On Cymbalta

Hi TBarry!

And welcome to the Fibro Family! I'm sure glad you came to ask your question as many of us have tried this medication. My experience is similar to yours. I could not even hold my head up because my brain and muscles were so wobbly. I had to sit in a chair and literally hold up my head and prop pillows around it. Needless to say after 2 days that was the last pill I took. I happen to be very sensitive to anything in the antidepressant family.

But...I'm not a doctor, just someone who tried Cymbalta. There are many people in the forum and elsewhere who have had good results. I can't say how long it will take for side effects to back off but for me it was too much. I have a good rapport with my doctor so I just stopped taking them. It's MY body and I wasn't putting those things in it any more. That worked for me, but might not for everyone.

A few other comments on cymbalta... in the trials this drug "did give significant relief to over 50% of the women in the trials." That is considered successful, I guess since they did get approval for the drug. But do keep in mind that it does have a 'black box' warning as do other antidepressants. I doubt if it's any better or worse when it comes to suicides from antidepressants but I do know that Eli Lilly pulled a cover up on a young 19 year old in the trials when she took her own life while staying at their own labs. Also, for those who've been on Cymbalta for a while it seems to lose it's effectiveness at about 2 years out. The company seems to think this is common or expected. But if you can get 2 years of less pain that's a good thing!

I'm not trying to talk you into our out of taking this medication, just relating some fact and comments I've read from other users. If you are still taking it and feeling the same on Monday I'd suggest calling your doctor and ask about it. Or you can also call your pharmacy and talk to them about the side effects.

As usual I've rambled on way too long and probably gave you more information that you wanted. But as others share their comments I do hope you find an answer in there somewhere. We do understand and truly care about each and every one who comes here...we do understand.

Warmest hugs,
Chutz

thank you to both of you, today is a better day i finally somewhat feel human, still not hungry and wow the hot flashes sure are killing me, but i was actually able to go out today and not feel like i was in a cloud so i am just hoping with time the side effects will go down, i do have a drs appointment on friday and will discuss these side effects all with him

Did your dr. have you start on a low dose and work your way up?  When I talked to a POTS specialist, he said to start at only 20 mg. and work your way up.  My daughter would love to give it a try as it could possibly help both of her conditions, so we are hoping maybe at her next POTS appointment seeing if she can give it a try. 

Good luck to you!

I started out on 60 mgs a day, and it took just over a week for the side effects to slow down...the nausea was severe for me, and the sweats. I am not physically able to vomit, so being that nauseous is really awful for me. Once the side effects went away, I felt fine. I think the Cymbalta helps, but I am now on 60 mg, twice a day which is the highest dose, and we've added Cesamet to help increase the effects.

I take drugs to try and alleviate the hot flushes that are so severe for me. They cut the frequency, but not the intensity.

Hope you're feeling better!

Pam

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