Cymbalta

[loveumore]

I was prescribed this drug today and did some research on it. I always do my research and ask lots and lots of questions because I'm scared to death of putting new drugs in my system.

The doctor thought Cymbalta would be best for me, not only because of depression, but because it would help my Fibromyalgia pain. It sounds great!

But I came upon this article and I'm freaked out. Maybe I'm not reading it correctly, I don't know, but I'm wondering about these suicidal thoughts. Does it happen to people who had these thought before, or is it caused by the drug? I don't have any of these thoughts and I sure as hell don't want it to happen.

If you're on any SNRIs drugs or Cymbalta, what has been your experience? I understand everyone's different, but I'm more concerned about this article than anything. I don't wanna become any worse than I already am.

 

[Mansa Musa]

I was prescribed this drug today and did some research on it. I always do my research and ask lots and lots of questions because I'm scared to death of putting new drugs in my system.

The doctor thought Cymbalta would be best for me, not only because of depression, but because it would help my Fibromyalgia pain. It sounds great!

But I came upon this article and I'm freaked out. Maybe I'm not reading it correctly, I don't know, but I'm wondering about these suicidal thoughts. Does it happen to people who had these thought before, or is it caused by the drug? I don't have any of these thoughts and I sure as hell don't want it to happen.

If you're on any SNRIs drugs or Cymbalta, what has been your experience? I understand everyone's different, but I'm more concerned about this article than anything. I don't wanna become any worse than I already am.

Try Remeron. It´s one of the older drugs, and I hear complaints about the drowsiness side effect, but it´s one of the few anti-depression drugs that doesn´t fuck up your sex drive.

 

[loveumore]

Try Remeron. It´s one of the older drugs, and I hear complaints about the drowsiness side effect, but it´s one of the few anti-depression drugs that doesn´t fuck up your sex drive.

I can't try a drug that wasn't prescribed to me. By 6pm tonight, I'm gonna be taking my first dose of Cymbalta and I'm very excited about my new life.

What I need to know is about these suicidal thoughts I mentioned in my first post. I could care less about my sex drive right now. I just wanna be a happy person who's able to concentrate and not be angry all the time, and feel so fucking worthless.

 

[SweetErika]

I do know one of the members here was put on Cymbalta for chronic pain after a severe back injury and surgery. He mentioned he started having suicidal ideations shortly after that. However, he also had other issues, like his wife leaving and not having any money in the aftermath of the injury and surgery.

It's been offered to me, but I don't seem to do well with anti-depressants, and the suicide thing is a concern. Plus, my insurance won't pay for it, so I'm sticking with other treatments for now.

I know quite a few people who haven't had any problems with it, including my MIL, who's a nurse practitioner, FWIW.

My uneducated advice would be to make sure your environment is as safe as possible (I wouldn't keep a gun in easy reach, for instance), give it a try, watch yourself closely, and make sure you have a couple of good plans in place in case you have suicidal thoughts (e.g. keep hotline and hospital numbers by the phone, and talk to your doc immediately if you suspect something's off).

 

[DrHappy]

Lots of antidepressants have a CYA (cover your ass) legal disclaimer these days about suicide. I wouldn't worry about it. The article that you mentioned is the package insert that comes with the drug. Package inserts are always scary and will list every possible side effect noted during the trials, even if it occurred in placebos just as often. You can ask your pharmacist for this for any prescription drug, or you can look them up at rxlist.com.

An antidepressant-suicide link has was first reported in a somewhat controversial study with adolescents a while back. It's not really a Cymbalta issue, but with antidepressants in general. You'll find this warning with Prozac too. The theory is that maybe some people are already suicidal before they took the antidepressants, but are too lethargic or apathetic to do anything about it. After they've started taking the antidepressant, they start to feel better and become more energized and willing to act out on it. That's the hypothesis, anyway.

I've known several people with whom antidepressants have helped them tremendously. I don't know anyone personally who killed themselves while on antidepressants.

 

[loveumore]

I do know one of the members here was put on Cymbalta for chronic pain after a severe back injury and surgery. He mentioned he started having suicidal ideations shortly after that. However, he also had other issues, like his wife leaving and not having any money in the aftermath of the injury and surgery.

It's been offered to me, but I don't seem to do well with anti-depressants, and the suicide thing is a concern. Plus, my insurance won't pay for it, so I'm sticking with other treatments for now.

I know quite a few people who haven't had any problems with it, including my MIL, who's a nurse practitioner, FWIW.

My uneducated advice would be to make sure your environment is as safe as possible (I wouldn't keep a gun in easy reach, for instance), give it a try, watch yourself closely, and make sure you have a couple of good plans in place in case you have suicidal thoughts (e.g. keep hotline and hospital numbers by the phone, and talk to your doc immediately if you suspect something's off).

Oh, man. This post just made my fears worse. Not your fault. I appreciate the information given.

Did this member have suicidal thoughts before he was medicated, ever? He thinks the meds caused it??

