I don't believe the nerve of this company!!!
#1
Posted 30 May 2008 - 08:32 PM
The really scary thing is, this will now be prescribed to an older/elderly population, many of whom suffer from severe athritis. Eventually they too will need to come off of this, and I can't even imagine how horrid this will be!
I'm from the generation that experimented with "altered states" so to speak, and in some ways, that probably kept me from losing it completely when I came off of this. My Mother suffers from severe arthritis, and if she were placed on this, well, I can't even imagine! Of course I would never allow her to take it, but think of the people that just don't know!
I am more than beside myself. We need an editorial written and submitted to the New York Times or some other large publication. Someone needs to stop this!
#2
Posted 31 May 2008 - 08:41 AM
I can only imagine how many people are still taking this drug because it was too hard to stop and receiving no benefits for whatever their condition was. Just taking it to survive and keep their jobs and "live" life. Personally, I knew about a year and a half ago it was time to stop, but after researching and seeing people's stories about how difficult it was to stop, every time I went to make the jump off, I would just be too scared.
After a year of an "I don't care anymore" existence, I purposely waited for a time when I would have a little time to try to "hide" this in my professional life. Figuring it took about 6 weeks for this crap to work, I gave myself about a month to get over the nasties, and fully expected to be "up and running" by the sixth week.
I was I think member number 87 to this board. Now there are over 1,000 members (true, many of them are bogus spam-bot things) but still, I have seen some really heartbreaking stories. People being treated with a "laundry list" of medications that are not even known how or if they even work at all. Many people come and post once or twice and never return, did they get over this on their own, did they go back to Cymbalta to "maintain"?
People do not realize that we as patients have a right to question and refuse to take the drugs that they practice medicine with. And I am appalled at the amount of doctors that are telling people that the withdrawal does not exist. Don't we go to the doctor to go over symptoms and get relief? If we have legitimate concerns that are being swept under the rug, that leaves a good many of people out in the cold, confused and frightened. And less likely in the future will those individuals actually request and receive medical attention that they might actually need.
Your body, your right to question the doctors and also to refuse the treatment offered and their obligation to find a way to help that works. In a utopian world. One day....
#3
Posted 31 May 2008 - 01:32 PM
It is a crime, plain and simple to expand this drug's usage. Or, maybe the crime is in how it is prescribed, by doctors that simply want to throw a pill at every ill that you have. I don't know, maybe Scientologists have been right all along.
Babby
#4
Posted 01 June 2008 - 02:25 AM
#5
Posted 01 June 2008 - 09:17 AM
Day 6 and counting...
#6
Posted 01 June 2008 - 11:30 AM
hey robyn, I just wanted to note that if you had that kind of reaction to Celexa, it might be possible that you would have the same one with Prozac, they are very similar in chemical make-up. Also, since I was a person who got over Cymbalta withdrawal using Celexa, I researched it extensively. My research stated that Celexa can bring on "episodes" of mania in some people. Be careful with the Prozac and go over this with your doctor extensively. I hope that you are through this soon. It doesn't last forever and some people get over this really quickly.I took some Benadryl last night, and I was finally able to get to sleep. I'll talk to my doctor tomorrow when I see him and ask him about Prozac. I can't take Celexa. We tried that one first for depression, and it threw me for a loop. I felt like I was dreaming all the time, I fell asleep for split seconds when I was talking or reading to my class, it made me forgetful, it put me in a fog, it removed ALL my inhibitions, etc. I can't even remember what all Celexa did to me. So, I'm hoping Prozac won't do the same thing.
Truly, I'm scared, but I'm even more scared of ever putting that into my body again.
Try not to be frightened about this, which is hard not to do. The more relaxed you are the better off you will be. You aren't going crazy, coming off of this drug cold turkey is brutal, my old doc told me to stop cold turkey.
Even though I felt like hell the first few days, I was like you, I was more afraid to ever take Cymbalta again. You will return to health. Glad that Benadryl helped you get some sleep. Be well...ask any questions you want..
#7
Posted 01 June 2008 - 11:45 AM
Also, be sure you are eating well, drinking lots of fluids, water mostly, or chamomile tea. Avoid caffeine if you can, or reduce it while dealing with this. It is hard not to feel scared, but I know it helped me immensely reading others stories here; I didn't feel so isolated, and I realized that what I was feeling would pass. There are supplements, such as Omega 3 that some of us have used, yet until you talk to your doctor, you may want to stick with getting your nutritional needs met through foods. There is a thread here that lists good sources for you.
One of us is always popping in and out of here, so feel free to come back with questions, or even to vent about how you are feeling. We are all pulling for you, and you can do this.
Babby
#8
Posted 03 June 2008 - 08:25 AM
""Eli Lilly expects FDA action in the middle of 2009 on its sNDA for serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) Cymbalta to manage chronic pain, the company said.
Lilly announced its filing, without confirming the date of the submission, and said it will be evaluated under a standard 10-month review period. Cymbalta (duloxetine HCl) is approved for diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, major depressive disorder and general anxiety disorder.
