I hope that this all clams down for you in time, Faylen. I niticed some real visual interesting things, too, and still do, but am aware that the meds do this. At times, bright lights lool brighter, and I know they aren't really that bright.

I fell Friday afternoon. I actually caught my foot on the bell off my jeans and tripped while going up to the concrete back porch, so I haven't been around for a couple of days. I must say my left knee looks like the shade of blueberry. I have a soft knee support to wear and as long as I don't get down on my left knee, it looks worse than it feels.

Jackie

Sorry to hear about your fall, Jackie! That sounds like it hurt. Get better soon ...
No, unfortunately we didn't move because of a promotion. Both my husband and I got laid off about a year and a half ago. There weren't many opportunities where we were at, so we moved looking for more options.
It's basically just the two of us. We'd like to have children but we're facing some fertility problems and don't have the money (or the insurance) to cover treatment. Hopefully we can figure out something soon, as I am qucikly approaching 40 and am running out of time (yes, this accounts for some of my depression).
Today marks 7 days on cymbalta. Things are better, as far as sleep goes. I still wake up a couple of times a night, but I'm usually able to go back to sleep. The brain tingling stopped (thank God), but I still feel weird (jittery) and a little more anxious than usual. I start 60 mg. on Thursday. I hope the side effects don't intensify too much after that. I'll keep you posted.
Take care,
Erin

Faylen,
Hopefully we can both find a good support system soon! What part of the country did you move to?
I moved from the Gulf Coast to the Northeast.
I've lost interest in coffee, too. The medicine makes me feel jittery and a little like I'm on speed, so I guess that's why I've lost interest in my usual two cups in the morning.
I haven't had any of the visuals and color intensifying. Weird ...
Take care and keep us posted on how you're doing,
Erin

I just moved about an hour and a half south of where I was in New Jersey, not too far, but far enough. It's a strange situation in particular because in my old neighborhood, my house was almost never empty - neighbors and friends were always dropping by. At first, I thought that with all this time to myself, I'd be able to get a lot done - but that means I actually have to start doing something first! Harder than it sounds!

Jackie, I hope your knee feels better soon. Ouch!

Tomorrow, it'll be one week on 60 mg. My mood is kind of flat, but better than being anxious and hypochondriac. The visual thing is mostly noticeable only when seeing something for the first time in a while (fired up the Sims 2 and was blown away at first. . .) At night, I'm waking up pretty much every hour, almost exactly at the same point in the hour - last night, 10:45, 11;45, 12:45, and at 1:45 I took a Sonata - and feeling desperate to go to the bathroom. I've been hopping on the treadmill in the morning, had to cut back on the time a bit because it's about an hour after taking the Cymbalta, and I'm getting sweaty and my heartrate goes up a lot sooner than it used to. The dreams are vivid, but that's all I remember of them. It's very bizarre to wake up and have just a few disconnected images to remind me that I was asleep and dreaming.

I have been taking Cymbalta for almost 18 months now. In the begining they worked great. Life at home
was getting better and my wife could see a big difference in my attitude. In the last 3 months or so
the drugs have alomost stopped working. I have no desire to up the dosage, mainly b/c I am affraid too.
Its really starting to effect my relationship with my wife. What can I do?

Hello,
I am new here. I am a 30 year old male who has been suffering from depression. Also, I am a pharmacist. So, I may be able to help answer some med questions. Anyway, about 2 weeks ago I started taking Cymbalta (60mg daily) and I actually think it may be starting to work. Before that I took Prozac for 6 weeks and didn't notice any benefit. My "depression" manifests itself as me being irritable and bored with life most of the time. It's really hard for me to get through a day of work. Often I have to "fake it" to act normal and nice to people who I like. Also, I tend to feel disinterested in work and find myself just doing the least amount possible just to get through the day. When I see the enthusiasm others sometimes have it really bothers me, because I want to be happy and interested in things, but just don't. I often put off small tasks like paying bills online, because I just feel so restless doing things that are everyday tasks.

Another way my depression manifests is being tired a lot. I would really like to hear from someone with similar symptoms or experiences and how they are doing. It has been harder and harder for me to get out of bed in the morning. Nothing physically "hurts", it's just that getting up seems to require so much energy I don't feel I have. Has anyone here experienced this? It's not like I have a backache or headache (or any other "real" pain); but - it's just a general feeling of laziness or "unwellness". I have no thoughts of suicide. But, often I feel "run down" and irritable. I can't explain it even though I am trying. It seems to take me a few hours to feel "with it" in the morning - and I am really dragging. I used to work out a lot, and now, it's just so unpleasant I hardly work out at all - and have gained some weight. This I feel is due to the depression. Even things that are supposed to be "fun", I have very little interest in doing. I haven't really spoken to anyone about this, except 10 minutes with my HMO managed care M.D. who wrote me a script for Cymbalta because I asked him. So, I would love to get to know some people here

Oddly enough, just the fact that I am posting here tends to make me feel the Cymbalta is working. Usually, spending the time to research something on the internet is just so dull or "uninteresting" to me, I never do it unless I absolutely have to. I have tried various anxiety meds in the past with little relief. I guess I would best describe my symptoms as a persistent "boredness" with life or irritable mood. I have always enjoyed alcohol and have used it off and on to get through situations and as a tool to try and enjoy myself. I find that alcohol helps to relax me, but I hate how it sucks up even more of my energy and makes me tired. I become so "annoyed" (not panicky or afraid) with some social situations, the only way I can find to get through them is with a couple of drinks. However, I don't feel I drink enough that it's a problem in my like, and neither do those close to me.

