Changing Depression Meds

[Oosala]

I need help. I'm afraid to change my depression meds because what if the new one doesn't work? I'm taking 120 mg/day Cymbalta and the highest dosage they make is 60 mg. Want to change to generic Zoloft, an SSRI. I'm afraid of the process but I NEED to change. Any advice?

[Hidden]

Your doctor should help make the transition as easy as possible at first. I went from an SNRI to an SSRI this last March and was extremely worried about the change too. Luckily, it went pretty smooth and I’m happy I made the change. I’m not saying that I’m sure this exact change was the answer, but it was much better for me than the SNRI. Every med work’s different for each person. Finding the right one can take lots of patience. Don’t be scared to try. If it doesn’t work, doctor can change it back or try something different. In my case, the change was for the better. Yours might be too. Best wishes!

[Blueruth]

Kelly is right. You need to talk to your doctor. Mine will recommend a couple and then go over each attribute, side effects so that I can choose.

[Oosala in reply to Blueruth]

Yes, I researched a side-by-side comparison between generic Paxil and Zoloft because I've successfully taken them in the past. I found that Paxil is less effective on older adults 65+ and I'm 66. Also mention of some Canadian study about increased risk of breast cancer with Paxil. I explained this to the doc and decided to try Zoloft generic.

[Hidden]

From personal experience, my main advice is GO VERY SLOWLY! My doc took me off Remeron in 12 days after being on it for 6 1/2 years. Now I'm dealing with insomnia like crazy. Tapering should be by percentage of current dose, not by some number of milligrams.

When picking something to transition to, check the possible side effects. I wish you the best!

[Oosala in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I will. I hate this.

[Jonny_storm]

I've been doing 120 Cymbalta for a few years again. Took self off over a 3 month period but fell back into a deep depression. Took Prozac and did not help. Back on 120 Cymbalta and do not plan to ever go off again unless it stops working.

[Spooky99]

Hi!!! That’s what I am on!!! My Dr. Added Wellbutrin and it was a life saver!!!!! How long have you been on this ? Maybe you just needed something added. I know all this is frustrating!!! Message me if you would like!!!!

[Oosala in reply to Spooky99]

So here's an update. My shrink is keeping me on 120 mg of Cymbalta, not reducing that yet, and has added 50 mg of Sertraline. I am happy about that because I've been on the Cymbalta for about 20 years. I tried Wellbutrin once but never again. For me, I didn't sleep at all that night and was shaking like crazy. Really scary.

[Lovekh]

Out of curiosity, why do you want to come off of Cymbalta? I have been on it for so long (on and off...mostly on) that I feel like I need to change too. When I have come off of it, I needed to do it VERY slowly. I get nauseated if I don't take it for 2 days so I really recommend slow but agree with the others that you need to ask your doctor for the best advice. My mom has been on it for a few years also and is having some symptoms that are a bit suspect. I'm worried about the drug even though it works wonders for me.

[Oosala in reply to Lovekh]

Well I'm in a severe depression again and the Cymbalta is no longer working. I have already tried two of those antidepressant "boosters" (can't think of the names now) but in both cases I had tardive diskenisia and was told to stop taking them. Uncontrollable jaw movements and arm twitching. Again, scary. So I don't want another antidepressant adjunct medication.

[DodgeDhanda]

Hi O.

120mg of zymbalta should be OK as I'm on the same dosage & my surgery's pharmacist called me the other day wanting to change my opioids that I take for pain which is Zomorph & I said No , she asked about the Duloxetine as I know it & I said no thank U as it helps me balance my thoughts & my doctor knows this but I was originally given them for pain.

Anyhow I asked if there was something else to replace my morphine ( which I am addicted to as its for the pain so in my head take ot away the pain goes up into the roof) .

She mentioned fentynl patches but I said I'll speak to my doctor first .

In short make sure ur happy to change & can it be a slow swap over too.

[Oosala in reply to DodgeDhanda]

Sorry for your pain. It's a shame that people who are legitimately in pain can't get the meds they need. I got the Tylenol Codeine after knee replacement surgery and of course became addicted. I called the surgeon and he told me how to ween myself off in stages and I did it. But of course the pain was, for the most part, gone by then.

[DodgeDhanda in reply to Oosala]

I'm due to have a chat with my doctor about moving onto fentynl patches & if it mean less pain ten I'm gonna give them a go.

[Oosala in reply to DodgeDhanda]

All the best to you DD. Whatever works. The word Fentynl is scary, but you will be in safe hands with your doctor, I'm sure. Proud of you for moving forward with this.

[DodgeDhanda in reply to Oosala]

Thank You but fentynl isn't as scary as morphine which is what they switching me from , the only fear I have is the stories u hear from the States & the opioid addiction .

[Oosala in reply to DodgeDhanda]

I'm sure the patches will deliver a highly controlled amount of fentynl and, working with your doctor, it will work for you. You're not buying fentynl off the streets, as the people you hear about are doing. The amount of fentynl off the street is very unpredictable and that leads to overdoses and death. That won't be the case with you.

[DodgeDhanda in reply to Oosala]

Thank U for ur wise words & good luck on ur journey

[Oosala]

THANK YOU EVERYONE!

[DayByDayByeDay]

Hi

I was on Cymbalta 120mg for generalized anxiety disorder over a period of 10 years. Two years ago the effects of the Cymbalta started wearing off and the anxiety started to become more difficult to manage. Then last year I fell into a deep depression for the first time in my life. I was still on the Cymbalta when it happened.

My doctor added Wellbutrin and I had to go to max dose but eventually my depression became manageable (high functioning depression) and I was able to go back to work slowly. The generalized anxiety was still a problem though and since I wasn’t totally able to get out of my depression, I switched from Cymbalta to Zoloft hoping that would do the trick. It’s been 9 months now and have had no improvement in either the anxiety nor the depression compared to when I was on the Cymbalta.

In my case, switching from an SNRI to a SSRI wasn’t a success but that’s just me. Like Kelly said, meds work differently for each person and it may take several different tries, whether it be switching brand names in the same category, changing categories, adding a second or even third drug, etc.

Changing meds can be scary but people do it every day. Make sure you lower your dose over a period of several weeks or months. My GP was aggressive and tried to get me off too fast. I had many of the common withdrawal symptoms and had to pump the breaks and taper off very slowly.

If you don’t feel well you have two choices, you either stay as you are or you try something different. If you try something different and you’re able to find the right med or meds that work for you, you’ll be thanking baby Jesus you were brave enough to do it.

[artisticcatowner]

Hello, I am currently on Zoloft. Is Cymbalta not good enough? Honestly I feel like the Zoloft isn't working for me. At first it does because it is adding new good chemicals to the brain, but then after a while I can't feel anything so I'm thinking about changing again lol.

[Oosala in reply to artisticcatowner]

I've been on Cymbalta for over 10 years. My depression grew and my shrinks, plural, just kept upping the dose all the way to 120 mg. because it was easier for them. Finally I realized that I was deeply depressed and had been since before I retired over a year ago. It just stopped working and that happens sometimes. I started the sertraline a week ago today and am struggling with (hopefully) short term side effects such as waking up all night and now nausea. I feel worse than when I started it. I hate changing meds because it's such a crap shoot and you may have to try several antidepressants before finding one that works for you. And it doesn't help that I'm getting a crown tomorrow and I have dental phobia. I pay extra for the nitrous oxide because my insurance doesn't cover it. My anxiety is sky high now, too. Sorry to be such a downer but I just can't pretend anymore.

[artisticcatowner in reply to Oosala]

Well I hope everything turns out alright