Trying a new med...

zljacobs · 07-30-2012, 02:53 AM

Went and saw my doc yesterday because the anxiety had gotten worse than ever, and he has me trying out Cymbalta now to fight off the anxiety while also helping eliminate some of the pain from my banged up shoulder. Has anyone else had any experience on this med? He also gave me some lose-dosage diazepam to take whenever I get one of my really bad anxiety attacks...curious to see how those end up working out. He seemed awfully hesitant to prescribe those, but caved once I pointed out that those attacks happen enough now to ruin quality of life for me. Last big one was a few nights ago at a restaurant, fought the attack all through dinner but couldn't shake it, so I didn't get to eat anything. Left to come back home and it finally faded after an hour or so, leaving me very hungry and depressed!

NoRx4me · 07-30-2012, 03:47 AM

Cymbalta made me more irritable and agitated. My guess is, it would increase anxiety for most. It was one of the last straws before coming off meds, for me. When my dose was increased from 20 to 40mg, I really went nuts. Although, there were other drugs involved too, I wonder if those were added and increased due to side effects from Cymbalta.

I suspect the Dr. prescribing Cymbalta for you has more to do with your shoulder pain than anxiety because that is what it is being marketed for these days (pain). I doubt it will help that either.

You could go to askapatient.com and type in Cymbalta and see what people think who have taken it for pain.

zljacobs · 07-30-2012, 04:16 AM

Well, he wanted me to try it since my mother and uncle have both had good results from it. They deal with fibro so it manages their pain, but she said it really helped with her overall stress levels. And any pain management would be good at this point...I do think my shoulder has a lot to do with my anxiety. Taking this sure beats having more ultrasound-guided injections into it...those are a nightmare and spike my stress level like crazy from how painful the procedure is.

But anyways, at this point I'm open to new suggestions. We talked and he understood my reasons for choosing to quit Paxil on my own, and so that led to trying this new approach. Even if it doesn't do a thing, I at least am happy I have a doc who is listening to my feedback. Most docs would have told me to go back on the Paxil, but I explained that I didn't like the long term ramifications of the drug and he accepted that.

scotty · 07-30-2012, 05:24 AM

Cymbalta is an snri(similar to effexor) with all the problems that come with effexor. I would never recommend this category of antidepressant for someone since the withdrawal scenario is worse than Paxil.

Add that,plus a benzo, and you're now taking two drugs rather than taking the paxil.

What else are you doing for your anxiety, besides drugs? As you learned with Paxil antidepressants come with their own set of problems...and benzos even more problems.

Find a therapist and a good physical therapist.

NoRx4me · 07-30-2012, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Most docs would have told me to go back on the Paxil, but I explained that I didn't like the long term ramifications of the drug and he accepted that.

There are long term ramifications with Cymbalta, as much as with Paxil, maybe even more. Here's the FDA Label;

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsa...427s039lbl.pdf

Sorry to say but, most docs don't tell people to go back on Paxil, they give them the newest drug that's been marketed to them or that they've received samples of.

I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be only negative. I wish I knew what would help anxiety. My son has it bad too. I wish I could get him to use some of the techniques or read some of the books advised on this board.

zljacobs · 07-30-2012, 05:36 PM

Honestly, I'm giving the anxiety its time to pass naturally...the meds are just to help me through this process. I've been through this once before in a very stressful time, and the circumstances here are similar. I ordinarily have no issues with anxiety or nerves....being a marketing major has given me the tools to handle all of that. I just need help through this current situation, and figured I'd try a med that folks in my life are familiar with. Once the job and school situations sort themselves out and I get over the stress of moving across the country then I'll wean off this med and get back to my normal life.

scotty · 07-30-2012, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zljacobs

Once the job and school situations sort themselves out and I get over the stress of moving across the country then I'll wean off this med and get back to my normal life.

And there in lies the problem. It's not as simple as "wean and get back to normal". And the big question..what do you do when life's stressors happen again...as they will for your whole life. Are you willing to devote years of your life weaning and recovering from snri use?

I'm not busting chops, just putting out a little reality check on what this can end up being.

Backtopaxil · 07-30-2012, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty

And there in lies the problem. It's not as simple as "wean and get back to normal". And the big question..what do you do when life's stressors happen again...as they will for your whole life. Are you willing to devote years of your life weaning and recovering from snri use?

I'm not busting chops, just putting out a little reality check on what this can end up being.

I was offered Cymbalta and I declined. It is hard to wean ( my own psyc says so) and the options are limited ( no liquid or tablets to crush, but capsules....)

zljacobs · 07-30-2012, 07:04 PM

Oh I understanding, I know that its gonna be a heck of a process to get through. There are some otherpersonal circumstances causing this one...but they're things that I'm working through and learning to cope with. Thats what gives me faith in my ability to set things straight...I have been learning pretty well how to control my thoughts. As mentioned too, the benefit of Cymbalta is that it aids with the bum knee thats been flaring up and my wrecked rotator cuff. I can tell you I've done the Paxil withdrawal, and I'd gladly do another withdrawal if it means I don't need weekly steroid pads and injections. They hurt just a wee bit!

scotty · 07-30-2012, 07:45 PM

Then you do this fully aware of the potential downsides. Good luck.

zljacobs · 07-30-2012, 08:24 PM

^That is the big part thats different for me now. I was not informed at all when my doc put me on Paxil, and was not prepared for the experience. I chose to try this med now, and am prepared going into it. Guess I'll see what happens.

mayberry33 · 08-09-2012, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backtopaxil

I was offered Cymbalta and I declined. It is hard to wean ( my own psyc says so) and the options are limited ( no liquid or tablets to crush, but capsules....)

