[Sapphires13]

strugglingtounderstand, on 26 June 2010 - 07:18 AM, said:

Long story short, husband depressed, drinking increased. In the meantime, withdrawing from me and the marriage. Got "us" in to counseling which he attended for 4 months. Simultaneously, went to doctor to discuss no sexual desire etc. and make sure there was nothing physically wrong. Did bloodwork, came back fine. Put him on AD. Nothing. Numb. Changed him to Cymbalta 2 months ago. My world has been out of control since! He quit counseling. His drinking has esculated out of control and seemed to be his only goal in life. He would come home late at night drunk, saying he was "confused" that he "didn't know what he wanted anymore", "Didn't know if he loved me", it was "him, not me...his head" and wanted a seperation.

I fought, and continue to fight for us, while he can't / wont. I'm not pushing at the moment and the waters are calmer. He was to "move out" ( his choice ) last week, but is still here. In the meantime I researched Cymbalta and alcohol thinking the two together might be damaging his liver and what I've come across about this drug has been astounding! He is now beginning the weaning process and I'm holding on tight hoping all he will experience are the "flu like" symptoms of the last couple of days...

MY QUESTION TO THOSE OF YOU IN THE KNOW...the man on Cymbalta is not the man I married 26 years ago. Could his "total confusion" and not knowing if he wanted to stay in the marriage be a byproduct of the Cymbalta? Seems things escalated to all new heights while taking this drug. Anyone else have similar experiences they can share? I'm looking for some hope that this nightmare may be finally over...

Thank you in advance!

Sounds like what I went through shortly before deciding to start weaning off. I nearly broke up with my boyfriend of two years, who had done nothing but love and support me, because I felt bored and unsatisfied with the relationship, and didn't know what I wanted. Telling my therapist about this situation is what prompted her to suggest I get off of the Cymbalta. It's too soon to say, but there's suspicion that the Cymbalta was causing symptoms of mania in me, which tend to lead to erratic behaviour, including the non-deliberate sabotage of relationships.

[krisann]

I was prescribed cymbalta for anxiety. After a month on the medication, I no longer was anxious about anything, mainly because I didn't really care about ANYTHING. Things that used to make me happy, such as gardening and spending time with my children, didn't interest me anymore. I didn't feel depressed, I just didn't want to do anything. I knew I was behind on bills, but I didn't really care and had no concern anymore. That is NOT like me.. usually an overdue bill would make me anxious, unable to sleep.

I don't know if your husbands mood change was due to cymbalta, but it certainly could be.

Good luck

KrisAnn

[Ms_M]

Krisann,

Do you feel like you were "numb" while on Cymbalta? In the past, I had anger issues - blowing up very quickly and then sort of burning out. Usually some screaming and crying - not necessarily directed at someone, just a situation. Anyway, those things seemed lessened over the last few years. Since I've gone off the Cymbalta (last one was in May) it has come back. I have been wondering about being numbed by the meds or maybe the anger is just a side effect.

Just thinking out loud.

Michelle

[cookie]

..

[cookie]

Ms_M, on 15 July 2010 - 08:44 AM, said:

Krisann,

Do you feel like you were "numb" while on Cymbalta? In the past, I had anger issues - blowing up very quickly and then sort of burning out. Usually some screaming and crying - not necessarily directed at someone, just a situation. Anyway, those things seemed lessened over the last few years. Since I've gone off the Cymbalta (last one was in May) it has come back. I have been wondering about being numbed by the meds or maybe the anger is just a side effect.

Just thinking out loud.

Michelle

Dear Michelle:
I am a very calm person, I don´t have anger issues.
Since I started weaning cymbalta I´ve realized, that I have some anger outbursts.
I blow up very quickly and have screamed at other family members. I frequently get angry when driving, on the traffic.
So yes, anger is a withdrawal symptom.

However if you say that in the past you had anger issues, it could be your real personality coming back after this period of numbness. Or a combination of both?? withdrawals + real personality coming back???

hugs
Cookie

[Ms_M]

Thanks Cookie! It could be both, for sure. I was raised by a mother who would scream and have a tantrum, more or less, anytime something didn't go right. Nice example for a kid, right? Whatever it is - I would just like to have some control over it. I see my doctor in a couple of weeks and am considering asking for something different. You won't see Cymbalta anywhere near me!!!

[cookie]

Ms_M, on 16 July 2010 - 12:08 PM, said:

Thanks Cookie! It could be both, for sure. I was raised by a mother who would scream and have a tantrum, more or less, anytime something didn't go right. Nice example for a kid, right? Whatever it is - I would just like to have some control over it. I see my doctor in a couple of weeks and am considering asking for something different. You won't see Cymbalta anywhere near me!!!

Keep me updated on other alternatives after seeing your doctor
hugs
Cookie