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Suggest Treatment For Brain Shivers, Tinnitus, Anxiety And Agitation
Question: I have been on Cymbalta 60mg for 4 years and last week started the switch to Paxil 12.5mg by taking on Cymbalta 60mg pill every other day for a week and then started Paxil 12.5mg yesterday and I started experiencing Brain zaps, tinnitus, feeling of overwelming anxiety and aggitation. Mt doctors office is closed and I need to know if I should restart the Cymbalta. I have also read that Paxil may cause weight gainis this true?
Brief Answer:
Continue with cymbalta.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
The symptoms which you have mentioned are suggestive of cymbalta withdrawl.
I would request you to mention the reason for change of drugs from cymbalta to paxil?
Paxil can also cause withdrawl symptoms like cymbalta when discontinued.
It can also cause weight gain.
Hope this helps you.
Thanks.
Continue with cymbalta.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
The symptoms which you have mentioned are suggestive of cymbalta withdrawl.
I would request you to mention the reason for change of drugs from cymbalta to paxil?
Paxil can also cause withdrawl symptoms like cymbalta when discontinued.
It can also cause weight gain.
Hope this helps you.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you for your speedy response!
The reason I went to see a doctor in the first place was because I was experiencing overwhelming fatigue, lack of motivation, inability to concentrate and depression. Normally I am someone who makes goals, stays on task and takes care of business, but for the latter part of this year I have been unable to do so. The first half of this year I was on a diet and exercise program and lost 15 lbs, but suddenly lost all motivation, quit my regimen and gained it all back. I should also add that I tend to binge drink alcohol on the weekends and have been doing so for many years. When I relayed my history to the PA (was not able to be seen by the physician at this new facility I went to), she had me take a psychological survey and suggested I switch to Paxil. I had been on Wellbutrin for years before switching to Cymbalta (it had stopped working for me eventually too). The PA also ran blood tests for thyroid, B12 and sed rate because I also have been experiencing constipation, my fingers and toes turn blue when I am cold, and my lower legs have been itching like crazy from my knees to my ankles for a year or so. She did not order a CBC, but the other blood tests came back normal.
Should I continue taking Cymbalta every other day? I've read online that due to the short half-life of Cymbalta that I should taper off differently to minimize the withdrawal symptoms. I am considering going to see a different physician as soon as I can get an appointment. Previously I was prescribed the antidepressants by my OB/GYN at my annual well woman check. I tried to find an internist this time since I was having those other seemingly unrelated health concerns and was not due for my annual exam, but unfortunately they scheduled me with a PA at the internist's office.
I really appreciate your advice!
The reason I went to see a doctor in the first place was because I was experiencing overwhelming fatigue, lack of motivation, inability to concentrate and depression. Normally I am someone who makes goals, stays on task and takes care of business, but for the latter part of this year I have been unable to do so. The first half of this year I was on a diet and exercise program and lost 15 lbs, but suddenly lost all motivation, quit my regimen and gained it all back. I should also add that I tend to binge drink alcohol on the weekends and have been doing so for many years. When I relayed my history to the PA (was not able to be seen by the physician at this new facility I went to), she had me take a psychological survey and suggested I switch to Paxil. I had been on Wellbutrin for years before switching to Cymbalta (it had stopped working for me eventually too). The PA also ran blood tests for thyroid, B12 and sed rate because I also have been experiencing constipation, my fingers and toes turn blue when I am cold, and my lower legs have been itching like crazy from my knees to my ankles for a year or so. She did not order a CBC, but the other blood tests came back normal.
Should I continue taking Cymbalta every other day? I've read online that due to the short half-life of Cymbalta that I should taper off differently to minimize the withdrawal symptoms. I am considering going to see a different physician as soon as I can get an appointment. Previously I was prescribed the antidepressants by my OB/GYN at my annual well woman check. I tried to find an internist this time since I was having those other seemingly unrelated health concerns and was not due for my annual exam, but unfortunately they scheduled me with a PA at the internist's office.
I really appreciate your advice!
