Duloxetine / Cymbalta diary 2012

[loreen]

Hi Lilypad

I understand your worries over changing meds.However,if they are no longer effective for you it really would be a good idea to take the advice to try duloxetine.

I too couldn't take fluoxetine-it made me very sick and dizzy, and as a busy Mum I had to stop taking it.

I swapped straight over from a ssri(sertraline) to a snri(duloxetine) with no problems.I had a dry mouth and was a bit tired for a few weeks,but it was a small price to pay for the enormous relief I felt to feel better!

You are lucky to be offered Duloxetine, as it isn't prescribed often here due to the cost. For this reason I would say give it a go!

Of course meds work differently for everyone and it really is trial and error to find the right one for you.

Keep us posted as to how you get on.

Good luck

Loreen x

[LilyPad1991]

Hello Loreen,

Thanks for your reply

Can I ask about you changing from the SSRI to the SNRI... Did you do a straight swap from one day to the next or did you gradually come off the SSRI before starting the SNRI? The psychiatrist said both are possible but recommended coming off citalopram gradually before starting the Cymbalta.

Thank you!

[loreen]

Hello Lilypad

I did go straight from the ssri to snri. I was in a real mess emotionally and didn't want to risk getting any worse,so my doctor advised me to go straight on to the 60mg Duloxetine.

I think you need to listen to your pyschiatrist and do it how she recomends,but it really didn't affect me going straight over with no tapering.

Hope this helps,and feel free to ask me anything else

Loreen x

[LilyPad1991]

Thank you so much, you've been brilliant. The psychiatrist appointment really shook me up because I like to stick my head in the sand and just hope things will get better. I try my hardest to ignore it, which in many ways works... But hopefully this medication change will help.

Thanks again

[loreen]

Lilypad I know what you mean about trying to ignore your symtoms.I was unwell for many months before I finally accepted I needed some help.
I wanted it to go away,and I thought I was being weak to give in to this horrible illness.
I now know that by ignoring the warning signs,I made my condition much worse,and therefore much more difficult to treat.
My advice to anyone suffering from anxiety/depression is to be brave and go and seek help before it gets too bad.

Loreen x

[sophia_x]

i've been on duloxetine since the 1st of December. i don't feel my anxiety or depression has improved *sigh* any opinions on how much longer i should try this?

[dan1234]

i've been on duloxetine since the 1st of December. i don't feel my anxiety or depression has improved *sigh* any opinions on how much longer i should try this?

Sorry to hear that. They say it takes 4-12 weeks for the meds to fully start working. What dose are you on?? My opinion would be to try something else.

[loreen]

Hi Sophia

Duloxetine is supposed to work quickly(for me it was only 2 weeks) so I would go back to your doctor and say there has been no improvement.

You need to be on 60mg to feel the full benefit so check this is the dose you have been prescribed.

I am really sorry these meds aren't working for you,but keep on trying different ones.I tried 5 before I landed lucky with Duloxetine!

Good luck

Loreen x

[sophia_x]

Thank you for replying

I'm on 60mg.

Yeah I think it's time to try something new! so annoying

X

[dan1234]

Thank you for replying

I'm on 60mg.

Yeah I think it's time to try something new! so annoying

X

I think you have given it a good shot. Did your GP prescribe these meds?