Cravings? What the heck.

[DreamNaut]

Hi all I take cymbalta 60mg and lorazapam 1mg 2X a day. Alot of days I just have these TERRIBLE CRAVINGS. I thought it was sugar, didn't help. Then I thought maybe it was alchohol (I havn't drank in 2 years), but I was willing to give it a shot. No luck. I then tried water, well that didn't work either. Is this a common symptom of depression?

[DreamNaut]

Well, I use to have very bad panic attacks (couldn't breathe), I believe thats how the lorazapam started. I was then diagnosed with GAD. I wouldn't recommend long term lorazapam.. the withdrawel is very very painful (after a year of lorazapam), but its worth it to me, because I suffer from many thyroid disease symptoms. It's a week for short term use, long term use is MONTHS to withdraw from.  Cymbalta works VERY well. I can't tolerate SSRI's so they gave me an SNRI. For me, its a miracle drug, initial side affects naseau, but after taking it for 3 months now, I don't have any side affects that I can discern. Depression resolved within two days of taking it, and let me tell you I had some BAD depression. I remember laying in bed, hoping somone would walk through the door and kill me :)  My doctor has stated that SNRI's are somewhat nasty to withdraw from, so keep that in mind. I don't like the idea of relying on drugs, but you have to do what you have to do survive :)

[Seattle_sleeping_less_2011]

Hello, welcome to the depression forum--

I was wondering how the cymbalta was working out?  I'm looking for a new medication similar to effexor, however I'm going to be trying something else for a while.  How on earth do you get them to give you 2 mg of lorazapam?  They will only give me enough for 1mg three times a week allowing for 4 days to "dry-out" from the opiate-based stuff.  And even then I have been interrogated by the "tranquilizer-patrol" usually under-paid nurses just out of nursing school who are on a mission from God to eradicate the legitimate use of prescription medications.  I think they are just jealous that they don't have it--psychological projection.  Your cravings could be related to the lorazepam.  I'm sure you don't abuse it, but many people do which makes it difficult for the rest of us.  Did you run out?  there would be several days of effects like insomnia and what you are describing.  The anti-depressant meds can cause cravings also such as a restless need to eat.  The one I"m taking does that.  I graze like a cow sometimes--until I run out of food...
I try to fight it by having diet drinks around, but they are hard on digestion after several a day.  And yes, irritability, restlessness, agitation can all be part of depression unfortunately, but I'm not familiar with all the symptoms of depression.  For me, it's always been this dark, negative BS, walking off jobs, not wanting to get up or do anything, etc...seems like a waste of time.  and then theres the irritability, like this computer.  I'm glad to have it, but I'm afraid I'm going to lose one of these days and chuck it into the river it's so annoying.  you pay $700 for something and it just gives you a bunch of cr---p.  
I hate to say it, but while lorazepam can keep you going, the pay off is the week or two of insomnia and agitation when you have to come off it.
best of luck--