48 replies to this topic

[happyzapynot]

I have had anxiety on and off for about 16 years. It's worse now though. I am in a stressful job, I am divorced, taking care of and living with my elderly mother, I just turned 40. Today has been really hard, back at work for the first time since Thursday and boss is here today. He is a big part of my stress.

I hope tomorrow is better. You are stronger than you think.

[silverseed71]

What surprises me is the fact that today was much better. Even though my daughter had to go to pre-op for surgery later this month. My mom had to go to the kidney doctor, and I have a nephew, who's been in surgery for 7 hours now. Prayers please! If you pray!!!!

[happyzapynot]

What surprises me is the fact that today was much better. Even though my daughter had to go to pre-op for surgery later this month. My mom had to go to the kidney doctor, and I have a nephew, who's been in surgery for 7 hours now. Prayers please! If you pray!!!!

"Told you so!" You are much stronger than you realize. Perhaps as your brain clears from $ymbalta smog you are getting in touch with the long term causes of the tormenting anxiety and finding that it is not a consuming black hole, after all. Instead, it is an illusion, a brick wall painted on cheap paper.
I'd like to recommend the book 23 MINUTES IN HELL. Doesn't sound like a happy read but it is one of the most empowering books I've ever read.
Yes, I pray! James 5:16

[Cedar]

Y'all I am terrified now. My doctor (my shrink) just put me on Cynbalta. With all I'm reading, what is your advice? Do I ask him to put me on another anti-depressant? The reason
he chose Cymbalta is because in addition to being very depressed I also suffere from from nerve pain.[/size][/size][/font][/size]

[happyzapynot]

Y'all I am terrified now. My doctor (my shrink) just put me on Cynbalta. With all I'm reading, what is your advice? Do I ask him to put me on another anti-depressant? The reason
he chose Cymbalta is because in addition to being very depressed I also suffere from from nerve pain.[/size][/size][/font][/size]

In my experience, once professionals (in any profession) see that you have made up your mind and intend to stick to your guns they will consider other reasonable treatment options.

$ymbalta is marketed as a 'double hitter' that provides relief for depression AND pain. You have the option of taking a different medication for each problem. If I were you I'd call the doctor and tell him/her that you have serious concerns about the safety of $ymbalta and would like to take seperate medications for depression and pain, not a combination medication like $ymbalta. I recommend that you print out this link and show it to your doctor: http://www.fda.gov/d...e/UCM172866.pdf
They will probably blow it off as 'alarmist anectdotal reports by nonprofessionals' but stick to your guns.
If you get attitude from the doc [b]fire him/her and find another one.
If at all possible get a second opinion from a professional who is open minded enough to listen to your concerns without patronizing you. That probably WILL NOT be a psychiatrist, since drugs are their livelihood. Go to this appointment armed with all you have learned from this site.
You probably should see a GP or a pain management specialist for the pain med. Hunt online and make phone calls.
The slick ads for $ymbalta that make it seem like the best thing since penicillin are just ADS. Health care professionals are hit with marketing targted specifically for them. You are wise to do research before taking such a strong drug. You may be sparing yourself from months of misery. Wish I had done what you are doing now. Live and Learn. Considering that I almost died perhaps I should say "Learn or die!"

[silverseed71]

Cedar, when cymbalta worked for me, it was great. It stopped working for me after 3 years, and yes, the side effects of coming off of it are bad. I have a friend that has been on it for about 7 years and it is still working for her.

[melly]

Cedar, I agree with Happyzappynot. There are other drugs out there that may help. Cymbalta worked for my pain for about a year but also had side effects that I could no longer tolerate. If I had know what it would be like to get off of I would never have started it in the first place!

[silverseed71]

Well, yesterday was the last day on the rotation days to take my 30Mg. I did have to take a 7.5Mg clorazepate. Today, I thought I would brave it out, however, after going to lunch I started having anxiety and brain zaps so I was forced to take another clorazepate. Uuuggghhhhh!

[happyzapynot]

Well, yesterday was the last day on the rotation days to take my 30Mg. I did have to take a 7.5Mg clorazepate. Today, I thought I would brave it out, however, after going to lunch I started having anxiety and brain zaps so I was forced to take another clorazepate. Uuuggghhhhh!

