[durple]

Hello group I have a question or 2 or 3?


1. I have read bad bad things about cymbalta/Duloxetine specially the ablitly to get off the medication for most is extremely difficult and some can not even get off completely. So I have read!.... Since it is so hard...Should I stop taking this med even though Im feeling better?

2. I am feeling very sexy (I have not felt this in years) on Duloxetineis. Is this a normal side affect? Is it going to continue or leave like most side effects? Stay would make me happy.


3. Any one lost or gained with this med?

[Skeezyks]

Well... I'm probably not representative of people who have been on Cymbalta. I was on it for … oh... a year or so... a few years back. I don't recall exactly how long I took it. (I no longer take anything.)

Initially I was on the name brand med. I switched to the generic when it became available. Previously I had tried quite a few other antidepressants sometimes by themselves, sometimes in combination with other psych med's. Cymbalta (including the generic) was the best antidepressant (for me) I ever took. Plus, in addition to helping with depression, it was helpful for chronic pain.

I don't recall experiencing any significant weight gain while taking it... maybe 5 pounds. But it's hard to say. However I watch my weight closely & I'm male. So that may have something to do with that I suppose. Neither do I recall experiencing any increase in sexuality. (I could probably have used that.) The only side effect I can recall experiencing was that, as I was on it for a while, I began to notice some jerkiness in my arm movements, such as when I would be using the mouse on my computer. However, once I stopped taking the med. this jerkiness went away.

I finally decided to go off of the medication when I changed health insurance providers & the out-of-pocket cost skyrocketed! I talked it over with my pdoc & he recommended a reduction schedule that took me from the maximum recommended dosage down to zero over the course of two weeks. I thought this was very fast. But since that was his recommendation I decided to go with it. And I don't recall experiencing any particularly troublesome withdrawal effects.

I can't advise you with regard to whether or not you should stop taking this or any other medication. This is something you need to discuss with your prescriber. Perhaps other members, here on PC, will have some experiences they can share that will be of help to you in making your decision.

[IrisBloom]

I went off of a high dose of cymbalta after taking it four years. If you do it the correct way, which is very slowly, over a month or so, you should have minimal withdrawal.

There are risks with a lot of meds. I was doing well on it but went off due to BP concerns. I'd give it a month or so and see if it agrees with you. It did supress my appetite at first and I lost a little but not significant.

The sexy part I don't know...maybe you feel sexy because you feel better?