Stress Center Peer Support

Okay I have posted about this before but I'm still struggling. My doctor wants me to take Cymbalta. I am terrified of those kinds of drugs. All I have been taking are tranquilizers. I have the highest hopes (but not unrealistic expectations) that this drug really will make me feel better.

I just cannot get over my fear of the side affects and how I'm going to feel and how the transition will affect me.

Please if you have any POSITIVE feedback to share with me about Cymbalta or how I can overcome my horrific fear of this drug, please respond!

Thanks,
Sandina

i can't tell exactly why you're afraid of an antidepressant but not a tranquilizer (?) i can't say that cymbalta is a miracle drug because it probably does nothing for some people but i have to say that in the last thirty years i took about seven antidepressants and cymbalta was the only one that did anything for me. i didn't have any side effects from it. to be perfectly honest with you, i had a good experience with it and i recommend it to anyone who has had problems with depression and hasn't had success with other drugs. the last one i took before it was prozac and i had a horrible experience with it.

i don't know how to tell you to overcome your "horrific fear" except to say, just take it. start off on a low dosage and gradually increase. i started at 20 mg. a day and increased to 40 and that was enough, even though that is a pretty low dosage. i think the worst that can happen is that it doesn't work for you. i don't think these drugs make anyone go insane. even with prozac, my "bad" experience was that it gave me a completely flat affect. i could have laid in bed the rest of my life and never gotten up and i really didn't care, and that isn't really the effect you're going for.

also, i can't stress enough, antidepressants don't work alone. you absolutely must be invested in some kind of talk therapy for it to be beneficial. i took it for about a year and then i didn't really need it any longer so now i take nothing.

try it. i hope you like it.

i have been taking cymbalta for about 2 yrs. i havent had any bad side effects or any side effects at all. we are all differntso meds will work differntly. 1 nice thing is cymbalta does help with aches and pains. also if your are like me it can also help with incotnice. i take about 120mg a day with no problems. i realy dont think you have anything too worry about, just start with a low dose. your dr. will help you with that. the right antidepressant can work wonders. if your dr. thinks 1 will help i say try it if it doesent work you can get off it with your drs. help

Sandina,
I have taken antidepressants for almost 10 years. You name it I've taken it; Paxil, Celexa, Effexor, Cymbalta... I can honestly say that Cymbalta worked the best for me. Virtually NO side effects at all. I am no longer taking antidepressants thanks to this program and some counceling. But when I did, that was the drug of my choice. Works well, and weans well when your done. Hope this helps. Good luck.

I too am absolutely scared of anti depressants and drugs in general. Makes no sense as I take medications for HBP and type II diabetes. Did my share of substances as a kid. I was given a script for Lexapro and had much anxiety about beginning, including loss of sleep and a minor panic attack. NJo kidding. Worried all night and morning about what it would do to me. I wasted way too much time worrying but that's anxiety. However, I took the first dose of 10mgs with no effects, but the second dose made me feel like I was swimming/stoned. Could have been just anxiety, but I know the difference between a panic attack and being stoned. I simply did not like the feeling of not being able to concentrate or safely drive. My provider told me it would pass and to cut the dose 1/2 and take at night and gradually increase to 10mg. I have decided to go without and this is my personal choice. It made me realize that I can recognize and deal with this situation. I am not discounting the future use, but right now want to get on with the program and hired a great coach through the center. Good luck.

I wish I could give positive feedback for cymbalta, but for me I cannot. I know it helps others, but people need to be more educated about this drug. The withdrawls for me were the worst thing I could go through ever. I was put on cymbalta for Irritable Bowel Syndrome not for depression. Now after 4 months of being cymbalta free, I now have depression. That is why I am trying this program, I don't want to go back on any medications. If you want more information on cymbalta, check out whatwinnersdo.com/Cymbaltasucks. It will give you a look into what others went through or are going through. I am not trying to scare you, just educate. Good luck.

it works for me. i have been on it over a yr.

hi sandina,

my dr put me on cymbalta a few months ago. i had the same fears you do. she started me at the lowest dose. i actually felt better (i didnt think that was possible). after a couple of months she doubled it but only every other day. i have been really feeling beter. i hope this helps.

to those who replied to sandina asking for POSITIVE feedback: if you cannont offer POSITIVE feedback, please reserve your comments. thank you.

Hi Sandina,
I have just started Lexapro (just finished two weeks) I also was very scared to try it but I now understand that I may need something for the time being to help me "get to the other side" so I am o.k. with it now. I am also taking Klonopin at night to help me sleep because about a month ago I started having terrible insomnia which led to worse anxiety and full blown panic attacks in the middle of the night so I needed something to get me back on track. I don't have any side effects from either of them. Believe me, I was a holdout for three years to even take a Xanax but now I understand I cannot live this way- this is no kind of life. If you are doing the program and you feel you may need to take something to help you acheive what you want then don't beat yourself up about it. When you feel you are strong and have gotten the skills you can wean off with your doctors help. Lots of people have. Your deserve to give yourself any help you can.