were rather depressing.
Hmm. Well, I definitely took Cymbalta at one point, but given the rather long list of antidepressants I've taken over the years, I'm having some difficulty remembering what it was like. All I know for certain is that it either (a) didn't help me, or (b) helped some, but had side effects that overshadowed its positive effects. I know one of these to be the case because I'm not still taking it. :)

That said, the fact that it wasn't the drug for me doesn't mean it won't be the drug for you. The only real advice I can give you is the same advice I'd give to anyone trying a new medication:

1. Read the entirety of the package insert. Any bits you don't understand, get someone to explain to you. Pay special attention to the sections on possible side effects, potential drug interactions, and general safety advice. These things are really worth knowing - I've known more than one case of people avoiding very serious health problems simply by bothering to read the package insert.

2. Give the drug time to work. Very few antidepressants start working overnight; don't get discouraged if you don't notice positive effects right away.

3. Be willing to try other drugs if this one turns out not to be the drug for you. Antidepressants and antipsychotics, more than many other types of medication, are weird things. You can try twenty-seven variations and see no positive effect at all, and then have version twenty-eight be a miracle. Don't throw in the towel if you don't get lucky on the first try. :)
Well, I can tell you that I'm not a big fan of that kind of pills.

The side effects sound like a list of the things I already have and take the drug against. And what's up with insomnia and tiredness and fatigue. Or Decreased appetite and weight loss and rapid weight gain. Wha?

Anyway, my doc told me that I could expect some results to show after 2-3 weeks.

Oh, and thank you both for your feedback. I know it will take some time to start working, but I'm not going to give up any time soon. :p

The side effects sound like a list of the things I already have and take the drug against. And what's up with insomnia and tiredness and fatigue. Or Decreased appetite and weight loss and rapid weight gain. Wha?


Heh. That's pretty typical. Basically, the side effects of most drugs that affect your brain chemistry can be summed up as "may affect your brain chemistry in weird ways." Brains are such odd and unique things that what those weird ways are varies tremendously from person to person, to the point of polar-opposite effects like those you listed.

Personally, I always think it's funny that every sedative pill on the market lists "drowsiness" as one of its side effects. Go figure, sedatives can make you sleepy! Who knew? ;)

Heh. That's pretty typical. Basically, the side effects of most drugs that affect your brain chemistry can be summed up as "may affect your brain chemistry in weird ways." Brains are such odd and unique things that what those weird ways are varies tremendously from person to person, to the point of polar-opposite effects like those you listed.

Personally, I always think it's funny that every sedative pill on the market lists "drowsiness" as one of its side effects. Go figure, sedatives can make you sleepy! Who knew? ;)
I would never have guessed! :D

One thing I've already noticed yesterday were huge pupils. Like, huuuge. http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/pupils.gif

Anyway, the experiment continues. ;)

Heh. That's pretty typical. Basically, the side effects of most drugs that affect your brain chemistry can be summed up as "may affect your brain chemistry in weird ways." Brains are such odd and unique things that what those weird ways are varies tremendously from person to person, to the point of polar-opposite effects like those you listed.

Personally, I always think it's funny that every sedative pill on the market lists "drowsiness" as one of its side effects. Go figure, sedatives can make you sleepy! Who knew? ;)

I always thought that was kinda silly, drowsiness is kind of the main effect, not a side effect. It's like putting down prolonged erection as a side effect of taking viagra.

There comes a time when one has to make some decisions and adjustments, and that day was today.
I've been to the doc yesterday (and spent 5 hours in the waiting room because I did not have an appointment, and who would have thought that a Monday morning could be busy? Anyway, I read a lot and spent 2 hours sleeping there, sitting up.). But that's all beside the point. I also got a flu shot, come to think of it.

Anyway: Duloxetine 30mg each morning.

I'm taking that stuff now and I was wondering whether any of you folks could tell me how long you have taken it before you noticed a change, if you have any experiences you'd like to share or maybe some advice on it.

