Actually according to a post "your own results" poll site, 60% have average to remarkable results with cymbalta. The percent who reported horrible results is just about the same as those who have miraculous.
Bottom line: nothing works for everyone, and the swing on cymbalta requires competent forethough by all concerned. Having results posted either way is good, because it informs. However, I'm still smarting over the negative doctor comments.
bev
i am an 18 year old college student with fibromyalgia. i was put on cymbalta to manage my fibromyalgia pain because regular pain medication was not enough to manage it. the first day that i took cymbalta i felt very sick to my stomach and could not eat anything. the second day i took it and was sick again, but this time i started to feel faint and i began to have a panic attack. i didnt really think it was caused by the medication at the time because cymbalta is used to treat anxiety in some people..so.. i kept taking it and i felt just as sick each day, until i started having these panic attacks everyday and i decided that this medication was making my life worse than it was before. it took about a week after i stopped taking this medication for me to feel normal again, especially since i had become afraid of having these panic attacks during class.
Sorry to hear that so many didn't have any luck with Cymbalta. It's coming up on a year soon that I was put on Cymbalta. I have been on Depression meds most of my life. I know that they all have many side affects but I go into each time without reading any enclosed pamphlets just for that reason. Cymbalta was a lifesaver for me! I had been on it only 4 months and thank God I was when Katrina hit. I would not have been to take charge along with hubby to evacuate his 80something yr old parents along with my 80something yrs old parents, our 19 yr old daughter, her boyfriend and his 88 yr old MawMaw. Then we also had our two 20something yrs old sons, one with wife and two children. WHEW!! I had to call ahead to reserve 5 motel rooms, arrange the travel needs, of course son had to take his truck to carry Grandpas electric chair. And then trying to keep all comfortable away from home for 1 1/2 months. Saying all that, before Cymbalta, I would have never been able to do any of that. Not to say that after a few years, it might not work anymore, like many other have done. I then go on to the next effective Antidepressant.
Please all, keep just a positive attitude toward all meds. your Dr. prescribes!
Please all, keep just a positive attitude toward all meds. your Dr. prescribes!
~Kathy~
I have been on Cymbalta for over two years. It has saved my life. When I first started taking this med. I experienced severe side effects for the first week and they began tapering off as time passed. I have tried just about all the SSRI and SSNRIs. I feel the best I have in a very long time. I will probably need to stay on this med for the rest of my life....but if I had another illness and needed a med I wouldn't complain if it worked. Cymbalta works for me. Depression is a terrible disease. I agree with a previous post...It is the depression the leads to suicide! All meds should be monitored closely by a doctor. Family members should also be aware and paying attention for side effects and negative feelings.
I've been on Cymbalta for over a year and had no problems. Am also on Wellbutrin. Partial response to both.
Hi all,
I thought I would join in on this conversation.
I had done lots of research on SSRI's (Anti-depressant) drugs last semester for my psychology class. I was very distrubed by what I had found out.
First and formost the FDA DOES NOT do the testing of drugs. Many doctors themselves are unaware of this fact. It is the pharmaceutical company that performs these clinical trials, some if which are only done for simply 2 to 3 weeks. As we all know the effects of drugs take much longer than 2 to 3 weeks to really affect the body.
After the pharmaceutical company performs these tests , they send their clinical trial results to the FDA, the FDA has a numerical amount of adverse affects that are allowed with any drug, if those results come under that number they approve the drug.
Heres the big problem, the pharmaceutical company is the one making the most money off these drugs. They to date have not been truthful in handing in all the results from their clinical trials. Eli Lilly themselves were under litigation due to not supplying all results to the FDA.
Someone above mentioned that Doctors make money for perscribing drugs. This is 100 percent correct, even had a doctor confirm this. The pharmaceutical company gives either substancial amounts of money, gifts, and even all expense paid vacations for a certain amount of drugs that these doctors perscribe. That in itself causes many doctors to forsake their objectivity. Its an absolute shame that pharmaceutical companies are allowed to go to such great lengths and get away with it.
AS I said many doctors are unaware of these facts just like many of you may have been.
