Has anyone tried cymbalta?

[judy45]

I have just started elavil 10mg ( 2 weeks) and have seen no improvement. I cannot increase the dose because of the weight gain issue. I have already gained 30 lbs on a 5'2" frame compliments of IC. I just started seeing a Pain Management (PM) doctor who feels that my body has been in pain for so long (3.5 years, not one pain free day) that my nerves are over-stimulated and that I have probably developed Fibromyalgia (figures). he wants me to try Cymbalta. He claims it is weight neutral, but from what I read, people are gaining a ton of weight on this drug. I was wondering what everyone's experience with this was, what was your dosage, did it help Fibro and IC or just one. Advice greatly appreciated.

[4realtho]

I tried Cymbalta but had bad side effects on it. It does not mean that you will though. It made my neck hurt and may jaws remained clinched. I hated it and said that I will never take it again. I was taking it for depression not for IC. I felt as if I was in la la land for 36 hours. I think it was 30 mg and it was sustained release or something like that. That was just my experience... I hope that it works for you...

[StephN]

I am currently taking Cymbalta 30mg and have been on it now for about 3 months. No side affects and no weight gain. The only issue I had was an extremly dry mouth for about 4 weeks. Although it does not help with my pain I pretty much knew it wouldn't. I'm on it for anxiety/depression. Something to hopefully keep me from losing it until I find relief for this IC. I have been in constant discomfort now 24/7 for a year and a half. . . . .will it ever end!

[sailawaygrl]

I am on cymbalta and have been for quite a while. I take 60mg in the morning and 60mg in the afternoon. No weight gain at all and has been a tremendous help for my fibro and I believe for my bladder pain as well. I was afraid to take it and put it off because of things I had read. I regret that now. I could have been better so much sooner. There is no way to predict how an antidepressant is going to work for anyone. You just have to try it and see. For me, and I know other's on here too, it works great.

Good luck, I say listen to your Dr, they are the only one that really know your condition. I'm sure they wouldn't recommend it to you if they didn't think it would help you.
Sandra

Just to add, sometimes people gain weight because they are feeling better, therefore they are eating more. I have taken meds that made me gain weight, so I know what that is like.

[judy45]

Unfortunately, I cannot take any of the capsules because of their colors, and there are no generics. Does anyone know if you can open the capsule and pour it in water or milk?

[Briza]

Cymbalta put me to sleep for two weeks. And it made me act strange (so my mom said). I couldn't continue with it. I was put on it for both depression and IC pain issues and I have seen posted here that many find it helpful for depression but few for pain.
Judy, I imagine a pharmacist can answer your questions about the capsule. Let us know what you find out. Good luck.

[darlene]

I was on cymbalta a few years ago. I didn't have side effects, but it didn't help either.

[bob04951]

Bob is on Cymbalta, for depression not IC, but it has kept him stable. 60 mgs. He has not had side effects, but antidepressants are tricky. There are a lot out there. He was on many others before getting weaned down. Do not give up on them, if you need them, you have to have them. Depression is a chemical imbalance in most cases and you need to put those back into your system. There is also help with cost from the manufacturer, may want to check into that. Bob gets his free right now (hope it lasts, it is expensive). Cymbalta is actually indicated for IC. Read the literature online. Good luck to you, and take care of yourself. Jill, wife of Bob

[Briza]

Bob is on Cymbalta, for depression not IC, but it has kept him stable. 60 mgs. He has not had side effects, but antidepressants are tricky. There are a lot out there. He was on many others before getting weaned down. Do not give up on them, if you need them, you have to have them. Depression is a chemical imbalance in most cases and you need to put those back into your system. There is also help with cost from the manufacturer, may want to check into that. Bob gets his free right now (hope it lasts, it is expensive). Cymbalta is actually indicated for IC. Read the literature online. Good luck to you, and take care of yourself. Jill, wife of Bob

Actually, I don't believe that it has been scientifically proven that depression is a chemical imbalance and that depressed people "need" to put these medicines back into their systems. This has not been proven and there is no medical test to date for patients to take that proves a chemical imbalance. Not saying they don't help some people--just I have not seen any scientific literature that supports these statements.

[Jereme]

Agree that there is no definitive study that proves that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance. However, for some medications can make a dramatic difference. Modern medicine definitely make my life much better. However, for 2 out of 3 who take antidepressants they only get partial relief or no relief in symptoms. Depression and other psychiatric illness that affect the brain are complicated as are most illness. Many studies show psychotherapy works just as good as antidepressant medications. However, it does appear for now the best bet is a combo of the two. I'm glad that I respond completely to antidepressant medications and remain in remission as long as I take the pills. However, i do have side effects such as being more tired and more hungry. Life goes on.

[KatieB]

I take lexapro and although some people have had really bad reactions to it, I've never had any side effects at all. You know, everybody is different. When I started having problems with depression there was really nothing going on in my life that would explain it. I went to talk therapy for a long time, but eventually I just ran out of things to talk about, lol. This was LONG before IC reared it's ugly head full time!! Now I would probably be able to buy a therapist a lake house just complaining about my IC. I think if you suffer from depression (or THINK you do) you owe it to yourself to look into therapy and antidepressant meds. It's enough to suffer from IC and the myriad of other conditions that sometimes go along with it. And I believe that if one particular med doesn't work for you, you need a close relationship with your doctor to find something that does. I've tried a LOT of different ones and at one point tried to change from lexapro to cymbalta in order to try to help with intractable migraine. I realized almost immediately that the change wasn't worth it. My migraine wasn't any better and I began to physically feel the walls of depression close in on me. That's the last time I will try to change that med. I've accepted that depression is part of my diagnosis. It's part of what makes me, me. Hopefully soon I will find a treatment plan for my IC that will make it easier for me to accept that part of myself, too. Good luck to you.

Hope I didn't go too far off topic, if I did, sorry!!

[bob04951]

There are different types of depression fron "the blues" which is short term to psychotic depression, which is attributed to a lack of dopamine in the brain. There are many, many anitdepressant drugs for each type. It can take some time to find the one that works. Psychological counselling works for some, but not for all, just like the meds. Some people are receptive to counselling, some are not. Bob was never receptive, he just told them what he thought they wanted to hear, so...
Bob was on some powerful antidepressants and got weaned down to just Cymbalta. With the previous meds he put on weight like crazy, with the Cymbalta not so much, he has actually lost almost 20 punds (needed to!). Sometimes you have to take a look and think is it (weight gain) from lack of activity because with the IC I just don't feel like moving, or is it the meds.

And always read the info that comes with the prescription, or google it. That way you have a better idea of why you may be feeling side effects, or not. Always remember, what works for one does not work for another, and there are many, many alternatives. Pay attention to the way you feel and do not let it get away from you. And always have someone close who can tell you if you are acting differntly. Times when we don't even realize we are acting out of sorts. Take care of yourself. Jill, wife of Bob