Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 974836

Shown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Cymbalta (Duloxetine)

Posted by beyondcrazy on December 27, 2010, at 6:13:22

Hello all.

Ive been taking Cymbalta for depression for 3 months.

Ive been trying to quit for a few weeks now, but every time I stop I get horrible back and stomach pains.
The pain is debilitating and prevents me from performing daily tasks.

I was on 120 mg and can taper down to 30 mg with no problems.
The back and stomach pains only happen when I stop Cymbalta completely.

Resuming Cymbalta (@ 30 mg) eliminates the pain.

Anyone else have this withdrawal symptom? And if so how did you deal with it?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much.

 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » beyondcrazy

Posted by Phillipa on December 27, 2010, at 12:31:10

In reply to Cymbalta (Duloxetine), posted by beyondcrazy on December 27, 2010, at 6:13:22

Well that is interesting as when cymbalta new took 60mg for three months also. I had no problem coming off the med and switching to another but as soon as off had back pain. I thought til now that cymbalta was masking back pain I'd had all along. And cymbalta is used for some types of pain. No stomach problems. Strange that you also have back pain now. Are you planning on another ad? Why did you discontinue the cymbalta? Phillipa

 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine)

Posted by creepy on December 27, 2010, at 13:29:37

In reply to Cymbalta (Duloxetine), posted by beyondcrazy on December 27, 2010, at 6:13:22

cymbalta is an SNRI thats used for pain also.. so I guess its expected that youd have returning pain or initially be sensitive to it on withdrawal.
What about cross-titrating to something else like effexor? Or maybe a TCA? They are also good with pain.

 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » beyondcrazy

Posted by PartlyCloudy on December 27, 2010, at 14:29:37

In reply to Cymbalta (Duloxetine), posted by beyondcrazy on December 27, 2010, at 6:13:22

Hello, I've had the same experience with back pain. Although Pristiq was a very good replacement antidepressant, I couldn't deal with the discomfort. I asked my psychiatrist for help since there is nothing physically wrong with my back.

I'm now back on Cymbalta, 30mg, and we added Remeron 15mg (I know, I am SUCH a baby with dosages; but I also take Seroquel and Xanax amongst my other non-psych medications); slowly I've responded pretty well.

I had no idea the power of Cymbalta as a block for my depression-related back pain, but it makes all the difference in whether I'm able to function or not.

PartlyCloudy

 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine)

Posted by Conundrum on December 27, 2010, at 15:35:08

In reply to Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine), posted by creepy on December 27, 2010, at 13:29:37

> cymbalta is an SNRI thats used for pain also.. so I guess its expected that youd have returning pain or initially be sensitive to it on withdrawal.
> What about cross-titrating to something else like effexor? Or maybe a TCA? They are also good with pain.

A TCA might be a good idea. Effexor and Pristiq are known to increase joint pain though.

 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine)

Posted by beyondcrazy on December 27, 2010, at 18:16:43

In reply to Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » beyondcrazy, posted by Phillipa on December 27, 2010, at 12:31:10


Thanks for all the replies.

I never had back and stomach pain before starting Cymbalta.

My reason for quitting Cymbalta is because it stopped working.

At first it was great!
I started on 30 mg for one week, then 60 mg, and that worked for a week, then upped it to 90 mg and that worked for a week, then 120 mg, (max) which worked for a month.

Ive tried almost every antidepressant available including the new Valdoxan (Agomelatine).
They include: SSRIs / SNRIs / NRIs / TCAs / TeCAs / Agomelatine.
And Mood Stabilizers such as: Carbamazepine / Valproic Acid / Olanzapine / Risperidone.

They either work for a couple of months, or dont work at all.

Out of all the antidepressants, I found Cymbalta the hardest to quit.

I also have ADHD and take Dextroamphetamine for that.


 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » beyondcrazy

Posted by Phillipa on December 27, 2010, at 20:14:06

In reply to Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine), posted by beyondcrazy on December 27, 2010, at 18:16:43

I'm truly sorry it stopped working for you. Do you know what next? Phillipa

 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » beyondcrazy

Posted by Maxime on December 27, 2010, at 22:53:08

In reply to Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine), posted by beyondcrazy on December 27, 2010, at 18:16:43

Have you thought about trying Nardil or Parnate?