There is extensive research being done now in reference to SSRI's, though they have less side effects than the old MAOI, and Tricyclic drugs, they still have potential dangers. If you take more than one SSRI's (anti-depressant) drug you are at a high risk for an adverse side effect, called serotonin syndrome. Some of the effects of serotonin syndrome are muscle twitches, abnormal movement of the mouth or jaw, extreme agitation, suicidal thoughts, and can even lead to parkinsonism. Some of the testing revealed that large amounts of these drugs cause your bodies serotonin receptors to shrival up to the point of never working properly again. (Jeffereson Scientists)
Sometimes these effects show up after little use but most often they don't show up till long term use, or until weaning off the drugs. Some of you may have tried to wean off and experienced some of these effects only to have your doctor say its because you have to continue cause your body needs it, that is not true.
I will say this, whatever you do, do not stop them cold turkey, you must wean yourself off so that your body can begin to produce the chemicals needed to balance itself out.
There is one thing we must remember. All of these clinical trials, tests, ect...are only theories, speculations. They have yet to prove whether depression causes a lack in serotonin, or whether its a lack in serotonin that causes depression. Some say there are not enough receptors present in the brain for serotonin to connect with, others say there is not enough serotonin being created by the body. Only about 5 percent of serotonin is present within the brain, over 80 % in the digestive system and the rest within the blood. No wonder these drugs can create so many adverse affects on the body. This is not only a brain chemical we are talking about.
Here are a few interesting sites you can check out, all were Retrieved on March 10,2008 from
http://antidepressantsfacts.com/fdatest.htm#feature
http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/introduction.htm
http://www.psychrights.org/articles/EPringleonOfflabelRx2-22-07.htm
from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3689/is_200311/ai_n9324408
I thought I would join in on this conversation.
I had done lots of research on SSRI's (Anti-depressant) drugs last semester for my psychology class. I was very distrubed by what I had found out.
First and formost the FDA DOES NOT do the testing of drugs. Many doctors themselves are unaware of this fact. It is the pharmaceutical company that performs these clinical trials, some if which are only done for simply 2 to 3 weeks. As we all know the effects of drugs take much longer than 2 to 3 weeks to really affect the body.
After the pharmaceutical company performs these tests , they send their clinical trial results to the FDA, the FDA has a numerical amount of adverse affects that are allowed with any drug, if those results come under that number they approve the drug.
Heres the big problem, the pharmaceutical company is the one making the most money off these drugs. They to date have not been truthful in handing in all the results from their clinical trials. Eli Lilly themselves were under litigation due to not supplying all results to the FDA.
Someone above mentioned that Doctors make money for perscribing drugs. This is 100 percent correct, even had a doctor confirm this. The pharmaceutical company gives either substancial amounts of money, gifts, and even all expense paid vacations for a certain amount of drugs that these doctors perscribe. That in itself causes many doctors to forsake their objectivity. Its an absolute shame that pharmaceutical companies are allowed to go to such great lengths and get away with it.
AS I said many doctors are unaware of these facts just like many of you may have been.
There is extensive research being done now in reference to SSRI's, though they have less side effects than the old MAOI, and Tricyclic drugs, they still have potential dangers. If you take more than one SSRI's (anti-depressant) drug you are at a high risk for an adverse side effect, called serotonin syndrome. Some of the effects of serotonin syndrome are muscle twitches, abnormal movement of the mouth or jaw, extreme agitation, suicidal thoughts, and can even lead to parkinsonism. Some of the testing revealed that large amounts of these drugs cause your bodies serotonin receptors to shrival up to the point of never working properly again. (Jeffereson Scientists)
Sometimes these effects show up after little use but most often they don't show up till long term use, or until weaning off the drugs. Some of you may have tried to wean off and experienced some of these effects only to have your doctor say its because you have to continue cause your body needs it, that is not true.
I will say this, whatever you do, do not stop them cold turkey, you must wean yourself off so that your body can begin to produce the chemicals needed to balance itself out.
