Starting Duloxetine

[dan1234]

We're now in our own sub-section

How was the rest of your day? Did your p-doc get back to you?

Hiya yes I rang him. He said to stick with it. A few days of increased anxiety is normal.

I also found out that my GP thought I had a personality disorder. She faxed some stuff to my p doc. He said I don't thankfully. I had a disagreement with her over prozac, I think it has got to do with that.

He will prescribe me, more diazepam, I still have enough to get by.

How was the rest of your day?

Dan

[dan1234]

Morning all, slept well last night without waking up. How are you MrRedShirt?

[MrRedShirt]

Hi Dan, glad to hear you slept well! How do you feel this morning?

So, day 5..

As yesterday wore on I became more and more calm, and all without even thinking about diazepam. By the evening I think I was as close to being back to 'normal' as I've been since this all started back in September. I still remained physically jittery though, and also off my food somewhat, but overall glad to be calmer mentally. I even managed to get off to sleep without a diazepam, nor any white noise for my tinnitus. This all surprised me a bit as it was only the 4th day of taking duloxetine, and at 30mg.

..However, I woke at about 3:30am feeling a little odd.. but managed to get back to sleep.

..and this morning, I woke up and feel pretty dreadful. Anxiety is back, in the form of the 'deep-fear-in-the-pit-of-the-stomach' variety. Not nice. Diaz taken about an hour ago and it's not really having much effect yet. Hopefully this will pass soon.

[dan1234]

Day 14 and day 5 on 60mg.

Generally on the whole I do feel calmer. There are moments where the anxiety flares up, right now I am shaking so bad I can hardly type. I think it is just a question of thinking positively and letting the medication take effect.

Dan

[MrRedShirt]

I agree, I think we've just got to hang on in there.
I'm hoping yesterday for me was a hint of things to come..

Today isn't a great day though, anxiety-wise, it has to be said.

[dan1234]

Just out of interest do you how SNRI's work. I would have thought that the norepinephrine element wouldn't help. I would have thought the adrenaline makes the anxiety worse.

[MrRedShirt]

Actually, no I don't, and I've often wondered that myself. But I'm glad the overwhelming evidence is that they do!

I think the overall theory about chemical imbalance and increasing certain neurotransmitters is just the tip of the iceberg regarding how these drugs work. I reckon they set off a whole chain reaction that kind of 'kick-starts' the brain into re-modulating itself. Neurogenesis is another theory, and I think there's evidence that SS/NRIs promote this process.

But yes, that is an interesting question.. And it may be that the initial anxiety that we've both experienced might be the first part of these drugs' overall process?

[nicola1980]

Hi guys does the dolextine have a short half life like venlafaxine seeing as there both SSNI's x x

[MrRedShirt]

Hi Nicola, I think I read it has a half life of about 12 hours.

I'm pretty sure the capsules are of the extended-release type.

[nicola1980]

Im not on the extended release of ven yet so have to take 75mg am and 75mg pm, what made you have duloxetine over ven? X x