I'd appreciate it if this thread stayed on topic for this is somewhat important to me.

none, but it looks more heavy duty than the ones i'm on
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duloxetine <- you
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citalopram <- me :)


i can't say about your specific one, but i've had very positive results with my meds since i've been taking them, with no noticable side-effects. however, the root cause of my dysthimia still needs to be tackled with counselling/psychotherapy, but it seems the NHS sucks in that department in this area :-S
in a way, the antidepressants just help me feel more normal and stop mood swings (mostly), am less prone to feel really down, etc, but they're just suppressing what's still there underneath and are not a long-term solution, or really a solution at all. more just... like taking a painkiller after you've stubbed your toe - the pain is still there, but the paracetemol suppresses it for a bit. depression is a very varied and subjective illness, but if yours is anything like mine then seek out some counselling at least to go with the pills - that's my main advice.

i hope this goes well for you :fluffle:

edit:

Now I've heard it might take 2-3 weeks for that to start working. :(

it will, and note that once you start taking it you shouldn't stop - i think thats how it is with all SRI's. check whether yours is addictive, too (citalopram, my one, isn't... but you still shouldn't suddenly stop taking it or your brain will go funny)

No clue. They only psychiatric medicine I've ever used is beer.

I always thought that was kinda silly, drowsiness is kind of the main effect, not a side effect. It's like putting down prolonged erection as a side effect of taking viagra.
My sister's theory is that those sideeffects are simply the normal symptoms in those on whom the medicine doesn't work.
none, but it looks more heavy duty than the ones i'm on
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duloxetine <- you
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citalopram <- me :)
Hm.
i can't say about your specific one, but i've had very positive results with my meds since i've been taking them, with no noticable side-effects. however, the root cause of my dysthimia still needs to be tackled with counselling/psychotherapy, but it seems the NHS sucks in that department in this area :-S
I've already had a successful therapy when it comes to the severe symptoms, but the moodswings and some things weren't right.
My doc already signed the referral, but the earliest I could get an appointment is in early December...
in a way, the antidepressants just help me feel more normal and stop mood swings (mostly), am less prone to feel really down, etc, but they're just suppressing what's still there underneath and are not a long-term solution, or really a solution at all. more just... like taking a painkiller after you've stubbed your toe - the pain is still there, but the paracetemol suppresses it for a bit. depression is a very varied and subjective illness, but if yours is anything like mine then seek out some counselling at least to go with the pills - that's my main advice.
I hope that they'll help and decrease the symptoms a bit, but especially the moodswings.
I can go from sentimental over bored via happy taking the route through hopeless reaching beserk in less than 20 minutes.
i hope this goes well for you :fluffle:
So do I. Please say hello to your significant other ;)
edit:


it will, and note that once you start taking it you shouldn't stop - i think thats how it is with all SRI's. check whether yours is addictive, too (citalopram, my one, isn't... but you still shouldn't suddenly stop taking it or your brain will go funny)
Yes, that's one of the reasons I hesitated. I don't know whether they are addictive. I better check that, too.
No clue. They only psychiatric medicine I've ever used is beer.
Yeah. I've tried that for a while. Not good.

So I'm thinking about this stuff and was wondering:

If it takes a couple of weeks for the stuff to work - is that a gradual change or will it start working after three weeks within a couple of days?

And how will I then know that it is working?

I thought I might give you guys a little update on how things are going.

I've upped my daily dosis (as prescribed by my doctor) to 60mg per day after the first week.

The side-effects seem to wear off a little - except for one: total loss of appetite. If you know me, that's a real bugger, for I like to eat.

Anyway, so far I've lost 6 kilograms in only 3 weeks and my psychologist has already announced that she'll have me make a switch to another, similar medication with way less adverse effects sometime soon.

(The question posed in the post above this one is still unanswered, too. Maybe someone knows an answer?)

Well, it was worth a try.

I thought I might give you guys a little update on how things are going.

I've upped my daily dosis (as prescribed by my doctor) to 60mg per day after the first week.