 

[loveumore]

Lots of antidepressants have a CYA (cover your ass) legal disclaimer these days about suicide. I wouldn't worry about it. The article that you mentioned is the package insert that comes with the drug. Package inserts are always scary and will list every possible side effect noted during the trials, even if it occurred in placebos just as often. You can ask your pharmacist for this for any prescription drug, or you can look them up at rxlist.com.

An antidepressant-suicide link has was first reported in a somewhat controversial study with adolescents a while back. It's not really a Cymbalta issue, but with antidepressants in general. You'll find this warning with Prozac too. The theory is that maybe some people are already suicidal before they took the antidepressants, but are too lethargic or apathetic to do anything about it. After they've started taking the antidepressant, they start to feel better and become more energized and willing to act out on it. That's the hypothesis, anyway.

I've known several people with whom antidepressants have helped them tremendously. I don't know anyone personally who killed themselves while on antidepressants.

Ugh, I hate this topic, I really do, but it's my biggest concern.

Thanks for stopping by. I didn't know it was the package insert. I was at cymbalta.com and it gave a link to that information.

 

[DrHappy]

Here are the actual numbers. If you are in the 18-24 age group, you have a whopping 0.5% increased chance that you may experience worsening of their depression and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation and behavior (suicidality) or unusual changes in behavior

Drug-Placebo Difference in Number of Cases of Suicidality per 1000 Patients Treated:

Age......Count...Percent
-------------------------
<18....... 14......1.4%
18-24.......5......0.5%
>24 decreases compared to placebo

 

[loveumore]

Here are the actual numbers. If you are in the 18-24 age group, you have a whopping 0.5% increased chance that you may experience worsening of their depression and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation and behavior (suicidality) or unusual changes in behavior

Drug-Placebo Difference in Number of Cases of Suicidality per 1000 Patients Treated:

Age......Count...Percent
-------------------------
<18....... 14......1.4%
18-24.......5......0.5%
>24 decreases compared to placebo

That was in that link, wasn't it? I bet I read it too fast, or I just didn't comprehend it.

So, I'm 35 and don't have much of a chance, is that what I'm understanding? If so, I cannot fucking wait for this!!

 

[DrHappy]

You are correct on both. Yep, that data was buried in the link. And yes, since you are 35, then you are in the age group that experienced a decrease in suicidality.

I hope that you feel better soon!

 

[loveumore]

You are correct on both. Yep, that data was buried in the link. And yes, since you are 35, then you are in the age group that experienced a decrease in suicidality.

I hope that you feel better soon!

I am so relieved. And thank you so much!

 

[novmadman]

Love......I've worked in the field for over 20 years....they put this warning on the drug after teenagers reported more having more problems instead of less when taking the drug Paxcil about 8 years ago....the two drugs are in the same class so the FDA made them do it. as long as you are over 24/25 you are not in any danger of having any more suicidal thoughts on the drug then off it.

 

[loveumore]

Love......I've worked in the field for over 20 years....they put this warning on the drug after teenagers reported more having more problems instead of less when taking the drug Paxcil about 8 years ago....the two drugs are in the same class so the FDA made them do it. as long as you are over 24/25 you are not in any danger of having any more suicidal thoughts on the drug then off it.

Interesting. I don't understand why it's happening in teenagers, do you? I wonder if it stimulates the peer pressure and things related to just being a teen.

 

[SweetErika]

Oh, man. This post just made my fears worse. Not your fault. I appreciate the information given.

Did this member have suicidal thoughts before he was medicated, ever? He thinks the meds caused it??

My impression was that he believed the Cymbalta caused the suicidal thoughts. IIRC, he went to the hospital, stopped taking it, and felt like he was in a better place. Of course, that could have been due to the placebo effect, or the therapy he received while in the hospital, and the thoughts may have had nothing to do with the Cymbalta.

I don't know if he'd ever had those thoughts before he was medicated.

You may get more info on other Litsters' experiences by clicking me.

ETA: I'm not trying to scare or deter you from taking this at all - I'm just reporting what I remember reading. It sounds like the potential benefits will probably outweigh the risks for you. I'd do the research and put some safety measures in place for myself because I've had bad reactions to all sorts of drugs and that seems like a generally smart thing to do with depression anyway, but that's just me.

 

[loveumore]

***********

 

[leZilla]

I am on Cymbalta. It's tough to get insurance to pay for it because it is very expensive. It works well for me, the only complaint I have is that if I go off of it I feel horrible. Crying, suicidal, much worse than I ever was BEFORE I went on this medicine. It does releive my depression, but I am "stuck" on it.

Also, it makes acheiving an orgasm difficult and that is really super annoying.

 

[loveumore]

I am on Cymbalta. It's tough to get insurance to pay for it because it is very expensive. It works well for me, the only complaint I have is that if I go off of it I feel horrible. Crying, suicidal, much worse than I ever was BEFORE I went on this medicine. It does releive my depression, but I am "stuck" on it.

Also, it makes acheiving an orgasm difficult and that is really super annoying.

You say you're "stuck on it" and your crying and suicidal thoughts are worse NOW that you're on it?? How is that relieving the depression?

Also, how long have you been on it and what is you dose now?

 

[leZilla]

You say you're "stuck on it" and your crying and suicidal thoughts are worse NOW that you're on it?? How is that relieving the depression?

