Viibryd - any advice from those who have tried it?

We got to "tell our story" which is huge in sorting out what requires medicine, which kind of medicine, and what does not require medicine.

I provide that background so that people understand that I see both sides of things. I went to medical school to help others and to make sure the VA did not kill me. That is not an overstatement. If anything, it's an understatement. Anyone who has ever had family at the VA or been a part of that government healthcare system will understand. The best part of the VA is most often the top-notch surgeons and surgical residents and fellows that rotate through the VA. They're not bound by the policies of VA flowchart medicine and are often the only doctors who will actually diagnose a condition, and sometimes, even the only ones who will treat it. My VA doctors have repeatedly refused to treat simple things like chronic sinus infections, which have led to serious infections and bone thinning.

As for the Viibryd, it is the best anti-depressant that I have ever personally used. Until this came out, Cymbalta was my choice. I have PTSD, depression, anxiety, OCD, and a host of other issues since the Gulf War... including ADHD, although my injuries and pain make it more like ADD since it's hard to be hyperactive.

Viibryd has recently been through clinical trials to receive a FDA indication that it has fewer sexual side effects and in fact actually enhances or returns patients to a more "normal" libido. As a part of this trial, I can personally attest that I felt like a 20-year old, but with the control of a mature grown man. I felt alive, to say the least. In my personal experience, that effect worked for me at the low dose. When I moved up to the higher doses, the effects lessened, and my libido was more like a 30-35 year old, with performance being the same as a 20-year old. I preferred the low dose, because I felt very much ALIVE and VIBRANT.

This might seem like a lot of rambling, but the point is that everyone's body and brain chemistry varies. Not every anti-depressant is exactly the same, even if it is in the same "class" of anti-depressants.

This means that just because one "SRI" doesn't work for you, that another one won't.

It also means that your doctor has no way of knowing what your exact needs are for serotonin, etc., and that there is no shame in discussing this with him and trying many different meds until you find one that works the very best.

Then, you need to experiment with the dosage, as discussed and directed by your doctor, and keep a daily journal so that you can honestly find the best medicine for you.

These are the reasons that some people become lethargic and others become motivated. It doesn't mean the medicine didn't work... it simply did not work for you.

Think of anti-depressants as each being a seasoning. The SRIs would be one kind of herb, and each type of SRI anti-depressant as the same herb grown in a different region. The analogy of grapes for wine is also an EXCELLENT analogy. Different regions, their climate and soil properties will give the herbs or grapes grown there a slightly different flavor, meaning that certain recipes or personal taste requires a specific region's herb (e.g. curry) or grape.

Anti-depressants only get you so far, and there are meds now on the market that have also been recently tested in trials to receive FDA indications for use as "adjunct" medications - ones that get you that last 10-25% that your baseline medication could not give you.

For me, my clinical trial experience with Vyvanse, at low dose, not only calmed my ADHD (it is already used to treat that), and got me that last 15-20% I lacked in improvement, BUT it also helped return my incredible mental function, as shown by perfect mental acuity scores, a first for anyone in that trial, but what was normal for me, with photographic memory, prior to the Gulf War.

That's important background because a lot of my depression, and anyone's, is also due to not being able to perform anything at their previous high levels. That could be anything, but especially memory, because when you turn from the stove and have already forgotten you started something cooking, you tend to worry more about burning down the house, taking your meds correctly, and taking care of yourself.

You begin to feel handicapped, instead of challenged.

So, for me, if I could get the VA to approve it, my "cocktail" would be low dose Viibryd + low dose (2mg I believe) Vyvanse.

Since that's not possible, due to cost right now, I did get special approval for Cymbalta, because of the bad side effects from other medications, which included lethargy, weight gain, apathy, agitation, increased anxiety, and even homicidal rage. Some side effects might be tolerable, but if you find that your anxiety, agitation, or even emotions, such as anger, become more volatile, you need to contact your doctor immediately for instructions on carefully discontinuing the medication, usually by a schedule of decreased dosage. Since a low dose, experienced during the weeks of ramping up to a "therapeutic" dose obviously did not work, or you would have discussed that with your doctor and stayed there, then you'll want to discuss other medications, including different classes.

For me, Cymbalta has been my best option in decades and since being put on it two weeks ago, I've lost 22 pounds. Since Cymbalta is also used for treating Fibromyalgia (which there is apparently no doctor at the VA who can actually diagnose this disease), I have also had the benefit of that effect.

The final piece of knowledge comes from recent studies published in the medical journals that discussed why many people cannot lose weight, no matter what they do.

There were two reasons: chronic respiratory/breathing issues AND chronic inflammation.

For years, I've exercised as best I can, and eat a balanced, primarily vegetable-based diet of about 1,100 calories a day. That's a lot of fresh veggies, so I'm never hungry... but I looked and felt like I was 24/7 at the Las Vegas buffets! LOL

My doctors kept telling me to change my diet and exercise. They basically called me a liar.

That will depress and anger anyone... BUT, now, if you have either of those two health issues, and you are doing everything you can to maintain a healthy weight, you have medical research that will shut your doctor up.

Doctors can add to your stress and depression. Especially those who are scientifically-factually-proven driven. Old school country docs are dying out. The ones who grew up without all the lab tests and equipment are still making diagnoses that no modern day doctor can make... because some things require ONE specific lab test, that is so remote, no one would think to order it. I've seen it done, and I've done it myself, by listening to the story and discerning the symptoms, as well as doing a proper physical examination.

So regardless of how well anything works for anyone else, or what the commercials say, remember that you are the best judge of your health, and that for your doctor to be the most effective with his or her knowledge, you will need to force them to COMMUNICATE with you. Don't just ask for a drug, but rather research it, know the reasons why the other drugs you're taking need to be replaced, and why you think it's worth trying the other medication. Not all drugs can be taken together, so never risk trying a friend's medicines because the results can be deadly. Always talk to your doctor.

If your doctor does not have time for you, then fire that doctor and find one who does, even if it requires driving out to a more rural area where the doctor's office does not look like the Fort Worth cattle pens during Stockyard Days.

I hope this has been helpful. I find that people who truly want to feel better will do better with a story, than just facts. When it's a personal story, that really helps them understand what you mean and why you're saying it.

Less confusion. More communication.

Viibryd ROCKS!!! but maybe not for everyone, and certainly at different dosages for anyone. :-)

tried the tens and got headaches.I can take a childs dose of most meds and it works so doc says stay on fives if it works.It does.I take it at bedtime after 6 weeks my energy level has risen lots of energy and fewer naps more get up and go.I now feel like getting up in the morning.As long as the fives work I am not moving to tens.some people require less lucky me. no sick stomach either.so give it a try and time for it to work...

I guess that my advice is to try the drug. If it works, embrace change. I think it is worth it to modify your life to adapt to the side effects if possible. As anxiety subsides, it may be easier to see the positive aspect (flip side) of bad side effects like increased appetite, lethargy, and insomnia. They can become a real motivation to live a more healthy life - to eat less and well, regular exercise, and do what it takes to get enough sleep. After all, being overweight, tired, and sedentary only increases stress and no medication can compensate for being fundamentally unhealthy. However, if the side effects are severe and persistent, it may be time to discontinue the drug.