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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lizardheaven | @lizardheaven | May 20, 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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Having tried every SRI and SNRI out there I finally ended up on Cymbalta. It's not the greatest but better than all the others. I would give it 4 to 6 weeks.

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alohasurf | @alohasurf | May 24, 2025
In reply to @gregorydines "I am currently on 60mg of Cymbalta. I do also have chronic pain on my back..." + (show)
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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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I take cymbalta and rexulti..helps with my depression

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lantana | @lantana | Oct 1, 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 was on prozac for many years and finally decided it wasn't working. The psychiatrist then prescribed Cymbalta. I did improve, or at least thought I did, but now I know it isn't working. Firstly, I'm now 83 and hate being old. I've had major back surgery and have periodic times during the day when I need to rest. I no longer look like myself and find that depressing. I'm tired, have no interest in anything, my husband is boring and I don't confide in him because he comes up with platatudes. I have friends, all widows, but I never look forward to anything. I just pretend.

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3 replies
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tisme | @tisme | Oct 2, 2025
In reply to @lantana "I was on prozac for many years and finally decided it wasn't working. The psychiatrist then..." + (show)
Profile picture for lantana @lantana

I was on prozac for many years and finally decided it wasn't working. The psychiatrist then prescribed Cymbalta. I did improve, or at least thought I did, but now I know it isn't working. Firstly, I'm now 83 and hate being old. I've had major back surgery and have periodic times during the day when I need to rest. I no longer look like myself and find that depressing. I'm tired, have no interest in anything, my husband is boring and I don't confide in him because he comes up with platatudes. I have friends, all widows, but I never look forward to anything. I just pretend.

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I am 65 and after hormone blocker treatment for breast cancer ( let alone the effects of getting old ) I dont look like me anymore I look like a skeleton in the face all the other health issues, lost weight now Im gaining again.. hair loss now as well. I was on cymbalta then got off it, tried another it has stopped working some are lucky when it comes to medications some are not. Doc wants me on another med,.

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frouke | @frouke | Oct 2, 2025
In reply to @lantana "I was on prozac for many years and finally decided it wasn't working. The psychiatrist then..." + (show)
Profile picture for lantana @lantana

I was on prozac for many years and finally decided it wasn't working. The psychiatrist then prescribed Cymbalta. I did improve, or at least thought I did, but now I know it isn't working. Firstly, I'm now 83 and hate being old. I've had major back surgery and have periodic times during the day when I need to rest. I no longer look like myself and find that depressing. I'm tired, have no interest in anything, my husband is boring and I don't confide in him because he comes up with platatudes. I have friends, all widows, but I never look forward to anything. I just pretend.

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I’m sorry to hear that your medication has stopped working, this is a serious concern and it seems to be affecting many people who are on different medications. Ever since I can remember I was always weary of medications, I saw how much the doctor kept giving to my mom, in fact she gathered up meds with every doctor she went to…I knew that she had mental health problems with depression and anxiety but sometimes her meds affected her too much and I would take her to the hospital, one doctor said she was on too many drugs and it was causing strong symptoms. It is well known that doctors over medicate seniors and if you complain about it they give you something else to take. I realize that some medications are necessary for survival but we need to use our own judgment about how to handle this issue, I think that we are relying too hard on a medication that will help us to survive but sadly, they come with their own problems and it just builds up in our bodies, I wonder sometimes how well we can do without accepting more medication.

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laura1970 | @laura1970 | Oct 2, 2025
In reply to @lantana "I was on prozac for many years and finally decided it wasn't working. The psychiatrist then..." + (show)
Profile picture for lantana @lantana

I was on prozac for many years and finally decided it wasn't working. The psychiatrist then prescribed Cymbalta. I did improve, or at least thought I did, but now I know it isn't working. Firstly, I'm now 83 and hate being old. I've had major back surgery and have periodic times during the day when I need to rest. I no longer look like myself and find that depressing. I'm tired, have no interest in anything, my husband is boring and I don't confide in him because he comes up with platatudes. I have friends, all widows, but I never look forward to anything. I just pretend.

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There are reports of meds not working once switched to generic. Cymbalta is now off the market and only the generic is available. Perhaps something to discuss with doc

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1 reply
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lantana | @lantana | Oct 2, 2025
In reply to @laura1970 "There are reports of meds not working once switched to generic. Cymbalta is now off the..." + (show)
Profile picture for laura1970 @laura1970

There are reports of meds not working once switched to generic. Cymbalta is now off the market and only the generic is available. Perhaps something to discuss with doc

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@laura1970 Thanks. I will definitely talk to my doctor.

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janeandstephen | @janeandstephen | Dec 27, 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 weaned off of sertraline and started cymbalta 2 weeks ago. I suddenly feel clarity. It is complicated but I understand now how much my family is taking me for granted. Is this the drug and is this normal or am I experiencing something else?

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1 reply
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laura1970 | @laura1970 | Dec 27, 2025
In reply to @janeandstephen "I weaned off of sertraline and started cymbalta 2 weeks ago. I suddenly feel clarity. It..." + (show)
Profile picture for janeandstephen @janeandstephen

I weaned off of sertraline and started cymbalta 2 weeks ago. I suddenly feel clarity. It is complicated but I understand now how much my family is taking me for granted. Is this the drug and is this normal or am I experiencing something else?

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Could you provide a little more information?

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