1. < Depression & Anxiety
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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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mitfit | @mitfit | May 13, 2025
In reply to @mlpbob "Hi! I was on Paxil for 15 years, new primary care suggested I go off, big..." + (show)
Profile picture for mlpbob @mlpbob

Hi! I was on Paxil for 15 years, new primary care suggested I go off, big mistake. Since then I tried to get back on Paxil, severe nausea, tried Effexor, Zoloft, Lexapro, celexa, Remeron Elavil and now I’m on day 10 of Cymbalta. All have caused severe nausea even with Zofran. Feeling hopeless. How long should I give the Cymbalta?

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I take Cymbalta for nerve pain and fibromyalgia. It has been a lifesaver for me. When I started taking it my physician had me start on a low dose and gradually increase. At first I had nausea, but that has gone away.

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diverdown1 | @diverdown1 | May 13, 2025
In reply to @mlpbob "Hi! I was on Paxil for 15 years, new primary care suggested I go off, big..." + (show)
Profile picture for mlpbob @mlpbob

Hi! I was on Paxil for 15 years, new primary care suggested I go off, big mistake. Since then I tried to get back on Paxil, severe nausea, tried Effexor, Zoloft, Lexapro, celexa, Remeron Elavil and now I’m on day 10 of Cymbalta. All have caused severe nausea even with Zofran. Feeling hopeless. How long should I give the Cymbalta?

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I am on 30 mg. of Cymbalta. I have Long COVID and have for several years. I started feeling hopeless and in a hole. I have taken many antidepressants over the years and I do not like to take them, but I knew that my depression was becoming frightening and my physical symptoms from the Long COVID are awful. It has helped me come out of the hole. Usually with SSRI's and SNRI's it is said that one will be able to tell if it is helping within 4-6 weeks. Hang in there.

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1 reply
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savvyme1 | @savvyme1 | May 13, 2025
In reply to @dlydailyhope "@mlpbob Cymbalta is usually prescribed for patients with chronic pain like arthritis, fibromyalgia and nerve pain...." + (show)
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@mlpbob
Cymbalta is usually prescribed for patients with chronic pain like arthritis, fibromyalgia and nerve pain. It is also prescribed for anxiety/depression but don’t think it is a first go to for depression. I was on Cymbalta for a couple years due to chronic pain.

If Cymbalta is causing significant symptoms and it has been a couple weeks, it may not be a good medication for you. My thinking is that bad symptoms in the first few weeks at low doses is not a good sign and may indicate a different medication should be tried.

Have you tried Wellbutrin/bupropion and/or Zoloft/sertraline? I am on both now for major depression. Zoloft was also prescribed for me when I had panic attacks during pregnancy hormonal changes. I have not had any issues with major side effects when starting at low doses and gradually increased.

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I was prescribed it for my anxiety.
I could not tolerate it for more than 48 hours. It made my anxiety worse. I was actually crying. I immediately discontinued use.

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littlenana | @littlenana | May 13, 2025
In reply to @mlpbob "Hi! I was on Paxil for 15 years, new primary care suggested I go off, big..." + (show)
Profile picture for mlpbob @mlpbob

Hi! I was on Paxil for 15 years, new primary care suggested I go off, big mistake. Since then I tried to get back on Paxil, severe nausea, tried Effexor, Zoloft, Lexapro, celexa, Remeron Elavil and now I’m on day 10 of Cymbalta. All have caused severe nausea even with Zofran. Feeling hopeless. How long should I give the Cymbalta?

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@mlpbob
I’ve been on Cymbalta for a few months now for chronic pain. I have symptoms that I feel sure are linked to it.
I have always had heart palpitations, they generally come and go. I havehad every cardiac test imaginable, nothing out of the ordinary for my age 67, was told by the cardiologist to stop drinking coffee. That was 2 years ago. Palpitations subsided (with out stopping coffee). Not long after starting Cymbalta, the palpitations came back, but felt different, I started getting lightheaded to where I had to sit down. I woke up with a headache every morning, I started having horrible muscle spasms in my upper thigh radiating to my ankle. This would happen worse at night and often kept me awake for hours, as it was quite painful. I also had them start in my upper extremities too. I have also started profusely perspiring to the point of it dripping into my eyes.
I have asked my doctor to please take me off of the medication safely, as you cannot just stop .
I have a video appointment with her tomorrow to come up with a plan for that.

REPLY
1 reply
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shellyo1957 | @shellyo1957 | May 13, 2025
In reply to @mlpbob "Hi! I was on Paxil for 15 years, new primary care suggested I go off, big..." + (show)
Profile picture for mlpbob @mlpbob

Hi! I was on Paxil for 15 years, new primary care suggested I go off, big mistake. Since then I tried to get back on Paxil, severe nausea, tried Effexor, Zoloft, Lexapro, celexa, Remeron Elavil and now I’m on day 10 of Cymbalta. All have caused severe nausea even with Zofran. Feeling hopeless. How long should I give the Cymbalta?

