youtube.com/watch?v=3KdtaFmDTA0

The mom above is a headache patient. She took Cymbalta for her pain and regrets it BIG TIME. It's long winded, but interesting. In the end, she throws it down the toilet.

(If you copy the above and paste in google and you'll be able to find it)


Another Cymbalta "situation!"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3x1OEaFD2Es&feature=related

I actually got this from another thread at BT. Don't know what to make of this. Perhaps the owner went nutso every time the commercial came on and the dog reacted. Or Cymbalta has something subliminal in the commercial. Or it is a trick of some kind...like someone is blowing a dog whistle in the background.

I've never taken Cymbalta. My guess is that it helps some folks, but perhaps it has some difficult side effects.

Someone PLEASE help me out here ... I know many of you don't like this drug. ... I was put on it in the hospital for 2 months ... but WHY ON EARTH does one withdrawal or have terrible reactions to a antidepressant medication?? I am aware it is also used for pain (as an extra) but the damn thing is NOT a narcotic!!

What am I missing here?

because the drug stops working (very common for antidepressants.)

or because they develop liver toxicity (which this drug causes, and a black box warning is pending for this in fact)

or because their blood pressure has become high and is due to this drug.
(both Effexor and Cymbalta raise blood pressure)

or because a newer drug has come out that is better, more effective and less toxic. Prepare for the introduction of Pristique (Wyeth) soon.

OR because it is NOT working as planned. (most common)

Or the patient can no longer afford it.

(according to some studies-- mostly by Lilly~~ up to 47% of patients experience unpleasant withdrawal events when
coming off Cymbalta)

SSRIs and SSNIs cause withdrawal because they alter neurotransmitters in the brain. That is, THEY CHANGE you. Just like narcotics.
The only difference is that narcotics work on different receptors. SSRIs and SSNIs were put on the market after short
studies, and long term use was never investigated. It took years to realize what was really happening.
And today we still have clouded information as to how they really work. (most of theories are just that..not fact).

To elaborate on this a bit....

Any medication/drug you take that alters your body chemistry carries withdrawal risk. Examples:

Cymbalta is an SSNI (or SSNRI) - selective seratonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. It allows more seratonin and norepinephrine to remain circulating in the body, which (in successful cases) makes you feel better. Take it away, levels drop - and your body protests because it got used to having those neurotransmitters at those levels.

Opiates behave similarly to endorphins. Over time using opiates, the body actually reduces endorphin production. When opiate use is stopped, it takes time for the body's endorphin production to get back to normal (which is why opiate withdrawal is horrible and potentially lethal). The person in withdrawal is short on a hormone essential for pain control, happiness, energy - feeling good at all.

Cigarettes stimulate dopamine production - another "feel good" hormone and neurotransmitter present in antidepressants such as Wellbutrin. That's why cigarettes are so addictive, and why it is hard to quit. The new drug, Chantix, works to alter this reward system and is therefore pretty effective.


In my personal opinion, the level of withdrawal issues is directly proportionate to the person's psychological dependence on how the drug makes them feel. That's why some people can taper off with ease, and others go through Dante's Inferno getting clean. But regardless of that, whenever your body chemistry is chemically altered, time is required to restore it to normal.

I've been on Cymbalta since 11/07. It works very well for me at 60 mg. I know if I ever want "off" I'll have to taper - but it works so good for neuropathic pain, I don't know why I would stop taking it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5Q1MkDbVEU

The sale of SSRI anti-depressant medications used to treat these and other diseases, such as Paxil, Zoloft and Prozac, has become an annual $20 billion market. Selling Sickness features commentary from paid medical consultants to the drug companies, patients, researchers, patient advocates, advertisers, attorneys, and psychiatrist Dr. David Healy, a critic of the pharmaceutical industry. The film also examines the deceptive use of clinical trials sponsored by the pharmaceutical companies, the highly addictive nature and many adverse side effects (like suicidal impulses among adolescent patients) of popular SSRI anti-depressants.

At an FDA hearing in Washington, D.C., the testimony of parents who have lost their children to suicide starkly emphasizes the need for greater regulation of these heavily promoted and prescribed anti-depressants.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5Q1MkDbVEU
part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdau5...eature=related
part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9Q6Q...eature=related
part 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw22OubTpc4
5/5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv0Wy_cgqEU

IMO, they should all have black box warnings. People just don't have enough information to make educated choices unless they do a lot of research - which many don't.

people should be informed. But many don't have the skills to be.

Yes, in this day and age... I found even in an upscale more affluent neighborhood about 1/2 of the patients I counseled did not have a computer at home!

Antidepressants do have black box warnings about suicidal ideation ...but the black box for liver damage is still on the table and being considered.

When the newer agents come out (they are close), we will see Cymbalta
wither away, IMO. Lilly had another drug that destroyed the liver...Oraflex.
That was recalled eventually, as well.

Doctors when faced with liver damage or no...will pick the "no" rather freely.

Well...now I'm wondering if that's why my blood pressure has gradually and consistently been going up.

I was very excited about Cymbalta when it first came out and immediately started taking it. I remember a woman from BT who was on one of their trials for fibromyalgia and it helped her a lot. Hence my main reason for starting it.

I haven't had a major flare since then but still have the myofascia problems.

Also...my doctor bumped me up to 90 mg. at one time because he said the reps said that it was found that 90 was the dose that helped with pain. Not sure if it was the cymbalta or what, but I went into a lot of suicidal ideation at the time and was very depressed. Looked at the meds I was taking at the time and wondered...I stopped Ambien and went down to 60 on the Cymbalta. I gradually improved.

I'm not happy with an antidepressant that is difficult to wean from. My experience withdrawing from Paxil was horrifying and took over 2 months with the help of my doctor and liquid Paxil. Same thing happened with Effexor. I ask myself, why or why did I start with the Cymbalta.

I now want to get off it, though have NO clue what to take in its place as I've tried ALL of them. SSRI's in general loop me into serotonin syndrome very easily.

Anyway....I started going down on the Cymbalta and already am getting really nasty zaps and I hate that.

Going to make an appointment with the doc and see what I can do.

If you have any suggestions Mrs. D I'd love to hear them.

You could try light therapy...

Vit D helps...

You can try to increase your own serotonin with l-tryptophan and B6.

Then drug wise there is the Emsam patch. (don't have alot of feedback on this one yet.)

Then there is SAMe supplement for pain and mood. I take this very successfully.

Thanks Mrs. D, I will.

Have you heard any successful experiences getting off the Cymbalta and how they did it? I really really wish they had a liquid form. I think they all should for that matter! I'm lucky though to have a doctor who understands that I am 'one' of those people that have difficulty getting off these types of meds and having the rarer side effects of most.