[island_er]

Hi, I'm new to this board, so I should probably introduce myself

My name's Darby and I'm 19 from VA. I'm a college student (online) and for fun I like to browse the internet (StumbleUpon is a close friend ), watch interesting things especially documentaries, anything music related (listening to, reading about, watching things about, playing, making, etc.), drawing, writing, painting, anything creative.

Bipolar disorder is the best diagnosis my psychiatrist can give me right now, but we are not 100% positive. I have the depression side for sure. I can be in a normal or even positive mood, and for no apparent reason, something triggers my brain to start free falling into a depressive episode, all within seconds. It's intense, hard to handle. The depression was at it's worst around the 4th of July. I was very suicidal, would have taken any chance I got. I stayed in my bed like 23 hours a day. When my live-in boyfriend would leave for work, I would take some Xanax just to knock myself out so I wouldn't have to deal with the day.

I was put on Cymbalta by my psychiatrist, chosen because it is the only antidepressant (out of probably 20 combined) that worked for both my mother and brother. I was desperate to stop feeling the way I was so I agreed to 30 mgs a day for the first week, then 60 mgs. I started the meds on July 20. I'd say that by the time August rolled around, I was significantly better. It was easier for my family to notice than me, but hey, I wasn't at all suicidal, that's HUGE!

Thought the Cymbalta was the drug for me, got my expensive prescription all filled...and now I believe I have to stop taking it. During the past 4 days or so, I've been getting progressively worse. Anxiety has probably doubled, depression comes and goes, at worse (yesterday), I felt completely empty again. I just laid down and cried because I couldn't control the sadness. Also, it is making me very agitated and restless, two words that scare the crap out of me because they exacerbate my dystonia/akathisia/RLS (no one has been able to figure that one out either).

You might be wondering why I was diagnosed as bipolar. True, I don't know that I've ever experienced a full manic episode. It's certainly possible, I've acted completely crazy and out of character before. However, I think it's more of a hypomania, and it's definitely not started abruptly and immediately like the depression is.

Anyone else have experience with Cymbalta? What did you think?

Thanks!

[Medicated]

Hey,

I just wanted to welcome you to the PC Bipolar forum. So, Welcome!

I've never taken cymbalta, so I can't help you there, but maybe there's someone else handy who can share some insight.

... anyone?

[BNLsMOM]

Never taken Cymbalta, but I do know that without a mood stabilizer someone with bipolar can go into a mixed and or manic episode on antidepressants alone. The anxiety you describe could be how you manifest manic symptoms. My p-nurse told me once that not everyone gets euphoric and talkative, etc. Some people just get very irritable and anxious. That seems to be the case with me.

[Amandas256]

I'm on Cymbalta and it has worked wonders for me. I also take Lamictal for my mood stabilizer. I'm also on Lithium. There are many anti depressants out there so maybe you should talk to a p-doc and see what else you can try. Just because your mom and brother couldn't take something, that doesn't mean it wouldn't work for you.
Welcome to PC! This is a great site. I hope you like it!

[trippinmickey]

Ive taken for 2 years now and been happy with it. But its one of 6 so they all kind of work together. I still have up and downs even with the meds. im on but its not as intense as it use to be . Trying to find your triggers is the really trick so you can spot the slide. Makes going down alot easier when you know its coming .

[vjdragonfly]

Welcome to the bi-polar forum Darby. I agree with medicated, you may need a mood stabilizer. Just the anti-depressant alone could be causing your symptoms. I would definitely talk to your pdoc about what you are experiencing. I wish you the best of luck.

[blueoctober]

Welcome Darby, I have never been on cymbalta, but I have been on an anti-d prior to my diagnosis and it sent me into a mixed state, I attempted etc. and ended up in the Psych hospital where I was diagnosed. I am currently on an anti-d, but I'm also on a mood stabilizer.

Has your p-doc diagnosed you with bipolar? Are you on any other meds? I agree with everyone else contact your P-doc.

I have Bipolar II and I suffer more often with major depression. Full blown mania is only seen in Bipolar I unless it's been induced by drugs prescribed or otherwise. I get hypomania which is milder than mania and most often it presents as me being very drive, but it can change to irritability or being extremely happy.

I hope you find this site supportive!

[island_er]

Thank you for your help everyone, I didn't even think of the different ways mania could be expressed.

[Anneinside]

I have taken Cymbalta or two or three years, can't recall. It did help but I need a boost Abilify gave me. I like cymbalta and haven't had any side effects from it.

[RecoveryInstructor]

Originally Posted by island_er

Hi, I'm new to this board, so I should probably introduce myself

My name's Darby and I'm 19 from VA. I'm a college student (online) and for fun I like to browse the internet (StumbleUpon is a close friend ), watch interesting things especially documentaries, anything music related (listening to, reading about, watching things about, playing, making, etc.), drawing, writing, painting, anything creative.

Bipolar disorder is the best diagnosis my psychiatrist can give me right now, but we are not 100% positive. I have the depression side for sure. I can be in a normal or even positive mood, and for no apparent reason, something triggers my brain to start free falling into a depressive episode, all within seconds. It's intense, hard to handle. The depression was at it's worst around the 4th of July. I was very suicidal, would have taken any chance I got. I stayed in my bed like 23 hours a day. When my live-in boyfriend would leave for work, I would take some Xanax just to knock myself out so I wouldn't have to deal with the day.

I was put on Cymbalta by my psychiatrist, chosen because it is the only antidepressant (out of probably 20 combined) that worked for both my mother and brother. I was desperate to stop feeling the way I was so I agreed to 30 mgs a day for the first week, then 60 mgs. I started the meds on July 20. I'd say that by the time August rolled around, I was significantly better. It was easier for my family to notice than me, but hey, I wasn't at all suicidal, that's HUGE!

Thought the Cymbalta was the drug for me, got my expensive prescription all filled...and now I believe I have to stop taking it. During the past 4 days or so, I've been getting progressively worse. Anxiety has probably doubled, depression comes and goes, at worse (yesterday), I felt completely empty again. I just laid down and cried because I couldn't control the sadness. Also, it is making me very agitated and restless, two words that scare the crap out of me because they exacerbate my dystonia/akathisia/RLS (no one has been able to figure that one out either).

You might be wondering why I was diagnosed as bipolar. True, I don't know that I've ever experienced a full manic episode. It's certainly possible, I've acted completely crazy and out of character before. However, I think it's more of a hypomania, and it's definitely not started abruptly and immediately like the depression is.

Anyone else have experience with Cymbalta? What did you think?

Thanks!

Medications have this odd problem with working differently for everyone. How long have you been taking the Cymbalta for, as it can take up to three to four weeks to realize the benefits of the medication and overcome the side effects that occur. Being an advocate for yourself (or have someone that can be on your side) when speaking to the psychiatrists does help, as it is your body and mind that must deal with the issues that result from taking the meds.

Remember that you are an expert in your own care; it does take time to find the right combination of therapies that works for you. I was diagnosed in '92, and it took me until relatively recently to find a combination that works.

There is a possibility that they were focusing primarily on helping manage the suicidal idealizations and depression that plagued you before putting you on other medications. That would be something to discuss with your doctor(s), however.

-K

[BlackPup]

Welcome
I agree with blue october, with the whole AD/ mania thing... depends if you were on drugs (prescription or others!!) when you had your hypomania(s). If you were, it could be drug induced BP... same treatment initially but unlike the rest of us suckers... the possibility of complete remission and no more drugs!!!
Best of luck with your journey and hope the forum helps