Antidepressant Duloxetine side effects tough, any suggestions?

Posted by mombo @mombo, Aug 19, 2024

I am a RA patient. I am in search of an antidepressant that can help with pain but not Duloxetine which had me very agitated. The charts of antidepressant side effects are overwhelming. I thought I would reach out here to see if anyone had antidepressant suggestions. I realize the result are quite varied but suggestions would be a good start for the next one. Thanks

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Profile picture for bruizersmom @bruizersmom

@ailsas, that was pathetic!! So sorry for you and a crappy ER and that neurologist certainly kind of flipped it off. Gads, how we get treated...

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@bruizersmom I did find out where he was post internship. Insisted on speaking to him. Absolute incompetent with an MD. His university pats itself on the back. C student who squeaked through

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Profile picture for sarahmarie @sarahmariem

I spent twelve months titration down each month by 10%. I actually counted the pill beads of each dose. At the end of twelve months, I took the last pill. Five days later, I was shocked when withdrawal set in. Totally disheartened, I knew I would never get off the drug and started Cymbalta again. I knew I'd be on it the rest of my life. Six years later, I'm still on it, but the good news is that Cynbalta is the drug of choice for my chronic nerve pain. Originally, I was taking it for the depression after my husband died.

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@sarahmariem Im stuck on effexor cos I cant get off it.

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Profile picture for tisme @tisme

@sarahmariem Im stuck on effexor cos I cant get off it.

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@tisme How long have you been on Effexor? Does your doctor want you off Effexor or are you wanting to get off? Are the side effects bothersome? Maybe you can tell us a little more about yourself and Effexor.

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I have been on effexor for 2 or so years , when I told my doc I wanted off it , he said " why?. I didnt think it was helping, he said effexor plus the new one he keeps nagging me to try will help.

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Profile picture for tisme @tisme

I have been on effexor for 2 or so years , when I told my doc I wanted off it , he said " why?. I didnt think it was helping, he said effexor plus the new one he keeps nagging me to try will help.

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@tisme
Is there a reason you don’t trust your doctor? Could you explain nagging ? Medication is not a one size fits all. If you are not seeing a therapist along with medication I would recommend that. Good luck.

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Profile picture for tisme @tisme

@sarahmariem Im stuck on effexor cos I cant get off it.

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@tisme. I gave up after 3 seperate attempts to titrate down. I had been on duloxetine for twelve years. I finally accepted I'd be on it for life.

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Profile picture for dvbob @dvbob

@tisme
Is there a reason you don’t trust your doctor? Could you explain nagging ? Medication is not a one size fits all. If you are not seeing a therapist along with medication I would recommend that. Good luck.

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@dvbob its not that I dont trust my doc , he is the best ive had its just me and the issues I have had in the past with medications. he doesnt nag he just says " I wish you would try it it will help I can see u suffering.

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Profile picture for tisme @tisme

@dvbob its not that I dont trust my doc , he is the best ive had its just me and the issues I have had in the past with medications. he doesnt nag he just says " I wish you would try it it will help I can see u suffering.

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@tisme I hate to see anyone suffer, but an open mind helps. I am old because I was desperate to function as best that I could. I would have killed myself 35 years ago if I had not tried to help myself. I will never be happy but I feel ok most of the time. I wish you the best, and remember that you are entitled to a good life.

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Profile picture for sarahmarie @sarahmariem

I spent twelve months titration down each month by 10%. I actually counted the pill beads of each dose. At the end of twelve months, I took the last pill. Five days later, I was shocked when withdrawal set in. Totally disheartened, I knew I would never get off the drug and started Cymbalta again. I knew I'd be on it the rest of my life. Six years later, I'm still on it, but the good news is that Cynbalta is the drug of choice for my chronic nerve pain. Originally, I was taking it for the depression after my husband died.

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@sarahmariem I'm fascinated by your commitment to accuracy in counting the drug beads. That must have been very time consuming and just difficult to not mess up the count. I have a question for you. Did you find that the bead count was consistent in each capsule, always the same with each cap? Curious as a nurse. I really admire your accuracy and I'm surprised and sad to hear that such diligent tapering didn't work for you.

I was on Cymbalta for only 3 weeks at the lowest dose and I immediately began having side effects. I wasn't sure I should just stop the med cold turkey. But since I was on the lowest dose (I think it was 20mg) I took the plunge and stopped. I only had a few days of "shocks" and fortunately it stopped. I've recently developed worsening nerve pain, almost intolerable, and will be seeing my provider Thursday. I fear she will suggest Cymbalta again.

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Profile picture for jennax @jennax

Thank you for your response

Yes I immediately seen a GP who has diagnosed stoke symptoms as shock from
stopping Duxlotine
No CT referral

I was sent to drive! to another surgery for blood tests I somehow managed
to get myself,as the GP would not let me try and communicate. I couldn't
speak more than2-3 words at a time. And muscles seemed to jerk when I tried
to speak it was like I had MND
I was in a panic yes but it was not a panic attack.

22nd Oct 25 i had a burn feeling in my brain and slurred speech went to bed
woke up unable to speak next day.

I'm now paying for private CT because I feel so ill, and it's took more
than a few days to get my speech to regular speed. I'm having fizzing and
popping in my head 2 weeks later the pressure was so bad and atm I feel I'm
still having issues with speech.

I changed GP who instantly sent me to AE but again AE sent me home no beds.

No one acted FAST
No one ruled out a stroke by testing, not even the GP and I still cant get
anyone to see how this is effecting me.

It does not mention speech or jerky movements in any warning of sideffects
I had all the serious side effects yes but that's also side effects of a
stroke surley a GP would refer for tests.

I've contacted for legal help a number of solicitors all say it's not
covered because it mental health and difficult to prove especially clinical
negligence.

I'm obviously hoping it's not a stroke I experienced we will know once I
get the CT

But more alarminly it's awful to find out your not as important because all
people see is my mental illness not the serious symptoms I showed and
rightfully give me the care I needed.

I just want other persons to know how confusing it gets with medication
side effects.

If anything does happen to me I hope this goes to someway of helping my
family continue to fight. I've been in a position of feeling locked in my
body not being able to communicate I'm not ending my days like that I'm
really not.

Especially experiencing it on my own.

Many thanks for your concern ill update you for your page for others if it
turns out it is Duxlotine not a stroke.

Jenna

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@jennax Update from this post
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16XYoiYz5s/
After many attempts for help from NHS Including the Nurse at Westbury and Forest Healthcare GP Cinderford.
I Privately paid for my own MRI after being so Ill
I have been diagnosed with CSVD of the brain. Hence not being able to communicate.
Thank your your service and thank you for getting it so wrong leaving me to drive away and suffer totally alone 😔

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