 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine)

Posted by beyondcrazy on December 27, 2010, at 22:56:22

In reply to Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » beyondcrazy, posted by Phillipa on December 27, 2010, at 20:14:06

Lithium is next.

 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine)

Posted by beyondcrazy on December 28, 2010, at 0:53:36

In reply to Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » beyondcrazy, posted by Maxime on December 27, 2010, at 22:53:08

I cant take Nardil or Parnate because Im taking Dextroamphetamine and its CONTRAINDICATED.

 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » beyondcrazy

Posted by Maxime on December 28, 2010, at 0:58:48

In reply to Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine), posted by beyondcrazy on December 28, 2010, at 0:53:36

> I cant take Nardil or Parnate because Im taking Dextroamphetamine and its CONTRAINDICATED.

Yes, it is contraindicated. But there are many people who take the two together with no problems. I take 100 mg of Parnate with 30 mg of Adderall XR. I believe there are some people on this board who have combined them along with ritalin.

 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » beyondcrazy

Posted by floatingbridge on December 28, 2010, at 1:37:21

In reply to Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine), posted by beyondcrazy on December 28, 2010, at 0:53:36

So I hear you saying you tried cymbalta for mood, not for pain. Is that correct?

I'm not surprised by your experience, though I'm sorry to hear it. When I was on 50mg pristiq I could become physically ill (doubled over, fetal position) if I missed a dose. So I know discontinuance can create pain itself, not simply expose preexisting pain. :(

I'm curious what you plans might be.

Good Luck,

fb

 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » Maxime

Posted by beyondcrazy on December 28, 2010, at 2:39:13

In reply to Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » beyondcrazy, posted by Maxime on December 28, 2010, at 0:58:48

> > I cant take Nardil or Parnate because Im taking Dextroamphetamine and its CONTRAINDICATED.
>
> Yes, it is contraindicated. But there are many people who take the two together with no problems. I take 100 mg of Parnate with 30 mg of Adderall XR. I believe there are some people on this board who have combined them along with ritalin.

Im glad that combo works for you.

I have discussed the use of MAOIs with my Doc.
He said it's too dangerous to mix them together because of the risk of hypertensive crisis, and I would have to stop the Dex completely before starting a MAOI.

Unless Parnate is somehow different from the other MAOIs? I dont know.

 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » floatingbridge

Posted by beyondcrazy on December 28, 2010, at 2:41:43

In reply to Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » beyondcrazy, posted by floatingbridge on December 28, 2010, at 1:37:21

> So I hear you saying you tried cymbalta for mood, not for pain. Is that correct?
>
> I'm not surprised by your experience, though I'm sorry to hear it. When I was on 50mg pristiq I could become physically ill (doubled over, fetal position) if I missed a dose. So I know discontinuance can create pain itself, not simply expose preexisting pain. :(
>
> I'm curious what you plans might be.
>
> Good Luck,
>
> fb

I think Lithium is the next step.

 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » Conundrum

Posted by beyondcrazy on December 28, 2010, at 2:50:19

In reply to Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine), posted by Conundrum on December 27, 2010, at 15:35:08

> > cymbalta is an SNRI thats used for pain also.. so I guess its expected that youd have returning pain or initially be sensitive to it on withdrawal.
> > What about cross-titrating to something else like effexor? Or maybe a TCA? They are also good with pain.
>
> A TCA might be a good idea. Effexor and Pristiq are known to increase joint pain though.

I have tried TCAs, Effexor and Pristiq.

 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine)

Posted by beyondcrazy on December 28, 2010, at 4:07:35

In reply to Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » beyondcrazy, posted by PartlyCloudy on December 27, 2010, at 14:29:37

Thank you for the replies so far.

Ive decided to make a list of all the antidepressants Ive tried and the reasons for quitting.
NOTE! This is not a list of all side effects I got, just the ones that made me quit.

Paroxetine (SSRI) / Hallucinations / psychosis.

Sertraline (SSRI) / Panic attacks / No response.

Fluoxetine (SSRI) / Suicidal.

Fluvoxamine (SSRI) / No response.

