3 replies to this topic

[WilFam]

My father's family doc prescribed Cymbalta to him for mild depression. My dad is 85 years old and the doc started him out on 60mg. Within ten (10) days, my father's health rapidly declined with major side effects from crying, confusion, no appetite, restlessness, tiredness, nausea, etc (can't even name them all)....he had approximately 10 days of 60mg and we talked to doc about reducing to 30mg (which is where he should have started him) - which he took for three (3) days - however side effects got worse and he started having suicidal thoughts - the doc told us to "cold turkey" stop the Cymbalta immediately! This was on a Saturday morning - he and my mom were to leave for beach on Sunday morning - the doctor encouraged us to go on and let him be with family - he would probably feel better! DID NOT HAPPEN! After traveling for 3 hrs my dad started have withdraws symptoms of dry heaving, gagging and vomiting. He did this for TWO WHOLE hours! Once we got to the beach and got him settled every 3-4 hours he would have another "episode" of dry heaving and gagging. The following day he seem to feel a little better - so we thought - ok we are getting over the hurdle. However he had another episode that last a couple of hours - we called his family doc who called in some nausea meds - which when we got in him - he must have been at the end of that episode....because after about 4 hours of feeling good - it started all over again...we ended up calling 911 and taking my dad to hospital. He was admitted with acute renal failure due to dehydration and his heart was in low afib! Over the next few days he was very confused - couldn't comprehend what all was going on. They had to put an alarm on his bed because he kept trying to get out - one night he succeeded and fell hitting his head causing a large knot over his left eye (like golf ball size) and then of course spread down causing two black eyes.

I am not happy with his doctor and not sure about seeing him again without have a few choice words to say. However, from what I have read so far on here - doctors don't seem to be getting all the information the need. It's been a very frustrating past 8-9 days getting crap out of his system and we know he probably has another week or so to go to get completely back over all this mess.

Thanks for letting me share his story!

S

[outamymind]

Hi S.

Your poor dad. What were they thinking putting an 85yo on this crap! You're right, doctors don't know enough but they should if they're going to prescribe poisons.

I'm on day 18 now after 2yrs or so on 60mg, then 30mg for 3 weeks, then stopped - this was MY doctors taper. Last week he wanted to put me back on it because I fed it to him about the lack of medical profession knowledge on the effects of this drug. LOL what a spineless idiot.

Anyway enough anger, I'm trying my hardest to suppress the wayward emotions that come with this withdrawal. It's been likened to coming off heroin. Oh goody.

Keep your dad off it and watch him like a hawk, support him & each other & it'll all be good - eventually. After 18 days I am starting to feel a bit better. Brain Zaps have eased & I can see things around me a little clearer. There is hope, hang in there

[WilFam]

Thanks outa! We are definitely watching him closely and supporting each other! My mom is 82 - so I am doing what I can to help her out! Luckily my hubby and daughter are being very understanding through all of this! I was just amazed as to how this drug could affect someone so horribly in such a very short time! Dad only took for 14 days and it reeked havoc to his body! Even though the hospital care he received was excellent at the beach (better than our local hospital) - after all we shared with the doctors and nurse and they ALL agreed it was the Cymbalta - it was NEVER mentioned in his records!! It was written he was admitted with acute renal failure and with elevated BUN and creatinine! This pretty much pissed me off - makes you wonder sometimes who they work for!!

Susan

[outamymind]

Never mentioned in his records hey? What are they hiding? They're all getting backhanders for this sh!t that's why so many drs have 'free' samples to give you to try it. Unfortunately they don't tell you what the ultimate cost is.

I said before about suppressing the anger - not easy when there's that sort of bullshit happening.

I sincerely hope your dad comes through this. How unfair....

 Pam