Is there anyone out there with symptoms similar to mine? Does anyone feel "bored" almost constantly, like you have nothing to look forward to - even if a vacation is coming up or similar? I guess I feel like doing different tasks gives me little or no sense of reward. The only reason I feel I go to work is because I have to in order to live. I am honest when I say I only feel like doing the minimum and seem bewildered when I see people volunteer to do extra work. I hate feeling this way. Its been getting worse over the years.

However, externally, I don't thing most people really view me in this way. I have a decent job, nice car, and dress fairly well. However, I only really socialize with my girlfriend anymore, because I get little pleasure from doing things with friends. When people have made plans with me in the past, I tend to feel "happier" if they break them at the last minute. I just want to feel better. Hopefully, this isn't a fluke, and the Cymbalta is helping me feel a little better. Even though I am a healthcare professional, I have put off seeking help for my depression in the past because I have little interest, energy, or can't muster the "enthusiasm" to go see the doctor. It's just so stressful for me, I hate it. I find it very hard to look people in the eye when I talk with them, and HATE when people strike up a conversation with me in public - I just want to get away from them. I just feel like I don't care about hardly anything. I see people enthusiastic about sports or a hobby - and I'm dumbfounded why they care. I used to enjoy things like that, but no more. The same when people plan parties or social events. Does/has anyone feel like this? Most of the time I just want to be left alone and have little energy anymore to accomplish much when I am not at work. I watch a lot of TV and drive around a lot bored.

Sometimes, it takes all my will power to do something as common as to go shopping for a specific item. My life is getting more disorganized. I feel like I just "exist" and don't plan anything anymore for the future. I am proud of myself for planning a 2 week trip (which is coming up) to Europe, but I'm fearing getting there and feeling miserable and not feel like seeing anything. In the past, traveling has been one of my favorite pastimes. But now, between planning everything and coordinating time off from work, I rarely do it. Instead of planning something I may enjoy, it's just easier for me to "slide" through the day. I don't "feel like" going out of my way to do anything special, and don't enjoy holidays. I do the least possible for them.

However, it's not always like this. Sometimes I feel O.K. I don't think others see me as miserable, just a person that is some times irritable. However, sometimes I can get in a good mood. I do have fun going out to dinner and having a couple of drinks. Going out to eat is one thing I still enjoy. But again, it almost always involves a few drinks so I can relax. I don't know why I am posting all this. Probably, because the older I get, the more I realize this feeling is not normal. That life/work/holidays shouldn't always "suck". That would be a good way to describe how I feel; like everything "sucks" and I just want to get it over with. Does anyone feel like this? has anyone felt this way and made a complete recovery? Thank you so much for your input in advance. Clinically, being a pharmacist, I know the textbook answers for these questions. However, my negative and pessimistic attitude makes me feel like I will always feel "s***ty". Any input is appreciated. Feel free to email me at swanicyouth@comcast.net. Thank you.

Hello, Thurston,

I hope a couple of more weeks of Cymbalta help to restore your energy. I know how that feeling of being overwhelmed at the thought of getting out of bed is and have had the experience of feeling 'burned out' by employment a couple of years ago, prior to Cymbalta use was. Whew!

It's much better for me, now. I have motivation and energy to keep up with the younger set, most of the time, but like you, I'm a little older. Unlike you, I have numerous health concerns, so if I can generally keep up, I guess that counts for something.

I was on lexparo prior to cymbalta and was able to taper within one week with only stomach issues, which went away in a short time. I have been on it since Aug of 2004 and find that the 60mg. suites me well. I wouldn't think of going off of it or increasing it. I can't imagine how I'd feel without it as I had tons of anxiety and know it's still with me; the med does a great job of reducing it.

I think you need to give it some time. My experience with ad's is that as the months go on, you get a different perspective on life and things begin to open up and appeal to one once again. I used to have all kinds of hobbies and set them aside when depression set in. Since then, I've restarted a couple of them, and it provides the relaxation and satisfaction like it did in the past. There is life after depression and life with meds. Part of getting better is undoing the havoc that depression causes like isolating and staying uninvolved with what's going on around you. I guess trying to get things back to what they were before the depression took it's toll on you socially is what I'm trying to say. It's not good to live like a hermit. I don't thing we do well, alone, if you know what I mean. We really need to socialize. Not necessairly at work, either. It's one thing to have professional relationships, but it's more important to find friends outside the workplace so you can get 'away' from the stress and have fun.

I feel like I talked too much. Let me know what you think about this.

Jackie

Erin,

I'm still waiting for the clinic to call about my lower leg. I had terrific bruising on the side of my left knee and it eventually went down to my foot and faded out. My knee hurts if I bend it and swells up - down the front of my shin if I stand on it for a couple of hours, and the job I now have requires standing for 7-8 hours straight.

