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If not cymbalta what else?


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#1 Smalltowngirl

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Posted 19 March 2008 - 07:13 PM

I have been struggling with depression for over 15 years. Drugs I have tried over the years have been Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Zoloft and Prozak...I think that is all...probably forgot some. Prozak worked best with the usual side effects but after 10 years stopped working. I take Trazdone at night to help me turnoff my running thoughts which I am sure is caused by the Cymbalta. I have actually been pretty happy with Cymbalta except for the agitated state I often experience and lack of sexual desire. Of course I am 53 which may contribute to that :o Anyway I am so hateful most of the time my husband doesn't want to be around me anyway. My dr. put me on Lamictal along with the Cymbalta to see if it would help with the irritability. I hated that stuff cause it made me tired and numb. I am finally off after one month of weaning. I met with my dr. today and we decided to reduce the Cym to 20 mg. My depression is very real and paralyzing when I am not on meds. I wish to God I did not have to take anything, but I think of my depression as an illness and accept it as that. I am a recovering alcholic, 14 years, and regularly attend a 12 Step Program which helps with everything but it does not take away the depression. I abused alcohol and drugs pretty badly for over many years. I believe this contributed to my deppression. It also runs in the family. I hope the 20 mg works cause I don't know what I would go to next. So....if this does not work does anyone have any suggestions. Any wonder drugs that are new to the market, etc. Also, will withdrawal be experienced on such a low dosage change? 30 to 20 mg :?:

#2 schmb01

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Posted 19 March 2008 - 10:31 PM

First, depression IS a very real illness, and just because everyone here has had a bad experience with Cymbalta, and want to stop it, doesn't mean that people suffering with depression should avoid taking medication for it. You wouldn't stop taking a heart med due to side effects; you would work with your doctor to find something more suitable, OR find a way to manage with the current med. It isn't a weakness, it is a medical condtion that requires treatment.

You may or may not experience some withdrawal effects by reducing your dose. When I was taking it, and would miss a dose, the main thing I noticed were the brain zaps. It sounds like you have a responsive doctor, so I would continue to work with him to find just the right mix for you. You are also at an age where your hormones may be playing a big part in the moods, (no offense, I'm 48 so I'm there too!) so it may take awhile to find the right combination or med that will be just right for you.

I'm not aware of any new meds, but I read an interesting article about the FDA, and some doctors there were saying they would NOT take something new to the market due to lack of information; most will only take something that has been on the market for 4-5 years.

Living with depression isn't easy, yet being swept up by commercials with pretty music is really not the answer.

I hope this has been somewhat helpful, and if you decide that Cymbalta isn't right for you, don't give up, there are other safer meds out there. It may be that something you took years ago that didn't work might work now.

Good Luck to you!

#3 Smalltowngirl

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Posted 24 March 2008 - 04:00 PM

Thanks so much for your reply. I am taking it one day at a time right now. I am pretty sensitive to meds so I can tell a difference in coming down from 30 to 20 mg. I was a very irritable the first two days...over reactive. Now I just feel tired with headaches. My doctor said it should level out after two to three weeks. My doctor is great and she will work with me. I just don't get the same positive impact I did when I started taking prozac. Of course there were sexual side effects with it also, but at least I was happy most of the time. I just have to be patient and give this some time. If I don't feel better within a month, I will call my doctor and talk about alternatives. Thank you again for sharing with me. It is helpful to know that I am not alone. It is a very lonely illness. Just like alcoholism, unless you have it, it is hard to understand why someone can't just stop.

#4 schmb01

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Posted 24 March 2008 - 04:40 PM

Having a responsive doctor in so many cases is a big part of the battle, so you are very lucky there.

I'm sure you've read other posts here, and have seen what others have done to help them wean off of Cymbalta. Doing it slowly seems to be the best method. There are supplements that can help, such as protein drinks and Omega 3 that you can get at your local heath food store. Drinking lots of water seems to help too, as well as eating well balanced meals.

You are right about it feeling lonely. It is such a relief for me to read others' stories, and know that I'm not alone. I still struggle, and pop in and out of here often throughout each day to see if I can offer any help, and to let others help me. It makes me feel much less scared, and hopeful.

Hang in there, with the support of your doctor, and your own determination, you can do this. Also know that we are pulling for you here too.

#5 Smalltowngirl

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Posted 01 April 2008 - 02:13 PM

I just thought I would drop a note and let you know that I am feeling much better. I dropped from 30 mg to 20 mg on March 24. I actually feel somewhat happy again. Almost scared to say that. I don't feel the anger/tense feelings I was having. Probably too soon to tell, but I am hopeful that the 20 mg is what I needed. I will say that I did experience withdrawal even at the 10 mg leve. FIrst few days I was one angry/irritable lady. I also experienced intestinal problems such as cramping. Worse part was the headaches. Hopefully things will keep improving. I actually have a positive outlook....better sense of wellbeing.

#6 schmb01

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Posted 01 April 2008 - 04:12 PM

I'm so glad to hear that! Are you planning on staying on Cymbalta, just at a lower dose, or working on weaning off and moving to something else? Either way, it sounds like you are feeling better, and don't you feel a sense of relief? I know I do. Hang in there, and thanks for posting, it is so good to read that someone is feeling better.

#7 mkhackler

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Posted 29 April 2008 - 03:10 AM

I have suffered from depression, well most of my life. Now 51. It really didn't hit home until I was 19 and almost succeced at first suicide attempt. Prior to this starting at ripe old age of 13 I experimented (some used heavily) with many illegal drugs which I'm sure had and may still have an effect of mental illness.

