Duloxetine

[Neustift]

I've been taking 30mg of Duloxetine for 14 days in December and upped the dose to 60mg on 26 December. I have had some good days but also still anxious times throughout the day. Is it still early days ? Should i give it a few more weeks to see if things improve.

[linuxusr]

Hello Neustift: You need to consult with your psychiatrist and be advised on the maintenance dosage range for duloxetine. With those facts you can then evaluate whether you are or are not at your maintenance dosage. You cannot expect optimal efficacy and symptom relief until you arrive at your maintenance dosage, which is different for each individual. This is the first problem to solve and it may answer your question.

[Neustift in reply to linuxusr]

Yes that makes sense. I don't have an appointment for a few weeks but i will discuss this with him. Just a bit apprehensive about increasing it .

[linuxusr in reply to Neustift]

Ditto here. I am ALWAYS apprehensive about a dosage increase and that's understandable. On one hand, you have the possibility of relief. On the other hand, you have the possibility that with an increased dosage you will experience new and negative side effects. In this case, IMHO, that would be "normal" anxiety. The fact of it being normal does not one bit diminish the suffering that that anxiety causes. But it's important to evaluate or distinguish when anxiety is normal and when it is a result of a psychiatric disturbance. All humans experience normal anxiety. But if you don't recognize that sometimes anxiety is normal, and think that it is due to your psychiatric disturbance, then your situation may be perceived as worse than it actually is.

[Springvale23]

Did you stay on duloxetine ?. After many failed attempts at other meds over the years I am now on duloxetine . Just over a week now. Poor appetite and disturbed sleep. I think today that’s day 8 I felt my mood more positive. Early days.

Dr said we have nowhere else to go if this doesn’t work out.

[Neustift in reply to Springvale23]

Hi, i'm still taking 60mg daily. I had a good few days in February which prompted me to arrange a few days away with my husband last week. Had a terrible first night and the following day, anxiety 5-6 . Just can't understand it. The next day i was fine but last night and this morning not good. I see my psychiatrist this Wednesday so i will seek his advice. I am worrying what i can do now. Just so down about it all. It affects my confidence no end. How are you doing ?

[Springvale23]

Thanks for responding. Since my last post I have had to stop duloxetine . My sleep was disrupted by this tablet and even with a sleeping tablet I could not get a good nights sleep. Waking every 10 minutes. This went on the full night. Eventually falling into a deep sleep around 7/8 am. I felt so ill with lack of sleep and was unable to eat.

My Gp said to stop immediately. So my last tablet was 5 days ago. ( I should point out I had already reduced to half dose alternate days).

I am having a wash out period for 2 weeks without antidepressants. Have a support tablet of diazapam for anxiety, but because this can’t be addictive gp won’t give me a repeat prescription. Instead I have been given buspirone also known as buspar to be taken as required. Haven’t taken one as yet.

I have cyclothymia and notice my mood is elevated since stopping anti depressants. So I have to be aware that I can end up hypo manic. It’s crazy.

I actually had a great day today. Left the house ( usually have difficulties leaving the house). Drove to a shopping mall. One of the outlets didn’t have what I wanted, but another branch did. I left my car at the mall and got a bus the 4 miles to make my purchases. It’s been good not feeling so low. .

Hope you get the help you need .