[colder]

Hi all-

I've been on 30 mg of Cymbalta for about 4 weeks to treat major depressive disorder. It worked like magic for the first 3 weeks, but lately I've begun to develop some obsessive thinking, specifically about suicide. I do not wish to act on these feelings, in that they are different from the suicidal ideation I experienced before I was treated for depression. Has anyone else experienced this with Cymbalta, or any other antidepressant for that matter?

[online user]

There is also a medication forum--further down the page in a "therapies" section on the forum listing. You might want to write in there and read some of the other threads. Someone posted about feeling that way either here or there, but it was on a different medication. Everyone felt that the PC member should talk to her therapist and pyschiatrist about it. She was going to keep taking the meds and cope with the new feelings, as she didn't feel like she wanted to act on them and the new meds were helping her a lot in every other respect.

I'm on Cymbalta and Remeron. I find the biggest side effects are dry mouth and excessive sweating--but only at times. I can live with that. I've been on them about 6 months now.

Sounds like you might want to talk to your T and pdoc.

[online user]

PS. From what I've read and what my psychiatrist told me, the time they really worry about us depressives and suicide is AFTER we start feeling better. When we are really down in the dumps, we have no energy to act. The time when most attempts occur is when the medications have enlivened us and we are actually better.

[online user]

OK, there is a current thread by justfloating. That's on this depression forum. The other was on the meds forum I think--was by pgrundy. She also wrote in on justfloating's thread. They are the ones who reported feeling something similar.

[Can't Stop Crying]

Originally Posted by online user

PS. From what I've read and what my psychiatrist told me, the time they really worry about us depressives and suicide is AFTER we start feeling better. When we are really down in the dumps, we have no energy to act. The time when most attempts occur is when the medications have enlivened us and we are actually better.

From my research...I've found the exact same thing. The anti-depressants don't actually cause the suicidal thoughts, just provide the energy and focus to act on pre-existing ones. (Don't quote me on this one, it's based on some articles I've read) Do you have a follow-up scheduled with your doc? You are on an extremely low dose of Cymbalta and that make me suspect they are probably going to gradually up it. Please follow up with you doc ASAP and if the thoughts get more intense, get immediate help.

I am on Cymbalta as well as my son. 30mg was the starting dose for both of us. I never experienced what you describe. Have you thought about posting in the psychiatric medication forum?

This is very interesting. My plan for suicide has always been to act on it once I am better because I know that the pain of depression will always return. Don't worry, that plan has always faded once I've gotten better. I have no intentions to kill myself ever. Just always planned for it to be in the good times. Interesting that docs take note of that.

Love and hugs,
Tara