Cymbalta

[nalla]

Has anybody on here used cymbalta (sp?) to help with the withdrawls and depression? My Dr. is putting me on that and I was just wondering if any of you have had sucess with it?

[Dawnellen]

Friend, I was really trying hard to withdraw from hydros. My sister gave me some cymbalta. It was great at first, I thought I had beat my problem in 2 days. Bad news I started my hydros again on the 2nd day. after a month of a very good high i crashed bad. the cymbalta was harder for me to withdraw from than the hydros, also remember i was on both. i have friends who love and hate cymbalta. be careful with it i would not use it no longer than a month, and only 35mg. but iam not a doctor so becareful with it.

[mother5590]

DO NOT START CYMBALTA !!!  If you go online and look at Cymbalta withdrawal you will be amazed. I have had 29 surgeries over the course of my life and have experienced some very severe pain including a thorotcotomy for spinal surgery, kidney stones, pelvic pain for numerous abdominal surgeries. I have weaned off of many narcotics over the years and have done OK by eating a very healthy diet, taking supplements, excercising, deep breathing and meditation along with praying. I even weaned off off of the Fentanyl patch without too much difficulty but going off of Cymbalta has been hell!!! I have been reading that there are numerous law suits being filed against LILY because they did not disclose the severe withdrawal. Most patients go back to Cymbalta because they just cannot live without it. Even if you wean very slowly you continue to have severe side effects for months. So far I have not found anyone who can tell me that they have gotten rid of the side effects associated with this med even months later.
I have had to wean off due to the extreme cost of the med. I am on SSDI and due to SSA glitches have not received my "Extra Help" this month so I was going to pay the copay out of pocket but it is $6 per pill. I feel that I am being robbed since I had to choose between food, meds or electricity/gas.
My symptoms include, nauseau, vomiting, BRAIN BUZZES, crying, irritability, body.joint pain, Severe Head Aches, insomnia, sleepiness, etc etc etc. This is  day 6 and I did taper for about 2 weeks slowly but once I read that it did not help to taper I decided I could not justify spending the money to taper. Please Please do not start this med. I am horrified to think that a company could have known this info and still put it on the market. PS I knew about the side effects in missing a dose because I become very sick just 12 hours late for a dose and always ran to the Pharmacy to pick up my med and never, ever missed doses if I could help it. but did not realize that I was going to have to suffer for months or maybe long with this med.

[worried878]

I am on lexapro...no problems

[Jennifer375]

Wow,,, I was having a hard time sleeping and asked my GP for a sleep med,,, she tried to push me to try cymbalta, but due to a severely negative reaction to paxil years ago I refused and she finally gave me the sleep med but immediatly said she would never refill the script because they are too easy to get 'hooked' on!! Astounding considering yours and others experinces... oddly her behavior (the doctors) was so erradic that I fired her shortly after, and during that visit she told me SHE was on cymbalta for pain herself. Mabey thats why she was acting so odd,,, she would sit and tell my husband and I about other patients suing her or getting angry because she wouldnt write a script over teh phone for whatever, then asking us repeatedly if WE would handle it that way.

Im just the patient lady,, dont ask me!? (she never mentioned names just ranted about these people, which made me wonder how/if she talked about us that way too) At first it was funny, till she started brining up patients firing and sueing her left and right, then one day I actually saw a sheriff show up to serve her a summons,,, and I never went back lol.

I hope you can figure out how to get off these meds,, the more I read these boards the more I think a fraud is being perpetuated on the american public when it comes to these newer pain/brain medicines that may be far worse than the lies they were caught in with the addiction qualities of oxycodone. Incase your not aware of it,,, the makers of that medicine knowingly lied about their tests showing it was more addicting than anything they put out so far, they knew it was the most addicting yet,,,, but their accountants realized the lawsuit that would ensue would be a drop in the bucket by compairson with the sales......... so they did it anyways , and yes only got a slap on the wrist in court.

People are being enslaved to these chemicals and get no advanced warning how hard they will be to get out of their bodies...... God bless you and may you figure out how to really feel better soon.

[vtboy195]

can u even get high or buzzed from cymbalta?  Does withdrawl happen with correct use?

[catmagnet]

I was only able to take cymbalta for 3 days... made me very agressive for some reason

[Firefaery1023]

My best friend is on cymbalta for depression and it has done wonders for her.  Me on the other hand tried it and felt like I was having a heart attack.  I am on Prozac and it helps a lot with my withdrawal symptoms especially since I have GAD (generalized anxiety disorder). I just stopped taking the medicine and never had any withdrawals.  I would go see a doctor about your problem and not take anymore of your sister's medication.  I wish you the best of luck.

[Firefaery1023]

Sorry you weren't the one taking your sister's.  I would try it out and see if it helps.  For me the Prozac doesn't kick in fully until 28 days so I had to wait awhile to get some relief.  The Cymbalta works faster than that. Good Luck.

