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Suggest Treatment For Anxiety And Severe Depression
Question: Hi, I've been on 30mg of cymbalta for general anxiety for past few years, about 3 mths ago I woke up with severe depression. Doctor increased cymbalta to 120mg and added axit 5mg, now zyprexa 5mg. I want to try other meds because nothing is working! Can I switch from cymbalta to Pristiq and what dosage is recommended if I was on 120mg of cymbalta? Do I have to wean off? Please help me.
Brief Answer:
cross taper cymbalta with new drug
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
There are few things which need attention in your case-
1. Your diagnosis is generalised anxiety but zyprexa is an anti psychotic. All others are anti anxiety drugs. So, if this is started for sleep then its ok..but otherwise zyprexa needs to be checked in your case.
2. You are on a high dosage of cymbalta but still not fine. I think you should stop it and change the medicine.
3. You should taper and then stop cymbalta. Do a cross tapering of the new drug with cymbalta. Dont just stop it suddenly- it will worsen anxiety.
4. Pristiq is a good drug but I think venalafaxine will be a better choice in your case. You shoud speak to your doctor about that. I think pristiq wont be of much help.
5. I guess you have sleep problems as well- zolpidem 10mg or clonazepam 1 mg will help the same . Take them for a week or so.
stop all kind if stimulants- tea/ coffee/ cold drinks.
Wish you luck and speedy recovery
Do ask more queries for clarification.
DR. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
cross taper cymbalta with new drug
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
There are few things which need attention in your case-
1. Your diagnosis is generalised anxiety but zyprexa is an anti psychotic. All others are anti anxiety drugs. So, if this is started for sleep then its ok..but otherwise zyprexa needs to be checked in your case.
2. You are on a high dosage of cymbalta but still not fine. I think you should stop it and change the medicine.
3. You should taper and then stop cymbalta. Do a cross tapering of the new drug with cymbalta. Dont just stop it suddenly- it will worsen anxiety.
4. Pristiq is a good drug but I think venalafaxine will be a better choice in your case. You shoud speak to your doctor about that. I think pristiq wont be of much help.
5. I guess you have sleep problems as well- zolpidem 10mg or clonazepam 1 mg will help the same . Take them for a week or so.
stop all kind if stimulants- tea/ coffee/ cold drinks.
Wish you luck and speedy recovery
Do ask more queries for clarification.
DR. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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