There is one thing we must remember. All of these clinical trials, tests, ect...are only theories, speculations. They have yet to prove whether depression causes a lack in serotonin, or whether its a lack in serotonin that causes depression. Some say there are not enough receptors present in the brain for serotonin to connect with, others say there is not enough serotonin being created by the body. Only about 5 percent of serotonin is present within the brain, over 80 % in the digestive system and the rest within the blood. No wonder these drugs can create so many adverse affects on the body. This is not only a brain chemical we are talking about.
Here are a few interesting sites you can check out, all were Retrieved on March 10,2008 from
http://antidepressantsfacts.com/fdatest.htm#feature
http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/introduction.htm
http://www.psychrights.org/articles/EPringleonOfflabelRx2-22-07.htm
from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3689/is_200311/ai_n9324408
That is really scarey Pressing. I am one to not experience side effects right away. I will think that something is working good and then a couple months down the road the side effects start kicking in.
Thanks for the information.
hugs, Karen
Moderator-Depression
fibromyalgia, Chronic fatigue, depression,allergies
Hi Karen,
I certainly don't want this to scare people, but I think the public should know what really goes on, unfortunately they don't for the most part. I have worked for three different doctors and really inquired with one of them about the whole pharmaceutical incentive issue. He said he himself had received all expense paid vactions for perscribing meds, especially when pushing a newer drug on the market.
I am also a full time nursing student with a year and a half left till completion for an RN degree, so I am very much interested in these issues. I myself refused to take meds for my depression. I began to workout a few times a week and started eating much better, even went to greater lengths of using mostly organic body products (shampoos etc..) since 60 percent of what you put on your body is absorbed into your cells and they are created to absord and process more natural products, with the products that are not natural our cells have to store them away and decide how they are going to rid them because the cells can't use these synthetic chemicals.
There is reasearch now into how chemicals may be a big cause of cancers etc.
I also opt to use products such as the line "Method" sold at target
because their laundry detergents do not contain phosphates, phosphates are very unhealty chemicals to be absorbed by the body. Method cleaning products are wonderful too and they work just like synthetic chemical products only without the harsh chemicals that are irritable not only to the skin but the lungs as well. They are pretty inexpensive too!
I already feel a little better with the switch, and I must say running on the treadmill helps me to rid some of my frustrations, for those who can't run good ole fashion brisks walks are great too:) In the long run I know my body will thank me:)
As I said no one should ever stop their medications cold turkey; if you do decided to get off of them, I forwarn you as I said many doctors themselves don't know the adverse long term side effects (especially when taking more than one SSR'I) and they will say your body needs the meds. if you start having withdrawel effects.
I have a friend who just tried to wean from her anti-depressant and she started having serotonin syndrome effects, her doctor said just that, that her body needed them and thats why it was reacting in such a way. I am sure he is one who did not personally research the adverse effects and only goes by what the pharmaceutical company states.
At the hospital, the FDA has now provided forms that nurses can fill out anytime a person has an abnormal reaction to a drug, this is to be passed along to the FDA. Maybe they are finally going to better lengths to ensure safety but they are far from reaching that goal, much strictor stipulations need to be placed on the pharmaceutical companies which test these drugs.
Another really great doctor who has been putting alot of research into synthetic chemicals, which of course are medications, is Dr. Breggins, he especially gears much of his time to the adverse affects of anti-depressants. You should be able to find articles of his by googling him.
Not sure if you have heard, but not too long back two other drugs, which are on the market for heart conditions, plavix and zetia, are now being further researched, and are said to not be effective; so much for the FDA approval. We have seen this with lots of drugs. You would think by now they would spend more time testing natural products as to thier efficacy, since many of the other ones are failing or present way to many adverse long term side effects, are people not worth it, is one life not worth it?
If there was some absolute fact to Psychiatric drugs, I would say go for it, but it is all speculation at this point, just theories.
I was reading a book written by a neuroscientist and I loved one of his statements he said I know just about every part of the brain , can take it apart and tell you how the parts work, but I can't tell you one single thought that person had.
The mind is a powerful and interesting being so to speak.
