16 replies to this topic

[JustMeister]

Friends, happy new year: May we all be Cymbalta free ASAP in 2014!

 

Since I was prescribed Cymbalta to help me cope with suicidal depression, I'm now trying to navigate the tricky work of managing the side effects of withdrawal along with the original depression etc. I wonder if any of you have experience finding relief from depression by exploring other avenues?

 

Have you considered attempting another SSRI, or has this nightmare ruined that option for you? (I think it has for me; this is my second time enduring this BS, the first being a hellish nightmare on Zoloft when I was in my early 20s).

 

To be honest, I know it probably sounds ridiculous? But I'm considering pursuing Emotional Service Animal (ESA) registration for my dog to help me make it through the days. She's honestly the only thing that gives me even a minute of relief from this stuff lately… My greatest fear is that it would appear to make a mockery of people with disabilities, since so many in society don't consider depression a disability. 

 

I'd love to hear any thoughts and anecdotes, and thanks again!

[thismoment]

JM- Yes Depression is a disability, though sometimes it can be reduced enough to enable various levels of function. Since you realize some relief by the interaction with your canine companion, perhaps a therapy like Mindfulness- Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression may help. It helped me understand a great deal, and I learned strategies to cope with depressive episodes.

 

Best wishes.

[KennySilvers]

That's cool that you are honest to yourself and others .  Cymbalta is new . So Doctors don't understand the drug . No expert , but I think the older drugs are safer . Definitely consult a Doctor on this - 

[thismoment]

Hi Kenny

Actually Cymbalta is among the first of the SNRI drugs to be developed. It is an old SNRI drug Eli Lilly developed in the 80's, but was shelved due to bladder side effects. Curiously, it was later marketed as a bladder stabilizer in Europe, then re-branded as an anti-depressant in the US.

When Prozac (fluoxetine) went generic in February of 2001, Eli Lilly attempted to launch their super-Prozac (R-fluoxetine, to be called Zalutria), but it ran into snags and did not get approved. So they pulled Cymbalta (duloxetine) off the shelf, dusted it off and put it on the market in 2004 in the US.

But I agree, in general terms it is a 'new' drug. Cymbalta is regularly prescribed for pain, but there are much better (and more appropriate) medications to be found among the opiates, and these substances have been with our species for thousands of years. And these ancient medications are much cheaper.

[fishinghat]

Thismoment, is 100% right. There is research going back to at least 1986 and on the market for nearly 10 years but companies and drs learn slow!! lol

[KennySilvers]

Thanks - That's interesting . Being a Arm Chair Psychologist , I'm often proven wrong . One of my other theories , is your body senses and rejects the drug . The second time around . So if you try to retake the drug . There's good chances of the insomnia and other horrible ordeals . I'm curious though , say after 6-7 years . If you could start taking it again . I wonder if your body would still recognize and react . For me Cymbalta planted the seed . Which would later sprout these strange mental things I just can't shake . Trying to be a lot more positive . If the problems to not leave . I'm hoping to force them away . I don't like being pre-occupied with these negative thoughts . I'm sure some people know what I am talking about . And can't stand it as me! John

[fishinghat]

KS, as far as whether certain effects or even effectiveness is permanent or temporary only to return later, well all I can say is little research info is out there on that and what is there is very argumentative.

[Timbo]

Hi Kenny

Actually Cymbalta is among the first of the SNRI drugs to be developed. It is an old SNRI drug Eli Lilly developed in the 80's, but was shelved due to bladder side effects. Curiously, it was later marketed as a bladder stabilizer in Europe, then re-branded as an anti-depressant in the US.

When Prozac (fluoxetine) went generic in February of 2001, Eli Lilly attempted to launch their super-Prozac (R-fluoxetine, to be called Zalutria), but it ran into snags and did not get approved. So they pulled Cymbalta (duloxetine) off the shelf, dusted it off and put it on the market in 2004 in the US.

But I agree, in general terms it is a 'new' drug. Cymbalta is regularly prescribed for pain, but there are much better (and more appropriate) medications to be found among the opiates, and these substances have been with our species for thousands of years. And these ancient medications are much cheaper.

Well stated, thismoment.  I couldn't agree more with all that you just said.  