[what2donow]

I was also prescribed Cymbalta and did research on withdrawl and it scared me.I talked to lots of people who had been on it and got mixed reactions.I went ahead and started it and it made me very sick to my stomac.I told my DR and he told me to stop taking them.He said that it works for lots of people, but if you have a bad reaction, it gets worse and worse.He said its not one of those give it a couple of week, pills. Just be careful and weigh the good and the bad.

[poetrygirl1960]

I wasn't aware cymbalta was even a pain med.  My step-daughter took it for depression and at first she loved it, but come to think of it when she didn't have it she became really catatonic.  It usually takes antidepressant drugs two weeks or more to even kick in.  I take Prozac (which also helps me through w/d) but some people think it's an absolute evil.  I would just be really careful since you are detoxing and keep a journal you may write in (say three times a day) describing exactly how you feel at that time.

Lisa

[cleannserene]

Re:  Cymbalta
3 yrs ago I went thru treatment for opiate withdrawal after many years of self prescribed pain relief.  I had to wait 24hrs and then I was put on suboxone for withdrawal and drug cravings and Cymbalta for pain management and depression.  (I have been on antidepressants for 30yrs.)  Anyway, this combination has been a miracle for me as my pain has been completely manageable with OTC if needed, have had no urge to use, nor any depression issues.  I am someone that will always need to be on some type of antidepressant, so I haven't worried much about the Cymbalta withdrawal,  I am also very involved with  NA, sponsor, steps etc. prayer, meditation and all that.  From my perspective, I use whatever works as long as it keeps me from the insanity of active addiction.
Good luck and God Bless

[thanasis]

I' m on cymbalta and i think its very good! Gives a lot of energy and i can stand the litle side effects i have, like  increased sweating, and litle jaw tremor which is reducing by time.
Another side effect i have is delayed ejacuation, but i enoy that.

[wanttobeclean]

I have been off oxycodone for 27 days.  I was started on Cymbalta almost 2 weeks ago, but more for the depression and anxiety that got me using in the first place.  The first 2-3 days I had some nausea, diarrhea and INCREASED anxiety. But those symptoms have all resolved. Just in the past 2-3 days, I notice a huge difference.  I feel better now than I have in a long time...even well before I started to use oxycodone.  I too have read about bad withdrawls from Cymbalta, but I am willing to take that risk.  I just could not go on with my life the way it was and the Cymbalta has really made a difference to me.  I would have a good discussion with your doctor about your concerns and make an educated decision.  Best of luck!

[jerrip]

I had no idea the side effects and withdrawl from cymbalta.  I am on it for diabetic neuropathy. All my nerves in my feet are damaged from my diabetes.  Cymbalta has really helped me. I have been on it a few years now.  I will never stop using it....I almost lost both feet due to my diabetes, and this stuff really works for me....funny thing it doesn't touch any pain except the nerve pain.  I am on day 15 off dilaudid and soma, and STILL shaking.   Jerri

[Sunnyd210]

I take Cymbalta and it is just GREAT for me. Any side effects I had went away after a few weeks, someone up there said something about taking it a few days you need to be on it at least a month to know how its going to effect u. And u are supposed to start and a low dose and then have it raised if needed ur NOT supposed to take anyone elses pills. I feel better than I have in YEARS and Im sure getting off the pills made a difference but I dont think I wouldve had such success without Cymbalta!!!

[brandy681]

CYMBALTA HAS BEEN A GOD SENT FOR ME, IT HAS HELPED MY NERVE PAIN AS I GET BURNING IN MY FEET AND HELPS MILDLY FOR SOME PAIN AS DOES LYRICA I TAKE... I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY WITHDRWAL EFECTS FROM IT AND I TAKE 60MG MORNING AND 60MG NIGHT. THE ONLY TIME I EVER WENT OFF IS WHEN I FORGOT IT ON VACATION ONE TIME BUT I WAS FINE WITHOUT IT.

AS WITH PAIN MEDS ON THE OTHER HAND, NOW THAT IS A DIFFERENT STORY....

THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY THAT WAS WHEN I WAS OFF CYMBALTA THE BURNING IN MY FEET CAME BACK SLIGHTLY WORSE THEN BEFORE... NOTHING MAJOR AND NO WITHDRAWAL FROM IT.


NOW WITH LORTABS I HAD WITHDRAWAL AS WITH TRAMADOL. THEY SAY TRAMADOL IS NOT ADDICTING BUT IT CERTAINLY IS.... I WOULD NOT START IT.

AGAIN CYMBALTA AND LYRICA HAS HELPED MY BACK SOMEWHAT AND THE BURNING IN MY FEET A LOT!!!!! I WOULD GIVE IT A TRY.

I CAN SAY THAT I DON'T WANNA BE WITHOUT IT BECAUSE IT WORKS SO WELL. I WOULDN'T CALL THAT AN ADDICTION. VS NO WITHDRAWAL EFFECTS. MAYBE SLIGHT DEPENDENCY WITH SOME PEOPLE.

GOOD LUCK!~

[brandy681]

NO CYMBALTA IS FOR DEPPRESSION BUT IT HELPS WITH PAIN ALSO (IN A WAY) IT DOES HELP BURNING SENSATIONS FROM DIABETIC NEURAPATHY AND IT MAY HELP SOME BACK PAIN IN SOME PEOPLE, NOT EVERYONE.