Pressing
I certainly don't want this to scare people, but I think the public should know what really goes on, unfortunately they don't for the most part. I have worked for three different doctors and really inquired with one of them about the whole pharmaceutical incentive issue. He said he himself had received all expense paid vactions for perscribing meds, especially when pushing a newer drug on the market.
I am also a full time nursing student with a year and a half left till completion for an RN degree, so I am very much interested in these issues. I myself refused to take meds for my depression. I began to workout a few times a week and started eating much better, even went to greater lengths of using mostly organic body products (shampoos etc..) since 60 percent of what you put on your body is absorbed into your cells and they are created to absord and process more natural products, with the products that are not natural our cells have to store them away and decide how they are going to rid them because the cells can't use these synthetic chemicals.
There is reasearch now into how chemicals may be a big cause of cancers etc.
I also opt to use products such as the line "Method" sold at target
because their laundry detergents do not contain phosphates, phosphates are very unhealty chemicals to be absorbed by the body. Method cleaning products are wonderful too and they work just like synthetic chemical products only without the harsh chemicals that are irritable not only to the skin but the lungs as well. They are pretty inexpensive too!
I already feel a little better with the switch, and I must say running on the treadmill helps me to rid some of my frustrations, for those who can't run good ole fashion brisks walks are great too:) In the long run I know my body will thank me:)
As I said no one should ever stop their medications cold turkey; if you do decided to get off of them, I forwarn you as I said many doctors themselves don't know the adverse long term side effects (especially when taking more than one SSR'I) and they will say your body needs the meds. if you start having withdrawel effects.
I have a friend who just tried to wean from her anti-depressant and she started having serotonin syndrome effects, her doctor said just that, that her body needed them and thats why it was reacting in such a way. I am sure he is one who did not personally research the adverse effects and only goes by what the pharmaceutical company states.
At the hospital, the FDA has now provided forms that nurses can fill out anytime a person has an abnormal reaction to a drug, this is to be passed along to the FDA. Maybe they are finally going to better lengths to ensure safety but they are far from reaching that goal, much strictor stipulations need to be placed on the pharmaceutical companies which test these drugs.
Another really great doctor who has been putting alot of research into synthetic chemicals, which of course are medications, is Dr. Breggins, he especially gears much of his time to the adverse affects of anti-depressants. You should be able to find articles of his by googling him.
Not sure if you have heard, but not too long back two other drugs, which are on the market for heart conditions, plavix and zetia, are now being further researched, and are said to not be effective; so much for the FDA approval. We have seen this with lots of drugs. You would think by now they would spend more time testing natural products as to thier efficacy, since many of the other ones are failing or present way to many adverse long term side effects, are people not worth it, is one life not worth it?
If there was some absolute fact to Psychiatric drugs, I would say go for it, but it is all speculation at this point, just theories.
I was reading a book written by a neuroscientist and I loved one of his statements he said I know just about every part of the brain , can take it apart and tell you how the parts work, but I can't tell you one single thought that person had.
The mind is a powerful and interesting being so to speak.
Pressing
I just caught up with this post, that is really interesting. I wish that I didn't have to take medications. I always have that fear that one day I wont be able to get them and I will be running around like a chicken with it's head cut off going through withdrawals.
You never know. I am debating tapering off of some of them. I get tired of tne need for them I guess. I wouldn't go cold turkey, I know the symptoms already. I tried it years ago.
Thanks Karen
Moderator-Depression
You never know. I am debating tapering off of some of them. I get tired of tne need for them I guess. I wouldn't go cold turkey, I know the symptoms already. I tried it years ago.
Thanks Karen
Moderator-Depression
fibromyalgia, Chronic fatigue, depression,allergies
I wanted to say that I love cymbalta! I have been on it for 2 months now and I haven't been so productive since I started meds over 12 years ago. I was previously on Prozac and then it stopped working after some time. I was on Wellbutrin and it wasn't effective at all so my psychiatrist added cymbalta and said it would work well with Wellbutrin. Before I started cymbalta, I had trouble facing the world. I was panicky about everything and overwhelmed. Now I am taking care of things and solving problems and I can think so clearly. I'm accomplishing tremendous amounts. Beyond that, though, I have had some neurological problems for almost a year. In my left hand, I have had a trigger thumb that I could no longer move. Absolutely no control of it and when it did accidentally bend it would cause tremendous pain. The doctors have given me cortizone shots and have been on various medicines with no result. So, 2 weeks after starting cymbalta, I'm cured. I can bend my thumb like nothing ever happened! Also, the tendenitis is all gone! I think this is a miracle drug and I hope others experience good things like I have.
