[guy_in_frisco]

Hi,
I am currently taking Lexapro which works great but I noticed I wake up with killer headaches and always having pain in my back and neck which makes me not want to get out of bed sometimes.
I noticed the Cymblata web site says it can help with the pain as well the emotional part, has anyone had any good results with Cymbalta?
My doctor has agreed that I can alternate my meds since the meds seem to wear off after a within weeks or months and Lexapro is one of them.
Thanks in Advance.....

[obsids]

I am slowly working my way off Paxil and onto Cymbalta. So far, it is helping quite a bit. The theraputic pain dosage is at 60 mg. I am at 50mg at this point, not quite off the Paxil.

The big drawback for me about the Cymbalta is the price. There is no generic yet. My insurance rates it a tier 3 med, which means that it it very expensive.... I pay about $100/month out of pocket, and they cover about $150.

I don't know anything about Lexapro. I do know that Cymbalta is an SSRI and Norepinephrine-something-or-other drug.

[guy_in_frisco]

So I take it that Cymbalta contains some pain relieving medication, do you get shaky or feel tired the following day?
I am kind of confused about my diagnoses because I am not sure where I stand. I know I am always depressed, I have been this way for the longest and I don't get pleasure from anything. When I was not taking meds my speech was not clear and my mind was racing when talking to people. The doctor said I was bipolar but none of the meds helped me as much as the antidepressants did. I don't think I am bipolar because I have about 80% lows and 20% highs. I will admit I easily get irritate by people and sometimes I will snap. I noticed since a passing in my family over thirteen years ago I had become quiet, anti-social and ready for anything that comes my way.
I think I easily get irrated is because I never had time a lone to figure out who I am and what I want to do. I also get irrated when I go into crowed places like Target, the mall or Walmart.
I dont think I am bipolar I just think I have been pushed to the edge. I also have anxiety but I think that is common with depression. I wish there was a way I can get an accurate test but I noticed doctors are over welmed now and days to accomdate everyone's needs so most are quick to make a decision because they have 10 minutes until the next patient.
Can depression make someone irritable to the point where snap and who are always quiet around others?

[obsids]

It sounds to me like you have an anxiety disorder.

The Cymbalta, as I understand it, affects serotonin and norepinephrine. The norepinephrine is what helps with the pain.

The only side effects so far for me have been appetite loss and mild nausea (just the first few days).

I remember Wellbutrin made me really shaky. I think that was the dopamine part of the drug.

I don't know if depression can make someone really irritable. But I do know that my anxiety and PTSD make me snap sometimes.

[guy_in_frisco]

I know I also suffer from PTSD due to ruff times growing up and several lost in my life. What causes one to have these disorders because I dont remember having most of these as a child? Could it be from holding in pain then eventually you have anxiety and depression??
I will talk with my doctor about Cymbalta and see what he says. It really sux living life with these symptoms.

[abilifyguy]

Depression can cause irritability. Effexor and cymbalta both raise norepinephrine, but effexor is weaker at it than cymbalta. I usually associate low norepinephrine with inability to concentrate, general fatigue and the general aches and pains that come with depression. If you're tired and achy and can't think focus/concentrate, you may have low norepinephrine.

[guy_in_frisco]

I guess my main concern I have is the headache I get when I wake up the tense muscles in my neck and shoulders. My depression is so strong it controls my daily life and I feel like I am running out of options when it comes to medications. I am hoping Cymbalta is a winner because life is to short feeling sad everyday and not knowing what fun is.
One thing I noticed about myself is I am a creature of comfort. Example: I could go to the gym for 6 months and become very dedicated but once something happens that causes me to miss days going to the gym then I stop going. It takes months for me to finally motivate myself to get back into the grove.
I use to be stronger then this, wonder what happened!

[krzyk101]

Hi, I suffer from severe anxiety and depression and chronic pain, I did some checking on Cymbalta when it first came out and found if I am correct in my memory that the medication itself is a combonation of the Prozac componant or ingredient mixed with the Zyprexia componant or ingredient. I am not sure though. I know that the drug Zyprexia unsure of generic name can cause diabetes, so am wondering if maybe it would do good for those taking it to have glucose levels or periodic monitoring of the blood sugar. I am happy for those who do achieve a benifit from this new drug, only hope the cost will go down over time. Best regards, K101

[psisci]

Cymbalta is totally different from either Prozac or Zyprexa, and is safe with diabetes.

[complic8d]

I was on Cymbalta for a while, and while it was helping the depression I also noticed a decrease in my fibromyalgia pain. I maxed out on it though and then had to switch to something else.
I wonder if the neck, shoulder pain from tense muscles is related to the anxiety. Just my 2 cents.

BTW- Symbiax (sp?) is a combo of prozac and zyprexa and yes the atypical antipsychotics are associated with changes in blood sugar levels.