Don't give up on the kidders. I had mine when I was 37, 39 and 43. One it starts, it doesn't stop. I don't know how I suddenly came up pregnant, but once it started, it was easy the second time. Maybe stress is part of the problems. I know we signed the papers on the house and I was pregnant 2 months later. I guess that wasn't the best time as lots of things happened real quick. We tried for years before this, too.


oh, I saw you made some comment about caffine. I went to 50/50 as I love the taste of coffee, but noticed that it didn't like me and increased my anxiety. It's a much better mix. This med is time released, so there's no getting around caffine use. It really helps me wake up in the morning, but can make for one anxious start of the day, too. I usually can burn it off trying to get housework done, as I don't like the feeling and will keep busy to try to ingore the effect.

Jackie

Hello, Thurston,

I hope a couple of more weeks of Cymbalta help to restore your energy. I know how that feeling of being overwhelmed at the thought of getting out of bed is and have had the experience of feeling 'burned out' by employment a couple of years ago, prior to Cymbalta use was. Whew!

It's much better for me, now. I have motivation and energy to keep up with the younger set, most of the time, but like you, I'm a little older. Unlike you, I have numerous health concerns, so if I can generally keep up, I guess that counts for something.

I was on lexparo prior to cymbalta and was able to taper within one week with only stomach issues, which went away in a short time. I have been on it since Aug of 2004 and find that the 60mg. suites me well. I wouldn't think of going off of it or increasing it. I can't imagine how I'd feel without it as I had tons of anxiety and know it's still with me; the med does a great job of reducing it.

I think you need to give it some time. My experience with ad's is that as the months go on, you get a different perspective on life and things begin to open up and appeal to one once again. I used to have all kinds of hobbies and set them aside when depression set in. Since then, I've restarted a couple of them, and it provides the relaxation and satisfaction like it did in the past. There is life after depression and life with meds. Part of getting better is undoing the havoc that depression causes like isolating and staying uninvolved with what's going on around you. I guess trying to get things back to what they were before the depression took it's toll on you socially is what I'm trying to say. It's not good to live like a hermit. I don't thing we do well, alone, if you know what I mean. We really need to socialize. Not necessairly at work, either. It's one thing to have professional relationships, but it's more important to find friends outside the workplace so you can get 'away' from the stress and have fun.

I feel like I talked too much. Let me know what you think about this.

Jackie

Chris,

I'd talk to the doc about it. Maybe adding another ad would help. Whatever you do, don't stop taking it as lots of times, the effects are there and we just get used to it. This forum is loaded with people reporting they 'didn't think' their med was working and when they stopped taking it, they crashed. Sometimes, restarting it doesn't work, then you need to go to another ad.

I know there's one person who is on 90mg. that I know of and states that it works well for him.

Jackie

Thanks Jackie,
You make some interesting points. I'm glad to see the Cymbalta is working for you. The thing is, I think the Cymbalta is starting to work for me. Oddly enough, I am up early before work typing this, usually I would stay in bed until the last minute. I just started noticing little things like that. I am curious how your (and others) depression manifested itself and how you felt. I kind of feel sometimes I am not the stereotypical depressed person - but sometimes I feel am just that. I know that sounds confusing, but I think the physical feeling of "unmotivation" to participate in life is often downplayed in depression diagnosis. In other words, someone on this web site wrote they feel like "a fever was lifted" as their depression improved... and I can see how that's a good analogy. That's kind of how I feel/felt a lot of the time - just like "sitting around" doing nothing - like almost if you were sick with a fever. Have you experienced this feeling? Have you ever felt like your just sitting around waiting for the day to end? The reason why I am asking is because I have never seen depression described this way per se, and I was wondering if these feelings are common.
Thanks in advance.

I know the big factor in my relapse with depression was too much stress and it manifested in anxiety, poor concentration and this brought up too much conflict in what my options were and how to handle it. I lost tons of sleep over these issues and didn't have enough support to handle it.

My Dad was dying from alcoholism, heart problems and cancer. He was underinsured due to his own recklessness with alcoholism and finances. My Mother divorced him years before but was also quite conflicted on what to do. His new wife was only a couple of years older than me, and did all she could do to take care of him, but I felt quite guilty that I couldn't be there. I had a fulltime job, a husband and three children. My two brothers were generally unsupportive to my Father due to his choice in a new wife. Much family strife....

My job was another issue. I was the key breadwinner with the job, the benefits, you name it. I had this job for about 25years, and it was burning me out due to a boss that was a real pain in the butt. Prior to his hiring, everyone in my dept. had either gotten fired or quit and all new people were brought in that I got to train for nothing but a ton of stress for about 2 months. Having a ton of responsibility, but no authority is a bad mix. This led to tons of anxiety and no energy for outlets. Eat, sleep and work.