Hi Productive,
First of all, welcome to Healing Well. You have come to the most marvalous place, the people here are so kind and compassionate here and undertanding.
Congratulations on the Cymbalta working well for you. It is nice to hear success stories like that. I guess that everybody is different. So different meds work for different people and I am glad that it worked so well for you.
So keep posting, you can start your own thread at any time or just pop in now and then as you did here, either way we welcome you to our little family. We get along good here.
Hugs, Karen
Moderator-Depression
First of all, welcome to Healing Well. You have come to the most marvalous place, the people here are so kind and compassionate here and undertanding.
Congratulations on the Cymbalta working well for you. It is nice to hear success stories like that. I guess that everybody is different. So different meds work for different people and I am glad that it worked so well for you.
So keep posting, you can start your own thread at any time or just pop in now and then as you did here, either way we welcome you to our little family. We get along good here.
Hugs, Karen
Moderator-Depression
fibromyalgia, Chronic fatigue, depression,allergies
Hello again , I know I am posting to an old thread but my doctor put me on Cymbala six weeks ago . Yes I felt sick at first , yes I had an increase of anxiety , but I have taken almost all the ssri's that were out their . Cymbalta has worked wonders for me . I CAN LAUGH NOW ! My husband has noticed a big change in me . Hopefully I won't get the bad side effects ( suiside ) spelling sorry . I know doctors get a (kick back ) for presciping meds . But mine is giving them to me for free . Just go in and ask for them . Now I don't like being a begger , but have no insurance right now ( long story ) first time in my life with no insurance . have major anxiety about that . But anyway Cymbalta is working for me . But I have to admit that you guys are really scaring me . But then again if you said " boo " to me I would be scared . Hugs , Megie
You can only change what you can control , you can't change what you can't control .
You can only change what you can control , you can't change what you can't control .
I am so happy the cymbalta is working for you. Different drugs work for different people. Some get the side effects and some don't. I seem to be sensitive to anti depressants so I get the side effects. But so happy that it is working well for you. That is wonderful Megie...
Have a great day and keep us updated.
Hugs, Karen
Moderator-Depression
Have a great day and keep us updated.
Hugs, Karen
Moderator-Depression
fibromyalgia, Chronic fatigue, depression,allergies
I just joined this forum because I felt it was important to share my experience with this medication. I am happy that Cymbalta has helped so many people. However, that was not my experience. You just have to find what works for you, and all drugs do not work equally on all people. Here is my experience. I went in to see my doctor for mild depression and also some physical symptoms I have been having. After bloodwork came back normal for arthritis, infections, etc., I was put on cymbalta. It sounded like the right med because it is not only an anti-depressant but is supposed to "turn down the volume" on pain receptors. Well, I took one 30 mg tablet of cymbalta, in the morning. That day, I had diarrhea all day (probably a side effect that would have improved) and that night, I did not sleep one wink all night. My heart was racing. But these were not the worst side effects. Every time I'd close my eyes, it was almost like I was hallucinating--I'd see scary creatures, like intelligent insects with big teeth, strange bizarre geometric shapes, vivid colors, etc., and it was all with a sense of foreboding, like something bad was about to happen with me. This was terrifying. One 30 mg dose was all I needed to tell me that this was not the med for me! I just thought it was important to share this with anyone out there who is thinking of taking this med-- just be careful, it might not be the best choice for you. Take your first dose on a day where you don't have anything going on the next day.
Hi Jolene
First of all welcome to the forum,we are very glad that you are here.
Meds affect different people in different ways. So sorry that it did not work for you,were you able to get on something else that worked?