The company said its one-year estimate for FDA action reflects the current regulatory environment.
The Cymbalta sNDA is based on three double-blind, randomized trials -- one testing the drug in 230 patients with chronic osteoarthritis pain of the knee and two testing the product in a total of 630 patients with chronic lower back pain, the company said.
The application also includes data from previously completed studies in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia. Cymbalta's application for fibromyalgia is pending at the FDA under standard review. The application was submitted last August with an estimated action date in June.
-- Drug Industry Daily""
#10
Posted 24 June 2008 - 10:51 PM
#11
Posted 29 June 2008 - 07:24 PM
"July 29, 2008
To Whom It May Concern:
I am reporting serious concerns about the anti-depressant drug Cymbalta. I am a 37 year old attorney whose life has been disrupted by this drug. Doctors and patients should be made aware of the dangerous side effects and possible addiction that can occur with Cymbalta.
I was prescribed Cymbalta to treat my depression and anxiety approximately one year ago. My psychiatrist told me there were no serious side effects to consider. Unfortunately, she was not informed.
This drug made my depression and overall health worse. I took 60mg per day as prescribed for approximately one year. During that year, I noticed a steady decrease in energy level and decline in my overall health. About three months ago, I reported to my doctor that I didn't think Cymbalta was helping my depression. At that time, she increased my dose of Cymbalta to 90mg per day. That is when the negative side effects of Cymbalta became noticeable to my family and I.
My family observed that I was agitated and short-tempered. Additionally, I noticed a decline in memory function, and a severe decrease in my ability to concentrate. My depression symptoms also worsened. One week before my scheduled doctor's appointment, I decreased my dosage from 90mg back to 60mg. That is when the side effects and withdrawal symptoms from Cymbalta became serious and dangerous.
In addition to the aforementioned symptoms, I immediately experienced flu-like symptoms, episodes of rage, suicidal ideations, dizziness, and neural zaps. These symptoms began approximately three weeks ago. In that time, I have had to limit the time I spend my family, especially my five young nephews, because I fear that I will be unable to control my anger.
When I went to the doctor twelve days ago and told my doctor the increase in Cymbalta dosage had not been helpful, she switched me to a new anti-depressant, Pristiq. My doctor told me that I should be able to switch over to the new med without any problems. She did not mention any possible withdrawal symptoms, and I can only assume that is because she was not aware of any.
The withdrawal has been so bad over the last twelve days, that I end up taking a 30mg Cymbalta every few days just to end the withdrawal symptoms. Within one hour of taking the Cymbalta, the symptoms subside. They do not disappear completely, but they decrease.
Today the withdrawal symptoms were so bad, that I decided to look on the internet to see if there was any information on "Cymbalta withdrawal." To my surprise, I came across several websites and a discussion forum dedicated solely to the adverse side effects from, and addiction to, Cymbalta.
I was shocked to learn that there are thousands of other patients out there just like me. There are probably many others out there suffering from Cymbalta who are not yet informed. Today is Sunday and my doctor's office is closed. As soon as the office is open tomorrow, I will call and discuss my concerns with my doctor.
Cymbalta is a dangerous drug that can cause serious side effects and addiction in many patients. Eli Lilly needs to make the medical community aware of these issues so that they can make informed choices about prescribing Cymbalta. In addition, Eli Lilly should be required to warn all potential users of Cymbalta about the possibility of dangerous side effects and addiction.
I have always trusted the FDA to act in the best interest of American citizens. Now I suspect that the FDA is failing to protect the public in regards to the dangers of Cymbalta. Research is needed into the wide spread occurrence of negative side effects and addiction in Cymbalta patients. A simple internet search of this topic will lead you to thousands of victims.
These patients, including victims of suicide, were taking the prescribed dosage of Cymbalta under the care of their physicians. How many lives must be ruined before Eli Lilly is forced to take responsibility for the harmful effects of Cymbalta? The FDA is charged with educating the public about drugs and potential unsafe effects. It is failing in this duty regarding Cymbalta."
I am shocked and outraged that my doctor was not aware of any serious side effects and addiction problems! I practice criminal law, so I am unfamiliar with civil law...can we file a class-action suit?? You better believe I will find out first thing tomorrow morning!!
#12
Posted 29 June 2008 - 08:29 PM
#13
Posted 30 June 2008 - 08:58 PM
Until yesterday, I had been off the Cymbalta for almost a week...but I took one yesterday right before I found this board because my rage and zaps were so bad. I would've stayed off it if I had read this info 1/2 hour earlier! I'm going to stay off the Cymbalta, but take the Pristiq until Thurs. Then I am going to talk to my Dr about getting off everything for a little while.
I talked to my mom and sister about all of this last night, and they are very supportive. My poor sister was so scared for me that she drove to my house at 10:30 pm with her 4 month old baby...she thought I would try to hurt myself. I reassured her that I am NOT feeling suicidal and we had a good long talk. I am blessed to have a loving family
#14
Posted 30 June 2008 - 09:24 PM
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