On top of all this, I began to loose my grip of finances. Too stressed out to write a check or even ask my husband to take over the responsibilities and things got real hairy. Then, the denial that I was falling apart.... I guess I tried to ignore that all this was taking a toll on me emotionally and things went into a gradual slide for two years until I couldn't take the anxiety attacks that were coming on daily. I never talked about the sleep issues with my medical doc, but was in the office almost monthly with stress-related physical complaints. Why she never caught it is beyond me. I had terrible headaches, physical body aches, plenty of upper respitory problems, including bronchitis and pneumonia, high blood pressure, back aches, muscle problems.... the list goes on and on. I finally went in one day with bronchitis and mentioned that I was having anxiety attacks. She wanted to discuss this further, and I shut her off. I was in there the next day, and started treatment with meds, hooked up with a therapist and went on a 6 week leave. FMLA. I was at the end of my emotional rope. I could kick myself in the rear for waiting so long. It's really cost me in terms of emotions, finances, strained maritial relationship and health, not to mention employment.

You ask about the experience of loosing motivation and enthsiasm. Well, that's the key factor for depression; you loose the zest for life. Most people just go to bed and give up. Like me.... wait until you can't deal with the stress and strain, and throw in the towel. I think denial is more than a river in Egypt. We wonder how our lives got so out of contol. I remember being a bystander in my own life, too. Stand back and take a look at what's going on. Too tired to participate. Sit and watch how others are doing their life. Listen to what's going on, but don't want any part of it. Too pooped to participate. Too stressed out to sleep. Can't keep up with anything that used to be easy. Think way too much. Distorted perception, but unable to do anything about it. Like a fog.

Love, Jackie

Hi all!
Another newby here. I've been reading this forum for several days, looking for new posts. This welcome post seems to have the newest thread, which makes sense. Also, I don't know how to find newest posts, so I've been going through all of the categories. Very interesting. Jackie, you must be a moderator? Your post on Oct 16 was very enlightening. That was the first I saw your "story" posted. Very glad you shared this and helps us see the light at the other end, because you seem to be in pretty good shape mentally/psychologically at this point. I see similarities in your story and mine and I'm sure many of us here in depression and anxiety forums do. My GAD is my biggest enemy, but I've finally begun to fight back. I'm 51! Silly of me to suffer so long. But I am the QUEEN of denial! Thought I could fix myself without anybody ever knowing I had any problems. Anyway... moved to new location this summer, got a physical, talked about my insomnia, generalized anxiety, etc. in my history. She recommended ADs and I said thanks, but no. But something she said like "you can't help it if you have imbalanced brain chemistry" and that insomnia and anxiety were the flip-side to depression and ADs might be able to get a better balance. I went for a follow-up for another reason and talked some more. She gave me Lexapro samples. I started/stopped once because the start-up anxiety scared me to death. Then started again very slowly, inched my way to the 10mg and have been on the med now for about 5 weeks. Went back to my PCD and told her I'd lost my libido and couldn't find it; also couldn't get the Big O w/o gargantuan effort and these SEs (mostly the libido decline) were making my hubby of 30 years pitch fits. Also, I thought my insomnia was worse than it had ever been. She said "we" could try a more activating AD and gave me Cymbalta samples. Also I'm trying Trazodone now at night for better sleep. Taken it twice and jury is still out on that one. Have not started Cymbalta as I do a ton of research before I put anything of this magnitude in my body. I'm not finding a lot of encouragement here about the sexual SEs of Cymbalta. I can't fathom why we have to imbalance one part of the brain in order to gain ground in another! Sheesh, I'm sure in another decade or so, scientists will figure how to get a complete balance of chemicals. Until then, guess we get to pick and choose. For those of you who have panic/anxiety disorders and have switched, do you see an overall difference in the positive effects? Thanks for all of your posts that are helping me to make the decision whether or not to switch.

I'm so glad that you decided to join!! It's great when the readers become members! I'm also glad to see that you told your doc about the gad and anxiety problems. I guess you're also at the magical time in life when menopause sets in, lol! I think that may have something to do with my stuff. I know that this has been difficult on my brain and body. No hormones for me. Just depression and anxiety.

Look around and when you get the chance, ask others about the sexual side effects. My doc sad the only other thing she could do would be to put me on Wellbrutin to help out, but it would increase my anxiety and I'm on other medical meds and I have my limit, you know. I know the decision to go on psych meds is a difficult one and I put it off until I had anxiety coming on me just about all my waking hours. I guess I really didn't have much choice, lol! I was to the point where I almost couldn't function for fear of anxiety.

Good to meet you! Enjoy the forums!!

Jackie

Thanks for the Welcome, Jackie. I'm figuring out this site a little better and how to send individual emails to people who post. Cool site with lots of different categories, but complex. How did you get to be a senior moderator of this section? Or do you moderate the entire site? It is great to have someone w/couple of yrs exper. on Cymbalta. After I posted, I realized that my neck/jaw pain has increased while on Lex. I have had chronic neck pain for years due to a car accident and have had bruxism for years, so I think the Lex exacerbated the jaw clenching/grinding now that I think about it. Does Cymbalta really help with alleving pain? How much relief? Do you notice the difference? And yes, I'm getting close to peri-meno, but staving it off fairly well with low-dose BC meds. I'm into a healthy lifestyle and exercise, so I think that has helped me last so long. The hot flashes I'm having of late are due to the Lexapro!! Go figure.