Shy
Mod- Depression
Chronic Depression, Panic Attacks,Anxiety Attacks,Anorexia
Please remember,I am not a professional..I am just a person who is also fighting depression.
First of all welcome to the forum,we are very glad that you are here.
Meds affect different people in different ways. So sorry that it did not work for you,were you able to get on something else that worked?
Shy
Mod- Depression
Chronic Depression, Panic Attacks,Anxiety Attacks,Anorexia
Please remember,I am not a professional..I am just a person who is also fighting depression.
Dear Shy,
I was on Prozac six years ago for about two months, and although I didn't like the sexual side effects, it did make me feel a lot better and more content with life. My doctor recommended I get back on it, at least for a while. Just took my first dose today. I'm hoping maybe the side effects will wear off, or maybe I won't get them as bad this time or at all, since our bodies change over time, and our reactions to meds can be different as well. I think my doctor wanted to prescribe it again because she knew I had taken it before, with no scary side effects like the cymbalta gave me. And believe me, I don't ever want to have a med again that will give me those halluciation-like "visions". We hear about people on illegal drugs like LSD who have "bad trips." I really felt like I was on one, that night I took cymbalta! Thanks for the welcome.
I was on Prozac six years ago for about two months, and although I didn't like the sexual side effects, it did make me feel a lot better and more content with life. My doctor recommended I get back on it, at least for a while. Just took my first dose today. I'm hoping maybe the side effects will wear off, or maybe I won't get them as bad this time or at all, since our bodies change over time, and our reactions to meds can be different as well. I think my doctor wanted to prescribe it again because she knew I had taken it before, with no scary side effects like the cymbalta gave me. And believe me, I don't ever want to have a med again that will give me those halluciation-like "visions". We hear about people on illegal drugs like LSD who have "bad trips." I really felt like I was on one, that night I took cymbalta! Thanks for the welcome.
I took Prozac also,and it really helped.
Sounds like you had a horrible time with Cymbalta, but glad that you are on something else.
Good luck and keep us posted on how you are!
Shy
Mod- Depression
Chronic Depression, Panic Attacks,Anxiety Attacks,Anorexia
Please remember,I am not a professional..I am just a person who is also fighting depression.
Sounds like you had a horrible time with Cymbalta, but glad that you are on something else.
Good luck and keep us posted on how you are!
Shy
Mod- Depression
Chronic Depression, Panic Attacks,Anxiety Attacks,Anorexia
Please remember,I am not a professional..I am just a person who is also fighting depression.
Hi Jo,
I wanted to welcome you to the Healing Well depression forum. I am sorry about the side effects of cymbalta. And I am happy that you found something else. I hope that the prozac works for you. I too took it quite a few years ago and it helped me a lot mentally and emotionally.
Best of luck to you, keep posting
hugs, Karen
Moderator-Depression
I wanted to welcome you to the Healing Well depression forum. I am sorry about the side effects of cymbalta. And I am happy that you found something else. I hope that the prozac works for you. I too took it quite a few years ago and it helped me a lot mentally and emotionally.
Best of luck to you, keep posting
hugs, Karen
Moderator-Depression
fibromyalgia, Chronic fatigue, depression,allergies
Well it didnt do much for me. I can tell you if you go on it and need off it getting ready for a unhappy journey.
I think its called brain zaps. I just went off it cold turkey and every time i move my head or eyes it feels electically shocked.
Good luck is all i can say. What fails for some might work for others.
Felt the need to chime in...
Few things - I worked for a CRO (Clinical Research Organization) for a good year, the testing, and submission for any drug administered to the public is of some of the strictest in the world for any FDA approval. Is it perfect, not by any means.
Every drug, EVERY drug, has its side effects, accept that as fact. The goal is are the overall side effects worse than the condition being treated, and do they persist.
