1. < Depression & Anxiety

Psychiatrist has recommended Cymbalta for depression

Posted by clemsonbabe @clemsonbabe, Oct 24, 2023

My psychiatrist has recommended Cymbalta for depression. I already take Mirtazipine and Xanax for depression and anxiety. I am taking Gabapentin and Hydrocodone and a muscle relaxer for back pain after serious surgery. I am worried about adding one more drug to this mix. Would appreciate any advice. Thank you!

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clemsonbabe | @clemsonbabe | Oct 31, 2023
In reply to @jk77 "@clemsonbabe, I am opposite-person when it comes to antidepressants: The ones that are supposed to be..." + (show)
@jk77

@clemsonbabe, I am opposite-person when it comes to antidepressants: The ones that are supposed to be calming rev me up, the ones that are supposed to be weight-neutral make me gain!

So when I tell you that Cymbalta did nothing for me, I'm hopeful that it will be beneficial for you. (I know that sounds a little weird, but I sincerely mean it.)

FWIW, I have a great psychiatrist with a great education (not his fault that he can't solve the mystery of me-as-oppsite-patient); the fact that he thought Cymbalta might help me also makes me hopeful for you, tho of course I realize that everyone is different.

If the following bugs you, I apologize profusely, but I'm offering it with good intentions, and I hope that's clear. I feel very strongly that the food eaten by most people in the US is killing us, making us depressed, and creating massive pain in our bodies.

In 2019, at age 58 and after a lifetime of a relatively standard American diet, I changed to what is more or less a Mediterranean diet: a lot of veg and beans; whole grains; fish and tofu (you can skip the tofu, but I wanted to cut down my intake of animal products); some fruit; a little dark chocolate but otherwise almost no added sugar; and very few lab chemicals (I occasionally ate fake chicken and fake beef). I live near a good organic market with a good bulk section, so my beans, grains, fruit, and pb were organic.

I didn't weigh or measure anything, and I didn't deprive myself -- I was never hungry. I gradually lost 36 lb and I've kept it off. The biggie, though, is that I felt significantly better -- more energy, less joint pain, no new joint deformity, better mood. (Food isn't a cure-all; I'm on this site bc I have pancreatic cancer. But I have pancan bc there's a heavy genetic predisposition to cancer, including pancan, in my family -- 1/3 of my parents' generation. Meanwhile, the relationship between my new diet and the elimination of joint pain makes me confident that diet is crucial to health.)

I know that making a big change can seem daunting when you're in pain, but if you can see this as a series of small changes and tackle one per week (ex.: "This week I'll make a pot of organic steel-cut oats and have them for 3 or 4 breakfasts") or even change just one meal per week, you'll be doing yourself a favor. I wish you well, and if I've overstepped with this advice, I apologize. My goal is to help.

If you decide to try this, the website Vitacost is a great source for reduced-price organic food (non-perishable).

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Thanks so much! I know diet does make a difference. I appreciate your advice and tips.

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dougkeon | @dougkeon | Nov 1, 2023
In reply to @njoys "Can you share the name of the antidepressant that seems to be working?" + (show)
@njoys

Can you share the name of the antidepressant that seems to be working?

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Hi Friend(s), here's what I believe to be helping me.
For depression: Aventyl (Nortriptyline) - 50mg daily
For Anxiety: Buspar (Buspirone) - 20mg daily, and [formerly] Xanax (Alprazolam). For Xanax, I say 'formerly', because with the approval of my psychiatrist, he allowed me to VERY SLOWLY reduce it from 9 pills a day (daily total of 4.5mg). I am now taking only one pill a day (0.5mg), and my anxiety (not that it's great now, but...) has never been better! I plan on cutting Xanax out altogether in a week or two. I never liked the idea of taking what is addictive, and if not taken exactly as directed every day can be very dangerous and is even sold on the streets! Perhaps it's a reverse placebo effect for me, but I'm still glad I'm almost off it! 🙂 BTW, getting off of Xanax was completely my desire, not that of my psychiatrist. So, if there's anyone to blame, it's me! 🙂 I don't like pill-happy doctors. I remember years ago when I told a walk-in clinic doctor that I was depressed, BOING, he whips out his prescription pad, scribbles on it and hands it to me. All he said was take this and you'll start feeling better in 6 to 8 weeks. It didn't work. (I think it was Celexa but I'm not sure.)
Anyway, all the best!