Also, how long have you been on it and what is you dose now?

No, I mean - when I try to go off of it the depression is unbearable, worse than it was to make me start Cymbalta in the first place. I am taking 90 mgs, and have been on it close to a year.

 

[loveumore]

No, I mean - when I try to go off of it the depression is unbearable, worse than it was to make me start Cymbalta in the first place. I am taking 90 mgs, and have been on it close to a year.

Okay, thanks for clearing that up. I wanted to throw out these pills after reading that.

I'm on 30mgs and it's day 3. She wants me to start doubling my meds by day 7. Is this common? I feel like it's too quick to do that.

She also said that since I'm a smoker, she may have to give me a higher dose. Apparently, smoking can take away the effects of Cymbalta.

Right now, I feel buzzed off this shit. It's definitely not like the first night where I puked up my guts.

 

[leZilla]

Okay, thanks for clearing that up. I wanted to throw out these pills after reading that.

I'm on 30mgs and it's day 3. She wants me to start doubling my meds by day 7. Is this common? I feel like it's too quick to do that.

She also said that since I'm a smoker, she may have to give me a higher dose. Apparently, smoking can take away the effects of Cymbalta.

Right now, I feel buzzed off this shit. It's definitely not like the first night where I puked up my guts.

Wow that is quick. I also started at 30 mgs, but didn't double my dose for at least 2 or 3 months.

 

[loveumore]

Wow that is quick. I also started at 30 mgs, but didn't double my dose for at least 2 or 3 months.

The therapist is great but the Psychiatrist is an f'n bitch. I can't say I'm going back to her again. There's 7 Psychiatrists in the same building so I can change if I want.

She asked a whole bunch of questions and rolled her eyes and made sarcastic remarks at every answer I gave. I thought I was being polite, but she said I walked in with a chip on my shoulder. I honestly didn't. My first question to her was, "How can a doctor diagnose someone with depression in less than an hour?" By saying that, she thought I had a chip. I was just curious and wanted a sincere answer.

Anyway, I don't have to up the dose. After all, it is my body. But maybe she's right about the smoking, I don't know. I haven't read it on any site so it makes me wonder if she wants to kill me now. Arrrgh!

 

[SweetErika]

Anyway, I don't have to up the dose. After all, it is my body. But maybe she's right about the smoking, I don't know. I haven't read it on any site so it makes me wonder if she wants to kill me now. Arrrgh!

I've read and heard the same thing about psychiatric and other types of meds, so I'd venture many heavy smokers may need higher doses for the same effect as light/non-smokers.

It makes sense if you think about it - you're constantly changing your brain chemistry with a highly effective stimulant, which is also thought to act as an anti-depressant, making you more tolerant to substances that do the same thing. The severe nausea and vomiting you experienced at first was probably caused by an overdose of stimulants: the combo of the nicotine, anxiety and drug (plus, I think you said something about Pepsi, so add sugar and caffeine to that list) was just too much for your brain to handle, triggering a reaction.

I think you're absolutely right to increase the dose if and when you feel it's necessary, rather than in a week no matter what. IIRC, my docs have waited at least two weeks to up the dosage of antidepressants, but I insisted on waiting until the initial side effects (headaches, nausea, etc.) went away completely. A week seems a bit quick to me off hand, but perhaps your pain and depression are such that she wanted to get you at a therapeutic level asap.

 

[loveumore]

I've read and heard the same thing about psychiatric and other types of meds, so I'd venture many heavy smokers may need higher doses for the same effect as light/non-smokers.

It makes sense if you think about it - you're constantly changing your brain chemistry with a highly effective stimulant, which is also thought to act as an anti-depressant, making you more tolerant to substances that do the same thing. The severe nausea and vomiting you experienced at first was probably caused by an overdose of stimulants: the combo of the nicotine, anxiety and drug (plus, I think you said something about Pepsi, so add sugar and caffeine to that list) was just too much for your brain to handle, triggering a reaction.

I think you're absolutely right to increase the dose if and when you feel it's necessary, rather than in a week no matter what. IIRC, my docs have waited at least two weeks to up the dosage of antidepressants, but I insisted on waiting until the initial side effects (headaches, nausea, etc.) went away completely. A week seems a bit quick to me off hand, but perhaps your pain and depression are such that she wanted to get you at a therapeutic level asap.

Ha, you remembered that post I deleted. And yeah, perhaps you're right. That makes complete sense.

Believe it or not, the medication has slowed down my smoking and the caffeine drinks. It's just not quenching my thirst and I'm sooo thirsty now. There's only one bathroom in the house and it's upstairs. I swear I'm up there every hour to pee.

So far, so good. Nothing really major to complain about. I feel lightheaded at times and I'm in a bit of a fog. Thank God the nausea went away. It was only that one night. At the moment, I feel positive. Let's hope I stay that way. And thanks for your input.

 

[leZilla]

Hey, it's a great excuse to quit smoking!

 

[lushlucid]

All anti-depressants have a long list of possible side effects, if it's happened to only one person they legally have to put it down. Try the drug, if it works for you great if it doesn't try something else.

good luck
xox