fetzima and fibromyalgia

I just started taking Fetzima instead of Cymbalta for my depression and my fibromyalgia. After a little more than 2 weeks my depression seems to be improving, however my pain level has increased tremendously since I'm off the Cymbalta. The transition from Cymbalta to Fetzima was rough for several days, I had to transition by taking Cymbalta with it then going to every other day and then every 2 days then off the Cymbalta. I think I can handle the depression more than the pain as the pain will cause depression in the long run. Does anyone have fibromyalgia and depression on Fetzima and was originally on Cymbalta?

Hi sfpoodles

First Welcome to PC!

I have a mild form of fibromyalgia and it used to be more major but I changed my diet and it is only mild now. I couldn't take Cymbalta for some unknown reason that I cannot remember. I currently use Gabapentin for it and it helps a lot. I do know of a guy on here who uses Fetzima and I can try to locate him for you. I don't know if he has fibro. I have depression as well and I need to get a med for depression very soon. I hope someone can answer your question more directly.

Best wishes and hope to see you around. We would love to have you say hello in the New Introductions Forum so you can get a more formal welcome and info about the site although it isn't mandatory.

You might try posting this question in this forum below as you might get more responses:

http://forums.psychcentral.com/psychiatric-medications/

I take Cymbalta for depression & fibromyalgia. I take 60 mg/day. I used to take 120 mg/day but I cut it back last year (took 5 months of tapering.)

I was interested in Fetzima because I read that its ratio of serotonin to norepinephrine er, involvement was much more slanted towards the NE than in the other SNRI drugs. I thought that would mean it was more helpful with pain at a lower dose.

I haven't tried it because of cost concerns.

Do you mind telling me what dosages of each you were one? I'm surprised the transition was so difficult.

I used to take Effexor ER before Cymbalta and switching from one to another was entirely smooth.

I'm just the opposite from you - I'm willing to put up with a fair amount of depression if my fibro pain is under control. Maybe your depression is just worse than mine. Mine used to be very painful, but now it's more blah, apathy, what housekeeping problem?

oh - meant to include this:
SNRI List: Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors

Below are different ratios of serotonin to norepinephrine reuptake inhibition. As you can see, Effexor has the most lop-sided ratio. Newer drugs like Cymbalta and Pristiq slightly bridged the gap, but still focus more on serotonin than norepinephrine. The latest SNRI approved for depression called Fetzima favors the norepinephrine, but has almost an equally balanced ratio.

• Effexor – (30:1)
• Cymbalta – (10:1)
• Pristiq – (10:1)
• Fetzima – (1:2)