Fibromyalgia Support Group

I am sure this has been discussed before but I just wanted to put it out there - I have been on Cymbalta for about 7 weeks. I have had no improvement in the way I perceive my pain and my mood has gotten progressively more unstable. My fibro fog has really thickened as well. I was previously on Prozac and that helped me more. I have been reading some horror stories about withdrawal from Cymbalta.

Has anyone had the same experience with mood,etc. getting worse after starting Cymbalta? I am starting to get really worried. Called my doctor today but she is on holidays until December 7!

Thanks for listening. - Elizabeth

Has anyone done a baseline overall hormone level check for you? If you have low anything, it will definitely affect your mood. For me, I was low on pretty much everything. After the appropriate ratio of a specially formulated multi-hormone replacement cream, and I mean one day of using it, not only did my hot flashes go away, but so did the severe depression. I just wish that this test was done on EVERYONE before starting them on antidepressants and other meds. But hormones are often ignored - even when we get to menopause - doctors will just ask if we want replacement therapy but not run a panel to see how low we are on everything. Then every few months, we need to have new hormone panels drawn (blood draw) to see if we are on the right course.... Does that make sense? For me, Cymbalta didn't do a thing except worsen my depression. Note that every single person has a unique outcome with every single medication - tell your doctor how you are feeling. Suffering is no fun and really strains our determination to hang in there. Ask for a hormone panel to be done (DHEA, estradiol, testosterone, everything). The lab will highlight anything out of normal range for your physician, but it will be up to him/her to prescribe replacement therapy, usually can be done by any general practitioner or internist. If they are unwilling, an endocrinologist can certainly write the prescription. I am noticing that more and more doctors don't do as much anymore and refer patients to specialists. I don't know if it is because it takes too much time or effort or if they are afraid of liability lawsuits or a combination of several factors.

Best wishes,

KonaRose

Thanks for your advice! I don't think I have had my hormone levels checked but that sounds like something I need to check out. I have read a bit about it in the past and actually have wondered if hormones could be contributing to my fatigue and mood swings. But with this Fibro diagnosis I have been focusing elsewhere. My doctor is really supportive and is usually willing to do whatever tests I ask for - just have to wait until she gets back from holidays.

Did you have any problems when you discontinued Cymbalta? Thanks so much for your info!

I weaned off very slowly because for me, my body is quite sensitive both to introducing new meds as well as discontinuing once I have been on them. If I remember correctly (so many meds come and go) I had these electrical like zaps or jolts go zinging through my body throughout the day as well as nausea and increased agitation. So I just went back to the normal dose, and weaned off more slowly. I can't just 'stop' cold turkey off anything it seems. Your doctor may want you to taper onto a new med as you wean off Cymbalta, perhaps in the same family group (SNRIs). Here is a link that lists possible symptoms as you taper off

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duloxetine

- scroll down to "discontinuation syndrome" - take care,

KonaRose

Sorry you had these results. I have on cymbalta for about a year, I think ? Anyway, came off of it for a short period due to insurance but I love it and have never had any bad side effects from it. It helps a little with my pain and alot with my depression. If only everything worked the same on us, we would all know exactly what to take.

I was on Cymbalta and had to stop taking it for nearly a year due to losing my insurance. I tapered down to 15 mg x day then started with a small dose of Celexa and didn't have any withdrawal symptoms. I've felt those brain zaps coming off Effexor though.

I'm about to go back on Cymbalta and I'm so glad. It helped with both my pain and depression. Now that I'm doing so well on gabapentin (600mg) with the Cymbalta I expect I'll be out of pain Last year when I started Cymbalta, I was so happy and active that my daughter got me a notepad that said "medicated and motivated" LOL...I know where she got it, I'll have to go find a new one.

Thanks for everyone's replies. I guess I am only at the start of finding what meds, etc. will work for me. It is so frustrating because Fibro is so misunderstood and there is no standard treatment. I do feel better hearing others stories though, I know I am not alone.

Just going to wait until I see my doctor again and discuss the next plan of attack.

Thanks again for all the words, personal stories and info - really, really appreciate it! - Elizabeth

Elizabeth,

so many diffrent meds effects us all diffrently you have been on cymbalta for seven weeks? I would say if you are having reverse effects you need something diffrent..IM SORRY. It is hard trying to find the right combo.. for depreeion or anxioty there are many many diffrent types..hope the doc would get back soonier..dont stop taking it on your own though you can have adverse effects there also..

Im glad you are excitted to be here it is a wonderful group..

I have been on Cymbalta over a year and love it. I was taking Wellbrutin prior to Cymbalta. I felt like I woke up. It helps with the pain and certainly has improved my mood.

Everyone has to find what works for them. It is too bad that it is not possible to find one pill that works for everyone.

Hi Elizabeth, Not sure if I greeted you or not! Welcome to the group, glad you found us! This is the best group on the web, you've probably noticed.

You and your doctor should be working on ways to get you a good night sleep. Most of us tried several different sleeping pills, I know i did. My doctor kind of gave up on me when I wouldn't take Ambien. After a few months someone here recommended melatonin. It works incredibly well for me and now I'm actually sleeping about 8-12 hours a night now. Melatonin is OTC and cheap and one of the side effects is a reduction in migraines. I take 9mg now and I never ever miss it. It's so great to sleep and dream again!

I've got an appointment set for a sleep study next week. Now that I'm taking a gabapentin, a flexeril, a klonopin and 9mg of melatonin, I think I might be wasting their time LOL...