CYMBALTA RUINED MY LIFE

I have multiple sclerosis so I have issues with nerve pain. In hopes to feeling relief I started cymbalta at the suggestion from my neurologist.
Back in April I was prescribed cymbalta for nerve pain. It started at a low dose. 20mg at the time it was low so I didn’t notice any side effects. Gradually I they upped the does. 20mg to 30mg to 60 mg. By that time it was June. I was still dealing with nerve pain. So my neurologist suggested going to the maximum dose. Which was 120mg. Everything was so gradual I didn’t realize how it was effecting me.
I went from being a happy easy going person who was frugal with money. To some kind of nut wagon with no regard to how I treated people, I was excessively spending money. To the point I maxed out my credit cards. I was treating my friends and family like poop. This is by far the worst drug I have ever experienced. My marriage has suffered, my relationships have suffered. There was moments I couldn’t control my anger. Where I had to isolate myself completely.
It’s the whole picture looking at it. This drug should be monitored closer. I did go through the process of getting off the drug. The withdrawal symptoms were just as bad. Nauseous all the time, irritability was heightened. Again trying to get away from this. To find out it could take up to 6 weeks till you don’t experience with drawl symptoms. In the mean time I’m left with a depression I didn’t have before, my marriage on the brink of total collapse. I HATE CYMBALTA. Taking something to improve life quality and then realizing it’s ruining everything you stand for and who you are, sucks.

Hi, Squee, and welcome! I’m so sorry you have gone through this. I can understand how your symptoms sneaked up on you. What did your doctor have to say about all of this? I certainly hope you can sit down and discuss this with your husband. He should be more understanding. Throwing in the towel after only 8 months seems harsh. Maybe it’s not as bad as you think and hopefully you two can talk through this and save your marriage. Let him know what you are doing to get back to the person you were before you got married.

Medicines can do some bad things and each person reacts differently. You need to pay attention. Fibro patients have been given Cymbalta and some liked it and some didn’t. A bad medication for me was an antibiotic called Tetracycline. I took tetracycline years ago. Many people can take the antibiotic quite successfully. But it caused me to bleed from the intestines and I ended up having to have my colon removed. I was only 42 years old at the time. I certainly wasn’t thrilled but decided to help others…just as you have just done in this forum! It will make you feel better helping others and once all the negative effects of this drug are gone, you will be back. You will also learn who your true friends are and that’s a benefit also.

Do check out our MS forum on HealingWell. They can help give suggestions as to what can help MS patients. I also tell forum members to remember that 50% of the doctors graduated in the lower half of their class and yours could be one of them. Research your doctors. Board certified doctors are usually good and, if they are Diplomates, that’s even better!

I do hope all things work out for you. Your life isn’t ruined. You had a major bump in the road. But you will find what works best for you and try to keep positive thoughts. That REALLY helps with depression. Feel better soon!

Sherrine