MEDICATION!!!!

[Moonira]

Hi. I haven't been posting for a while. Hope everyone is well and those that are suffering think of you because I know what it is to suffer as I have been since the age of 16 off and on. My diagnosis MDD, PTSD, generalize anxiety disorder. I have had good periods in my life and very bad ones. I am now 65 and very tired of the ups and downs of mental illness. I am on a bit of a downturn lately and I'm luckily followed by a very kind psychiatrist. I was recently diagnosed with multiple arthritic issues and was in a lot of pain. My psychiatrist mentioned that Cymbalta could be an option for treating the pain as well as my other issues. I am always fearful of changing medications and was just wondering if any of you had any experience with this medication for depression and anxiety as well as the treatment of pain. I wish you all well. I wish I had a magic wand for all of you.

[Mumbutterfly]

I have a sister in law who is taking it but haven’t heard how she’s doing. Hope it works for you!

[designguy]

Hello Moonira as you probably know, we all react differently to meds and it can be a lot of trial and error with new ones. I tried Cymbalta and it didn't work for me along with a half dozen or so other meds. You might consider doing a psychopharmacological test that uses your dna to help determine which meds are most likely suited for you genetically, my test was from Genesight. Another thing to consider is to make sure your hormones, thyroid and adrenals are functioning properly, if not they can cause or contribute to anxiety/depression, my testosterone was low and really had an impact on me.. I too have had good periods and bad periods and decided to try TMS therapy and have been posting my progress weekly on the forum and so far it's gone very well, so it's something you might also consider.

[Moonira in reply to designguy]

Thank you so much for your response. I feel like we are part of some pharmaceutical experiment each time I try a new.medication. I will look into what you suggested. Good luck with the TMS. Hope it continues to help. God bless.

[designguy in reply to Moonira]

You're welcome and I hope the Cymbalta works for you if you decide to try it. One more thing, it's usually better to taper slowly off of a medication so you might consider overlapping your current med with starting Cymbalta and talk to your psychiatrist about it. Unfortunately they don't take the meds themselves and don't really know what people deal with when changing or stopping meds but maybe yours will.

[Hidden in reply to designguy]

They might be taking something to deal with all of us!

[designguy in reply to Hidden]

LOL! that totally explains it and the high price of meds too!

[Hidden in reply to designguy]

Yes, we’re paying to keep them sedated so they can sit still and pretend to be listening😀

[designguy in reply to Hidden]

Yes, it's known as "compassionate non-listening- 101" phd level stuff, another is "appropriate fake nodding -101". and the sad thing is that they get access to the best meds first!

[Hidden in reply to designguy]

They are probably testing out their Ketamine or Psychedelic mushroom supply when talking to me. They figure I’m such a trip anyway, why not go all out! Can’t blame them. How’s the TMS going? Can you tell a difference yet? Been thinking about you.

[Spooky99]

Hi!!! I’ve been on Cymbalta for many years!!! So far it seems like the best medication for me! I get out more and don’t seem to suffer many attacks. I am 55 and have been suffering since I was 17. It’s a battle nobody can see! I also take klonopin daily. I know it’s addictive. I don’t care at this point in my life, I don’t abuse it! It helps me feel normal. I didn’t know cymbalta was for arthritis? I hope you feel better! I can chat anytime!!!! Hugs

[Moonira in reply to Spooky99]

Hi Spooky99. So glad you've found the right meds for you. You're right nobody knows what it's like to be dropped in our mind as It suffers through depression and anxiety. Unlike normal illness we look normal on the outside but it's hell on the inside. Thank you for your response and continue to be well. Hugs

[Darkhouse]

Cymbalta, like effexor, is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI), a little different than an antidepressant like Prozac that only does the serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The thought is that adding the norepinephrine to the mix can help damped pain signals. This does work in some people, you kinda just need to try it to see if it works for you. There seem to be more side effects w SSNRI's than regular SSNRI's. I noticed if I missed my dose by a day (which you shouldn't do anyway if you're on antidepressants, but sometimes there were issues at the pharmacy or I just forgot) I would get electric shocks that were quite unpleasant. They were worse w the Effexor, which is why I switched to the Cymbalta. It's also very important to taper down off of it once you start, as stopping cold turkey is very uncomfortable. Stopping or tapering should be done under the guidance of a doctor. If you're seeing a shrink, they would probably step you up slowly while tapering you off the one that you're on now so that side effects were minimal, if any. When done right, it can be pretty smooth. After taking it for 6 months, I decided it wasn't really helping my depression or my pain that much, so I stopped it, but I have friends who take it and love it. You just gotta see how your chemistry works w it and be in good contact w your doc about any side effects that do crop up. It may help... You could always go back to your current mess if it didn't... What do you have to loose?

[Moonira]

Thank you very much Darkhouse. Seeing my psychiatrist Wednesday. Decisions to make!!

[Beholy]

You and I are the same age also suffered with GAD and Depression for over 20 years with some good days and bad days as well. I tried just about all the medication available out there including Cymbalta and it didn't work for me after taking it for almost 8 weeks, but give it a try and I hope it works for you 😊 God bless you 🙏

[Moonira in reply to Beholy]

Thanks for replying....I know this whole medication business just sucks...that's why I was actually trying to get off my current meds, zoloft 100mg + abilify 2mg. Just wanted to see what my true self is.....don't know anymore....anyone else get mixed up about meds and it's hard to know what percentage of my wellness can be attributed to meds ??? MY family doctor says if I go off ALL meds I will go back to being as I was before I was on meds. How can she possibly make such an affirmation when they don"t even 100% know how or why a med works for one person and not another. They can't test us an tell us what is supposedly y missing in our brain chemistry etc....I'm just soooooo fed up.Thank you again God Bless.