The side-effects seem to wear off a little - except for one: total loss of appetite. If you know me, that's a real bugger, for I like to eat.

Anyway, so far I've lost 6 kilograms in only 3 weeks and my psychologist has already announced that she'll have me make a switch to another, similar medication with way less adverse effects sometime soon.

(The question posed in the post above this one is still unanswered, too. Maybe someone knows an answer?)

sounds like i should try that stuff *is a fat fuck*

do you feel any better for it though?

So I'm thinking about this stuff and was wondering:

If it takes a couple of weeks for the stuff to work - is that a gradual change or will it start working after three weeks within a couple of days?

And how will I then know that it is working?
I can't really answer the questions totally, but perhaps keeping a daily record of your mood and things and trying to give some kind of rating would help you keep track of any changes or patterns *nods* also good to recognise if it's having any side effects physically which you might dismiss as nothing but which keep reoccuring or something.

It's hard to recognise change as it's happening, but being able to look back at your own feelings over weeks or something could be a good idea.

I sincerely wish you the best of luck with it :) :fluffle:

So I'm thinking about this stuff and was wondering:

If it takes a couple of weeks for the stuff to work - is that a gradual change or will it start working after three weeks within a couple of days?

And how will I then know that it is working?

Honestly? This is the sort of thing that can vary tremendously from pill to pill and from patient to patient, so none of us are likely to be able to give you any definite information. It's likely to be at least somewhat gradual, but the degree is pretty well impossible to predict.

I can, however, describe for you how I figured out my current medication was helping. There wasn't a moment when I suddenly switched from depressed to okay, or anything like that. I just realized after I'd been taking it for a while that, during the time I'd been taking it, I really hadn't had any overwhelming, hide-in-bed-crying miserable days. The only particularly significant change in my life at that time had been getting on the medication in question, so I can be reasonably confident that the pills are the cause (or, at least, part of the cause) of my increase in functionality.

sounds like i should try that stuff *is a fat fuck*

do you feel any better for it though?
Hehe, you wouldn't believe how long I've tried to lose some weight...
But this is scaring even me. And I know I now have to watch my eating habits more closely. Starting with having a good breakfast every day and such, too.

Yes, I do believe that I feel better. I've noticed in the first week that things seemed a little "less severe", but then again, those were the days in which I could yawn 10 times in a row.
I can't really answer the questions totally, but perhaps keeping a daily record of your mood and things and trying to give some kind of rating would help you keep track of any changes or patterns *nods* also good to recognise if it's having any side effects physically which you might dismiss as nothing but which keep reoccuring or something.

It's hard to recognise change as it's happening, but being able to look back at your own feelings over weeks or something could be a good idea.

I sincerely wish you the best of luck with it :) :fluffle:
Thanks, though.
Well, one thing I did notice - come to think of it - is that I haven't really had those terrible "downdown the wave is over my head" feelings recently, so maybe that's the best sign the stuff works.
And one thing I definitely did do is take notes on all the side-effects that occurred, and let me tell you, that list isn't too short.
Another reason my psychologist wants to switch my medication.
Honestly? This is the sort of thing that can vary tremendously from pill to pill and from patient to patient, so none of us are likely to be able to give you any definite information. It's likely to be at least somewhat gradual, but the degree is pretty well impossible to predict.

I can, however, describe for you how I figured out my current medication was helping. There wasn't a moment when I suddenly switched from depressed to okay, or anything like that. I just realized after I'd been taking it for a while that, during the time I'd been taking it, I really hadn't had any overwhelming, hide-in-bed-crying miserable days. The only particularly significant change in my life at that time had been getting on the medication in question, so I can be reasonably confident that the pills are the cause (or, at least, part of the cause) of my increase in functionality.
First of all, thanks for sharing. Yes, especially the last sentence is muy importante for me. As for the mood swings, they seem to become either less or less severe - I'm still waiting on the "more energy to do stuff" part; but one thing it definitely helps me with is getting tired at night; so my posting habits here have changed a little... :p

Anyway, I'll continue to take it, go to the weekly meeting, and will hopefully get my act together fairly soon (one step at a time!).

