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Just started cymbalta - need help

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Posted 8/30/2008 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi friends,

My primary care doc gave me Cymbalta 30 mg for generalized anxiety disorder.  I've never taken anything like this before.  (anti-depressents and the like)

My first dose was Thursday night.  My doc said that it may make me tired and nauseous...hence taking it at bedtime. Well it made me horribly nauseous and all day yesterday I was so dizzy and just didn't feel right. I left a message for my regular doc on Friday morning and never heard back from her.

Friday afternoon I had an appointment with a new GI.  She said she can't give advice on something she didn't prescribe...but she thinks that the dizziness and nausea is normal with cymbalta and that if I just push through it, I'll build up a tolerance.  I took my dose last night.

Today, I feel horrible. Nauseous again, I can't get out of bed - which in turn has brought on a horrible headache.  I'm not hungry but when I do try and it I just feel sick. 

I called my doctor's office - the receptionist said "i'd stop taking it until you can talk to your doctor, but let me pass you to a nurse" - who told me that my doc won't be in until Tuesday and that nausea is normal.  She was absolutely no help with my questions.  I asked her if the doctor who is on call would call me, so we'll see if I hear from anyone. 

In the meantime I'm kind of getting worried.  Thank goodness it's the weekend, but what happens Tuesday when I have to take my kids to their first day of school and I have to go to work?  And, if I stop now and then on Tuesday my doc says - no that's normal, keep taking it - I'll just have to go through all of this again!

Sorry, I feel like I'm all over the place writing this.  I'm just confused and I don't like feeling this way...almost like I'm on drugs :)  I guess I am, geesh, I don't like this.  Has anyone ever been through this?  Is it a normal reaction?


Thanks,
Melissa

Posted 8/30/2008 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know, Melissa, because I haven't been on Cymbalta. I'm concerned that you haven't had an answer yet. Would you feel comfortable popping over to the anxiety forum and posting your question there? The anxiety folks should have more experience with the med, and might be able to offer you some constructive advice.

Best wishes,

Ivy.
Posted 8/30/2008 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
That's a good idea, thanks Ivy...I'll try that.

Posted 8/31/2008 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
While I have never taken Cymbalta, I have a few family members and friends that have. A few friends have experienced the same misery you are having now. They were told to continue taking the meds. Their docs told them they can feel like this for a few weeks. Many of my fibro friends have had the same reaction to this med. Your situation may be different so only your doctor can advise you.

I agree with Ivy, ask over at the anxiety forum.

I stongly suggest calling your pharmacist. They can be very helpful with questions about side affects.

When you do get a hold of your doc, tell her that you are very upset that no one was able to get back to you. Doctors usually have someone that covers for them when they are unavailable. If your doc doesn't, I'd re-evaluate whether this is the doc for you. If the ball was dropped by the office staff, you want the doc aware.

If you don't hear from anyone, at least you have a few days to see if the side affects get better.

Good Luck
Posted 8/31/2008 12:07 AM (GMT 0)

You can also check with the pharmacist to see if you can cut the pills so you can start with a lower dose.  Sometimes this helps with the side affects.  It allows you to slowly adjust the dosage.  You need to check with the pharmacist because some pills should never be cut in half.  Of course, if it's a capsule, you're stuck.

I've done this before with some meds and it helps a lot.  Cymbalta is not like an antibiotic where you need the full dose.  Unless there is a reason to immediately start a high dose, it won't hurt to go slow. 

Posted 9/2/2008 10:50 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Melissa H

I'm on 90 mg of Cymbalta for depression/anxiety, but really notice that it helps with pain also.   I can't quite remember if I was dizzy and not feeling well when I first started taking it but believe me, the benefit outways what you are going through now, if you can just make it though it.  However, if you are that sick, I would advise to stop, maybe it is interferring with something else you are taking.

Good Luck! yeah

Posted 9/2/2008 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
I have heard that alot of folks feel like that for the first 3-4 days and then it just stops. I have also heard that it works well for the joint pain too if you can just get thru the first few icky days. Good luck!
Posted 9/2/2008 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on 60mg of Cymbalta. I've been on the med for a few years and the nausea does go away in a couple days. They make 20mg, 30mg, and 60mg pills. Maybe you can ask your doc to start with the 20's, provided you get through to your doc. It works well for anxiety and depression. I've only had the anxiety problem since i've been on entocort, and a couple times a month I have to take a Xanax just to get through the short bouts of heavy anxiety. Hope this helped, and I hope you get through to your doc.

Posted 9/3/2008 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. I also started cymbalta about 10 days ago. The nausea and dizziness only lasted a few days. I was also ready to quit because of feeling so awful, but I stuck with it taking it different times of the day to see which was better. I am now taking it with dinner, and am feeling fine at this time. I was actually thinking I might lose my 10 extra pounds but only lost 2. So grin and bear it for a few days if you can, it will improve.
Posted 9/3/2008 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone,

Thanks for the messages. I did stop after 3 days. I never got a hold of my pdoc, but did talk to a pharmacist who thought that perhaps I was having a worse reaction to it than what I should be and advised that I stop until I can talk to my doctor. Looking back, I was so out of it...I can't even tell you who I had conversations with over the weekend! I know my mother called a few times and my dad stopped by on Sat and Sun and I don't even remember! That's bad. What a horrible thing to go through for some relief! But, I did notice that my constant abdominal pain had gone away and I was super mello. I am laughing at the fact that I couldn't have gotten angry at my hubby even if I had wanted to, haha! So I can see how it would be helpful, maybe I just need a lower dose. I'm pretty sensitive to drugs anyway...I'm the type who takes a tylenol and gets sleepy!

I still haven't spoken with my doc about it, but I have an appt with her on Thursday so I'll be anxious (no pun intended) to speak with her. Thanks for your help everyone!

Melissa
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