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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Way To Reduce The Dizziness And Headaches?

I was advised to stop Cymbalta 60 mgs after taking it for 2 years and to start lexapro after waiting a day in between....the day I started the lexapro, I felt horrible, so drowsy and sleepy, but that night was worse...I felt completely wired and didn't sleep all night...I was hearing explosions in my head, and seeing strange thinks when I closed my eyes...it was a frightening night. I was so scared I stopped taking the lexapro so now I am on nothing...Called my doc, but they weren't in and no one called me back, it was friday and I had a terrible weekend and now it's been almost a week...the dizziness and lightheadedness is the worse symtom I am having....what can I do to allievate this horrible dizziness ?
Sat, 1 Feb 2014
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.

Cymbalta contain duloxetine. It is a good medicine for anxiety control without causing addiction. Anxiety is chronic illness and require long term treatment for several months. If a person is well on it, in my view it should not be changed. If it is changed then doses should be reduced slowly (around 20mg every week) otherwise it lead to withdrawal symptoms.

Lexapro can cause anxiety, nausea and somnolence at initiation of treatment for 1 week. So, your current problem appear due to cymbalta withdrawal and early side effects of lexapro. You should discus this matter with your psychiatrist with this information.

Currently you can take some antianxiety medicine like alprazolam or clonazepam for short term control of anxiety after getting prescription from physician.

Wish you good health and all the best.

In future if you wish to ask query directly from me, you can use the following link: http://bit.ly/Dr-Ashish-Mittal
www.99doctor.com
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Way To Reduce The Dizziness And Headaches?

Hello, Welcome to Healthcare Magic. Cymbalta contain duloxetine. It is a good medicine for anxiety control without causing addiction. Anxiety is chronic illness and require long term treatment for several months. If a person is well on it, in my view it should not be changed. If it is changed then doses should be reduced slowly (around 20mg every week) otherwise it lead to withdrawal symptoms. Lexapro can cause anxiety, nausea and somnolence at initiation of treatment for 1 week. So, your current problem appear due to cymbalta withdrawal and early side effects of lexapro. You should discus this matter with your psychiatrist with this information. Currently you can take some antianxiety medicine like alprazolam or clonazepam for short term control of anxiety after getting prescription from physician. Wish you good health and all the best. In future if you wish to ask query directly from me, you can use the following link: http://bit.ly/Dr-Ashish-Mittal www.99doctor.com