:fluffle: Thanks, y'all!

Have a chuckle. (http://wallyandosborne.com/2006/11/18/the-star/) (And PM might want to look at the one which follows, too!)

sounds like i should try that stuff *is a fat fuck*Yeah, that part got my attention, too...

Fergi America;11986055']Yeah, that part got my attention, too...
Please keep in mind, though, that a total loss of appetite is bad and that it takes a lot of effort to eat on a regular basis when you're simply not hungry at all...
12 pounds in 3 weeks is a little frightning, don't you think? (And all of that even without being cursed à la "Thinner")

Meh.
Today was weird.
I got some stuff done (muy importante; maybe way too important for my liking, with getting the registration papers for final exams and stuff) and that really made me think a lot. Maybe too much.

Gah. http://www.studip.uni-goettingen.de/pictures/smile/pills.gif

Anyway, I'm just glad I'm not terribly down.

Please keep in mind, though, that a total loss of appetite is bad and that it takes a lot of effort to eat on a regular basis when you're simply not hungry at all...
12 pounds in 3 weeks is a little frightning, don't you think? (And all of that even without being cursed à la "Thinner")
...
I still say you send me some of those pills. >.<

Meh.
Today was weird.
I got some stuff done (muy importante; maybe way too important for my liking, with getting the registration papers for final exams and stuff) and that really made me think a lot. Maybe too much.

Gah. http://www.studip.uni-goettingen.de/pictures/smile/pills.gif

Anyway, I'm just glad I'm not terribly down.
Well, you know, even reading about you getting the registration papers for *unmentionable* makes me think way too much and get me down. Without full-blown depression. So eh.

I still say you send me some of those pills. >.<

You could try Rimonabant. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rimonabant)

You could try Rimonabant. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rimonabant)
:p
Or I could start smoking pot: It is a CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist.
Would keep this away, too: Reports of severe depression are frequent.

Guess I should just eat less chocolate. Le sigh. :p


ETA: Just read a piece from German public television about the product - those pills are pretty bad! :eek:

:p
Or I could start smoking pot:

I don't think you understand what "antagonist" means. So, you would have to start smoking "anti-pot," if such a thing existed.

(By the by, you must a pot virgin if you think pot makes you less hungry...)

Would keep this away, too:

Being thin will make you less depressed, perchance.

Guess I should just eat less chocolate. Le sigh. :p

The cure is worse than the disease!

I don't think you understand what "antagonist" means. So, you would have to start smoking "anti-pot," if such a thing existed. Damn, I wasn't sure if the cannaboid referred to the receptor or the antagonist. Seems it is the receptor after all. >.<

Being thin will make you less depressed, perchance. Well, like I just said in my edit of the previous post, even that short article I just read says really bad things about the side effects. O.O

The cure is worse than the disease! Is it ever!

Damn, I wasn't sure if the cannaboid referred to the receptor or the antagonist. Seems it is the receptor after all. >.<

It's just molecular biology one oh one.

Well, like I just said in my edit of the previous post, even that short article I just read says really bad things about the side effects. O.O

Alarmist propaganda.

Is it ever!

You know, proper chocolate is good for you. You just have to stay away from the cheap, supermarket crap that they've stuffed with exogenous fat.

...
I still say you send me some of those pills. >.<

Well, you know, even reading about you getting the registration papers for *unmentionable* makes me think way too much and get me down. Without full-blown depression. So eh.
Ja aber da ist noch so viel zu tun und wann soll ich das denn alles schaffen und wie vor allem und ich dreh noch durch! :(

Well, sort of. :p

I would advise revisting the prescribing doctor (or even some other qualified person) and having an in-depth discussion about the drug. Docs sometimes hand these things out without fully informing patients, it's fairly routine work for them and when people are familar with something they tend to not realise the extent to which others are unfamilar and the degree to which things might need to be discussed to ensure clarity and understanding.