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lonestarinitaly | @lonestarinitaly | Sep 20 10:31am
In reply to @mitfit "I have found Cymbalta to be helpful. I am on 20mg daily." + (show)
@mitfit

I have found Cymbalta to be helpful. I am on 20mg daily.

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Just started last night but have gut issues today w cramping and diarrhea

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Sheri Donaldson | @sheridonaldson | Sep 20 11:41am

@lonestarinitaly, I'm sorry to hear this! How are you feeling today? Hope you are feeling better. Maybe check with the provider who prescribed them to see if that is a normal reaction. I've been on Cymbalta for many years.

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kayraymat | @kayraymat | Sep 21 10:43am

Didn't your prescription come with directions / instructions / side effect
arnings, etc. Call the pharmacist first. KayR

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8ea | @8ea | Sep 22 1:39pm

I’ve been taking Cymbalta 60 mg for several years now along with Buproprian 150 mg. It keeps my chronic depression under control. I also have very painful arthritis and Cymbalta is also used for pain so I would hesitate to switch to anything else.

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mdk1960 | @mdk1960 | Sep 23 10:40am

This was my experience with duloxetine. I was prescribed it for depression and pain. I have ptsd. I became dizzy. A huge fall risk for me. I was tapered off it about 2 months ago. The dizziness decreased but I was taking lorsartan too for hypertension. I stopped it too. My dizziness is completely gone. My BP is normal. Be careful with prescription meds especially as we age. I am 63. The less rxs I take the better. Check out Beers Criteria if you are interested. It is a list of medications with severe adverse effects in the older population

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1 reply
meme407 | @meme407 | Sep 26 4:35am

I am on Cymbalta and have been for over a year now. I have been suffering with anxiety and depression for about 16+ years now. It has taken that long to find the right medication for my anxiety. I also have chronic pain and headaches due to a brain tumor and radiation. I’m on Norco, gabapentin along with the Cymbalta and Xanax. The Cymbalta has been a life savor. It leveled everything out for me. I stopped having the anxiety attacks throughout the day and just generally feel good all day. I’m not having any anxiety attacks daily at all. My depression is controlled and I feel good 98% of the time. I would recommend it 100%. 😊

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1 reply
Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Sep 26 7:30am
In reply to @meme407 "I am on Cymbalta and have been for over a year now. I have been suffering..." + (show)
@meme407

I am on Cymbalta and have been for over a year now. I have been suffering with anxiety and depression for about 16+ years now. It has taken that long to find the right medication for my anxiety. I also have chronic pain and headaches due to a brain tumor and radiation. I’m on Norco, gabapentin along with the Cymbalta and Xanax. The Cymbalta has been a life savor. It leveled everything out for me. I stopped having the anxiety attacks throughout the day and just generally feel good all day. I’m not having any anxiety attacks daily at all. My depression is controlled and I feel good 98% of the time. I would recommend it 100%. 😊

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@meme407 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You have a lot going on with physical pain so it's no wonder you experience depression and anxiety. It sounds like you and your doctors have found the right combination of meds for you. I'm happy to hear that you are feeling so much better after adding Cymbalta.

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drterri4specialkids | @drterri4specialkids | Oct 13 3:44am

Hi, I'm also a Clemson fan.... Grew up there; went to Clemson University. Anyway, I was wondering if you ever took the cymbalta and if it helped? Did you experience any side effects? Hoping the best for you!

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