3 replies to this topic

[Adele]

Hi everyone,

I'm brand new here and just joined after doing a google search and found this great message board. I'm 26 years old and have been suffering from severe depression since I was 17. My issues are mainly based around insecurity and jealousy issues, feelings of hopelessness, suicidal tendancies, and so on.
I used to be on Lexapro but felt that it did absolutely nothing for me, and so decided to come off. The usual was said by the doc, take one every second day until your pack is finished, blah blah. Didn't work, crashed and burned, nearly lost my relationship as a result. Anyway, a good friend of mine mentioned Cymbalta, which she is currently on and taking the high 160 mg dose.
So anyway, I went along to my doc in Ireland where I live and he suggested Cymbalta, which I have to say was quite excited to try as I heard it can make you feel alot cheerier in quite a short space of time. First let me just tell you my experience of going on it, was insane. The first tablet I took I started to feel dizzy and had such blurry vision that I could barely stand up. I completely lost my appetite and couldn't leave my boyfriend's house for a week! I lost about 4 pounds and felt sick every time I tried to to eat. The blurry vision really worried me because I didn't know if it'd go back to normal!
So now at present, I went back to the doc and I said, 'I'm not sure if I feel any different now that I'm used to it''. So, he ups my dose to 90 mg which I've been on for about a week now. I don't know if I feel any different atall and to be honest, it's really bloody expensive. I have to fork out nearly 200 euros each month for my meds. They Cymbalta has also caused chronic insomnia which is driving me around the bend. I can't remember when I last actually slept. Most nights I see every hour on the clock and then walk around like a zombie. I've also become quite irritable towards people which is not in my nature atall. Because of this, I really want to come off it and see if feel a difference coz it's also giving me a few spots which I don't like as I normally have a perfect complexion.
Obviously after reading all of these probs in coming off it, I'm just not sure if it's a good idea or not. I just want to be normal again but I couldn't deal with the dizziness and the crying again that I had actually going on it!

Also wanted to ask, has anyone every tried stillnocht sleeping pills? My doc gave them to help with the insomnia, but my god - they are utterly insane and lethal. I took my first one and got high as a kite, a really nice feeling and could feel several 'presences' in my room and shapes on the wall... you name it, I saw/felt it. I knew it was a side effect but it made me crave sugar and I'd go downstairs at 4 am and raid the kitchen cupboards for chocolate. Only after a while did it make me sleep. I can't really take it anymore because of the made side effects. I even heard some people take it for fun - which is just crazy. I can't even describe how nuts that sleeping pill is, and the fact it felt kinda good worried me, that it's highly addictive - so guys, stay away from it!

Thanks,

Adele

[djraley01]

I have been on C for 2 years and was on lexapro for as long as I can remember before that.......Cymbalta made a world of difference for me immediately with no side affects(at first)! I this maybe its just not the right medication for you. I know if you are like me paying out the rear end for medicine to do no good, or make me worse, Stinks! Unfortunately everything you have been experiencing recently is me after two years a short term change to Effexor a suicide attempt and commitment later......just to be put back on cymbalta and abilify(you think c is expensive abilify is twice the cost)! So I'm done with it all!

[Kristen]

I just want to share with you what I have been going through while weaning off cymbalta. Is all the depression that I have had most of my life controllable? Would other people feel the same way I did going through the situations that I went through. One thing that I have come to decide is that I have the ability to help myself through these situations in life. Looking back, I don't see how anyone would have NOT been depressed or anxious going through some of those situations. I also have come to the conclusion that I have let my doctors "guide" me into a quick fix with these medications. I really never had any of them try to help me understand why I felt this way or that way, They all just said " I have a pill for you"

I have decided that I will try to live without medications for now. I would like to think that since I have educated myself about what these drugs do to your body, that I can be better to myself without meds. I think that feeling and expereincing not so pleasant things in life is what we should do. So that is my plan at this point. I have started doing yoga and it is helping me focus and breath through some of these "moments" of anxiety or downward thinking.

I can't say that this will work for you, but I would lke to say that you should educate yourself and try to fnd out what you think you can work through and when is the point to get help. And when you get to that point, what will that help be.

These medications are very hard on the body, look at how bad you can feel on them and how bad you can feel getting off of them. I'm just not sure that this is the only way to get relief.

Keep us posted on your progress.

[phtech]

Well, I have been on anti-depressants for about ten years now. Different kinds different strengths. What I have found is that a General Practioner (regular md) doesn't seem to have as much experience or education that a physciatrist has. A physciatrist has special education on how the brain functions, this training is more detailed and in depth. Also I have found that for me a prescription is not the only answer. Most people also need some form of therapy.
Try talking with a pharmacist. Just because your doctor thinks this pill will fix it, doesnt mean you don't need to be informed. Your pharmacist will know side affects, withdrawls, and many other things that play into the affect of a prescription. If you would like to come off this medication that is your choice, no one else's. Just talk with your physican and your pharmacist. You would be suprised to what information they can provide for you.

I just want to share with you what I have been going through while weaning off cymbalta. Is all the depression that I have had most of my life controllable? Would other people feel the same way I did going through the situations that I went through. One thing that I have come to decide is that I have the ability to help myself through these situations in life. Looking back, I don't see how anyone would have NOT been depressed or anxious going through some of those situations. I also have come to the conclusion that I have let my doctors "guide" me into a quick fix with these medications. I really never had any of them try to help me understand why I felt this way or that way, They all just said " I have a pill for you"

I have decided that I will try to live without medications for now. I would like to think that since I have educated myself about what these drugs do to your body, that I can be better to myself without meds. I think that feeling and expereincing not so pleasant things in life is what we should do. So that is my plan at this point. I have started doing yoga and it is helping me focus and breath through some of these "moments" of anxiety or downward thinking.

I can't say that this will work for you, but I would lke to say that you should educate yourself and try to fnd out what you think you can work through and when is the point to get help. And when you get to that point, what will that help be.

These medications are very hard on the body, look at how bad you can feel on them and how bad you can feel getting off of them. I'm just not sure that this is the only way to get relief.

Keep us posted on your progress.