The following 3 aspects probably deserve particular attention if they have not already been addressed:
1) Ending the regime; is it intended that you take this medicine permanently, if not what kind of 'withdrawal plan' is in place - how long ought you plan to take the medicine (not necessarily time so much as what conditions would need to be met before the prescribing doctor believes you could start the process of discontinuing the medicine)?

2) Do you suffer anxiety, and if so have you made this very clear to the prescribing doctor?

3) You mention mood-swings, I would gather this can be a symptom of depression (which is what you state the medicine is prescribed for). Have you/your prescribing doc ascertained that this is definately the case (for instance by eliminating bi-polar and mood disorder)? In the case of bi-polar at least, long term depression is a possible symptom. Mood swings are so far as I know strongly correlated with bi-polar II.

Medical professionals see so many people every day and depression is increasingly common (or at least more commonly presented and diagnosed than previously). This can lead to a problem with familiarity generating a degree of casualness in Doctors' approach to possible cases of depression. Since it is you (and not your doctor) who has to live with the consequences, it's in your interests to make sure that both you and your doctor have a very clear understanding of what is happening in your particular case.

Ja aber da ist noch so viel zu tun und wann soll ich das denn alles schaffen und wie vor allem und ich dreh noch durch! :(

Well, sort of. :p
Sorry, da bin ich so ungefähr die Allerallerallerletzte, die du da fragen solltest. Heul. :(

Aber wenn ich mal kurz so tun sollte, als wär ich einer von denen, die's schon hinter sich haben, dann gilt auf jeden Fall eines (was ich, man glaubt es kaum, ja tatsächlich selbst auch schon festgestellt habe): wenn man mal anfängt, ist es wirklich nicht mehr so schlimm wie vorher, wenn man vor dem ganzen Berg sitzt und sich sicher ist, dass man es niemals schaffen kann.
Seriously. It's the truth. *nod*


I'll let you know when I actually start acting according to it. :/

First of all, thanks, Fass, for dropping by. ;)

I would advise revisting the prescribing doctor (or even some other qualified person) and having an in-depth discussion about the drug. Docs sometimes hand these things out without fully informing patients, it's fairly routine work for them and when people are familar with something they tend to not realise the extent to which others are unfamilar and the degree to which things might need to be discussed to ensure clarity and understanding.
The doctor who first prescribed the stuff (with a referral to a another specialist who could give me an appointment in December - and that was late October) is pretty good, he's got his stuff down.
The person I have then chosen and who I'm seeing weekly now is also qualified to prescribe it (she already prolonged it once). We've also discussed the various side-effects.

The following 3 aspects probably deserve particular attention if they have not already been addressed:
1) Ending the regime; is it intended that you take this medicine permanently, if not what kind of 'withdrawal plan' is in place - how long ought you plan to take the medicine (not necessarily time so much as what conditions would need to be met before the prescribing doctor believes you could start the process of discontinuing the medicine)?
One year max; with a switch to a similar drug with fewer/lesser side-effects.

2) Do you suffer anxiety, and if so have you made this very clear to the prescribing doctor?
Yes and yes. I've already had a PTSD therapy and this is something different to treat other aspects of my problem.

3) You mention mood-swings, I would gather this can be a symptom of depression (which is what you state the medicine is prescribed for). Have you/your prescribing doc ascertained that this is definately the case (for instance by eliminating bi-polar and mood disorder)? In the case of bi-polar at least, long term depression is a possible symptom. Mood swings are so far as I know strongly correlated with bi-polar II.
You wouldn't believe how many questionnaires I've filled out in the last 2 years...
Yes, I'm fairly sure that it is "only" a depression and "nothing" more severe.
I'll trust the judgement of the professionals, so far. http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/irritated.gif:p