I guess I talked so freely about my experiences with depression and anxiety and meds and was supportive to other, and had an interest in modding and put in an application when they were looking for one. I also have had experience with reoccuring depression, PTSD, and drug abuse. I worked in mental health for over 30yrs. I also have fibromyalgia, which contributes to depression. Put it all together, and you got me, LOL! :tounge:

Anyhow, I mod here, the Anxiety Room, the Other Disorders Room (medical disorders), and a little in the Relationship Room. I can go anywhere on the forums.

If you right click on any topic, it will open the room. I know it takes awhile to catch on and there are features that I haven't tried, yet. I use the arrow at the top on my screen to return to previous screens like a back button. I had a friend who gave up because she couldn't figure it all out, lol! She lives far away, so I couldn't show her, either. It's lots of scrolling down at times...... It works for me.

Pm me if you want to try. I can explain as time goes on.

I have TMJ, to. Maybe they need to put something on the paper that comes with Lexapro about this may aggravate tmj, lol! I know people were either buying appliances or mouth guards to try to fend off the headaches and one person actually broke a tooth. You can loosen teeth if you're a grinder. My doc said the constant headaches were from tension. Nahhhh!!! Some of us deal with anxiety this way. I don't know if were trying to hold it in and this causes depression, but it would be my guess. I just know it hurts, and anxiety really gets the tmj going. A dentist told me to use an anti-inflammitory for the pain, but I know that something for anxiety will lessen it, too. If my anxiety gets the best of me, I don't know of anything but staying off the foods that have to be grinded, like meat, so my jaw can rest. I have one of those pliable neck wraps in my freezer to use when the pain in my neck gets the best of me. I also use topical ointments and heat. If it isn't one thing, it's the other with this old arthritic body!! Stretching out those muscles is free, though. I do it all the time... I also have had a neck injury... Whiplash, and it probably was the start of things with my neck. Oh WEll!!!

Jackie

This post has been edited by Jkm: Oct 27 2006, 09:03 PM

Hi, my name is Cindy, and I live in Comox, BC., Canada. I have been reading alot about Cymbalta, and wondered if anyone knows if it is available in Canada? I have been on and off antideppressants for the last 13 years, but haven't found one that really seems to work. I will ask my doc about it next time I go in, just thought maybe there is someone else from Canada here.

Thanks,
Cindy

Maybe the quickest way to find out would to be by calling your pharmacy and asking. I'm sure they carry it and probably by the generic name. Let us know what you find out. If you read some of the comments, you'll hear that people generally like this med.

Glad you came and read through the post and I think it's great that you are trying to educate yourself about the differnt meds! I read everything I could get my hands on about this med as I have a pain disorder and the weather really bothers my muscles. This is the first ad I have ever been on that has some effect on stopping the horrible pain I have had in the past when the weather gets wet or humid. The weather here is wet and rainy and it's cooling down into the high 30's. I the past this kind of weather would have sent me to the sofa in horrible pain and I'd be using a heating pad or getting into a hot bath to try to soothe my muscles. I really felt that my life was falling apart with this. I'm so thankful that this med works for me. I am working parttime and I do have some pain due to lifting and bending, but it's the kind of normal pain a person might have if they're not used to this. I try to pace myself, but we all know this is impossible when you are working. Anyhow, just wanted to let you know this med is great for depression. Great for anxiety and good for pain disorders. I usually have to take a couple of motrin with it when the weather goes into spring or fall, and am on a low dose of neurontin, which really is great for this kind of pain, but I'm so much more settled than I was a couple of years ago. I have no problems with the cymbalta, except I get the 'zaps' if I don't take my pill on time. I had the same thing with Lexapro, so my brain chemistry must be really sensitive to this med.

Love, Jackie

Hi to all, Don't mean to hijack this post but I still don't have enough post to create my own topic and I need some advise. I'm on 60 mg cymbalta and I feel it work a bit for me. but the sexual sides I can't tolerate anymore. I'm thinking on going to 40 mg to see if the sides decrease and still receive the same benefits. I'm not asking to tell me if I should or not. I would like to know if anyone here has lower their dosage by 20 mg, maintain their benefits and decrease the sides? if I ask my Dr. this he will say maybe but never will say yes or no. In other words what ever I tell him next time I C him, he will go with it so your answer could be helpfull with my decision. ty

This post has been edited by NYCMale: Oct 27 2006, 07:44 PM

hey jackie...notice i'm in the cymbalta room instead of the wellbutrin one lol. after 8 days i couldnt handle the s/e anylonger and went back to cymbalta which i had been on for 6 wks b4 switching due to wt gain. it took about 4 days for the horrible sweating and weird noise in my head to go away after stopping the w/b....and so far no s/e from cymbalta and no good effects either. not sure how i will counteract the wt gain s/e since i was basically eating nothing while i was on it b4 and that didnt help. sure hope those sweats dont follow me here! kat

i had taken effexor for 3 yrs with no real improvement but was too depressed tp seek a change. when i finally did i asked my pc dr for cymbalta having seen the tv ads...i thought it was a new med. he said it wasnt new and was basically the same as effexor but gave me samples. he said since they were so similar i could switch directly over which i did with no problems.
kat