 

That is extremely interesting regarding the history of Cymbalta.   I (like Kenny) thought this was a relatively new drug.  How interesting that suddenly those problems from before are being ignored now.    I'm sure it's all politically driven.   As you said, the drugs that are considered "taboo" are much less invasive and much cheaper but have grown to have a much more negative stigma attached to them.   Makes you wonder who has been able to manipulate the media to position things as they are today, huh?  

 

Thanks for sharing all of that information!  

[considering]

Hi. I'm a newbie and hoping to use vipassana (mindfulness) meditation to help me get off Cymbalta, as well as diet. I've been looking at the GAPS diet which was designed to address depression, ADHD, autism and other mental/brain issues using diet. So I'm off all high starch carbs, including the most recent, sugar and chocolate. I'm hoping this will help, but I'm only three days into the titration process and a few days off sugar (6 months off other high starch carbs).  

 

I think meditation has helped me deal with bouts of low grade depression that I've experienced in the last seven years since I've been on Cymbalta. So I would highly recommend it to anyone. But I recommend that you have a teacher, even if it's meditation CDs of teachings from Sharon Saltzberg or Pema Chodron.

 

I'll let everyone know how it goes. I'm nervous.

[Carleeta]

Hi. I'm a newbie and hoping to use vipassana (mindfulness) meditation to help me get off Cymbalta, as well as diet. I've been looking at the GAPS diet which was designed to address depression, ADHD, autism and other mental/brain issues using diet. So I'm off all high starch carbs, including the most recent, sugar and chocolate. I'm hoping this will help, but I'm only three days into the titration process and a few days off sugar (6 months off other high starch carbs).  
 
I think meditation has helped me deal with bouts of low grade depression that I've experienced in the last seven years since I've been on Cymbalta. So I would highly recommend it to anyone. But I recommend that you have a teacher, even if it's meditation CDs of teachings from Sharon Saltzberg or Pema Chodron.
 
I'll let everyone know how it goes. I'm nervous.

Considering. .Great idea for meditation. .The specific one you are referring to seems great. .All I will say...any meditation is good in fact it's great...Please let us know how the one you are going to try works...Others can definitely be helped with your input. .Thank you and Good luck...

[LightoftheSea]

Just Meister, I know you posted this a couple of months ago, and I'm late to the conversation, but I think that registering your dog would be a great idea. Depression does become a type of disability, and while usually only people who undergo depression truly understand that it doesn't matter what the world thinks! If you think that your dog provides comfort (Im sure he/she does) then do it! Animals are absolutely amazing, and when going through hard times, even the smallest feelings of relief are absolutely invaluable 

[xman]

TY to ThisMoment and those wise words! You help me!

[xman]

I look at my dog and think--gee, how can she go from 0-10 and back to 0 without caffeine etc.? She is 15 y/o. In dog years around 70.  Positive energy coming from the most vulnerable creatures and animals that we are blessed with on this earth...

 

"Pet therapy" is one of the mostly effective therapies in western medicine. 

 

Think about rescuing a dog...  just putting that out there for anyone who may benefit. 

[clearglass]

I found talk therapy to always work for me.  I worked with a therapist for over 5 years while I was experiencing stress, anxiety and some depression.  Every Saturday, I'd talk about my week with someone I trusted and allowed me to unload all the weight I carried.  After he passed away, it's been hard finding someone like him.  I will continue my search because these pills are not working for me.

 

clearglass

[Itsgot2go]

I had wonderful results with controling depression but decided I hated the idea of my body needing the drug. Now I'm in the process of figuring what is left after the withdrawal is done.

[air3333]

What I am going to do after Cymbalta?

 

I am going to see a psychotherapist, meditate, exercise, eat health, avoid gambling/video games, socialize, talk to my partner, talk to people, think about improving my future, get some sun. There are so many things I can do after Cymbalta. Cymbalta numbs my mind and makes me robotic. Not able to work while being on Cymbalta due to the fatigue and memory losses. Yes I may be emotional but I will control it mostly through meditation, and understanding my true self.

 

Another treatment is called TMS - it uses magnets but it is very expensive only some insurance takes it. 

[FiveNotions]

Bravo, Air!

Sounds like you're doing great!

I took a yoga class, changed my diet, walk a lot more....and have even found I like talking to people....the poison turned me into a recluse...and I'm introverted to begin with....I'm trying to re-establish contact with friends who I let fall out of my life....I'm apologizing and explaining...and they are understanding and forgiving....life after crapalta is ....well....like being alive again!

Stay in touch,mew need your positive input and success stories!