Brief Answer:
Continue with cymbalta till you see your doctor.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the details.
These details have helped me to understand your health issues better.
I have some suggestions for you:
1. You have symptoms like fatigue, lack of motivation, inability to concentrate and depression.
We theoretically divide symptoms of depression into two categories of 'reduced positive affect' and 'increased negative affect'. You symptoms would fall in first category and wellbutrin is the best choice in such cases.
But as wellbutrin has stopped working for you, my personal choice for your case would be Prozac. The reason for this is that, this drug is believed to be stimulating and should suit your symptoms. Second reason is that this drug has long half life of 7 days. This will make your task of withdrawing from cymbalta easier.
2. You have also mentioned about itching on your legs. I would suggest you to go for liver function tests. Altered bilirubin levels can cause itching. Also get your blood hemoglobin levels checked. For blue fingers and toes in cold, you can immerse them in hot water for some time when symptoms appear.
3. Regarding cymbalta, i would advice you to continue with it till you see your doctor. Do not withdraw from it on your own.
4. Regarding paxil, I personally would not prefer it in your case for reasons i have mentioned earlier.
5. Importantly, try to quit alcohol as it itself is a nervous system depressant.
I would suggest you to visit your psychiatrist and discuss about these issues and make any changes in your medications thereafter.
Hope this helps you.
Any further queries are welcome.
Thanks.
Continue with cymbalta till you see your doctor.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the details.
These details have helped me to understand your health issues better.
I have some suggestions for you:
1. You have symptoms like fatigue, lack of motivation, inability to concentrate and depression.
We theoretically divide symptoms of depression into two categories of 'reduced positive affect' and 'increased negative affect'. You symptoms would fall in first category and wellbutrin is the best choice in such cases.
But as wellbutrin has stopped working for you, my personal choice for your case would be Prozac. The reason for this is that, this drug is believed to be stimulating and should suit your symptoms. Second reason is that this drug has long half life of 7 days. This will make your task of withdrawing from cymbalta easier.
2. You have also mentioned about itching on your legs. I would suggest you to go for liver function tests. Altered bilirubin levels can cause itching. Also get your blood hemoglobin levels checked. For blue fingers and toes in cold, you can immerse them in hot water for some time when symptoms appear.
3. Regarding cymbalta, i would advice you to continue with it till you see your doctor. Do not withdraw from it on your own.
4. Regarding paxil, I personally would not prefer it in your case for reasons i have mentioned earlier.
5. Importantly, try to quit alcohol as it itself is a nervous system depressant.
I would suggest you to visit your psychiatrist and discuss about these issues and make any changes in your medications thereafter.
Hope this helps you.
Any further queries are welcome.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you so much for your advice! One more thing I forgot to mention...I have always had normal to low blood pressure (100s-120s/60s-70s) but when I went in for the doctor's visit that resulted in the switch of my medication, my blood pressure was in the 140s/100s. I have been checking it regularly since the visit and it is still running high in the 130s-150s/100s. Could this dramatic change in my blood pressure this year be related to Cymbalta not working for me or would it likely be some other underlying health issue?
Brief Answer:
it needs immediate intervention.
Detailed Answer:
Happy to help you.
There can be a few possibilities for this:
1. Cymbalta can itself cause hypertension.
2. Cymbal withdrawal can cause increased autonomic hyperactivity and thus hypertension.
3. Cymbalta and paxil interactions can initiate serotonin syndrome thus leading to hypertension.
But whatever the reason is, hypertension requires urgent intervention.
Visit your physician for this as soon as possible.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
it needs immediate intervention.
Detailed Answer:
Happy to help you.
There can be a few possibilities for this:
1. Cymbalta can itself cause hypertension.
2. Cymbal withdrawal can cause increased autonomic hyperactivity and thus hypertension.
3. Cymbalta and paxil interactions can initiate serotonin syndrome thus leading to hypertension.
But whatever the reason is, hypertension requires urgent intervention.
Visit your physician for this as soon as possible.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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