Citalopram (SSRI) / No response.

Escitalopram (SSRI) / Aggression / No response.

Doxepin (TCA) / Aggression /Heart palpitations (requiring hospitalisation).

Mirtazapine (TeCA) / No response.

Amoxapine (TeCA) / Aggression.

Effexor (SNRI) / Insomnia / No response.

Pristiq (SNRI) / No response.

Duloxetine (SNRI) / No response.

Agomelatine (THE NEW ONE) / Oversedation / No response.

Others:

Carbamazepine / Muscle aches / No response.

Sodium valproate / Muscle aches / No response.

Risperidone / Stoped Dextroamphetamine from working.

Quetiapine / Tactile hallucinations / Aggression.

Olanzapine / Severe weight gain / Severe Constipation / Decreases the effects of Dextroamphetamine if taken continuously (however works well if taken occasionally)

Diazepam / not for everyday use / Decreases the effects of Dextroamphetamine / high doses cause Aggression.

Sigh. . . . . Any advice / help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine)

Posted by bleauberry on December 28, 2010, at 5:28:32

In reply to Cymbalta (Duloxetine), posted by beyondcrazy on December 27, 2010, at 6:13:22

Here's how to get off it.

Don't plan a timeframe.

Empty a capsule. Remove some of the beads inside. 10 beads is approximately 1mg. So now you can reduce from 30mg to 29mg to 25mg or whatever rate is acceptable to you. Either take the capsule, minus the removed bead amount, or sprinkle you dose of beads on applesauce or something soft and swallow without chewing.

The beads are enteric coated so you don't want to chew them. They don't know the difference whether they are inside a capsule or not.

I've taken doses of Cymbalta as low as 1mg by counting beads.

 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » bleauberry

Posted by beyondcrazy on December 28, 2010, at 5:54:05

In reply to Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine), posted by bleauberry on December 28, 2010, at 5:28:32

> Here's how to get off it.
>
> Don't plan a timeframe.
>
> Empty a capsule. Remove some of the beads inside. 10 beads is approximately 1mg. So now you can reduce from 30mg to 29mg to 25mg or whatever rate is acceptable to you. Either take the capsule, minus the removed bead amount, or sprinkle you dose of beads on applesauce or something soft and swallow without chewing.
>
> The beads are enteric coated so you don't want to chew them. They don't know the difference whether they are inside a capsule or not.
>
> I've taken doses of Cymbalta as low as 1mg by counting beads.

Thank you bleauberry, I will certainly give that a try.

 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » bleauberry

Posted by floatingbridge on December 28, 2010, at 14:03:40

In reply to Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine), posted by bleauberry on December 28, 2010, at 5:28:32

Bleauberry, that's great information. Thanks. I'm filing that away.

fb

 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » beyondcrazy

Posted by floatingbridge on December 28, 2010, at 14:12:02

In reply to Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine), posted by beyondcrazy on December 28, 2010, at 4:07:35

Do you only respond to dexedrine? (Forgive me if I missed something.)

But lithium as an combo with dexedrine.

May I ask if you are BP or unipolar?

Very few get relief with other dopamine agonists like miraprex, but maybe you would.

At a major hospital a combination of emsam and continuing my dexedrine was hinted as possible. My own doc won't risk it. And Maxime mentioned parnate and ritalin. So it's possible....

 

Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » floatingbridge

Posted by beyondcrazy on December 28, 2010, at 20:34:31

In reply to Re: Cymbalta (Duloxetine) » beyondcrazy, posted by floatingbridge on December 28, 2010, at 14:12:02

> Do you only respond to dexedrine? (Forgive me if I missed something.)
>
> But lithium as an combo with dexedrine.
>
> May I ask if you are BP or unipolar?
>
> Very few get relief with other dopamine agonists like miraprex, but maybe you would.
>
> At a major hospital a combination of emsam and continuing my dexedrine was hinted as possible. My own doc won't risk it. And Maxime mentioned parnate and ritalin. So it's possible....

I take Dexedrine for ADHD.

I also have fluctuating severe depression; it's not really BP, as it fluctuates between neutral and very low (as opposed to BP which fluctuates from low to high).



This is the end of the thread.


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.