My supposed supportive doctor of recent, had tried somewhere from 7-10 drugs in 3 years, last being Cymbalta. After loosing job, insurance, and money he no longer was available to me. Even after suicidal thoughts after being on this drug for 9 months, he would not return calls.

I hope yours never turns his back and looks the other way if you ever get to where I did. Other than the joint and muscle pain (sometimes fatigue) which I take care of myself with herbal suppliments, the only med I am on is for the anxiety. No side effects with it at all. And low and behold, my suicidal thoughts are gone, and when not in pain, I actually smile. :P

Hope all works for you!

#8 DuneAlia

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Posted 05 December 2009 - 04:10 PM

Delete my account.

#9 cookie

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    In the future I would like to stop cymbalta

Posted 01 May 2010 - 10:23 PM

Dear Smalltowngirl:
I have the same question....."if not cymbalta what else"
In my case my doctor has mentioned that I need antidepressants for the rest of my life. I have 2 choices.
1. If this is true, Cymbalta is not working as effectively as at the beginning. So the answer would be to switch medicine. But I think all medicines have prons and cons.
2. The second option, would be not to believe in this and search for natural ways to boost neurotrasmitters and fight depression.
In my case, I not only search answers in traditional medicine, but I try to find answers in other things like acupuncture, yoga, nutrition. At the end traditional antidepressants do not cure depression but hide/mask the problem. I do not want to depend on antidepressants for the rest of my life. If they always worked I would, but I see that most antidepressants loose their efectiveness.

If you decide to reduce to 20mg cymbalta, do not depend 100% on the pill. Try to do other things to improve your mental health. I do not know what would work for you....if yoga, meditation, nutrition, exercise (this helped me). Just search and try other things.

Wish you the best
C.

#10 Ms_M

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Posted 19 May 2010 - 06:51 AM

Smalltowngirl - if you are reading this... Have you talked to your doctor about another diagnosis? I am by NO MEANS a medical professional, but I was on so many different antidepressants over the years, and based on my symptoms, my doctor believed I was more Bipolar II than having only depression. Bipolar II is what is also called Bipolar Depression. Granted this is the same doc that put me on Cymbalta but only because the last antidepressant I was on was no longer working - plus I had taken just about every one that was on the market. I am not insinuating that any of this may apply to you, but just food for thought.

I hope your w/d is getting better.

#11 liz

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Posted 22 May 2010 - 10:53 PM

I have been struggling with depression for over 15 years. Drugs I have tried over the years have been Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Zoloft and Prozak...I think that is all...probably forgot some. Prozak worked best with the usual side effects but after 10 years stopped working. I take Trazdone at night to help me turnoff my running thoughts which I am sure is caused by the Cymbalta. I have actually been pretty happy with Cymbalta except for the agitated state I often experience and lack of sexual desire. Of course I am 53 which may contribute to that :( Anyway I am so hateful most of the time my husband doesn't want to be around me anyway. My dr. put me on Lamictal along with the Cymbalta to see if it would help with the irritability. I hated that stuff cause it made me tired and numb. I am finally off after one month of weaning. I met with my dr. today and we decided to reduce the Cym to 20 mg. My depression is very real and paralyzing when I am not on meds. I wish to God I did not have to take anything, but I think of my depression as an illness and accept it as that. I am a recovering alcholic, 14 years, and regularly attend a 12 Step Program which helps with everything but it does not take away the depression. I abused alcohol and drugs pretty badly for over many years. I believe this contributed to my deppression. It also runs in the family. I hope the 20 mg works cause I don't know what I would go to next. So....if this does not work does anyone have any suggestions. Any wonder drugs that are new to the market, etc. Also, will withdrawal be experienced on such a low dosage change? 30 to 20 mg :?:

My heart goes out to you Smalltowngirl! I have suffered with depression for almost 20 years and been on several medications that work for awhile and then stop. I am now off all medication and going through withdrawal from Cymbalta. I was able to get down to 20mg for quite awhile before I completely stopped a few days ago. I don't think my symptoms will last too long because I was on such a small dosage. BUT, the reason I'm writing is because I found a treatment that has been a miracle for me and I've been using it for the past year and have only been on 20-30 mg. for the past year. It is accupuncture! My daughter had been trying to get me to try it for awhile, but I thought it was a bunch of voodoo hocus pocus kind of stuff. Then my niece who has a PhD in biochemistry suggested and I thought what the heck...it can't hurt. To my amazement, I am a different person! When I told my doctor I wanted to slowly get off Cymbalta and use accupuncture as my treatment he said I'd have to stay with it or it wouldn't work. I figure I'd have to keep putting chemicals in my body otherwise and judging from the withdrawal symptoms Cymbalta is a really bad chemical. I was able to find a community accupuncture facility that charges on a sliding scale and can afford to go once or twice a week. PLEASE give it a try. I can't begin to tell you how good I feel. There have been a couple of down times, but I keep plugging along with a determination not to take antidepressants. My depression is very real too and have been paralyzed by it in the past. My mother died from alcoholism related cancer and depression runs in my family. It is a very real disease. I hate it when people say "just get over it OR don't dwell on things". Idiots! I have been using accupuncture for a year and my family and friends can attest that it works for me. Please contact me if I can help you in any way.

#12 Ms_M

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Posted 23 May 2010 - 05:29 AM

Liz~

This statement "I hate it when people say "just get over it OR don't dwell on things". drives me nuts, too! I am glad I am not the only being told to "get over it". One of the first therapists I went to told me that - seriously. Gee, lady, if I could "get over it" or deal with it - would I be in therapy??

I'm not sure about acupuncture myself - big scaredy cat that I am. However if my w/d symptoms don't go away soon, it will be a very viable option.

Thanks,
Michelle



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