I THINK IT CAN HAVE A DEPENDENCY JUST BECAUSE IT HELPS PAIN (SOME)

NOT AN ADDICTION (NO WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS !!!!!!!

BUT SOME SAY THAT THEY WERE ADDICTED, I DUNNO... I GUESS IT DEPENDS ON THE PERSON....

GOOD LUCK ALL!



P.S   OF COURSE YOU ARE GOING TO READ BAD THINGS ABOUT ALL MEDICATIONS ONLINE, MOST ARE NOT TRUE. I NEVER HAD ANY BAD SIDE EFFECTS.

THE ONLY SIDE EFFECT FOR ME WAS 30LB WEIGHT LOSS, COMMON SIDE EFFECT (GOOGLE IT)

OTHER THEN THAT OF COURSE YOU WILL READ HORROR STORIES OF DIFFERENT MEDS ALL THE TIME, NEVER READ THINGS ONLINE BECAUSE IT JUST MAKES YOU WORRY. MY MOM ALWAYS SAIS DONT READ THINGS ONLINE BECAUSE IT WILL JUST SCARE YOU (DR SAIS THE SAME THING)

[Dav125]

I had one short experience with cymbalta Brandy. I consider myself lucky to have walked away from it when I did. I started experiencing all kinds of problems I couldn't sort out. After the fact I found a forum that was dedicated to people that had gotten caught up in horrible wd's...Some say it does wonders, some say its evil..I would say its worse than oxycontins as far as withdrawals...Thats my feelings about the stuff..

[IBKleen]

Hi Brandy!

Just wanted to let you know that the original poster started this thread in 2006. It is nearly 3-1/2 years old and that poster is not currently posting in this community.

If you would like to share your experiences with the members currently here, go to the top of this page and hit the green "Post A Question" button. Follow the instructions to start your own post and let the members get to know you.

Hope to see you stick around!

[Ashie90]

My Dr. recently just put me on it and it works for me. I don't know why or how but I am happier. It has been nearly 2 weeks since I've been on it and well I like it so far.

[Ashie90]

My Dr. recently just put me on it and it works for me. I don't know why or how but I am happier. It has been nearly 2 weeks since I've been on it and well I like it so far.

[aut55]

I was on cymbalta for almost 4 yrs. I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I never had any side effects at all. I was diagnosed post traumatic syndrome. I took 60mgs a day. They worked wonders for me along with therapy. I credit them for saving my life and my sanity. I took myself off them when i felt I no longer needed them. I weaned off slowly. It has now been a year since completely off them. I have never felt better. good luck no matter what your choice. Not every med is good for all.

[mrsdelatorre09]

the withdrawal sympoms suck i ran out a few days ago i get angrey for no reason i cry over nothing if i knew all this i wouldnt have got on it so if u havent started taking it DONT my name is ashley and im 19

[tlc0u]

to answer you, yes it does...I have been taking 40mg once daily for about 6 months, I have fibromyalgia, I was kind of steered/pressured towards Cymbalta, as according to my last Doctor the only good form of anti-depressant recommended for fibromyalgia. Funny thing was I didn't even ask for the change to my meds, I was doing good on my current regiment. Well after months of no depression relief on Cymbalta, and at the Doctor's suggestion that I see a therapist first, I asked to go back to Prozac, because, well it worked. For me I didn't miss doses, I keep everything in pill containers for the day, and I never took more than the daily 40mg presciribed. I am a high functioning Fibromyalgia patient, but a side effect of Fibromyalgia is your chemicals are off, which causes depression...I went to see another Doctor, this Doctor was not aware of the withdrawal symptoms of discontinuing Cymbalta, just that its not recommended that I take it with the Prozac, she said quit the Cymbalta and she would see me back in 2 weeks and she would prescribe the Prozac. Well that was a last Monday, its Saturday, I have never felt headaches and pain like this in my life, and I have fibromyalgia, I know pain. I have made the decision to stick it out and get off, I don't want to take a drug that is going to makes me feel this way if I were to miss a dose...I feel like this should be on the bottle, some type of warning, I started looking for Cymbalta side effects as that literally is the only change in my life. There is so much on the internet about this being more addictive that heroin...some of the things I am experiencing are debilitating zings, jumps, skips, however you want to describe it, its like someone is hitting your brain with a tazer over and over and over, and its painful, I finally get sleep when I am just so exhausted that my body lets me pass out, and I am on Lyrica, and Celebrex for pain relief right now. I am so angry about this drug and am determined to get off of it. What I want to know is how long am I going to feel like this, I pray its not months. Right now I am just trying to find information on any drug addiction to help ease me out of the funk. My hubby and my Doctor have suggested taking some pain killers for the headaches and pain but what's the point, its just swapping one addiction for another....anyway I know I am a little carried away with my rant, but I am pissed, they should not be marketing Cymbalta as an anti-depressant, it should be ranked up there with opiates, and it should come with a warning that's it is just as addictive or more so than heroin.