Originally Posted by Jolie
How long have you been on Cymbalta? Perhaps if you can wean off the Ambien, you will be more at ease using the Cymbalta. I agree that it is not desirable to have to take a second med to counter-act a side-effect of the first med.
If you don't mind me asking, I am curious as to why your doc selected Cymbalta. I have 2 family members who were started on it, one for depression and one for neuropathy. They both experienced such overwhelming fatigue that the drug had to be DC'd. Both were switched to older drugs that were effective without the side-effects that Cymbalta had. When asked, neither doc could give a good answer as to why they started with the newest, most expensive drug, rather than trying other meds first.
I think it was a matter of marketing over sound medical judgement.
Jolie, Hi:
I'm glad you wrote. First, I have been on so many drugs that did not work, and then the Lexapro worked great for the first time but doc was concerned about me being "wired" from it sometimes, and then that day I had tachycardia, so he switched me to Cymbalta, saying it worked on both serotonin and norepenephrine. What is odd, I also got to the point of being so tired I just couldn't take it anymore and was afraid I was going to lose my job. One day, I could barely get myself out of bed to go to work and was afraid I wasn't going to make it. When I finally got up and decided I was going to talk to the doc that I just had to get off of it, that was when things started turning around.
I had been feeling so good on the Lexapro and when that wore off and I was on the Cymbalta I gradually began going back into the hole of depression and fatigue. But when that day turned around for me, I was amazed. I am feeling so much better now, but still get fatigued later in the afternoon, so slowing I am getting better. Even if it is slow going I am so greatful to be going the other way. I am beginning to think you may have to take more time to wait for the side effects to go away.
I am taking it for depression and another reason the doc gave it to me was for body aches. Well, I thought that was a crock but I would try it anyway. But you know what, the day that I started getting better, the pain in my fingers from arthritis started getting better. Maybe that is why the doctor prescribed the cymbalta for neuropathy. I notice when I start getting tireder at the end of the day, it comes back. Seems to be connected with how long I feel good.
It just seems like little by little, this drug is healing my mind and body and my energy lasts a little more each day.
I work in a psych hospital and the nurse manager was talking about these drugs are getting better and better. I just kind of nodded. But it seems to be true in this case. Maybe they are truly getting better.
Hopes this helps and your family members haven't given up to soon because I was just beside myself and just wasn't going to take it anymore. I am glad I did not have the opportunity to do it.
Oh yes, I think I have been on it 5 or 6 weeks now. I am like you. After taking so many drugs that didn't work I began to wonder if the docs really knew anything about them. Just took the word of the cute little sales reps that give them samples. But I am sure they evaluate their patients on the success after they try them on a drug.
I have been also able to take only a half an ambien now. I think that is because Cymbalta is kicking in.
Would you like to comment?