Medical professionals see so many people every day and depression is increasingly common (or at least more commonly presented and diagnosed than previously). This can lead to a problem with familiarity generating a degree of casualness in Doctors' approach to possible cases of depression. Since it is you (and not your doctor) who has to live with the consequences, it's in your interests to make sure that both you and your doctor have a very clear understanding of what is happening in your particular case.
I believe that is the case. Thanks for your concern. Appreciate it!
Sorry, da bin ich so ungefähr die Allerallerallerletzte, die du da fragen solltest. Heul. :(

Aber wenn ich mal kurz so tun sollte, als wär ich einer von denen, die's schon hinter sich haben, dann gilt auf jeden Fall eines (was ich, man glaubt es kaum, ja tatsächlich selbst auch schon festgestellt habe): wenn man mal anfängt, ist es wirklich nicht mehr so schlimm wie vorher, wenn man vor dem ganzen Berg sitzt und sich sicher ist, dass man es niemals schaffen kann.
Seriously. It's the truth. *nod*

I'll let you know when I actually start acting according to it. :/
:cool: Wird alles, was?

Drugs make me feel phunny.
Hope you feel better soon dood! :)

Drugs make me feel phunny.
Hope you feel better soon dood! :)

Tell me about it.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/Eddienormal.gif Working on it! Thanks.

Yes and yes. I've already had a PTSD therapy and this is something different to treat other aspects of my problem.
That's surprising (of course your medical professionals know best, and definately far better than a completely unqualified lay-person such as myself), since anxiety is listed as a possible side-effect of the medication concerned, I would have expected any prior existing anxiety to be a contra-indicator. So long as your prescribing professional knows though, I'm sure it's all good.


I believe that is the case. Thanks for your concern. Appreciate it!
Hope you're well as can be as soon as can be.:D

Duloxetine causes all of these:


Dry mouth

-Headache

-Insomnia

-Sleepiness

-Dizziness

-Fatigue

-Increased sweating

-Decreased appetite and weight loss

-Rapid weight gain

-Blurred vision

-Paresthesia (relates to "brain shivers or brain zaps")

-Disturbances of the gut, such as nausea, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, vomiting

-Tremor

-Anxiety, nervousness, agitation

-Palpitations

-Decreased sex drive or difficulty achieving orgasm

-Impotence or delayed ejaculation

-Hot flashes

-Taste disturbances

-Difficulty passing urine

-Increase in blood pressure or heart rate

-Cold hands or feet

-Jaundice

-Inflammation of the liver or hepatitis


Is this what you want?! IS IT?!

That's surprising (of course your medical professionals know best, and definately far better than a completely unqualified lay-person such as myself), since anxiety is listed as a possible side-effect of the medication concerned, I would have expected any prior existing anxiety to be a contra-indicator. So long as your prescribing professional knows though, I'm sure it's all good.

Hope you're well as can be as soon as can be.:D
Well, it seems that the center of attention has shifted. Now the the phobias are mostly gone, I've had time and strength to move on - and encountered more trouble on the way.
Since I've managed the last time, I should be able to manage this time. http://www.section.at/img/smiley/peace.gif

Duloxetine causes all of these:
Is this what you want?! IS IT?!

So far, I've had these show up, either for only a couple of minutes, hours, or even days:
Dry mouth (first 2 weeks)
Headache (first 4 days)
Insomnia (first week)
Sleepiness (up till now, including yawn-attacks of 10+ at a time)
Dizziness (nope)
Fatigue (yes, but it is getting better)
Increased sweating (less than before the PTSD treatment)
Decreased appetite and weight loss (Oh yes. I'm having an eye on my daily intake. I don't want to lose more.)
Rapid weight gain (nope)
Blurred vision (nope)
Paresthesia (relates to "brain shivers or brain zaps") http://lego.zianet.com/lighthouse/zap.gif?
Disturbances of the gut, such as nausea, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, vomiting (first week, nope, 1st day and 7th day after I double the dosage, nope, nope)
Tremor (nope)
Anxiety, nervousness, agitation (well, I definitely haven't noticed an increase)
Palpitations (nope)
Hot flashes (once or twice)
Taste disturbances (yeah, stuff tastes bland. Although last night, I was dreaming of a nicely done bison steak and could actually taste it)
Difficulty passing urine (no, but then again I drink about 3 liters of water a day)
Increase in blood pressure or heart rate (no, doing fine)
Cold hands or feet (not cold hands, but cold feet. very uncommon for me)
Jaundice (no, thank you!)
Inflammation of the liver or hepatitis (no, thank you. Besides, I can't get A or B)
Decreased sex drive or difficulty achieving orgasm (yes and maybe) Impotence or delayed ejaculation (hopefully not and maybe)