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Perhaps. If your not happy with the outcomes maybe seek a 2nd MD. Palpitations aren't one to play around with. Your symptoms are effects of this drug ( some).

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mlpbob | @mlpbob | May 13, 2025
In reply to @diverdown1 "I am on 30 mg. of Cymbalta. I have Long COVID and have for several years...." + (show)
Profile picture for diverdown1 @diverdown1

I am on 30 mg. of Cymbalta. I have Long COVID and have for several years. I started feeling hopeless and in a hole. I have taken many antidepressants over the years and I do not like to take them, but I knew that my depression was becoming frightening and my physical symptoms from the Long COVID are awful. It has helped me come out of the hole. Usually with SSRI's and SNRI's it is said that one will be able to tell if it is helping within 4-6 weeks. Hang in there.

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Thank you for the hope!

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gregorydines | @gregorydines | May 13, 2025
In reply to @mlpbob "Hi! I was on Paxil for 15 years, new primary care suggested I go off, big..." + (show)
Profile picture for mlpbob @mlpbob

Hi! I was on Paxil for 15 years, new primary care suggested I go off, big mistake. Since then I tried to get back on Paxil, severe nausea, tried Effexor, Zoloft, Lexapro, celexa, Remeron Elavil and now I’m on day 10 of Cymbalta. All have caused severe nausea even with Zofran. Feeling hopeless. How long should I give the Cymbalta?

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I am currently on 60mg of Cymbalta. I do also have chronic pain on my back but the Cymbalta helped my mental health a little so my therapist kept raising it by 10mg every 30 days. Like you, I was on every type of anti depressants. I feel better being on 60mg Cymbalta and a also take 5mg AM/PM of busbar for anxiety. The combination of both drugs have helped me. Keep working with your therapist to find what works best for you. Good luck.

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1 reply
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Barco@2194 | @wgatap21 | May 14, 2025
In reply to @mlpbob "Hi! I was on Paxil for 15 years, new primary care suggested I go off, big..." + (show)
Profile picture for mlpbob @mlpbob

Hi! I was on Paxil for 15 years, new primary care suggested I go off, big mistake. Since then I tried to get back on Paxil, severe nausea, tried Effexor, Zoloft, Lexapro, celexa, Remeron Elavil and now I’m on day 10 of Cymbalta. All have caused severe nausea even with Zofran. Feeling hopeless. How long should I give the Cymbalta?

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To be honest, I think I’ve been on Cymbalta generic for at least 5 to 7 years. I guess it’s worked but lately I’ve been thinking about we need and tried slowly and had a weird reaction. It’s a very common drug. I’ve had generalized anxiety disorder my whole life. I’m 75. the medication world it’s so dependent on each individual. Good luck.

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andiee | @andiee | May 14, 2025
In reply to @mlpbob "Hi! I was on Paxil for 15 years, new primary care suggested I go off, big..." + (show)
Profile picture for mlpbob @mlpbob

Hi! I was on Paxil for 15 years, new primary care suggested I go off, big mistake. Since then I tried to get back on Paxil, severe nausea, tried Effexor, Zoloft, Lexapro, celexa, Remeron Elavil and now I’m on day 10 of Cymbalta. All have caused severe nausea even with Zofran. Feeling hopeless. How long should I give the Cymbalta?

Jump to this post

I was prescribed cymbalta but it made me so nauseous. Had to come off of it. Currently taking Loreev Xr 2 mg once a day and at night Remeron 15 mg . This combo has been the only thing to help and the nausea isn’t as bad as it used to to be. Loreev Xr is new…it replace Ativan/Lorazapam…bc I was taking that like 3 times a day

REPLY
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littlenana | @littlenana | May 15, 2025
In reply to @littlenana "@mlpbob I’ve been on Cymbalta for a few months now for chronic pain. I have symptoms..." + (show)
Profile picture for littlenana @littlenana

@mlpbob
I’ve been on Cymbalta for a few months now for chronic pain. I have symptoms that I feel sure are linked to it.
I have always had heart palpitations, they generally come and go. I havehad every cardiac test imaginable, nothing out of the ordinary for my age 67, was told by the cardiologist to stop drinking coffee. That was 2 years ago. Palpitations subsided (with out stopping coffee). Not long after starting Cymbalta, the palpitations came back, but felt different, I started getting lightheaded to where I had to sit down. I woke up with a headache every morning, I started having horrible muscle spasms in my upper thigh radiating to my ankle. This would happen worse at night and often kept me awake for hours, as it was quite painful. I also had them start in my upper extremities too. I have also started profusely perspiring to the point of it dripping into my eyes.
I have asked my doctor to please take me off of the medication safely, as you cannot just stop .
I have a video appointment with her tomorrow to come up with a plan for that.

Jump to this post

Update, after the telehealth appointment, my Dr came up with a plan to titrate my doses down over the next 6 weeks. Doing it slowly lessens the the symptoms of coming off of it.

REPLY
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