Today was miserable for me- dizzy and addlebrained all day. I don't like to take meds, either, but i'm looking forward to my 7pm clonadine. Thank God for SLEEP!

[silverseed71]

Well, besides the brain zaps and the anxiety. the past few days have been okay. Also, my totally freakish dreams have calmed down at night.

[ReneeO]

My darlings ! Hope is what you make . I had been two years on the highest does of this poison . The only relief I found was clonazapam . But I can't go off of that
Its better no more brain zaps , no more dizziness or screaming in the night ! No more suicidal tendencies . So now 4 years since I started 2 years off . This poison needs to be removed ! Sign up to sue ! Warn every person you talk to ! Hope is always there !

[ReneeO]

Cymbalta is a failed antidepressant ! Used for skeletal pain ! Chronic nerve damage ! Does NOT work ! I'm sorry but terrified is good ! Get off ASAP ! Clonazapam helped me ! Good luck !

[happyzapynot]

Cymbalta is a failed antidepressant ! Used for skeletal pain ! Chronic nerve damage ! Does NOT work ! I'm sorry but terrified is good ! Get off ASAP ! Clonazapam helped me ! Good luck !

ReneeO, hope you will file a complaint with the FDA and also get in on a class action lawsuit. Thanks!

[silverseed71]

ReneeO, hope you will file a complaint with the FDA and also get in on a class action lawsuit. Thanks!

Where do we go to do that?

[happyzapynot]

Where do we go to do that?

You can go to the official Cymbalta website and get the link AND a phone number for the FDA!
Here's the link:
http://www.fda.gov/d...cts/default.htm

[silverseed71]

Well, I am 19 days post Cymbalta. Should the brain zaps be gone by now? I am not having nearly as many. The only ones I have had was when I was driving. I drove about 80 miles to get a hotel room in Birmingham for my daughter's surgery. I didn't start having them until I got into the city. Didn't have any while I was there. 2 days later I had to drive from UAB in Birmingham to Huntsville, which is about a 2 hour drive. I started having them half way, and they were so bad that I had to pull over several times because I felt like my driving was endangering those around me. I sat with my mom for a while at the Huntsville hospital and then drove home, having brain zaps all the way. That was Thursday. I have had a couple since. Also, I don't feel like the nortriptyline is working because I feel blank and I am moody and cranky.

[happyzapynot]

Well, I am 19 days post Cymbalta. Should the brain zaps be gone by now? I am not having nearly as many. The only ones I have had was when I was driving. I drove about 80 miles to get a hotel room in Birmingham for my daughter's surgery. I didn't start having them until I got into the city. Didn't have any while I was there. 2 days later I had to drive from UAB in Birmingham to Huntsville, which is about a 2 hour drive. I started having them half way, and they were so bad that I had to pull over several times because I felt like my driving was endangering those around me. I sat with my mom for a while at the Huntsville hospital and then drove home, having brain zaps all the way. That was Thursday. I have had a couple since. Also, I don't feel like the nortriptyline is working because I feel blank and I am moody and cranky.

I still get zaps occasionally but they are not as severe as yours. I've been off since March 17.

[TXcounselor]

I'm 11 days off Cymbalta and I'm having about 10%-25% of the brain zaps I had. They are made worse by not getting enough sleep (the 25% is the tired days). Even this is a huge relief from zapping all day. Someone described the zaps as being like what happens if you stand at the edge of the Grand Canyon and look down. Your whole body cringes and your stomach flips. That sounds about right.

[silverseed71]

Update:

Last day of Cymbalta April 11th

The zaps are passing less often, of course I haven't driven 30+ miles in over a week and that's where my last big ones have hit. The brain fog is definitely still here. I was down and out yesterday (not sure if it was cymbalta withdrawal problems or nortriptyline problems.) I barely got out of bed. Today I feel like I am stoned. I am very shaky and my depression has overwhelmed my anxiety for now. I had to take a full 7.5 Mg Tranxene this morning. This was the first time I had even touched it in about 8 days. I have seen people on here that say they still get side effects 9 months down the road. I am also wondering if the nortriptyline is working at all?