thurston
every thing u have described i have and do have. textbook depression as u know. i have no real constant physical pain but severe emotional pain for lack of a better term. i have stayed on my bed for seveal days straight not sleeping just staring out the window watching the day turn to night and back to day again etc. all the time my brain telling me how messed up this is. i look back ar everyting i used to do and have no idea how i did them or even wanted to do them when now justr getting off the bed to brush my teeth seems impossible and not worth the effort. depression is a monster that lives on yr back and smothers u. takes away any and all joy for living. i too fake it around others who prob would have no clue i was such a mess. i just have no desire to socialize and being a young widow and alone have isolated and cut myself off from everyone cuz its just too exhausting an effort. id rather be alone tho its boring as hell than force myself out. i want my life back and im afraid no med will work...none have so far so i'm hoping for the cymbalta. so to answer yr question...yes...others feel what u do. its called depression and no one can understand unless theyve experienced it. even tho it doesnt help much ....u r not alone. kat

NYC Male,

The men on Cymbalta have a room about the sexual side effects and you may want to talk to them about how they are handling this. It seems to me that most add Wellbrutin to conteract this, but take a look in the room and be sure before mentioning this with your doc.

Jackie


Blondecat,

At some point, we all have to decide what side effects are worth putting up with, and I know that weight gain isn't one of them for most people. I don't have this, and usually can skip meals if things are driving up my anxiety as it gets my stomach all queasy.... My appetite loss is one of the symptoms of my depression. I guess I'd try flavored water for two reasons. Quenching thirst and as a substitute for food. I know that people do gain weight on meds without eating, but you need to put something in there. I'm crossing my fingers, but unless you've been on meds steadily for 6 to 8 weeks, the moodlifting effects aren't going to happen. I went from Lexapro in a week due to them both being SSRI's, so they both work on the same chemicals; it just that Cymbalta works on norephenifren sp., and this is supposed to help with pain, which I have from a pain disorder something like arthritis, but with muscle involvement and osteoarthritis. I'm working and now this med isn't doing much for either one. Life is not fair, once again! I need to get back to my doc and see if she wants to increase this to see if it works better. After two years at 60mg., it's loosing it's zing, or my condition is worsening. It sure is messing up my sleep. :mad:

I went to the medical doc last week for bronchitis and now my lungs are aching something terrible. I guess it's breaking up, but the pain is unbearable when it occurs. Does nothing for my anxiety, either. Tired of feeling tired from being sick and working in spite of it. Nothing fair in this world, today!

[quote name='Jkm' date='Oct 31 2006, 08:19 AM' post='163947']
NYC Male,

The men on Cymbalta have a room about the sexual side effects and you may want to talk to them about how they are handling this. It seems to me that most add Wellbrutin to conteract this, but take a look in the room and be sure before mentioning this with your doc.

Sorry but where is this cymbalta room located? I went to the chatroom and there was only 1 room.

[quote name='NYCMale' post='164132' date='Oct 31 2006, 05:38 PM'][quote name='Jkm' post='163947' date='Oct 31 2006, 08:19 AM']
NYC Male,

The men on Cymbalta have a room about the sexual side effects and you may want to talk to them about how they are handling this. It seems to me that most add Wellbrutin to conteract this, but take a look in the room and be sure before mentioning this with your doc.

Sorry but where is this cymbalta room located? I went to the chatroom and there was only 1 room.[/quote]

Sorry but where is this cymbalta room located? I went to the chatroom and there was only 1 room.

jackie.....i hear u sweetie. fair and life do not go together. if they did there would be no need for this site as there would be no pain or depression. i havent slept more than 2 hrs at a time for years. i so envy ppl who lay their heads down and wake up 8 hrs later!! never experienced it but it must be close to nirvana! even sleep meds dont put me out. i too have fibro but have been in remission w/meds for about 5 yrs but i know of what u speak. i had to commit to stayin on pain meds so i could walk w/o pain but knowing that i have to always have my meds is just another monkey on my back. anyway im tryin to give my full effort this next 6 wks to the cymbalta cuz i want to get better so badly and have some kind of life even tho im alone now. i was laid off the last job i was doing in may and my money runs out next month but until i get well the thought of trying to find another job and work is overwhelming to me. i hope u get over this bug soon...take lots of vit c !!

I just got back to full time, and it's kind of scarey for me to think about, so I guess I just go with the flow and see if my bones and muscles hold up. I worked 10hrs., Sunday so a young guy could go see the Browns play and it just about killed me, lol! I get it in my back and shoulders and lower legs. I need something increased, and probably the neurontin. I tried to get my medical doc to give me Flexaril as I know it would knock me out so I could sleep at night, and she said I was too little for even the smallest dose and wanted to send me to physical therapy. That's out because I tried it a couple of times, and the pain just gets worse. No way!

I lost a good job and am starting in a different field at 54 years old. I'm also trying to get into management and there's so much I don't know, but I'm pushing hard to get there. I have three kids and two are teens and they need stuff and it's just about all I can do to keep them fed and pay the bills. My husband works construction and winters are typically bad for work due to the weather.

