Hi, last year I was put on cymbalta (After celexa stopped working) for anxiety and ibs. It worked really well. After 6 months I came off it, to see if I could and if my skills I had learned would suffice to deal with remaining anxiety.
First couple of weeks were great. Then some thyroid med issues and anxiety/ panic. Tried Prozac. Didn’t work. Lexapro made me cry. Back on cymbalta and it doesn’t work anymore. Does anyone know if it would make sense to switch to Effexor? It’s the same class but cymbalta did work before. Or has anyone added abilify? Low dose? It is used for people who struggle with the standard ad’s as an add on. The linger this is taking the harder it’s getting. More darker days, intrusive thoughts etc. and I have everything to live for. A wonderful family and friends etc. it’s so hard.
I have taken most everything you have talked about for depression, but It takes a while to settle in, a couple of weeks and then there comes a dosage adjustment that takes time. Maybe your not getting the results as quickly as you might think you should, so I would talk to your doctor about the reasonable amount of time these meds might need to be fully effective. I take Lexipro now..low dossage, and it works for me...it may not for someone else. So it does take trial and error...but mostly it just takes patients. Hope you get sorted soon, glad your sharing.
Thanks for your reply... I’ve been taking cymbalta for over a month now, and it’s getting worse instead of better, emotional roller coasters... last year when I started it I had results quicker...
yeah...that's more than enough time to see if your meds are working for you, and definitely they are not. Obviously your in need of help and a change of dosage or different meds. You know, a lot of people think that when they start feeling better, maybe they don't need the meds....unfortunately it's kind of a backlash effect for those of us who simply do need meds. There is no stigma to taking meds you need, it's no different than heart meds. And some people do manage their depression and anxiety with alternative methods. I am fine where I'm at now for my needs. But applaud those that have had success with being med free, if only for the sheer fact that they don't have to take a pill everyday.
My antidepressant works now, but I too when through a few changes over the years to finally get the one that worked for me. There was a gal here that posted she had gone through some sort of gene mapping that help her doctor to know exactly what she needed. Maybe ask your doctor about it....
Thank you so much. It is comforting to know others have gone through this. And I hadn’t been off ads since 7 yrs so thought I’d try. Boy, do I regret that. Now I’m suffering from intrusive thoughts, anxiety and that’s making me believe negative thoughts. Worried I might commit suicide even though I’ve never ever felt the need to before. And then you try to control or fight those thoughts, which doesn’t work obviously. Dang it. Can’t wait to feel better again.
it's a horrible emotional roller coaster...and you sure are on a heck of a ride...that is no joke...it's deadly serious....so I'm glad your sharing about it and on top of getting help, and I do hope you will be feeling better soon too.
I know all meds affect people differently so I can't much except to try different combos or meds until you find something that works now.
You mentioned thyroid meds- your thyroid can affect your mental health too. This is relatively new research that your doctor may not be aware of (a lot older ones are not). If you are not on the proper dosage of thyroid meds you can literally go crazy if you let it go long enough. This might be something to look into and get your thyroid levels checked again? Or if they have changed since last time that would explain why the cymbalta is not working as well.
There have been some changes in thyroid meds since last year when I first used cymbalta. But I have been on the same meds during cymbalta as now as well. It is an interesting point of view for sure! I’m scheduled for a thyroid check in a few weeks. I’m slightly over medicated but the alternative, under medicated is worse. And in between hasn’t been found yet...
I can't remember if it was cymbalta or effexor, but I experienced "brain zaps" when I stopped taking them (you can Google it). Make sure to taper down when quitting.
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