cymbalta

[Guest guest]

Hi!

This is Margaret the lurker.

I had been taking 120mg of Cymbalta as is recommended for the

treatment of fibro. I have had problems with Major Depression. I was

also taking Cymbalta and Wellbutrin for depression.

I reached the dreaded 'donut hole' in my prescription coverage.

Cymbalta is way too expensive for me to take. So, I asked ye ol'

Psychiatrist to switch to another med.

As I weaned off Cymbalta, I found that a cloud somewhat lifted from

my ability to function mentally. I feel more energetic. I have

experienced no increase in pain.

I thought that Cymbalta was one of the few meds, along with Lyrica

(which I can't afford), that was used to treat fibro.

I wondered what other people have experienced with Cymbalta. Has

anyone had success with it? Has anyone had side effects similiar to

mine.

If you all have recently discussed this, I am sorry to bring it up

again. I still don't remember as much as I would like to remember.

I would appreciate any comments.

Thanks.

Margaret

[Guest guest]

I can't respond to the Cymbalta as a pain reliever, but I know a great

deal about antidepressants as I have been on one or another or many at

the same time for the last 26 years or more. I just weaned off Celexa

due to some side effects and my doc gave me a prescription for Cymbalta.

He wanted me totally off the Celexa first to see if that was for sure

causing the symptoms I was having. In any case, as I came off I noticed

that I was sleeping better and I haven't quite decided totally, but I

think that the depression is no worse just being on the other

antidepressants I was already on. So, I spoke to the doc last week and

said I want to hold off longer to see how the depression does before

starting another med because maybe I won't need it. He was delighted to

have me do so. So, perhaps your reactions to the Cymbalta are

eliminated with weaning off and if the pain is no worse, then maybe you

simply don't need that particular med at this point. You may want to go

off completely and see how you do. If the pain is no worse than that's

great, and if the depression is an issue then there are so many

antidepressants out there that you might find one with more tolerable

side effects. They all have side effects, just a matter of which ones

don't bother you in particular. I hate that there is that RX window to

deal with. It is totally ridiculous to have that. I carry state health

insurance as well as my Medicare simply for the purpose of paying for my

meds. The state insurance is income based so I get an 80% discount on

the premium. Even though the meds are then covered, the copays can be

$40 or $50 so it is still expensive, but not as much as trying to pay

for the meds outright.

Sandrea