I am 29 years old and have gone my whole life with out taking ANY medication for ANYTHING (other than your periodic antibiotic for whatever, strep throat a few times in my life) however, have been overall a healthy person. I also have suffered my entire life with moderate anxiety issues, however, never was treated, I learned to cope. However, over a 7 year period, I lost my mother, had alcohol problems, had a child I was barely able to see, went from making 250k a year to being homeless, got back on my feet, got married, had two more children, got myself back into a comfortable income range, and had a complete breakdown. My anxiety had gotten so bad, I became agoraphobic, which is very unlike me I am a "socialite" as friends like to say, I am the center of attention at gatherings and a public speaker. I didn't leave my house for 3 months, had myself convinced I was dying, but was too afraid to see a doctor. My wife became frustrated to a point where she was ready for a divorce.
I finally convinced myself to see a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with ADHD, over a period of time he had me on two ADHD medications, xanax, klonopin, and lexipro all at once. I never had a suicidal thought in my life, taking lexipro forced me to check myself into a hospital. This is not to say lexipro is a bad drug, I know people that lexipro works wonders for...
One of my close friends is a chiropractor who mentioned to me that I should see his GP. This doctor was ALARMED at the amount of medication I was on, he couldn't believe I was prescribed xanax AND klonopin together. This doctor (DO) is also very homeopathic, he looks to try homeopathic remedies prior to prescribing medications. Long story short, homeopathic remedies worked, but not well enough, I have been on Cymbalta for about 3 weeks now, magically, ADHD has gone away, while still on a low dose of Cymbalta (he wants to slowly triat me up), we have determine I have GAD (no surprise there). The Cymbalta has worked wonders for me so far, I still feel sleep on it, however, having SEVERE insomnia due to anxiety, this is almost welcoming. I hope between dosage adjustments, and maybe even timing adjustments this side effect will go away. Overall, my life has improved 100%. I no longer am short tempered with my children, my mind is quiet (I don't feel like I have a freaking what if party going on anymore), and I am not having constant anxiety attacks.
My wife and I are anti vaccine, we don't vaccinate our children, and neither of us have had a flu shot ever. I would say at least 90% of the food in our house is organic (whole foods is the greatest place on earth), my wife cleans with organic/green cleaning supplies, our soaps, hair wash, and even toothpaste is organic/natural. We both work out daily, I swim and bike instead of run at the gym due to a bad disc in my lower back. I also play soccer through out the year (yes this causes back pain, but my best friend is a chiropractor, im covered there, lol).
My point is this, we are all different, we are all affected by medication differently, and we all need to take charge of our own medical care. I am not a fan of being on any medication honestly, I hate it, but it has increased my quality of life. Going from taking 4-5mg of xanax, 2mg of klonopin, 70mg of Vyvanse, and 20mg of Adderall a day to 1-2mg of xanax and 30mg of Cymbalta is a major improvement for me. However, getting to that point, has taken close to a year, finding a doctor I can TRULY trust, one that listens, discusses, and when I call, he calls me back, not a nurse.
You need to be aware of your own body, you will never help yourself if you don't become self aware, you need to understand changes in behavior, thinking, and your overall well being. You need to ask your doctor questions, you need to trust your doctor, and you need to understand that regardless of one persons reaction to a treatment, yours may differ greatly. It takes time and work to find what is right. For some people, a complete lifestyle change may make all the difference in the world, 5HTP or St. Johns Wort may be the answer, for some people Lexipro may work wonders, while Cymbalta may be horrible. It is up to you to take control of your health, your doctor is in business, he has a job, and his job is to make money. YOU are the one who overall is in control of your health.
Is it the drugs causing people to commit suicide? That's really hard to tell. In my lifetime, I have known 5 people who committed suicide, 4 of them weren't on any medication, 1 of them took chantix for over a year, I have 2 other friends who have been on chantix to quit smoking and have yet to commit suicide.
I rambled... That is my two cents though, just realize, at the end of the day, it is up to you to take control, ask questions, and be aware. Don't ignore your physicians advice, but don't be afraid to question it either.
Few things - I worked for a CRO (Clinical Research Organization) for a good year, the testing, and submission for any drug administered to the public is of some of the strictest in the world for any FDA approval. Is it perfect, not by any means.
Every drug, EVERY drug, has its side effects, accept that as fact. The goal is are the overall side effects worse than the condition being treated, and do they persist.