The same thing is here, my doctor prescribed Cymbalta for me and people advised me not to take it..

Bilo76 · 08-09-2012, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zljacobs

Last big one was a few nights ago at a restaurant, fought the attack all through dinner but couldn't shake it, so I didn't get to eat anything

Thats where the problem is. You should not fight panic attacks but face and accept them. It's clear you havent had any CBT at all. I would advice to read the book from Claire Weekes.
No drug can cure you permanently from this.

07-30-2012, 02:53 AM	#1
zljacobs Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 13	Trying a new med... Went and saw my doc yesterday because the anxiety had gotten worse than ever, and he has me trying out Cymbalta now to fight off the anxiety while also helping eliminate some of the pain from my banged up shoulder. Has anyone else had any experience on this med? He also gave me some lose-dosage diazepam to take whenever I get one of my really bad anxiety attacks...curious to see how those end up working out. He seemed awfully hesitant to prescribe those, but caved once I pointed out that those attacks happen enough now to ruin quality of life for me. Last big one was a few nights ago at a restaurant, fought the attack all through dinner but couldn't shake it, so I didn't get to eat anything. Left to come back home and it finally faded after an hour or so, leaving me very hungry and depressed!

07-30-2012, 03:47 AM	#2
NoRx4me Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 2,538	Re: Trying a new med... Cymbalta made me more irritable and agitated. My guess is, it would increase anxiety for most. It was one of the last straws before coming off meds, for me. When my dose was increased from 20 to 40mg, I really went nuts. Although, there were other drugs involved too, I wonder if those were added and increased due to side effects from Cymbalta. I suspect the Dr. prescribing Cymbalta for you has more to do with your shoulder pain than anxiety because that is what it is being marketed for these days (pain). I doubt it will help that either. You could go to askapatient.com and type in Cymbalta and see what people think who have taken it for pain. __________________ Poly-drugged for 13 years (SSRI's and Lamictal for most of that time). Ended up on 4 meds (Cymbalta, Lamictal, Vyvanse & Lithium) before losing my mind, then realizing the drugs were MAKING me ill. Drug free since 9/27/08

07-30-2012, 04:16 AM	#3
zljacobs Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 13	Re: Trying a new med... Well, he wanted me to try it since my mother and uncle have both had good results from it. They deal with fibro so it manages their pain, but she said it really helped with her overall stress levels. And any pain management would be good at this point...I do think my shoulder has a lot to do with my anxiety. Taking this sure beats having more ultrasound-guided injections into it...those are a nightmare and spike my stress level like crazy from how painful the procedure is. But anyways, at this point I'm open to new suggestions. We talked and he understood my reasons for choosing to quit Paxil on my own, and so that led to trying this new approach. Even if it doesn't do a thing, I at least am happy I have a doc who is listening to my feedback. Most docs would have told me to go back on the Paxil, but I explained that I didn't like the long term ramifications of the drug and he accepted that.

07-30-2012, 05:24 AM	#4
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 46,993	Re: Trying a new med... Cymbalta is an snri(similar to effexor) with all the problems that come with effexor. I would never recommend this category of antidepressant for someone since the withdrawal scenario is worse than Paxil. Add that,plus a benzo, and you're now taking two drugs rather than taking the paxil. What else are you doing for your anxiety, besides drugs? As you learned with Paxil antidepressants come with their own set of problems...and benzos even more problems. Find a therapist and a good physical therapist. __________________ AKA Laurie "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK

07-30-2012, 05:36 PM	#6
zljacobs Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 13	Re: Trying a new med... Honestly, I'm giving the anxiety its time to pass naturally...the meds are just to help me through this process. I've been through this once before in a very stressful time, and the circumstances here are similar. I ordinarily have no issues with anxiety or nerves....being a marketing major has given me the tools to handle all of that. I just need help through this current situation, and figured I'd try a med that folks in my life are familiar with. Once the job and school situations sort themselves out and I get over the stress of moving across the country then I'll wean off this med and get back to my normal life.

07-30-2012, 07:04 PM	#9
zljacobs Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 13	Re: Trying a new med... Oh I understanding, I know that its gonna be a heck of a process to get through. There are some otherpersonal circumstances causing this one...but they're things that I'm working through and learning to cope with. Thats what gives me faith in my ability to set things straight...I have been learning pretty well how to control my thoughts. As mentioned too, the benefit of Cymbalta is that it aids with the bum knee thats been flaring up and my wrecked rotator cuff. I can tell you I've done the Paxil withdrawal, and I'd gladly do another withdrawal if it means I don't need weekly steroid pads and injections. They hurt just a wee bit!

07-30-2012, 07:45 PM	#10
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 46,993	Re: Trying a new med... Then you do this fully aware of the potential downsides. Good luck. __________________ AKA Laurie "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK

07-30-2012, 08:24 PM	#11
zljacobs Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 13	Re: Trying a new med... ^That is the big part thats different for me now. I was not informed at all when my doc put me on Paxil, and was not prepared for the experience. I chose to try this med now, and am prepared going into it. Guess I'll see what happens.

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