I know that all these factors we deal with stress us out and increase the depression. I was working on an afgan and since I went back to work, it's all I can do to keep the house in one piece and the laundry done. Husband will pitch in and do laundry and dishes, so thank heaven for that! We're just struggling along.......

Jackie

Hi Jackie,

Sorry it's been a while, but I've just had too much crap going on lately. (Sounds like you have plenty on your plate, too. Hope things get easier for you real soon. Hang in there with the new job. Seems like eveyone I know has been laid off and is trying to start over. Ugh ...).
I have been on cymbalta for about 6 weeks now. It has helped with my depression and neck pain. It hasn't had any effect on my OCD, anger, or extreme social anxiety. My doc just upped me from 60 mg. to 90 mg. a day to see if that will help the other symptoms. Has anyone else had this experience or taking 90 mg?
Today is my first day on the new dosage. My doc wants to see me again in 3 weeks to see if there is any change. If it doesn't help, he wants to switch me to prozac. I'm not sure what I want to do. I like some of the help cymbalta has provided and wonder if it is realistic to think that any med is going to "fix" everything. I guess I wonder how much of this is from the disorder and how much is just who I am? I dunno ...
Take care and I'll let you know how the upped dosage works out. I hope the side effects don't return. So far, so good.

The only ad I have been on that gave quick relief from anxiety was Paxil. I had to wait 7 mo. for Lexparo to take it down without an occasional ativan. I don't know about Cymbalta and how fast it takes down the anxiety, as I tapered onto it and off Lexparo.

I hope you get some relief fast. I know how anxiety can make your body feel and my neck still gets tight and I'm bending and twisting to stretch muscles. Work is something else. People are messing up and getting fired left and right. Now, my IBS us acting up and I think this place is too stressful for the low pay. These people worked there long before I did and are really something!

I'm glad you came back on. I want to hear from you!!

Jackie

Hallo All

I wondered if anyone could help on my meds crisis. It feels like a crisis anyway!

I came off Seroxat having been on it for 6 years. Unfortunately my gp withdrew me from it much too quickly and i went into a very bad withdrawal.

The withdrawal was like nothing else I had ever felt in my life - I had been put on Seroxat for anxiety - I had no depression at the time. However, whilst in withdrawal I went into a depression that I am having so much trouble coming out of.

That was over a year ago. I was referred to a psychiatrist whilst in withdrawal because my own gp had to admit that she "didn't know enough about these sort of m eds". The psychiatrist reinstated the original dosage of seroxat I had been on but it had no effect whatsoever. I just cried all the time and my anxiety was having me climbing the walls almost.

I was then put on citalapram and this had no effect either. It was raised to max of 60mg - I then developed bad dry eye syndrome which nothing seemed to help. I used artificial tears and gel from the gp but it didn't help at all.

I was taken off the citalapram and put on Nortriptylene. I was on it for about 8 weeks - didn't feel any benefit from it then had to come off pronto because it caused abnormal heart rythm.

After that I was put on sertraline Zoloft)- it was upped to 150mg withing about 8 weeks. I developed very bad back ache. I did my own research and found that cases had been reported of low back ache with this med.

My psychiatrist then decided to put me on Cymbalta/duloxetine. I was keen to try t his med because I had read so many good reports about it. I was started on 60mg and within a few weeks I seemed to be having a favourable response to it. My depression was a bit better and my anxiety was a bit better. I seemed to have the courage to face feared situations better.

However about three weeks ago I did notice a downturn in mood and I thought it was just a blip. The mood has n ot lifted and I have the old familiar feeling of wanting to cry a lot again. My anxiety manfiests itself in a feeling of wanting to burst into tears when I am in situations i don't like. In general the low feeling seems to be back.

Together with that, my eyes have become sore itchy and dry again. I did some research on Duloxetine and dry eyes can be a side effect of this med.

I phoned a meds helpline yesterday and was told that I have three alternatives. 1 is to up the med - but if I do this I get worse side effects. Number 2 I could mix the med with lithium - this scares me to death! or number 3- I can change meds. However the expert I spoke to said that as other anti depressants ive tried havent worked then there is little likelihood of another one working for me! I was so upset by this and cried buckets. I have lived in hope up to now but this really is the last straw.

Today I feel like I just want to come off the m eds altogether. I don't sleep well due to the side effect of insomnia with this med, I am lethargic all day long and have low energy spans, my anxiety is still threatening me and my depression hasn't got that much better. I really do not know what to do. If I come off the cymbalta gradually and suffer my depression maybe it will right itself in time.

Any comments would be so gratefully welcomed please.

Stripes

I don't think you'll have ANY success coming off all meds, so don't do that!

I'd chance the going to 90mg., and see if it can return you to your former good feeling. I have dry eyes, too and find it kind of funky, but much better than depression and anxiety. If not this, why not try a mood stabilizer? I take a small amough of one to treat a pain disorder and it gives me a little energy and helps take the pain down. I was initially worried when a doc told me to take this for a different disorder, but it worked and I'm still taking it and considering asking to have it increased, due to an increase in symptoms due to working and having to stand for 8hrs. a day. (My poor feet.) Be more willing to work with your doc and maybe, just maybe, you'll feel better!