:cool: Wird alles, was?

Aber logi! *ist eine von den am-letzten-Tag-zwei-Semester-wiedererarbeiter-und-das-irgendwie-schaffer und muss heute noch zwei Vorlesungen besuchen, viertausend Wörter schreiben, drei Texte lesen, zwei Hosen nähen und ein 4-stündiges Homeinterview machen (und nicht später als zehn zu Hause sein) und wird das ganz sicher locker flocker vom hocker schaffen und ist überzeugt dass wenn sie erst mal anfängt wird alles nur so von der Hand fließen..*

Umm.

I'll let you know when I actually start acting according to it. :/

I like it when we German live up to our cheery image!


Nah, seriously, it sounds like on the grand scale, things actually do seem to be improving, so hang in there and good luck. :]

You're to be on it for a year, now? Hopefully the bad effects are diminishing, then?

Please keep in mind, though, that a total loss of appetite is bad and that it takes a lot of effort to eat on a regular basis when you're simply not hungry at all...
12 pounds in 3 weeks is a little frightning, don't you think? (And all of that even without being cursed à la "Thinner")

I'd be delighted if that was the primary effect (assuming that it stopped happening if I quit taking it) and other side-effects didn't cancel out the benefits. I won't say my precise weight on here, but that rate of weight loss wouldn't be a problem for me for quite some time.

Taste disturbances (yeah, stuff tastes bland.That sucks big time, but it does explain why you're having such trouble ignoring the not-hungry signal. When stuff tastes good, I find it's not difficult to ignore the actual hunger switch. Hence the reason I need to lose weight. But the thought of stuff tasting bland gives me the shivers!

You could try Rimonabant.It's apparently not yet approved in the US. The FDA's taking its time as usual.

Plus, the Wiki for it (under "side effects") says:
Shortly after market introduction, press reports and independent studies suggest that side effects occur stronger and more commonly than shown by the manufacturer in his clinical studies. Reports of severe depression are frequent. This is deemed to result from the drug being active in the central nervous system, an area of human physiology so complex that drug effects are highly difficult to determine reliablyIf this is true, then no thanks. That side-effect would negate the benefit for me.

Of course, I'd have to do more research to find out just what is considered "frequent," but if it's got a truly high likelihood of depressing me, I'll avoid it (once it's approved).

Aber logi! *ist eine von den am-letzten-Tag-zwei-Semester-wiedererarbeiter-und-das-irgendwie-schaffer und muss heute noch zwei Vorlesungen besuchen, viertausend Wörter schreiben, drei Texte lesen, zwei Hosen nähen und ein 4-stündiges Homeinterview machen (und nicht später als zehn zu Hause sein) und wird das ganz sicher locker flocker vom hocker schaffen und ist überzeugt dass wenn sie erst mal anfängt wird alles nur so von der Hand fließen..*

Umm.

I like it when we German live up to our cheery image!

Nah, seriously, it sounds like on the grand scale, things actually do seem to be improving, so hang in there and good luck. :]
Das kommt mir alles irgendwie seltsam bekannt vor... Naja.

We'll see. I'll do my very best ;)
Fergi America;11991024']You're to be on it for a year, now? Hopefully the bad effects are diminishing, then?

