SNRI/Duloxetine Options

[elpis]

Anyone been on an SNRI before? I didnt even know they existed until a few weeks ago, and I definitely had no idea about noradrenaline being anything important to depression.

I'm having to have blood tests whilst taking them because apparently they lower the sodium levels and decrease blood pressure (which frankly will be a good thing), and at the minute I am overcome with constant nausea as a side effect but I've only been taking them for two weeks so hopefully it'll go away.

Any experience on them?

Also...I've been prescribed an anti-pyschotic for my anxiety. Anyone ever experienced that before? She said the other anxiety drug is addictive so she didnt want to risk that, instead this one is a sedative and I'm to take it before I go out into public to relax me.

[victoria]

I'm currently on Cymbalta (Duloxetine), and several years ago I was on Effexor. Effexor (Venlafaxine) didn't work well for me, but Cymbalta has been a lifesaver. I'm not exaggerating to say that it's the only anti-depressant that's worked well for me over a long period of time.

Here's a link to the Mayo Clinic website with more info about SNRIs:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/antidepressants/MH00067

From what I understand, Norepinephrine/noradrenaline plays a role in regulating the "fight or flight" response to stress, so if you're having issues with anxiety, it makes sense that an SNRI was prescribed for you. The initial side effects of nausea should go away, at least it did for me.

Good luck, and take care.

[elpis]

Thanks for the reply. And so glad the first reply is a positive one!
I've tried four SSRIs in the last 7 years and the only one that did anything for me was Sertraline but even at 150mg it was literally just slightly taking the edge off so my dr suggested I try this instead.
I really hope my experience is as good as yours (IMG:http://forum.wingofmadness.com/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[PinkFlamingo]

I'm on Risperdal (anti-psychotic). Be careful of weight gain side effects. A lot of them cause this. I gained a ton of weight on it. Good luck.

[elpis]

I'm on Risperdal (anti-psychotic). Be careful of weight gain side effects. A lot of them cause this. I gained a ton of weight on it. Good luck.

Ugh, I really hope not I've been doing Weight Watchers and have lost 10.5lbs in 7 weeks! I'm hoping it's only a temporary thing, and I'm going to try really hard not to rely on them that way I hope it wont have any effect on my weight.

[paulfoel]

I'm on Risperdal (anti-psychotic). Be careful of weight gain side effects. A lot of them cause this. I gained a ton of weight on it. Good luck.

I think Effexor and Cymbalta are weight neutral, but remeron can make you gain weight... (I've tried all three)

[paulfoel]

From what I understand, Norepinephrine/noradrenaline plays a role in regulating the "fight or flight" response to stress, so if you're having issues with anxiety, it makes sense that an SNRI was prescribed for you. The initial side effects of nausea should go away, at least it did for me.

Good luck, and take care.

Never understood how more NE helps with anxiety though?

for me, I think the SNRIs had an opoosite effect...