Jackie

I also wanted to tell you that when I was going from 30mg. to 60, I didn't have a return of side effects; the headache and stomach thing.

What are you considering at this point?

Jackie

Hi Jackie

Thanks for replying to my post.

I have worked with my psychiatrist very closely indeed since I came off Seroxat. I always write detailed diaries of how I have been on different medications and include side effects which I have had etc. Good points and bad points of meds - not that there have been many good points I have to say.

My psychiatrist and I sit and discuss the different medications on offer in detail and we have tended to work out together what med is best for me to try next. Obviously the psychiatrist gives me the benefit of her vast knowledge of the meds.

I really do not want to add a mood stabiliser to an anti depressant which is meant to do the job of treating depression. In fact, my psychiatrist has never ever mentioned the augmentation of a mood stabiliser, it was the meds line I phoned who suggested it. My psychiatrist won't even give me a sleeping tablet to help me with this awful insomnia because she says they are too habit forming.

You have a mood stabiliser which you say is for pain you suffer - in which case I would say that is appropriate.

You describe your dry eye problem as funky - ? Not sure what definition you have for that word, maybe my meaning of the word funky isn't the same as yours lol.

Dry eyes are very treatable in most cases. Ususally people suffer with dry eyes when the central heating goes on in the winter. Normally the condition is helped by artificial tears and some oily ointment. Mine isn't helped by either of these. My dry eye problem is so bad that sometimes when they are very sore I get a reflex action of needing to shut them. This really isn't helpful when I'm driving. When I enter a shop my eyes sting like hell and sometimes I have to get out.

The dry eye problem can ease at times - I make sure I get plenty of air by walking and I use humidifiers in the house. I agree with you that a dry eye problem would maybe a small price to pay if one's depression/anxiety or both in my case were alleviated by an anti depressant. What I was getting at in my post was that I seem to get the side effects of the meds but none of the beneficial effects.

I was really hoping for someone to allay my fears that what the expert at the meds helpline said which was that having tried a couple of anti depressants without success then it was unlikely that another would work. I so hope this is not the case!

I find the duloxetine such an up and down med. In fact I have felt better since I wrote my message the other day. Not wonderful but definitely a lighter mood and less anxiety. Anyone else experienced this on this med?

Anyway thanks again Jackie for taking the time to reply to me.

Stripes

You know stripes, my experience with starting any antidepressant is that the days turn into the 'up' days and that you are starting to feel the moodlifting effect of Cymbalta.

I wasn't trying to minimize the dry eye problems you are having. It sounds like a real pain to have to use eyedrops and ointments and avoid places where there are chemical fumes. I'd be real disappointed if I had to deal with this, daily. I meant to say that I get dry eyes and some minimal residue on the side of my eyelids, if it get real bad. I usually notice it more in the morning when I get up. It may have something to do with the detergents or fabric softeners, and allergic as I am to chemicals.

I hope you find some relief for you eyes.... I usually wash mine if they are bothering me and sometimes, one of them will run freely, which I imagine looks kind of strange, but it's probably perfume of something of that nature that sets it off.

At my age, one expects that things like this can normally happen. I just keep pushing water with this med as it seems to work better and I don't get problems with my stomach, as some report.

Let us know how you do.....

Love, Jackie

Ahh thanks Jackie

I hope you're right about the med - you know maybe the up days will come more often and the low days get less. Could I ask you how long you have been on this med. As you know I have been on it for three months now and the way I look at it, possibly it's because I have had so many med changes that this med may take longer to kick in properly as there may be a little chemical imbalance going on.

Thank you for letting me know how you deal with your dry eye problem. Mine feels more like an infection but it isn't. As you said you do, I am also drinking plenty of water and keeping lots of bowls of water around the house as well to humidify the place. I'm trying not to have the central heating on as much as I normally would even though it's cold here at the moment.

Actually if anyone has any tips for sore and dry eyes out there - something that would ease the itching and the burning sensation I would be sooo grateful. If anyone knows of any natural remedies that would be great.

Jackie, one last question please; the fatigue I feel on this med can be a real problem, being tired and lethargic does make you feel low anyway. Could I ask if you yourself (or others out there) suffered t his and does it ease off in time.

Love to all.

Stripes

I've been on Cymbalta for over two years. Don't be afraid to ask me any questions, as I can always find a way to wiggle out of an answer if I don't want to respond, lol!

I think you could start a room about dry eye and maybe someone could give you some answers. Isn't there a new product called 'Restasis' of something similar that your doc could try you on? Have you seen an eye specialist for this?

The fatigue comes with the meds, from my understanding. For me, it's a side effect worth enduring for all the good it provides. Maybe taking you Cymbalta at a different time would allow you to sleep through this side effect. I know I took paxil at 6pm so I wouldn't fall asleep at work in the late afternoon!

I initially took mine in the morning, but noticed that I was having trouble concentrating while learning a new job, so I changed it to 4:30 and am having good results with this.

Jackie

Hi everyone!

I'm new here. My doc put me on Cymbalta. I've been on it for a week now. I was really euphoric one evening, I don't know if that's from this med. I know it takes a while to kick in. I really hope it can help me. I'm feeling so unmotivated.