Posted by anonymousfriend on October 13, 2007, at 21:22:52
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity, posted by tonda on October 6, 2007, at 17:51:42
I have read a lot of negative stuff about Cymbalta, but I want to say I thought it was better than many. My daughter is bipolar, and her psychologist thought it would be a good idea if I took something to mellow myself out, so she suggested Lexapro. I took it for 1 year and a half, and in that time, gained about 20 pounds. When I realized that's what caused the weight gain, I asked my doctor to switch me, so he put me on Wellbutrin. My daughter was having a lot of problems at school at that time, and the Wellbutrin just wasn't cutting it, so I asked him to switch me again.
He put me on 30mg of Cymbalta a day. I disagree with those people who feel that Cymbalta should be taken off the market. When he prescribed the medicine, my doctor told me that people need to take anti-depressants for different amounts of time and gave me some situational equations. Some people experience a traumatic experience and need to take something for a few months. Some people, like me, have situations that can last for a while, so they will take the medication for a year or so. Others who have persistent problems and hereditary issues may need to take it for life. Knowing this, I have to say I think it's very important that you and your doctor have a good relationship and that you don't just go to any doctor to get a prescription. I have been going to my doctor since I was 15 years old (I am now 39). He not only knows everything about me, including every psychological issue I have ever had; he also has a great since of humor, which is very important to me because laughter is the only way to deal with some psychological issues!
Anyway, I started taking the 30 mg a day, and noticed that I no longer continued to gain weight. That was a nice surprise. I have taken 30 mg a day for about a year now. It may be that I have experienced so much with my daughter that I am now numb to other people's comments or that she is exhibiting slight improvements, but I don't feel the need to take anything...right now at least. Plus, I recently got sick with respiratory issues and was taking so many meds for that, I actually forgot to take the Cymbalta.
As far as withdrawals, I am feeling the brain shocks that other people refer to, but I can say that I felt the same thing when I quit taking the Lexapro. They don't get worse as I smoke; they are only bad in the evenings. I usually have one drink before I go to bed and that seems to help.
The important thing is...are you happier on or off the pill? You should do whatever feels right for you. Don't take it because others expect you to; likewise, don't quit taking it because you think it makes you weak to need a crutch.
Good luck either way you decide to go!
poster:anonymousfriend
thread:466069
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20070929/msgs/789075.html