I am 29 years old and have gone my whole life with out taking ANY medication for ANYTHING (other than your periodic antibiotic for whatever, strep throat a few times in my life) however, have been overall a healthy person. I also have suffered my entire life with moderate anxiety issues, however, never was treated, I learned to cope. However, over a 7 year period, I lost my mother, had alcohol problems, had a child I was barely able to see, went from making 250k a year to being homeless, got back on my feet, got married, had two more children, got myself back into a comfortable income range, and had a complete breakdown. My anxiety had gotten so bad, I became agoraphobic, which is very unlike me I am a "socialite" as friends like to say, I am the center of attention at gatherings and a public speaker. I didn't leave my house for 3 months, had myself convinced I was dying, but was too afraid to see a doctor. My wife became frustrated to a point where she was ready for a divorce.
I finally convinced myself to see a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with ADHD, over a period of time he had me on two ADHD medications, xanax, klonopin, and lexipro all at once. I never had a suicidal thought in my life, taking lexipro forced me to check myself into a hospital. This is not to say lexipro is a bad drug, I know people that lexipro works wonders for...
One of my close friends is a chiropractor who mentioned to me that I should see his GP. This doctor was ALARMED at the amount of medication I was on, he couldn't believe I was prescribed xanax AND klonopin together. This doctor (DO) is also very homeopathic, he looks to try homeopathic remedies prior to prescribing medications. Long story short, homeopathic remedies worked, but not well enough, I have been on Cymbalta for about 3 weeks now, magically, ADHD has gone away, while still on a low dose of Cymbalta (he wants to slowly triat me up), we have determine I have GAD (no surprise there). The Cymbalta has worked wonders for me so far, I still feel sleep on it, however, having SEVERE insomnia due to anxiety, this is almost welcoming. I hope between dosage adjustments, and maybe even timing adjustments this side effect will go away. Overall, my life has improved 100%. I no longer am short tempered with my children, my mind is quiet (I don't feel like I have a freaking what if party going on anymore), and I am not having constant anxiety attacks.
My wife and I are anti vaccine, we don't vaccinate our children, and neither of us have had a flu shot ever. I would say at least 90% of the food in our house is organic (whole foods is the greatest place on earth), my wife cleans with organic/green cleaning supplies, our soaps, hair wash, and even toothpaste is organic/natural. We both work out daily, I swim and bike instead of run at the gym due to a bad disc in my lower back. I also play soccer through out the year (yes this causes back pain, but my best friend is a chiropractor, im covered there, lol).
My point is this, we are all different, we are all affected by medication differently, and we all need to take charge of our own medical care. I am not a fan of being on any medication honestly, I hate it, but it has increased my quality of life. Going from taking 4-5mg of xanax, 2mg of klonopin, 70mg of Vyvanse, and 20mg of Adderall a day to 1-2mg of xanax and 30mg of Cymbalta is a major improvement for me. However, getting to that point, has taken close to a year, finding a doctor I can TRULY trust, one that listens, discusses, and when I call, he calls me back, not a nurse.
You need to be aware of your own body, you will never help yourself if you don't become self aware, you need to understand changes in behavior, thinking, and your overall well being. You need to ask your doctor questions, you need to trust your doctor, and you need to understand that regardless of one persons reaction to a treatment, yours may differ greatly. It takes time and work to find what is right. For some people, a complete lifestyle change may make all the difference in the world, 5HTP or St. Johns Wort may be the answer, for some people Lexipro may work wonders, while Cymbalta may be horrible. It is up to you to take control of your health, your doctor is in business, he has a job, and his job is to make money. YOU are the one who overall is in control of your health.
Is it the drugs causing people to commit suicide? That's really hard to tell. In my lifetime, I have known 5 people who committed suicide, 4 of them weren't on any medication, 1 of them took chantix for over a year, I have 2 other friends who have been on chantix to quit smoking and have yet to commit suicide.
I rambled... That is my two cents though, just realize, at the end of the day, it is up to you to take control, ask questions, and be aware. Don't ignore your physicians advice, but don't be afraid to question it either.