I'd be delighted if that was the primary effect (assuming that it stopped happening if I quit taking it) and other side-effects didn't cancel out the benefits. I won't say my precise weight on here, but that rate of weight loss wouldn't be a problem for me for quite some time.

That sucks big time, but it does explain why you're having such trouble ignoring the not-hungry signal. When stuff tastes good, I find it's not difficult to ignore the actual hunger switch. Hence the reason I need to lose weight. But the thought of stuff tasting bland gives me the shivers!

It's apparently not yet approved in the US. The FDA's taking its time as usual.

Plus, the Wiki for it (under "side effects") says:
If this is true, then no thanks. That side-effect would negate the benefit for me.

Of course, I'd have to do more research to find out just what is considered "frequent," but if it's got a truly high likelihood of depressing me, I'll avoid it (once it's approved).
The total treatment is supposed to be for a year. If you take the stuff longer, it might either lose its effect, or even worse, not correct the chemical balance but offset the "regulator system".
Besides, I'll be switching medication soon - to something with the same way of working with fewer side-effects.

And the stuff Fass mentioned? I wouldn't touch it with a ten-feet-pole!
I'm already down to 76kg now - I don't really need much less of me. :)

As for the eating part - yeah, it sucks. You're not hungry but when you think of eating then the stuff doesn't even taste good.
It's like all the stuff I eat tastes like gruel.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/greymatter.jpg
(And usually, I like gruel.)

Das kommt mir alles irgendwie seltsam bekannt vor... Naja.

We'll see. I'll do my very best ;)


Siehstewoll, jetzt musste Dich nur noch dazu bringen dass Dir auch meine rasende Energie und, öh, Optimismus bekannt vorkommen, und schon ham was. ;P

We expect nothing less. Now, uh, have you ever considered looking into making a, what shall we call it, achievement list thingy? I know it sounds corny, but what you are supposed to do is write down everything energetic or important or whatever else good you did that you are proud of that you managed to do it (yep, small things count) every night and.. well, it's supposed to make you feel better. I did it for a while, and I think it was quite good. (This does, of course, have as a prerequisite that you are in a stadium where you can appreciate at least one thing you did every day, otherwise, it might only add to the depression)

Siehstewoll, jetzt musste Dich nur noch dazu bringen dass Dir auch meine rasende Energie und, öh, Optimismus bekannt vorkommen, und schon ham was. ;P
Ja, naja, an der Energie hapert's manchmal noch ein wenig sehr.
We expect nothing less. Now, uh, have you ever considered looking into making a, what shall we call it, achievement list thingy? I know it sounds corny, but what you are supposed to do is write down everything energetic or important or whatever else good you did that you are proud of that you managed to do it (yep, small things count) every night and.. well, it's supposed to make you feel better. I did it for a while, and I think it was quite good.
(Thanks. I still remember some techniques to influence thought, from a year ago. Among them was this list thing. And it's way better than the constant "to do" list!!!)
How about

- I went grocery shopping today and bought stuff for € 70,- (1 rucksack full, 1 bag full, 2 plastic bags full, yes I ride my bike... :rolleyes:)

- I remembered to buy milk, müsli, raisins, hazelnut brittle, chocolate granules and from tomorrow on I'll start having a decent breakfast

- but the best part is: I've totally outdone myself. http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/Sieg.gif I'm about to take a short nap, too.

On Wednesday I was lying awake in bed, and shortly before I fell asleep, all I could think of was a nicely done steak. At a quarter till midnight!

Well, I got me my steak today and it's the best I've ever had. I've overclocked my taste-buds, so to speak.http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/BiggestGrin.gif

The whole dinner tonight consisted of bison steak and potatoes in their jacket, all in herbs butter, with a large glass of water.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/BisonsteakPellkartoffelnKruterbutte.jpg

Believe me, it's heaven. As a dessert, I will now have sugared slices with a glass of milk. Later on, an apple will finish off the day. Perfect.

Not to forget that I've decided that Mozart's Eine kleine Nachtmusik would be the perfect dinner music.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/listening.gif <- That's me now